NY Italian Food Wine Guy Restaurant Career

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RESTAURANT GUY

BEST SELLING AUTHOR

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

When Daniel was The Wine Director of BAR STUZZICHINI NY  NY

These are all wines from some of my very good Winemaking Italian Friends, including:CAMPACIO from Roberto Gundeler, "Ronco di Mele" Sauvignon Blanc from Gianni Venica, "MILLE UNA NOTTE" From Antonio Rallo (Marsala) BARBI BRUNELLO, and CERASAULO di VITTORIO from my friend, the beautiful Frances Planet, Menfi, Sicily ...  

THIS IS MY RESTAURANT and WRITING CAREER

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

 

Me and My Good Friend CAVELIERI LUIGI CAPPELLINI

the owner of CASTELLO VERRAZZANO , Greve in Chianti

Picture taken during my tenure as Wine Director of DeGrezia Restorante New York

LUIGI Makes thee Absolute BEST CHIANTI you'll ever taste!

 

WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR MY in The RESTAURANT BUSINESS

The CAMBRIDGE INN , Parmaus , NJ

I was a Busboy here for almost 4 years when I was in High School 1972 - 1976

" I Was a Great Busboy" So Good, the waitresses would all fight over me to be there busboy for the night, as if I did, they'd have less work to do. I did it all. I was Bad Ass !!! I still am!" Working at The CAMBRIDGE INN , I got the restaurant bug, and I learned a Hell of a lot. About the Restaurant Business and Life. I learned how to become the Best Dam Busboy anybody could possibly be, and I was. I watched everybody, especially the cooks, and I dreamed of becoming one day, and to be a Chef too. And I did. .

The CONTINENTAL in The Early 60s

would Later become The CAMBRIDGE INN

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LUTECE

and The Renowned CHEF / OWNER ANDRE SOLTNER

Was my first Kitchen Job . Pre Cook Summer 1979

 

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After working at LUTECE my friend Loic, Chef at Le Relais hooked me up with his friend 

Chef Michele Fitousi at The PALACE RESTAURANT on East 59th Street.   .

The Famous JOHN'S of 12th STREET

LUCKY LUCIANO 'S Favorite Restaurant

My First Waiters Job

I worked at JOHN'S almost 7 years (Part Time) in the 1980s while I also worked full-time as a cook and later Sous Chef as I was learning to becoming a CHEF after attending        New York Technical College (Restaurant Program) in Brooklyn ..

 

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I worked at The ODEON Under the Great Chef Patrick Clarke in the early 80s

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JAY McINEREY "s BRIGHt LIGHTS BIG CITY

ODEON on Cover

It's Funny but my Life at the Time Mirrored that of the main character (played by Michael J Fox in the Movie) ... We'll get to that later.

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The ODEON

The restaurant now, is quite horrible and has been for the past 20 years, but it once was one of the Coolest Restaurants on the Planet. The restaurant was doing well when it first opened, but when the creator of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Loren Michaels started bringing the Cast of SNL down to the ODEON after the SNL Show rapped every Saturday late into the evening, the Odeon became a Hot overnight success. 

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The First ITALIAN RESTAURANT I COOKED AT

CAIO BELLA

This is the only picture I could find from the place back in 1987

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. I got to know the great Sculptor Arturo Di Modica (Wall Street Bull fame)when I was cooking at Caio Bella . Arturo ate at Caio Bella almost every night.He parked his Red Ferrari right outside the restaurant. One of the greatest compliments I've ever had in my career was from Arturo who told , "I love the way you cook."   .

Arturo's Famous WALL STREET BULL

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My Ex-Boss , Owner of CAIO BELLA

Enrico Proietti

Pictured here with a Small Fortune Worth of WHITE TRUFFLES

Me Back in The DAY

During The Time I was Working at CAIO BELLA

Hanging Out with Nicoletta at Casa Albertina POSITANO , ITALY

 

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LONG BEFORE ANTHONY BOURDAIN

I Helped Opened LES HALLES RESTAURANT in 1990

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Then it was a year and a Half Stint at the famed CAFE des ARTISTES

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A Howard Chandler Christy Mural at CAFE des ARTISTES

I dreamed up my own restaurant while at Cafe des Artistes. I put together a business plan for my concept BAR CICHETTI which I created America's FIRST EVER Venetian Wine Bar (BACARO) Restaurant .

 

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Finally My own Restaurant

BAR CICHETTI

America's First Venetian Bacaro

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Me in my Chef Whites with CAMERON DIAZ

BAR CICHETTI

Picture on Left is Me & My KITCHEN CREW at BAR CICHETTI , Middle: Me and Super Model FRANKI RAYDER , far right My Buddy Raoul, Me , and MATT DILLON   .

After my Partner Tom and I parted our ways at BAR CICHETTI, I took a month rest, and one day accepted SILVANO MARCHETTO 'S offer for me to go work as Maitre'd Manager at his famed restaurant in GREENWICH VILLAGE Da SILAVANO which was at the time, thee # 1 HOTTEST CELEBRITY SPOT Restarant in New York City.

The Affable Character owner of Da Silvano ,

SILVANO MARCHETTO

 

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BARBETTA

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The WINE LIBRARY at BARBETTA

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Hillary & Bill Clinton with Laura Maioglio ( Owner of Barbetta )

and her husband NOBEL PRIZE WINNER Dr. Gunter Blobel

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With Friends SEBASTIANO ROSA (Sassiacaia) 

and Proprietor of NOZZOLE in GREVE, GIOVANNI FOLNARI at TRE BICCHIERI

 

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Mario Batali

I worked for MARIO BATALI JOE 

and LIDIA BASTIANCH at DEL POSTO

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Restaurateur Celebrity Cookbook Author LIDEA BASTIANICH

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BAR STUZZICHINI

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Chef Paul DiBari (far Left) at BAR STUZZICHINI

My Days at BAR STUZZICCINI

WINE DIRECTOR

Some of My Best Italian Friends Wines

(L to R)  Terrabianca "CAMPACCIO"

VENICA "RONCO de MELE" Sauvignon 

Donnafugata "MELLE Una NOTTE"

Fattoria Barbi BRUNELLO

Roberto Gundeler, Gianni Venice, M. Colombini, Francesca Planeta

PLANETA  Cerasaulo di Vittorio

BOOKS

MONTE'S TRATTORIA

GREENWICH VILLAGE, New York

SINCE 1918

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MY WRITING CARRER

 

SUNDAY SAUCE 

BY ME

DANIEL BELLINO "Z"

THE RESTAURANT GUY

In PAPERBACK & KINDLE

# BEST SELLING ITALIAN COOKBOOK AMAZON KINDLE

For 3 YEARS

MORE THAN ANY OTHER ITALIAN COOKBOOK

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The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

SECRET RECIPE

BOLOGNESE SAUCE

THE JOURNAL of ITALIAN FOOD WINE and TRAVEL

"Daniel Makes the Best Ragu Bolognese in America"

That's Why He's Called DANNY BOLOGNESE

 

GRANDMA BELLINO'S ITALIAN COOKBOOK 

RECIPES FROM MY SICILIAN NONNA

   

MANGIA ITALIANO !

COMING SOON

MAKING a POT of SUNDAY SAUCE

at MACARI VINEYARDS

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    .    

Famous ITALIAN AMERICANS / SICILIAN

 

SICILIAN AMERICANS

AL PACINO

From The BRONX NEW YORK  ..  ALis a Famous SICILIAN-AMERICAN

CLICK HERE to See More FAMOUS SICILIAN-AMERICANS

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A YOUNG FRANK SINATRA

  

FAMOUS SICLIAN AMERICANS 

FRANK SINATRA

JOE DiMAGGIO

AL PACINO

LOUIS PRIMA

LADY GAGA

MARTIN SCORSESE

FRANK ZAPPA

VINCENT SCHIAVELLI

SONNY BONO

CHRIS CHRISTIE

JON BON JOVI (Bongiovi)

LIZA MINNELLI

MARIO CUOMO

ANDREW CUOMO

NANCY SINATRA

JOE MONTANA

CHARLES ATLAS

 

 

"JOLTIN JOE"

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"DiMaggio"

 

Joe D

The Yankee Clipper

and The Greatest Italian-American

Baseball Player of All-Time

Joe DiMaggio

 

SICILIAN

SYLVESTER STALLONE

STEVE TYLER (Tallarico)

CHAZ PALMINTERI

STEVE BUSCEMI

JOHN TURTURRO

FRANK VINCENT

FRANK CAPRA

Richard Castellano (Clemenza)

Charles "LUCKY" Lucciano

BEN GAZZARA

JOE MANTEGNA

SAL MINEO 

MARIO PUZO

Britney Spears "Beleive It or Not"

TONY DANZA

Mike PiazzPatti Lupone

Author Daniel Bellino "Z"

"ROCKY"

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"SLY"

SYLVESTER STALLONE

 aka ROCKY 

  Sylvester grew up in Hell's Kitchen 

on the West Side of New York City , NY

 

AL PACINO

BRONX, NEW YORK

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Richard Castellano NEW JERSEY

as "CLEMENZA" The GODFATHER

 

  SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italian-Americans Cook

RECIPE SUNDAY SAUCE alla SINATRA

MARTIN SCORSESE 

  Family from POLIZZI GENEROSA , SICILY

Marty grew up on Elizabeth Street 

  LITTLE ITALY NEW YORK  

Frank Vincent 

as SALVI in Martin Scorsese's RAGING BULL

Frank Vincent grew up around Newark, New Jersey, 

along with his childhood friend Joe Pesci

SINATRA 

Franks Sinatra's Father Antonio Martino Severio Sinatra 

  was Born in LERCARA FRIDDI Sicily 

he Immigrated to New York and Hoboken, NJ

LIZA MINNELLI

Liza Minnelli's father was Famed Director VINCENT MINELLI

who married JUDY GARLAND (Liza's Mother). 

Vincent Minnelli was the Vincent Minelli's Paternal Grandfather 

was VINCENZO MINNELLI  of Palermo, Sicily 

who was a SICILIAN REVOLUTIONARY who was forced to leave SICILY 

in 1848 with his Brother Dominic.  

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GRANDMA BELLINO'S COOKBOOK 

RECIPES FROM MY SICILIAN NONNO  

GIUSEPPINA FROM LERCARA FRIDDI SICILY

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The BELLINO'S 

FILLIPO , LUCIA , TONY , GIUSEPPINA SALEMI BELLINO 

Missing From Picture are Brothers Jimmy and Frank and Sisiter Lilly 

LODI , NEW JERSEY 1940

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FILLIPO BELLINO 

Of LERCARA FRIDDI , SICILY

Immigrated to NEW YORK 1904

A few Years Later moved to LODI , NEW JERSEY

Where FILLIPO Opened a SHOEMAKER SHOP on MAIN STREET  

FILLIPO was Father to JAMES, LILLY, FRANK, LUCIA, and TONY

 

Grandfather of Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke .

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

at TEATRO GRECO

SIRACUSA , SICILY

Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author and Italian Wine Authority, Daniel grew up in East Rutherford and Carlstadt, New Jersey, before moving to New York City in 1982, making his home in the East Village of New York, before moving to Greenwich Village in 1995. Daniel lives and writes about Italian-American Food & Culture and about Italy and Italian Food and Wine from all regions of Italy, and especially of the south of Sicily, Napoli, and The Amalfi Coast. Best Selling Italian Cookbooks by Daniel on Amazon.com 

  NOT SO FAMOUS SICILIANS

But WONDERFUL PEOPLE NEVER The LESS

Santo Caruso & his wife Nunzia Pignataro Caruso

On Their WEDDING DAY

"Don't Forget the Cannolis"

Said Clemenza's Wife

He DIDN'T

We see Pete Clemenza here, carrying a box of CANNOLI 

for his  wife, Mrs. Clemenza

CLEMENZA w/ CANNOLIS T-Shirt

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Best Blog Positano Amalfi Coast Italy

Positano

    Positano? Which website (blog) is the Best? Like trying to find a movie on Netflix, listening to a good Podcast, finding a great restuarant or hotel, how do find the best travel blog on Positano and The Amalfi Coast, Italy, which encompasses Naples and the surrounding islands of Capri, Procida, and Ischia, you might be wondering which of the many websites and blogs is the best on the subject of Positano and the Amalfi Coast Italy? Where can you get the best information and articles on : where to go, what to do, which hotels to stay at, what are the best restaurants, how to get there, and all the rest. You need not wonder any more. We've done extensive research and footwork on the subject, scouoring all the websites and blogs about Positano, Capri, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy, and we've determined our choice of the best and which website is the best,

    Who is it you ask? Which website is the best? That's easy. It's Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com run by Bar Inc. Media, and we just love it. This website / blog has bar far the best overall content of all, including great articles, the best information and guides on the best restaurants and hotels to stay at in Positano, on Capri, Naples, and anywhere that you might want to stay on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, of Italy. The peopel of Bar Inc. Media, lead by Daniel Bellino who has been going to Positano, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast since the Summer of 1985, and as he talks about Positano and in its surroundings, and his knowledge of the area, as he likes to say when it comes to the subject of his knowledge of this part of Italy, Daniel will say, "I didn't just fall off the Turnip Truck," and we well know this to be true, as Mr. Bellino, is without question, one of the foremost authorities on the subject of Positano, Naples, and the whole of the Amalfi Coast. He tells stories of his travels over the years, staying almost every town, eating at many wonderful restaurants, like: Da Vincenzo (Positano), La Sapagnola (Salerno), Da Marino in Naples, Buca di Bacco in Positano, and so many more. 

     You will find the best hotels to fit your budget and needs. The website is filled with beautiful pictures and the absolute best info and travel tips for your dream vacation anywhere on the Amalfi Coast.

    Inclosing, we must say that Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com is by far the # 1 Best website on the subject of Positano, Naples, and The Amalfi Coast is concerned. There is no other website or blog on the internet that even comes close to provide such a thorough expanse of information for planning the best trip possible to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Check it out !

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK & TRAVEL GUIDE

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

VOTED # BEST TRAVEL GUIDE

NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST 

COOKBOOK & TRAVEL GUIDE

AMAZON.com

"I'd Rather Be in Positano"

TEE SHIRT

POSITANO

The SNEAKER

Zuppa Inglese Italian Rum Cake Recipe

 

Zuppa Inglese

ITALIAN RUM CAKE

ZUPPA INGLESE

ITALIAN RUN CAKE RECIPE  :

Rum
Maraschino or orange liqueur
2 cup  whipping cream
4 Tbs powdered sugar

2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs chopped almonds
2 Tbs finely chopped candied orange peel
maraschino cherries and mint leaves for decoration (if desired)

Prepare Custard Filling and let cool completely. Prepare Sponge Cake in 9-10 inch spring form pan. When cooled, cut horizontally into 3 layers.

Whip 1 cup of the whipping cream till stiff peaks form adding 2 Tbs of the powdered sugar. Gently fold together the whipping cream and the cooled custard filling and divide the mixture into 2 equal portions. To one portion add the cocoa powder and nuts. To the other portion, fold in the candied orange peel.

Place the bottom cake layer back into the (cleaned) spring form pan and sprinkle with rum. Spread the cocoa mixture over. Place the second layer of cake atop and sprinkle with maraschino or orange liqueur. Spread the orange peel custard mixture and then top with top cake layer and sprinkle with remaining rum.

Cover and chill for 3 or 4 hours.

Meanwhile, whip the remaining 1 cup of whipping cream till stiff peaks, adding the remaining 2 Tbs of powdered sugar. Place the chilled cake onto a serving plate, releasing the sides of the spring-form pan and spread the whip cream over the top and sides of the entire cake. Decorate with maraschino cherries and/or mint leaves, if desired.

Custard Filling: 

Combine 1/3 cup sugar, 2 Tbs cornstarch and 1/4 tsp salt; blend in 1+1/2 c. milk. Cook and stir till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Gradually stir about half of the hot mixture into 2 beaten egg yolks; return to remaining hot mixture. Cook and still till bubbly. Cook and stir 2 more minutes. Cover the custard directly with clear plastic wrap (so that a film doesn’t form on the top) and let cool completely without stirring.

FAVORITE ITALIAN DISHES

And SECRET RECIPES

AMAZON.com

SUNDAY SAUCE

"The SNEAKER"

by Bellino

On ETSY

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Best Lasagna EVer - Recipe

 

LASAGNA CARNEVALE

RECIPE

LASAGNA CARENEVALE

BEST LASAGNA EVER !!!

RECIPE

POSITANO THe AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK / TRAVEL GUIDE

RECIPE  LASAGNA CARNEVALE

And MUCH MORE ...

AMAZON.com