Monday, June 24, 2013

TWINKIES & CRONUT 'S



CRONUT



2013 Will End Up as One of The Greatest and Most Historical Years Ever in The World of Sweets .. Baked Goods in Particular. Before the end of Summer of 2013, Millions will See The Return of Their Beloved TWINKIES .. Taken off the market in 2012 in a cruel Crushing Blow to Twinkie Fans Everywhere, The Beloved & Mythical Twinkie will be produced once again. Now that's Big News and a major event in the annals of Food, Sweets, and American Pop Culture.
Another major historical event is currently taking place this year. The Invention of The "Cronut" is taking New York, America, and The World by Storm ... A Creation of Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel of 
  Dominique Ansel Bakery in Soho, New York .. The Way it looks now is that the Cronut may one day be Just as Big as The Twinkie, perhaps bigger .. Who knows? Ever since Dominique Ansel created and sold his first Cronut, there has been a craze for this wonderful new sweet delectiable that is made of Croissant Dough That is shaped like a donut and fried, then filled with Vanilla Cream and coated with a bit of icing .. They are marvelous.







People Waiting on Cronut Line
Spring Street .. Soho, NEW YORK  NY








TWINKIES
The RETURN of The TWINKIE
SUMMER 2013



Monday, June 17, 2013

The CUBAN SANDWICH






Cubano, Sandwich Cubano, Cuban Sandwich, it's a marvel, and one of The World's Great Sanwiches. It's absolutely amazing. I've been extolling its virtues for years. 27 to be exact, as I had my first way back in 1986, thanks to by good buddy and fellow cook (back then) John Lee .. He knew about them and turned me on to them, and it's been a Love Affair with the "Sandwich" ever since. And speaking of the single word "Sandwich" this is what's it was known of originally in Cuba, a Sandwich. in Cuba you wouldn't call a sandwich a Cuban Sandwich or Sandwich Cubano, all though now some do, as the Cubans have picked up on the American and Cuban-American term for this wonderful sandwich the Sandwich Cubano.
OK, so what is it you say? Well, it's a marvel and without question one of the World's Great Sandwiches, right up there with; Pastrami, Roast Beef, Sausage & Peppers, the Croque Monsieur, and The Central Grocery Muffuletta. The Cuban Sandwich consists of; slices of Roast Pork Leg, Ham, Swiss Cheese, thin slices of Pickle and Mayonnaise on Cuban Water Bread. Some put on Mustard and though i love the stuff, for me it throws off the balance of the sandwich, but? Anyway, the main ingredient inside the Cubano is the roast fresh Pork Leg, a Slice of Swiss Cheese and some boiled Ham with a couple then slices of Pickle and mayonnaise  please leave off the mustard. These ingredients go in-between Cuban Water Bread a long bread that looks much like French Bread, though a bit less crisp. Less crisp before the sandwich is made that is, as one of the great features of this wonderfully amazing sandwich is that once it is filled it is put on a plancha. This is an electric sort of grill, much like the modern day Panini-Press. The sandwich is put into this press for about 8-10 minutes until the bread gets a nice crunchy slightly brown crust. All the ingredients heat up nicely in the press and when it's done, the maker cuts it in half with a nice angular cut, and Voila, get ready for one of life's great culinary treats, The Sandwich Cubano.
When I started eating these puppy's way back in 86, I used to eat them mainly at one of 3 places. The Casa De Jagua on Rivington Street in New York's Lower East Side, another place around the corner on Essex Street which sadly no longer exists, and at Chelsea Havana (still open), another place my good buddy John Lee turned me on to. Back then, not many (non-Hispanics) knew of this great sandwich which was sold at Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican Diners (Loncherias), some would think of as Latin Greasy Spoons. It seemed as though Caucasians were afraid of these places, or whatever and would never set foot in them. I delighted in taking as many white-people as I could to these places, simply because the food and ambiance were wonderful and the prices quite nice. many have thanked me for doing so, and I say that the pleasure was all mine and always has been to turn people on to places, different foods, and to cook for them myself as well.
Even to this day there are still many who have never delighted in this great culinary marvel. percentage wise many more people have eaten Cubanos as compared to back then, but still there are many who have not. So all I can say is, if you're ready this, and have never had one, a Cubano, "What The Hell Are You Waiting For?" don't be left around, get thee to a good Cuban, Dominican, or Puerto Rican Restaurant, order a Cubano and enjoy. As Tony Montana would say, "The World Is Yours Chico."





by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke







MY CUBANO
CASA De JAGUA
Rivington Street Near ESSEX
Lower East Side, New York







MY BUDDY DON DANIEL
At HOME In HAVANA



Thursday, June 13, 2013

OLD-TIME NEW YORK BARS



    Grand Daddy of All Old New York Bars 1.   McSorley's Old Ale House .. East 7th Street, East Village, New York 2.   Old Town Bar ... East 18th Street, Union Square, New York 3.   Pete's Tavern  ... Irving Place, Gramercy Park, NY, NY 4.   White Horse Tavern .. Hudson Street, Greenwich Village 5.    PJ Clarke's ... 3rd Avenue at 55th Street, Midtown, NY NY 6.    Ear Inn  .... Spring Street, Soho  7.    Fanelli's Cafe  ... Prince Street, Soho 8.    Peter McManus ... 7th Avenue at 18th Street, Chelsea 9.    Minetta Tavern .. Macdougal Street, Greenwich Village




PJ CLARKE'S
 
 
 
photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
 
 
 
 


WAVERLY INN
 
 
photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
 
 
 
 


WHITE HORSE TAVERN
 
 
 
 


PETE'S TAVERN
 
Gramercy Park
 
NEW YORK,  NY
 
Since 1864
 
photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
 
 
 

 
OLD TOWN BAR
 
FLATIRON NEW YORK
 

 
Inside The OLD TOWN BAR
 
18th STREET
 
between BROADWAY & PARK AVENUE
 
 
 
 


A Beautiful Watercolor Painting of FANELLI'S
 
 
 
FANELLI'S
 
Prince Street, Soho,  New York, NY
 
Since 1847 ???





 
 
 


MINETTA TAVERN
 
Macdougal Street & Minetta Lane
 
GREENWICH VILLAGE
 
 
photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
 
 
 
 


PETER McMANUS
 
 
CHELSEA
 
New York, NY




 
 
La TAVOLA is NEW YORK ITALIAN
 
 
 


 
 


SUNDAY SAUCE

AMAZON.com







SECRET ITALIAN RECIPES







 
The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK
 


The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK
 
COLLECTED RECIPES of The DUDE
 
by Daniel Zwicke





 
 

Monday, June 10, 2013

CARBONE TORISSI BOYS OPEN "ZZ" CLAM BAR




Torrisi Boys "Carbone Team" scrap Lobster Club idea to open "ZZ" Clam Bar, the  Carbone-Torissi Boys Trilogy is complete .. The so-called Torissi-Boys team of Rich Torissi, Mario Carbone and Jeff Zalaznick will now each have a restaurant named after themselves.
 Looks like Mario Carbone got his way on this one. Rumor has it that Mario was never in to the Lobster Roll idea. Zalaznick was hot on jumping on the Hot Lobster roll Band Wagon, Mario Carbone not so much, and we don't know how Rich Torissi felt on the subject. We're sure they all talked it out and in the end all decided against the Lobster Roll Joint in favor of  The Clam Bar which should complement their presence on Thompson Street in Greenwich Village along with, of course their hugely successful "Carbone" at 181 Thompson. Sure Foodies and most of New York is anxious to see the new joint ZZ Clam Bar and hoping for the best, and the Clam Bar should be a consolation prize for those trying to get into Carbone, but can't. Well, maybe not, the Clam Bar is to have just 12 seats itself. Should be interesting ....




“We are crazy about high-end raw fish,” he said. “And obsessed with cocktails.” 
...... Rich Torrisi, Chef / Partner ZZ CLAM BAR, CARBONE, & PARM









Picture Art-Work Property of Daniel Bellino-Zwicke













La TAVOLA Is ITALIAN In GREENWICH VILLAGE; Meatballs, SUNDAY SAUCE, PIZZA at JOHN'S PIZZERIA, ESPRESSO (Caffe Dante & Caffe Reggio) RAFFETTO PASTA for 100 Years, PORTO RICO COFFEE 100 YEARS, DaSILVANO,  BABBO, CARBONE,
BAR PITTI and More .. In Italian-American Greenwich Village Native's Daniel Bellino-Zwicke's "La TAVOLA"



Saturday, June 8, 2013

NEW YORK And The $3.00 PBR

 

BEER

New York and the $3.00 PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer has been a God-Send to many New Yorkers. As you all know, the US Economy has been in the Shitter for the past 5  years or so.
Many people are out of work, and many who are working, are taking home Half-as-Much Money or more of what they used to make. People have had to buckle down and give up or curb many things they enjoyed previous to the current state of our economy, which is in almost a Depression Era State.
Yes, everybody says that we are not in a Depression, we're in a recession. Those are the Rich and Well-Off, The 1%-ers  talking. To many, the state of our Union and their feelings are of Depression.
So, because of the Terrible State of our Economy you have given up eating out 3 times a week, you buy less clothes, spend less on Entertainment and any number of things. You haven't had a vacation in the past two years, maybe more. You've given up a lot. We all have.
Now when it comes to socializing, going out for a few Beers or Cocktails with some friends, you've had to cut back on that too. But hey, you gotta draw a line somewhere, and everyone is entitled to a few drinks to unwind every now and then, and to be with friends. Yes times are bad, people are hurting, you need your friends more than ever. And having a few Beers or Drinks is one of the most common adult ways to do so. It's natural and part of everyday life. You should be able to have two or three drinks or beers and not have to spend a small fortune doing so. You should be able to have 2 beers for about $10 including tip, and about $16 for tow drinks including tip. That's reasonable. That's what most people pay around America, and even less. But we don't live in America, we live in the greatest City in The World, New York, and Cocktails and Beers here can be oh-so-dear. "Expensive!" Expensive as Hell, "Ridiculously Expensive." It's absurd and outrageous, with many places thinking it's normal and OK to charge $16.00 or more for a measly little Cocktail made by a friggin so-called "Mixologist." Ha!  It's not OK, what's a person to do? So yes, we live in New York, and having a couple cocktails here can be a costly undertaking.. What is a Poor Working Guy or Working Girl to do??? Well Boys and Girls, let's Thank God for that great thing of wonder and the Bars and establishments who so graciously and kindly serve it, The $3.00 PBR, That's right, a $3.oo Beer in The Land of The Over-Priced $16.00 Cocktail, Manhattan, New York, NY..... It's quite Sad, Greedy too, not to mention "Ridiculous Ludicrous and Insane."
Yes, Thank God and let's thank the Kind-Hearted proprietors who serve $3.00 PBR'S or any Beer for just $3 or $4 in a New York Bar. You are doing your fellow man a public service and we thank you for that. Whoever you are, you are to be commended, and Shame-On-You, all those places that serve $14 PLUS Cocktails. "RIP-OFF" !!! Wish the masses would Boycott these places and patronize places like Blue & Gold Bar, 7B, and anyplace who has a heart. Bars that serve 3 and 4 Dollar Beers.
I just have to say, it's great to go to a place like Blue and Gold Bar on East 7th Street and know that you can have 3 or 4 Beers for just $12 to $16, accounting for a Buck a Pop for the Barkeep. Now that's pretty good. I have had the best times hanging at Blue & Gold with some friends. You sit at the Bar or get into a nice comfy booth, drink your Beers ($3 PBR'S), relax, listen to the Music, Chit Chat, and just enjoy, and it's not going to cost you The Shirt Off Your Back.
Yes, you can have 4 Beers, tip included for the price of 1 Rip-Off Drink at one of those Rip-Off Joints. And if you are Dumb enough to have four drinks in one of those places, guess what it's going to cost you? About $75 my friend.
Well, do the Math, and if you can afford $75 for only 4 drinks, God Bless You. And if you can't, you've got an alternative. Right, your local $3.00 PBR Joint. They're a God-Send.
 Daniel Bellino Zwicke
Copyright 2008 Daniel Bellino Zwicke

PLACES To GET A $3.00 PBR in NEW YORK

BLUE & GOLD BAR in the East Village, on East 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Blue & Gold has long been a favorite of mine ever since I lived in the East Village from 1982 to 1994. It's just a cool ol normal old style bar with a pool table, standard 50's 60's Bar Decor, and Best-of-All $3.oo PBR'S and $6.00 Cocktails. I love it.

7B   a.k.a. The Horseshoe Bar, also in the East Village, a bastion of cheap and fare prices in Manhattan and Land of The $3.00 PBR and other $3 and $4 Beers.  7B  is located on the corner of Avenue B at 7th Street, hence the name "7B"  ... The nickname Horseshoe Bar comes from the shape and dimensions of the bar, "Horseshoe Shaped." The bar has been the setting of numerous movie shoots, including the scene in Godfather II when Frankie Pantangeli (Frankie 5 Angels) goes to this bar for a meeting with the Rosato Brothers, and Danny Aiello raps a Piano-Wire around his neck. A scene from Crocodile Dundee and other movies as well ....  But Best of all, at 7B they serve $3.00 Beers, cheap drinks, and they have a photo and sell Potato Chips and Pretzels which practically no bars in Manhattan ever do any more. And this is a good thing when you get the munchies from the Beer. Glory Hallelujah, thank God for 7B .. 

  .

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GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Daniel Zwicke

   

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          .

SPAM BACON & TAYLOR HAM





   Pork and Why do I Love all Products Made from it So! Spareribs are the "Best," Bacon, Sausages, Pork Chops, Ham, Spam, McRibs, and? Yes I Love them all so! And Why? Why? What else? They're Tasty! It's Tasty! Pork and all things made from it. I Pity Vegetarians and Others who do not eat it, Pork, Ham, and Spam.
   Robin Raisfeld in her story "Trendlet: It's Baloney," this week in New York spark my interest when I say the big beautiful picture of a slice of tasty Mortadella, "King of All Baloneys."
   As I read farther into the article, I was so happy to see a picture of a gorgeous "Taylor Ham and Egg Sandwich." And it immediately brought out the in Jerseyite in me. As anyone who grew up or ever lived in New Jersey, they'll tell you of their Love of "Taylor Ham," the unofficial "State Meat." Taylor Ham? Why? Well, first off, Taylor Ham was invented in Trenton New Jersey. It's super tasty. Jerseyites and former ones (like Me) Love it, and you can only get it in New Jersey. More or less. Why? I don't know. Can Jerseyites be smarter than New Yorkers who have never caught on to this wonderful Pork product from the Garden State. After moving to New York some 26 years ago, besides from missing my family, my only other regret of leaving New Jersey, is missing and yearning for my beloved Taylor Ham. You just can't get it in the Big City. Well, hardly ever. Do New Yorkers not like it? Is it reserved for Jerseyites only? Don't know! All I know is I miss it inside a Taylor Ham and Egg Sandwich or on my breakfast plate accompanying a couple fried eggs.
Reading the article and be reminded of my "Long Lost Love," Taylor Ham, I'm also painfully reminded of another recent dumping by a Loved one. That being my beloved "McRib." How I Love it so! After a brief Love Affair with her, way back in 1989. She disappeared! Why? I do not know. And for some 21 years. And then one lovely day last year. It was in October, what day I do not know. She reappeared. Back into my life once again. And the Love Affair was on again. On my part like it never ended. I Loved, as much and more than ever. Forgiving her and not think of the long cruel Separation brought on by her. She had deserted me. But I didn't care. We got together more than 20 times this passed October, November, and was it a few days into December? I do not know. Once again, my beloved McRib disappeared. Into a dark December night. Why? I do not know? I only know that however long it may take. I'l wait. Just please my Love, do not make it another 21 years. My beloved McRib.





Daniel Bellino-Zwicke








I'VE LIVED In NEW YORK For 30 YEARS NOW
AND THIS IS WHAT I MISS MOST

ABOUT THE GARDEN STATE
TAYLOR HAM

YOU CAN'T GET IT IN NEW YORK
And THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE TAYLOR HAM

I ALSO MISS RIPPERS At RUTT'S HUT

And WHITE MANNA BURGERS





TAYLOR HAM & EGG SANDWICH








STEAK - BURGERS

BURRITOS - TACOS

FRIED CHICKEN

SOUPS

SPAN  / TAYLOR HAN & EGG

SANDWICHES

And MUCH MORE ...







Thursday, June 6, 2013

CARBONE REPORT CARD



CARBONE
181 THOMPSON STREET
GREENWICH VILLAGE
NEW YORK



NEW YORK MAGAZINE 1 STAR  ...  Adam Platt

NEW YORK TIMES   3 STARS   of Possible 4  ... Pete Wells

NEW YORK POST 2 STARS of Possible 4 .. Steve Cuozzo

BLOOMBERG NETWORK  3 1/2 STARS

THE NEW YORK OBSERVER .... Joshua David Stein says "Carbone Makes a Case Greatness In A Red Sauce Joint"

GAEL GREENE The Insatiable Critic Gives CARBONE (Greenwich Village) High Marks After Going to "Wrong Carbone" in Hells Kitchen ...

BLOGS OVERALL:  Most like or Love Carbone. Some Don't, but Carbone defiantely comes out on the Plus Side with Bloggers.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

NEW YORK TIMES 3 STARS CARBONE





Pete Wells, The New York Times food critic gives Carbone 3 Stars, but his Review barely rates a Fair. It was an awful Blase Review of New York's Hottest new Restaurant, Carbone. Don't get your signals crossed, Wells didn't right badly about Carbone, it's just that his writing style of this article wasn't very good, it was again, in fact Blase and harkens back to the awful New York Times Reviews of Frank Bruni .. The article had no sustenance, no pizzazz. Wells told as that the Vongole could have been more flavorful, The Tira Mi Su wasn't that good, that the Veal Parm was the way you always hoped it would be. He liked the Rigatoni and Tortellini, as well as Lobster Fra Diavolo and Scampi.
We've been waiting a few months for The New York Times to review Carbone and we gotta say, the reveiw is a disappointment. Grub Street, The New York Observer, New York Magazine, and even The New York Post put out better reviews to The Times Blase one.
Pete Wells generally writes a good review, but this one, as The Big Boys in Brooklyn would say, Fuhgettabout-it !!! You get a "Satisfactory" on this one Pete. In the end, not many will remember how poorly this review was written, but the fact that Carbone got a 3 Star New York Times review.  And I'm sure Mario Carbone and Rich Torissi could care less that the piece wasn't written very well, but that they got 3 Stars. For now on, that's all they are anyone will say, Three Stars from The New York Times. Basta!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

THE HISTORY of NEW YORK PIZZA

 
LOMBARDI'S
The ROOT of ALL GREAT PIZZA In AMERICA
GENARO LOMARDI With PIZZAIOLO ANTHONY PERO (Totonno's)
 
 

1905: Gennaro Lombardi’s opens America's "First Ever Pizzeria" at  53 1/2 Spring St. in Lower Manhattam, New York, NY .. Some famed Pizzaioli  (Pizza Makers) work there over the years;Anthony Pero founder of Totonno's Coney Island, John Sasso of John's Pizza Bleecker Street, and Pasquale Lancieri aka "Patsy" who opens "Patsy's Pizzeria in Eats Harlem. A Pizza cost a Nickel at Lombardi's in 1905 ..

1924: Anthony “Totonno” Pero opens Totonno’s in Coney Island. Establishes unusual ritual that some Pizzerias carry on to this day. When the dough runs out, the Pizzeria close for the day.

1929: John Sasso opens John’s Pizzeria on Bleecker Street.

1933: Pasquale “Patsy” Lancieri opens Patsy’s in East Harlem.

1956: Average cost of a slice of New York pizza: 15 cents. Price keeps pace with cost of subway fare, seen as a kind of an economic indicator.

1959: Ralph Cuomo opens Ray’s Pizza on Prince Street.

1964: Di Fara Pizza opens in Midwood, Brooklyn.

1977: Saturday Night FeverJohn Travolta double-slices it at Lenny’s in Bay Ridge.

1990: Three Ray’s owners, none of them named Ray, band together, form a coalition to trademark the name, and eliminate impostors, or make them pay a fee.

1994: Seventy-nine people are arrested for operating an international drug ring out of a midtown Famous Original Ray’s.

2004: Anthony Mangieri opens Una Pizza Napoletana. Some cal him "The Pizza Nazi" 

2004: Zagat awards Di Fara 28 rating for food along with Le Bernardin and Jean Georges; Di Fara also receives lowest rating ever for décor: 5.

TOTONNO'S OPENED IN 1924 
By FORMER LOMBARDI'S PIZZAIOLO
ANTHONY PERRO
photo by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
   
 
JOHN'S PIZZERIA
OPENED 1929
By FORMER LOMBARDI'S PIZZAIOLO JOHN SASSO
 
 
photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
 
 
 
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PATSY'S OPENED 1933
by FORMER LOMBARDI'S PIZZAIOLO
PASQUALE LACIERI
 
PATSY'S
BACK In The DAY
screen-shot-2016-11-12-at-12-09-12-pm
PATSY'S PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA SPAGHETTI HOUSE
Circa 1933
East Harlem, New York
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The Maestro of PIZZA
Mr. Dominic DeMarco
DiFara Pizza
Brooklyn, NEW YORK
Many consider DiFara Pizza made by the Maestro of Pizza Mr. Dom DeMarco to be New York's # 1 very best Pizza of all. That my friends means it's the best pizza in America and I wouldn't disagree.
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Sunday Sauce 
by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
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MANGIA ITALIANO
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
.