The bocce court awaits the return of warm weather. If you don't want to make 20 trips to Little Italy but you want to try every restaurant in the neighborhood, check out the Taste of Italy. After you've eaten your way through the neighborhood, walk off a few pounds on your way to the local bocce courts. Located on Stiles Street between S. High and S. Exeter streets, the courts host cutthroat tournaments and local league games. If you happen upon a game, you'll notice that bocce is like a cross between lawn bowling and horseshoes.
Players compete to see who can roll the ball closest to the pallino , the target ball.
Perhaps the only drawback to visiting Little Italy is the lack of parking. Restaurant patrons vie with residents for coveted curbside spots, and the few small lots tend to fill up fast on weekends. A new multilevel garage at Central and Bank streets should alleviate those hassles and accommodate large crowds for Little Italy's celebrations. Getting to Little Italy is the easy part. Whether you're craving a gourmet meal, looking for some cultural edification, or just trying to add some flavor to your love life, Little Italy provides a great backdrop.