Monday, February 16, 2015

Caffe Dante to Close

MY BELOVED CAFFE DANTE to CLOSE





Yes I'm afraid it's most likely true, my beloved Caffe Dante to close this month (February 2015) after 100 years in business in New York's Greenwich Village. It's rumored that Mario Flotta the long time owner of Caffe Dante will be selling the caffe to a Australian Corporation and it was reported on 1010 WINS Radio News this morning that Dante will be shuttering its doors in 10 days time. This is very sad, especially for me and longtime regulars who have been going to Caffe Dante for 10, 20, 30, and even 40 years for New York's most authentic Espresso and cups of Cappuccino. I myself have been going there since the Summer of 1985 when I came back from my first trip wonderful trip of many to my ancestral homeland of Italy .. As i've been going to Caffe Dante almost evry single day siance 85, I've become good friends with the Flotta Family over the years especially Mario Sr. who is almost like a second father to me.
This is such sad news, and all I can say is something I know that most do not, is that Mario bought a building around the corner on Bleecker Street for just such a situation. That being that the landlord would one day raise his rent beyond reason (the Landlord did in 2013), and Mario would just pack up his caffe and move it around the corner. Mario is Caffe Dante, his loves the place like one of his own children, and I know this is the reason he bought the building on Bleedker. Mario told me himself what he would do, and he always wanted the Caffe to continue and for there to be a place for Caffe Dante for his sons, Mario Jr., Anthony, and Peter.
I hope everything all works out, I love Caffe Dante more than I can ever express, it's without question my second home, and a Greenwich Village without this wonderful Caffe would be that much less of the Greenwich Village that we residients, visitors and tourist from around the country and around the World know.



Story & Photos by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke














Thursday, February 12, 2015

Dean Martin The KING of COOL

 
DINO
YES !!!
 
DINO Was The KING of COOL
 
 
 
 
 
Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin
FRANK & DEAN
 
FRIGGIN AWESOME !!!
 
 
 
 
DEAN
 
"HE WAS COOLER THAN COOL"
 
 
 
THE RAT PACK
 
 
 
FRANK SAMMY & DEAN
 
 
 
SUNDAY SAUCE
 
 
WHEN ITALIAN AMERICAN COOK
 
by Daniel Bellino Zwicke
 
RECIPES For SINATRA SUNDAY SAUCE MEATBALLS
 
and More ...
 
In PAPERBACK & KINDLE on AMAZON.com