The Arthur Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from the Real Little Italy

by Ann Volkwein, Vegar Abelsnes (Photographer)

Arthur Avenue winds its way through the heart of theBronx. Known to many as the "real Little Italy," the storiedArthur Avenue neighborhood has been home to a vibrantcommunity of Italian-Americans for over a hundred years.Today, this area continues to thrive as visitors and residents stopto buy a fresh, crusty loaf of bread; to enjoy a meal at Mario'sRestaurant; to dawdle for a while at Randazzo's raw bar on a warmsummer afternoon; or to hear Mike's Deli owner Michele Grecobelt out an aria from Rigoletto and spellbind his customers withtales of the Avenue's past. Now, for the first time, the residents of Arthur Avenue inviteyou to experience the magic of their kitchens and share theflavors of their family tables. Passed down through generations,their delicious recipes are time-tested, tried, and true -- and readyfor any kitchen. They • Sicilian Baked Ziti • Yankee Stadium Big Boy (The Grecofamily's famous grinder that was rated one of the best in the cityby the New York Times ) • Osso Buco • Olive Ciabatta • Italian RicottaCheesecake • Cannoli • and more The Arthur Avenue Cookbook also invites you to savor the memoriesof the neighborhood's most colorful residents, restaurateurs, andshop owners, and those of their families -- many of whom havelived in the neighborhood since it first came into being. MeetMario Borgatti, the noodle maker who has been there for morethan eighty-five years. Anthony Artuso, Sr., takes his bakerybusiness so seriously that he went seventeen years without avacation -- in part, to ensure that each bride and groom got theperfect wedding cake. And Mike Rella, president of the ArthurAvenue Retail Market, remembers learning English by workingin a butcher shop, where he's now a partner with his uncle PeterServedio. This cookbook also provides a guide to the pastry shops, delis,restaurants, and other famous and lesser-known gems that lineArthur Avenue. Gorgeous photographs, extraordinary characters,and enticing dishes make The Arthur Avenue Cookbook an irresistibleaddition to any kitchen.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, History, Italian Literature

209 pages, Hardcover

First published August 17, 2004

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a cookbook

This may be called a cookbook, but it is, in reality, an extended love letter to a neighborhood and a culture. Arthur Ave in the Bronx district of New York City clearly must be an amazing place for food and family to elicit such a sweet and loving homage.

The recipes are just the lure to bring the reader into contact with people who remind us that immigrants made America and the culture they share enriches everyone.

Highly recommended

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was not particularly interested in the families who founded the restaurant and deli business in Little Italy, New York City, the recipes were great. There were recipes for antipasti, pasta, meats, seafood, bread and sweets. MY favorites were Grilled and Marinated Vegetable Platter, Rice Balls, Bocconcini Salad and Octopus Salad. I checked this book out of the public library,

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief history, bios , and great recipes!

[Emily D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Italian American from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Lots of nostalgia and a few interesting recipes.