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The Arthur Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from the Real Little Italy | 
 enlarge | Author: Ann Volkwein
Publisher: Ecco
Category: Book
List Price: $34.95
Buy Used: $18.60
You Save: $16.35 (47%)
New (28) Used (17) from $18.60
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 44684
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.4
Dimensions (in): 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0060567155
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.5945
EAN: 9780060567156
ASIN: 0060567155
Publication Date: September 1, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Arthur Avenue winds its way through the heart of the Bronx. Known to many as the "real Little Italy," the storied Arthur Avenue neighborhood has been home to a vibrant community of Italian-Americans for over a hundred years. Today, this area continues to thrive as visitors and residents stop to buy a fresh, crusty loaf of bread; to enjoy a meal at Mario's Restaurant; to dawdle for a while at Randazzo's raw bar on a warm summer afternoon; or to hear Mike's Deli owner Michele Greco belt out an aria from Rigoletto and spellbind his customers with tales of the Avenue's past. Now, for the first time, the residents of Arthur Avenue invite you to experience the magic of their kitchens and share the flavors of their family tables. Passed down through generations, their delicious recipes are time-tested, tried, and true -- and ready for any kitchen. They include: • Sicilian Baked Ziti • Yankee Stadium Big Boy (The Greco family's famous grinder that was rated one of the best in the city by the New York Times) • Osso Buco • Olive Ciabatta • Italian Ricotta Cheesecake • Cannoli • and more The Arthur Avenue Cookbook also invites you to savor the memories of the neighborhood's most colorful residents, restaurateurs, and shop owners, and those of their families -- many of whom have lived in the neighborhood since it first came into being. Meet Mario Borgatti, the noodle maker who has been there for more than eighty-five years. Anthony Artuso, Sr., takes his bakery business so seriously that he went seventeen years without a vacation -- in part, to ensure that each bride and groom got the perfect wedding cake. And Mike Rella, president of the Arthur Avenue Retail Market, remembers learning English by working in a butcher shop, where he's now a partner with his uncle Peter Servedio. This cookbook also provides a guide to the pastry shops, delis, restaurants, and other famous and lesser-known gems that line Arthur Avenue. Gorgeous photographs, extraordinary characters, and enticing dishes make The Arthur Avenue Cookbook an irresistible addition to any kitchen.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 The real deal January 18, 2005
Dewey Square (New York, NY)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
Just like Arthur Avenue, this book is the real deal. It offers up a collection of authentic Italian-American recipes that are perfect for everyday meals and informal entertaining. It sits on my shelf between Patricia Wells and Marcella, having quickly become one of those few cookbooks that I use all the time. The recipes are well-crafted and easy to follow, the dishes unfussy and delicious. It is also a beautifully designed book that captures the flavor and history of Arthur Avenue.
Arthur Avenue is the REAL Little Italy November 13, 2006
Jesse Kornbluth (New York)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
"This is your world, I'm just temporary." So said the waiter at Mario's on Saturday night, misquoting the old line about Sinatra ("It's Frank's world, we're just living in it") as we settled in to a corner booth. We were with two four-and-a-half year-old girls who were capable of timing out at any moment. Not a promising group. Then we remembered: Mario's is family-friendly. And our guilt at taking up valuable table space on a Saturday night melted quickly away.
But then, we weren't in New York City.
There is a Little Italy in Manhattan, and we have been there. So have you, if you've ever been a tourist in New York and have already crossed Times Square off your list. That Little Italy is noisy and friendly and mildly amusing, and if you are lucky enough to pick a restaurant that doesn't get its red sauce from some central pipeline, you can get a decent meal there.
But it doesn't compare to Arthur Avenue.
Arthur Avenue is in the Bronx, near Fordham University and the Zoo. For a Manhattanite, it's a field trip that not many undertake. For the neighborhood's shopkeepers and restaurateurs, it's home --- probably for three generations. And that makes all the difference.
They filmed scenes from "The Godfather" on Arthur Avenue. More recently, "The Sopranos" dropped by. George Bush, Rudy Giuliani and George Pataki shared a pizza here. It's time travel to come to Arthur Avenue: waiters in tuxedos, valet parking and presents --- like "silver" bracelets --- for the kiddies.
Ann Volkwein visited the mom-and-pop shops. She ate in the restaurants. And she talked to everyone. Her book is essentially a profile of a small town in Southern Italy, where businesses stay in families and you look out for your neighbor and there's no better reason to get together than a meal.
Volkwein's profiles, accompanied by Vegar Abelsnes's evocative photgraphs, are a delight; you'll meet great characters. More to the point, you'll learn about the restaurants and the shops so, when you visit, you can have a personal exchange.
But most to the point: the recipes. This is Southern Italian cooking, It lacks the "refinement" of Northern cuisine. And although there are lovely photos of vegetables and a side order of eggplant at any restaurant here will be the size of a flying saucer, you won't find many vegetable recipes in these pages. The buzz words are "hearty" and "authentic" and "carbohydrates."
What recipe to serve up? What else than meat sauce? But imagine it served by a waiter who is not also an actor, a waiter who's going to be wearing that tuxedo for decades. Enjoy!
This is the REAL DEAL January 20, 2006
Arthur Avenue Guy
14 out of 17 found this review helpful
For most of my life, a trip to Little Italy meant going to Mulberry Street. Vincent's was always the best NYC restaurant to me, with Umberto's a close second. I also loved all the shops with the Italian items and the very friendly merchants (especially friendly if they know their customer has some Italian blood). I also loved the San Gennaro feast, but could usually never even walk an inch through the thing because of so many people there.
About a year or so ago, I discovered the REAL Little Italy in the Bronx. I've been to The Bronx Zoo and being a die-hard Yankee fan, I've been to River Avenue hundreds of times. I've driven through Arthur Ave but never actually stopped to check things out. I figured, what could top Mulberry Street? I've been to Little Italy in Boston and Baltimore, both of which are not as good as Manhattan. But the Bronx section is better and I proclaim that the Bronx is the best NYC borough overall (I hope to check out City Island soon).
First of all, Manhattan Little Italy is TERRIBLE for parking. You can never find a spot and must park in an expensive garage. Second, as I said, I love San Genarro, but it has become too jammed packed with tourists. In the Bronx you will ALWAYS find a parking spot. Maybe not exactly in front of where you are going, but you will always find one nearby. Plus, it takes me about twenty minutes with no traffic to get to the Bronx by car from North Jersey and it takes well over a half hour to Manhattan. The Bronx has 3 summer feasts, all of which are far less jammed than San Gennarro and just as good. Oh, and did I mention that Umberto's Clam House has opened a second location right on Arthur Ave which is also just as good? So I now have no real reason to venture to Mulberry Street.
But now let me talk about the heart of the area, the real greatness about it, that you don't really have in Manhattan. I'm talking about the smaller neighborhood feel even though there are tons more merchants around. For every 4 social clubs and espresso caffes on Mulberry Street, there are 7 in the Bronx. For every 3 clothing shops, there are about 6 in the Bronx. Same deal with the Italian souviner stores with their movies and music, aprons, cooking stuff, and many other things. There just seems to be so much more, and everything is so much more authentic and not "touristy." But this all doesn't make it more congested at all...
It's so refreshing to enjoy the simple delight of walking up and down 187th Street and Arthur Ave and passing by the Mount Carmel Church and all the bakeries and delis. And you will not be dissapointed with any of the food, I guarantee you that, especially if you are a true goomba. Everything in every place here is special and great just like your grandmother would make. From the clams and calamari to the pasta, pizza, fresh breads and pastries, and everything else, you will love it all. The Arthur Avenue Market is a rare treasure that you don't see anymore with the "Mc Donaldization" of society and all the chain stores and eateries that overrun most of the mom and pop establishments.
I'd highly recommend Joe's Deli for the mozzarella, Full Moon Pizza for the ahbeetz, GianTina's for the chicken parmigian, Umberto's for the baked clams and calamari, Madonia Bros. for delicious baked breads and cookies, and Rigolleto's and Mario's for great food and especially the ambiance. There are so many places that I haven't mentioned. Capri Gifts, the Catholic Goods store, and on and on and on.
Words can't explain the sights, the smells, the feelings and mainly, the TASTE of all the foods. You can try to make the recipes in this book but you won't get the experience that you'd get by visiting the REAL Little Italy on your own. It's been there for a hundred years for so many generations and I hope my kids and grandkids can experience it someday.
Salud' Chindon!
Good memories and good food September 4, 2005
E. Amella (Mt Pleasant, SC)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Having worked in the Bronx for many years, I always knew where the REAL Little Italy was located - on Arthur Avenue. The pictures and stories of the neighborhood in this delightful book bring back wonderful memories of a place that still serves the best Italian food in NYC. The book was given to me as a gift and I have begun working my way through the recipes. All are delightful and not difficult to follow although take longer than some of the trendy cookbooks that purport to share 'geniune' Italian fare. These are not always simple recipes, but always generate wonderful meals. For me taste is everything, so if I have to take a little more time and dirty a few more pots, it's worth it to have that truly geniune Arthur Avenue taste. Brava, brava, Ann!
Palatable May 2, 2005
Customer
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
Excellent collection of Italian and Italian-American recipes. Very user friendly and each dish a treat.
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