FOOD

Pavarotti Pasta Recipe by Bellino Spaghetti alla Luciano

 

LUCIANO Cooks PASTA


“BRAVO LUCIANO” !!!

PAVAROTTI PASTA

Recipe :

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium Onion, peeled and sliced
2 j- 32 oz. jars of Italian Tomato Passata (we like Mutti)
3 cloves Garlic, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp. Tomato Paste
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup chopped Italian Parsley
12 fresh Basil Leaves, washed and torn with your hands
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 pound of imported Italian Spaghetti (best quality)

In a large skillet, add the Olive Oil and onion. Cook the onion on low heat for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook on low heat for 2 minutes.

Add the wine, turn heat to high, and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the Tomatoes, Tomato Paste. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon each of Salt & ground Black Pepper, and half of the Pecorino Cheese.

Bring to the boil. Once the tomatoes start to bubble, low heat to low, and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, being sure to stir with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom of the pot with the wooden spoon to keep the tomatoes from sticking  or burning.

After 20 minutes, add the Basil & Parsley, and cook 5 minutes more. The Tomato Sauce is done. Turn the heat off and let it rest in the pot.

Fill a large pot, 3/4 full with water. Add 2 tablespoons salt. Bring the water to a rapid boil. Add the Spaghetti.

Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package. Two minutes before the the pasta cooking time on package, remove one cup of water from the pot and reserve. When the spaghetti is 1 minute away from the cooking time on package, turn the heat off and drain the pasta in a colander.

Add the Spaghetti back to the pot it cooked in and add half of the cooking water. Add 2 cups of the tomato sauce. to the pot, and turn the heat on to a low flame. Cook for 2 minutes on a low flame. Add more of the pasta cooking water if it gets too dry.

Turn the heat off, and drizzle some olive oil over the spaghetti and mix.

Plate a portion of Spaghetti onto each persons plate. Add about half a cup of Tomato Sauce on top of each portion of Spaghetti, and serve.

Serve with grated Pecorino or Parmigiana Cheese on the side. 

Enjoy !


Recipe by Daniel Bellino Zwicke








SPAGHETTI alla PAVAROTTI 


A DINNER PARTY at LUCIANO’S

NEW YORK






SINATRA & PAVAROTTI







And PASTA SINATRA !!!

SINATRA SAUCE 

The COOKBOOK

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

His FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES

Daniel Bellino Zwicke
AMAZON.com






Anthony Bourdain Favourite Secret Restaurant in Rome – Lunch with Asia Argento – Settimio al Pelligrino – Roma

 

Anthony Bourdain with Asia Argento

A Meal at Settemio

Rome, Italy

TONY’S SECRET RESTAURANT – Rome

On Sunday December 5, CNN broadcast a stunning Rome episode of Parts Unknown in which Anthony Bourdain and Asia Argento go to a trattoria, which they do not name. It’s Settimio. Sorry for the spoiler but I don’t believe in depriving Mario and Teresa of business through exclusion Watch the episode it is brilliant.

I vividly remember my first visit to Settimio al Pellegrino. It was in 2007 and my friend Jess and I had gotten a hot tip from a regular that a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori sat an uber-authentic trattoria serving simply dressed fresh pastas, meaty mains, and seasonal vegetables. We made a booking but when we showed up for dinner the door was locked. We were already off to a rough start. One of us noticed a button next to the door and after a sustained buzz, chef and owner Teresa opened the door a crack and said something to the effect of “chi siete”, who are you?

If that doesn’t sound like a warm greeting, it wasn’t. But at Settimio, warmth isn’t doled out frivolously. Warmth is earned. If you turn up without a reservation, there’s a real chance you will be sent away, whether they are booked up or not. It’s the kind of place where the possibility of a regular rolling in late leads Teresa and her husband Mario to set aside tables for such an occurrence. And even calling to reserve well in advance doesn’t guarantee a table. On that note, if you don’t speak Italian, have your hotel ring for you. And if all this sounds too fussy, don’t read on. Settimio isn’t for you.




TONY’S SECRET ROMAN TRATTORIA – ROME



ANTHONY has LUNCH with ASIA ARGENTO

“The SECRET TRATTORIA”

TONY says,  “Rome is a place where you find the most extraordinary pleasures, in the most ordinary places. Like this place. Which I’m not ever going to tell you the name of. Asia has been coming here forever. She brings her kids here. So I’m not going to screw it up for her. 

The trattoria is SETTINIO PELLIGRINO. I’m not letting Tony’s secret out of the bag. That happened years ago, Just passing on the information for anyone who wants to go there, and need the name of the restaurant and address (Via del Pelligrino 17 -Roma .. tel 06 6880 1978).





ANTHONY BOURDAIN

PARTS UNKOWN – ROME



PARTS UNKNOWN – ROME

With ABEL FERRARA & ASIA ARGENTO



I have to be honest: arbitrary seating policies give me agita. I grew up in restaurants and treasure hospitality. I want to connect with the people who make and serve my food, not be rejected or dismissed. Yet I was determined to win over Teresa and Mario. That night, Jess and I ordered every course, including my current go-to, polpette, scorched yet delicious meat patties. We cleaned our plates, admired the eclectic decor (framed posters and paintings gifted by Settimio’s clients, which include plenty of artists and film makers) and watched as Mario worked the room, taking orders and doting on regulars. Teresa emerged from the kitchen occasionally to clear plates and pinch cheeks. Man, did it feel bad being an outsider at Settimio that night.

Jess and I apparently didn’t make much of an impression because I went back on my own a few days later for lunch and was given the same suspicious treatment. After a few more visits, however, I was totally in, cheek caresses and all. This is good news if you live in Rome or visit often. You, too, can become a doted-on regular. Otherwise, visit knowing you won’t be pampered by the service but you’ll definitely walk away having witnessed a Roman relic. 






SETTIMIO PELLIGRINO

ROMA



That is to say, a lot of what’s appealing about Settimio is the attitude and atmosphere. Some regulars have been going since the place opened in the 1930s, others a decidedly shorter length, but all are given special attention. In that way, the place is not unique. The attraction to countless other local joints is the experience and the relationship with the owners, even more so than the food.

I don’t think anyone with Roman dining experience would say the food is flawless. Like many places in town, it makes sense to stick to certain things like those meatballs or the onion-rich vitello alla genovese. At Settimio, comfort food reigns: fettucine with meat sauce, gnocchi with tomato sauce (Thursdays only), trippa alla romana, and involtini (meat rolls). The handmade pastas pass muster, but you won’t write home about them. The pillowy, super sweet, candied chestnut-studded Montblanc, which they do not make in house, is another story. I dream about it sometimes. Usually right before I go to the dentist. I am also very into the mela cotta (baked apple). I’m a sucker for overcooked fruit. 

Second only to the struggle of winning the owners’ affection is the wines, which range from undrinkable to painfully undrinkable. While it’s charming that regulars leave unfinished bottles in the fridge for their next visit, I can honestly say that the only wine worse than the wine at Settimio is day-old wine at Settimio. It’s not what you’ve come for anyway.


Settimio al Pellegrino
Via del Pellegrino, 117

+390668801978 









Trattoria  SETTIMIO PELLIGRINO

ROME

SETTIMIO PELLIGRINO
ROME
Going to ROME ?
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Dive Bars of New York

.
 

PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER

New York & The $3 PBR

“IT STILL EXISTS” !!!! 2022

New York and the $3.00 PBR, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer has been a God-Send to many New Yorkers. As you all know, the US Economy has been in the Shitter for the past 5  years or so.



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, because of the Terrible State of our Economy you have given up eating out 3 times a week, you buy less clothes, spend less on Entertainment and any number of things. You haven’t had a vacation in the past two years, maybe more. You’ve given up a lot. We all have.

Now when it comes to socializing, going out for a few Beers or Cocktails with some friends, you’ve had to cut back on that too. But hey, you gotta draw a line somewhere, and everyone is entitled to a few drinks to unwind every now and then, and to be with friends. Yes times are bad, people are hurting, you need your friends more than ever. And having a few Beers or Drinks is one of the most common adult ways to do so. It’s natural and part of everyday life. You should be able to have two or three drinks or beers and not have to spend a small fortune doing so. 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 “Mixologist.” 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??? Well Boys and Girls, let’s Thank God for that great thing of wonder and the Bars and establishments who so graciously and kindly serve it, The $3.00 PBR, That’s right, a $3.oo Beer in The Land of The Over-Priced $16.00 Cocktail, Manhattan, New York, NY….. It’s quite Sad, Greedy too, not to mention “Ridiculous Ludicrous and Insane.”


Yes, Thank God and let’s thank the Kind-Hearted proprietors who serve $3.00 PBR’S or any Beer for just $3 or $4 in a New York Bar. You are doing your fellow man a public service and we thank you for that. Whoever you are, you are to be commended, and Shame-On-You, all those places that serve $14 PLUS Cocktails. “RIP-OFF” !!! Wish the masses would Boycott these places and patronize places like Blue & Gold Bar, 7B, and anyplace who has a heart. Bars that serve 3 and 4 Dollar Beers.

I just have to say, it’s great to go to a place like Blue and Gold Bar on East 7th Street and know that you can have 3 or 4 Beers for just $12 to $16, accounting for a Buck a Pop for the Barkeep. Now that’s pretty good. I have had the best times hanging at Blue & Gold with some friends. You sit at the Bar or get into a nice comfy booth, drink your Beers ($3 PBR’S), relax, listen to the Music, Chit Chat, and just enjoy, and it’s not going to cost you The Shirt Off Your Back.

Yes, you can have 4 Beers, tip included for the price of 1 Rip-Off Drink at one of those Rip-Off Joints. And if you are Dumb enough to have four drinks in one of those places, guess what it’s going to cost you? About $75 my friend.

Well, do the Math, and if you can afford $75 for only 4 drinks, God Bless You. And if you can’t, you’ve got an alternative. Right, your local $3.00 PBR Joint. They’re a God-Send.

 Daniel Bellino Zwicke
Daniel Bellino Zwicke
Copyright 2008 

PLACES To GET A $3.00 PBR in NEW YORK



BLUE & GOLD BAR

East 7th STREET, NY NY
The EAST VILLAGE

BLUE & GOLD BAR in the East Village, on East 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Blue & Gold has long been a favorite of mine ever since I lived in the East Village from 1982 to 1994. It’s just a cool ol normal old style bar with a pool table, standard 50’s 60’s Bar Decor, and Best-of-All $3.oo PBR’S and $6.00 Cocktails. I love it.




FRIENDS GET TOGETHER
GOOD TIMES at BLUE & GOLD
“And You Can AFFORD IT” !!!!

BLUE & GOLD BAR
The PRICES Are POSTED & EASY to SEE




The HORSESHOE BAR


The HORSESHOE BAR

aka 7B

Real Name is “VAZAC’S”


The BAR

Half it ANYWAY ?


VAZAC

7B


Corner of East 7th Street & Avenue B

The EAST VILLAGE NYC

7B   a.k.a. The Horseshoe Bar, also in the East Village, a bastion of cheap and fare prices in Manhattan and Land of The $3.00 PBR (now $4 in 2023) and other $3 and $4 Beers.  7B  is located on the corner of Avenue B at 7th Street .. 







SINATRA SAUCE
COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK
His FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES
PASTA – MEATBALLS – CHEESE CAKE
And MUCH MORE ….
AMAZON.com
MILANO’S
MILANO’S
BAR
51 East HOUSTON STREET
NY NY
New York’s favourite Dive Bar. Milano’s is what you dream of when you think Dive Bars. Cheap Beers ($4), a Great Jukebox, and Potato Chips. “you gotta have Potato Chips” !
For those who Love Dive Bars, and are native New Yorkers, Milano’s is their Fave when it comes to Dive Bars.
Opened Since 1880, Milano’s is one of New York’s oldest bars.
At The BAR
“MILANO’S”
New York, New York








AMERICA’S FAVORITE FOOD

And SECRET RECIPES


BURGERS TACOS BURRITOS

SOUP SNDWICHES BBQ

And MORE …
AMAZON.com

LUCY

“LUCY’S BAR”

135 AVENUE A  NY NY



Lucy’s Bar is the most aptly named bar in New York. For Lucy—the quiet and small and sweetly proper Polish owner with the well-coifed gray hair and floral blouses—is who you’ll see when you go there, and Lucy is the one who will serve you. If there are other employees, they’ve hidden themselves somewhere in the back.

Though Lucy’s is undeniably a dive (and one of the last in the neighborhood), it feels more like your aunt’s aging rec room, a place where you’d never think of disrespecting the house’s hospitality. It’s also one of the last vestiges of the Polish community that was once made up a significant part of the East Village’s character.

Ludwika “Lucy” Mickevicius moved from Poland to New York in the late 1970s and soon got a job at Blanche’s, a bar on St. Mark’s Place run by another Polish woman. She became such a fixture that people began to think of the bar as Lucy’s, and, when Blanche retired, she sold the place—by then located on Avenue A—to her bartender.

Lucy’s life doesn’t range much further than the twin poles of her joint and Poland, which she visits regularly, shutting up the tavern at a moment’s notice and disappearing for weeks at a time. Most nights, she stations herself at the far end of the bar near the ancient cash register. (It’s cash only here.) One recent evening, the Halloween balloons hadn’t yet been taken down. Then again, assorted Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations were already out. Maybe none of the decorations are ever packed up?

Lucy doesn’t budge much behind the bar, but she keeps herself busy for a woman in her mid-70s. She will draw you a pint or a glass of tequila. And, if she likes you, she might pour you a shot of żubrówka, a Polish bison grass vodka, on the house. When the place gets stuffy, she’ll swing open the door to let some fresh Avenue A air in; just as quickly, she’ll close it if it gets chilly.

The clientele ranges from a less-intense sort of downtown hipster, who exchange a few friendly words with Lucy—who, even all these years later, still speaks in broken, accented English—and then retire to their personal conversations, to old Polish regulars. In fact, on another recent night, a young couple came in to show Lucy their young child. All four spoke entirely in Polish and a delighted Lucy let the little scamp climb atop the pool table. As they left, she handed the kid one of the old Halloween balloons. For those few minutes, Lucy’s was a family bar.





2022 and You Can Still GET a $3 PBR


LYS MYYKTA aka  “The SLY FOX

142 2nd Avenue, New York NY – The EAST VILLAGE


LYSMYKTA

“The SLY FOX”


LYSMYKTA aka “THE SLY FOX” is a Ukranian Bar in a Ukranian neighborhood in
New York’s East Village. There’s a Ukranian Restaurant in the back, serving delicious Ukranian Food and very reasonable prices. Yes this is thee main neighborhood of Ukranian peoples in New York City. The restaurants great, and any bar that serves $3 PBR Beer is great in my book too.

If you can go some place for drinks (beers), to hang and chit-chat  and have 3 Beers, and not have to spend more than $15, that’s a place for me. You shouldn’t have to pay $40 plus for just 2 drinks (or $60 for 3). People who don’t make quite so much money as Lawyers, Wall Street Guys and whoever, should be able to afford to go for 2 or 3 drinks and not spend an “Arm and a Leg” to do it. 
The SLY FOX is a place where you can do that, and thank God we have them, and a few other joints that we can do so.





YES – “LITTLE UKRAINE”

The EAST VILLAGE








$4 BEERS at “SOPHIE’S”

East 5th STREET Between AVENUES A & B

The EAST VILLAGE NYC



I’ve been going to Sophie’s, along with Lucy’s, Blue & Gold Bar,
the Holiday Lounge and others since first moving to The East Village in 1982.
Prices have gone up in a lot of places, and now in many places – cocktails cost are
in the high teens, Twenty Dollars, and even up to $29 for a cocktail, as I witnessed when
a friend and I went to The Chelsea Hotel a couple weeks ago. Yes, $25 and $29 for a cocktail. Damn?

We spotted a nice looking bottle of Cote du Rhone for $78 a bottle. Not cheap, but in comparison to $29 a cocktail. Four drinks would have costs us $114, so we got the wine for $36 dollars less than 4 drinks, and put that $36 into a tasty Cheeseburger. The Burger came with Fries, and we had them cut it in half. It was Super Tasty. We loved it. Even Better than Burgers at Minetta Tavern. “Seriously” !!!

I’ve been at Blue & Gold recently, as well as “MILANO’S” – Sophie’s, and 7b Bar. All serve $4 beers. Thank God for these places. I’ve said it before. I can go into Andy one of these places and have a couple Beers and live a respectable $4 tip, and walk out just spending $12. Not bad. Two cocktails plus tax and tip at The Lounge Bar at The Chelsea Hotel would be at least $50 for the two drinks plus $4.50 tax plus at least $10 for tip for a grand total of about $65, as oppose to $12 at any of New York City’s awesome Dive Bars.

Don’t get me wrong. Yes, we’re comparing Apples & Oranges. When I went to The Chelsea Hotel, I knew it wouldn’t be cheap, and I was prepared to pay for the privilege (of being there). My friend and I had a great time. We were there for a couple of hours BS-ing about this and that. We killed that bottle of Cote du Rhone and got another glass of wine each ($22 a glass). The check was about $170, not including tip, which was another $50, for a grand total of $220. Not cheap, but we had a “Great Time” and we were happy. You gotta treat yourself sometimes. But most times will be spent at a good dive bar.

“Thank God” for Good Dive Bars”

New York City




LUCKY’S BAR

168 Avenue “A” New York NY , East Village


Get $3  PBRs at LUCKY’S BAR
168 AVENUE “A” NY NY
EAST VILLAGE
JOHNSON’S BAR  … 168 RIVINGTON STREET, LES NEW YOIRK NY
Inside JOHNSON’S BAR
$2  PBRs
PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER
PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER
A PBR at “JOHNSON’S”
Only $4 – As of 2025
“STILL a GREAT DEAL” !!!

Johnson’s Bar
NY NY
MORE PLACES to GET $3 PBRs
CATS SPORTS BAR –  96 GREENWICH STREET at RECTOR NY NY  $3 PBRs
WALTER’S BAR – 389 8th Avenue Near 32nd Street and MADISON SQUARE GARDEN .. $3PBR
DOC HOLIDAY’S   141 AVENUE “A” East Village NY NY  – $2  PBRs





The SHARK BAR


aka SPRING LOUNGE

48 SPRING STREET

New York NY




The SPRING LOUNGE

aka SHARK BAR

48 SPRING STREET NEW YORK NY

The SHARK BAR
SPRING STREET at MOTT
Back in the day, when it was an ITALIAN NEIGHBORHOOD here.

Where it GOt its NICKNAME “SHARK BAR”
Nobody “In The Know” calls it Spring Lounge, only Green Newcomers to Downtown New York would ever call it SPRING LOUNGE. For years it was a neighborhood “Shot & Beer” Joint. It became trendy about 20 years ago (1999)
Those “In The Know” like me, only ever call it “The Shark Bar” … It got this name from
the fake SHARK hanging over the bar, and that’s that!
You can’t get $3 Beers here, but we incuded it anyway. And although it’s a Trendy so-called Hipster Bar, those of us Old Timers who still call it The Shark Bar, it still has a special place in our hearts.
Basta !




 

 

2ac44-bi-leb-small

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

Daniel Zwicke

AMAZON.com




169 BAR

Lower East Side

If Clockwork’s happy hour special seems too good to be true, you’ve got a little good old fashioned neighborhood competition to thank. Located right around the corner, 169 has been in operation since 1916. And its 11:30am-7:30pm HH is among the best in the city. $3 will get you an “Old Man Can/Bottle” of beer (PBR, Carling Black Label, Schaefer, Genesee Cream, High Life/Miller Lite) and any well shot. Subtly New Orleanian environs (window shutters look like they’re fresh off a Creole cottage; beads are strung here and there; there’s crawfish on the menu) evoke genuine good times.


 

 

.

Remembering Josh – Josh Ozersky

 

 

JOSH OZERSKY

RIP



REMEMBERING JOSH

Joshua Ozersky (August 22, 1967 – May 4, 2015) was an American food writer and historian. He first came to prominence as a founding editor of New York Magazine’s food blog, Grub Street, for which he received a James Beard Foundation Award (with co-editor Daniel Maurer) in 2008. He was the author of several books, including The Hamburger: A History – Colonel Sanders and the American Dream, and Archie Bunker’s America: TV in an Era of Change, 1968–1978 . He was Editor-at-Large for Esquire, writing about food and restaurants. He also wrote frequently for The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, and The New York Observer, among other places. Although read primarily as a food writer, he has said in numerous public appearances that he disliked “food writing” as such, and that his strongest influences were G. K. Chesterton, Thomas Babington Macaulay and A. J. Liebling.

Ozersky was born in Miami in 1967. He moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1979 when his father, the painter David Ozersky, got a job as a stage technician in the first of the area’s casino-hotels, Resorts International. He attended Atlantic City High School and Rutgers University. His mother, Anita Ozersky, died suddenly when he was 14 years of age. Of his interest in food, he has said in interviews, “I was a friendless child, and a solitary and celibate teenager … my father and I only spoke about movies and food, and food far more than movies. He was a great gastronome and taught me to self-medicate my loneliness with steaks and sausages.”[4] He later attended New York University‘s School of Journalism and started work towards a doctoral degree at the University of Notre Dame, where he eventually received a master’s degree in American history. 

After graduating from Rutgers University in 1989, Ozersky wrote for several publications on media and cultural history topics, most frequently in Tikkun. The first articles he was paid to write appeared in a short-lived satirical weekly called “The Hoboken Review,” based in Hoboken, NJ, where Ozersky lived at the time.[7] Among his earliest works for The Hoboken Review was an article titled, “I like it greasy,” in which he celebrates his disdain for overly-health-conscious eating—a recurring theme in his future food writing. From 1990 to 1993 he wrote two weekly columns for the West Side Spirit, a free weekly newspaper in New York City: a semi-humorous “TV Picks” column and a cheap-eats column called “The Impoverished Gourmand” under the name “Casper Gutman.” Many consider this guise, which was loosely based on the character from The Maltese Falcon, as a forerunner of “Mr. Cutlets,” his later fictive persona. In the mid-1990s, he wrote for Suck.com under the name “The Boob”, as well as for Newsday, where he frequently contributed essays on culture and media. His book “Archie Bunker’s America: TV in an Era of Change”  a cultural history of television programming, received a disappointing critical reception. Although his ambition at this time was to establish himself as a public intellectual after the example of his mentors, Neil Postman and Mark Crispin Miller, he eventually turned to food writing full-time with the publication of his 2003 book “Meat Me in Manhattan” 2008’s “The Hamburger: A History”  was a critical success, receiving positive reviews in publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including The Economist, The Times, The Observer and Forbes. 

Subsequent to “Meat Me in Manhattan”‘s publication, Ozersky was a contributing restaurant critic for Newsday (2004–2006), and wrote regularly for the website Slashfood and the New York Law Journal. He became the founding editor of New York Magazine food blog Grub Street,[13] a position he held until 2008, when he moved over to Citysearch as National Restaurant Editor. There he ran a daily food blog based on the model of Grub Street called The Feedbag, along with his regular Citysearch duties.[14] He left in 2009 to start Ozersky.TV, a venture with Eater founder Ben Leventhal, featuring short films about restaurants and cooking, which debuted in July 2010. He wrote the “Taste of America” column for Time from 2010 to 2012. Both Ozersky TV, “Taste of America,” and his work in The Wall Street Journal was nominated for James Beard Awards. Essays by Ozersky were also included in “The Best Food Writing” anthologies of 2009, 2012 and 2014.

In 2010, Ozersky was criticized by Robert Sietsema Writing about his wedding in Time without disclosing that the chefs who participated donated the food as wedding gifts. Ozersky defended himself, saying that the chefs involved were among his closest friends, and that the most prominent of them, Michael White, had his daughter in the wedding party as a flower girl. 

Ozersky was found and pronounced dead in his Conrad Chicago hotel room on May 4, 2015, while in the city for the James Beard Foundation Awards. Officials said the autopsy reveals he died after suffering a seizure in the hotel shower and drowned.

Ozersky was the founder of Meatopia, a large meat-centric outdoor culinary event, which has been held in New York City for the past ten years. In 2013 Meatopia events were held in London, England and San Antonio, Texas, with more cities planned for 2014. Meatopia held a very small event in 2013 in New York City while focusing the majority of its efforts on the London and Texas events. Each year has had a different theme such as “Slaughter of the Innocent” (baby animals); “Lamb Bam Thank You M’aam” (whole lambs); “City Meat,” (NYC 2012) in which the festival was divided up into multiple “neighborhoods” such as Offalwood, Carcass Hill, and Beaktown; and most recently (NYC 2014) The Carnivore’s Ball, a celebration of the 10th annual Meatopia which was hosted by Michael Symon. Meatopia has been called “a glorious city of meat” by The Huffington Post[ and “a bacchanal of pork, beef, lamb, chicken, duck, turkey and quail” by The New York Times.



JOSH 


Josh Ozersky was one of the Great Food Writers of All-Time. He had a style of writing and chatting on food, that was all his own. There was no-one quite like Josh. The closest to this Giant of Food Writing and pontificating would be the late great Anthony Bourdain. Another Giant. These two men were a great gift to The Food World and its millions of fans. And they both left us far too soon, and millions mourn them.

Josh was not nearly as well know and popular as Anthony, but he was certainly his equal. They both had their own styles, which were both absolutely wonderful, yet different. Hey, they were wo different human beings. 

When Josh passed away, he was only 47 years old. Anthony Bourdain was 61 when he passed. It was a tremendous loss and the World Mourned. Tony had millions of fans. The world still mourns Bourdain’s passing, and pine for him. Sadly these two giants of human beings (food writers / hosts) are sorely missed, and will always be remembered.


RIP







JOSH OZERSKY on BURGERS


At The  SPOTTED PIG New York


OZERSKY on BURGERS

“The Burger is Omnipotent and Irresistible”


“It’s the most Single Powerful Force in The Food Universe”


“But, Better Than Filet Mignon cause It Has Flavor” 


“A Hamburger is the most Universal Symbol of What it Means to Be
an American”


“To turn away from the Hamburger would be to abrogate everything
that makes us American. Or Human for that Matter”


“HAMBURGERIZE” !!!


“This is Like BURGER BLING. This is like a Status Symbol of Conspicuous Consumption”

(On Eating a BLACK LABEL BURGER)



“The Worse Things are, The More People Need a Great Cheap Food”







SHAKE SHACK BURGERS

“Josh Loved Them”



HAMBURGER TRIBUTE to JOSH



Nick SOLARES for EATER

Tribute to JOSH OZERSKY

EATING “The OZERSKY”

BURGER






BOURDAIN & OZERSKY at KEENS

“TWO GIANTS”

GONE TOO SOON

ANTHONY BOURDAIN & JOSH OZERSKY 
at “KEEN’S STEAK HOUSE”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK






SINATRA SAUCE

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

His FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES

STORIES TOO !
AMAZON.com







Remembering Arthur Frommer – Budget Travel Guides

 

Arthur Frommer, known for the guidebook Europe on 5 Dollars a Day and other titles on budget travel, has died aged 95.


Pauline Frommer, his daughter, confirmed his death in a statement on his website. 

The writer, who began his journalism while on military deployments abroad, passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. 

“Throughout his remarkable life, Arthur Frommer democratised travel, showing average Americans how anyone can afford to travel widely and better understand the world,” Pauline wrote in her statement. 


“I am honoured to carry on his work of sharing the world with you, which I proudly do with his team of extraordinary and dedicated travel journalists around the world. We will all miss him greatly,” she added.


Frommer was the founder of Frommer’s guidebooks – a series of travel books that included planning and travel tips to destinations around the globe. 


The series was based on Europe on 5 Dollars a Day – one of his first publications, which came out in 1957 and sold millions of copies. 


The book detailed how average Americans could afford to take trips that many thought were only accessible to the wealthy. 





Europe on $5 on DAY

The FIRST ONE

“Wow ! Imagine it? Europe on $5 a Day”

The GOOD OLD DAYS



“This is a book for American tourists who a) own no oil wells in Texas, b) are unrelated to the Aga Khan, c) have never struck it rich in Las Vegas and who still want to enjoy a wonderful European vacation,” he wrote in the original guidebook. 

Frommer was drafted during the Korean War. He was sent to Europe and served in Germany because of his language skills. While deployed, he wrote what would be his first travel guidebook for his fellow service members, The GI’s Guide to Travelling in Europe.


As well as a writer, Frommer was a TV and radio host whose work helped shape others’ approach to travel. 


In one essay, Frommer wrote that travel “broadens our lives”. 


“Travel has taught me that despite all the exotic differences in dress and language, of political and religious beliefs, that all the world’s people are essentially alike,” he wrote. “We all have the same urges and concerns, we all yearn for the same goals.”




EUROPE on $25

by Arthur Frommer

Early 1980s Edition
POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK
AMAZON.com

My FIRST TRIP to EUROPE

“And Using a Frommer Guide”

My own Frommer travel experience. After dreaming of going to Europe since I was about 16 or 17 years old, I pulled the plug in the Summer of 1985. Yes I yearned for several years, dreaming of hanging out in cafes in Paris, going to Rome, Venice, Amsterdam, maybe Switzerland, I don’t know, I had to figure out an itinerary.

I was influenced by people I knew, and settled on Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice, and Positano and The Amalfi Coast, and over to Barcelona to meet up with some friends from New York.

Well I didn’t end up going to Paris (another trip), but I did make it to Nice, Monaco, and The South of France. Everything would be wonderful, but I would have to plan. I had my Frommer Travel Guide, Europe on $40 a Day. I think it was that one. All these years later (2024) I can’t remember of it was the $25 a Day edition or $40 a day. Anyway, the book was a great help. I had also bought Rick Steves 1st travel guide, Europe through the Back Door which was nice, but not filled with nearly much info, on many more places as the Frommer Guide by Arthur Frommer. 

Europe on $5 ($25, $40) was the standard at the time, which Arthur Frommer started in 1957 with his 1st of many guides, with Europe on $5 a Day. “Wow, imagine that” ? Those were the good old days, when European Travel was “Dirt Cheap” I must say, I was lucky to catch the tail-end of very affordable (cheap) European Travel on my first few trips.

On that first trip, I stayed in a Pensione in Rome for just $14 a night, just $6 a night in Barcelona, I think I payed about $25 – $30 for a room in Nice, $35 a night at the Hotel Firenze in Venice, and $40 for a room at the Pensione Maria Antoinette in Positano. Though it was Europe on $40 a Day at the time, I decided to give myself a budget of $60 a day. I wasn’t backpacking it, I had luggage as opposed to a backpack, and I didn’t want to stay in hostels, but I did want the most affordable accommodations a step or two up from hostels. This was Pensione accommodations, which gave you a clean room, but usually not with a bathroom. There were shared bathrooms on each floor of a typical Pensione. I didn’t have any problem with not having my own private bath in the room. “Hey, at least I wasn’t staying in a hostile with other people in my room?” Not that there is anything wrong with that. 

The Europe on $40 a Day covered the main attraction cities like Rome, Paris, Venice, Florence, Vienna, Athens, Amsterdam, and others. For each city, the main tourist attraction such as The Coliseum in Rome, Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Parthenon in Athens would be covered. Local transportations options were cover, with sections called “How to Get There” and “How to Get Around,” which were very helpful. For each city there was a small listing of inexpensive Hotels to choose from, a few mid-range options, and maybe t deluxe hotel recommendations, which were classified as “Splurge” options, for both hotels and restaurants.

Then of course there were restaurant suggestions, mostly in the affordable category, as well as a few of the most popular dishes that any particular city or region was famous for. 

Most important to me was the hotel section of any particular city. Back then (1985) there was no Internet, which has made travel much easier to naviagate, with limitless information on vacation destinations around the World, and companies that book hotels all over the World, such as Expedia, Booking.com and others, where you have websites that list hotels in every budget, you can sift through the pages, pick a hotel, make room reservations, and book hotel rooms, all on your computer or Smartphone.

I was 22 years old when I made my first trip to Europe. I book a flight on PanAm from JFK New York to Rome. It was $55o. I can’t tell you how excited I was on the flight over, and those first 5 days spent in Rome, and I was in total euphoria as I explored The Eternal City. I just couldn’t believe it. I was like a young child on Christmas Day. That’s the feeling I had, super excited and oh so happy. And again, I was in a state of euphoria. That’s how much I loved it. 


I met a couple on the plane, we shared a taxi from the airport to Rome Central Station. I took a cue from my Rick Steves travel guide, and checked my luggage at the train station while I went looking for a pensione with a list I made from the Frommer Guide listings. I got a room on my first try with in a pensione that was just 2 blocks from the train station. I told the desk clerk I would take the room, and went back to the train station to retrieve my bags. After going back to the station, I laid down for a few minutes, couldn’t fall asleep (to excited) so I took a shower, got dressed, then went out to explore Rome, The Eternal City. 

I walked about 5 blocks and came upon a Kiosk Cafe by small park across from the Piazza della Repubblica. I went inside and saw these little sandwiches on the counter (Tramezzini). They looked good and were cheap (900 Lire – .50 cents) so I got a couple, along with an Apricot Juice and my 1st Italian Espresso in Italy. I took my stuff and went outside to sit at one of the cafe tables. I was in “7th Heaven.” No big deal to most, yet it was blissful to me. I was in the Ancient City of Rome, eating my first ever meal in Italy, and Europe at the same time. the sandwiches were tasty, the juice refreshing, and the Espresso was amazing. “I loved it all,” and this some 39 years later, I can still remember it all, and I savor the memory. The sandwiches were so tasty (but not filling) that I went inside and got two more. This would be my breakfast for the next 5 days while in Rome. I found a cafe I liked the next day, and went there for the following 4 days, for a caffe (espresso_ Apricot Juice, and 2 or 3 Tramezzini Sandwiches. I loved it.

Anyway, back to that first day. I walked and found my way to The Spanish Steps. I marveled at the sight. I walked up to the top. There was a food truck up there, and I got a Coca-Cola. This was around the time that Coca-Cola had the foolish idea of changing the recipe of “Coke.” A big mistake. People stopped drinking Coca-Cola and the company was forced to changed back to “The Original Recipe.” I had my Coke and gazed out upon The Eternal City. Up on top of The Spanish Steps, you get a wonderful view of Rome, spread out before you. I savored it all. 

From here. I walked down the road toward the Borghese Gardens and the Piazza del Popolo beyond. I came across a beautiful little garden caffe an stopped in. I got a little something to eat. Sorry, can’t remember what it was. What I do remember was that it was enchanting sitting in the garden and again, looking out over Rome. Absolutely beautiful. 

After leaving the garden caffe, I continued on my exploration and walked on the road and descended down into the Piazza Popolo with its two beautiful little “Twin Churches,” and a couple famous caffes, including Rosati that my friend Rene Ricard told my that I had to go to, along with visiting the  two Twin Churches. Of course I did. 




Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

“The TWIN CHURCHES’

PIAZZA del POPOLO – ROME



After visiting the twin churches of Santa Maria Maricoli & Santa Maria Montesanto, I continued on. In a few minutes, I came upon the monument to Victor Emmanuelle, The 1st King of Unified Italy. Adjacent to this monument is the Roman Forum, and The Colosseum beyond. Wow, The Colosseum ? This really blew my mind. Ancient Rome of 2000 years ago/ I couldn’t believe it.




Daniel Bellino Zwicke


….. to be continued … 






Flying to ROME ?

FLIGHTS & HOTELS to ITALY

And WORLDWIDE
EXPEDIA.com







NEED a ROOM in ROME ?

HOTELS in ROME

And WORLDWIDE
BOOKING.com


Pizza Night in Jersey – 60s New Jersey

 

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Pizza Town
Route 46 , Garfield , New Jersey

“The First Place I ever had a Calzone!”



 

My first memories of PIZZA were from Bella Pizza in East Rutherford, New Jersey. I was a young boy and this Pizzeria just opened on Park Avenue. It was a standard Pizzeria like many others found all over the New York-New Jersey metro area, serving solid pizza just the way the locals like it. The pizza was of a high standard as all the pizza must be if you’re going to make and sell Pizza in the heavily Italian-Populated New York and New Jersey areas. A large pie which you just ordered as a Pizza, the one that is known as Pizza Margherita in Italy is made of the pizza dough topped with tomato sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, salt, pepper, and a little olive oil. Basta!

   The Pizza in America are much larger than those made in Italy and are cut into 8 triangular slices and are enough for 2 or 3 people to eat, or even four if you’re not that hungry or sharing a Pizza just as a snack in-between meals. I can still remember the price of the pizza at Bella Pizza in East Rutherford back in the 60s a whole pie cost just $1.50 and a slice was .20 cents. So if you wanted what they call in Napoli and all over Italy the Pizza Margherita, you just simply ordered a Pizza, or a Cheese Pie, or simply a Pie, meaning it was with Tomato, Mozzarella , and Basil and no other toppings. And if you wanted extra toppings, you just say a Pepperoni Pie, or half mushroom half pepperoni, or a Sausage Pie or whatever. That’s the way it was and more or less still is with ordering Pizza at your standard pizzeria. Nowadays most pizza cost between $2.25 and $2.75 a slice and about $16.00 to $20 and even more for a whole plain pie.

   Anyway, as most kids did and do, we loved eating pizza, and on most Friday nights it was Pizza Night for many families in Jersey. Mom didn’t want to cook that night, the kids loved getting pizza and looked forward to it as a special treat on Friday nights, as we knew it as Pizza Night and we just loved it. We’d have pizza, Coca-Cola and some sort of sweets, a cake or Ice Cream for desserts after we ate our Pizza. Yes Friday Night Pizza was always a much loved treat as a child growing up in Jersey in the 1960s and 70s. We’d listen to WABC Radio and Top 20 Hits, R&B, and Rock-N-Roll and all was fine in the World, we had all that we needed. How I miss those sweet days of youth and a simpler time than today. Back then you had everything you needed in life. We had Radio and TV and we still do today. We had Cars that were beautiful unlike some of the ugly ones of today. We had the Telephone, no cel phones or internet, we didn’t need them. We all had a Football, a Basketball, a Baseball Bat, Baseball, and Glove to play Baseball, Basketball, and Football as all healthy American boys did back then. We didn’t have Video Games but we had Aurora Racing Car sets, maybe Electric Trains, and wonderful Board Games like; Monopoly, Candyland, Chess, Checkers, Stratego, and Battle Ship. And one of the most wonderful things we had back then in the 60s & 70s was great music unlike the Crap they call music today, we had Great Top 100 Hits, wonderful R&B sounds of Motown and The Philly Sound, we had The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Rock-N-Roll, what do the kids have for music today? Sadly, just Crap Rap and the other garbage they think is music. Yes it’s quite sad what has happened to music in the past 20 years. But yes we had everything we needed; Radio, TV, cars, a stereo, Sports, great music to listen to, and Pizza, we always had Pizza, we still do.

   Well sorry, I got off topic, but it’s all part of the story you see. In Italy when it comes to Pizza it’s a bit different than the way Pizza is done in America. Pizza was born in Napoli where it is revered into a high religion and is to made just so. The Pizza is much smaller and is made for one and they do not make slices unless you are in Rome or other parts of Italy where they make Pizza that is made in large pans ahead of time and then cut into squares and heated up when a customer orders some. That’s Pizza Taglio, and most Pizza made in Italy is Neapolitan Pizza that is made to order. As we’ve said they are individual sized (about 12” round) for one person and made to order and are cooked in hot wood burning ovens to strict standardized specifications. A Pizza Margherita made in the true Neapolitan fashion is made with fresh tomato puree, olive oil, salt, fresh garlic, basil, and mozzarella placed on top, then the pizza cooks in the hot wood burning oven, and is ready in just about 4-5 minutes. Pizza Margherita was created by Raffaella Esposito in 1889 where he was working at Pizzeria di Pietro. He made the Pizza and named it in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy who was visiting Naples (Napoli) at the time. American Pizza on the other hand is made with a cooked sauce and we tend to put more sauce and cheese than they do in Italy .

   Now, my own experience eating Pizza in Italy. Well the first pizza I first had in Italy was Pizza Taglio (pan Pizza) and not the Classic Neapolitan Pizza, which is by far the dominant pizza in all Italy, and though there is Pizza Taglio which is sold in square slices, it’s a mere fraction as far as its presence goes, which is just about 1% of all Pizza consumed in Italy is Pizza Taglio, the rest being classic Neapolitan. Anyway, there’s very good pizzeria that makes Pan Pizza close to the train station in Rome. Like other pizzerias that make Pizza Taglio in Italy, there’s an array of different pizzas with different toppings that are already made and are laid out before you. You choose which type of pizza you’d like, tell them the size you want, they cut it and weight it to determine the price by weigh.

Yes the pizza is a bit different in America, but it’s dammed good, and America makes the world’s best pizza outside of Italy. And as far as Pizza goes in America, everyone knows that the best Pizza in the country is made in New York, and especially in Brooklyn with great shrines to Pizza in the form of; Tottono’s in Coney Island, Grimaldi’s, and DiFara Pizza by Pizza Maestro Dom DeMarco. Then you’ve got John’s on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village and the first Pizzeria ever to exist in the United States Lombardi’s on Prince Street, established in 1905.

   Anyway, enough with the technicalities of Pizza, sometimes things are analyzed too much, just eat it and enjoy. We loved eating Pizza on Pizza Night or any time of the week when we were lucky enough to get it. And there is one particular time that I always remember. We went on a trip with our local church to the big beautiful Riverside Cathedral in New York one time, and it was a very special trip. When we came home, the Priest and other church officials made a little Pizza Party for us in the church basement. They ordered a bunch of Pizzas for all the kids (Grownups too) and it was a very special thing for us, as pizza always was and even so to this day. Yes there’s nothing like when you’re a child and they have a Pizza Party for you, we just loved it. And so these are my memories of Pizza.

 

Excerpted From “MANGIA ITALIANO” Memories of Italian Food  




     by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

 

 

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Typical Large Pie for PIZZA NIGHT in The 60s



 

Read about PIZZA NIGHT , CANNOLIS, PROVOLONE, MEATBALLS, 
Growing Up Italian in America, Italian Food, Italy, and more, 
in best selling author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke’s 
latest book, Mangia Italiano – Memories of Italian Food.


 

 

 

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MANGIA ITALIANO !

The Latest From Daniel Bellino “Z”





PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

100 REGIONAL RECIPES – NAPLES

Including – PIZZA DOUGH PIZZA Recipe
POSITANO CAPRI NAPLES SORRENTO


AMAZON.com












.

 

What The Presidents Ate – Favorite Presidential Food The United States of America

 


GEORGE WASHINGTON


President Washington loved : Hoecakes with Butter & Honey, Fish, Mutton Chops






THOMAS JEFFERSON

3rd PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES




MAC N CHEESE


FRENCH FRIES




In 1784, Thomas Jefferson struck a deal with his slave, James Hemings. The Founding Father was traveling to Paris and wanted to bring James along “for a particular purpose”— to master the art of French cooking. In exchange for James’s cooperation, Jefferson would grant his freedom.

So began one of the strangest partnerships in United States history. As Hemings apprenticed under master French chefs, Jefferson studied the cultivation of French crops (especially grapes for wine-making) so they might be replicated in American agriculture. The two men returned home with such marvels as pasta, French fries, Champagne, macaroni and cheese, Creme Brûlée, and a host of other treats. This narrative history tells the story of their remarkable adventure—and even includes a few of their favorite recipes!



JAMES MADISON

PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON
4th PRESIDENT of The USA
While it’s hard to pin down one favorite food for Madison, first lady Dolley Madison popularized the frozen treat during her time in the White House and the President was one of its top consumers. 




ANDREW JACKSON

DEFEATING The BRITISH at The BATTLE of NEW ORLEANS

PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON – 7th AMERICAN PRESIDENT



GREEN BEANS & BACON


President Andrew Jackson was fond of Pancakes, Corn Bread and Green Beans cooked with Bacon.





AMERICA’S FAVORITE DISHES
SOUPS BURGERS STEAKS
MAC N CHEESE – MEATLOAF
BLUE RIBBON BBQ SAUCE
FRIED CHICKEN
And More …
AMAZON.com



PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN

16th PRESIDENT of The USA

Lincoln was particularly fond of sweets, such as Cookies, 
Cakes and Pies, especially Apple Pie. 

He also loved Bacon & Oyster Stew.



OYSTER STEW alla ABE




FRANKIN PIERCE

14th US PRESIDENT




PRESIDENT PIERCE LOVED FRIED CLAMS

“Who WOULDN’T” ?





GENERAL GRANT


ULYSSES S. GRANT

CIVIL WAR GENERAL

18th PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES


PRESIDENT GRANT
 was FOND of RICE PUDDING



PRESIDENT TEDDY ROSEVELT

26th PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES

Teddy Rosevelt Loved CORNED BEEF HASH with 
POACHED EGGS & COFFEE,
STEAKS, Wild Game, and FRIED CHICKEN.

TEDDY ROSEVELT’S FAVORITE MEAL

FRIED CHICKEN

RECIPE

JFK

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY

36th PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES


President John F. Kennedy had a penchant for Cuban Cigars, Steak, Lobster,
and New England Clam Chowder.




PRESIDENT KENNEDY

ENJOYING SOME ICE CREAM

CAPE COD,  MASSACHUSETTES 





Ronald Reagan

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

40th PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES


President Reagan loved Apple Cider, Apples, Cornbread Stuffing, Grilled Hamburgers,
Ice Cream, and of course JELLY BEANS.



RONNIE ENJOYS a BIG MAC

DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER





The PRESIDENT DIGS IN

PRESIDENT REAGAN CAN’T HELP HIMSELF

He’s GOTTA HAVE His JELLY BEANS


BILL CLINTON Has a CHUCKLE

As RONALD REAGAN BRING Hima SPECIAL GIFT

JELLY BEANS at The WHITE HOUSE




BILL CLINTON

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

42nd PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES



President Loves Mexican Food, especially Chicken Enchilada’s and Tacos. He is also fond of Burgers, Egg McMuffins, and Cinamon Rolls.


DONALD TRUMP
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

45th PRESIDENT of The UNITED STATES



It’s a well know fact that Donald Trump loves fast food. He says that it’s consistent and clean.

He Loves Burgers, especially from McDonald’s, and is a fan of KFC KENTUCY FRIED CHICKEN.
He also likes Steaks, Tacos, Meatloaf, Taco Bowls, and Ice Cream.

DONALD TRUMP

On The CAMPAIGN TRAIL

MUNCHING on KFC FRIED CHICKEN

“One of his FAVORITES”


The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

BURGERS TACOS BURRITOS

GUACAMOLE – SOUP

And More …

AMAZON.com

HAMBURGERS


An AMERICAN FAVORITE





FLIGHTS & HOTELS

BOOK with BOOKING.com
BOOKING.com



The Worlds Best Tacos – Burritos Taco Stand Taqueria Mexico City

Taqueria El CALIFA De LEON

MEXICO CITY


TACOS El CALIFA De LEON

  • Tacos El Califa de León, a taco stand in Mexico City, won a Michelin star
  • Its famous tortillas cost nearly $5 and go best with a Coke, according to the chef
  • Michelin-star chef Arturo Rivera Martínez said the honor was ‘neat’ and ‘cool’

Mexico City’s Tacos El Califa de León has received a Michelin star, making it the only taco stand in the world to receive the coveted award from the French dining guide. 

Not making a big fuss of the incredible honor, the tiny restaurant’s main chef, Arturo Rivera Martínez, stood over his grill Wednesday searing meat for a horde of hungry customers as he’s done for 20 years. 

Asked how he felt about receiving the Michelin star Rivera Martínez said ‘está chido … está padre,’ meaning:’It’s neat, it’s cool.’

Although Michelin representatives came Wednesday to present him with his well-deserved full-sleeved white chef’s jacket, he didn’t put it on. Not out of disrespect, but simply because his cooking area is tiny – 10 feet by 10 feet – and extremely hot.

Diners at the stand can only order tacos, and the meat inside comes from either a cow’s rib, loin or fore shank. 

The prices at the taco stand, however, are a lot more affordable with a huge taco costing nearly $5. Customers say the tacos there are the best, if not the cheapest, in the city.

El Califa de León has been around since 1968 and has been doing the same things that’s made it so successful since the beginning.

Thousands of times a day, Rivera Martínez grabs a fresh, thinly sliced fillet of beef from a stack and slaps it on the 680 degree steel grill. 

He then dashes a pinch of salt over the meat and squeezes half a lime on top before grabbing a soft piece of freshly rolled tortilla dough to heat it up on the grill.

Less than a minute later – he didn’t share exactly how long because ‘that’s a secret’ – he flips the beef, flips the tortilla and assembles it on the plate for the waiting customer.





Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez prepares an order of Tacos 
at the Tacos El Califa de León taco stand, in Mexico City




SAUCES & EXTRA FIXINS







SIMPLE TACOS For GRINGOS

AMERICA’S FAVORITE FOODS

And SECRET RECIPES

TACOS BURRITOS

CHILI – BBQ – BURGERS

SOUP – STEAKS & MORE
AMAZON.com




FLIGHTS & HOTELS

WORLDWIDE
EXPEDIA.com






Good Times at Milano’s – New Yorks Famous Dive Bar

 


MILANO’S

NEW YORK’S FAVORITE “DIVE BAR”



It’s May 2nd, 2024. I’m at my favorite dive-bar, Milano’s on Houston Street, enjoying my $4 Rolling Rock Beer. It’s quite tasty and a “Godsend” at just 4 Bucks, this in a day and age when  in Manhattan, a cocktail can cost you $20 or more. it’s”Friggin Insane” !!! What’s a guy to do? Well Thank God, that though there aren’t many places left like Milano’s, there still are a few. 

Yes, thank goodness that there are a few great old dive-bars like – Milano’s, Rudy’s, 7B Bar, Blue & Gold on East 7th Street and a few other joints in lower Manhattan where the poor old working guy can still afford to have a beer or a drink or two, and it not cost an Arm & a Leg. These places are doing New Yorkers a service that’s quite admirable. The owners a not so greed as to grab every single dollar out there, and taking all they need and not going overboard with overpriced libations. “I Thank You Sirs – ever so much.”

I wrote a piece back in 2012 called “New York & The $3 PBR,” Paste Blue Ribbon beer, and places like 7B & Blue & Gold Bar that served $3 PBRs, or other affordable beer offerings. What does this mean, well it means that instead of going to a place and spending $40 or more for 2 drinks, or $60 plus for 3 cocktails with tax and tip, you could go to Milano’s or Lucy’s, hang with your friends (or not) and have 3 Beers (PBRs) and leave the Bartender a good tip ($5), and only spend $16. Now that’s not bad at all. Or if you only had 2 beers, you can get away with only 10 Bucks for the whole “Kit & Caboodle” of two beers and a $4 tip. Fast forward to 2024 and the Rolling Rock Beer I have at Milano’s was a damn reasonable $4 a can. “No complaint there.” I had two for just 8 bucks. But I sprung for a bag of Potato Chips for $3. Not cheap for a bag of Chips, but this was a little added luxury. I didn’t have to get the Potato Chips. Now that’s another Grip of Got. Have you noticed the price of Potato Chips these days? “Highway Robbery” !!! And Pretzels too ! It wasn’t long ago that you can get a small bag of Potato Chips or Pretzels at a Bodega for only .50 Cents. Not bad, when you’re walking around, a bit hungry and need something to nibble on and hold you over until your next meal. A slice of Pizza (now getting insanely overpriced) a Banana, or a small bag of Chips or maybe M&Ms could do the trick. Lately I’ve gone into modest grocery stores and Bodegas and see a small bag of Pretzels or Potato Chips for $2 a Pop. Are You Kidding Me? Highway Robbery ! And you’re not going to get me to pay $2 for a small frogman bag of Potato Chips, “No Siree” !!!

Sorry, I swerved off the subject there a minute. But like the high prices of Manhhattan Cocktails, overpriced cocktail lounges, and the ability to afford a couple cheap drinks (or Beers), the high price of Pizza and Potato Chips these days, is most relevant. Wouldn’t you say?

Anyway, let’s get back to Milano’s, the legendary New York Dive Bar that remains affordable, and has not been ruined by its popularity and notoriety as being one of New York City’s best dive bars, if not the best. I had a great time there last night, and have only one minor gripe. Well it’s been a while since I’ve been there, and they always had great music of the Jukebox, and it was famous as well. The Jukebox that is, Now, I’m sitting there chit-chatting with the bartender Dave (great guy), I’m sipping on my Rolling Rock, listening to the music, and all of a sudden some Shitty Crap Rap Hip Hop music comes on the jukebox. “What the Fuck” ??? Since when did they put this type of Shit into the Jukebox? “It’s Sacrilegious” !!! I Fucking Hate this Stuff. So-Called music? I call it Shit! With a capital S. Anyway, I guess there’s not much you can do. Well yes. The owner is able to not put that kind of crap in the box if he chooses to do so. No law against not putting Shitty Music in your jukebox. Not the last time I checked anyway. But who knows the way things are going these days? Politicians making insane new laws. It just might happen. I don’t want to think about it. I want to think happy thought s today. Anyway, I wish they owner did not out that Shitty Stuff in his Jukebox. It was always great. But I was subject to having to have to listen to a couple of Shitty Hip Hop songs last night, which always bring my mood, and anybody who has good taste, it’s enough to change you mood from happy and good, to something going towards the Negative. That’s the affect that Crappy Rap so-called music has on people of good taste. I guess the owner wanted to put crap in the jukebox, as I guess he does have a few customers with Shitty Taste in music, so he caters to them as well. Equal opportunity I guess? 

Well I had such a good time, that the couple shitty Hip Hop songs didn’t bring me down much. The beers, the other great music playing on the jukebox most of the night, was enough to balance out the Crap Hip Hop stuff, the bartender Dave was great, as was the conversation at the bar, and the general upbeat vibe of the place. I really did have a wonderful time at Milano’s last nigh, even despite the hip hop. I bought a box in the Kentucky Derby, which if I’m Lucky, I might wine. If not, no biggy, nothing will deter the good time I had, last night and every time over the years. Yes Milano Bar, “I Love You.”

Basta !




DBZ

May 3, 2024 NYC








BLUE & GOLD BAR
BLUE and GOLD BAR …  79 East 7th Street, East Village, NY NY

Everybody’s favorite East Village dive pulls in a regular crowd of college kids, bikers, local senior citizens and random eccentrics—like the long-haired guy whose only sound is a high-pitched shriek. Mixed drinks run for as little as four dollars, but that means the pretty Ukrainian owner will have to head to the fridge in the back room for juice, and you might be out of luck with ice. Stay long enough to play pool on the ratty table and mine the juke’s selection of hits from the ’60s to the ’80s. But if at all possible, use the bathroom elsewhere—don’t say we didn’t warn you. — Kenneth H. Hyman ExtraIn addition to black-and-white photographs documenting the bar’s history, Blue & Gold’s walls are decorated with fading pictures of European men blowing long Alphorns. 


Clemenza Mob War Godfather Sunday Sauce Recipe

 



CLEMENZA Teaches MICHAEL How to Make SUNDAY SAUCE

Richard Castellano as Peter Clemenza and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone

In FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S The GODFATHER

Novel by MARIO PUZO



SUNDAY SAUCE

by Daniel Bellino “Z”




“Come here kid, lem-me show you something. You never know when you’re gonna have to cook for 20 guys some day.” Pete Clemenza says to Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. It’s one of the most famed movie scenes in history, and of great importance to Italian-Americans. Clemenza is making “Gravy” aka Sunday Sauce, the Supreme Dish of Italian-America, and the dish that brings Italian Families together each and every Sunday. Learn How to Make Clemenza’s Sunday Sauce, Meatballs, Pasta Fazool, Momma DiMaggio’s Gravy, Goodfellas Sauce, and all of the great favorites of The Italian American Table. 

Cook Sinatra’s Spaghetti & Meatballs, Italian Wedding Soup and more, and delight in the many stories and factual information written by Italian Food & Wine Writer Daniel Bellino Zwicke. This book is filled with Joy & Love, and you will get many years of both, reading, cooking and eating the dishes in SUNDAY SAUCE “When Italian-Americans Eat”.Do you Love Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Italian Food? Of course you do. Learn How to make Clemenza’s Brooklyn Mob War Sauce for 20 people some day. Remember that scene in Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo classic Film Trilogy of the Corleone Family of Sicily and Brooklyn, New York. Recipes in Italian-American New York Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke’s Best Selling Cookbook (2 Years Amazon Kindle) 

SUNDAY SAUCE includes ; Frank Sinatra Sunday Sauce, Dolly Sinatra’s Spaghetti Meatballs, Joe DiMaggio ‘s mom’s Sunday Gravy, and Charlie Scorsese making Sauce in Prison in Martin Scorsese’s GOODFELLAS – starring; Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesce, and Ray Liotta making Veal & Peppers and Sunday Sauce. And by-the-way, Joe Pesci and Liotta are both Italians from New Jersey, so they know their stuff when it comes to Italian Food and all things Italian (Mafia speak and so-forth). 




SUNDAY SAUCE

The Unofficial GODFATHER COOKBOOK

AVAILABLE on AMAZON.com





WATCH The VIDEO


CLEMENZA (Richard Castellano) Teaches MICHAEL (Al Pacino)

HOW to MAKE SUNDAY SAUCE


RECIPE






SUNDAY SAUCE


alla CLEMENZA

LEARN HOW to MAKE IT
AMAZON.com
SUNDAY SAUCE

The Unofficial GODFATHER COOKBOOK

ITALIAN-AMERICAN GRAVY

PASTA – MEATBALLS and Much More

AMAZON.com



FLIGHTS & HOTELS

WORLDWIDE

FLY with EXPEDIA
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