A taste of Italy in Cleveland

Take a stroll down Mayfield Road in Little Italy and you will encounter the smell of fresh food, the sound of authentic Italian music, and the sight of beautiful pieces of art. Close your eyes, and you may start to believe you're in Rome. This neighborhood has a rich history, and continues to thrive today by embracing the culture of its community and the dedication of its business owners.

The Little Italy neighborhood traces its roots back to the 1800s when an Italian sculptor named Joseph Carrabelli began to create granite and marble artwork on present-day Murray Hill Road. Other Italian families started to relocate to this area, and soon called it home.

The culture and artistic spirit of the past are still present in the neighborhood today. Rated in the top five Little Italy's in the U.S., this neighborhood is now home to over 20 galleries, 15 restaurants, two schools and a church. Patrons can be found traipsing up and down Mayfield Road, just south of Euclid Avenue, on any given day of the week.

With so many shops and restaurants, it may seem overwhelming when choosing where to start in exploring the town. To ease the process, a list of the top 10 must-see galleries, restaurants and festivals has been compiled below.

10. La Bella Vita.

Celebrating "the beautiful life," La Bella Vita is not only the largest boutique bridal registry in the greater Cleveland area, but also one of the country's largest Italian dinnerware and giftware dealers. The store emulates Italian culture, with walls painted to depict Italian scenes and Italian music drifting throughout the store. Owner Barbara Strom believes the store's product line and location contribute to its success.

"We are a destination as a store because of our product offer, but we are also fortunate to be a tourist draw because of our location and the wonderful collection of Italian restaurants in our area," Strom said.

From dinnerware to linens to wine accessories, every shopper will be able to find a unique gift.

La Bella Vita is located at 2013 Murray Hill Road.

9. Presti's Bakery

Opened in 1903 by the Presti family, this bakery originally specialized in selling fresh-baked bread. As the business expanded, so did its menu. The glass display case is now filled with homemade donuts, cannolis, cappuccino brownies, cassata cakes, gelato, and many other baked goods. The family has also recently added on a full line of pizza, stromboli, bruschetta and classic Italian entrees. If you're in the mood for traditional Italian food and sweets, Presti's Bakery is the place to stop.

Presti's Bakery is located at 12101 Mayfield Road.

8. Keller Art Glass

Jerry Keller, owner of Keller Art Glass, is no stranger to Little Italy. Having lived in the neighborhood for the last 39 years, Keller has developed numerous friendships with the patrons who frequent his studio. His studio specializes in decorative art glass, and Keller creates a majority of the items for his clients.

"People seem to enjoy talking to the person that actually comes up with the ideas and executes them," Keller said. "I am glad to help facilitate people's creative side in our conversations."

Keller has created pieces of art for individuals including Paul McCartney, Michael Jordan and Jerry Seinfeld, among others. His last series of pieces included full-sized and mini glass guitars. To view unique pieces of glass art work you won't find anywhere else, take a peek at Keller's studio.

Keller Art Glass is located at 2151 Murray Hill Road.

7. Mia Bella Restaurant

Mia Bella has been a family restaurant from the beginning. Helga Mehmeti, current CSU Finance student and wife to chef/owner Gerti Mehmeti, noted that on any given day three generations of her family can be seen walking about the restaurant. Named after the family's granddaughter, Bella, the restaurant specializes in Italian food with a Mediterranean twist. The restaurant occupies a 150-year-old building and many of the original architectural details remain intact. Mia Bella received the 2010 and 2011 Taste of Little Italy Best Food and Best Restaurant awards, and features signature dishes such as Veal Braciole and Shrimp Saganaki. Mia Bella also offers an incentive for students to stop by and dine—CSU students receive 10 percent off with their CSU ID.

Mia Bella is located at 12200 Mayfield Road.

6. Galeria Quetzal

To take a short break from Italian culture, make a stop at Galeria Quetzal. This 10-year-old gallery is filled floor to ceiling with authentic Hispanic folk and fine art. Owner Paloma Pilar Grasso opened the business as part of her retirement dream. The gallery features merchandise from over 16 different Latin American countries, and Grasso makes sure to supervise where the pieces of art come from.

"All the pieces are handmade and handpicked by me, because I go to the countries to buy the merchandise and make sure people are paid fairly for their art," Grasso said.

Select items in her gallery include hand-dyed clothing, jewelry, quilts and wall hangings. The store is also currently featuring merchandise from a Spanish jeweler and hosting an exhibit for the Cleveland Museum of Art's Textile Art Alliance.

Galeria Quetzal is located at 12400 Mayfield Road.

5. Feast of the Assumption

Every mid-August, the streets of Little Italy become jam-packed with people. These individuals travel to the neighborhood religiously to partake in the Feast of the Assumption Festival. Dating back to the 1800s, the Feast was originally developed to celebrate The Feast of the Assumption at Holy Rosary Church. Now in its 114th year, the Feast has expanded to include fireworks, amusement rides and live entertainment. Although certain modern aspects have been incorporated, the core elements still remain intact. A procession of a statue of Mary throughout the neighborhood still takes place on the Feast day, and classic Italian food vendors still line the streets.