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

SOPHIA LOREN MAKING PIZZA

Sophia Loren tries her hand at making Pizza. Brava Sophia "Sophia Bella"

SOPHIA LOREN

in A Scene From 

"IT STARTED IN NAPLES"

STARRING LOREN With CLARKE GABLE

Here LOREN SINGS  In a Night Club in CAPRI

"Tu Vuo Fa L'Americana"

"I WANT To Be AMERICAN"

THIS SONG Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano Was Also Sung

by JUDE LAW And MATT DAMON

In The TALENTED Mr. RIPLEY

Also STARRING; GWYNETH PALTHROW,

KATE BLANCHETT & PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN

and Was Shot in ROME, VENICE, NAPLES,

The AMALFI COAST and SAN REMO, ITALY

Italian Singer

MAT DAMON & JUDE LAW

SING

Tu Vuo Fa AMERICANO

In Underground JAZZ NIGHT CLUB

in NAPOLI

Dr. OZ HOT NEW FAT BURNER WEIGHT LOSS SECRET "GARCINIA CAMBOGIA"

SHITTY MUSIC OVER-PRICED COCKTAILS & CABLE BILLS "WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO" ???

A COUPLE OVER-PRICED COCKTAILS

PEGU CLUB

HOUSTON STREET, NEW YORK, NY

What is going on people? What has happened to this world, to New York? What has happened to Music, they don't make any today. "No Good Music, nothing but trash for music for the past 15 years or so. What happened to all the Great Pop, Rock, and R&B Music they "Used to Make." Why did they stop making great music and decide to create Shit like they make today, what they so wrongfully call music. It's just a bunch of "Rap Crap" and other types of Garbage Noise that many "Think" is music.
    When did people start paying for Television, so much anyway. It's ridiculous. I know a guy who is paying over $300 dollars for his internet and Cable TV. I told him that that was ridiculous and absurd. I told him, do you realize that you're going to pay $33,000 in ten years time for your internet and TV ... He was stunned. He never thought about it. I do. I'm pretty good at math and great at making calculations of monthly bills and what a Cel Phone, internet, Cable TV, and rent will cost you a Year, 5 Year, and 10 Years. This guy never did that. He just thought in terms of 1 month, not what it cost in 5 or 10 years time. And when I told him the 10 year cost which I figure out in my head in about 10 seconds. He was stunned! As for me, I "Cut The Cable" 2 1/2 years ago. I've saved $2,500 since than, and that will double to $5,000 in 2-and-half more years. But that's not the end of it. At the same time, I changed my 
Cel Phone service and save $300 a year, so in this five years time I will have saved $6,500 by cutting the cable which I hated and got tired of paying that absurdly high bill. And mine was just $135 a month, not $33o .. Hold on now. That's not the end. I just signed a new Hot Spot Internet deal which will save me$200 a year, so by the time the 5 years rolls around, I will have save $7,000 ... Yes $7,000 ... And I do save it ...

And now, to this other insane matter, and absurd thing that has happened and people just except it. The insane practice of Overpriced Cocktails ... When did this happen? Well I can sort of pin point it. It was a few years ago. Well about 10 or 12 years already I guess. Dam, "time Flies." It was when people started opening hipper cocktail lounges and Bartenders really started experimenting, reading and researching old Bar Books, making great old drinks, obscure ones, and creating new ones. This was good, all except for one bad aspect, and a travesty to the spirit of good drinking. And that is, I'm sure you can guess by now, the insane practice of charging $16.00 or more for cocktails that are gone in about 3 sips. This is insane. And sadly now it is th norm in many places around New York, Bars, Cocktail Lounges, and restaurants, the insane, thoughtless, inconsiderate, and greedy practice of $16.00 and up cocktails. Hey, even $14.00 cocktails is insane and grossly overpriced. What's a person to do. Don't go you say. Yeah, that would be good, well if we had more of a choice, but it seems like 85% or more of the drinking establishments in New York have the inflated overpriced cocktails and beers. Yes, beer too. With $8, 9, and even $10 Beers. So if you were in a place that had $8 beers, and you wanted to have 3, it would cost you almost $30 for 3 measly beers, with tip. And forget about 3 Cocktails made by the so-called Mixologist. You're talking $55 to $60 for 3 friggin drinks. You gotta agree friends, "That's Insane."

    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 the practice of overpriced $16 drinks at many of New York's Cocktail Lounges, bars, and restaurants is a ridiculous crushing blow that knocks socializing out of whack. 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 "Mixoligist." 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???
   Yes. you could choose not to go to these places. But there's another point. You should be able to go. You shouldn't be cut out because your not a 1%-er, that you don't make an upseen amount of money, that you make an average salary (or less) and these places should be affordable to someone making an average weekly income, but you can't. Why? "Fuckin ^16 Cocktails" that's why! Grossly insane "Over-Priced Cocktails" that only the Rich can really afford, or someone who's dumb enough to "throw away their money" and live above their means. Yes, they could buy the drink, they have the money, but anyone making $50,000 a year or less, really these $16 drinks are above your means. You could actually buy them, but it doesn't make sense. You should not spend $55 to $60 on 3 measly "Over-Contrived Overpriced Mixologists Concoction," it's Ludicrous! Are you dumb? I hope not. Many people are, the kind of people who will pay a $300 plus internet Cable Bill and throw away $30,000, for something you can get free, or if not free, far less than $30,000 .... Now that's Dumb!!!! And that's why businesses take advantage of people. They're Dumb ....

BELLINO & MINETTA BURGER vs OZERSKY & BLACK LABEL

MINETTA TAVERN

  photo Copyright Daniel Bellino-Zwicke    

The BLACK LABEL BURGER

MINETTA TAVERN

GREENWICH VIALLGE, NEW YORK

READ About BELLINO'S BETTER BURGER

    MINETTA BURGER "IT'S BETTER THAN THE BLACK LABEL BURGER" Minetta Tavern, Greenwich Village, New York, NY   "Yes," Minetta Tavern's Second-Tier Burger, The "Minetta Burger" is without question thee "Better Burger" served at Minetta Tavern. Noted Foodie, Writer (The Hamburger) Burger Authority Josh Ozersky would disagree. Well, Mr. Ozersky is entitled to his opinion, as well as I and Thousands of others and the majority who like the Minetta Burger better than the now Highly Touted Minetta Tavern Black Label Burger, who some feel is the top burger in New York, even the World some say.

So, I'm wondering if some say the Minetta Black Label Burger is New York's Best and even the World's, does that make The Minetta Burger, according to myself and the majority of those polled, "New York's" even the World's Best Burger. "Not quite."

    This is a very subjective matter and one of personal taste. I can see why Mr. Ozersky loves the Minetta Tavern Black Label Burger so much, proclaiming it New York's Top Burger and I believe he "May" said it is The Best in The World, but I'm not absolutely sure, so don't quote me on that. Yes it is a Good Burger, and if you feel it is Great, than Yes it is Great to You and Everyone else who says it is Great. As for me, without question the "Minetta Burger" is Better, "Hell, It's Tastier" and that's all that counts isn't it. And I'll tell you why it's tastier.

   First off, the Blend and Quality of meat in the Minetta Burger is "Better for a Burger." Note that I don't say that the meat is just better, but better for making a Burger. Why? Well, Dry-Age Meat with it's powerful gamey taste is not the best taste for Ground-Meat and a Hamburger. Fresher Meat that has not been aged, is much Better for a Burger, an it Taste a Hell of a Lot Better than ground dry-aged beef which did you Know that in it's aging process is actually deteriorating? Some people like that taste. Fine. I do not, especially in ground meat and in my Burger. I'd much rather have my ground meat for a Burger Fresh.

    And did you know that the Ground Meat Blend from Pat La Frieda for the Minetta Burger is a Blend of Prime Beef Short Rib, Beef Brisket, and Beef Clod, and this blend was La Frieda's "Premium Blend" before he came up with the Black Label Blend which is Dry-Aged Rib Steak, and cost a lot more, thus the more Expensive Price of Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger at $26.00 for the Cheaper and Superior $17.00 "Minetta Burger."

   Just because something is more Expensive, does not make it better, and the Minetta Burger vs The Black Label Burger is a Classic example of more Expensive not being better than cheaper.

Why? Well, because of our current state of a bad economy, New York Steak Houses, Restaurants, and Meat Purveyors such as Pat La Frieda and others found that expensive cuts of Beef like Prime Sirloin Steaks and Prime Dry Aged Rib Steaks were not selling as well as they used to. Expensive, people have less money. Put 2-And-2-Together. So, these meat purveyors found themselves not selling as much as the High-Ticket Cuts. What to do? Well, as a result of a Bad Economy and Boggers Loving Burgers for there Affordability and Blogability, Burgers have become Insanely Popular in the past four years or so. Pat La Frieda has a great idea, make and Market Ground High-End Cuts of Dry-Aged Beef, give it a Fancy name, "Black Label," and the rest is part of Hamburger History.

  As for me, I'll take the Better Tasting Burger that just so happens to be substantially cheaper to boot, the Minetta Burger.

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

R.I.P. JOSH

Sadly since this posting Josh Ozersky passed away ... Josh was greatly loved by Foodies and Gourmands everywhere, but nowhere more than from his home-town fellow New Yorker's who called Josh our own .. Josh had a wonderful down-to-earth every mans look at the World of Food and dining out, and as a food-writer Josh had no equal with his special brand of food-writing and reporting that was uniquely Josh Ozersky. You've sadly passed Josh, but you'd be happy to know your great food journalism is till remembered and much loved, as are you.

BELLINO'S BETTER BURGER

CLICK to READ

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

RECIPES

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SUNDAY SAUCE

RECIPES

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ANTHONY BOURDAIN Parts Unknown CNN

Premiere Episode of New One-Hour Weekend Series Explores Food and Culture of Myanmar

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown, hosted by the world-renowned chef, bestselling author and Emmy winning television personality, premieres on Sunday, April 14, at 9pm, ET.

The one-hour weekend lifestyle series follows Bourdain as he travels the across the globe to uncover little-known areas of the world and celebrate diverse cultures by exploring food and dining rituals. Known for his curiosity, candor, and acerbic wit, Bourdain takes viewers off the beaten path of tourist destinations – including some war-torn parts of the world – and meets with a variety of local citizens to offer a window into their lifestyles, and occasionally communes with an internationally lauded chef on his journeys.

The premiere episode of the Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown offers an inside look at Myanmar. In his maiden voyage to the country formerly known as Burma,Bourdain and his crew discover the fabled beauty and local cuisines of a country that had been, up until recently, off-limits to outsiders.  Future episodes include tours of Libya, Colombia, the Quebecois side of Canada, Koreatown in Los Angeles, Tangier, Peru and the Congo.

Following original episodes of Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown on Sunday nights at 9pm, encores will air on Friday nights at 11pm, Saturday nights at 9pm, and Sunday nights at 8pm. (all times Eastern)

In addition to his work on Parts Unknown, Bourdain will be traveling the United States in the spring to bring his “Guts & Glory” tour to live audiences beginning April 12 in San Francisco through May 13 in Washington D.C.

Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown is produced by Zero Point Zero Production with Executive Producers and Founders Chris Collins and Lydia Tenaglia, along with Executive Producer Sandra Zweig. The Emmy award winning Zero Point Zero Production has produced programs with Anthony Bourdain for more than a decade, including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, The Layover, A Cooks Tour, and Decoding Ferran Adria.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Viewers can find updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and exclusive content fromAnthony Bourdain Parts Unknown by following the show’s Twitter account@partsunknownCNN, and accessing the CNN Parts Unknown Facebook page. During each show, viewers are invited to go to the live blog atCNN.com/partsunknown and join in the conversation using the #PartsUnknown hashtag on Twitter.

   "KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL" by Anthony Bourdain Is Thee Greatest Book Ever    
                                 Written on the Restaurant Business and the Book that made Tony Famous. We Love
                                 and Highly Recommend it ...

WE HAVE A NEW POPE "POPE FRANCIS"

POPE FRANCIS 

IS OUR NEW POPE

From ARGENTINA

Former CARDINAL BERGOLIO

This Man is our NEW POPE "POPE FRANCIS" of Buenos Aires ARGENTINA Will Be Wearing The RED SHOES ...

Pope Francis is The Holy Catholics Church First Jesuit Pope ever.