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
 
 
 
screen-shot-2016-11-12-at-12-08-23-pm
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
Screen Shot 2016-11-12 at 11.54.26 AM.png
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.
23daf-screen2bshot2b2015-05-062bat2b1-27-092bam
Sunday Sauce 
by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
screen-shot-2016-08-22-at-11-04-43-am
MANGIA ITALIANO
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Greenwich Village Newport Steak




Made some Newport Steaks yesterday. Our Favorite Steaks. The Greenwich Village Steak invented by Italian Butcher in Greenwich Village, Jack Ubaldi at his Florence Meat Market on Jones Street in The Village. Not many now of this fine economical Steak cut from the Bottom Sirloin, also known as Tri-Tip ..
The Steaks are tasty and economical. You have to get Prime Meat. There are three butcher shops to get a Newport Steak in New York, all in Greenwich Village (and a Part of Soho that Italians still consider the Village) .. These markets are all Italian Butcher Shops. First off there is Florence Meat Market, the creator of the Newport Steak. They also sell them at Ottomanelli on Bleecker Street, and at Pino's Prime Meat on Sullivan Street. I usally get mine at Pino's or Florence.


to be Continued

Saturday, May 18, 2013

HARRY'S BAR "The WORLDS COOLEST RESTAURANT



ARIGO CIPRIANNI



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.
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.
Over the years, everyone and everyone has passed through the doors; Kings, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers,
Rock Stars, Movie Stars, you name it. Too many to name, never-the-less, I will name some names; Ernest Hemingway, Grace Kelly, Onassis, Sir Winston Churchill, Humphrey Bogart, Mick Jagger, George Clooney, Jude Law, Gwyneth Palthrow and on-and-on. And you if you go, of course.
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 restaurnat, Harry's Bar, Venice that is.
 by Daniel Bellino Zwicke









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




.











Saturday, May 11, 2013

JOE'S DAIRY CLOSING and NEW YORK LOSES ANOTHER GREAT OLD INSTITUTION





Yes folks,sad but true, Joe's Dairy is closing. After 60 years in business, the beloved little Cheese Shop, a.k.a. "Jimmy The Cheeseman's Store" from The Pope of Greenwich Village, will sell their last ball of fresh Home Made Mozzarella (The best in The City) at 6 PM today May, 11 2013, and New York and the Italian Community of South Greenwich Village loses but one more beloved institution.
This is particularly a major blow to we Italian-Americans who lost our much loved Rocco Restorante on Thompson Street in The Village last year. Rocco's, after 90 years in Greenwich Village lost it's lease last year and The Torissi Boys quickly swooped in to open "Carbone," which promised to be a classic Old School Downtown New York Italian Red Sauce Joint like Rocco's was, but with $50 Veal Parmigiano and $52 Veal Marsala on the menu, it just doesn't seem so.
And so my friends we lose another beloved old New York Mom-and-Pop business to greed landlords.  It's a Sin, and we all wish something could be done about this scourge. Bye-Bye Joe's we'll surely miss you there on Sullivan Street, and we're gonna miss New York's Best Mozz. So we're do we go now? I still refuse to set food in that awful, overprice commercial enterprise Eataly, that's for tourist and another type of person I will not mention. Guess I'll have to walk down to DiPalo's. Joe's was only 2 blocks from my house. I'll miss it so.





Daniel Bellino-Zwicke






Wednesday, May 8, 2013

CUOZZO DOESN'T Say "VEAL IS BEST In CITY" HE GIVES CARBONE 2 STARS




UNLIKE VIRGIL SOLOZZO in THE GODFATHER
CUOZZO DOESN'T Say "VEAL IS THE BEST In THE CITY"





Finicky (Notoriously "Off The Mark") New York Post Food Critic Steve Cuozzo gives Carbone a luke-warm 2 Stars and quotes The Godfather, saying" The Veal is not the Best in The City," a line made famous by Al Litieri as Vrigil Sollozzo tells crooked New York City Police Captain McColskey, when he ask, "How's the Italian Food in this restaurant (Louie's)?" Solozzo tels him to get the Veal, it's the best in the city. Well Cuozzo definitely didn't think that of the Veal at Carbone.

Cuzzo on Carbone's Pasta 

"Pasta monotonously lacked contrast or texture. Only one of six I tried rang the bell: modestly named, immodestly priced ($30) spaghetti de mare. The joy lay less in showoff elements like rock shrimp, bay scallops and razor clams, than in crackling tomato, garlic, chili, parsley and garlic. Most others evoked mediocre trattorias, especially dry and clumpy angel hair begging for more olive oil."

Cuzzo on Carbone's Clams:

Clams three ways batted .333; while oreganata clicked, neither lardo on top of casinos, nor sea urchin in a “fantasia” preparation was my idea of heaven.
Steve Cuozzo's Fianl Statement on Carbone:
"A restaurant born of so much talent and expectation should dazzle us from inizio alla fine. Carbone flickers like a teasing moon through billows of pomp — in a town full of truly great Italian places, it’s an offer I’ll gently refuse."







$50.00 VEAL PARMESAN Is ENOUGH For TWO



NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW "THE BIGGY" YET To COME