EAR INN and OLD NEW YORK BARS

Forget "Carbone" and overpriced $50.00 Veal Parms and overpriced Ripp-Off Cocktails all over New York! Give me The Ear Inn and places like it. Places like Fanelli's, Pete's Tavern, The White Horse, and McSorleys. Places I can get a drink or a Beer or two and a bite to eat and not be charged "An Arm and A Leg." Please? The Ear Inn is "Real" and un-contrived. I like that. It's Historical and Old. Ditto to liking that. Great ambiance and good food and drink at very fare prices. I like that.

MY BRUNCH at The EAR INN

CORNED BEEF HASH

Topped With 2 Poached Eggs

BLOODY MARY, COFFEE

and a Basket of Bread That Includes

A CROISSANT and 2 MINI MUFFINS

PLUS ATMOSPHERE 

ALL For JUST $13.50

COFFEE & BLOODY MARY

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

BRUNCH CHECK

EAR INN

JUST $13.50

plus Tax

EQUALS $14.70

McSORLEY'S ALE HOUSE

East 7th Street,  NEW YORK, NY

Since 1854

PJ CLARKE'S

3rd AVENUE at 55th Street

NEW YORK, NY

Since 1884

photo Daniel Bellino Zwicke

PETE'S TAVERN

Irving Place in Gramercy park

New York, NY

Inside PETE'S TARVERN

Since 1864

The OLD TOWN BAR

Inside The New Town Bar

18th Street Union Square / Flatiron

PETER McMANUS

CHELSEA

NEW YORK, NY

Peter McManus is The Sort of Forgotten Stepchild

of Old New York Bars .. Everyone talks about PJ Clarke's,

McSorley's, & The Old Town Bar, and most Forget

or Don't Even Know of This Wonderful 

Old Bar, Peter McManus on 7th Avenue in Chelsea ...

It's one of the few remaining old sailors bars left

from the days when New York had the bigges

and Greates Merchant Marine Fleet in the World, The Hudson River

just a few blocks from this bar, used to be lined with Piers

and Ships docked at them from The Battery all the way up 

to West 60th Street .. Few Piers remain, other than 

The Passenger Ship Terminal in the West 50s

and a few other scattered piers.

MINETTA TAVERN

Minetta Lane & Macdougal Street

GREENWICH VILLAGE,  New York

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

La TAVOLA 

is

NEW YORK ITALIAN

COFFEE LOVERS REJOICE "COFFEE Is GOOD For YOU" !!!

COFFEE LOVERS REJOICE !!!

COFFEE MUG

COFFEE IS GOOD FOR YOU !!!

Yes Boys and Girls, all you Coffee Lovers out there, it's True, Coffee is Good for You. Ye-Ha! Don't you just love it. You might have heard from time-to-time that coffee is not good for you, bad for your health. Not So, but just the opposite, Coffee is Good for you. Coffee is High in Antioxidants, which can protect against damaged cells and  reduce your risk of chronic disease including Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Strokes. 

Now this is really good news, Great News in fact, the prevention and reduced risk of getting Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Stoke is major, and anything any sane person should be ecstatic and rejoice over, "I am." Coffee can help prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson Disease. Awesome!

Just remember, moderation is the key, too much coffee can cause nausea, jitters, and a rapid heart beat. It is safe to drink up to 5 cups a day, if you start getting over 8 cups you may have problems and adverse side affects. So remember, enjoy your coffee, you can love it, but stay moderate and it will love you back. As for me, I just love and adore my morning coffee. I usually have a second cup in the late afternoon, but hardly ever after 4 PM and I'm finished for the day, until my next glorious morning cup to start another day, my Coffee, in the Cafe, the newspaper and I'm set, Buon Giorno!

 

 

THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON THE POSITIVE BENEFITS OF DRINKING COFFEE, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE DRINKING COFFEE CAN BE BAD FOR YOU, SUCH AS PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY OR SLEEPING DISORDERS.  IN TERMS OF HEALTH, COFFEE IS BEST DRUNK WHEN IT'S BLACK OR WITH VERY LITTLE SUGAR AND MILK ADDED. DRINKING A VENTI MOCHA WITH WHIPPED CREAM FOUR TIMES A DAY ISN'T GOOD FOR ANYONE. 

DUDES GOT COFFEE !!!

"Drinking My COFFEE"

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

How to Make a WHITE RUSSIAN COCKTAIL

And Other Recipes Using KAHLUA Coffee Liquor

CHILI  BURGERS STEAKS

And All of The DUDES FAVORITE RECIPES

NOTHING LIKE a NICE CUP of JOE

"I LOVE COFFEE"

NewYorkFoodie.com

BEST NEW YORK FOOD BLOGS

FLIGHTS & HOTELS

WORLDWIDE

EXPEDIA.com

CLASSIC GREEK DINER COFFEE

NEW YORK

HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

GOING To The AMALFI COAST ?

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST 

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT !

AMAZON.com

CARBONE GETS 5 STARS From TIME OUT MAGAZINE

Carbone gets 5 Stars from Time Out New York. But what is it worth, with Time Out's inept food writers of which I've found to be the most unreliable source along with Steve Cuozzo of The New York Post who along with Frank Bruni former New York Times food critic, New York's Two "Worst Ever Food Critics" writer of the most inaccurate unreliable restaurant reviews in New York History, are Cuozzo and Frank Bruni. "How The Hell did these guys ever get these Jobs," they are totally inept and unqualified when it comes to food. Just because someone can write, does not make them a food expert and these two 

"Never Were" and never will be. It mistifies me that The New York Times would give someone as inept as Bruni as concerns restaurants and food such an important job as The NY Times food critic. It baffles the mind, and makes one think that The New York Times doesn't always Print All The News that's fit to print, or they are "accurate?" Maybe not. Not always anyway and when it comes to things written by guys like Bruni. What a shame. If we can't trust The New York Times, who can we trust? 5 Stars from Time Out? I don't know ...

NEW YORK'S TOP 3 FRENCH BISTROS

Number 1:    RAOUL'S, Prince Street, Soho, New York, NY

Number 2:  MINETTA TAVERN,  Macdougal Street, Greenwich Village, NY NY

Number 3:  BALTHAZAR,  Spring Street, Soho, New York

NEW YORK'S BEST BISTRO "Raoul's"

Raoul's, is without a doubt New York's coolest and best Bistro. Yes, there's Baltahzar and Patis, which are quite good, if a little commercial and without the charm and total package that makes Raoul's in my book, the city's top Bistro. Total package, Raoul's has it. Maybe not the best food, but it is quite good with just about all the Bistro Classics either on the menu or showing up as specials. On the menu you'll find classic Frisee Sald, Oysters, Pate Maison, Duck, and the best Steak au Poivre in town.

 But although the food is good, if a bit expensive, what really makes Raoul's is its perfect Bistro atmosphere and ambiance, which not only includes the decor and great music they always play, it's also the clientele, this is the total ambiance package; the decor, music, crowd, and the wait staff. We love the decor, but as well, all through its history and as long as I've been going there 

(25 years) the music at Raoul's is the best in the city. The music at Raoul's is a perfect mix of Jazz, American Standards, Rock, and R&B  .. If the music is great, it goes a long way in creating a pleasant ambiance, whether you're in a restaurant, cafe, bar, cocktail lounge or wherever. If the music is awful as with the "Horrible Rap Crap" they play all over the place these days, it will completely destroy the atmosphere and ambiance .. That is unless you are one of the many millions of "tasteless morons" who happen to think that kind of NOISE "Hip Hop Rap" is good., 

So yes, as far as French Bistros in New York go, Raoul's stand atop the list as Gotham's Best. It's the Food, Ambiance, the Music, all ways great and devoid of any "Rap Crap" what-so-ever, and Thank God for that, and thank you Raoul's ...

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

NEW YORK BURGER WEEK And NEW YORK'S BEST BURGER

ONE BURGER BRACKET MATCH-UP THAT HAS THE WINNER of NY'S BEST BURGER

Shack Burger going up against Burger from Burger Joint, no competition! Shake Shack's Shack Burger Wins Hands Down, the taste and execution is Superior. In fact the Shack Burger is better than any other Burger in New York. Better than Minetta's Black Label Burger, better than 5 Guys, better than PJ Clarke's, better than Luger, and any other comers. It's The Best, the Shack burger from Shake Shack is made with top quality meat, the burger is just the right size, not too small and not too big (Bigger is Not Better Here) cooked to perfect, and super tasty. Nuff said!!!

DBZ

If You're a Betting Man, or lady, Bet on This One for NEW YORK'S TOP BURGER

It's "The SHACK BURGER" at SHAKE SHACK ... Hands Down!!! 

NEW YORK'S MOST CLASSIC BURGER JOINTS

PJ CLARKE'S , CORNER BISTRO, 21 CLUB

The BAR at The 21 CLUB

BEFORE DANIEL BOULOUD and His DB BURGER, "The 21 Burger" at NEW YORK'S Famed 21 CLUB was The WORLD'S FIRST LUXURY BURGER .. SINCE The 1950's

PJ CLARKE'S

STILL STANDING

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

David Kreiger put it well on PJ Clarke's and their Burger,

"Although the burger does not land on many "best-of" lists anymore, it's still a classic. Check out the weekday lunch scene at P.J. Clarke's above. "

photo Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

CORNER BISTRO

As far as The Bistro Burger at the famed Corner Bistro which was voted for almost 30 Years New York's Top Burger goes, as David Kreiger said of PJ Clarke's Burger, "It won't land on many Best-Of Burger List anymore, but it's still a Classic. The Burger at Corner Bistro, and Dollar-For-Dollar New York's by-far Best Burger and Beer Deal, with Burgers only $6.50 and a mere $2.50 for a Mug of McSorley's Ale .. This is a Deal That Can't Be Beat, and No Place in New York Does ...

21 BURGER

The WORLD'S FIRST

LUXURY BURGER

THIS IS NEW YORK'S TRULY BEST BURGER

The SHACK BURGER

From SHAKE SHACK

Daniel Bellino Zwicke                                       NYC  April 19, 2013

CARBONE NOT ONE of THEM "GREAT RED SAUCE RESTAURANT"

"There may be great red-sauce joints out there, but Carbone is not one of them."

says Joshua David Stein in his Review on New York's Hottest new restaurant "CARBONE"  for The NEW YORK OBSERVER

THIS seems to be the Sentiment of many. Time will tell if Carbone IS or IS NOT  "One of The Great Red Sauce Restaurants"  in the mold of RAO'S, the old GINO'S Lexington Avenue, and ???

SINATRA DRINKS

FRANK SHIRLEY And DEAN

SINATRA McLAIN MARTIN

"DRINKIN IT UP"

SINTRA'S FAVORITE DRINK 

"JACK DANIELS on The ROCKS"

Dean "Scothch on The Rocks"
Shirley "We Don't Know"

The "BURGER JOINT" IS EXPANDING

The Burger Joint is expanding. The have finally opened another Burger Joint, their first expansion. The 2nd ever Burger Joint of the famed Burger Joint in The Parker Meridien Hotel on 57th Street Midtown 

New York.

We've been around for 10 years, and we really were the first guys to say that we were going to focus exclusively on burgers., says the Parker Corporation President Steven Pipes who owns The Burger Joint. And, he's right, these guys were the first to focus on a create an upscale burger place, devoted to the Hamburger. Kudos for that.

So, they've opened a Burger Joint in Greenwich Village on 8th Street between 6th and 5th Avenues. The first Burger Joint has been hugely popular, selling as many as 1,000 Burgers a day. Dam, that's a lot of Burgers! And people just love them.

Pipes says, the company plans on opening more Burger Joints around the country in places like Cambridge, Washington DC, and Chicago, and will sell licensing for Burger Joints abroad.  Sounds like a plan. Let's hope they don't get too big and ruin the good thing they are now. If they do, there will always be other little guys to come along, but we think they do well.

BURGER JOINT

In The BASEMENT

of The PARKER MERIDIEN HOTEL

57th STREET NEW YORK

ARTICHOKE PIZZA COUSINS To TV

The Pizza Empire Cousins (Cujinos) from Staten Island, New York getting a TV Show. Sal Basile and Fran Garcia of the wildly successful Artichoke Basile Pizza are the latest culinary guys to get their own show. Unlike many of the awful host of most of the Horrible Food Network, these guys have actually made something and are culinary professionals . They have a couple Pizzerias called Artichoke Basile Pizza. They opened Artichoke Basile Pizza on East 14th Street which was a huge instant success. Almost from day one, people have been lining up for the cousins Sal & Frans Pizza, and I do mean line-up literally, and day and night. Many celebs including Keith Richards, Gerad Butler, and Jim Carey are big fans of their Pizza. These guys work hard and put out a good product and the people love them. They have also opened a great sandwich shop that sells Pastrami and Roast Beef Sandwiches. Awesome!

Now the boys are getting their own TV Show on The Cooking Channel called Pizza Cuz. Sal and Fran will be traveling the country, checking out Pizzerias in Portland Oregon, Brooklyn (Pizza Capital of America), and Oakland, California and other spots around the country. Sounds like a great concept, as these guys know food, especially Pizza, they have personality, and passion, and this should be a winning combination on TV as it is in Fran and Sals establishments. We wish them well and are looking forward to the first episode. Buona Fortuna Sal and Fran.

GAEL GREENE GOES TO THE WRONG CARBONE

CARBONE

by BELLINO

GET The Tee SHIRT

THE WRONG CARBONE !!!

OR IS IT THE RIGHT ONE?

CARBONE RESTORANTE 38th STREET

HELLS KITCHEN, NEW YORK

 

 

 

GAEL GREEN GOES TO WRONG CARBONE !!! 

The CARBONE BEFORE CARBONE !!!

 

 

 

 

The Carbone Before Carbone? What? There has been quite a bit of confusion of late in the New York and New York Italian Restaurant World ... The confusion is of Carbone and Carbone, Carbone Restorante of 38th Street in New York's Hells Kitchen and Carbone, thee "Carbone" of 181 Thompson Street in Greenwich Village ... As of this moment, Saturday March 30, 2013 thee # 1 Hottest Restaurant in Town, the restaurant of-the-moment and the one who is making all kind of noise in the Press, on the Internet and other media outlets is the Carbone on Thompson Street in the old "Rocco's Restaurant Space" in Greenwich Village, which that right there has caused quite a lot of commotion. The fat that the so-called Torrisi Boys took over the old and beloved Old-School New York Italian Red-Sauce Joint "Rocco's" has caused quite a stir.

 

For those of you who might not know, "The Torrisi Boys" are the team of Rich Torrisi, Mario Carbone, and Jeff Zalaznich, with Zalaznick the so-called "Money Man" and Carbone and Torrisi the Restaurant Guys and Chefs. This team exploded onto the scene about three years ago with their first place Torrisi Italian Specialties on Mulberry Street. The Guys had a great idea and concept. Torrisi Italian Specialties was a small place that barely sat about 30 people, I beleive. It was operated as a sort-of Italian-Deli during the day, selling mostly; Chicken Parm Sandwiches, Meatball Parms, and there famous Fresh Roast Turkey Sandwiches and other sandwiches, along with a couple soups and a few pastas. In the evening the place operated as a restaurant with one option a Five-Course Set Menu for $55 ... Both the lunch (daytime) and Dinner as the 5 Course Meal were excellent. Torrisi Italian Specialties quickly became a immediate and huge success as well as the two Co/Chef Owners Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi became huge as Chef Personalities and media-darlings. Yes Torrisi was a great success and it was less than a year and a half when this team opened a second place next door, called "Parm" which served at both lunch and dinner the kind of food the original Torrisi Italian Specialties served just for lunch, Italian and Italian-American Classic, with a Chinese Ribs thrown in as a a quirky special. Once the opened the 2nd place Parm next door, they turned their first place Torrisi Italian Specialties into set menu dinner only restaurant with no more Lunch Time Italian Deli, that was Parm next door.

 

OK, move forward a couple years. The much loved Red-Sauce Classic Rocco's Restorante on Thompson Street is losing their lease. The landlord as in so many sad New York "Greedy Lanlord" stories jacks-up Rocco's Rent to a point where they can not afford to stay in business. Rocco's had been doing good business, but not gang-busters and not enough to support the huge rent increase, they lose their lease. In move The Torrisi Boys, Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick. They sign a lease, and plan on opening what they call a 1950's Downtown New York Old School Italian Restaurant. They renovate the old Rocco's leaving the great old neon sign and superimposing in Neon Letters "Carbone," some locals, any of whom are hard-core old-school Italians from the neighborhood "Don't Like It." There's much action and talk on the internet on food and restaurant sites like, Grub Street, Eater, Chowhound and such. The talk on Carbone is both positive and negative.

 

Carbone opens to much fanfare in mid March 2013 to mixed reviews and comments on Eater, Chowhound and such. Carbone becomes the hottest ticket in town restaurant-wise. Many want to eat there and check it out. Tables are hard to come by, now the confusion. It seems as though "Carbone" is not the only Carbone in town? There's another one, and it's in midtown on 38th Street in Hells Kitchen, New York. It's own by an Italain from Italy, who has never head of Mario Carbone the Chef/Owner who the Greenwich Village restaurant Carbone is named after. Some people trying to get reservations and don't know any better, go on Open Table or call up the Hells Kitchen Carbone and get a reservation, "No Problem." But they get a reservation for a table at the wrong Carbone, not the one they were intending. Even the famed long time New York City restaurant critic Gael Greene made this mistake. So what's a person to do?

 

GAEL GREEN MAKES A MISTAKE at Carbone

 

GAEL GREENE'S TWITTER TWEET  @GaelGreene

Spent 20 minutes at wrong Carbone lasngt.Finally grumpy owner there gave me address of THE Essential new Carbone, Missed seeing TonyBennett.

 

 

EATER Guest Comments about Gael Greene 

at "Wrong" Carbone: 

  

 

GUEST Comment 1 :  She probably would have had a better dinner if she stayed at her first stop.

 

GUEST Comment 2 :  Step 1:   Go to Hell's Kitchen Carbone.

                                      Step 2:   Create a Yelp account.

                                      Step 3:   Review Old Carbone and Post to New CARBONE.

 

GUEST Comment 3 :   Perhaps she went to all the wrong restaurants? 

                                      That would mean that all her Reviews are Wrong!?

 

GUEST Comment 4 :   DUMBASS !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The INFAMOUS CARBONE SIGN !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RIGHT CARBONE !

or IS IT WRONG?

SUNDAY SAUCE

alla PACINO

alla BELLINO

AMAZON.com

GREENWICH VILLAGE ITALIAN

CARBONE - T-SHIRT

 

 

 

BEST BANH MI SANDWICH In NEW YORK

The Banh Mi in America. It's one of the hottest sandwiches in New York, I guess in places like Los Angeles, San Fransisco, Seattle, Boston, and Portland, Or. Well they are big in New York. There are Bahn Mi shops all over the city, but after trying a few, of which some are grossly overpriced. Why would I pay $8.50 for one when I can get the "Best" at Saigon on Broome Street in Chinatown. I just won't do it. It's absurd.

OK, the recent article in the New York Times, on "The Banh Mi Sandwich in America" was pretty good, except for one "Huge Mistake. Jordan Michellman states that a Banh Mi always begins with a Baguette and dressed with an Aioli spread infused with pork, garlic and fish sauce. Here is the quote, "They all begin with a whole baguette, preferably baked in-house and dressed with an aioli spread infused with pork, garlic and fish sauce. These ingredients then hold a wide variety of fillings: barbecue pork, fried tofu and thick-sliced ham are the most common options, along with pork pâté, grilled chicken, meatballs, sauteed vegetables and, occasionally, whole sardines." End quote.

Wrong Jordan. Yes they all do begin with a Baguette, but not the Aioli as you state. I've eaten Banh Mi in a number of places in Vietanm, in New York, in Washington D.C., and Montreal and never had Aioli on them. That's an American thing. Anyway, just wanted to set the record straight for the people. Aioli is an American thing. Yes the Banh Mi is a mixture of French and Vietnamese cuisines coming together, but the French contributions ends with the Baguette and sometimes pork pate.

One of the very important things that Jordan stated, was that you should never pay more than $6.00 for one. I couldn't agree more. But living in new York, where I can get the Best Banh mi in town for $4.50 at Saigon on Broome Street in Chinatown, I'd go one step further in saying, I won't pay more than $4.50 for a Banh Mi. Not until Saigon raises their prices that is.

DBZ

THE BEST BANH MI in NEW YORK

ALSO THE # 1 BEST SANDWICH DOLLAR-for-DOLLAR

In NEW YORK

SAIGON, BROOME STREET, CHINATOWN, NEW YORK

CARBONE THE GOOD THE BAD And THE UGLY

THE GOOD


1)   These Guys are Accomplished Cooks and have done good things as
       far as Italian Restaurants and Italian Food is concerned.

2)    Good intentions, by the team at Carbone.

3)    Nice Decor.

4)    It's in Greenwich Village.

5)    Many Good comments on; Eater, Chowhound, Foursquare, Yelp, and ...

 

Some Good Comments Made on Foursquare, Yelp, and Twitter



RUTH REICHEL  TWITTER TWEET     @ruthreichL  on TWITTER
Dinner tonight:Carbone. Perfectly cast. The past on a plate. Great soundtrack.
To eat? Baked clams.Truffled carpaccio. Zuppa di pesce.

FRANK BRUNI  Tweet  @FrankBruni
Smashing dinner at NYC's new Carbone. If u go don't miss caesar salad, carpaccio w/black truffles, spicy rigatoni vodka, cheesecake. f u go don't miss caesar salad, carpaccio w/black truffles, spicy rigatoni vodka, cheesecake." 

Mathew W. on FOURSQUARE
The Veal Parm is out of this World!

George K. YELP
Incredible! My wife and I went there last night and had the best meal we've had in a long time. The T Bone steak is amazing!!!!! 
The Bow Tie pasta with lobster is one of a kind. Great atmosphere and staff!



THE BAD


1)    $87.00 For Lobster Fra D'Avlo Special
2)    What some deem insanely Over-Priced Specials and some Menu Items.
3)    $50.00 for Veal Parmigiano "VP" aka Veal Parm
4)    Zac Posen Unifroms
5)    Many Bad comments on Eater, Chowhound, Foursquare, Yelp, and ...
6)    Slammed by Two Italian Grandmothers on Grub Street
7)   $52.00 for Veal Marsala



THE UGLY

1)    Zac Posen Uniforms

2)     $45.oo Per Person for Hot Antipasto    

 3)    The took over the Old Rocco's space and many long-time Rocco's fans
        (and Local Italian Residents) are  outraged that they did, and that they
         are using Rocco's old sign and have Carbone superimposed over
         the old Rocco's sign with a big "Neon Carbone"

4)      Some followers on Eater, Yelp, Foursqure, etc., are getting downright
          nasty with their comments of Carbone the Restaurant and as many call
          them "The Torrisi Boys" meaning Mario Carbone, rich Torrisi, and
          Jeff Zalaznick


Guest Commentor on EATER "Cynical Criminal"

says, "These sc#mbags should cease and desist from using Rocco's imagery on
their website and TAKE DOWN IMMEDIATELY The SIGN of The FAMILY from whom they 
stole the restaurant from after 100 years."

CARBONE SLAMMED by GRUB STREET READERS And TWO ITALIAN GRANDMOTHERS

Carbone gets mixed reviews from Hugh Merwin, Grub Street and a coupled Italian Grandmothers ... Wow, that's a new tactic. And as the fourth-wheel in the equation Christopher Bonanos stated,"The Ladies Dined, then Took The Place Out."  Well sort of. Overall it seemed as though these two Grandmothers weren't that crazy about Carbone, but did not totally trash it, as many readers have, and the internet is filled with both disdain and adulation for the team of Carbone and Torrisi, depending on who you talk to. Some love and adore these guys and what they do, while many have nothing but disdain for them, as most of the readers comments bare out in the Grub Street piece "Night of Nonnas" Two Italian Grandmothers Review Carbone." The readers comments are pretty negative as concerns Carbone, with people complaining about the

 "HIGH-PRICED VEAL PARM at $52.00"  One comment said, "Go to Dominicks on Arthur Avenue," another said "Carbone was a big dissapointment," One person Dittoed that, while another reader said, "If you want great Old-School Italian Food (the kind Carbone is said to be aiming at)  At Reasonable Prices, Go to Monte's around the block on Macdougal Street."

Well, it seems to me, if you are trying to evoke a great ol Old-School New York Italian Restaurant of 1950's as these guys have promoted as thier Mission Statement, "You Don't Charge $52.00 for Veal Parmigiano,  $52.00  for Veal Marsala, nor $33.00 for Chicken Scarpariello." 

"It's Chicken fellas!"

Well the two Italian grandmothers Fran and Annebeth didn't like the Ravioli al Caruso, Annebeth said it tasted like a Chicken Liver Pierogi. They liked the Caesar Salad, and the Cheese "Parmigiano Reggiano" which they said was the best thing. They liked the Black Bowties with Lobster . The ladies said they liked the decor, but overall did not like the food, and siad that's what you want most in a good meal, good food.

 So it looks as though Carbone and Torrisi have some hurdles to overcome and time will tell if they do. Their first two restaurants have both been going with major success and most people love them, though it seems as though Carbone is not off to the flying start that Torrisi Italian Specialties and "Parm." have both seen, I for one wish these guys good look, and I think they'll make it. But I do think they do have to get real with the prices, and forget about $52 and  $33 Chicken dishes. That is, if Carbone and Torrisi want "Carbone" to be as they say, an Old-School 1950's style Downtown new York Italian Restaurant and not Expensive-Luxury like Cipriani, 

Del Posto, or that over-rated rip-off joint IL Mulino.

                Vincent Motta