From Peasant to Posh: An Authentic Taste of Sicily Comes to Mt. Lebanon

PITTSBURGH (November 3, 2014) ­– Arancini House, an authentic Sicilian inspired cafe, is opening on November 17, 2014, at 615 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. They will be open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, to serve breakfast and lunch. The restaurant’s namesake and flagship menu items are centuries-old family recipes made with risotto and a variety of fresh gourmet fillings such as white truffle with fontina, and bechamel with prosciutto di cotto.

Having worked in family Italian restaurants for over 3 decades, Arancini House owners, Joe Reale and his father-in-law Emanuel LaCommare, saw an opportunity to bring a part of Sicilian culture to Pittsburgh. Joe says, “Arancini are to Sicily what Primanti’s sandwiches are to Pittsburgh.”

Historically, arancini were considered a peasant food that was designed for workers as a hot meal rolled up and ready to eat, not dissimilar to the inspiration for the Primanti’s sandwich born right here in Pittsburgh. In keeping with tradition, fresh local ingredients drive the core menu at Arancini House.

The cafe-styled restaurant will be offering coffee, espresso, Italian sodas, cannoli and nutella arancini in addition to serving traditional Sicilian street food. For more information about Arancini House, to see their full menu or to learn more about the history of arancini, visit their website at www.arancinihouse.com.