The family Tumino came to the New World over 40 years ago, bringing traditional Italian tastes and recipes with them. Salvatore and Cristina 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 the Tuminos sold the business in 1995. Unfortunately, the new owners were not successful and 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 Tumino sons opened Asti Caffe in place of the pizzeria.

Asti began as a 30-seat trattoria. Its menu included homemade soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches, 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, traditional 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 and virtually the only new building on the North Side not built by St. Joseph's Hospital. Seating more than doubled on the first floor and a bar was added. A hardwood-fired grill was added to cook steak, chicken and seafood items.

In 2009, Asti expanded again with a second-floor dining space, the Upper Room. Featuring a plasma television and a working fireplace, the space is used every weekend and is also available for special events.

REVIEW EXCERPTS FROM YOLANDA WRIGHT, SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD:

Would we be back? Definitely, and we'll be cheering the expansion project, memorably good food and service from waitresses we'll expect to have earned positions on the speed-racing team at the next summer Olympics.– January 5, 2006

Seeing the glittering Christmas tree in Clinton Square may be reason enough for an evening visit to downtown Syracuse at this time of the year, but Asti Caffe on North Salina Street adds another. – December 10, 2009