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

I Meet Cameron Diaz & Michael Stipe – My Restaurant Bar Cichetti

MICHAEL STIP & R.E.M. at BAR CICHETTI

NEWW YORK CITY

1999

BAR CICHETTI

Business Card

1998

CHEF DANIEL BELLINO-ZWICKE

CAMERON DIAZ

BAR CICHETTI

NEW YORK

One night way back when, Michael Stipe bopped in. It was at my restaurant

BAR CICHETTI, (America’s 1st Venetian Bacaro). He was with Peter Buck and Mike Mills. They were going to see a Ted Demme movie at The Film Forum across the street from Bar Cichetti. They stopped in early in the evening then went to see the movie. After the movie was over, they came back to the restaurant. Things had slowed down, so I got out to the kitchen and went to the bar. Michael and Buck & Mills were there too.

Michael Stipe and I struck up a conversation. I was in my chefs uniform, and he asked me if I made the rice balls (Arancini). I said “yes, I did.” “Love those,” he said. He was sipping on glass of wine. I asked him what he was drinking, and he said Chianti. I loved Chianti myself and I tole him about the Chianti he was drinking, where it was from (Castello Verrazzano), and whom made it, my good friend Cavelier Luigi Cappellini of Greve where Verrazzano is located. I got a glass of wine myself. Also the Verrazzanno Chianti. We clicked glasses and cheered each other. “Nice to meet you Michael,” I said. “Nice to meet you Damiel,” Michael retorted. We drank wine, and had a nice little conversation, and I started to teach Michael a little bit about Italian wine. He was very receptive, and even interested. I poured him a little Vino Nobile to taste. Vino Nobile, like Chianti is made of Sangiovese, and it comes from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany.

At one point, my buddy Raoul called me on the phone. He said that he and Lisa were at Peter Luger’s. “Guess who we ran into?” he asked. I don’t know, who? “Cammy,” Raoul said, meaning Cameron Diaz, who Rauol knows pretty well, but I had never met. “We’ll be there in 20 minutes,” Raoul told me. “OK” About 20 minutes later, they arrived: Raoul, Lisa, and Cameron Diaz. When they walked through the door, Cameron spotted Michael. “Hey, what are you doing here, ” she said to Michael. Michael told her that they (R.E.M.) went to see the ted Demme film, and that they stopped in here (Bar Cichetti) earlier, and liked it, so they came back after the movie.

We were all having a great time. At one point Michael asked me if I had a piece of paper and pen. I gave Michael the paper and pen, and he proceeded to write a song at my bar. Then Michael Stioe, Peter Chuck, and Mike Mills jumped up on our large buffet table, and started playing the song, that Michael had just written. Everyone in the place were going wild. They couldn’t believe their eyes, or ears. There, before their very eyes, in. Bar Cichetti were R.E.M. and they were playing a song.

I brought up a couple bottles of Champagne and poured a glass for Michael, Cameron, my buddy Raoul and Lisa, and as they say “The Boys in The Band.”

Needless to say, it was quite a memorable night. The Night I met and hung out with Michael Stipe and Cameron Diaz at my restaurant Bar Cichetti. Wow? Yes quite a night.

I might as well talk a bit about some of my other celebrities at my place Bar Cichetti. Ed Harris was shooting the movie Pollack, and he was in the star role, playing Jackson Pollack. He had lunch with another guy (Maybe the director?). When Ed finished, I was standing at the bar, he came over to me to say “thanks, I really enjoyed that.” Wow. Thanks Ed. A couple days later, he came back again.

My old pal Fishcer Stevens came with Marisa Tomei one night, and another time with Rosie Perez. “Thanks Fischer.” my friend Matt Dillon, who’s also good friends with my old buddy Raoul, who actually introduced us would bop in once in a while. Also John Lurie who’s a friend of ours as well, and Debi Mazur as well.

Well, anyway? That’s that. It was quite nice to meet Cammy and Michael. Yes a real treat. And those are some special memories for me and my restaurant (Bacaro – Osteria0 Bar Cichetti.

“Basta” !!!

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ?

by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

AMAZON.com

R.E.M. at BAR CICHETTI – NEW YORK

Michael Stipe, Peter Chuck & Mike Wells

ME & SOME of MY FRIENDS

L to R – Daniel Bellino Zwicke, Raoul M., Lisa, MATT DILLON

ABBY, JOHN LURIE & GLENN O’BRIEN

BAR CICHETTI

NEW YORK CITY

My New Book is Out – Italian Food & Travels – Travel Guide / Cookbook

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL Has ARRIVED !!!

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVELS

“ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ?”

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino- Zwicke

AMAZON.com

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

“ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA” & ?

Italian Food & Travels “Rome Venice Pizza Pasta &? Travel and Eat throughout Italy, with Bestselling Italian Cookbook / Travel Writer – Daniel Bellino Zwicke. Take a journey with Daniel on his many journeys in Italy, from Rome, Venice, Verona, Florence, Naples, Capri, Positano, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Puglia and more. Daniel Bellino has 40 years experience, spending time in Italy, eating, drinking wonderful Italian Wine, living among the locals, gathering a brigade of stories and tasty Italian recipes from every region of Italy. Daniel has a great perspective of Italian Food knowledge, of Italy, and how to travel in this the most beloved travel destination in all the World, from the Ancient Roman ruins of Rome, to the singular uniqueness of Venice, to Sicily and it’s people, food, Roman & Greeks ruins, and some of the most beautiful churches in all the World. Daniel weaves wonderful stories of Italian adventures, with many tasty recipes to accompany the stories, Travel Info, and knowledge of Italy, its sights, peoples, landscape, and it’s food, the most beloved cuisine in all the World.

Included are Recipes for 40 of Italy’s most beloved dishes, and a few extra surprises. Italy’s most loved Pasta Dishes, Ragu Bolognese, Porchetta, Wild Boar Ragu, Amalfitana Lemon Cake, how to make Limoncello, Ragu Napoletana, Pesto Genovese, Caponata, Lasagna, Spaghetti Vongoles, Pasta Nerano, and much more. You’ll Love these amazing recipes.

Special Section : Anthony Bourdain’s Italy. Follow Tony’s footsteps, and relive his most memorable Italian meals – Rome, Venice, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, Venice, Tuscany and more.

TRAVEL INFO

40 of ITALY’S Most Loved RECIPES

ULTIMATE TRAVEL TIPS

Stories of ITALY – The Food, People, & Places

SPECIAL – BOURDAIN in ITALY

On the Author – DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE is the BESTSELLING author of a number of ITALIAN COOKBOOKS – including : SUNDAY SAUCE, Grandma Bellino’s Cookbook, POSITANO The AMALFI COAST Travel Guide – Cookbook, The Feast of The 7 Fish “ITALIAN CHRISTMAS” – La TAVOLA – Sinatra Sauce aka The SINATRA COOKBOOK, & Segreto Italiano.

Daniel lives and Writes in New York’s Greenwich Village, and is currently working on several projects, including a book on Chianti, and the Food & Wine of Chianti Classico.

Daniel created and runs the Highly Successful Italian Instagram page @NewYork.Italian – which as of the publication of this book, has more than 500,000 loyal Followers. The page pertains to all things ITALIAN, both in New York – America, and ITALY – Italian Food & Wine, Recipes, music, movies, Italian Travel, Italian-American Culture, and of Italy, Pizza, Pasta, cooking, books, and anything related to Italy and Italian Americans.

Basta !!!

AMAZON.com

.

My Latest Book – Italian Food & Travel – Rome Venice Pizza Pasta & ?

The Latest from author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVELS

“ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ?

PUBLICATION – November 6, 2025

The following is an Excerpt from my latest book – ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL – Rome Venice Pizza Pasta & ? by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

This excerpt is about one of the most wonderful trattorias that I’ve ever eaten at. The name of the restaurant is “Pandemonio” in Florence, Italy where I had one of the most memorable and enjoyable meals of my life. It was truly fantastic. The place is run by “Mamma” and her sister-in-law, and her sone who is the Chef of this wonderful trattoria. Read more below.

Hope you Enjoy !

Daniel

“PANDEMONIO” !!!

  “Pandemonium” – A state of wild and noisy disorder, confusion, or uproar. So says the dictionary. A funny name for a restaurant. Wouldn’t you say? Trattoria Pandemonium, in Florence is not only my favorite restaurant in Florence, but all of Italy, and one of my favorites that I have ever eaten at in my entire life. Now that’s saying something. Not only is it one of my own personal favorites, it’s the favorite of a number of friends of mine who were going to Florence and asked me for restaurant recommendations that I could send them to. Everyone who I told to go there, when they came back from Italy, each and every person told me that “Pandemonium” was their favorite restaurant, and meal of their entire trip. Now that’s saying something. No?

  I was quite lucky to discover this special restaurant in the Spring of 1997. I was on an exploratory Italian trip with my business partner Tom T. I went to Vernazza for two days, and my most important part of the trip would be in Venice to explore the Bacari (wine bars) of Venice, once again. In-between Vernazza and Venice, I was to rendezvous with Tom T. and Maron, in Florence, and then some time in Greve and Panzano.

   I left Vernazza, and took the train to Florence, where I was so lucky to discover Trattoria Pandemonio. I was staying in a modest hotel, while Tom and Maron were staying at the Luxurious Grand Hotel. They were both doing business in Florence during the day, and I was on my own, so I’d have lunch by myself, and bop around town. After going back to my hotel for a late afternoon nap, I’d get dressed and meet Tom and Maron at The Grand. We’d have a cocktail in the incredibly gorgeous lobby of the hotel. The Grand Hotel in Florence was one of the most beautiful hotels that I’ve ever been in in my life. Absolutely stunning. We drank our Negroni’s and Tom told me that the concierge had recommended a nice restaurant that we would have dinner at later on. We left the hotel and hopped in a taxi, and it was off to Pandemonio.

A few minutes in the taxi, and we were at Pandomonio. We walked in and were cordially greeted by Mamma. Mamma was wonderful. She was the owner. A sprite lady in her late 50s, and absolutely charming, and lots of fun. She is one of those ladies that the late great Anthony Bourdain often talked of and dreamed about. The kind of Italian lady who Tony wished was his Nonna. You know what I mean? Of course. The kind of lady who brightens and is in charge of any room she’s in. And this room, the dining room at Pandemonio, was “Mamma” room. Why mamma? That’s what everyone calls her, and she runs the show.

  Pandemonio is a lovely trattoria with a sort of country inn kind of feel to it. It’s like being in the Tuscan countryside, and the vibe is fun and inviting. This trattoria is away from the crowds on the other side of town, away from the Duomo. They serve classic Tuscan Cuisine that includes: artisan Salumi, Crostini Toscano, homemade pasta with Wild Boar Ragu, and the famed Bistecca Fiorentina. All expertly prepared by the chef, who is none other than Mamma’s son.

   We sat down and looked over the menu and wine list. We decided on a bottle of Brunello to go with our meal. Mamma was taking care of us personally, and she smiled and gave us a wink when we ordered the Brunello. A couple minutes later she came back with the Brunello, rolling a cart up to our table to serve the wine from. She set down three nice wine glasses on the table. There was one glass on her cart. Then she pulled the cork. She sniffed the cork, smiled, gave us a nod, and said, “Buona.” Then some Brunello in each of our glasses, and said, “some wine for Mamma?’ Both a question and stipulation. We all said “of course mamma. Enjoy.” Mamma poured a little bit of Brunello in her glass, held her glass to ours, and said “Cin Cin,” and we all cheered to each other. The night was off to a wonderful start, and we were all quite happy. Why wouldn’t we be? We hit it off with Mamma, and she was taking great care of us. We adored her.

  Mamma left the table to take care of other customers, and Tom, Maron, and I smiled, toasted each other again, sipped the wine, and Tom stated, “How lucky are we?” We all agreed. We were in Florence, at Pandemonio, drinking Brunello, and hitting it off with Mamma. As they say, “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

   Mamma came back to the table, and we told her what we wanted to eat. We ordered antipasto fo Crostini, Salami & Prosciutto. For the primi, we would all have a small portion of Pici Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu. The main course would be a beautiful Bistecca Fiorentina. “Wow, was it good.?”

    After the steak we had Olive Oil Cake and espresso. Very good.

   Then Mamma wheeled a cart to our table. It was filled with about a dozen bottles of Tuscany’s finest Grappa. Mamma was offering us all Grappa on the house. We all picked a Grappa, and dear sweet Mamma poured us each a glass, and of course one for herself. We all held up our glasses and cheered each other, “ah Salute.”

    Wow. What a night. It started getting later and there were just three tables of diners left. Everyone was having a great time, and Mamma and her sister-in-law (a waitress) pushed all the tables together. We all chit-chatted, drank grappa and Chianti, and had teh most wonderful time.

  It turns out there was a famous Italian artist among us all. He was larger than life and a quite gregarious man. He took a napkin and drew a “Flying Penis.” Very talented. And so we all had a most fabulous time. This was without a doubt one of the most memorable meals of my life. Absolutely phenomenal. And what a day? A private lunch with The Conti Cappone, brothers Nicola & Sebastiano, at Villa Calcinaia in Greve. Then we met Giovanni Manetti at his estate Fontodi in Greve, where he gave us a private wine tasting of his wonderful wines. Then it was back to Florence.

   I got back to the hotel and took a little nap, before getting dressed, meeting Tom & Moron at The Grand Hotel, and then going to Pandemonio for the most wonderful dinner of my life. I highly recommend that you go too. And maybe you tell me that it was the best meal of your entire trip. Enjoy.

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

Who is Daniel Bellino Zwicke

Daniel in SICILY

At The TEATRO GRECO – SIRACUSA

2017

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke? Who is he? He’s a Best Selling Cookbook Author and one of New York’s Big Dogs of Italian Wine, a former Chef of such restaurants as; Woods, Corrado, and Bar Cichetti … Daniel studied Hotel / Restaurant Management at New York Technical in Brooklyn .. Besides being the chef at the previous named restaurants, 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 in New York at Da Silvano Ristorante 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 Efron, Graydon Carter, Gwyneth Palthrow, Madonna, Lucy Lui, and-on-and-on, the list is way to long to name them all.

Daniel took care of the high-flying clientele and “so called” Top People in The Worlds of Fashion, the Record Business, Publishing, along with Movie Stars and Rock Stars . Daniel is known for his easy going ability of taking care of all the big stars needs in a casual attentive manner without being intrusive in any way, and are the reasons he is well-known to so many Movers & Shakers of the World.

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 established 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 (proprietor) of Antinori Wines, Giovanni Folnari of Nozzole, Gianlucca Grasso, Gianpaolo Venica, Cavalier Luigi Cappellini of Castel Verrazzano, the Conte Capponi Sebastiano and Nicola Capponi. 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 has a reputation of dealing with a high-profile 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 will tell you. He friendly and quite personable and really knows his stuff.

Daniel has great passion for the food and wines of Italy that’s almost impossible to duplicate. Frankly, Daniel is one of the best. He can tell you wonderful stories about the wine you are drinking; its history, who the owners and people who make the wine are (his Friends). His trips to all these Wine Estates all over Italy have given him the experiences that he conveys to his many clients. And Daniel’s knowledge and passion for the food is equal to that of his vast knowledge of Italian Wine. Often you’ll be drinking a bottle of Italian Wine that Daniel suggests 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 Cappellini who owns Castello 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 there and they stayed on the property and ate breakfast and dinner in the castle, while drinking the great wines of Castello 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 Posto (now closed) get more press for having great Italian Wine Lists, which they do, but Daniel says, “The Wine List of Babbo & Del Posto are awesome, but in comparison to Barbetta, they are akin to Childs-Play.” No exaggeration, merely fact Daniel says. And within that Wine List which is the Greatest Italian Wine List in all of America, is the Barolo / Barbaresco section of which Daniel says is the greatest Barolo list in the World with its 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 Barolo “Monfortino” Giacamo Conterno “Francia,” Mauro Veglio’s Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata, Contratto Barolo “Cerequio,” Elio Grasso Ginestra and more …

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 vintages, as well as all the multi vintages of Barbaresco, Amarone, Brunello, Super Tuscans, Champagne, and the all the top California Cabernets and Meritage Blends such as Opus One and Insignia.

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, all yet to be named ..

INTERVIEW by Michael Roma

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

WHEN ITALIAN-AMERICANS COOK

AMAZON.com

SEGRETO ITALIANO

Secret Italian Recipes

AMAZON.com

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE – COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

Positano The Amalfi Coast Cookbook / Travel Guide is the latest by Best Selling Italian Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke. It was just published on February 11th 2021 and is already a Best Seller in Italian Cookbooks and Travel Books as well. Author Daniel said that he is quite happy of the early success of the book POSITANO and hopes it continues and grows, and Daniel asked us to say hello and thank all of his loyal readers both old and new.

Daniel has mad a companion Website to POSITANO The AMALFI COAST COOKBOOK & Travel. The website is calledPositano-Amalfi-Coast and can be reached by clicking this Link @ Positano-Amalfi-Coast.com

Daniel said he made the website as he realizes that people love pictures in books, and as his books normally do not contain pictures, he made the site to fulfill this need, as the website has hundreds of beautiful pictures of Capri, Positano, Naples, Minori, Ravello, and the rest of the Amalfi Coast of Southern Italy. As well as having these pictures, excerpts and recipes from the book at the publication of the book, the website will be ongoing and will continue to have new pictures posted to it, along with articles, news, and ongoing pertinent information on Naples, Positano, and the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

Note : If you are on the Kindle Edition of Positano The AMalfi Coast Cookbook / Travel , you will be able to reach the website Positano in a Link inside the Kindle Book

The RAGU BOLOGNESE COOKBOOK

The WORLD’S BEST RECIPE

RAGU BOLOGNESE

AMAZON.com

SINATRA SAUCE

The COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino “Z”

AMAZON.com

The Feast of The 7 Fish

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

AMAZON.com

La TAVOLA

ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEW YORKERS

ADVENTURES of The TABLE

AMAZON.com

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?

aka The BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

Bellino on Vino

Author / Italian Wine-Guy Daniel Bellino-Zwicke with Wines from

some of his Best Friends ; Francesca Planet, Gianni Venica, Roberto Gundler, Antonio Rallo,

and the Columbini Family of Fattoria Barbi, Daniel’s favorite Brunello ..

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke? How is he? He’s a Best Selling Cookbook Author and one of New York’s Top Big Dogs of Italian Wine, a former Chef of such restuauants as; Woods, Corrado, and Bar Cichetti … Daniel was in the Hotel/Restaurant Management at New York Technical .. Besides being the chef at the previous named restaurants, 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 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 ability 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 feilds.

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 established 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.

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

with Luigi Cappellini

of Castelo Verrazzano

Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino

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

alla BELLINO alla PACINO

AMAZON.com

The Feast of The 7 Fish

ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

AMAZON.com

La TAVOLA

AMAZON.com

Jersey Crab Sauce Recipe

JERSEY SHORE CRAB SAUCE

There are plenty of Maryland Blue Crabs down on the Jersey Shore, as well as plenty of Italian-Americans. The two go together, and this Crab Sauce for pasta is a specialty of Jersey Italians who love seafood, along with their Brooklyn and New York neighbors. They all love it! So will you.

RECIPE

12 Hard Shell Blue Crabs

12 tablespoons Olive Oil

12 Cloves Garlic

1 for each Crab, peeled and chopped

1 Small Onion, peeled and chopped fine

1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1 – 28 oz. can whole San Marzano Tomatoes

1 – 28 oz. can Crushed Tomatoes

1- 16 oz. can Tomato Puree

½ teaspoon dry Basil

¼ cup chopped fresh Italian Parsley

1 pound Lump Crab-Meat, fresh frozen or canned

1 pound imported Italian Spaghetti or Linguine

Put olive oil in a large pot and heat to high.

Place the Crabs in the pot and sauté at high heat for 10 minutes.

After browning the crabs, remove from pan and set aside.

Put onions in pan and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and red pepper to pan and cook on low heat for 3 minutes.

Add whole tomatoes to pan and cook on high heat for 4 minutes whole stirring with a wooden spoon. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato puree.

Add the Crabs back to the pot. Cook for 90 minutes on low heat.

Remove the crabs from pan and let cool on the side.

Remove all the meat from the crabs and discard the shells.

Add crab-meat to sauce with your extra pound of lump crab-meat and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.

Cook pasta according to directions on package.

Drain pasta and put back in the pot it cooked in with 8 tablespoons of reserved pasta cooking water.

Sprinkle pasta with a little olive oil and mix.

Add 2 cups of crab sauce and half the parsley to pasta and mix.

Plate the pasta with sauce on 4 plates in equal portions and top with some more sauce and some parsley.

Notes: Do not serve with cheese! Italians never have cheese with Seafood Pasta. This is enough sauce for 2 to 3 pound of pasta, or about 12 portions, so after you make this Pasta with Crab Sauce with 1 pound of pasta, you still have plenty left over for another day.

The Finished Sauce

“Yummm” !!!

Screen Shot 2016-08-09 at 1.34.15 PM.png

Pasta with Jersey Shore Crab Sauce

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JERSEY CRAB SHORE SAUCE

and Other Great Recipes

SEGRETO ITALIANO

by Daniel Bellino Z

AMAZON.com

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