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October 2006 |
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This Columbus Day issue is dedicated to all the Italian immigrants who have made this nation great; the shoemaker, baker, subway builder, governor, film maker, crooner, atomic scientist and especially to the everyday Italian-American residents of New York City. Our city would not be so flavorful without Balducci's, Patsy's Pizza, Le Cirque and Babbo. It would not be so resonant without Toscanini, Dion & the Belmonts, John Pizzarelli and Patti Lupone. And not so colorful without Frank Stella, Versace and Louis Prima. Or not so literary without John Ciardi, Mario Puzo, and Oriana Fallacci. Check out my Blog for more Italian favorites in NYC. Ciao!
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Owned by the Italian Star chain of hotels, the former Taft Hotel's 178 rooms have been given a new lease on life, and quite a beautiful one at that. The hotel offers 24-hour room service, a fitness center, larger-than-average rooms and valet parking. The remarkable guest rooms feature marble floors, seating areas, king-size beds, and a state-of-the art phone system. And a special Italian touch: cappuccino served every morning in the lobby.
Other Italian Hotels:
Jolly
Hotel
Albergo
Napoli/Newman
Blue
Moon next to the Tenement Museum
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One of my favorite cooking shows is "Lidia's Italian Table." Lidia Bastianich owns Felidia which may be the best traditional Italian restaurant in New York City. Located in a charming East Side brownstone, Felidia sets the standards for "alta cucina." Lidia is often on site developing the new recipes she researches for her books and television shows. If you look hard, she will probably be sitting in the corner window enjoying a vino rosso from her own private vineyard. For Tony's favorite Italian restaurants in NYC, check out his Blog.
Other Italian Restaurants:
Locanda
Vini/Olii
Fiamma
l'impero
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I am a proud board member of The New York Theatre Workshop in the East Village and was fortunate to see a run-through of an exciting new work based on short stories of the famous Sicilian author, Luigi Pirandello. Kaos, premiering in November, is a new theatrical work by Martha Clarke (creator of the seminal Vienna: Lusthaus) using dance, live music, text and visual imagery to re-tell four Pirandello stories featured in the Taviani Brothers’ 1984 film Kaos. Set in turn-of-the-century Sicily, these stories portray common people in mystical situations, heavily influenced by their poverty and the violent political unrest of the time. I always loved the movie, but this re-telling will be heart-rendering , spectacular and moving - a true tribute to the Italian immigrant spirit.
Other Italian Theater:
Madama
Butterfly - Metropolitan Opera
Machiavelli
- Off-Broadway
ABT's
Sinatra at City Center
La
Boheme - New York City Opera
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The Italian Academy was established by Columbia University to promote exchanges with foreign students and for the study and dissemination of Italian culture. The elegant building, perfetto for a dinner, dance or concert, was built in the late '20's. It was based on a design by McKim Mead & White, among America's best-known architects at the time. The building, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, is located on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 117th Street, on the edge of the Columbia University campus. If you walk around our city you will notice a great many mansions and buildings based on Roman design - the tenets of the famous Italian architect Palladio. You will also find modern masters such as the old Penn Station, Judson Church and the new NY Times building designed by Rienzo Piano.
Other Italian Buildings:
Former
Olivetti Building 500 Park Ave.
Garibaldi/Meucci
Museum
Rizzoli
Briggs, Inc. - 1501 Broadway
- New York, NY 10036 - 212-354-9440
Email:
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Copyright Briggs Inc. © 2006