Post updates by email:


As some of you already know, my brother Tom flew up from Florida last Monday to spend a week in Philly. We haven't seen each other since my mother's memorial service four years ago, so it was awesome to get together again and just hang out. I had accumulated a lot of PTO at work, so I decided to use it up when my brother came to visit so I would be totally free to do stuff with him.

One of the things my brother wanted to do while he was back in the Northeast was to visit New York City because he had never been there. And after so many bazillion years of me talking (and boasting) about how much I love that city, he wanted see what the hype was all about. So do you know what we did? We spent THREE WHOLE DAYS there! And what was especially gracious, generous and kind of my brother was that he paid for the hotel room for two nights.

THANKS AGAIN, TOM!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing pictorial posts of our time together in New York.

I decided to start with Little Italy because that's one of the areas my brother specifically wanted to visit.

I like to describe New York City as a place of diverse flavors. It's a city very much like a smorgasbord, offering a wide selection of cultures and foods. Every section of New York has a totally different energy; therefore each section has a different feel and taste.

My brother and I had already experienced outstanding Italian food the night before (which I will be sharing with you later), so the only thing we wanted to do while in Little Italy was to experience outstanding sweet Italian desserts.

And that we did.

Please enjoy a small slice of Little Italy...


*Do you see the good-looking Italian guy standing on the corner holding some menu's? Well, as handsome as he looked, he was annoying as hell because he stood there trying (just like a used car salesman) to convince pedestrians to come into the restaurant. He was SO pushy and such a turn-off.


*imported Italian cheeses, fresh mozzarella & ricotta, and cured meats 


The Italian Food Center - bar/restaurant


*serves traditional Italian plates from the old country 


If you look down the street you'll see a sign, Ferrara Bakery and Cafe, that's where my brother and I had some coffee and sweets....


When I spotted these cases filled with the most delicious-looking Italian sweets, I took my tongue and started licking the glass widows. I think I actually had a foodie orgasm!




*Italian gelato, espresso, and a miniature cannoli

As my Italian grandmother used to say, "Mangia!" Which translates into, "Eat up!"


Have a delicious week everyone!
X

34 comments:

  1. Ron, I am half Italian so I really enjoyed this post! Heavens, the Italian gelato, espresso, and a miniature cannoli looked so delicious. I love all three of those! I really enjoyed your photographs because it gives us a feeling of Little Italy. Great photographs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ron, your photographs and narratives of New York City are always filled with the love and excitement you have for the city. I'm sure your brother loved having you as his tour guide visiting New York for the first time. I'm curious, what did he think of the city, did he like it?

    Those Italian pastries look in so delicious and authentically Italian! I have such a sweet tooth, so I'm sure I would have had a foodie orgasm at well LOL!

    Love the welcome to Little Italy sign!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey there Candice!

    You're half Italian? That's faaaaabulous! Both my parents were Italian, so I'm full Italian. My father's family was from the South, my mother's family was from the North.

    Don't ya just love Italian food? I could literally eat Italian food all the time and never get tired of it. I especially love Italian cookies, cakes, ice cream, and sweets!

    It's been a long time since I've been to Little Italy, so it was great seeing it again with my brother.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hola Denise!

    Yes, my brother LOVED New York! We covered a lot of ground in three days, but his favorite part of the city was upper Manhattan; especially the Central Park area. We spent a lot of time there one day. OMG...he loved it! He didn't think he could ever live there because of all the action, noise and how crowed the city is. He much prefers Philadelphia.

    "Those Italian pastries look so delicious and authentically Italian! I have such a sweet tooth, so I'm sure I would have had a foodie orgasm too! LOL!"

    They were sooooooooooo good! My brother and I loved it!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ron, being a native New Yorker this post made me remember all the times my family would go to Little Italy. Have your ever attended the Feast of San Gennaro? It's in September every year. Talk about FOOD!

    AWESOME photographs! You make me miss my hometown.

    Speaking of Italian sweets, do you like pizzelle's? The anise ones are my favorite!

    Great post, Ron! I'm looking forward to seeing more. Did your brother enjoy New York? I'm happy that you were able to spend time with each other!

    P.S. Are you enjoying this cool fall weather?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hellooooooooo there Elaine!

    Yup, I have definitely been to the Feast of San Gennaro and freaking LOVED it! It's such a tradition in New York!

    "Speaking of Italian sweets, do you like pizzelle's? The anise ones are my favorite!"

    OMG, it's so funny you mentioned pizzelle's because I mentioned those to my brother last week and they are not one of his favorites. However, I ADORE them! And the anise flavor is my favorite as well. My grandmother (my father's mother) use to make AMAZING pizzelle's!

    "Did your brother enjoy New York? I'm happy that you were able to spend time with each other!"

    Yes, he LOVED New York! However, I think I walked his legs off because by the third day, he was over walking, ha!

    I am so happy that we had the whole week together. It's been awhile since we've seen each other so it was great spending a whole week together!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Have a fantabulous week!

    X

    P.S. Yes, this glorious fall weather has been such a joy! My brother love it too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, October 25, 2016

    No one does food in quite the way as Italians do! How wonderful that you got to spend some quality time with your brother in one of the most awesome cities in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lovely for you to spend time with your brother and thanks for sharing. Yes, great photographs. OMG look at those eclairs! Mouthwatering! Thank you for this pictorial visit to Little Italy, my friend. It is one regret I have that Joe and I didn't pay a visit to that interesting place, especially as I love Italy so much.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I totally agree, Fiona, no one does food the way Italians do! To me Italian food (and I guess that's because I'm Italian), is the best. I could literally eat every single day.

    Thank you, my brother and I had such a wonderful time together. He LOVED New York!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fabulous week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning Valerie!

    You are so welcome, I loved spending a week with my brother. We did so much in 8 days; not only in New York, but Philadelphia as well. He had a great time in both cities.

    Don't the eclairs look mouthwatering? I love eclairs!

    "It is one regret I have that Joe and I didn't pay a visit to that interesting place, especially as I love Italy so much."

    Even having lived in New York for years, I really didn't go down to Little Italy much. So it was such a treat to see it again after so many years.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a lovely week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  11. "I took my tongue and started licking the glass widows. I think I actually had a foodie orgasm!" Lol! Ron, I think I would have reacted the same way, those cannoli's and eclairs look so good. So do those chocolate biscotti's!

    Great to hear that you got to spend some quality time with your bro. And knowing how much you love and know about New York City, I bet he had a great time there!

    As always dude, your photographs of city life ROCK!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hiya Matt!

    OMG, the second I spotted those cases filled with so many delicious-looking goodies, I started salivating - ha! It was like sensory overload and couldn't decided what the hell I wanted to get because I wanted it ALL!

    Thank you. It was so awesome to see my brother after four years and spend time with him. He told me yesterday before he left that he had a great time, both in Philly and New York.

    I felt a sad when he left.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ron, my mouth is watering over the delicious foods you and your brother enjoyed in NYC!! You know, I'm half-Italian (really, Sicilian), so a trip to Little Italy sounds fabulous -- even on a rainy day like the one you've pictured.

    I think that's one of the most interesting things about a BIG city -- there are so many opportunities to sample foods from different cultures. It's not like choosing among McDonald's and KFC, ha!

    Looking forward to more of your photos, my friend. Gee, it's almost as if I was there, too!! x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey there Debbie!

    "I'm half-Italian (really, Sicilian), so a trip to Little Italy sounds fabulous -- even on a rainy day like the one you've pictured."

    I think you would REALLY enjoy Little Italy; especially being half Italian. It's a little slice of New York, Italian style!

    "I think that's one of the most interesting things about a BIG city -- there are so many opportunities to sample foods from different cultures. It's not like choosing among McDonald's and KFC, ha!"

    Yes, you are exactly right, that is one of the most interesting things about a big city---the diversity in cultures, thus having the opportunity to sample foods and traditions from different cultures. I LOVE that!

    My brother and I had such a delightful time with each other. We covered a lot of ground in those 7 days; especially the 3 days we spent in New York.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, how fun, Ron! While you were in NYC last week, I was exploring San Francisco! I will post about it when I get caught up with real life demands.

    I love your photos! Especially the cookies as they are so delicious! I remember on my last trip there, how they all stood outside their restaurants and tried to convince you to come in. My son said they really did that when he was in Italy over the summer.

    Ok, I just looked it up.....I had pizza at Il Piccolo Buffalo and gelato at Cafe Palermo on Mulberry St. Last time I was there. Can't wait to hear more about your adventures! XO

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey there Bijoux!

    OMG...that's AWESOME! I can't wait to read and see all about your trip to San Francisco last week because that's a city I have always wanted to visit!

    " I remember on my last trip there, how they all stood outside their restaurants and tried to convince you to come in. My son said they really did that when he was in Italy over the summer.

    Yes! You too?!? I guess it must be the way they (Italians) do it in their own restaurants in Italy. Perhaps it's a cultural thing?

    ".I had pizza at Il Piccolo Buffalo and gelato at Cafe Palermo on Mulberry St. Last time I was there."

    I've got to try those two places the next time I'm there. And I specifically remember seeing (or walking down) Mulberry St. on the day my brother and I were there.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  17. "It's a city very much like a smorgasbord, offering a wide selection of cultures and foods. Every section of New York has a totally different energy; therefore each section has a different feel and taste." I loved your description of New York, Ron! The more I read your posts of the city, the more I feel the desire to visit one day. It sounds and looks like my kind of place!

    Fabuloso photos! I like seeing the people walking through the streets. Those sweets look so delicious. Love the chocolate dipped cannoli's!

    Looking forward to reading more!

    ReplyDelete
  18. A lot of people feel that way about New York. It's a town they like to visit but couldn't live there. I definitely could live there again, I miss it a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  19. "I definitely could live there again, I miss it a lot."

    Me too, Denise. Me too!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey ho Robert!

    " the more I feel the desire to visit one day. It sounds and looks like my kind of place!"

    I was talking with my brother one day while we were having lunch in New York City and said that I think everyone should at least visit NYC some day, to at least say they "experienced" it.

    " I like seeing the people walking through the streets "

    Me too, because I'm a such a people watcher!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a terrific week!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm not even that into sweets anymore, but am seriously drooling over the cannoli. This just goes to reinforce my belief that the next time Tara and I are in NYC (with you as our tour guide, hopefully), Little Italy is a MUST STOP!

    Can't wait for the food post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mark, don't those canolli's look faaaaaabulous?

    I was so thinking of YOU while on this trip because my brother and I did a lot of eating at various places in various areas of New York. I didn't take pictures of everything we ate, but I did take a bunch. I may post them all together and title it, My Foodie Post!

    Yes, when you and Tara come to New York for a visit, I will definitely make plans to meet up with you so that we can share a New York experience!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an awesome weekend!

    X to you and Tara

    ReplyDelete
  23. OMG!!! Little Italy!!! I have NEVER been!! That is definitely one of the places I would like to visit someday...SO glad that your brother and you got to spend some quality time together...and in all places...NYC...simply the BEST!! That little place where you had sweets and coffee...that would definitely be one of MOST favorite places to hang out for awhile! I do believe I might try one of each!! Your photos are absolutely amazing...and I agree with you...it is super annoying when the guy stands on the corner demanding you eat in HIS restaurant!! So happy for you, Ron, and I hope you guys had a great time together! I look forward to reading more about your trip! xo Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hey there Jeanne!

    It's funny because when I lived in New York City, I hardly ever when to Little Italy. Perhaps once or twice in my fives years there, during the yearly traditional Feast of San Gennaro: http://www.sangennaro.org/ which happens every September. It's awesome!

    It was so great to see my brother again and have a week to just hang out in Philly and New York. For me, it was especially great to watch him experience New York City for the first time. He loved it! He also loved visiting Philly again!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Hope you're enjoying this faaabulous fall weather we're having here in the Northeast. Have a super weekend!

    X to you and the girlz

    ReplyDelete
  25. You know how I feel about Italy, so I think I'd love that part of NYC. I'm so glad you had a great trip with your brother - I look forward to seeing more of it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hey there my Libra friend, great to see ya!

    "You know how I feel about Italy, so I think I'd love that part of NYC. "

    Yes I do, so I have a feeling you would definitely love that part of NYC!

    I feel so blessed to have had a whole week with my brother because we haven't seen each other in several years. We had great time!

    Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a super weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi, found your blog on Instagram. I am a native New Yorker but presently live on the west coast. I moved here for work. Your post made me miss my place of birth. Great photographs!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey there Daniel, welcome! I was not born in New York, however, from the moment I visited (when I was 14 years old) I fell in love with it. I lived there for 5 years. It's my "soul city" and place I feel the most at home.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Feel free to visit anytime. Have a great week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for the warm welcome. I'll be back!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for sharing these awesome photos. I'd love to visit Italy, but this would be a close second to experience a little Italian flavor. I think I might gain 20 pounds just looking at that case of sweets! I hope you had some fantastic times with your brother and you an visit together again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hey there Lisa!

    I too have always wanted to visit Italy, so yes, this is a close second to experience a little Italian flavor. Many of the restaurants have real Italian-born owners and staff.

    " I think I might gain 20 pounds just looking at that case of sweets! "

    HA! OMG...I wanted them ALL!

    Yes, my brother and I had such a great time visiting with one another for a week. We were going to do this last year, however, it worked out better doing it this year.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Have a faaaaabulous weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  32. Okay, I am now officially hungry!
    I love Italian food.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Being Italian I think I'm a little partial, I agree....I LOVE Italian food!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Pat!

    ReplyDelete

I moderate all comments before publishing. Thank you for stopping by.