CLEVELAND — Terry Tarantino said he has an appreciation for authentic Italian food as the owner of La Dolce Vita, right in the heart of Little Italy in Cleveland, at the corner of Murray Hill and Mayfield roads.

“Instead of learning how to cook, I learned how to eat and taste," Tarantino said.

Tartantino will put these skills to test again this year as a vendor at The Feast of the Assumption.

What You Need To Know

  • Terry Tarantino owns La Dolce Vita in the heart of Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood

  • Tarantino's restaurant is a vendor at this year's Feast of the Assumption

  • The festival runs Aug. 12-15

“All Little Italies usually have a saint day or a day to represent themselves," Tarantino said.

The four-day Catholic festival takes place right outside of his restaurant, so he said he has no choice but to participate.

“If I had a choice, I’d probably sneak out of town [for] a couple of days," Tarantino said.

Joking aside, Tarantino said he understands the feast's rich history, which dates back more than 120 years. He said it's part of his heritage.

“My father’s whole family was born and raised here," Tarantino said.

Sharing his culture through his food for more than 30 years, he said his restaurant has become a symbol of Little Italy.

“My restaurant was in a few movies, but the most famous one, [was] by the Russo brothers, was the movie, 'Cherry,'" Tarantino said.

He said he's become just as well-known for his style. He said he’s typically fitted with a fedora.

“For the last few years, I’ve been wearing clothes that are kind of beachy-like clothes because in my mind, I should be retired," Tarantino said.

But he said he can’t let himself walk away just yet.

“I want everybody to enjoy the sweet life, and I mean by that to enjoy the food, the culture, the music that we play," Tarantino said.