Have I ever told you that I lived in New York City in the mid 80′s? My job was a design firm that provided architecture and custom designed furniture. We sold Murphy beds, the kind that fold up onto the wall. They were cleverly designed and sold like hot cakes in a big crowded city. Even had one myself! I slept in the dining room of a shared apartment with 4 other roommates. I got to work with Jim Henson, creator of ”The Muppets”, and Athony Quinn on several home projects!!!!! Anthony Quinn, what a drop dead gorgeous man with dreamy bedroom eyes. He was older even then but still had it!!!!!!! I’m just gona say it= sex appeal.
Sorry, sidetracked! Being back in New York not too long ago, I got to stay with some good friends that I’ve known for years. They live in the trendy area of Tribeca and have a placial flat by city standards. I only stayed a couple of nights, which was probably a good thing since I’ve been trying to shed some pounds and knew this was going to be a flat-out food frenzy. Not one meal was eat-in!!! Of course this is easily accomplished in New York City with 10 eateries on every block. The perfect visit in my mind, great friends and all you can eat.
I always feel like such a jerk snapping photos during an intimate meal trying to be inconspicuous. Alyce and Steve were so kind to indulge me. Our dinner at Locanda Vini E Olii was in the Capitol Hill part of Brooklyn. One of the owners just so happens to be Steve’s nephew so we got the royal treatment. The minute we sat down plates of food started to arrive and never stopped. Frankly we didn’t even open the menus, I had to go online after the meal to see all the offerings.
This is real Italian food like you get in the old country (or so I’m told). And it’s good, if a little heavy at times just the way I like it. You don’t go hungry after you’ve been home for a couple of hours. The menu is nice and varied–the appetizers are great for sharing, so you can order a few for a group and pass around. And the design is cool–it’s an old pharmacy with lots of antiques and kitsch objects on display behind the medicine cabinets.
The desserts were a wonderful finish to a captivating dinner. Delicate apricot and peach pie with a tender sweet crust. My favorite, the flourless dense but moist chocolate cake, packed with bittersweet chocolate and a hint of coffee.
I wanted to lick every plate clean!!! Always promising.
What will be the finished project
After one of the food jaunts and a quick soccer game, we made a side step to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Memorial Park that is under construction. A private tour was organized for our group as the memorial is off-limits to the general public. Alyce, being the spearhead who initially started the campaign to create the memorial park still has connections.
FDR
The Group
Soccer boy-Nate
In the late 1960s, during a period of national urban renewal, New York City Mayor John Lindsay proposed to reinvent Roosevelt Island (then called Welfare Island) into a vibrant, residential community. The new memorial park is situated at the southern end of this island in the middle of the East River. It faces the sea Roosevelt loved, the Atlantic he bridged, the Europe he helped to save, the United Nations he inspired. Do you remember what FDR thought the basic four human freedoms were: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
Me at the edge
Spectacular views that look back to the city.
We were here!!!!!
All I’m saying is that you must go to New York City at least once in your life if not more, even if you don’t know someone who lives there that is part of the “Insiders Club”. :)
Many thanks to Steve, Alyce, and Nate for the most memorable visit a food blogger could dream of.
Next stop Chimney Cakes!
Locanda Vini E Olii
129 Gates Avenue (@Cambridge Pl.)
Brooklyn NY 11238
718.622.9202
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Loved reading this post and seeing all the pictures. Very informative. Never been to NY city yet but very much hope to visit one day.
First time I remember seeing Anthony Quinn in a role was in The Guns of Navarone when I was very, very much younger. I think he and Gregory Peck were something of screen idols to me and I after seeing Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird I actually wished that he was my Dad. Too funny!
See you know exactly what I mean. These actors had that special charisma. Honestly when Anthony cam into the shop I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Then when I actually had to work with him I would break out in a full sweat everytime!!!! Yikes. Wow can’t even imagime what he would have been like at the peak of his career.
Great post, Karen. I want to see this memorial – I’ve never been on Roosevelt Island. Too bad it isn’t open yet. I’ll put it on our list for next year’s NY trip. Never a dull moment in that great city!
Do make sure you go next year when it’s done, you won’t be sorry. A lovely vantage point of the city you rarely see.