The family Tumino came to the New World over 40 years ago, bringing traditional Italian tastes and recipes with them. Salvatore and Maria Tumino opened Tumino's Pizzeria at the North Salina Street location in 1987. Their sons John, Richard and Christian participated in the family business. Eventually, the younger generation went on to their own lives and Salvatore sold the business in 1995. The new owners closed the pizzeria four years later.

In 2001, the city announced that the Little Italy project would commence the following year, brightening one of Syracuse's oldest neighborhoods. Wanting to be a part of the rebirth of the neighborhood, the Tuminos opened Asti Caffe in place of the pizzeria.

Asti began as a 30-seat trattoria. Its menu included homemade soups, salads, wraps or sandwiches to pasta varieties and a sizable list of entrees. Chicken or veal specialties, created in the Francese, Parmigiana, Marsala, Marinara or saltimbocca methods, are all made to order. Sauces -- marinara, red and vodka -- are made on the premises using the finest ingredients.

2005 saw a major expansion, with a new wing built on a lot adjoining the south side of the building, which held a store in the early 20th century. It was the first new building on North Salina Street in decades. Seating more than doubled on the first floor and a bar was added. New steak, chicken and seafood items are cooked over a hardwood fire in our grill. The new Asti awaits you.

Yolanda Wright of the Syracuse Post Standard wrote that Asti offers "memorably good food."