My VENICE by author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

.

Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.32.33 AM.png
 
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
.
 
 
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
 
 
 
 
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.16.11 AM.png




Harry’s Bar





.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.14.30 AM.png

The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.13.59 AM.png

ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY



,
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.25.31 AM.png

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




.
The BRIDGE of SIGHS
VENICE
 
The HOTEL DANIELI
 
VENICE
MANGIA ITALIANO
 
MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke





.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.10 PM.png

HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985
.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.22.15 PM

My HOTEL ROOM
 
HOTEL FIRENZE
 
VENICE
 
 
.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.39 PM.png
.
.
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
 
.
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
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.53.47 PM.png

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.





Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.52.44 PM.png

FRUIT MARKET
 
The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE





Screen Shot 2017-11-14 at 3.26.05 PM.png
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
 
 
TURNER
 
 
 
 
 
HOTELS in VENICE
 
And WORLDWIDE

 

 

.

 
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
 
 

 

.
 
 
PALAZZO DARIO
VENICEITALY
 
Near HOTEL IRIS
 
DORSODORO
VENICE
 
 
 
.
a89f2-screen2bshot2b2016-10-302bat2b2-25-182bpm
SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook
 
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.22.56 AM




CAFFE FLORIAN



.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.02.45 AM

GIACOMO CASANOVA





.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 12.45.41 AM






CASANOVA Seduces



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.54.47 AM

 Trattoria Poste Vecie
Since 1500
This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA



.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.53.44 AM.png




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.




Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 1.14.04 AM.png
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.


.

Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.38.13 AM.png
.
Antonio Vivaldi
.
 .
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.49.21 AM.png




See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA
 
Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.47.33 AM.png

The PIETA

On The  RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY
.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.39.44 AM.png

The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.47.49 AM.png
 .

BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE

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

.

.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 3.03.03 PM.png
INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA
BACARO
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.34.51 AM.png
 
 
GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background
 
The MOLO
 
VENICE
.
Screen Shot 2016-09-28 at 2.13.03 PM.png
The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK
 
The WORLD’S TASTIEST DISH


SECRET RECIPE
 
.
.

My VENICE – Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.32.33 AM.png


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


.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.16.11 AM.png
Harry’s Bar



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.14.30 AM.png
The WORLD’S COOLEST RESTAURANT


.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.13.59 AM.png
ARIGO CIPRIANI

Son of GIUSEPPE

aka HARRY



,
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.25.31 AM.png
ERNEST HEMINGWAY at HARRY’S BAR
with Owner / Founder GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

HARRY’S BAR was one of HEMINGWAY’S Favorites

“Me Too” !




.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.15.31 AM.png
Old Poster

HARRY’S BAR

VENICE



.
The BRIDGE of SIGHS
 
VENICE
 
 
 
.
 
MANGIA ITALIANO

MEMORIES of VENICE & ITALIAN FOOD

Daniel Bellino Zwicke






.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.10 PM.png
HOTEL FIRENZE

My FIRST VENETIAN HOTEL

June 1985


.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.22.15 PM
My HOTEL ROOM

HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE



VENICE HOTELS

And WORLDWIDE



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.21.39 PM.png
.
.
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
 
 
.
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



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.53.47 PM.png
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.



Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 2.52.44 PM.png
FRUIT MERCHANT

The RIALTO MARKET

VENICE



Screen Shot 2017-11-14 at 3.26.05 PM.png
BAR CICHETTI

America’s FIRST Ever VENETIAN WINE BAR
aka BACRO

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
and Tom Taraci



2281a-feast7fish
The FEAST of The 7 FISH

with VENETIAN SEAFOOD RECIPES
FISH MUSSELS CLAMS SHRIMP

 
 
.
A Motoscafo Passes Through
 
PONTE ACCADAMIA
 
VENICE
 
 
.
View from Accadamia Bridge
 
TURNER




 
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


 
 
.
PALAZZO DARIO
 
 

VENICE




.
Near HOTEL IRIS
 
 
DORSODORO
 
 
VENICE




.
a89f2-screen2bshot2b2016-10-302bat2b2-25-182bpm
SUNDAY SAUCE

When Italians Cook






.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.22.56 AM
CAFFE FLORIAN



.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.02.45 AM
GAIACOMO CASANOVA



.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 12.45.41 AM
CASANOVA Seduces


.
Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.54.47 AM
 Trattoria Poste Vecie

Since 1500

This restaurant was a Favorite of GIACOMO CASANOVA



.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.53.44 AM.png
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.

.

.

 

Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 1.14.04 AM.png

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.

 

VENETIAN RECIPES

“GOING to POSITANO” ?

The AMALFI COAST ?


POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE COOKBOOK

“VOTED BEST AMALFI COAST TRAVEL GUIDE”

.

.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.38.13 AM.png
.
Antonio Vivaldi


.
 .
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.49.21 AM.png
See a VIVALDI CONCERT at The PIETA

Where VIVALDI was The MAESTRO


.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.47.33 AM.png
The PIETA

On The  RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONA

VENICE , ITALY


.
.
Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 1.39.44 AM.png
The RIVA DEGLI SCHIAVONI

by CANALETTO


.
Screen Shot 2018-01-28 at 1.47.49 AM.png
 .

BACARI

The WINE BARS of VENICE



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

VEDOVA

.

.

Screen Shot 2018-01-26 at 3.03.03 PM.png

INSIDE The BAR at VEDOVA

BACARO

.

Screen Shot 2018-01-29 at 12.34.51 AM.png

GONDOLA’S with Della SALUTE in Background

The MOLO

VENICE

.
.
Screen Shot 2016-09-28 at 2.13.03 PM.png
The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

SECRET RECIPE

.
.
.
 
 
 
 

MeaVENICE

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).




49f7f-screen2bshot2b2016-10-302bat2b7.59.182bpm

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 “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
 
 
 
 
 
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


VENICE HOTELS
HOTELS WORLDWIDE




.
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


.
Screen Shot 2018-02-20 at 4.29.50 PM.png
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

Written by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Born 1958







ROME,  ITALY

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Born 1958

ROMA 2018



BEST SELLING ITALIAN COOKBOOKS



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.









BOOKS By DANIEL BELLINO