No better time to visit Little Italy with my Italian-rooted family than parents weekend! As soon as you step into Little Italy, you feel as if you left Baltimore and entered another city. The streets themselves are narrow with Italian flags hanging from the rowhomes, mini Italian flags taped onto gates, fire hydrants painted in the colors of the Italian flag, and the old brick buildings give the neighborhood a historic and Italian feel. Moreover, strings of lights stretch across some of the streets, which adds to that homey and welcoming ambiance. However, the neighborhood is small, much smaller than Little Italy in New York or Boston, making the entire neighborhood more walkable and quiet. While it doesn’t cover many blocks, you can tell that the people take pride in keeping the Italian heritage alive in the area, adding to Baltimore's character.
The quietness was striking. I’m used to Italian neighborhoods feeling noisy and alive, whether that’s in South Philly by the 9th Street market or either Little Italy in Boston or New York. You hear people talking and laughing loudly with their hand gestures, everyone greeting one another, cars trying to get through traffic, and even see people coming out of butcher shops, delis, and Italian markets in their aprons still stained from their work. A lot of times a gravy stain. Compared to that, Baltimore’s Little Italy felt mediocre. Charming to a certain extent, yes, but it was missing some of the characteristics that I associate with Italian-American neighborhoods.
However, there were still moments that I valued, one being a mural on the wall of men in suits and women in dresses with a band playing what I imagine was Italian music from the old days. It made me think of old photos of my parents and grandparents back in the day, how they used to gather and celebrate with food, music, and family. As my family and I walked to dinner, we saw two older women walking slowly down the street while holding each other’s arms. It looked like a wholesome moment you would see in a movie. Even though many would look past this, it captured the idea of loyalty and exemplified their friendship, much like you would see in the streets of Italy. Even though it is a quieter neighborhood, I was happy to see that there are still some values in sight.
For dinner, we decided to try Chiapparelli’s, a well-known restaurant in the area. To be honest, I was not impressed. I felt like I was just getting a bite to eat at a random place. Yes, the food was Italian, but it did not taste authentic in my opinion. Coming from a deep-rooted Italian family, maybe I am biased, but I was not a fan. More so, it seemed like a very Americanized Italian chain restaurant. The dining room was quiet with only few people there nor did it have that Italian decor and feel to it. At least maybe some music! Nothing about it made me feel like I was walking into a place with deep cultural roots. I was disappointed and I know one restaurant cannot represent the entire neighborhood, but Chiapparelli’s did not have that charm and authenticity we had hoped for.
Even though I was not satisfied with my meal, my visit to Little Italy was worth it. Although it is quieter than the Italian-American communities I grew up around, it still is able to share its Italian heritage in their own way. For anyone visiting Baltimore, I would still recommend taking a stroll through Little Italy. You will be able to take in the Italian atmosphere and enjoy what comes with it. Just because I didn’t love my experience at my restaurant, doesn’t mean you can’t find the restaurant for you! You all can stumble upon a spot that speaks to you. You can even head to a local bakery and taste some delicious Italian pastries! Like I’ve said before, I may be biased because of my full Italian heritage, so your experience can be totally different from mine!
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