travel – Page 3 – EVERYTHING .com

April 10, 2025

Anthony Bourdain Favorite Roman Restaurants – Rome

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.

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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ITALY & WORLDWIDE

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March 25, 2025

Coffee at The Cafe

CAFFE FLORIAN

VENICE

My 1st CAFE

CAFFE REGGIO

GREENWICH VILLAGE NEW YORK

Copyright 2016 Daniel Zwicke

Gotta have my coffee at the Cafe. There is not much in life that pleases me more drinking a nice hot tasty Cup of Joe in the warm welcoming invirons of a nice cafe. And I don’t mean Starbucks. Yes I can have my coffee at home each day, and save quite a lot of money. Yes i could have it at home and instead of spending about $1,600 a year or $16,000 every 10 Years on the stuff, I’d just spend about $120 a year or $1200 in ten instead of that 16 Grand. Yes I could put a whopping $15,000 in my pockets every ten years or so if I wasn’t so extravagant in my daily coffee habit, but it juts wouldn’t be the same, I wouldn’t be in a cafe which I love so dearly. I’d be at home alone with my coffee and no one else around. I’d have my coffee but I wouldn’t have people nor the surroundings of a nice cafe like one of my favorites of all, the former Caffe Dante in New York’s Greenwich Village where I had my coffee ( Cappuccino, Espresso, Caffe Latte) nearly everyday for 30 years.

You see it’s not just about the coffee but about being around other people and the community and conviviality of this thing called the cafe, a place to gather and be among like-minded people, those who life the cafe life. I could just go there and burry myself in a book, do some writing, or converse with a friend, the waitress, or someone new who I just met, “you see I’m at a cafe,” and this is what you do, you read, you write, sip your coffee, you relax, that’s the essence of any good cafe, and I’ve been to many. I’ve been to Caffe Florian in Venice, Duex Maggot and Flore along with many more in Paris, to Greco in Rome, Gambrinus in Napoli, Biela in Buenas Aires, du Monde in New Orleans, Caravelle in Macau, and many more.

Caffe Gambrinus

Naples, Italy

for the World’s BEST ESPRESSO

Yes I could have my Coffee at home, but why would I when I can go to the cafe, for “It’s an affordable Luxury, and one that I love so.” Coffee.

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

BARISTA At Caffe Gambrinus, Napoli, Italy,

you’re served your Espresso in this beautiful cup.

CAFFE FLORIAN

St. MARKS SQUARE

VENICE ITALY
Since 1720

COFFEE at FLORIAN’S

“Now THAT’S COFFEE”
But For a PRICE !

WAITER SERVING BEIGNETS And CAFE CREME

CAFE Du MONDE

NEW ORLEANS

ONE of MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE CAFES

“I JUST LOVE IT” !!!!

CAFE DUEX MAGGOTS

St GERMAIN De PRES

PARIS

CAFE FLORE

Blvd SAINT MICHELE

PARIS

CAFE BIELA

BUENOS AIRES

ARGENTINA

FAUNO BAR

PIAZZA del TASSO

SORRENTO

Bar Fauno iw without question one of the World’s Great Cafes (Caffe). It is without question Ground Zero, the # 1 undisputed most popular spot in all of Sorrento, which is a town filled with travels from around the world, who make Sorrento their home, base for exploring; Capri, Pompeii, and the Amlfi Coast of Italy.

You haven’t been to Sorrento if you haven’t gone to Bar Fauno. On a recent trip my cousin Tony and I had brekfast every day at Bar Fauno, and we might be found there at the end of the evening for a nightcap before retiring for the evening, as well as having a couple Apertivo’s during our stay.

You can get whatever you want at Bar Fauno, including; simply and Espresso or Cappuccino, a snack such as a Panino (Sandwich), Pizza, Gelato, or a whole complete meal. If you are staying at a hotel nearby, you’re sure to go to Bar Fauno a number of times during your stay. I highly recommend this, one of the World’s Great Cafes.”

Me and Cousin Tony (L)

BAR FAUNO

May 2018

DINO

“Our Guy at BAR FAUNO”

BAR FAUNO – SORRENTO

CAFFE REGGIO

Macdougal Street GREENWICH VILLAGE New York

MY FIRST CAFE

Started going there when I was just 15 years old …

PICASSO

He loved his Espresso

mostly at Cafe Flore in PARIS

CAFE FLORE

PARIS

SINATRA SAUCE

The COOKBOOK

RECIPES & STORIES of SINATRA

AMAZON.com

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025

New York Oldest Restaurants and Italian Pastry Shops

MANGNARO’S GROSSERIA ITALIANA

Was on 9th Avenue in New York’s HELLS KITCHEN

Sadly, they CLOSED after 100 YEARS in Business

KEEN’S STEAKHOUSE

NEW YORK NY

Inside KEEN’S

SINCE 1885

ANTHONY BOURDAIN

VANISHING MANHATTAN

“OLD SCHOOL NEW YORK”

TONY with MICHAEL LOMANACO

At MAGNARARO’S ITALIANA

MANGANARO’S

Sadly, “They Are Gone”

MANGANARO’S GOSSERIA ITALIANA,

was on 9th Avenue in NEW YORK’S HELLS KITCHEN

The neighborhood where Sylvester Stallone was born, and where author Mario Puzzo wrote the Best Selling Novel “The Godfather” as well as the screenplay to the movie.

Manganaro’s Grosseria Italiana, commonly referred to as Manganaro’s, was an Italian market and deli on Ninth Avenue in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It opened in 1893 and operated for 119 years, helping to introduce the hero sandwich to Americans. The family closed the business and put the property up for sale in 2012.

The business was founded in 1893 by Ernest Petrucci as a wine and spirits store, Petrucci’s Wines & Brandies, that also sold groceries. Its location at 488 Ninth Avenue near 37th Street was on a stretch of the avenue that remained lined with exotic food stores for decades. After the enactment of Prohibition in the U.S. in 1919, Petrucci’s nephew James Manganaro, an immigrant from Naples, took over the store in the 1920s and changed the name; in 1927 he was able to buy the building. Manganaro may have invented the hero sandwich, and played a role in introducing it to Americans.

On his death in 1953, Manganaro’s passed to his brother Louis and sister Nina Manganaro Dell’Orto and their spouses; in 1955, with a publicity agent’s help, they invented the six-foot “Hero-Boy” sandwich, which was successful enough for one of Dell’Orto’s four sons to go on the original version of the TV quiz show I’ve Got a Secret, and for the family to open a sandwich shop next door at 492–494 Ninth Avenue the following year, while continuing to operate a deli and lunch counter in the rear of the grocery store.

In 1962, Louis Manganaro retired and two of his four nephews took over the grocery store and the other two the sandwich shop, Manganaro’s Hero-Boy, and the businesses were separated.

Sal Dell’Orto, who bought out his brother’s half ownership of the grocery store, and James Dell’Orto, who bought out his brother’s half ownership of the sandwich shop, fell out over rights to the “Manganaro’s Hero-Boy” name, trademarked by the sandwich shop in 1969, and advertising for party sandwich telephone hotlines, which led to two separate court cases. The business’ neon sign installed in the early 1930s, which became blinking in the 1960s, was turned off in 2000 so that Manganaro’s Hero-Boy could not benefit from it.The grocery store was repeatedly found at fault over the hotline and was ordered to pay damages to the sandwich shop, and the financial drain plus waning popularity, some of it due to the declining neighborhood, led to the decision to sell the building and close. This was first announced early in 2011, but the building was withdrawn from the market; the business then closed in late February 2012.

Anthony Bourdain featured the store, on the episode title “Disappering Manhattan” on No Reservations TV Show.

SUNDAY SAUCE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE ITALIAN COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

DeROBERTIS’S PASTICCERIA ITALIANA

1st Avenue NEW YORK NY

SINCE 1904

Photo – 1928

DeROBERTO’S PASTICCERIA ITALIANA

Year of Picture Unknown

LANZA’S

1st Avenue, New York NY

Lanza’s was an Italian restaurant in the East Village, Manhattan. It was opened in 1904 by Sicilian immigrant Michael Lanza in a tenement built in 1871. Lanza was rumored to have been a chef for Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. They closed in 2015. Eater reported it officially closed in 2017 after seizure by a marshal for non-payment of taxes. It is also said to have closed in 2016. The former restaurant’s murals, stained glass, and sign were retained by Joe and Pat’s, a pizzeria that opened at the location in 2018.

They were known to be a favorite of Lucky Luciano, Carmine “Lilo” Galante and Joseph “Socks” Lanza.

LANZA’S

SINCE 1904

The DINING ROOM

Sadly, LANZA’S Closed in 2017

“STILL GOING STRONG”

JOHN’S of 12th STREET

CUCINA ITALIANA

Since 1908

Thankfully, JOHN’S is open (2024) and going as strong as ever, and will be around for many more years to come.

Photo by Italian Cookbook author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

At one point in his long restaurant career, author Daniel Bellino worked as a waiter at JOHN’S for 7 years.

At the time, he worked as a cook in Italian Restaurants in New York. He worked 2 jobs for 7 years, cooking at various restaurants full-time, while working as a waiter / bartender at John’s for 3 nights a week.

JOHN’S of 12th STREET

SINCE 1908

Get a FINE ART PRINT of JOHN’S

From FineArtAmerica

SINATRA SAUCE

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

His FAVOriTE ITALIAN Recipes

AMAZON.com

VENIERO’S PASTICCERIA

SINCE 1894

VENEIRO’S

One of FRANK SINATRA’S Favorites

FRANK LOVED The REGINELLA COOKIES

RAO’S

And, “A Guy who knows a Guy”

EAST HARLEM

SINCE 1896

PJ CLARKE’S

Established 1884

3rd Avenue at 55th Street

NEW YORK NY

Get a FINE ATY PRINT of PJ CLARKE’S

From FineArtAmerica

The WHITE HOUSE TAVERN

Where DYLAN THOMAS Had His LAST DRINK

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NEW YORK

Get a FINE ART PRINT of The WHITE HORSE TAVERN

From FineArtAmerica

CARBONE

NOT One of The OLDEST RESTAURANTS NYC

But We LOVE The SIGN

And the Former OLD SCHOOL ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT USED to Be HERE

ROCCO’S – OLD SCHOOL RED SAUCE JOINT

Get a FINE ART PRINT of “CARBONE” Sign

From FineArtAmerica

VENEIRO’S ITALIAN PASTRIES

Get a FINE ART PRINT of VENEIRO’S

From FineArtAmerica

February 10, 2025

History of New York Pizza – From Lombardis to Totonnos to Johns to Patsys Pizzerias NYC

LOMBARDI’S

This is WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

AMERICA’S 1st EVER PIZZERIA

The Original: Lombardi’s
1905

Gennaro Lombardi applies to the city government for the first license to make and sell pizza in this country. His restaurant becomes the training ground for the city’s next generation of pizza-makers.

Totonno’s
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1924
Founded by Anthony “Totonno” Pero, former Lombardi’s pizza-maker.

1940s-1994
Ownership changes hands three times, all within the family.

1994
Gennaro “Jerry” Pero, Anthony’s son and a former owner, dies.

2009
A fire burns the original Coney Island pizzeria. It gets rebuilt and reopens less than a year later and today is the only Totonno’s still open.

Total Pizzerias: 1

John’s Pizzeria
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1929
Opened by John Sasso, who was trained by Lombardi.

1947
Sasso’s nephews Augustine and Patrick Vesce take over the business.

1970s-1980s
Ownership changes hands two more times, all within the family.

1984-2008
John’s opens up two additional restaurants in Manhattan and one in Jersey City.

Total Pizzerias: 4

Patsy’s
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1933
Pasquale “Patsy” Lancieri, who briefly worked at Lombardi’s, opens Patsy’s in East Harlem with wife Carmella.

1974
Lancieri passes away.

1991
Carmella sells the East Harlem pizzeria to longtime employees John Brecevich and Frank Brija.

1995
Brecevich and Brija license the Patsy’s name to Nick Tsoulos. Six other Patsy’s have opened in Manhattan since then.

Total Pizzerias: 7

Grimaldi’s
Spun Off From: Patsy’s

1941
A teenage Patsy Grimaldi starts making pies at his uncle Patsy Lancieri’s restaurant.

1990
Grimaldi opens his own coal-oven pizzeria in Brooklyn at 19 Old Fulton Street and calls it Patsy’s.

Mid-1990s
Brija takes Grimaldi to court over name licensing, resulting in Grimaldi’s rechristening his
pizzeria after his last name.

1998
Grimaldi sells the restaurant to Frank Ciolli but stays on as a sometime consultant. Over time, Ciolli opens 32 out-of-state locations and four New York locations.

2011
Landlord disputes and rent problems force Ciolli to relocate to One Front Street.

2011
Patsy and Carol Grimaldi decide to open a new pizzeria called Juliana’s, named after Patsy’s late mother, in the original Fulton Street location, reuniting him with his coal oven.

2012
Ciolli files a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Grimaldi, citing “unfair competition.”

Total Pizzerias: 36

SUNDAY SAUCE

WHEN ITALIAN-AMERICANS COOK

MEATBALSS BRACIOLE & PASTA

AMAZON.com

PIZZA-Filippo=MILONE.png

Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba

FILIPPO MILONE , Proprietor

PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA

Open DAY & NIGHT

192 GRAND STREET, NEW YORK

The well-known owner of the ancient Pizzeria Port’Alba. Signor Filippo Milone has given notice to the public that he opened an elegant Pizzeria Napolteana at 192 Grand Street. He is the only Italian local of the genre, Mr. Milone hopes for the numerous Italian competitors.

As well, it is known to the public that when first they will be annexed to the pizzeria a Casereccia Kitchen for fork collection.

The gourmets go to eat the delicious pizza at Signor Filippo Milone’s friendly New Pizzeria at 192 Grand Street.

Recently found documents are disputing the claims that Genaro Lombardi opened what is now known as Lomabrdi’s Pizzeria in 1905. Documents show Signor Filippo Milone opening a Pizzeria at 192 Grand Street, New York NY , so this pre-dates the claim of Lombardi’s being America’s 1st ever Pizzeria.

As far as there being a pizzeria at 53 1/2 Spring Street where Lombardi’s now stands, documents show that there was a pizzeria there in 1905, but it was not owned then by Lombardi, but by Giovanni Santillo, who opened it in 1901. This pizzeria was called Antica Pizzeria Napoletana.

Other documents show Genaro Lombardi immigrating to New York in 1905 at age 17, and being classified at Ellis Island as a “laborer.” It’s possible that Genaro Lombardi was at the pizzeria at 53 1/2 Spring Street as an employee, but certainly not an owner in 1905. Lombardi did end up buying the pizzeria at a later date.

Pizza-Lombardis1905-Anthony

53 1/2 SPRING STREET

NEW YORK NY

1905

The picture above shows Antonino Tottono Pero (left) and Genaro Lomardi (r) in front of 53 1/2 Spring Street, New York. If you consider the newspaper ad of Antica Pizzeria Napoletana, and if the ad was in 1905, then maybe the picture of Anthony Pero and Genaro Lombardi that has 1905 pasted over the picture shown here, and hangs in Totottono’s Pizzeria on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, then this picture may very well be at a later date (1907? 1909??? whatever ???). You can see the sign in the window says Genaro Lombardi Pro. (proprietor), and that the shop is an Italian Grocery Store, of which one of the products they sell is fresh baked pizza which the Pero family claims, their ancestor Antonino Tottono Pero is the pizzaiolo (pizza maker / baker), as the family points out the he has flour on his shoes in the picture, and that bakers always have flour on their shows. There is no evidence of Lombardi having flours on his shoes.

Atonino Pero went on to open his own Pizzeria, Tottono’s on Neptune Avenue in Coney Island Brooklyn in 1924. The Pero family states that Tottono’s is the oldest pizzeria in America, continuously operated by the same family, the Pero’s.

Tottono’s Pizzeria Napolitana

Circa 1950s

Screenshot 2019-09-19 at 3.12.59 PM.png

“Don’t Mess with COOKIE” !!!

Cookie Ciminieri at Tottono’s, 2015. Don’t mess with Cookie, “she’s a Tough Cookie.” If you’ve ever been to Tottonos’s, you know what we mean.

PIZZA-anthony-pero

Anthony Pero

1950s ???

John’s Pizzeria

Since 1929

John’s Pizzeria of Bleecker Street . The neon sign JOHN’S PIZZERIA PROT’ALBA. The neon sign, Port’Alba aludes to the original name of the pizzeria opened in 1929 by John Sasso at 175 Sullivan Street, Greenwich Village, New York. Note that the original Faicco’s Salumeria Italian Deli was also first located on Sullivan Street and later moved to Bleecker Street a few block away.

JOHN SASSO of JOHN’S PIZZA

A old picture of John Sasso in front of his pizzeria. Not sure if this is the original location at 175 Sullivan Street, or the current location on Bleecker Street. Note the words Spaghetti on the window.

SINATRA SAUCE

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

HIS FAVORITE ITALIAN. DISHES

AMAZON.com

February 8, 2025

Le Sirenuse Hotel – Positano

Le SIRENUSE

POSITANO

HOTEL “Le SIRENUSE”

One of The World’s Most Luxurious Hotels”

Info & Reservations

Le SIRENUSE

HOTEL SIRENUSE

POSITANO

BOOK a LUXURIOUS ROOM

Reservations & Booking

DINING al FRESCO

Le SIRENUSE

“The WORLDS BEST”

FRNCO’S BAR

FRANCO’S BAR

POSITANO’S HOTTEST APERITIVO SPOT

Le SIRENUSE

Le SIRENUSE – “One of The WORLD’S GREAT HOTELS”

Centrally located in Positano, Le Sirenuse is just 656 feet from the coast and its beautiful beaches. It features an oyster bar, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and elegant rooms with a private balcony. There are also a free swimming pool, hammam, and fitness center.

The spacious and air-conditioned rooms have a white-themed décor and full views of the Mediterranean Sea. Each offers a satellite flat-screen TV with Blu-ray player, an iPod dock, and a fully equipped private bathroom with a large spa bath and soft slippers.

At the Sirenuse you can unwind at the oyster bar, where you will find a variety of oysters that you can enjoy together with champagne. The Michelin-starred restaurant has a spacious terrace overlooking the sea.

INFO & RESERVATIONS

“Le SIRENUSE”

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

ITALY

GOING to POSITANO ?

“DON’T LEAVE Without IT” !!!

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

VOTED BEST POSITANO TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

https://shorturl.at/UmY26

February 3, 2025

My Venice – Author Daniel Bellino Z

Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.32.33 AM.png

The DOGES PALACE / SAINT MARKS BASILICA

In WINTER

VENICE , ITALY

SAINT MARKS BASILICA

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

2003

Grand Canal

VENICE

Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

1995

The DOGE’S PALACE

PIAZETTA at PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

NEED a HOTEL in VENICE

BOOKING .com

PEGGY GUGENHEIM MUSEUM

The GRAND CANAL

DELLA SAULTE

VENICE

Taken from a MOTOSCAFI

CAFFE FLORIAN

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

CAMPARI & OJ

FRANK MYSELF and COUSIN TONY

Me and Cousin Joe

PROSECCO at a BACARO

VENICE

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.16.11 AM.png

Harry’s Bar

Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.14.30 AM.png

The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT

Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.13.59 AM.png

ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY

Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.25.31 AM.png

ERNEST HEMINGWAY at HARRY’S BAR

with Owner / Founder GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

HARRY’S BAR was one of HEMINGWAY’S Favorites

“Me Too” !

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

The BRIDGE of SIGHS

VENICE

The HOTEL DANIELI

VENICE

INFO

MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.10 PM.png

HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985

My HOTEL ROOM

HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE

Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.39 PM.png

MAP of VENICE

HOTEL FIRENZE

I got lost in VENICE at Night. It was my first night there and my first trip ever to Europe. I was a young man of 23 and relatively new in my travel experience, how to get around and what to do. Yes I got lost and the Magical Maze, The Labyrinth that is Venice, with its winding streets, many bridges and narrow alleyways.

I learned a very important travel lesson that night. One of the first things you should ever do as you are in a new city and check into your hotel. While you’re at the desk, make sure to take a couple Business Cards of the hotel. Put one in your wallet or purse immediately, and put another in one of your pockets. If you ever get lost, you can give it to a Taxi Driver (Not in Venice though) and tell him to go here.

Yes, I got lost in Venice. I didn’t feel it at the time, but it’s a quite Wonderful thing to do, getting Lost in Venice.

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

1995

HOTEL GUERRATO

The BREAKFAST ROOM

HOTEL GUERRATO

INFO & RESERVATIONS

My Room

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

I found this wonderful little Hotel in 1995, on my special trip to Explore the BACARI (Venetian Wine Bars) of VENICE. I had read a tiny little article about them in the New York Times that peeked my interest and inspired me to open one in New York. I book a trip for 8 days in Venice to explore, feel, experience and find out everything I could about the Wine Bars of Venice (Bacari). And I did just that. With the knowledge of that trip and my many years experience in the restaurant business in New York, I made a business plan, found a partner to join me, and I created the First Ever Bacaro in The United States, called BAR CICHETTI in New York’s Greenwich Village. Basta !

SAN GIACOMO

The OLDEST CHURCH in VENICE

Built 1071

At The RIALTO

If You stay at GUERRATO

This is just 200 Feet Away

Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.53.47 PM.png

The RIALTO MARKET

Over 700 Years Old

If you stay at Albergo Guerrato, you are Literally Several Feet from The RIALTO

You walk out the Door of the hotel, make a right, walk 30 Feet and you are Inside The RIALTO MARKET. It doesn’t get much Better than that.

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FRUIT MARKET

The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE

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BAR CICHETTI

America’s FIRST Ever VENETIAN WINE BAR

aka BACRO

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

and Tom Taraci

A Motoscafo Passes Through

PONTE ACCADAMIA

VENICE

View from Accadamia Bridge

TURNER

HOTELS in VENICE

And WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

HOTEL TIVOLI

DORSODORO

VENICE

1995

The BREAKFAST ROOM

TIVOLI

VENICE

My Room

The HOTEL TIVOLI

VENICE

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

Stayed Here in 1996

View from My Room

Stay in VENICE for LESS Than $100

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

ALL ITALY

And WORLDWIDE

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PALAZZO DARIO

VENICEITALY

Near HOTEL IRIS

ONLY $88 a NIGHT

DORSODORO

VENICE

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SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook

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CAFFE FLORIAN

GIACOMO CASANOVA

CASANOVA Seduces

Trattoria Poste Vecie

Since 1500

This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA

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Where CASANOVA Often DINED

and SEDUCED

In the fish market area, in Campo delle Beccarie, there is instead Poste Vecie restaurant open since 1500, where Casanova used to hide away with friends and especially girl friends to enjoy luxurious banquets. The whole area of St. Mark’s Square and especially the old premises, starting from Caffè Florian, have been hunting grounds of the great seducer.

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DO MORI

The erotic tour of Venice cannot exclude the Rialto area and in particular the Sotoportego dei Do Mori where in the tavern of the same name Casanova liked giving the first appointment to his ladies. Who showed up strictly masked.

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Antonio Vivaldi

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See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA

Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO

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The PIETA

On The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY

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The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO

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BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE

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VEDOVA

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INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA

BACARO

GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background

The MOLO

VENICE

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

The WORLD’S TASTIEST DISH

SECRET RECIPE

AMAZON.com

The ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM

“AZZURI”

TEE SHIRT

January 25, 2025

The WONDER WHEEL – Coney Island Brooklyn New York

The WONDER WHEEL

CONEY ISLAND

Get a FINE ART PHOTO PRINT of “The WONDER WHEEL”

From FINE ART AMERICA

Click Here

The WONDER WHEEL

The Wonder Wheel is a 150-foot-tall (46 m) eccentric Ferris wheel at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park at Coney Island in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The wheel is located on a plot bounded by West 12th Street to the west, Bowery Street to the north, Luna Park to the east, and the Riegelmann Boardwalk to the south. As with other eccentric Ferris wheels, some of the Wonder Wheel’s passenger cabins are not fixed directly to the rim of the wheel, but instead slide along winding sets of rails between the hub and the rim.

Built in 1920 as one of several Ferris wheels on Coney Island, the Wonder Wheel was designed by Charles Hermann and operated by Herman J. Garms Sr. and his son Fred for six decades. Despite the subsequent economic decline of Coney Island, the Wonder Wheel continued to operate each summer through the 20th century. In 1983, Herman Garms’s son Fred sold the ride to the Vourderis family, who restored the attraction and continue to run the wheel as of 2023. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Wonder Wheel as an official New York City landmark in 1989, and minor modifications were subsequently made to the attraction.

HISTORY

At the time of the Wonder Wheel’s construction, Coney Island was one of the largest amusement areas in the United States. The first Ferris wheel in Coney Island was built for nearby Steeplechase Park in 1894 and was erroneously billed as “The World’s Largest”. Several variations of the Ferris wheel were erected in the neighborhood in the 1900s and 1910s. The Wonder Wheel was unusual in that only one-third of its 24 cars were stationary, while the other two-thirds rolled on tracks within the wheel itself.

The Wonder Wheel was designed by Charles Hermann as an improvement on G.W.G. Ferris’s giant wheel, and it was built for Herman J. Garms Sr. between 1918 and 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company. Coney Island landowner William J. Ward provided the land for the Wonder Wheel’s construction. Garms, who had no formal financial experience, sold stock to family, other Coney Island business holders, and steelworkers. Hermann sold all his shares in the wheel to raise money for construction and operation. Alfred (Fred) Garms, Herman Garms’s son, recalled that his father employed anyone who was willing to help erect the ride, teaching them how to construct the wheel. After the local ironworkers’ union heard about the project, they attempted to force the workers to join the union. The elder Garms named all of the workers as stockholders of the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company, preventing them from being forced to unionize.

The wheel first opened on Memorial Day in 1920. Hermann originally called it the “Dip-the-Dip”, promising to combine in his new invention “the thrill of a scenic railway, the fun of a Ferris wheel, and the excitement of the Chute-the-Chutes”. To help with the Wonder Wheel’s upkeep, the Garms family lived under the Wonder Wheel during the summers. With the success of the Wonder Wheel, the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company hoped to build more “wonder wheels” on the East Coast of the United States by the mid-1920s. Fred Garms worked on the ride as a ticket operator during the summer in the 1920s, when he was a child. By the time Fred had graduated high school in the early 1930s, he worked on the ride year-round, maintaining it.

After the ride’s construction cost had been paid off, Herman Garms bought out most of the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company’s stockholders, then reduced the size of the corporation to a small number of people.

The WONDER WHEEL

CONEY ISLAND

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

“KING KONG”

Get a FINE ART PRINT

From FINE ART AMERICA

CLICK HERE

SINATRA SAUCE

FRANK’S FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES

COOK & EAT LIKE SINATRA

AMAZON.com

January 5, 2025

Artists Who Painted VENICE – Canaletto Bellini

Piazza San Marco

Canaletto

VENICE

GIOVANNI CANALETTO

VENICE

Giovanni Canaletto

CANALETTO

Canaletto, celebrated for his views of Venice (vedute), depicts the city’s principal square of San Marco, which was described by Napoleon as “the finest drawing room in Europe.” The Basilica of Saint Mark, with its Byzantine architecture, and the imposing bell tower dominate the scene as symbols of the rich history of the Venetian Republic. Canaletto adjusts for the trapezoidal shape of the piazza by reinforcing the perspective created by the ornamental marble pattern of stone pavement that had recently been laid. This painting represents a timeless view of Venice while also capturing a slice of eighteenth-century daily life.

Among Canaletto’s most important patrons were English aristocrats who visited the city on the Grand Tour, often bringing home as souvenirs contemporary depictions of the cities they visited. This painting was bought by the fourth Duke of Leeds after he visited Venice in 1734. When the duke returned to England, he had the painting placed within this type of Scotch pine frame that he favored for works in his collection.

GENTILE BELLINI

“PIAZZA San MARCO”

PONTE San LORENZO

Gentile Bellini

“IL RIDOTTO”

Pietro Longhi

The MEETING

Pietro Longhi

VENICE

The RHINOCEROS

Pietro Longhi

VENICE, ITALY

TURNER

The Piazzetta

VENICE

TURNER

The PIAZZETTA

A crack of lightning streaks the sky above the Piazzetta, the historic heart of government in Venice, and bystanders run for cover. The city of canals captured Turner’s imagination more than any other place. This watercolour dates from his third and final visit in August 1840. Beyond the statue of the winged lion of Saint Mark, the Doge’s Palace glows amber in the uncanny light. A section of St Mark’s Basilica shines ghostly white. Turner created the white highlights by scratching the paper surface. He is said to have used ‘his eagle-claw of a thumb-nail’ for this purpose.

“The BRUDGE of SIGHS”

VENICE

Turner

CANALE GRANDE

VENICE

Turner

GOING to The AMALFI COAST ?

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

“VOTED # 1 GUIDE to AMALFI COAST”

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December 26, 2024

Bar Cichetti – America First Ever Venetian Wine Bar aka Bacaro – Created by author Daniel Bellino Zwicke in New York City

BAR CICHETTI

The FIRST EVER Venetian Wine Bar in America

Created by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Chef / Wine Director / Managing Partner

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke on INSTAGRAM

Some of Daniel’s Old Photos of BAR CICHETTI Shows Daniel

with GOOD FRIENDS ; Matt Dillon, John Lurie, Frankie Rayder,

Raoul Marti, and …

Frankie Rayder

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

with Victoria Secrets Model Frankie Rayder

Recipes From My Sicilian Nonna

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Daniel with Friends Raoul Marti and Matt Dillon

at Bar Cichetti 1999

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Daniel and Family

THE BELLINO ‘S

Uncle Tony, Cousin Tony Aunt Fran, Daniel, Debbie, Aunt Wanda,

Aunt Hellen, and cousins .. BAR CICHETTI 1998

MICHAEL STIPE & REM Band MEMBERS

At BAR CICHETTI

1998

GREENWICH VILLAGE NEW YORK

NOT Losing Their Religion

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke and Cameron Diaz

at Bar Cichetti

Marisa Tomei was a Regular along with Friends Fischer Stevens

and Rosie Perez , Severio Guerra, John Lurie, Ed Harris, and Debbie Mazur

Ed HARRIS was Seen Eating at BAR CICHETTI

during the Filming of POLLOCK

The 1st time ED HARRIS ate at BARICHETTI

When he was fisnished with his dinner and leaving the restaurant, Ed came over to me thank me and said that he really enjoyed the meal.

“Thanks Ed”

ROSIE PEREZ Spotted at BAR CICHETTI

SUNDAY SAUCE

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

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Chef Daniel Bellino Zwicke and friends Debi Mazur & Sevario Guerra

Daniel Bellino Zwicke in Instagram

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MARISA TOMEI and ROBERT DOWNEY JR.

FRANKIE RAYDER / SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

ANNABELLA SCIORRA

FISCHER STEVENS

Marisa Tomei and Fischer Stevens

BESTSELLING ITALIAN COOKBOOK Author

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

CHEF – WINE DIRECTOR & CREATOR of BAR CICHETTI

“AMERICA’S 1st EVER VENETIAN WINE BAR”

December 16, 2024December 16, 2024

My Venice – author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

The DOGES PALACE / SAINT MARKS BASILICA

In WINTER

VENICE , ITALY

SAINT MARKS BASILICA

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

2003

Grand Canal

VENICE

1995

The DOGE’S PALACE

PIAZETTA at PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

PEGGY GUGENHEIM MUSEUM

The GRAND CANAL

DELLA SAULTE

VENICE

Taken from a MOTOSCAFI

CAFFE FLORIAN

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

CAMPARI & OJ

FRANK MYSELF and COUSIN TONY

Me and Cousin Joe

PROSECCO at a BACARO

VENICE

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Harry’s Bar

The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT

ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY

ERNEST HEMINGWAY at HARRY’S BAR

with Owner / Founder GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

HARRY’S BAR was one of HEMINGWAY’S Favorites

“Me Too” !

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Old Poster

HARRY’S BAR

VENICE

The BRIDGE of SIGHS

VENICE

MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of VENICE & ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985

My HOTEL ROOM

HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

And WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

MAP of VENICE

HOTEL FIRENZE

Yes, I got lost in Venice. I didn’t feel it at the time, but it’s a quite Wonderful thing to do, getting Lost in Venice.

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

1995

VENICE HOTELS

HOTEL GUERRATO

The BREAKFAST ROOM

HOTEL GUERRATO

My Room

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

I found this wonderful little Hotel in 1995, on my special trip to Explore the BACARI (Venetian Wine Bars) of VENICE. I had read a tiny little article about them in the New York Times that peeked my interest and inspired me to open one in New York. I book a trip for 8 days in Venice to explore, feel, experience and find out everything I could about the Wine Bars of Venice (Bacari). And I did just that. With the knowledge of that trip and my many years experience in the restauranat business in New York, I made a business plan, found a partner to join me, and I created the First Ever Bacaro in The United States, called BAR CICHETTI in New York’s Greenwich Village.

Basta !

SAN GIACOMO

The OLDEST CHURCH in VENICE

Built 1071

At The RIALTO

If You stay at GUERRATO

This is just 200 Feet Away

The RIALTO MARKET

Over 700 Years Old

If you stay at Albergo Guerrato, you are Literally Several Feet from The RIALTO

You walk out the Door of the hotel, make a right, walk 30 Feet and you are Inside The RIALTO MARKET. It doesn’t get much Better than that.

FRUIT MERCHANT

The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE

BAR CICHETTI

America’s FIRST Ever VENETIAN WINE BAR

aka BACRO

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

and Tom Taraci

The FEAST of The 7 FISH

with VENETIAN SEAFOOD RECIPES

FISH MUSSELS CLAMS SHRIMP

AMAZON.com

A Motoscafo Passes Through

PONTE ACCADAMIA

VENICE

View from Accadamia Bridge

TURNER

HOTEL TIVOLI

DORSODORO

VENICE

1995

The BREAKFAST ROOM

TIVOLI

VENICE

My Room

The HOTEL TIVOLIVENICE

VENICE

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

Stayed Here in 1996

View from My Room

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

AND WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

PALAZZO DARIO

VENICE

Near HOTEL IRIS

DORSODORO

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS – CLICK HERE !!!

SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook

AMAZON.com

CAFFE FLORIAN

GAIACOMO CASANOVA

CASANOVA Seduces

Trattoria Poste Vecie

Since 1500

This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA

Where CASANOVA Often DINED

and SEDUCED

DO MORI

VENETIAN RECIPES

“GOING to POSITANO” ?

The AMALFI COAST ?

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE COOKBOOK

“VOTED BEST AMALFI COAST TRAVEL GUIDE”

AMAZON.com

Antonio Vivaldi

See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA

Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO

The PIETA

On The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY

The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO

BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE

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VEDOVA

INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA

BACARO

GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background

The MOLO

VENICE

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

SECRET RECIPE

AMAZON.com

On The Grand Canal

VENICE , ITALY

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

1997

MeJOEvenicePROSECCO

Me & Cousin Joe

Prosseco in a Venetian Wine Bar

Venice, Italy 2003

MeArturoLUPOvenice1995

Me & Arturo

aka “IL LUPO”

IL LUPO The Famus Venetian Gondoliere

Arturo and I are Drinking some Local Italian Wine

At Osteria Vivaldi

VENICE , ITALY

1995

I had read a little article in The New York Times about Venice, that mention the Bacari (Wine Bars) of Venice, and that’s all it took. Just a little mention (one Paragraph) of these particular type of wine bars of Venice sparked my interest, and I just had to go to Venice and find out as much as I could about them, for I instantly felt that I wanted to open one in New York (which I did).