Tag: history

NYC’s Real Little Italy

NYC’s Real Little Italy

  I’m interested in the health of Italian-American communities across the country so I travelled from Manhattan to the outer borough of the Bronx to check out a neighborhood I’ve heard about for a long time but never visited. Arthur Avenue is a vibrant Italian community 

Song of Pulcinella Mural In Hiding

Song of Pulcinella Mural In Hiding

3 weeks to the day since the heavily damaged North Beach Song of Pulcinella mural was rescued from the dumpster and he’s back in his all his glory. Today we gathered at Emerald Tablet where the artist Vranas restored his mural. We had to position 

Bella Napoli

Bella Napoli

Naples as you may have realized by now is one of my favorite cities in all of Italia. My Italian roots are in Campania and Napoli is the region’s capital. I’ve felt as if I belonged there since I first visited. I love the food, 

Song of Pulcinella Mural Almost Done

Song of Pulcinella Mural Almost Done

It’s just been 2 weeks since we saved the severely damaged Song of Pulcinella mural and rolled it across Columbus Avenue to a safe haven. It’s been a week since I brought the San Francesco statue to Emerald Tablet gallery to oversee the restoration. The 

North Beach Hot Spot Raves

North Beach Hot Spot Raves

Quite a week for the Village. Two great Chronicle restaurant reviews and USA Today named a North Beach pizzeria the best in the country. North Beach is on fire! Gigi’s Sotto Mare on Green is one of the last remaining traditional Italian-American restaurants. Gigi’s first 

Restoration Begins on the Mural

Restoration Begins on the Mural

The restoration of North Beach muralist Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella is like working a jigsaw puzzle. Watch as a group of neighbors and artists struggle to put the severely damaged mural back together again.

Pulcinella Mural Restoration Plan Hatched

Pulcinella Mural Restoration Plan Hatched

Can Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella smashed mural be saved? The artist and a local handyman think it can be done and our restoration plan will start on Saturday.

Saving Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella Mural

Saving Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella Mural

Follow our efforts to restore the damaged “Song of Pulcinella” mural by Vranas and put in on display in North Beach for all to enjoy.

St. Francis Piazza Coming Soon?

St. Francis Piazza Coming Soon?

I can’t wait to be sitting with you on a Saturday afternoon under the olive trees sipping a Caffe Trieste espresso and listening to live Italian music.

A North Beach Treasure Lost

A North Beach Treasure Lost

Pulcinella had a good run. I’m happy the boys from Napoli were with us for the last couple of years.

Village News/Sunday Recipe: Great Parade & Roasted Rosemary Chicken

Village News/Sunday Recipe: Great Parade & Roasted Rosemary Chicken

What a day–the fog finally burned off as we headed down the hill to North Beach’s Caffe Puccini to watch the 143rd Italian Heritage Parade–the oldest in the country. Hundreds were lining the parade route already. The tables set up in the street all over 

Village News: Italian Heritage Parade Sunday!

Village News: Italian Heritage Parade Sunday!

North Beach’s biggest event of the year is this Sunday–the 143rd Annual Italian Heritage Parade–the oldest in America. You gotta be here–it’s a great day in the Village. Floats, politicians, bands, Queen Isabella and her Court, Cristoforo Columbo himself–the Parade has it all and it 

Exhibit: Rare North Beach History

Exhibit: Rare North Beach History

A private collection of North Beach’s Italian cultural and political memorabilia, ephemera and photos from the 1800s to present.

The Great Tuscan Bread Debate

The Great Tuscan Bread Debate

Every time I’m in Tuscany somebody complains about Tuscan bread. It’s made without salt.

My Old Stomping Grounds – New York and New Jersey

My Old Stomping Grounds – New York and New Jersey

New York I got spotted like a celebrity last Sunday as I stepped out of a shop in New York City’s Little Italy. Good thing I was behaving. “Hey, you Gianni from the Web?” she asked.  The woman was born in Naples and has lived