Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Rafetto Pasta Since 1906

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ROMANA RAFETTO


The MATRIARCH of RAFFETTO'S

GREENWICH VILLAGE

NEW YORK
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RAFETTO'S PASTA SHOP

HOUSTON STREET

NEW YORK NY




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RAFFETTO PASTA


HOUSTON STREET

GREENWICH VILLAGE










RAVIOLI

RAFFETTO PASTA





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SUNDAY SAUCE

Daniel Bellino "Z"

LEARN HOW to MAKE SAUCE


To GO ALONG with YOUR RAVIOLI


and Other Pasta







 
  

Interview with SARAH RAFETTO


RAFETTO PASTA SHOP

GREENWICH VILLAGE




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The RAFFETTO'S

NONNA ROMANA
SARAH with Father ANDREW Son of ROMANA

GREENWICH VILLAGE ITALIAN

SINCE 1906



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SHELVES of PASTA TOMATOES
OLIVE OIL and ...

RAFFETTO'S GREENWICH VILLAGE







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MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD


EATING RAVIOLI  SUNDAY SAUCE

MEATBALLS

and SAUAGE
















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Sunday, March 25, 2018

Greenwich Village Italian

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11faicco

 

FAICCO'S

Bleecker Street

GREENWICH VILLAGE

 

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FLORENCE ITALIAN MEAT MARKET

ITALIAN BUTCHER

JONES STREET

 

11JohnsPIZZA

JOHN'S PIZZERIA

Since 1929

 

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Hangin at MONTE'S

100 YEAR OLD ITALIAN RESTAURANT

In GREENWICH VILLAGE

NEW YORK

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Tony The BARTENDER

And a PRIME RIB of BEEF

At MONTE'S TRATTORIA

GREENWICH VILLAGE

 

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CAFFE REGGIO

PACINO , DYLAN , PRESIDENT KENNEDY

ad More ...

   

11PORTOrricoCOFFEE

PORTO RICO COFFE

"It's ITALIAN"

Since 1906

 

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Al Pacino

at CAFFE REGGIO

 

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Caffe Vivaldi

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Some of The Regulars at ARTURO'S

   

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JOHN'S PIZZERIA

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JOE'S DAIRY

Fresh MOZZARELLA

(Sadly has Closed)

 

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Cornelia Street CHARLIE

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11RAFETTO

RAFETTOS'S

RAVIOLI / HOMEMADE PASTA

Since 1906

 

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ARTURO'S

Coal Oven PIZZA

GREENWICH VILLAGE

 

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VESUVIO'S

ITALIAN BREAD BAKERS

Photo Copyright 2011 Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

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LOMBARDI'S

America's 1st EVer PIZZERIA

Circa 1925

 

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MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

JERSEY BROOKLYN ITALY

GREENWICH VILLAGE

and More ..

Thursday, March 22, 2018

New York Italian RED SAUCE JOINTS

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JOHN'S of East 12th Street
 
NEW YORK , NY
Photo Copyright 2016 Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
 
 
 
 
Gino’s of Lexington Avenue? This restaurant was one of the most special restaurants that ever was. Ask any of the few hundred regulars who ate there so many times a year. How many you ask? Well, there are regulars who ate there 2 to 3 times a week, some once a week, some one or two times a month, and some maybe four to six times a year, but all regulars. That’s how it goes with regulars in restaurants, and this is a solid foundation that all good restaurants need to succeed in New York. Gino’s had a pretty long history for its regulars to enjoy for any number of years. The restaurant opened in 1945 by Gino Circiello and two partners, was in operations for 65 until it closed in 2010 after losing their lease. Needless to say this was a sad day for all its devoted regulars which included the likes of; Gay Talese, David Suskind, Frank Sinatra, many luminaries along with numerous businessmen and women, and people in the fashion business, publishing, law, and all sorts of businesses. Gino’s customers loved and revered the place, a wonderful Italian Red Sauce Joint where you could get a great meal of solid Italian classic dishes, at reasonable prices, with good service and a perfect ambiance that included one of New York’s last remaining telephone booths and the famed Zebra wallpaper. And it was the clientele that really made the perfect ambiance that was Gino’s, which was par excellence.
Gino’s was filled to capacity each day and night for lunch and dinner, jammed with people doing business, or just simply having a great time eating Baked Clams Oreganta followed by Linguine w/ Clam Sauce, Chicken or Veal Parmigiano or perhaps a daily special like Veal Ossobuco or braised Lamb Shanks, the food was always good at Gino’s, everything was. The people just loved it there. The vibe was always great, livelyThere was Gino and later on Michael Miele (a former employee who became the owner), there was of course the Zebra Wallpaper, the old-school waiters, the tasty food, and the clientele themselves that filled the air of Gino’s dining room with good natured chatter and that special feeling that a room full of happy people makes. And you were always more than happy when you were in Gino’s.
Yes, Gino’s was a restaurant that’s now known as an Old School Red Sauce Joint. This being a restaurant that had pretty much the same standard dishes that so many people love, millions in fact. The menu had items like; Caprese Salad, Baked Clams, both Casino and Oreganata, Seafood Salad, Spaghetti w/ Tomato Sauce, or Bolognese, Manicotti, Ravioli, and Gino’s famous Pasta Segreto with their famed Secret Sauce. You had all the most popular chicken, fish, and veal dishes, dishes like; Chicken Parmigiano, Veal Saltimbocca, Veal Piccata, Veal Milanese (Sinatra’s favorite), Shrimp Scampi, Clams Posillipo another Sinatra favorite, Lobster Fra Diavolo and the sort of solid Italian food that Italian-Americans and the rest of their American brethren all loved and still love, regardless of what snobbish food critics may say or think. For Gino’s clientele knew what was real, and Gino’s was as real as it got. If you asked Frank (Sinatra) he’d set you straight, “Gino’s is the Real Deal Baby.”
Well, so sadly, Gino’s closed in 2010. It was a sad day indeed, and for regulars an actual tragedy, we lost our favorite clubhouse of all. A place that was so special and uniquely wonderful you just can’t replace. Yes a sad day indeed. Gino’s was irreplaceable, it’s a sin that it died, never-the-less it did. This was a crime, a crime against New York, Italian-America and Gino’s many devoted fans. If you knew Gino’s you’d surely agree.
Yes, even Gino’s a historical Old School Italian joint came to an end and died, a fate happening all over the country. We’re losing our wonderful beloved Red Sauce Joints. Places that are a part of American history, the history of Italian-America and even of Italy, as it was the citizens of our motherland who came here and created Italian-American Cuisine and Red Sauce Joints like our beloved Gino’s and other restaurants just like it all over America. Farewell to Gino’s and places like Rocco’s in Greenwich Village and all of our famous red sauce joints of years gone by.
Now hold on a minute. Yes we’ve lost many a great red sauce joints in the past years, and even still. But guess what? With places like Frankie’s Spuntino and Carbone in Greenwich Village, Red Sauce are now hip and as beloved as ever. They’re among one of the hot new restaurant and food-trends of most recent years. Unfortunately, Carbone is very expensive. Frankie’s on the other hand is not, it’s quite reasonable and in the true spirit of Old School Italian-American restaurants. Let’s hope this trend continues and instead of so many flashy restaurant that are not in the spirit of old school Italian-America, we need to get more restaurants like Frankie’s and Rubirosa. And if we’re lucky some day, maybe someone will open another Gino’s complete with all the old dishes like Pasta Segreto and the Scalamandre Zebra Wallpaper of course, of which Gino’s would not be Gino’s. Gino’s we miss you so.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Waiter Chats The Customers
 
With The Famed ZEBRA WALLPAPER
 
 
GINO'S of CAPRI
 
 
So now it’s a sad state of affairs when we talk of these wonderful old Red Sauce Joints of our lives. We’ve had many good time there; family dinners, meals with friends, and courting and such. These places provide the perfect ambiance with great food, wine, and the animated waiter or two. But sadly not many are left. As you know, we lost Gino’s a few years ago and numerous good old restaurants before that. In Manhattan where I live it doesn’t even take the fingers of one had to count how many old Italian Red Sauce Joints are left. There’s Rao’s up in East Harlem, one of the all-time great new York City old-school Italian Restaurants with just the right ambiance and wonderful old-school Italian food, but guess what, you can’t get in. The place is sort of an exclusive club where people have a table reserved once a week and there’s never any opening, unless you know one of these elite in the know people, just Fuggetabout-it!
So there’s Rao’s up in East Harlem, Patsy’s in mid-town, and John’s of East 12th Street down in the East Village. John’s opened in 1908 and is still in business. Not only is it still in business, but the place has been wonderfully preserved and retains its original décor from 1908, the old tile floor, murals of Italian Cities and places like Venice, Rome, The Bay of Naples, and more. They still have the original bar and autographed pictures of movie stars and other celebrities from a large part of the 2oth Century.
The menu at John’s has most of the expected Red Sauce dishes like; Spaghetti with White or Red Clams Sauce, Veal Saltimbocca, Chicken Scarpara, Veal Piccata, Speedino of Mozzarella alla Romano, Baked Clams Oreganata, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Lasagna, and Canneloni. The kitchen churns out real solid food with standouts being there Baked Clams and their Speedino alla Romano which is without question the best in the city.
John’s has quite a history with Lucky Lucciano being a regular once upon a time, along with numerous mobsters back in the day, and John’s has seen the likes of The Ramones, Cindy Lauper, John Lennon and other luminaries walk through its doors.
There’s one other old Red Sauce Joint around the corner from John’s, and that’s Lanza’s on 1st Avenue and 11th Street. Lanza’s is actually a few years older than John’s opening in 1904. Lanza’s is pretty nice and a good part of it has been preserved, although a few years ago they made some changes to the décor which sort of ruined it a bit. Lanza’s has that great classic red sauce joint menu with items like Spaghetti Marinara, Pasta Fagioli, Manicotti, Braciole, Cannoli, and the like.
Now we come to Patsy’s on West 56th Street in mid-town Manhattan. Guess what? This was Frank Sinatra’s all-time favorite restaurant, he ate there hundreds of times over the years and just loved it. It’s a great restaurant and if you go there, why not get some of Frank’s favorite dishes? Frank’s favorites were; Clams Posillipo, Spaghetti Marinara, and Veal Milanese. And yes, Sinatra went to Gino’s now and then, but it’s a well known fact that Patsy’s was his favorite.
Well, that’s about it on red sauce joints, they’re a dying breed I’m sorry to say. If you’ve never been to John’s, you must check it out. This place is like a museum. Truly. The owners have preserved its décor in an admirable manner, and what you see now is pretty much what Lucky Luciano would have seen a 100 years ago. You’ll get a wonderful experience here of days gone by. An experience you’ll not find at too many places, so grab it while you still can. That was Gino’s.
 
 
 
EXCERPTED From MANGIA ITALIANO
 
Memories of Italian Food
 
2007 by Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
 
 
MANGIA ITALIANO
 
 
Read About JOHN'S - GINO'S
 
 
RAO'S , PIZZA , PASTA
 
 
ITALY and More ...
 
 
In MANGIA ITALIANO
 
MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD
 
 
by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
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Sunday, March 11, 2018

America s Best Burger

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  The late great JOSH OZERSKY once proclaimed The BURGER at Raouls' French Bistro on Prince Street in Soho, New York "America's Best Burger." Well, the Burger is pretty Dam Good but we don't think we'd proclaim it the Best in America. Maybe among America's Best, but we'd not say America's Single # 1 Best Burger in the USA. We loved Josh, we miss him and his wonderfully unique style and utter enthusiasm, and that when he loved something, he call it "New York's Best," or America's Best as in the case for Josh's love for the Burger at Raoul's of which just 12 are made per night. We highly respect Josh and his decision, and Josh was usually right or not far off the mark, so we'll call The Burger at Raoul's one of New York's Best, or one of America's most wonderful Burgers, just not the single best. Basta !  




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Inside Raoul's





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A Night at RAOUL'S

Soho

NEW YORK




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REMEMBERING JOSH OZERSKY

RIP





 
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The BADASS COOKBOOK

Learn The Secrets

to a GREAT BURGER

And How to Make The PERFECT STEAK








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Saturday, March 10, 2018

The Badass Cookbook Secret Recipes

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The BADASS COOKBOOK

SECRET RECIPES

PRIZE WINNING CHILI

BLUE RIBBON BBQ SAUCE

KFC SECRET RECIPE FRIED CHICKEN

SHAKE SHACK BURGER

COOK STEAK LIKE SALT BAE

BIG MAC RECIPE

IN N OUT BURGER

And More ...

   

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN

SECRET RECIPE

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

HOT COFFEE

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  HOT COFFEE .......................


  Hot Coffee I Love thee So
  Do You Love Me?
It matters not
  My love for thee, is the unrequited
  Whether You love me or not
  Still thee do I Love

  You're warm You're Hot

  I love it hot

  You taste Oh so Good

  I need you whether or not 


you need me

  Still, you're always there

  for me Each and every day

each morning of my life

  you're there

  and I have thee whether or not you want me

  Your'e Hot

  then warm then cold but you're always there
  I have you two or three times a day

  I have you sometimes more

  You comfort me 
you're always there

  You're coffee

  sometimes Sweet

  sometimes not

  you can be bitter at times

  but I love when you're Hot!
  Hot, just for me

  Thanks for the Comfort, the taste

  your consistency

  You're Coffee






a  Poem by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke




















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Friday, March 2, 2018

Slow Wine Tour NewYork 2018

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With TOMASO PEPITONE (L) Robert D and MYSELF (R)

SLOW WINE NEW YORK 2018

EATALY DOWNTOWN

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BORGOGNO

Long One of The World's Great BAROLO HOUSES

They Did Not Disappoint 

 

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Antica Casa Scarpa

The House of ANTICA CASA SCARPA was for me the overall winner as far as having the Best Selection on their table. It was Amazing, starting with : Barbera d Asti "La Bogliona" , a wonderful Brachetto Secco (Dry Brachetto) and the undisputed Winner of The Event, The Barbaresco Casa Scarpa 1989 was Kick Ass and probably the Best Wine I've Had so far this year (2018). I really enjoyed the tasting at this table, it was superb.

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Ran into my Old Buddy ALEX at EATALY

 

Alex and I Opened DEL POSTO Back in 2006

ALEX was a Valued SOUS CHEF and BANQUET CHEF

While I was The MANAGER of The ENOTECA at DEL POSTO

We Worked Dam Hard and Had Fun Working Together along

with The Great MARK LADNER who was The EXECUTIVE CHEF

at DEL POSTO

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BUSSIATTA

  The BUSSIATTA PASTA con SALSICCIA e RAPINI made by Alex and his team and was out of this World. So good that I had 5 portions over the course of 5 hours, along with  , #ProsciuttoDiParma MORTADELLA , PECORINO , and SALAMI and GORGONZOLA . "I kept going back to the Bussiatta." Awesome !!!    

RECIPE

     
SLOW WINE TOUR NEW YORK 2018
 
 
EATALY DOWNTOWN
 
March 1 , 2018
 
 
NEW YORK
 
"GOING to The Most IMPORTANT ITALIAN WINE TASTING of The YEAR Today"
TRE BICCHIERI 2018
NEW YORK , NY 
 
Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
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MANGIA BENE
MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD
DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
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