North Beach Needs You

North Beach Needs You

Side of Tony's Napoletana

In the opening of my cooking show, I refer to “what’s left of the Italian American neighborhood in San Francisco.” There is a lot left. In fact, it’s growing and flourishing in many ways.

But it’s also in danger of being lost forever. Former centers of Italian culture in places like New York City and Chicago stand as harbingers of what can happen when a strong, living connection to the Old Country is broken. Either those centers wither altogether or become “Disneyfied” caricatures of what they once were. In New York, for example, the 2010 U.S. Census was unable to find a single resident born in Italy.

I’m determined not to let that happen in San Francisco!

But I can’t do it alone. That’s why I started this website, and the cooking show. It’s why I lead walking tours, speak to neighborhood groups, and try as best as I can to nurture the efforts of Italian immigrants coming to North Beach who are bringing authentic Italian culture with them.

San Francisco is a food town, Italian food is a world cuisine, and Italians have prominent places in the city’s history. Even if you’re not a San Franciscan, even if you’re not Italian, the cause of preserving and nurturing authentic Italian culture in North Beach is vital to anyone who’s ever been to the City by the Bay, or enjoyed an Italian meal.

Please help in this effort by joining in the conversation, whether it’s here on the blog, or on Facebook or YouTube or Twitter.


15 thoughts on “North Beach Needs You”

  • I respect your ambition and dedication to Italian culture and cuisine. I wish we had more individuals out there who spread enthusiasm and passion in both culture and old fashion cuisine. I hope you can work your way to Vancouver, WA. I am originally from CA. I miss traditional cooking and family-like settings. I definitely try to cook as close to traditional as possible from different backgrounds. I am not Italian, but I do love the culture and food.

  • I’m with you on this. Gentrification is destroying so much, but also, if the children didn’t leave the neighborhoods they’d still be intact. Unfortunately “American” culture doesn’t favor strong ethnic communities. I’d love to have dinner with you the next time I’m in San Francisco. The last time I stayed at what is now the North Beach Hotel, across from Coppola’s offices, and I’ll probably stay there again. Maybe in six months?

  • Hello Gianni..I enjoy your cooking recipes very much. I also enjoy Italian cooking. I have been making puttanesca for several years now and I always used sardines. I am told it would be better using anchovies rather then sardines. What do you suggest? I too enjoy both sardines and anchovies.

  • Gianni, discovered your web site by accident while looking for a ravioli dough recipe.; and I loved it. (the show I MEAN. Especially with the Va Fa…..expressions I still use today but mostly ending in “Napoli”
    I’m from Providence, RI where many Italians migrated at the turn of the century including my mama and papa. i agree that Italian food is in a class far above any other European fare. (Especially the French) My papa came from L’aquila, a town in the province of Abruzzo, and mama came from Salerno near the coast of Napoli.
    I lived in California for 12 years from San Jose to Daily City near San Francisco. I remember the old north beach area well. Especially the Purple Onion, etc. And I still remember the opera wanna be’ at some Italian restaurants in North Beach. However when topless waitresses came on the scene, I said, ” Put some clothes on lady”. Ugh.
    Mario DiPaola
    Keep up our heritage and keep using your expressions of truly Italian prose.

  • I watch your videos and they really inspire me. Being from a large Italian family “ mother’s side” from East Harlem NY, I also try to preserve the Neopolitan dishes that my family enjoyed. And hopefully my children will carry on the tradition.

  • Hi John
    I just decided to look up the recipe for pork braised in milk and there you were. The story about Marcella pulling up in front of Cafe Roscoe blew my mind. The work experience working at Cafe Roscoe is still dear to my heart. You and Gerry were great bosses. I m out of the business for 15 years and a full time massage therapist.
    Glad to see you on YouTube.
    Anthony Salemme ( Downcity Diner Providence RI.

  • I am so happy I found. It brings me back to my Italian childhood. I love to watch you cook. Best wishes. I now want Togo to the city by the bay. Chow

  • While there is a beautiful photo of your pickled eggplant recipe, the recipe does not appear. It looks delicious and I’d love to have it. Would you please share.

  • I’m a San Francisco native born there in 51. While I haven’t been back in a few years, I support your ideals and enjoy your You Tube cooking show.

    I’m recently retired and learning to cook out of survival. I realized in my youth I should Italian since I’m so fond of the cuisine.

    God Bless and please take care of my city.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *