🍝 Little Italy’s Comeback

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Just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in.

Which is why Joe Gallo laughs about the return of the iconic Agostino’s in Little Italy.

“It happened by chance,” says Gallo, who owned the original eatery with his father, Antonio. For decades, it was a destination for lovers of classic Italian cuisine.

That is, until Gallo cashed out a decade ago to work as a consultant.

Then came his Michael Corleone moment as he was driving through Little Italy one day and saw a FOR LEASE sign.

“I love this neighborhood and always wanted a place here -- so I decided to do it,” says Gallo, who’s partnered with lifelong friend Chef Frank Porcelli and Sergio Porcelli of Porcelli’s Ristorante fame.

The Porcellis’ roots go back to Ethiopia – and their broad sensibilities dovetail with Gallo’s concept.

Agostino’s menu runs from standards (Nona Gallo’s Meatballs, Veal Marsala, his dad’s Calamari) to innovative takes that appeal to vegetarians and vegans and fusionistas.

“We’re trying different things,” says Gallo, who sits at the piano to sing and play a few songs a night. “And want to bring new ideas to the neighborhood.”

Our second 216 Insider Special Edition Report drops tomorrow.

The first unpacked how data centers make Americans subsidize Big Tech’s AI boom.

This one is a City Guide to gems you’ve missed—but won’t want to.

Will there ever be a more watched game between two 2-8 teams? Probably not, at least unless the Browns start another quarterback as talked about as Shedeur Sanders.

He was team’s first quarterback since 1999 to win in his first start. And he flashed talent on deep passes as the team defeated the lowly Raiders.

Regardless of how Sanders plays going forward, Browns fans can rejoice at the play of one of the team’s best rookie classes in years:

Carson Schwesinger (11 tackles); Quinshon Judkins (two TDs); Dylan Sampson (66-yard TD reception that he created solely); Mason Graham (his toughness freed up the line to record 10 sacks); Harold Fannin Jr. (4 catches, tough yards) and Andre Szmyt (another solid kicking game).

The work week opens with a mad dash clawing for turkeys in grocery stores and closes with shopping carts smashing into one another in search of toys, gadgets and $199 TV sets.

In between, come the plans with family, friends and visitors for holiday events hitting the city — including WinterLand.

The annual celebration returns on Saturday – with a tree lighting in Public Square, a light show, a pop-up marketplace, a bazaar in the 5th Street Arcades and events in Terminal Tower and Cleveland Public Library. And, of course, the opening of the Cleveland Foundation Ice Skating Rink.

Check out three more in the 216 Rundown.

Cleveland Market: The holiday edition of flea offers an alternative to Walmart – thanks to more than 70 local business, to go with food trucks, themed performers and drinks. Friday through Sunday, it hits the Tenk Building in the Flats. Info.

Frost at Cleveland Botanical Garden: One of the area’s premier holiday events features towering ice arches, larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures and light installations. Through Jan. 4. Info.

Magic of Lights Winterland Walk: The immersive walk-through features light shows, glowing displays and animation extravaganzas. This year, it has  moved to Victory Park in North Ridgeville. Opens Thursday and runs through Jan. 3. Info.

The Beths: New Zealand has been a hotbed of purveyors of high-energy, power pop that colored with melancholy. Here come the Beths, which bring their indie-pop stylings to Globe Iron. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Info.

EC50: A Celebration of Eric Carmen’s Musical Legacy: The show features former bandmates and the Lakewood High School Orchestra paying tribute to the co-founder of the Choir and Raspberries who passed away last year. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

“Stranger Things” will open its fifth and final season on Wednesday. (Trailer here.)

Netflix will roll out the first four episodes of the season, with the final four coming out on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

Geraci’s Downtown is celebrating with ‘Stranger Slices.’

Its’ themed pizza -- "Eleven's Eggo Pie” – features cheese, chicken and waffles on top, and is drizzled with hot honey. It’s on the menu through the end of the month.

The shop is also decorated to look like Hawkins, Indiana, with "Upside Down" elements and other show-inspired visuals.

Opened in 1953, Steve's Lunch was a late or last or early stop for night owls, graveyard-shift workers, cops, cabbies and rock 'n' rollers – not to mention Drew Carey, Bill Cosby and George Clooney.

In almost 62 years, Steve's was only closed twice -- in 1963, the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and for a few days in 1972, after a fire.

It closed for good in March 2015, after it was consumed in a fire. A big piece of Cleveland was lost.

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60 🌡️ 51 | 🌧️ | 55% | 💨 WSW 9 mph (8 knots)

59 🌡️ 52 | 🌧️ | 55% | 💨 NNE 4 mph (3 knots)

63 🌡️ 55 | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 N 11 mph (10 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Raptors, 7 PM November 24 (Monday)

Away vs. Hawks, 7:30 PM November 28 (Friday)

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