HUNGRY GERALD

HG/BSK rarely eat in Italian restaurants. Gifted, bi-lingual daughter Lesley R. (years of living, cooking, restaurant dining in Italy) is a fabulous Italian chef (and BSK is no slouch). Lesley’s husband, Massimo R., is an informed critic and a brilliant student of Italian wines. So, the best Italian meals are at the homes of HG/BSK  and Lesley and Massimo R. However, HG  retains a fondness for some New York and New Jersey Italian spots. The ultimate is the Belmont Tavern in Belleville, NJ—Stretch’s chicken, cavatelli and cheese, scungilli. Patsy’s in the west  50’s of Manhattan is upscale– quality dishes and a past Sinatra hangout. Patsy’s in East Harlem (lauded by Woody Allen)  has the best pizza. Dominick’s in the Belmont neighborhood of The Bronx is old time, old fashioned, plain spoken. It has the best spaghetti with garlic, oil and parsley plus down home tripe.(Two HG faves)  Big portions. Modest prices. You won’t go away hungry.                                                                                                                                      .