Showing posts with label foodporn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foodporn. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2022

Finally affordable Pastrami in New York Sandwich




The PASTRAMI SANDWICH

S&P PRVOSIONS

Flatiron, NYC



Fianlly there's a place that makes a great Pastrami Sandwich at a resonable price. It's S&P Provisions in the old Eisnberg's spot on 5th Avenue, just below 23rd Street. "Thank God," it's about time. What's a regular working guy to do? Pastrami Sandwiches at $23 and up, before tip and tax? Can't do it. Maybe one or two times in a year, and that's about it at those prices. But at just $16 a pop, which for me is still a bit steep to pay for a sandwich, but it's quite a bit more reasonable than the "Ripoff" prices at Katz's, at an isnsane $25.95 for a meager sandwich that's highly over-rated. I hate sto say it, but after Il Milino Italian Restaurant, and Joe's Pizzeria, both in Greenwich Village and two of the most over-rated food establishments in New York, the famed Katz's Jewish Deli on East Houston Street in the LES of New York, is another one of the city's most overated restaurants in town. The last time I had a Pastrami Sandwich at Katz's I was so highly disappointed, I haven't been back since. That was 3 years ago. The place is a total and compled "RIPOFF" with a capital R. My sandwich that day at Katz'w was one of th biggest and most disappointing letdowns in my entire life. I had been Jonesing for a Pastrami Sandwich for weeks, and I finally went and treated myself at Katz's/ It was a complet and utter waste of time, and a whole lot of money. $23 for the smallest Pastarmi Sandwich that I've ever seen in my life ! I couldn't beleive it. And lukewarm and not tasty at all. What a disappointment. I was in shock.


Years ago, in the 1980s I lived in the East Village for the entire decade of the 80s. I lived on Avenue A at St Marks Place, a few short blocks from the greatest Pasrami that ever existed in New York. It was at The 2nd Avenue Deli, owned by Abe Lebewhol, who was brutually murdered in 1996 while making a night deposit at a nearby bank. 



Abe Lebewohl sweeps the sidewalk of 2nd Avenue

At East 10th Street in front of his Famous Jewish Deli

The 2nd AVENUE DELI

New York



The 2nd Avenue Deli had the most amazing Pastrami. It was incredible, and for me, no Pastrami has come close. Not even the new 2nd Avenue Deli which opened a few years after Abe died, and his originalmasterpiece closed down. My buddy raoul and I went up to the new place in Gramercy Park engihborhood of New York. The Pastrami was good, but it just wasn't the same. It was good, but it didn't have the greatness that the old place under ownership Abe Lebwhol did. 




The Carnegie Deli

New York NY



And another sin to happen besides the outrageously high prices of Pastrami these days, is the closing of another great Jewish Deli, and my second favorite after 2nd Avenue, the Carnegie Deli closed a few years back in 2016, when the then owners "Couldn't Cut The Mustard," and closed the place down. It was a very sad day in Jewish Deli History, and the history of New York restaurants on a whole. I had so many good times going there with some friends, getting a bowl of their superb Matzha Ball Soup, and a half of a Pastarmi Sandwich. There was nothing like it. The place was always jumping, and you could often see big name celebrities like ; Milton Berle, Jacki Mason, Alan King, or Woody Allen there. And speaking of Woody, he made a masterpiece of a movie, Braodway Danny Rose, a jilarious comedy film, of which a good portion of the movie takes place at The Carnegie Deli, with old Jewsish Comedian sitting around a table, eating Corned Beef and Pastrami, and telling stories about the main character of the movie, Danny Rose, aka Braodway Danny Rose, a washed up talent agent in New York, and his misadventures navigating the business of being a lackluster talent agent in the Big Apple of New York. It's a great movie, and if you've never seen it, trust me, please do.

Well back to Pastrami. the high price of Pastrami really urks me, in these days of the gross price of music concerts of top perfromers. When I was a teenager, I was able to see all the great Rock N Roll, R&B for just about $12 a ticket. These days you have to pay $200 and up for crappy nose bleed seats. It's atrocious! I ssaw the late great Frank Sinatra perform 7 times, and never paid more than $40 a ticket for the pleasure of seeing the greatest singer of the 20th Century perform live. Not like the crap that goes on these days, $200, $300, $500 aticket, and $26 Pastrami Sandwiches? What is this World coming to? I want to know!



Basta !




Daniel Bellino Zwicke







SANDWICHES at The CARNEGIE DELI

Unlike the MINESCULE PROTIONS Served at KATZ'S DELI

The CARNEGIE PILED THEIR SANDWICHES HIGH






A PASTRAMI SANDWICH

From the former CARNEGIE DELI

RIP




PASTRAMI SANDWICHES of NEW YORK

2022 / 2023 Prices

KATZ'S DELI  $25.95

PASTRAMI QUEEN  $22

SARGE'S DELI  $23.95

BARNEY GREENGRASS   $19.75

2nd AVENUE DELI  $24.95

HOMETOWN  $28

S&P  $16 







.





 

Harrys Bar VENICE Italy





HARRY;S BAR




   The World's Coolest Restaurant? Why, it's Harry's Bar,Venice of course. Without a doubt. There is no contest for any to compete. Well many will beg to differ, but I know better, and better than most. No Brag, Just Fact! Let me tell you why.
   If you are in any of the Great Renowned Cities of the World, cities such as; New York, Paris, Rome, Bangkok, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, wherever. There will in all these cities be a number of restaurants where the In-Crowd, the Jet-Set, Those in The Know, the Movers-and-Shakers of the World will go to. There are usually at least 6 to 12 restaurants for those in the know to go to. For example, if you are in my City, New York and you are one of these people, "Those In the Know," you might go to any one of these restaurants. right now in the year 2011 these restaurants would be; Minetta Tavern, Bar Pitti, The Waverly Inn, Pastis, Momofuku Ssam, The Standard Grill, John Dory at The Ace Hotel, and at least 6 others. Same goes for LA, London, Paris, Rome, and so-on.
   In Venice there are many restaurants, but really just one more or less that "Everyone Who is Anyone" will go when in town. One, that one is "Harry's Bar." No other restaurant in the World quite like it. If you are of the Jet Set, The In Crow, those "In-The-Know," you'll know one thing for sure, when you go to Harry's Bar you will be amongst the all of The "in Crowd" will be there and nowhere else. Well this is a bit of an exaggeration to make a point, but this point is true 85% of the time.




Ernest Hemingway & Friends at Harry's Bar



And of the place, Harry's Bar, Venice. And i keep saying Harry's bar Venice, for it is thee only one, but there are many others around the World with the same name. There is only one Great "Harry's Bar" and that is Harry's Bar, Venice at the Vaporetto stop of San Marco.
Yes, and of Harry's. The restaurant is Wonderful. It has a beautiful casual elegance in the decor. The place is always filled with the "Beautiful People," the service is great, and the food Fabulous. Though at a price. Harry's bar is very expensive. For some this is of no consequence, but if it is expensive for you, it is definitely worth a splurge. The place is awesome.
After-All, they invented the "Bellini" Cocktail here. And
Beef Carpaccio as well.

If you go to harry's Bar, you will Love it. The place is filled with quite a exciting energy. It's a experience you'll always remember. So, do remember, The World's Coolest restaurant, Harry's Bar, Venice that is.


by Daniel Bellino Zwicke





HARRY'S BAR

The BAR






The GRITTI PALACE HOTEL


VENICE








ANYWHERE in VENICE

And WORLDWIDE












POSITANO

The AMALFI COAST




.











Sunday, January 30, 2022

How to Cook Perfect STEAK Recipe




Percectly Cooked Steak

Medium Rare 



A BIT ABOUT STEAK


Beef purists may prefer to take in the unadulterated, rich flavour of a quality steak by adding nothing more than a sprinkling of salt and a generous twist of pepper. 

Searing a steak until it gets a caramelised brown crust will give it lots of flavour. For this to happen, the pan and the fat need to be hot enough. The conventional way is to sear it on one side, then cook it for the same amount on the other side. This gives good results but the second side is never as nicely caramelised as the first. To build up an even crust on both sides, cook the steak for the total time stated in the recipe, but turn the steak every minute.


HOW to COOK YOUR STEAK

Get your Butcher to cut you a nice Sirloin or Rib Steak a inch & a half thick. If you can afford it, it is best to buy Prime Beef Steaks, you will taste the difference, and Prime Meat is the best (though not cheap). If you can't afford to buy Prime Beef, you can get Choice Beef, and it will taste good if proerly seasoned and cook, but it just won't taste as good as Primed Beef. 


COOKING YOUR STEAK

  1. Season your Steak liberally with Salt  and fresh ground Black Pepper.
  2. Heat a heavy-based frying pan until very hot but not smoking.
  3. Drizzle some oil into the pan and leave for a moment.
  4. Add the steak to the pan.
  5. Sear evenly on each side for our recommended time, turning every minute for the best caramelised crust.
  6. After you have turned the Steak over to its second side, after it has cooked for 1 minute on the second side, add a nob of butter to the pan.
  7. When the butter melts, baste the steak with the butter for the last minute of cooking by, using a spoon, pour the melted butter over the top of the Steak.
  8. Leave to rest on a board or warm plate for about 5 mins.
  9. Serve the steak whole or carved into slices with the resting juices poured over.

NOTE : MEDIUM RARE STEAK . This (MR) will be the benchmark for you to cook your steak. If you are cooking a 1 & 1/2" Steak at medium-high heat, you will need to cook your Steak between 2 1/2 and 3 minutes per side for a nice Medium Rare Steak.

RARE  ... Cook about a minute less per side than the above Medium Rare Steak

MEDIUM ... Cook about 1 minute more per side than the medium rare Steak. About 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side.

Well Done ... Cook about 4 1/2 minutes per side for a Well Done Steak.


Additional flavors :  You can add a couple drops of Worscheter Sauce to the pan juice. Add the Worcestershire Sauce to the pan juice, mix together. Once you have placed the Steak (or Steaks) on to the plates, evenly drizzle the pan juices over the steaks.

Serve with potatoes, Creamed Spinach, or whatever you like.







Two Nicely Cooked SIRLOIN STEAKS






A COUPLE NICE RIB EYE STEAKS

Notice the Garlic and Rosemary in Pan

If you Like, you Can Cook your STEAKS

with or Without GARLIC & ROSEMARY in the PAN

BON APPETITE !






SUNDAY SAUCE

AMERICA'S FAVORITE

ITALIAN COOKBOOK










ANTHONY BOURDAIN

"COOK FREE or DIE"












 
























Saturday, January 29, 2022

PIZZA at JOE n PATS Manhattan

 





JOE & PAT'S PIZZERIA  ... A Brief History


Established in 1960, the restaurant was named for Giuseppe Pappalardo and his brother (Joe) and Pasquale Pappalardo (Pat) of Naples, Italy. In 1958 the brothers had immigrated from a small town near Naples, to Staten Island, New York. They opened Joe & Pat's in 1960. Doing well, their mother joined them a year later in 1961.


Lunch at JOE & PAT'S .. Friday, January 28, 2022

My buddy Pat called me up on Thursday, and said, "What are you doing." I told him I was getting ready to go to work. He told me that ahe was getting together with a couple of our friends the next day for lunch at Joe & Pat's Pizzeria, and asked if I wanted to join them. Are you kidding me? Of course I do. What's better than getting together with friends or family, to eat some good Italian Food and have a couple glasses of wine? I'm sure you all know the answer. 

Pat, "OK, we're meeting a 1, see you then."

Me, "Awesome. See you tomorrow brother."

Friday rolls around, and I'm having my morning coffee, when Pat calls. It was just 11:30 am. I pick up the phone, "What are you doing (Pat)"? Having coffee. "Where are you?" I told him I was at a cafe on 6th Ave. "OK, I'm driving through the tunnel, I'll pick you up in 20 minutes." 

Cool, I continued drinking my coffee, and doing some work on my laptop. Twenty minutes later Pat calls and tells me I'm in front of the theater (IFC). "OK, I'll be there in a minute. 

I hop in Pat's car and we had to the East Village. We get to the East Village, and it takes us a few minutes to find a parking space, but we do. Two minutes later, we're in Joe & Par's and Lou and Noah are already there. The bartender checks our Vaccine Cards (these are Covid days 2022). We sit down and give our Pals a hug. It's always great getting together, whether in times of a pandemic or not, and we're all gald to see each other. We sit down, and Lou ask us if we want some beers. "Not me," I tell him, "I'm gonna get a Negroni." Pat orders a Dewars & Water, and I ask the waiter for a Negroni. When our drinks come, we all cheer one another.

We chit-chat a bit, and our buddy JP is not there yet, and we all decide we want to order a couple things. We're all hungry. Pat ask if anyone wants some Baked Clams? Hell yeah, I tell him. How bout some Scunili? "Hell yeah," again. A few minutes later the Clams and Scungili come and they both right on the money. The Clams are nice and tasty, and the Scugili is tender and perfectly cooked in a slightly spice Fra d'Avalo Sauce. "Yumm."

DIGGIN The PIZZA

We ordered 3 different pieces : one with Pepperoni, one called a Tri Pie which is a Margherita Pizza with a little touch of Basil Pesto. Both of these Pies were damn good. I really liked the Tri Piec which Lou loves and he ordered that one, it was very good. The Pepperoni Pie was absolutley amazing. We all loved it, especially Pat and I. I think I ate about 5 or 6 pieces of it (we had 2 large Pepperoni Pies). Someone asked how we rated the Pepperoni Pie, and 3 of us gave it a 9, including me. But after I thought about it again, I gave it a 9.5, it was that good! Damn Good.

Lou also ordered the Vodka Sauce Pie, which wasn't bad, but far from being my favorite.

Overall, we had a great time, and I loved the Pizza, and gained a new found respect for Joe & Pat's, as I went there about 2 and a half years agao with my cousin Tony, and we weren't super thrilled. I wanted to get a Clam Pie, because I used to Love eating them at Lombardi's on Spring Street. We got one, and it wasn't very good (mabe better now). Then we got a couple slices of the Origianal 1960 (Pizza Margherita) and we loved it. So now, my new view on Joe & Pats 1st Ave, is that it's great, and one of the best Pizza's in New York, the city that makes the Best Pizza in the World. "Yes better than Napoli, I tell you." It's true, and many would agree. So that's that. If you want good Pizza in New York, you can't go wrong with Joe & Pat's. "Tryit."



Daniel Bellino Zwicke

January 28th 2022




 


JOE & PAT'S

Thankfully, the owners of Joe & Pat's have preserved the old storefront of the old Lanza's
Sicilian Restuarant on 1st Avenue in Downtown Manhattan. Lanza's operated for more than 100
on 1st Avenue between East 10th and 11th Streets in the Lower East Side of New York, now known
as the East Village for the past 40 years or so.

Mafia Boss Salvatore "Lucky Luciano's family immigrated from Lercara Friddi, Sicily in 1906,  young Salvatore was just 8 years old. They settled in a small apartement on East 10th Street, right around the corner from Lanza's, which Michael Lanza opened in 1904. Over the years, Luciano had many a meal at Lanza's, as well as another Sicilian Restaurant around the block, John's of East 12th Street which opened in 1908, and is still operating today (2022), and still has the original decor of tile floors, and painted murals of scenes in Italy and Sicily. No doubt "Lucky" ate many a Cannoli from DeRoberti's Sicilian Pastries, which was just two doors north of Lanza's on 1st Avenue.






Inside JOE & PAT'S 1st Avenue

New York, NY


They did a fine job preserving as much as the old Lanza's as possible.
The place looks great, and I'm happy to see the old murals and remember
man good times with my friends : JP, Jorge, Kohn O'Sullivan, Miachael,
Toem, and my ex-girlfriend Dante, Saturday lunches and dinners at Lanza's,
sadly no longer in operation, yet it has been preserved as best it now can.

Basta !











Inside JOE & PAT'S

The OLD LANZA'S

1st AVENUE

NY NY









Our TASTY PEPPERONI PIE

JOE & PAT'S MANHATTAN

1/6/2022

NYC






RECIPES FROM MY SICILIAN NONNA

SOUPS - PASTA -DOLCE and ???









NEW YORK PIZZA









POSITANO FOOD & TRAVEL

MAKE PIZZA at HOME















Foodporn Foodie s of NEW YORK