Month: May 2013

RADIO

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Radio? I Love it .. Many take it for granted, The Radio. Not Me .. It’s amazing, the Radio .. Believe me, when the Radio first came out, people did not take it for granted .. It was the marvel of the day. The first major use of the Radio to the American general public began in the early 1920’s .. America’s first radio stations popped up in the year 1920, but it took a couple years for the general population to get and use them in any great numbers. But once the radio did kick in, it was the greatest thing of the day. People could listen to music, news, skits, and comedic programming. The Radio was a Big and instant Success, and the American Public just loved it.

The 1930’s were a grand hey-day of Radio as it didn’t have TV to contend with. Some popular Radio Shows of the day, were; Roy Rogers and Hop AlongCassidy (Western),Jack Benny (Comedy), Batman, Flash Gordon and Superman, all Super Heroes.

For me, I remember always loving Radio as a very young child, ever since I could remember anything. I especially loved listening to it as we would drive in one of my dads cars; a Plymouth Fury, Packard (The Last Packard ever made), or Fabulous 1958 Cadillac Eldorado. back Then, I especially loved; The Beatles, The Supremes, and The Four Seasons of nearby Bellville, New Jersey, “Sherry! Sherry Baby!”

All these years, Radio has never wavered. It’s always there, still and always great. Always providing great news, info, and Great Music. Well Great Music that is, if you listen to great music and not a station that plays “Horrible Crap Rap hip Hop.” Now that’s not good, and unfortunately it’s out there on some radio stations that cater too those with the God Awful Taste who enjoy listening to “Crap” Rap.

 Well, let’s get off that subject, and on to all the Good and great Music that Radio has given us over the years: Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, R&B, Pop, Jazz, Classical and more. Before TV it was a big thing to listen to Boxing Matches on the Radio, The Preakness, Kentucky Derby, Baseball, Basketball, and Football games, and listening to sports on the radio is still pretty big.

  Yes radio gives us a lot. It’s quite versatile, and with sports, Talk Radio, and the News, it’s biggest source and popularity is through music. Still, you ride in your car, you’ve got the radio on, it enhances the experience, of driving that is. Music on the radio has enhanced millions of experiences over the years, especially for lovers, young and old who have Necked (Made Out), and Fallen in Love with Music from the Radio, and please “No Rap.”

 

 

 

to be CONTINUED

 

 

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

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AMERICA’S BEST PIZZA “DiFARA”

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The PIZZA MAESTRO “Dom DeMarco”

“Yes,” Eating Pizza Made by The Maestro DOM DeMARCO

Is a Religious Experience !!!

 

Much has been said of the now famed Pizzeria (DiFarra Pizza) on Avenue J in Brooklyn, New York the Capital of Thee Best Pizza in the whole United States of America, bar-none, even Manhattan. Brooklyn lays claim to the Top two Pizzerias in the country, the top of the list 1 and 2, number 1, The Best and number 2, the second best. Well no, I don’t know if I should put it that way, as it sound s as one is better than the other, which is not ht e case, as they are both equally good, equally Great and equally the Best Pizza and the Best Pizzerias in the United States, though they are are little different than one another. The Pizza at both Totonno’s on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York and Di Farra Pizza on Avenue J in Brooklyn are both otherworldly specimens of some the Finest Pizza on other and the Undisputed Best Pizza in America.

Wow, got off on a tangent about both Di Farra and Totonno’s when I just intended to talk about Di Farra Pizza, Dom DeMarco the Maestro of Di Farra’s and the Religious experience that it is to go there, watch Dominic masterfully make Pizza after glorious Pizza (without the help of anyone else), to watch in awe and anticipation and Salivation til you finally get yours (after about a hour or hour and a half wait), you hold it in your hand like a precious baby, and then to sink your teeth into it, savoring each wondrous bite after the other. “Yes,” it is truly a religious experience, that is, if you are a great lover of this wonderful invention, created in Napoli, spread throughout the the Italian Peninsular and then across the Atlantic to America from Italian Immigrants where Gennaro Lombardi opened the First Pizzeria in America on Prince Street in New York City some 100 years ago or so.

Back to Di Farra and Pizzaiolo Extraordinaire, Mr. Dominic DeMarco. It is Dominic that makes Di Farra what it is, it certainly isn’t the Pizzeria itself which is ultra plain and even appalling to some. Mr. DeMarco’s pizzas are just about as close to absolute perfection in the Pizza Making World, a world in which New York City excels and has only one rival in Naples, Italy and the whole of Italy itself. Mr. De Marco has the magic touch, with perfect dough, the perfect balance of ingredients, tomato and other ingredient ratio to cheese, and this include Mr. Demarcos judicious use of Olive Oil which is right-on and a little magic touch that whoever complains about it, just does not know there Pizza and Italian Food on a whole. We Italians love our olive oil. And those who complain are unaware that it is a condiment that adds the final last touch to many dishes before they are eaten. Dominic knows this and should not be discourage against his generous use of it by those who do not understand the proper essence of the Italian Table. So please, keep your traps shut, if you don’t like it don’t eat it, this countries finest examples of the Pizza Art.

And on to the religious experience of Di Farra, Dom DeMarco and the mans artistry with Pizza. There is nothing quite like it in the entire Pizza World. There does not exist, to my knowledge any place in the world that has an elderly man making a hundred plus Pizzas a day in a place that has endless lines, day and night. Pizza that are so perfect, words can not describe People line up for greatness and artistry, and for a couple of slices of the most marvelous pizza this side of Naples, and to watch this passionate little old man work his heart out, not getting, not allowing anyone else to make a pie at his beloved Pizzeria. The man is elderly. He’s worked his whole life. He makes such a magical thing that people line up each and every day to see him and eat one of his many masterpieces. With business like this, he could hire to other Pizzaiolos to help him, doubling or tripling his business and and financial intake. He could hire two guys and make pizza aloing with them, or sit back and get three guys to do it. At his age, he’s entitled to. But know, Dom DeMarco loves what he does, he loves his Pizza, each and every one that passes that counter and into thousands of appreciative hands. The man feels that no one else can make a Pizza the way he does and wants to serve to his customers. No one else who has his skills, his passion and love for the Pizza, thus he does it all himself. And this my friends is the reason that going to Di Farra’s to watch Dominic the maestro in action, all by himself while hundreds of people line up every day, waiting an hour and a half to two hours just to get a Pizza (not just any old Pizza mind you). “It’s a Religious Experience.” Truly! A show and there is nothing like it in the World, Dom DeMarco, a man and his Pizza, America’s Best, and something to rival that other World Pizza Capital, Napoli.

 

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

READ of ITALIAN AMERICAN NEW YORK In  “La TAVOLA” Availble On AMAZON.com

Filled With WONDERFUL RECIPES And Stories of Italian-American New York and AMERICA ..

Filled With WONDERFUL RECIPES And Stories of Italian-American New York and AMERICA ..

THE WORLDS COOLEST RESTAURANT HARRYS BAR

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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

 

Good Pizza Shit Music Artichoke Basile Pizza “The Music Makes The Place”

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Once Upon a Tart, Soho .. Where They Always Play Good Music.

Good Music Makes The Place? Well, not always, there are other factors involved, but good music helps. Now bad music, horrible junk that many retail stores play, and even restaurants Pizzerias, and bars. Very recently I experienced both ends of the spectrum. In the past day as a matter of fact. Last night I experienced the horrible end of the spectrum, in Bad Music totally destroying the ambiance of an otherwise very good place. But when you play some awful music like the Shitty Rap Crap they were playing at Artichoke Basile Pizza when I dropped in for a slice last night. Artichoke Basile Pizza on Macdougal Street in Greenwich Village, the ambiance is nothing spectacular, but not that bad. hey it’s a Pizzeria? The Pizza? The regular slice, Pizza Margherita (Tomato & Mozzarella) is dam good. I really like it. What I don’t like is the horrible music they play at the place. It’s awful. Shitty in fact and totally “Destroy” the experience of sitting down to a nice piece of Pizza. It’s a crime. There should be laws against this. I pay good, “hard earned money” for the Pizza and expect to enjoy it. But the management of the place insist on ruining my experience by playing the worst Shitty Rap Crap Music they can find. It’s just not right. That was the third and last time I go there. There are other good pizzerias around. Plenty. Every single time, they were playing the same shitty type of music, Rap, Hip Hop, music for ignorant morons who are devoid of taste. I’m trying to enjoy my slice of Pizza and this awful music is playing, with horrible swearing left and right. The music is for Idiots, why must I be subject to it? Well I guess people would say, you’ve got a choice, no one’s forcing you to go, “If you don’t like it don’t go.” And they’d be right, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do, I’m not going there any more. Basta! They lost me, if they care? Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. I liked the pizza and when I go for a slice or two, i want to sit around, relax and enjoy myself. I can’t do any of that with that awful music playing. It’s like Chinese Water Torture. Worse, having to listen to shitty Rap Crap wherever you go. For now on, I’ll continue to go to Pizza Box or Ben’s Pizza, both nearby, and both places devoid of Shitty Rap Crap.

Yes the music can help make the place. The next morning after having the good slice of Pizza at Artichoke Pizza, complete with Crappy Music, I had a coffee and muffin at Once Upon a Tart the next day. Now, here is a place that knows how to play good music. No, Great Music. At Once Upon a Tart you’ll hear beautiful Classical Music, R&B, Classic Rock, and American Standards. You can always count on good music at The Tart and never any Rap Hip Hop Crap. And let’s Thank God for That!  Good music does a lot to set a mood. If you have nice relaxing music that soothes or makes you feel happy or up-beat, the whole place will feel good, you will feel good, everyone will. When you’re playing horrible, negative music, with aggressive overtones like most of the Rap Crap, guess what, “you’re going to create feelings of aggressiveness with bad vibes” and Crap Atmosphere  just like the loud mouth morons that were practically screaming as I tried to enjoy my slice, those loud mouths bread by horrible shitty music felt the need to scream and be loud, thus along with the crappy music helped to bring down my experience, and keep me from going back to the Artichoke Basile Pizza, ever again. 

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A TASTY SLICE of PIZZA Is SERVED UP With SHITTY HIP HOP RAP CRAP MUSIC at ARTICHOKE BASILE PIZZA, MACDOUGAL STREET, NEW YORK …

JAMES BOND “WHY EVERY MAN NEEDS A GOOD WATCH

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JAMES BOND “SEAN CONNERY” WEARING A ROLEX   “He Always Gets The Girls!”

 

A Good Watch. It’s something every man needs, but few have, well, percentage wise anyway.

I’m not talking about a Timex, or “God Forbid” one of those nasty looking Casio watches. A Rolex or Omega are the most popular top end standards, not everyone can afford to spend $3,00 for a Omega or $5,000 and up for a Rolex. If you can afford it, there is nothing like having a Rolex Submarine or GMT Master. The classic look of these two great watches is timeless. ONE look at the Submariner and you’ll notice it’s all business with classic yet simple design, that is “Timeless.” The Submariner is a sport watch but because of its timeless design can be worn with a suit for business or Tuxedo.

This watch made of the fine stainless-steel with a classic black face, black dial, and Mercedes style hands. It is waterproof to 300 meters and is powered by a World Class movement. Believe it or not, a Rolex at $5,000 is a bargain. Considering that there are watches on the market that go for $10,000, $20,000, $100,000 and even 1 Million Dollars, which as much is I love watches, feel that anything over $20,000 is absolutely insane. Obscene even. A Rolex will give you instant cache, no matter how rich the group you are amongst. So the the cache a $5,000 Rolex gives, even comparable to a $10,000 to $100,000 watches, the Rolex Submariner or GMT Master is a bargain.

So back to everyman needing a good watch and what one can afford to spend. As stated, if you can afford the Rolex, you’ve just got to get it. If you can’t afford the Rolex or Omega, you have other options as their are great watches available for $350, even less that have the look of watches cost $3,000, $5,000 or more. I bought a S. Coifman Dive Watch that can almost be put in the same league as the Submariner or GMT Master. My S. Coifman has the same top tier stainless steel, saphire crystal, and Swiss Movement as the Rolex watches. It is 100% Swiss made from a famed Swiss watch company that has been in business for some 150 years. This watch is practically every bit the equal to a Rolex from a quality and style point of view. The watch normally retails for $1,500, though much cheaper than the Rolex, it is total equal in terms of quality. I paid just $299 for the watch that looks every bit the part of a $3,000 plus timepiece.

If possible, if you decide you will buy and were a good quality time piece, the first step would be to get a great Dive watch, such as a Rolex or Omega if you’ve got that kind of cash? If not, and you can get your hands on something like my S. Coifman Diver for $500 or less. you can even get a Invicta Pro Diver for $200 or less that looks pretty much like a Submariner, and the quality is pretty good.

So you get a great looking Diver, your next step would be to get a beautiful looking classic style dress watch with a great Crocodile, Alligator, or fine Leather Strap. A company called Sturhling Original makes some amazing looking dress watches that look like $5,000 and $10,000 time pieces but can be had for $250 or less at Amazon. No Bull. It’s true, some of these Sturhling watches look just like $100,000 ones.

Men, get yourself a great watch, put on some Levis, a great shirt, good leather shoes and belt, and you are set. Add a good sport jacket and you’ll look like a Million Bucks. A lady killer.

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 

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ROLEX SUBMARINER  “A TRUE CLASSIC” AND STATUS SYMBOL of LUXURY               and SUCCESS

 

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Daniel Craig Classically Sports a Tuxedo with ROLEX ….

 

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