Daniel Bellino beat Stanley Tucci to discover Venetian Cicchetti at all’Arco Wine Bar – Venice Italy 1995

all’ARCO

VENETIAN WINE BAR

VENICE

“BELLINO beat TUCCI”

Daniel Bellino Zwicke discovered all’ARCO wine bar (Bacaro) in 1995

Bellino was on exploratory trip of the Bacari of Venice – Venetian wine bars. He came upon all’Arco even before he checked into his hotel, on this historical trip and the study of Venetian Wine Bars and Cicchetti, the bar-food that they serve in the Bacari (wine bars) of Venice. Daniel was walking from Piazza Roma, just taking a boat from Marco Polo Airport, Venice.  He was on his way to Albergho Gueratto hotel, when he came upon all’Arco, Daniel’s 1st Venetian Bacaro. He was a bit tired from the walk, and wanted to take a little break. The Bacaro looked quite inviting so he went in. “Prego,” said the barman. “Do you have cicchetti,” Daniel asked. “Yes sir,” the barman replied.
“What would you like? asked the barman. “Whatever you suggest,” replied Bellino. 

The barman put together a plate of 4 different assorted cicchetti – of Baccala Montecato, Nervetti, Sarde en Saor, and Mortadella on toasted bread. “Vino,” asked the barman. “Yes. Vino Bianco please,” asked Daniel. The barman gave hime the wine and his plate of cichetti. “Grazie.”

This was Daniel’s first ever cicchetti, and his first visit to a Bacaro (Venetian Wine Bar), which turned out to be all’Arco, the Bacaro that Stanley Tucci made so famous, on his travel show “Searching for Italy,” some 30 years after Bellino discovered cichetti and all’Arco wine bar in Venice, in March of 1995.

That week Daniel went to numerous other Bacaro, all over Venice. He ate a lot more Cicchetti and drank lots of local Venetian wine, including : Prosecco, Lugana, Soave, Tocai, Valpolicella, Cabernet Franc of the Veneto, and Refosco. Daniel studied the Bacari, the difference from one place to another, the locals, the barmen, and bar owners. He learned as much as he could, about the Wine Bars (Bacari) of Venice – Cichetti, customs and rituals, and the regional wines of the area. 

Daniel went back to New York, armed with all the knowledge of cichetti and the wine bars of Venice.  Then, along with a business partner he opens America’s 1st ver Bacaro (Venetian Wine Bar) –
BAR CICHETTI in Greenwich Village, New York. It was quite a success and people loved it, especially the Italians. The Italians who own wine estates in Italy. There is no wine culture in New York like the Italian Wine Culture of New York. The French don’t do it, the Californians don’t. New York is the number 1 Time Market in the World, and everyone who makes wine, wants to sell theirs in New York. The proprietors of Italian wine estates in Italy, love to go to New York, to promote and sell their wine, and to throw beautiful Italian Wine Luncheons and dinners with their wines. They invite their favorite clients, and Daniel Bellino quickly became one of them. Daniel was the Chef and Wine Director of Bar Cichetti and all the Italians (wine estate owners) loved what he was doing. They loved his passion, cooking skills, and everything he was doing. They loved Bar Cichetti, The rest is history. 





Author DANIEL BELLINO Z
At all’ARCO
VENICE – ITALY 1995
Some 30 YEARS BEFORE TUCCI

Daniel Bellino Zwicke is recognized for discovering the Venetian wine bar All’ Arco in 1995, nearly 30 years before Stanley Tucci featured it. Bellino’s exploration of Venice’s wine bars and cicchetti inspired him to bring this culinary experience to New York. His early advocacy for All’ Arco and its offerings has been highlighted as a significant contribution to the global appreciation of Venetian cuisine.

Cultural Impact

  • Bellino’s work predates Tucci’s culinary explorations, establishing him as a pioneer in promoting Venetian food culture internationally.
  • The rivalry highlights the importance of early culinary exploration and its lasting impact on food culture.

From Yahoo Media






Daniel Bellino Zwicke

In front of His HOTEL in VENICE

ALBERGHO GUERATTO

1995



STANLEY TUCCI at all’ARCO

VENICE

2023 ?




A BUSINESS CARD of BELLINO’S BAR CICHETTI

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK

Established 1998

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke & Tom “T”

AMERICA’S 1st EVER VENETIAN BACARO 







ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVELS

ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ?

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE 





LOOK FOR DANIEL’S FORTCOMING BOOK

EXPLORING VENICE

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

June 2026 Publication



BOOKS by DANIEL







TASTE

“MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD”

Stanley Tucci 
.








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New York Art

 

PJ CLARKE’S

by BELLINO

“GET a FINE ART PRINT”

From FINE ART AMERICA

CONEY ISLAND

“WONDER WHEEL”

by BELLINO

GET a FINE ART PRINT

“AFFORDABLE ART”

From FINE ART AMERICA
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

“TRAVOLTA EATS PIZZA”

FINE ART PRINTS

From FINE ART AMERICA





CARBONE

NEW YORK ITALIAN

“RED SAUCE”

GET a FINE ART PRINT

From FINE ART AMERICA



“PIZZA” !!!

“JOHN’S PIZZA”

BLEECKER STREET

FINE ART PRINTS

From FINE ART AMERICA

“VILLAGE CIGARS”

by Bellino

GREENWICH VILLAGE – NEW YORK 

SINATRA SAUCE

The COOKBOOK

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

His FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES



FRANK SINATRA

“FRANK” 

by Bellino

FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA

Get a FINE ART PRINT From FINE ART AMERICA

“PACINO”  by BELLINO

GET a FINE ART PRINT

FINE ART AMERICA

BABE RUTH

“The SULTAN of SWAT”

Get a FINE ART PRINT


“JOLTIN JOE”

JOE DiMAGGIO

FINE ART PRINT

CLEMENZA MAKES SAUCE


The GODFATHER

“CLEMENZA MAKES SAUCE”

Get a FINE ART PRINT
SINATRA at JILLY’S
NEW YORK CITY
Get a FINE ART PRINT of SINATRA


Katharine Hepburn s Hotel in Venice – movie Summertime – The Hotel Danieli and Pensione Accademia


KATHARINE HEPBURN “SUMMERTIME
KATHARINE HEPBURN

At The PENSIONE ACCADEMIA

Filming of The Motion Picture “SUMMERTINE”

STAY at The HOTEL MISS HEPBURN’S CHARACTER STAYED

“SUMMERTIME”

Starring – KATHARINE HEPBURN

And ROSSANO BRAZZI

Directed by DAVIDE LEAN

Shot on LOCATION – VENICE, ITALY

KATHARINE HEPBURN’S HOTEL

In The MOVIE “SUMMERTIME”

PENSIONE ACCADEMIA – VILLA MARAVEGE

VENICE

The Hotel That KATHERINE HEPBURN stayed in

In The MOVIE “SUMMERTIME”


“WELCOME”


PENSIONE ACCADEMIA – VENICE

“STAY. WHERE KATHERINE HEPBURN STAYED”

SUMMERTIME

VILLA MARAVEGE

PENSIONE ACCADEMIA

DOSODORO, VENICE

PENSIONE ACCADEMIA – VILLA

LOCATED on a LOVELY CANAL

DOSODORO – VENICE

 

PENSIONE ACCADEMIA

VENICE – ITALY 

PENSIONE ACCADEMIA

STAY WHERE “KATHARINE HEPBURN” STAYED

The MOVIE “SUMMERTIME”


VENICE HOTELS

FLIGHTS & HOTELS ITALY & WORLDWIDE

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVELS

ROME VENICE & ???

TRAVEL GUIDE COOKBOOK

VERONA SICILY NAPLES

POSITANO CAPRI

The AMALFI COAST ITALY

“SUMMERTIME”
KATHARINE HEPBURN

Trailer – “SUMMERTIME”

VENICE

During the Filming of “SUMMERTIME” Katharine Hepburns character Jane Hudson stayed at the fictitious Pensione Fiorini, which in real life was the Pensione Accademia. The scenes with Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) at the Pensione Fiorni were shot at the real-life (current day) Pensione Accademia Villa Maravege.

During the filming go the movie “SUMMERTIME” directed by David Lean, Miss Hepburn stayed. at 

The HOTEL DANIELI, Venice.

To book a room at The HOTEL DANIELI where KATHERINE HEPBURN Stayed

CLICK HERE !

 

The HOTEL DANIELI

VENICE


The LOBBY

HOTEL DANIELI

One of The WORLD’S Most GLAMOROUS

KATHERINE STAYED at The DANIEL while Filming SUMERTIME

The DANIELI – VENICE

The HOTEL DANIELI


VENICE 

The HOTEL DANIELI






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Paris Hilton Burger


PARIS HILTON

Eating a BURGER !!!


ME and My iPhone


It Does Everything !!!!

You gotta Just LOVE it! 

My MUSIC, Pictures, News

  It’s got a Camera, makes VIDEOS 

… Another SEX TAPE? Ha Ha !







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New Book on Venice – Daniel Bellino Zwicke

 
 
Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
 
VENICE 1995

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE – NEW BOOK on VENICE

I am currently working on a new book – working title is “My VENICE,” but this might change. It is Travel Guide – Cookbook of the World’s most Enchanting City – VENICE, Italy. It will be a unique take on Venice, that is mine. It will lead the reader on a special journey designed for that person to get the best and most out of Venice, and to help avoid the crowds, of which can put a damper on things, “so to say.” Daniel has been going to Venice since 1985. He created the First ever Venetian Wine Bar (Bacaro) ever to exist in The United States, and knows more than probably 99.9% of America’s population, when it comes to Venice, its history, wine bars, food, and ritual of Venice.

The book will be filled with travel and cultural info of Venice, including : Where to Stay (hotels), where and what to eat – trattorias, restaurants & wine bars, sights to see, history and commentary, as well as recipes of Venice’s most popular dishes and cocktails, with stories and history of these subjects.

The book is expected to be Publishes – September of 2026.

 

January 4, 2026

 

 

 

 

BOOKS by DANIEL

AMAZON.com.

 

 

 

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Va Fanculo !!! Go Fuck Yourself !!! Espresso Coffee in Foggia Italy

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Screen Shot 2018-02-11 at 8.46.31 PM
 
BUON GIORNO !!!
 
 
 

“DON’T BREAK MY FUCKING BALLS”
 

One of The FUNNIEST VIDEOS YOU’LL EVER SEE
 
 
WATCH IT !!!
 
 
 
.
 
 
 
“Non Rompere Mio Palle” !!!
 
(Don’t Break My Balls)

 
 
 
 
“LISTEN YOU SON of a BITCH”



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“Va FANCULO” !!!





 
 26764-screen2bshot2b2018-02-112bat2b8-50-522bpm
“GET The FUCK OUT of HERE” !!!






GOING to ITALY ?
 
HOTELS & FLIGHTS

ITALY & WORLDWIDE
The AMALFI COAST

POSITANO – CAPRI

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

SORRENTO – NAPLES



 
 
 
 

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE – Best Selling Italian Cookbook and Travel Writer

 



Daniel Bellino Zwicke




DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

 is a Best-Selling Italian-American author, wine professional, and restaurant consultant, based in New York City’s Greenwich Village. He is widely recognized as an authority on Italian wine and culinary culture, specifically the traditions of New York’s Italian-American community. 


Professional Background

Restaurateur: He was the creator, executive chef, and wine director of Bar Cichetti, which is credited as the first Venetian wine bar (bacaro) in America.
  • Maitre’d Experience: He served as the maitre’d at the renowned celebrity hotspot Da Silvano in New York, where he catered to high-profile clients including Keith Richards, David Bowie, and Robert De Niro.
  • Wine Expert: Over a 35-year career, he has served as a wine director at prestigious establishments such as Barbetta in NYC.
  • Notable Literary Works
    Zwicke has authored numerous books that blend recipes with personal stories and cultural history: 

    SUNDAY SAUCE. : When Italian-Americans Cook: His most famous work, which spent over two years as a #1 Best Seller in Italian cookbooks on Amazon.
    • Grandma Bellino’s Italian Cookbook: A collection of recipes passed down from his Sicilian grandmother.
    • The Feast of the 7 Fish: A guide to the traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve seafood feast.
    • Sinatra Sauce: A tribute to Frank Sinatra, featuring the singer’s favorite Italian foods and stories.
    • La Tavola: Tales of Italian-American life and adventures in New York.
    • Got Any Kahlua?: A unique cookbook inspired by the film The Big Lebowski, aka
    • The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK …
    • Positano The Amalfi Coast: A combination of a travel guide and cookbook for the southern Italian region. 
    • Current Projects
    • As of late 2025, Zwicke continues to write from his home in New York, with ongoing projects including a new book focused on the Chianti region of Italy, its food, and its wine. 
    • Daniel owns and operates the very popular Italian Instagram page 
    • NewYork.Italian – with more than a half Million Followers.
    • Are you looking for a specific recipe from one of his cookbooks, or would you like a list of his recommended restaurants in New York?
    Daniel & Vincenzo Manzo
    At VILLA MARIA LEMON FARM AGRITURISMO
    MINORI, ITALY 

Dudes Big Lebowski Tacos and Burritos Recipes

 The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK


DUDES “CHILI CHEESE TACOS” !!!

BURRITOS & TACOS “DUDES WAY”


Burritos and Tacos. What the difference, some would ask? What’s the difference? Most know, as does The Dude, but in case you’re from Bum F_ck, Iowa, or you just don’t know, here goes. Well, they are both made from Tortillas that are made of either Corn or Flour. Dude usually prefers Flour Tortillas.  Tacos are a smaller Tortilla that are filled with various Meat, Vegetable, Fish, and or Poultry, or just about anything you want to throw in them. You fill the tortillas with your fillings of choice, fold in half and eat.


Burritos are larger Tortillas, made mostly of Flour, but can be corn. Burritos can have the same multitude of ingredients, whatever the person making or eating the Burrito decides on. 


Where the Taco is filled with the ingredients and folded in half, a Burrito is packages to completely envelope the contents inside. The Burrito also may have rice inside, which Tacos usually do not have.


Also, one Burrito should be enough for a full serving, were as with Tacos you usually need Two or Three to make a meal and they may be of one, two, or three different types. Maybe; one Pork, one with Beef, and one Grilled Chicken Taco. On the Baja Peninsular in Mexico and in San Diego, California where the Dude, Donny, and Walter have been known to make many a road trip to, the Fish Taco “Rains Supreme” and is most popular in these areas. Yes the Dudes clunker was able to make it there and back, a number of times.


Yes, our hero “The Dude” really loves his Tacos and Burritos, most Los Angelinos (all Californians) do. Dude loves all kinds of Tacos and Burritos, filled with Chicken , Pork, Fish or what-not, and Dude eats all of them. But when it comes to eating Tacos and Burritos at home, most often with the Dude, they are Chili Cheese Tacos or Chili, Rice, Bean, and Cheese Burritos. The reason is simple. Dude loves making his Cowboy Chili, and once Dude has a batch made, it’s Chili and Cheese Burritos all the way. They’re easy, once Dude has his Chili that is.






DUDES “CHILI CHEESE QUESADILLAS”




DUDES CHILI CHEESE QUESADILLA

  Quesadillas are a great item to serve at a party, along with Guacamole, and perhaps some Chili con Carne or one of The Dudes favorite Chicken-Wings Recipes, as the main event. Dude often likes to make a Quesadilla and have it along with two Fried Eggs for breakfast or anytime of the day. “A great combo!” says ole Duder.

To make a Quesadilla, simply take one or more large flour tortillas, sprinkle grated Cheddar, Monterey Jack or some type Mexican Cheese over the top. Put some heated Chili on top of Cheese in spots here and there, not over the whole tortilla completely. Put on a sheet pan and heat in a 375 degree oven for about 6 minutes. Remove from oven, fold the Quesadilla in half so it is in the shape of a half circle. Place on cutting board and cut the Quesadilla into about 6 pie-shaped wedges. Serve immediately. 


Enjoy!







DUDES Got BURRITOS




GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK
RECIPES – COWBOY  CHILI – TACOS – BURRITOS
STEAK – BURGERS – SOUPS
And MUCH MORE ….







GUACAMOLE 

“DUDES WAY”




GUACAMOLE “The Dudes Way”


Hey Man, it’s California, it’s LA, Dudes a slacker

Hippy.  Of course  he likes his  “Guac.” Dude got 

this  recipe from his buddy Juan.  And it’s a good 

one. Serve in a bowl at a party with Tortilla Chips,

or add to the filling of any type of Taco or Burrito 

you like.


INGREDIENTS:


1⁄2 cup  finely chopped white onion
2 Jalapeño Peppers, seeded and minced
2 tbsp. finely chopped Fresh Cilantro
Salt, a pinch
2 medium Hass Avocados
2 Plum Tomato, chopped to a medium dice


1.   Cut Avocados in half. Remove the pit. 

      Scoop out pulp and put into a medium 

      size glass mixing bowl.


2.    Mash avocado with a potato-masher or back 

       of a wooden spoon to break down the avocado.


3.    Add all remaining ingredients and mix with a

       wooden spoon.


4.    Serve with Tortilla Chips, and or use as an

       ingredient for Burritos & Tacos. And Enjoy!


Dinner at Babbo

 

BABBO

Greenwich Village, New York NY




December 4, 2025
New York, NY
We had an amazing dinner at Babbo last night. Babe, the restaurant created by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich (mostly Mario). Mario Batali became famous with Babbo, and a show on The Food Network simultaneously. The year was 1998. Anyway, Mario was (still is) a marvellous chef with tons of personality. He gained fame, became a celebrity chef and TV personality. Then he had a fall from grace, lost his TV show, and eventually sold his share in Babbo and other restaurants he owned with Joe Bastianich. After Mario left, Babbo began to slide, and lost much of its cache, which was Mario. Babo has never been the same post Mario.

Mark Ladner worked for Joe B & Mario during the duo’s glory days. Mark was the chef of Lupa, and later the Executive Chef of Del Pesto. Mark is very talented, and so when restaurant impresario Stephen Starr bought Babbo and Lupa from Lida and Joe Bastianich, Starr hired Ladner as the executive chef of Babbo. Good move. Mark’s food is amazing. Our dinner last night proved that. My cousin Joe made the statement that we had eaten at Babbo many times, and he said “This was our best meal here ever.” I tend to agree. The food was amazing, we had some phenomenal wines, and I was with my cousins Joe, Eddie, and Tommy, and our good friend Max. We are all heavily into food and wine, and we are quite knowledgeable and versed on these subjects.

The food was quite wonderful. There were 6 of us, and we ordered more than half of the items on the menu.  We had the 48 Day Minestrone, whatever that means. It was delicious. Everybody at the table loved it. Then for antipasti, we ordered Sweetbreads, Vitello Tunato, salad, and Carne Cruda. 

We had two pasta courses. We ordered ; Tagliatelle with White Truffles, Beef Cheek Ravioli, Cavatelli with Rabbit Ragu, Spaghetti Vongole, and Tagliatelle Bolognese. All of these pasta dishes were amazing. The Truffles were sublimed. The Tagliatelle Bolognese was spectacular, a true Ragu of Bologna, “So Good.” I loved it. Everyone, including me loved the Cavatelli with Rabbit Ragu. Really Tasty. And I always have loved eating the Beef Cheek Ravioli. I must say the pasta course was the highlight of the meal. Totally awesome.

We had started the meal with a Pigato, which I picked. Not many people would have ever heard of Pigato, a wine and grape varietal that comes from Liguria. It’s a refreshing tasty white wine, and everyone at the table loved it. After the Pigato, my cousin Eddie ordered a magnum bottle of Barolo “Francia” 2001 from Giacomo Conterno, which is considered along with it sibling wine “Monfortino” to be the very best Barolos in the World. The wine was in perfect condition, and we all just loved it.

Our second pasta course came. The famed 100 Layer Lasagna by Chef Mark Ladner. This is becoming the signature dish of the restaurant and Chef Ladner. It’s $100 a Pop. Not Cheap, but dammed good. Everybody in our group loved it.

For the main course, we had a T-bone Steak, Veal Chop Marsala, and Swordfish Milanese. The Steak was phenomenal. Loved it. The Veal Marsala was really good as well, but again, “The Steak,” seriously good. The Swordfish was OK.

For dessert we had Saffron Zabiglione which was quite good, Panna Cotta (so-so), and Olive Oil Chocolate Cake which was one of the best-tastiest Chocolate Cakes that I’ve ever had. “So Good.” we drank Averna Amaro with our desserts. The meal was phenomenal, and we all had a wonderful time.Thanks Joe. Cousin Joe who bought us all dinner. Not Joe B, he’s gone.

And thanks to Chef Mark Ladner, and the whole crew at Babbo. Great job, we really enjoyed.


Thanks,
Daniel Bellino

Me & COUSIN JOE

BABBO

December 4, 2025

Greenwich Village, New York

“Thanks for the Wonderful Dinner Joe”

GIACOMO CONTERNO

BAROLO “FRANCIA” 2002

“One of the Best BAROLOS I’ve ever had”



CHEF MARK LADNER

BABBO




MARK LADNER’S 100 Layer LASAGNA





VALENTINI TREBBIAN d’ ABRUZZO

A LEGENDARY WHITE WINE

ABRUZZO, ITALY

“We Drank this too”

All photos and article by Daniel Bellino Zwicke 








SUNDAY SAUCE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE ITALIAN COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino Z



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