Dinner at Babbo – Daniel Bellino – 2025

BABBO

Greenwich Village, New York NY

December 4, 2025

New York, NY

We had an amazing dinner at Babbo last night. Babe, the restaurant created by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich (mostly Mario). Mario Batali became famous with Babbo, and a show on The Food Network simultaneously. The year was 1998. Anyway, Mario was (still is) a marvellous chef with tons of personality. He gained fame, became a celebrity chef and TV personality. Then he had a fall from grace, lost his TV show, and eventually sold his share in Babbo and other restaurants he owned with Joe Bastianich. After Mario left, Babbo began to slide, and lost much of its cache, which was Mario. Babo has never been the same post Mario.

Mark Ladner worked for Joe B & Mario during the duo’s glory days. Mark was the chef of Lupa, and later the Executive Chef of Del Pesto. Mark is very talented, and so when restaurant impresario Stephen Starr bought Babbo and Lupa from Lida and Joe Bastianich, Starr hired Ladner as the executive chef of Babbo. Good move. Mark’s food is amazing. Our dinner last night proved that. My cousin Joe made the statement that we had eaten at Babbo many times, and he said “This was our best meal here ever.” I tend to agree. The food was amazing, we had some phenomenal wines, and I was with my cousins Joe, Eddie, and Tommy, and our good friend Max. We are all heavily into food and wine, and we are quite knowledgeable and versed on these subjects.

The food was quite wonderful. There were 6 of us, and we ordered more than half of the items on the menu. We had the 48 Day Minestrone, whatever that means. It was delicious. Everybody at the table loved it. Then for antipasti, we ordered Sweetbreads, Vitello Tunato, salad, and Carne Cruda.

We had two pasta courses. We ordered ; Tagliatelle with White Truffles, Beef Cheek Ravioli, Cavatelli with Rabbit Ragu, Spaghetti Vongole, and Tagliatelle Bolognese. All of these pasta dishes were amazing. The Truffles were sublimed. The Tagliatelle Bolognese was spectacular, a true Ragu of Bologna, “So Good.” I loved it. Everyone, including me loved the Cavatelli with Rabbit Ragu. Really Tasty. And I always have loved eating the Beef Cheek Ravioli. I must say the pasta course was the highlight of the meal. Totally awesome.

We had started the meal with a Pigato, which I picked. Not many people would have ever heard of Pigato, a wine and grape varietal that comes from Liguria. It’s a refreshing tasty white wine, and everyone at the table loved it. After the Pigato, my cousin Eddie ordered a magnum bottle of Barolo “Francia” 2001 from Giacomo Conterno, which is considered along with it sibling wine “Monfortino” to be the very best Barolos in the World. The wine was in perfect condition, and we all just loved it.

Our second pasta course came. The famed 100 Layer Lasagna by Chef Mark Ladner. This is becoming the signature dish of the restaurant and Chef Ladner. It’s $100 a Pop. Not Cheap, but dammed good. Everybody in our group loved it.

For the main course, we had a T-bone Steak, Veal Chop Marsala, and Swordfish Milanese. The Steak was phenomenal. Loved it. The Veal Marsala was really good as well, but again, “The Steak,” seriously good. The Swordfish was OK.

For dessert we had Saffron Zabiglione which was quite good, Panna Cotta (so-so), and Olive Oil Chocolate Cake which was one of the best-tastiest Chocolate Cakes that I’ve ever had. “So Good.” we drank Averna Amaro with our desserts. The meal was phenomenal, and we all had a wonderful time.Thanks Joe. Cousin Joe who bought us all dinner. Not Joe B, he’s gone.

And thanks to Chef Mark Ladner, and the whole crew at Babbo. Great job, we really enjoyed.

Thanks,

Daniel Bellino

Me & COUSIN JOE

BABBO

December 4, 2025

Greenwich Village, New York

“Thanks for the Wonderful Dinner Joe”

GIACOMO CONTERNO

BAROLO “FRANCIA” 2002

“One of the Best BAROLOS I’ve ever had”

CHEF MARK LADNER

BABBO

MARK LADNER’S 100 Layer LASAGNA

VALENTINI TREBBIAN d’ ABRUZZO

A LEGENDARY WHITE WINE

ABRUZZO, ITALY

“We Drank this too”

All photos and article by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

SUNDAY SAUCE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE ITALIAN COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino Z

AMAZON.com

Me – Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

NEW YORK NEW YORK

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke? How is he? He’s a Best Selling Cookbook Author and one of New Yorks Top Big Dogs of Italian Wine, a former Chef of such restuarants as; Woods, Corrado, and Bar Cichetti … Daniel was in the Hotel/Restaurant Mangement at New York Techenical .. Besides being the chef at the previous named restuarants, Daniel worked with Michel Fitoussi at the famed Palace Restaurant in the late 80’s as well as at the Odeon under the great Patrick Clarke.

Daniel got out of the kitchen in the late 90’s to become The Maitre’d at the uber hot # 1 Celebrity Hot Spot Da Silvano where he took care of people like; Keith Richards, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Uma Thurman, Richard Gere, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Calvin Klein, Nick Pileggi, Nora Effron, Graydon Carter, Gwyneth Palthrow, Madonna, Lucy Lui, and-on-and-on, the list is way to long to name them all.

Daniel took care o f the high-flying cliental of the Top People in The Fashion World, Record Business, Publishing, Movie Stars and Rock Stars and is known for his easy going abilty of taking care of all the big stars needs in a casual attentive manor without being intrusive in any way, reasons for him being well known to The Movers & Shakers of these high profile business fields.

Daniel had made quite a name for himself as the creator and Executive Chef / Wine Director and Managing Partner of Bar Cichetti, the 1st ever Venetian Wine Bar (Bacaro) in America, which was Daniel’s proud creation. As Chef / Wine Director of Bar Cichetti, Daniel firmly establsihed himself as one of New York and America’s Top Italian Wine Guys .. He is personal friends with most of Italy’s top wine producers, the likes of; Marchese Ferdinando Frescobaldi, Sebastiano Rosa winemaker of Sassicaia, Marchese Piero Antinori of Antinori Wines, Givanni Folnari of Nozzole, Gianlucca Grasso, Gianpaulo Venica, Cavalier Luigi Cappellini of Castel Verrazzano, and-on-an-on, just like all the Movie Stars & Rock Stars that Daniel knows, the list of Italian Wine Luminaries is even greater.

As we’ve already stated, Daniel left restaurant kitchens behind to become a noted Italian Wine Guy and Maitre’d who really knows how to take care of those high-end clientel. But not only them of course, there’s everyone else, shall we call them the regular folk? Hey, they make up the bulk of any restaurant business, not the celebs, though celebrities help to draw in everyone else. Daniel will take good care of you as a number of his clients we have interviewed can tell. He friendly and quite personable and he really knows his stuff and has a passion for the food and wines of Italy that’s almost impossible to duplicate. Frankly, Daniel is the best. He can tell you wonderfule stories about the wine you are drinking, its history, the owners and people who make the wine (his Friends) and his trips to all these Wine Estates all over Italy. And his knowledge and passion for the food is equal to his knowledge of Italian Wine. Often you’ll be drinking a bottle of Italian Wine that Daniel suggets and he’ll pull out his iPhone and show you pictures of the people who own the estate and make the wine. One example would be Daniel’s good friend Luigi Cappellino who owns Castel Verrazzano in Greve in Chianti (Tuscan) Italy. He’ll show you pictures of him and his cousins Anthony & Joe at Verrazzano when Daniel took them their, they stayed on the property and ate breakfast and dinner in the castle, with the great wines of Verrazzano.

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

with Luigi Cappellini

of Castelo Verrazzano

After 5 years at DaSilvano, Daniel went on to become the Wine Director of Barbetta Restorante on West 46th Street in New York to head up the Greatest Italian Wine List in all of America. Daniel says, “the cellars are amazing.” Places like Babbo and Del Post get more press for having great Italian Wine List, which they do, but Daniel says, “The Wine List of Babbo & Del Posto are awesome, but in comparison to Barbetta, they are Childs-Play.” No exageration, merely fact Daniel says. And within that Wine List which is the Greatest Italian Wine List in all of America, is the Barolo / Barbaresco of which Daniel says is the greatest Barolo list in the World with it many Verticals of all the great Barolo Crus, like, Vietti Barolo Brunate and Lazarito, Cerretto Bricco Roche Bricco Roche, Marcarini Brunate, Michele Chiarlo Cerequio, Aldo Conterno Grand Bussia, Giacomo Conterno Monfortino and Francia, Mauro Veglio Rocche dell’Annunziata, Contratto Cerequio, Elio Grasso Ginestra and more …

Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino

Daniel said he was quite fortunate in his job as Wine Director of Barbetta for 5 years as he was able to taste and drinks so many of these great Barolo Crus of various vintage, as well as all the multi vintage; Barbaresco, Amarone, Brunello, Super Tuscans, Champagne, and the top California Cabernets and Meritage Blends such as Opus One and Insignia.

Daniel had been writing for years, mostly essays, articles, and short stories. He wrote his first book La TAVOLA while he was at Barbetta in 2006 .. He said that 85% of the book was written in about 6 weeks time (quite fast), however he edited, polished it up and worked on it for another year before trying to get it published, which took five years. Actually La Tavola was published in June of 2012, followed by The FEAST of The 7 FISH which is the top selling cookbook of its genre. Daniel published Got Any Kahlua? The Collected Recipes of The Dude in the Summer of 2013, followed by SUNDAY SAUCE which has been a # 1 Best Seller Italian Cookbooks on Amazon for 5 months … Daniel published another # 1 Best Seller in June of 2014 with SEGRETO ITALIANO / Secret Italian Recipes & Favorite Dishes ..

Daniel says he’s currently working on a book on Chianti one of his great passions, as well as another Italian Cookook and an American Cookbook, both yet to be named ..

Marchese lamberto Frescobaldi

with

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

and Lamberto’s Father

Marchese Leonardo Frescobaldi

Sebastiano Rosa (Winemaker of SASSICAIA)

Daniel and Giovanni Folnari of Nozzole

BOOKS by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

SUNDAY SAUCE

AMAZON.com

SEGRETO ITALIANO

Secret Italian Recipes

The Feast of The 7 Fish

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

La TAVOLA

The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

AMAZON.com

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke, often known as Daniel Bellino, is a New York-based cookbook author, particularly known for his Italian cookbooks. He is also recognized as a prominent figure in New York’s Italian wine scene.

Bellino has authored several best-selling cookbooks, including La Tavola, The Feast of the Seven Fishes, Got Any Kahlua?, Sunday Sauce, and Segreto Italiano/Secret Italian Recipes & Favorite Dishes. He is currently working on books about Chianti and other Italian and American cookbooks.

Bellino has a strong connection to Italy, particularly the Amalfi Coast, and often spends time there, staying in locations like Capri, Minori (on a lemon farm), and Salerno. He enjoys exploring the region, visiting local businesses, and sharing his experiences through his writing and social media. In Salerno, he particularly mentions staying at the Hotel Plaza and enjoying the local cuisine and wine. He also mentions family in Salerno, like his cousin Memo who has a Mozzarella factory in Salerno. These places have all been written about by Daniel, in his book Positano The Amalfi Coast – Travel Guide – Cookbook, Available on Amazon.

Bellino’s work often reflects his passion for Italian culture, food, and travel, with many of his books and blog posts focusing on his experiences in Italy. He frequently shares photos and stories from his travels, particularly from the Amalfi Coast, showcasing his love for the region’s food, scenery, and people.

DAVID BOWIE

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke – Page 1 GOOGLE

@NewYork.Italian INSTAGRAM by Daniel Bellino Z

Daniel Bellino Zwicke author Page AMAZON.com

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

CAMERON DIAZ

BAR CICHETTI

NEW YORK NY

BAR CICHETTI

“AMERICA’S 1ST VENETIAN WINE BAR”

CREATED by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

And TOM TARACI

NEW YORK CITY

1998

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

At The TEATRO CRECO

SIRACUSA – SICILY

BOOKS by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

AMAZON.com

With COUSIN JOE

VERONA, ITALY

2003

CHRISTMAS DAY

With My COUSINS EDDIE TOMMY & GABRIELLA

At CIPRIANI DOWNTOWN

NEW YORK CITY

Daniel Bellino Zwicke is a New York-based food and wine writer, restaurateur, and author known for his expertise in Italian cuisine. He is the author of several best-selling cookbooks and has over 25 years of experience in the New York restaurant scene.

Professional background

Restaurateur: Zwicke is the creator, chef, wine director, and managing partner of Bar Cichetti, which he describes as “America’s First Venetian Wine Bar”. He has also worked as a chef at other New York restaurants, including Woods and Corrado.
Wine expert: As a longtime restaurant professional in New York City, Zwicke is regarded as an authority on Italian wine and has traveled extensively to study cuisines around the world.
Author: He has written a number of books focusing on Italian-American cooking, travel, and wine. Notable titles include:
- Sunday Sauce
- The Feast of the 7 Fish
- La Tavola
- Got Any Kahlua? (also known as The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK)
- .
Journalist: Zwicke writes articles and essays, often sharing his experiences and passion for Italian food and culture through his personal websites.

Personal interests and style

Italian heritage: Zwicke draws inspiration from his Italian heritage, and his writing often reflects his love for Italian-American food culture and tradition.
Travel and culture: He has a strong connection to Italy, particularly the Amalfi Coast, and many of his writings recount his travels and experiences there.
Culinary focus: His recipes are inspired by traditional family dishes and often feature classic Italian-American comfort foods.

SINATRA SAUCE

The COOKBOOK

COOK & EAT LIKE FRANK

His FAVORITE ITALIAN RECIPES

AMAZON.com

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

Top with ITALO STUPINO

CASTELLO NEIVE BARBARESCO

With MARCHESE LAMBERTO FRESCOBALDI

And MARCHESE LEONARDO FRESCOBALDI

“Me & The MARTCHESE”

MARCHESE PIERO ANTINOR & DANIEL BELLINO

NEW YORK CITY

HANGIN with SEBASTIANO

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

And SEBASTIANO ROSA

Winemaker SASSICAIA

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

And The MARCHESE FERDINANDO FRESCOBALDI

DANIEL with FRIENDS GIOVANNI FOLNARI

And SEBASTIANO ROSA (SASSICAIA)

With CONTI GIUSEPPE TASCA

MAKING SUNDAY SAUCE

At UNCLE TONY’S HOUSE

LODI, NEW JERSEY

SUNDAY SAUCE

alla BELLINO alla PACINO

AMAZON.com

PARIS

1999

“At My FAVORITE PARISIAN BISTRO”

On The GRAND CANAL

VENICE, ITALY

1997

I Loved Pope Francis

Jorge Mario Bergoglio

aka POPE FRANCIS

“PAPA FRANCISCO”

Monday, April 21, 2025 … It’s a sad day for 100 of Millions of People all over the World, especially those of The Catholic and Christian Faith, and even for many who are not Christians. Pope Francis, Papa Francisco millions of Latin peoples was beam of Wonderful Light for the people of The World. He was always smiling, and that warm, beautiful smile of his was pure joy for all those who saw it.

Being in the restaurant business in New York for many years, I saw, met, and conversed with many celebrities over the years, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Richard Gere, Tony Bennett, Mickey Mantle, and so many more. I’m not going to try and sound to cool for school, that it didn’t matter, or that it wasn’t exciting to meet so many celebrities, like many New Yorkers pretend that it isn’t a thrill at all. “It is,” and I’ve enjoyed meeting and chatting with them.

I never saw (in person), or met Pope Francis. No, I’m sure he never would have wanted to be called a Celebrity. He was a modest man, but without question, he was. A celebrity. According to Websters Dictionary, a Celebrity is – a famous or celebrated person, someone who is famous. And Pope Francis certainly was. I never saw or met Papa Franciso. I would have loved to. The man was warm, caring of others, sweet, and wonderful, and he made the World feel good. He was The Pope who was closer to people, more so than any Pope who ver lived. No other Pontiff came close to Pope Francis (Mario Bertoglio) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I’m not very religious at all, but I am a believer and I do love people who are, warm, wonderful, caring people. People like Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis. From the moment he was was elected Pope, Mario Bergoglio has been a shining light to millions. We felt his warmth simply by seeing a picture of him in a newspaper or magazine, seeing his warm smile, and witnessing his affection for children, and all of the people of the World. Pope Francis brought hope, understanding, and happiness to his many millions of followers, and we (myself & millions) will surely miss this beautiful man, who served his faithful so well, and should be a model for all Pope’s who follow in his footsteps. And we wonder what kind of a man, and leader of The Catholic Church, the next Pope will be. Papa Francisco is going to be a hard act to follow. We all loved him so very much, and we will miss him. Rest in Eternal Peace dear Jorge (aka Pope Francis), We Love You, and as you often asked “We Pray For You,” may God Bless You Always.

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

My VENICE by author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

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The DOGES PALACE / SAINT MARKS BASILICA

In WINTER

VENICE , ITALY

SAINT MARKS BASILICA

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

2003

Grand Canal

VENICE

Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

1995

The DOGE’S PALACE

PIAZETTA at PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

NEED a HOTEL in VENICE

BOOKING .com

PEGGY GUGENHEIM MUSEUM

The GRAND CANAL

DELLA SAULTE

VENICE

Taken from a MOTOSCAFI

CAFFE FLORIAN

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

CAMPARI & OJ

FRANK MYSELF and COUSIN TONY

Me and Cousin Joe

PROSECCO at a BACARO

VENICE

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

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Harry’s Bar

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The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT

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ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY

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ERNEST HEMINGWAY at HARRY’S BAR

with Owner / Founder GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

HARRY’S BAR was one of HEMINGWAY’S Favorites

“Me Too” !

POSITANO The AMALFI COASTTRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

The BRIDGE of SIGHS

VENICE

The HOTEL DANIELI

VENICE

INFO

MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

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HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985

My HOTEL ROOM

HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE

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MAP of VENICE

HOTEL FIRENZE

I got lost in VENICE at Night. It was my first night there and my first trip ever to Europe. I was a young man of 23 and relatively new in my travel experience, how to get around and what to do. Yes I got lost and the Magical Maze, The Labyrinth that is Venice, with its winding streets, many bridges and narrow alleyways.

I learned a very important travel lesson that night. One of the first things you should ever do as you are in a new city and check into your hotel. While you’re at the desk, make sure to take a couple Business Cards of the hotel. Put one in your wallet or purse immediately, and put another in one of your pockets. If you ever get lost, you can give it to a Taxi Driver (Not in Venice though) and tell him to go here.

Yes, I got lost in Venice. I didn’t feel it at the time, but it’s a quite Wonderful thing to do, getting Lost in Venice.

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

1995

HOTEL GUERRATO

The BREAKFAST ROOM

HOTEL GUERRATO

INFO & RESERVATIONS

My Room

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

I found this wonderful little Hotel in 1995, on my special trip to Explore the BACARI (Venetian Wine Bars) of VENICE. I had read a tiny little article about them in the New York Times that peeked my interest and inspired me to open one in New York. I book a trip for 8 days in Venice to explore, feel, experience and find out everything I could about the Wine Bars of Venice (Bacari). And I did just that. With the knowledge of that trip and my many years experience in the restaurant business in New York, I made a business plan, found a partner to join me, and I created the First Ever Bacaro in The United States, called BAR CICHETTI in New York’s Greenwich Village. Basta !

SAN GIACOMO

The OLDEST CHURCH in VENICE

Built 1071

At The RIALTO

If You stay at GUERRATO

This is just 200 Feet Away

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The RIALTO MARKET

Over 700 Years Old

If you stay at Albergo Guerrato, you are Literally Several Feet from The RIALTO

You walk out the Door of the hotel, make a right, walk 30 Feet and you are Inside The RIALTO MARKET. It doesn’t get much Better than that.

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FRUIT MARKET

The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE

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BAR CICHETTI

America’s FIRST Ever VENETIAN WINE BAR

aka BACRO

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

and Tom Taraci

A Motoscafo Passes Through

PONTE ACCADAMIA

VENICE

View from Accadamia Bridge

TURNER

HOTELS in VENICE

And WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

HOTEL TIVOLI

DORSODORO

VENICE

1995

The BREAKFAST ROOM

TIVOLI

VENICE

My Room

The HOTEL TIVOLI

VENICE

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

Stayed Here in 1996

View from My Room

Stay in VENICE for LESS Than $100

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

ALL ITALY

And WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

PALAZZO DARIO

VENICEITALY

Near HOTEL IRIS

ONLY $88 a NIGHT

DORSODORO

VENICE

a89f2-screen2bshot2b2016-10-302bat2b2-25-182bpm

SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook

AMAZON.com

CAFFE FLORIAN

GIACOMO CASANOVA

CASANOVA Seduces

Trattoria Poste Vecie

Since 1500

This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA

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Where CASANOVA Often DINED

and SEDUCED

In the fish market area, in Campo delle Beccarie, there is instead Poste Vecie restaurant open since 1500, where Casanova used to hide away with friends and especially girl friends to enjoy luxurious banquets. The whole area of St. Mark’s Square and especially the old premises, starting from Caffè Florian, have been hunting grounds of the great seducer.

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DO MORI

The erotic tour of Venice cannot exclude the Rialto area and in particular the Sotoportego dei Do Mori where in the tavern of the same name Casanova liked giving the first appointment to his ladies. Who showed up strictly masked.

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Antonio Vivaldi

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See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA

Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO

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The PIETA

On The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY

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The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO

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BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE

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VEDOVA

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INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA

BACARO

GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background

The MOLO

VENICE

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

The WORLD’S TASTIEST DISH

SECRET RECIPE

AMAZON.com

My VENICE – Daniel Bellino Zwicke

The DOGES PALACE / SAINT MARKS BASILICA

In WINTER

VENICE , ITALY

SAINT MARKS BASILICA

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

2003

Grand Canal

VENICE

1995

The DOGE’S PALACE

PIAZETTA at PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

PEGGY GUGENHEIM MUSEUM

The GRAND CANAL

DELLA SAULTE

VENICE

Taken from a MOTOSCAFI

CAFFE FLORIAN

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

VENICE

CAMPARI & OJ

FRANK MYSELF and COUSIN TONY

Me and Cousin Joe

PROSECCO at a BACARO

VENICE

Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Harry’s Bar

The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT

ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY

ERNEST HEMINGWAY at HARRY’S BAR

with Owner / Founder GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

HARRY’S BAR was one of HEMINGWAY’S Favorites

“Me Too” !

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Old Poster

HARRY’S BAR

VENICE

The BRIDGE of SIGHS

VENICE

MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of VENICE & ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985

My HOTEL ROOM

HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

And WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

MAP of VENICE

HOTEL FIRENZE

Yes, I got lost in Venice. I didn’t feel it at the time, but it’s a quite Wonderful thing to do, getting Lost in Venice.

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

1995

VENICE HOTELS

HOTEL GUERRATO

The BREAKFAST ROOM

HOTEL GUERRATO

My Room

Hotel Guerrato

VENICE

I found this wonderful little Hotel in 1995, on my special trip to Explore the BACARI (Venetian Wine Bars) of VENICE. I had read a tiny little article about them in the New York Times that peeked my interest and inspired me to open one in New York. I book a trip for 8 days in Venice to explore, feel, experience and find out everything I could about the Wine Bars of Venice (Bacari). And I did just that. With the knowledge of that trip and my many years experience in the restauranat business in New York, I made a business plan, found a partner to join me, and I created the First Ever Bacaro in The United States, called BAR CICHETTI in New York’s Greenwich Village.

Basta !

SAN GIACOMO

The OLDEST CHURCH in VENICE

Built 1071

At The RIALTO

If You stay at GUERRATO

This is just 200 Feet Away

The RIALTO MARKET

Over 700 Years Old

If you stay at Albergo Guerrato, you are Literally Several Feet from The RIALTO

You walk out the Door of the hotel, make a right, walk 30 Feet and you are Inside The RIALTO MARKET. It doesn’t get much Better than that.

FRUIT MERCHANT

The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE

BAR CICHETTI

America’s FIRST Ever VENETIAN WINE BAR

aka BACRO

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

and Tom Taraci

The FEAST of The 7 FISH

with VENETIAN SEAFOOD RECIPES

FISH MUSSELS CLAMS SHRIMP

AMAZON.com

A Motoscafo Passes Through

PONTE ACCADAMIA

VENICE

View from Accadamia Bridge

TURNER

HOTEL TIVOLI

DORSODORO

VENICE

1995

The BREAKFAST ROOM

TIVOLI

VENICE

My Room

The HOTEL TIVOLIVENICE

VENICE

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

Stayed Here in 1996

View from My Room

HOTEL IRIS

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS

AND WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

PALAZZO DARIO

VENICE

Near HOTEL IRIS

DORSODORO

VENICE

VENICE HOTELS – CLICK HERE !!!

SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook

AMAZON.com

CAFFE FLORIAN

GAIACOMO CASANOVA

CASANOVA Seduces

Trattoria Poste Vecie

Since 1500

This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA

Where CASANOVA Often DINED

and SEDUCED

DO MORI

VENETIAN RECIPES

“GOING to POSITANO” ?

The AMALFI COAST ?

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE COOKBOOK

“VOTED BEST AMALFI COAST TRAVEL GUIDE”

AMAZON.com

Antonio Vivaldi

See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA

Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO

The PIETA

On The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY

The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO

BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE

Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 3.02.12 PM.png

VEDOVA

INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA

BACARO

GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background

The MOLO

VENICE

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

SECRET RECIPE

AMAZON.com

On The Grand Canal

VENICE , ITALY

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

1997

MeJOEvenicePROSECCO

Me & Cousin Joe

Prosseco in a Venetian Wine Bar

Venice, Italy 2003

MeArturoLUPOvenice1995

Me & Arturo

aka “IL LUPO”

IL LUPO The Famus Venetian Gondoliere

Arturo and I are Drinking some Local Italian Wine

At Osteria Vivaldi

VENICE , ITALY

1995

I had read a little article in The New York Times about Venice, that mention the Bacari (Wine Bars) of Venice, and that’s all it took. Just a little mention (one Paragraph) of these particular type of wine bars of Venice sparked my interest, and I just had to go to Venice and find out as much as I could about them, for I instantly felt that I wanted to open one in New York (which I did).

MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

READ ABOUT BAR CICHETTI

VENETIAN WINE BARS

ITALIAN FOOD in VENICE ITALY

and NEW YORK

Books by #DanielBellinoZwicke

AMAZON.com

VENICE

ITALY

And Its WINE BARS

BACARI

ALL ‘ ARCO

One of VENICE’S BEST BACARO

CICHETTI

BACARO ALL’ ARCO

VENICE

CICHETTI

at ALL ARCO

VENEZIA

of VENICE

Creator of AMERICA”S 1st Ever Venetian Wine Bar

BAR CICHETTI

BACARO

BAR CICHETTI

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

BAR CICHETTI “America’s 1st Ever “BACARO”

VENETIAN WINE BAR Created by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

And TOM TARACI

CANTINE VINO SCHIAVI

One of VENICE’S Most POPULAR

BACARI

Do MORI

VENICE

DO MORI

One of Venice’s OLDEST

and MOST POPULAR BACARI

But The Service is COLD and Un-Friendly

and The Owner is an SOB

DEMI JOHNS

VINI

DO MORI

VENICE

ALLA VEDOVA

BACARO

alla VEDOVA

Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 4.16.05 PM.png

CICHETTI MISTI

VENENZIA

Dining Room

alla VEDOVA

VENICE

al PONTE

BACARO

VENICE

al PONTE

One of My FAVORITES

CICHETTI

at DO MORI

CICHETTI

VENICEITALY

MEMORIES of VENICE

and ITALIAN FOOD

CICHETTI

PASTA and ??

DO SPADE

Along with Do MORI

One of VENICE’S Two MOST FAMOUS BACARI

Do SPADE

At The BAR

Do SPADE

MISTI MARE

CICHETTI

Due NEGRONI

MENU

POLPETTINI

DO SPADE

BAR CICHETTI

GREENWICH VILLAGE

NEW YORK

Was AMERICA’S 1st EVER BACARO

aka

VENETIAN WINE BAR

SUNDAY SAUCE

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Co-Creator of BAR CICHETTI

AMAZON.com

VENICE HOTELS

HOTELS WORLDWIDE

BOOKING.com

OSTERIA ANTICO DOLO

Dal 1400

VENEZIA

OSTERIA ANtICA DOLO

VENICE

OSTERIA

DOLO

LISTINO PREZZI

OSTERIA

ANTICA DOLO

CICHETTI MISTI

ANTICA DOLO

OSTERIA DOLO

al VOLTO

Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 8.21.58 PM.png

AL VOLTO

CALAMARI FRITTI

e VINI

DO MORI

VENEZIA

La TAVOLA

ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEW YORKERS

ADVENTURES of THE TABLE

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POLPETTINE

A FAVORITE CICHETTI

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke – Best Selling Author – Cookbooks

1958

Where You Born in 1958 ?

WHAT HAPPENED ?

65 YEARS AGO

1958

Italian Cookbook Author

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Born 1958

ALBEROBELLO, ITALY

2022

1958

SOPHIA LOREN & JAYNE MANSFIELD

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

ITALY Travel Guide – Cookbook

AMAZON.com

Written by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Born 1958

ROME, ITALY

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Born 1958

ROMA 2018

BEST SELLING ITALIAN COOKBOOKS

AMAZON.com

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

GREENWICH VILLAGE

NEW YORK NY

2020

During the early days of the 2020 Covid Pandemic, New York. Since there were not restuarants, cafes, or bars open in the early days of the Covid 19 Pandemic (Closed due to the Pandemic), I’d hang out at one of the little parks in my neighborhood, or get a coffee at the local Korean Market, and find a stoop to sit on in Greenwich Village. I’d sip my cofffee, make phone calls, test friends, look at Instagram, and real my Google New Feed. This was after I made myself Breakfast at home (never eating out). I’d make Tea everyday, and have either; a bowl of Cereal with slices of Banana, Oatmeal, or an Egg Sandwich. Then I’d hop in the shower and get dressed.

Yes, I’d go to the Korean Market on Bleecker Street, and get my coffee. Then I’d hand out on a stoop or in a park and hangout for about an hour and a half, before heading back home.

I’d go hame and make lunch, a sandwich, a Burger, Pasta, or heat up a bowl of Soup, if I had some. I’d drink Apple Cider and eat my lunch, listening to 1010 WINS News Radio to find out what was going on in the city, the rest of America and the World, and the latest Covid 19 news.

After lunch, I’d go out again for my second cup of coffee, go to the park, and again, make phone calls and Texts, listen to music, and look at Instagram and read news stories. After about an hour and a half, I’d head back home to make myself dinner. I ate all my meals at home, never ordering take out food, or eating out for almost a year, making 3 meals a day and snacks in-between, for more than 1,000 meals in a row, made by me for myself.

After dinner, I’d go out for the third coffee of the day, before heading in for the day. I’d get back home and spend the night watching TV before going to sleep. The next day, I’d get up and o it all again.

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

nyc

My Writing Routine

Me at Caffe Reggio

During the height of the Pandemic

Greenwich Village, New York

I finished my book POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

Travel Guide – Cookbook here, in February 2021

Doing a little writing today, and thought I would write about it. My normal everyday process. Well first off, it is my day off, and I am enjoying it. Just to have the time off to relax and do whatever I want, or need to do, and not have to go into work and work. That is my regular 9 to 5, and not my writing. Yes, like most writers, I do have a 9 – 5, so to speak. That is the bulk of my income comes from my regular job, and not from my writing, although I do make a decent little chunk of change from my book sales, it is not enough to fully support me. Not yet anyway.

And so I am here today at my coffee spot, and where I write, or work on promoting my books through a few blogs and websites I have as well as a bit of social media, mostly on Instagram, posting stuff, some just related to me and things I like, as well as promoting my books, and yes I guess me.

My main coffee spot these days and for the past 7 years since Caffe Dante closed, is at the Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village, a great little spot, it is nice and comfy, quiet, and relaxing, and I love it. All the people working here are very friendly and take great care of me, which I really appreciate, and again, I love coming here for my daily coffee, and to relax, and that is exactly what I am doing right this very minute, sipping my coffee, writing, relaxing, and savoring just that, sipping coffee, writing, and enjoying the day off. The day off from the 9 to 5, not writing, and promoting, and so here I am.

I started coming to The Marlton Hotel when it first opened, I think it was about 2012. My main place for my daily coffee ( Cappuccino ) was Caffe Dante on Macdougal Street in Greenwich Village. I had my morning and afternoon, and sometimes nighttime coffee, everyday at Caffe Dante for exactly 30 years. I first started going there in the Summer of 1985, after I got back from my first trip to Italy, and many new Italian, and Worldly discoveries, being in Europe for an entire month. It was an eye opening trip that taught me many things. I will never forget it and all the wonderful times in : Rome, Florence with my high-school friend JoAnne, meeting up with friends in Barcelona, a romantic fling in The South of France (Nice & Monaco), on to the most Serene Republic of Venice, Italy, then down to Positano and The Amalfi Coast before heading back up to Rome for a couple more days before flying home to New York. Yes, again, it was a most wonderful trip.

So I had my daily coffee at CafFe Dante for exactly 30 years from 1985 until my pal Mario Flotta sold the place and it closed down in 2015, a most sad day for me. Dante was my second home, and I was friends with the owner Mario, and all the girls (waitresses) who worked there.

As I said, I started going to The Marlton ever since they opened their doors. It is a cool boutique hotel owned by Shawn McPherson who has great style and runs wonderful establishments in both New York and Los Angeles, and is also a partner at The Maritime Hotel with my old pal Eric Goode, who was a top night club impresario in 1980s NYC, with such clubs as AREA and MK. After being very successful with nightclubs in the 80s and 90s, Eric got into the hotel business in the New Millennium, and is a partner as I said at The Maritime, and now, also at The Bowery Hotel in the East Village of New York. Anyway, I am at the Marlton, but Eric is not a partner here. Anyway?

Yes, I come here everyday and I love it. Some days I write, and some days I work on my websites, blogs, and other promotional avenues. I am always doing some kind of work with these things, and because of my diligence over the years, one of my Instagram accounts has taken off, and as a result my book sales have skyrocketed by 300% as of late, and I am super excited by that. And as I write, Mina just came on over the sound system. “I love it. No Rap Hip Hop Crap at The Marlton. Just great music, they play here, and that is something that I am very grateful for, and it helps one relax, as that is a main incentive of coming here. Relaxing.

I come, and Sangee, Jack, or Fun get me my coffee. I open up my Amazon KDP Dashboard and see how many books I have sold, that is usually the first thing on my agenda. I check Facebook and Instagram, and then I either do some writing, either on the current book I am working on, to write a little article or blog post, and also so promo work, and that is what I do. Most times, before I get to The Marlton, I don’t really have a game plan ahead of time, and I just do as I have just described. Although there are times that I do have a game plan ahead of time, and that is usually when I have been going on a writing tear on my current book, or the book is almost done, and I am either doing some editing, or formatting of the book, for the proper format of the manuscript to be sent in to the publisher, and that is what I do. And of course, most of the times I do not go crazy, and I am not in a rush, but taking it easy, and taking it as it comes, day by day, as far as my writing and promo work goes, that is the way I do it.