And there he was, like a glow of light. I still remember the hard year of 2009 and its dreary and endlessly rainy summer. 2008 was the worst year of my life but ’09 was the most painful. The day I met Nick Stellino, however, was a spectacular one with Continue reading →
If it’s good, Max Heusler probably knows about it. If it’s good, Max Heusler will over-indulge in it. Back in the mid 90’s, he had many huge boxes filled with Continue reading →
This March 15, 2014 will mark the 10 year Anniversary of 2nd Avenue Deli’s 50 Year Anniversary celebration. Back in 2004, they rolled back their prices back to 1954, the year they opened. Before I explain the economics of what I predicted would happen (and did), first allow me to rant about Continue reading →
Brains and Beauty make a powerful combination. When you add Southern Italian to the mix, watch out ! Serena Palumbo, a native of sunny Salerno, came to the States as Continue reading →
For most of my Life, Bucatini all’ Amatriciana was my favorite dish. Everytime I go to Rome, where this Pasta dish is King, I immediately drop my bags at the hotel (after checking for bedbugs) and go to any one of my favorite restaurants and order it. Though I eat much less Pasta than I used to,
My dear friends, years ago (2007-2008) I found in me the need to inform the world and clarify what there needs to be known about Pizza as it is made in its place of origin. Since I could not just stop there, I included coffee. When I introduced to the world to my website pizzaandcoffee.com , I went into detail about 2 of the most important things Continue reading →
Rosario Procino
The Man. The Legend. The Neapolitan.
When a man loves a place so profoundly, his roots grow deeply there. From one plant, you can get a whole lot of fruit, all slightly different , but sharing the same attributes. We all heard the expression, “See Naples and Die”. Well, Rosario Procino lives Naples. And that’s all he Continue reading →
In the Campania region of Southern Italy, speficically in the provinces of Naples and Salerno, O’ Per e O’ Muss’ is very common. Having spent half of my life in Italy, and most in my mother’s town outside Salerno, this combination of pig’s feet and mouth is sold either out of trucks or in actual shops. Oddly, this traditional, poor man’s food, unhealthy by today’s standards, seems to thrive even though I rarely see anyone buying it. The jelly and fatty meat is skinned and then boiled. It is maintained refrigerated and served with lemon and salt. My uncle, Zio Ciro, educated me on the composition of O’ Per e O’ Muss’, which uses the feet of pigs and the mouth of young cattle (veal). Sometimes, other veal parts are used as well. A few years ago, among the millions of ideas that pop up in my head, I thought of opening up an “O’ Per e O’ Muss’ ” truck in New York City. Even better, I thought of having a store with the tuck INside, in the front window, capturing the attention of all who walk by. If you copy my idea, I will never forgive you.