By Dawn Straccia
It was a beautiful September day when my daughter and I decided to go into New Yorks, Little Italy and were fortunate enough to catch the Feast of St. Gennaro’s. It has been many years since I was at the Feast of St Gennaro and had wondered why, being an adult with children, I never went back or made it a yearly ritual.
We had taken the bus in that day. I have found that it is the best, direct and easiest way to get yourself into the city and back without having to worry about taking that long trip back home in a car especially after riding subways and walking throughout the city all day. So after hoping on a bus in downtown Toms River we made our way into the city in about an hour. No tolls to wait in line on and pay, no sitting in traffic, let alone having to try and find a place to park the car. After taking the bus into the Port Authority we quickly hopped on a train going downtown to Little Italy. After getting off the train we made our way straight up onto Canal Street, which by the way, is quite an experience all in itself. Walking another 100 feet we had then made a left onto Mulberry Street. Looking down this street to the left and the right is a street lined with carnival type games, food stands, that had ranged from Pizza, Calzones, Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches, Clams on the half shell, Shrimp, Calamari (pronounced Gal-a-mada) to Zeppoles, Funnel Cake, and every Italian Pastry and Cookie you could ever imagine. Mulberry Street is also lined with many Café’s, Restaurants and Bistro’s let alone the most famous bakery of all time “Ferrara’s”.
As we made our way down the block stopping here and there at the many vendors that were selling everything from jewelry, pictures, chaka’s to medals, rosaries and statues of your favorite Saint. After walking up one side and down the other we had decided to stop and eat at one of the Cafe’s. There were many to choose from, and everyone one of them had a maitred’ at the entrance trying to lure you in off the street to eat at their place.
But there was one that had caught my eye. Situated on the corner of Mulberry and Spring Streets is a quaint café lined with bistro tables covered in linens with napkins folded like fans then tucked into drinking goblets. All inside a low wrought iron fence adorned with draped flowers and a deep, rich, burgundy canvas awning swaying in the breeze that reads “Da Gennaro’s” in gold lettering. As we approached this warm and cozy café we were greeted by the Maitred, Hello!! He said, would you like to hear our specials for the day? Of course, I had said, and he recited the specials with a smile on his face and a certian warmth like it was Grandma cooking in the kitchen and we were there for a family Sunday dinner. At that moment, I knew, this was the place.
With a wide variety of specials to choose from, all served with a basket of Hot Italian Bread accompanied by a Garlic & Herb infused Olive Oil for Dipping and a House Salad. Eggplant Parmigiania and Chicken Franchise were the dinners of choice. The Eggplant was thinly sliced, coated in their homemade bread crumbs, with their own touch of secret ingredients, lightly fried in imported Olive Oil then layered with Mozzarella and Marinara Sauce which was phenomenal!! Served with a side of Linguine that was cooked perfect “Al Dente”!! The Chicken Franchise was also served with a side of Linguine tossed in Franchise sauce. Thin, tender Chicken Breast that was double coated in flour and egg then lightly fried in that same imported Olive Oil smothered in a Franchise sauce that was rich and delicate with a burst of Lemon then topped with capers (which you don’t always get when ordering this dish). This place is the real deal!!
We wound up not having dessert there for one reason, and one reason only, "Ferrara's Bakery Cafe". A nice cup of Demitasse with a Canolli to end the evening..
Sitting there having dinner with my daughter, great food, music playing in the background from the café, and the commotion of the feast in full swing, games going off, people walking up and down the street, children laughing and playing with the excitement and wonder in their eyes and the street lite up above their heads in Green, White, and Red. Brings me back to a time of what heritage and tradition is all about. Quickly one can forget because we get so caught up in just getting through it, which is one of the things our Parents and Grandparents did not have to do. So, take that trip into New Yorks, Little Italy at least once a year during the Feast of St. Gennaro’s. Whether it be with your family, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, a group of friends continue old traditions or start new ones have lunch or dinner at Da Gennaro’s, check out the Feast, and count your blessings.. I know I will…
Da Gennaro’s Ristorante Italiano
129 Mulberry Street
New York, NY 10013
(212)431-3934
Prices: Reasonable
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