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In Vino Veritas

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In Vino Veritas

Historic Wine Store specializing in boutique wines at affordable prices. In Vino Veritas is truly a New York City Landmark. The tastings are free and casual.
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It is the first liquor store to open in Manhattan after Prohibition ended. Our family took it over in April 1997 and dedicated a full year to completely renovate the store. What was once an old, shabby, typical liquor store had been turned into a jewel of a wine store. One glance at the store is like a glimpse into an era past. The museum-look of the store is one of a kind. Unearthed during the re

novation process are huge pieces of stained glass dating back to the 1800's. The prized glass was restored to its former glory and the owners inserted the new store name into it. The inside is enchanting as it is welcoming. Everything from the Murano lamps to the original brick wall that has been exposed are all signs of the passion and reverence the family-owners have for beauty. What is perhaps a true sign of passion is the climate-controlled wine cellar, where every bottle of wine sold to the customer is kept at a perfect temperature. The most exciting part of In Vino Veritas is the carefully hand picked wine selection. Like every store, popular brands are on site, BUT the family goes to great lengths to explore and seek out unknown gems at outstanding values. In Vino Veritas specializes in Italian wines, but offers selections from other countries such as New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Greece, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Hungary, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Israel, California, Oregon, Washington State, and New York. In Vino Veritas also offers a stunning array of Kosher wines. Most importantly, In Vino Veritas is staffed with gracious and knowledgeable wine connoisseurs. Having owned a prestigious Italian restaurant in the past, our family is very aware of the importance of wine and food matching…..and nobody knows it better. The staff is always eager to help consumers pair wines with foods that are in the customer's budget. From $5.99 a bottle to hundreds of dollars a bottle, In Vino Veritas has it all. In Vino Veritas hosts frequent wine tastings. They allow customers to try different wines before purchasing them. The tastings also help expand the consumer's contact with the diverse wine of the world.

07/10/2024

As a Manhattanite, I’m used to dealing with violent criminals, but terrified of animals and nature. My father always said the most beautiful parts of the world are seismic! California is the most beautiful place in USA and is seismic. Italy is, unfortunately, prone to earthquakes and a very famous one happened in November 1980 in the region of Campania, mostly around home of some of the most warm-hearted people (cue the comments of people whose families are from towns such as San A, B, C, D etc lol). What most people don’t know is that 2.5 months later (St. Valentine’s Day 1981) there was another earthquake, reaching as far as Naples. My family would sleep outside out of fear. In my wife’s town, in May 1998, they had a landslide that destroyed many parts of the towns and killed many people. Here’s a photo of my aunt’s house years ago when the Italian government attempted to retroactively support and reinforce the foundations of homes for preventative measures. Growing up in Manhattan, living in cement+steel buildings, nestled in between other cement+steel buildings, I would never feel anything (expect 2 in 2001). Italians use similar materials and considering switching to wood, which is flexible. My wife’s uncle built a log cabin there. Perhaps this is the future? The volcanic soil of Campania, like Sicily, is the most desired land to grow foods, like grapes for wine. Speaking of Avellino’s nice people, they are very strong and that comes across in the robust Taurasi for reds and age-worthy Fiano di Avellino (not Minutolo) for whites. Perhaps their strong character is made of the same stuff (pozzolana, porfido, cement, etc) that the Romans used to expand on ancient Greece wonders and make more grand buildings, that can stand the test of times, like the Colosseum does with earthquakes and a subway station underneath it ! There is Strength in Humility, coming from the Latin word for Humus, which we also use in English to mean “Earth”. How about the Salt of the Earth people? Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

05/02/2024

Me : Did you like that wine?
Person : No!
Me: Wow! Really? That’s an amazing wine. What food you have it with?
Person: Just a pack of ci******es. Anyway, all wines are the same anyway.
Me :

02/24/2024

Thanks so much to the Bronx Times for covering this fantastic Evening with FIAME (Forum of Italian American Educators. I got to discuss both of my books “Wine Made Easy” and also the more personal tome “Mà, What Are You Cooking?” We also had a lot of time to discuss many ins and out of foods and wines, the industries of both, and the Culture of Italy, all from decades immersed in it, and for the sole Purpose of SHARING it. I thank them for their Work! N.B. It’s funny to have my wife holding my wine book, when she does not drink ! .mancuso

02/17/2024

Rice with Goat Cheese, Broccoli, and Hazelnuts. It’s technically not a risotto because there was no “tostatura” of the rice. Risotto should generally be eaten with a fork but can be eaten with a spoon when done “in bianco”, meaning nothing on it. It’s simply boiled with a little salt. Maybe a filo d’olio, a drizzle of olive oil. This was a semi-risotto, made from leftovers in the fridge. Though rice is generally eaten more regularly in the North, while Southerners prefer it in other preparations, like rice balls, all Italians love to say “ci manteniamo leggeri” (we are keeping it light) when eating rice, especially in bianco. It’s their way of “dieting” after a holiday, keeping one day a week “bland” to settle the stomach, or to get ready for beach weather. Side note: I have a great recipe for the cold rice salad Italians bring to the beach in my second book. The modern urge is to use the actual English word “light”, which I detest. What’s interesting is that Italians have a different view of food and dieting. It’s something I’ll be documenting in one of my many next projects. A low-carb advocate would decry any carb as part of a diet to lose weight, but, to be fair, the al dente-ness of risotto and rice as a more gentle and less inflammatory grain than others, does make rice a suitable option on occasion. In fact, surprisingly to many, white rice is better for you than brown rice ! And if you’re talking about certain long grain rice, which are not used in risotto, like jasmine and basmati, those are better-scoring on the glycemic index and won’t spike blood sugar. What’s also interesting and noteworthy is I’ve seen countless protocols Italian Nutritionists have given family and friends and spoke to many of them. I even first went gluten free more than 30 years ago under the supervision of an Italian (Pugliese, specifically) nutritionist here in New York. The different takes, also influenced by Culture and History, may seem like they can clash with Science. But do they?

02/13/2024

Baked Radicchio stuffed with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts. Topped with the real Balsamic Vinegar and a little extra crushed hazelnuts. The balsamic vinegar is not necessary but does add a rich depth and complement to the other flavors. I think the last time I had this dish, my mother was my age. And now, I’m making it for her ! It was not a heavy rotation one but, our Family has such an extensive repertoire with foods and wines, we always included a few extras every night and never ran out of ideas ! What’s interesting to note is I grew up loving radicchio both cooked and raw, while my wife only consumed it raw. I found it interesting. And a little upsetting ! Lol. or both from France would go well but so would a or from Italy ! There are many different types of radicchio, which I have broken down before and also in my second book but they are all good. The round-shaped one works best for making rolls, called involtini. It can also be called rotolini, from where we get the incorrect rollatini, which becomes correct when purposefully Americanizing it to make use of the obvious “roll”. The only thing I never understood is the unnecessary letter “ n “ for rollantini. Lol. Please, note, the right piece was not as burned as it shows in the photo, though I love burnt pieces, too !

01/30/2024

Some big news will come to NYC but, until then, let’s talk . While I delved deeply for my book, “Mà, What Are You Cooking?”, I left stuff out. It was impossible to info-dump it all. The most loved cephalopods are and . Squid/Calamari are often used interchangeably but are slightly different. Calamari, Squid, and Cuttlefish have ink sacs that can be used to add color, flavor, and nutrients to pasta or risotto. It’s often from cuttlefish and seen as Squid is the general category of which the Calamaro and Seppia (cuttlefish) are part. The European Flying Squid is very similar to Calamari and known as in Italian, from which we get the dialect word and surname Todaro (accent on the first o!). WAIT…there’s more! Spillo, spillo is pin or needle, are small calamari that can be eaten whole and are delicacies I enjoyed samplers for selecting our wedding menu. WAIT Part 2… means student and refers to small baby cuttlefish but, in REALITY, is much more than that. While the baby ones are best left to grow, so they can reproduce more and not become extinct, there are a few other types, which simply remain small as adults and THOSE are more sustainable and should be eaten instead. WAIT Part 3… Datteri di Mare are date shells and many countries banned their fishing; Italy did in the late ‘90s, though they still can be found in underground markets. I LOVE Octopus, which I say is like the cat of the ocean and even has 3 hearts! Polpessa is a larger and more aggressive one. It is or in Italian and is a smaller polpo but with only one row of suckers on their tentacles. Polipo is NOT the same as polpo and refers to sea anemones, corals, and jellyfish. Though many of these are hard to find, look for them in Italy. Even most Italians are confused about these terms but I hope this clears it up! My photo is of a fish monger (Idk if I like that word) of Pignasecca, one of Naples’ best known streets of markets, and near a favorite pizzeria of mine, Da Attilio.

01/28/2024

Been getting a few 2011 Vibes lately and it’s not just me Sensing it! Happy Birthday to my wife .mancuso !!! N.B. My hair hasn’t moved since !

12/02/2023

2 (of many) ideas for Christmas Eve Dinner. Everyone has Traditions for Dinner but Italians’ seem to be the most noticed and talked about. It’s not just the explosive flavors, but the incredible array of dishes made for La Vigilia di Natale that demand attention/praise. Italian-Americans have their but Italians in Italy generally don’t have a set number. In my family, it’s more like 7,000 !!! Seafood reigns supreme, as you are supposed to abstain from meat. My father, growing up extremely poor in Calabria, never heard of the meatless Christmas Eve Dinner that people like my mother in Campania would feast on. He couldn’t afford any of that, and so they ate whatever they had. I have shared before and how my cousin had to have been the first person to introduce it to America half a century ago. In fact, I dedicated a recipe to Antonio Bruno (R.I.P.) in my latest book “Mà, What Are You Cooking?” In the past few years, this great local product has now taken over the world. It’s essentially anchovy juices, and that may sound disgusting but I can assure you it has a very mild and elegant flavor that enhances pasta dishes, even meats and vegetables. Even sushi ! It takes the place of anchovies, so do not use both, and, if you are making pasta, do NOT salt the pasta cooking water. The classic and most simple way to prepare it is basically adding it with an aglio an olio. It’s from on the Amalfi Coast and also often combined with the famous walnuts of nearby . 2 variations here are 1) Pesto Cetarese : unlike the most famous Pesto, Genovese, there is no set list of ingredients, but a mix of olives and nuts and herbs. And colatura. It’s INCREDIBLE! 2) I also made pesto with walnuts and colatura with parsley. I stuck in a bit of cilantro to happily confuse those who do like it. For these dishes, we strongly suggest whites from from the that we have been carrying for about 25 years now. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas !

12/01/2023

In Vino Veritas : We build Trust with our clients, one Relationship at a time.

11/29/2023

Well, it’s been over 20 years since I’ve had La Taragna in cold but beautiful Bergamo, but anytime is a good time to re-connect! Also known as La Polenta Taragna, it’s a staple in the valley of Lombardia known as the Valtellina. It’s a sludgy mix of Polenta (cornmeal) and Grano Saraceno (buckwheat) that gets a bit gooey, thanks to the cheese. It gets a bit difficult to stir; the name Taragna comes from the local dialect “tarai”, the wooden instrument used to ‘tarare”, meaning to stir or turn. The usual cheeses are either Branzi, Casera, Bitto, or Scimudin. It’s very hard to find them, so I suggest Fontina (or Montasio). While corn is often called “mais” in Italian, it’s also often called “Grano Turco” or “Granturco” by Italians. Grano Saraceno is Buckwheat (A.K.A. Kasha) and gets its name supposedly because it was introduced by Saracen merchants. The buckwheat is what gives this dish its grey color. It is not wheat or even a grain, though it gets easily classified as one. It’s a gluten-free plant and a cousin of Rhubarb. The Valtellina area often uses it to make Pizzoccheri Pasta, too. This polenta is accented with sage and certainly should be in your winter dish rotation! The wines of the area are elegant and noteworthy. Nebbiolo here is called Chiavennasca, coming from the 4 “Grand Crus” of the area : Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, and Valgella. They also make an appassimento of if called Sfurzat (A.K.A. Sforzato) We were one of the very first and few in the world, and still are, to carry these wines. I urge you to make this dish. Everyone will love it.
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11/24/2023

Orecchiette with Fave Beans, Pancetta, and Ricotta Salata. Talk about Determination! Fava Beans are in season Spring to Summer but, given I rarely eat pasta and had a craving for this dish for too long, I just went and got frozen favas. Still great. Because I have always found most, not all, pasta dishes can also work with bread preparations, it’s one of my many next projects coming down the line. I used a light drizzle of my friend Historium olive oil just to bring out the sweetness/fruitiness of the fava beans and balance it with some grassiness. White wine options would be numerous, such as ! For reds, would be great, among many others.

11/13/2023

This photo is not mine but from online and great! Translated : “They complain about olive oil being expensive but spend 12 Euros on one Spritz that’s nothing but water and sugar”. How sad/true is that ?!? Our for our cars and other machines that run our lives and economies is too costly now but is still cheaper than coffee! Not only is extremely healthy but is, at least should be, a necessary ingredient in our Lives. While this year has seen a spike in costs, like everything else, olive oil is still something necessary to buy AND a great bang for your buck when it comes to Health Benefits. That’s IF you are getting real AND good olive oil. I don’t hate to break it to you but olive oil is expensive to produce and most available are not 100% olive oil; they’re blended with seed oils, of which we consume too much and, whose megadoses of Omega 6 fatty acids, puts it far above the amount we do need. The smaller rest are olive oils from but the majority are from inferior and, worse, rancid ones. You can’t have this scientific argument with some people; they try to label you “snobbish” but this is for your well being. Just embrace it. It’s no different than our consumption of soda. While we need from sources such as smaller fish and even flax seeds, true olive oil is loaded with Omega 9 fatty acids, to give you a more complete fatty acid profile intake. I like to add some flax seeds along with olive oil to certain dishes. The majority of the fatty acid in olive oil is acid and is also found in pork fat, like and . As mentioned before and in my second book, most of the that helped create, and certainly popularized, was historically based on a large percentage of pork fat, because many people could not afford Olive Oil. And we’re talking about animals raised the correct way, resulting in less omega 6’s than today’s industrially raised livestock. That needs to be looked into and addressed and embraced. The Truth shall set you Free.

11/09/2023

1) Baked Olives with Blood Orange and various Spices and 2) Mixed Olives (room temp) with various herbs, carrots, and celery, which is my version of my cousin at Sistina who makes a fantastic and far better one. I don’t like adding things if they’re not necessary and always prefer to be a minimalist but, sometimes, a simple touch will go a long way. I always love when olives are included in dishes, especially cooked ones. With these two types of olive salads, both hot and room temperature, I recommend some nice wines. Whites would be Inzolia, Fiano Minutolo (NOT to be confused with Fiano di Avellino), Catalanesca, Manzoni Bianco, and Cococciola, among many others. A Calabrian rosato would be stunning, too. P.S. Who remembers my stuffed fried olives from years back? That’s my !!! Shoutout to my main man I included his favorite song by Let Off a Couple ! One of the most underrated groups of all time, along with Dead Prez !

11/07/2023

Smell what you will taste …

11/01/2023

There are many reasons people come to us at In Vino Veritas. We specialize in wines with great stories behind them. We have wines 99% of those in the wine world have never even heard of and we do that most proudly with Italian wines, having been some of the first anywhere in the world to make many of these wine introductions. There are a few other reasons but the icing on the cake is how we match wine with food, the best way to enjoy almost all wines. The flavors can be as “odd” as one could imagine but pulling it all together with that one missing link, the wine, exalts each ingredient involved. Fall flavors call for robust and hearty fare. Chestnuts are in season and puréeing them as a spread for bruschetta with sausages and Parmigiano sprinkled atop is almost where you want to be. Two more steps are involved. The real deal balsamic vinegar, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale Di Modena, from the oldest Acetaia in Modena, is the penultimate ingredient. The final touch? Wine. But this time, YOU tell US which wine would you pair ??? We would love to know. N.B. A drizzle of would be great, too !

10/30/2023

Just in time for the new olive oil harvest. Thanks to and the great for allowing me to interview my friend and the world’s greatest olive oil producer Check it out and then run to my favorite place for his oils ! While you are there, stop by their wine store and also wine bar! LINK :

https://appetitomagazine.com/features/meet-alberto-gallufo-the-worlds-best-olive-oil-maker

10/20/2023

R.I.P. to my father-in-law, Francesco Mancuso. In just 6 or so months, the truck-like man you see in this photo had his body and enthusiasm for Life destroyed. I didn’t think it could have been possible. In this photo, he was gathering hot peppers for my father, who, like him, only cared about a few simple things in Life: good food and Family. Towards the end of every trip, I would have already forgotten to bring the hot peppers back with me but he already had made a mental note. He would pick the peppers and, one by one, remove the leaves to make packing in a suitcase easier. He would do it with me but often times just do it himself and present me with some of the best hot peppers I’ve ever had. He loved doing things for people. He also loved his work. The last time he visited us in the States, he and his wife couldn’t wait to go back to their lands, where they felt free. I pray he is now Free and picking some hot peppers with my father. And a few glasses of wine, too. In 10 years, I’ve lost 18 people close to me. It doesn’t get easier. Rest in Peace. Buon Viaggio

10/17/2023

I slayed MCs back in the rec room era …

10/15/2023

I was always a very huge fan and it was one of the ways I kept in constant contact with Italy. Growing up, every Sunday, my brother and I would watch the games with my father and we would get to know all the teams, players, and stadiums. I still listen to both 90º minuto intro and final songs! The oldest operating stadium in Italy is in but it went through some changes. In 1987, they knocked it down and it took two years to build a brand new one, in an English style, just in time for the 1990 , hosted by , and one where, if any team ever deserved to win the title, it was that Italian National Team. I watched almost all of the games of that World Cup, and one in particular always stuck with me. I marveled at the newly rebuilt stadium in , and set my heart on and mind on seeing it up close. Well, it only took 33 years, but I did it! Talk about determination against obstacles! It’s known as the stadium, named after the famous soccer player and soldier who died in the war. As already mentioned, it was built in the English style, but many of its features, like protection from rain, would later be copied by other stadiums across the world, even in England! The Stadium is also known as the , after the neighborhood in which it’s located. The two local teams of the area, Sampdoria and Genoa, have the longest running derby, called the , named after the city’s famous lighthouse, a symbol of this once powerful and important Maritime Republic, along with Pisa, Amalfi, and Venice. Photos of both the stadium and the lighthouse are in this post. Well, has not won a in exactly 100 years, with the end of this season. was blessed to win the very first season after the World Cup in that brand new stadium, with the gemelli del gol, (R.I.P.) and , as well as in goal, as well as winning the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup (now known as ) the year prior. Almost like there is something special about Gianlucas!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CybvTq_pr-n/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

10/14/2023

Yesterday’s post took us to Imperia, which is synonymous with flowers. It’s part of the Riviera dei Fiori, the Riviera of flowers, in Liguria. Just next door is Savona, also full of lush vegetation. In the town of Alassio, the famous English style gardens of I Giardini di Villa della Pergola was a must stop for me. I took endless photos and videos, but here are just a few. The botanical gardens here are some of the most extensive in the world. You can find everything there, from pepper, to hibiscus, Mirto (I’ve posted about its liqueur before), to prickly pears, to succulents and even pe**te. As I mentioned before, palm trees, all over Italy are being destroyed from the punteruolo rosso. Here, they have a system where they painstakingly wrap hoses on each palm tree to deliver medicine. It was awesome to see the famous Chinotto di Savona, the famous citrus, which makes the also famous non-alcoholic and carbonated drink by the same name. It is also used to make amaro. It’s often used green before it turns yellow. Visiting here was one of the most peaceful Experiences I had, up there with a cool breeze, watching the sun hit the towns by the sea. In the distance, you can see the famous island of Gallinara, near Albenga, famous for its wines. Enjoy these 9 videos clicking on the link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyYvgDyLAOB/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

10/13/2023

San Remo. It’s one of the most famous places of the Italian Riviera. It’s part of the Riviera di Ponente, meaning west. The other side, on the east, would be Levante. I only really went because it was a place of interest for people of my parents’ generation. My father is gone and my mother is half paralyzed, so, like the hikes I did for her and a friend, I went here for them. It’s known for quite a few things. The first is the Music Festival that highlights a current song and catapults it into fame. Many classics got there start here. Nowadays, the songs are mostly pure garbage, and I’m not saying that as an old man. The event takes place at the famous Ariston theatre. Ariston is a very common Greek word in Italy, meaning the best, and used for many brands and companies all over the country. San Remo is also known for flowers, as it’s part of the Riviera dei Fiori, but that’s for another post. San Remo is known for its famous casino. Casinos started in Italy and they pronounce it with an accent on the o. The city is also known for its Sardenaira, an anchovy pizza square, also called Pizza all’Andrea, or Pissalidiere in nearby France. I went on a Sunday and almost everything was closed, so no pizza for me lol. Enjoy these photos and videos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyWM-rXrZm-/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Address

1375 1st Avenue
New York, NY
10021

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 9pm
Tuesday	11am - 9pm
Wednesday	11am - 9pm
Thursday	11am - 9pm
Friday	11am - 9pm
Saturday	11am - 9pm
Sunday	1pm - 8pm

Telephone

+12122880100

Website

http://www.invinoveritas.nyc/

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Videos

Remember many months ago, I talked about Abbattuto for fish and obscure types of fish and also how something big is coming to New York? It was friends and family night at the brand new Amo in Manhattan. @amoseafood Amo means I Love in Italian but it also means hook, as in fish hook. It’s a seafood-based restaurant and the focus is on classic and also new, more interpretive dishes from co-owner @chefcozzolino Even the chandelier looks like a sea urchin ! And the bar has the same exact sea-themed tile my bathroom in my old apartment used to have ! All of their plates are beautiful, completely different, and from Vietri on the Amalfi Coast, world-famous for their ceramics. They even have the famous Filette water from Italy, packaged in beautiful wine bottles. There were so many different foods that were all fantastic that it was impossible to eat and document them all. Here are some highlights. Focaccia di Mare with Cantabrico Anchovies, Buffalo Milk Stracciatella, Datterini Tomatoes, Oregano, and Basil Puree. The Neapolitan Ceviche with Branzino, Sorrento Lemon Juice, Italian Pink Onion, Purple Potatoes Puree, Passion Fruit Puree, and Corn. There was Tuna tartare and then co-owner @rossoprocino brings a buffalo mozzarella stuffed with blue fin tuna (tonno rosso in Italian) and fried. Crunchy eggplant parmigiana roll. Genovese but with octopus and triangular Ziti. Ravioli. Classic pasta and clams. Nerano with Raw Red Shrimp from Mazara del Vallo, Zucchine Chips, and a Provolone Del Monaco Cloud. Stuffed Calamaro. Crispy Octopus alla Luciana 2.0. What a great time! And if you’re craving pizza, go to their other restaurant @ribalta.restaurant just down the block ! #amo #amoseafood #ribalta #pesce #seafood #fish #eatfishlivelonger #eatfish #abbattuto #newyork #gianlucarottura #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Social media is funny because you have people retroactively creating their pasts and copying and pasting their present and future BUT every once in a while, you will have the real deal and, when it comes to Italian and Italian-American food, @mind_machine is living it. No wonder we have an affinity for each other ! They have imported foods from Italy, like the rarer smoked #pecorinosardo but his homemade #mozzarella is excellent; the larger one being even better than the smaller nodini ones, even though I usually like the smaller ones better. Grilled eggplant parmigiana with sausage was excellent, as well as his potato croquettes and rice balls. But I went for the main star of the show, which is #porchetta He is world famous for it, and it is among the very best I have ever had. To paraphrase Jack Woltz in #thegodfather I’ve had them all over the world, and Angelo’s was among the very best. I’ve had them in Umbria and Lazio and Campania and Calabria and Tuscany and pretty much all over. This was exquisite ! I had it with the great #molecola I have mentioned in the past before @gennaro.pecchia where were you ??? It was nice meeting @deeorjee who also helps produce great food! Come check out @alta_irpinia #altairpinia but don’t blame me if you put on some weight eating your way through! I just missed the pizzas that start at 5 pm. I’ll be back ! #italianfood #italiandeli #italianamerican #gianlucarottura #angelocompetiello #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Check out my friends @unregularpizza NEW location on Lexington Avenue between 78-79 Street. They serve great Roman Style pizza. With many events happening this summer in Central Park, it’s a no-brainer to stop by here on the way and pick up some great slices! #unregularpizza #pizza #romanpizza #pizzaromana #uppereastside #ues #gianlucarottura #winemadeeasy #mawhatareyoucooking #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

I spent a lot of my Life in and around Battipaglia, which I detailed before. It’s known for a few things, but, most famously, the Mozzarella di Bufala. Thanks to my friends @ateliercarrabs for the recommendation to eat at Batti La Paglia @battilapaglia_ristorante from where the city derives its name, meaning the threshing (batti) of wheat and straw (paglia). As you walk in, you’ll see the much-loved Danish Red breed for steaks. The space is airy and bright. We started with a Tagliere of cheese, including Mozzarella di Bufala, Burrata, Stracciata Affumicata, Formaggio Fresco di Bufala, and Ricotta di Bufala. The Pasta was Pennone allo Scarpariello Moderno with Datterini tomatoes and garlic from Ufita and a mix of Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino from Amatrice. The restaurant is across the street from the Pastena Stadium @battipagliacalcio and from the famous Il Cornettone @ilcornettonebattipaglia a spot that never closes and serves huge Cornetti. Oh, how many I ate at 3, 4, 5 in the morning after going to discotheques with @marzioalcidi #battipaglia #stadioluigipastena #ilcornettone #mozzarella #mozzarelladibufala #cornetto #salerno #campania #cilento #ufita #valleufita #aglio #garlic #scarpariello #pasta #cheese #gianlucarottura #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Pizza night: it’s time to get fat! First, a beautiful pizza with Amalfi Coast lemons from my friends @agricolaruoccos Next, a Porchetta pizza with rucola and, of course, mayonnaise. Third, a pizza with Prosciutto Cotto, which is Italian ham, and also corn and black pepper. The ham was cooked in the oven, but for the fourth pizza, the ham was added after coming out of the oven, along with pistachio pesto and cheese. My mother’s area is famous for borage and pizzas topped with it, but that’s impossible to find here, so I grew up bringing spinach pizzas to school with no cheese. The oil-cured black olives are optional. Of course, we also did one with cheese as well. And the wine, of course, would have to be Gragnano. #pizza #pizzas #pizze #pizzanight #sabatosera #amalficoast #limoni #lemons #porchetta #prosciuttocotto #corn #spinach #gianlucarottura #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc #gragnano

Thanks to @breadbyluca for the wonderful focaccia ! Looking forward to trying many more ! #breadbyluca #bread #pane #focaccia #bakery #gianlucarottura #winemadeeasy #mawhatareyoucooking #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

The name is CHONES (pronounced Co-Ho-Nes) because that’s what you need to live THIS LIFE. Every once in a while, I dust off some words and dust off some MC’s ! Haha. It’s all fun. The video is more than 59 seconds (it’s 1:36, actually), so you may have to open it up to play more or whatever. ENJOY ! God Bless ! #chones #chonesone #gianlucarottura #rap #hiphop #mcing #lyrics #conciousrap #music #rhyming #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Happy Palm Sunday. Look what we found when opening the store! I was thinking about our father, as I often do, missing him, and Palm Sunday happens to be one of his favorite days, when he would give out Palms to many people. Though it’s not the first time customers and neighborhood people drop off Gifts for us, I wasn’t ready for this, this time! We are always touched by these Thoughts. Today’s a very important and special Holy Day for Christians, especially Catholic, but you could be of any religion, or of none, to be able to share something and feel part of a Community. You keep people and traditions Alive when acting out Good Intentions. Thanks and Blessings to you all ! #palmsunday #happypalmsunday #festedellepalme #easter #pasqua #gianlucarottura #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Character. Respect. Loyalty. Sincerity. These are some of the many things that remain after a special person passes. Thanks for the inclusion of our father in this updated edition of this great book on @mikebloomberg Our father was loved by everyone. Good wins in the end … and won’t be forgotten. #albertorottura #mikebloomberg #bloomberg ##michaelbloomberg #character #loyalty #respect #honor #father #gianlucarottura #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc #mawhatareyoucooking #winemadeeasy

The American mall-ization of Italy. I always joke with my Italian friends and family that, instead of copying the bad things about America, they should copy the good things, like efficiency and punctuality. Lol. In the past 15 years or so, quite a few malls have opened up but eventually fail, unfortunately destroying mom and pop shops in the process. So, what is the net gain? Here, we see that they go a step further. They completely block the view of the Amalfi Coast, so you have to walk far away just to get a big picture view. Knowing Italy and how everything works, or actually does not work, I would not be surprised if this project never even finishes, with all the money being taken by special interest groups. It is interesting to note that, while some things are much better in Italy, many things are not. Italians had to adapt and change when they came to this country and many did away with the inefficiencies and bureaucracies of Italian culture. Because of that, they thrived in a country they help build, like the United States, and every other country they went to. But taking the view away from Salerno of the Amalfi Coast was a spit in the eye. To take a quote from one of my father’s favorite books and films, “The Leopard”, written by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. “Everything must change for everything to remain the same”. It was referring to Sicily, but might as well be applied to the whole of Italy, especially the South. #italy #amalficoast #costieramalfitana #salerno #italia #mall #consumerism #momandpopshop #italianamerican #globalization #gianlucarottura #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc #theleopard #tomasidilampedusa

La lucertola. This type of lizard is everywhere in Italian countrysides and, while harmless, traumatized me, my brother, and my mother (who grew up on a farm) when it crawled into our beds when we were kids. Also harmless but can cause a lot chaos is the pipistrello (bat). Bats are everywhere at night and fly very crazily. Definitely harmful are where locals told us to never walk because of the bombs from the war that never exploded. Italians are some of the few people who came to a different country and happily fought for it, even if it meant fighting against their country of birth. My mother’s area is full of these; the nearby Pontecagnano English soldiers’ cemetery is another reminder. For now, though, we have the lizards. My Italian American story is very uncommon but one that should be told nonetheless. Especially during Italian American History Month. Did you know I barely knew any Italians growing up in Manhattan? More on that later … #lucertola #italy #italia #campania #gianlucarottura #italianamerican

Who wants to go to the Amalfi Coast? It’s where I want my ashes spread. Second place is Keens Steakhouse in NYC. #amalficoast #costieramalfitana #maiori #campania #gianlucarottura #acquaazzurra #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Amazing pizza, as always, at one of the best pizzerias @iveraci_pizzeria by a humble master @mister_frank87 with a HUGE credit from a Neapolitan client heaping praise on him (check video) and his Cosacca. Also, as I was leaving immediately noticing a hanging pamphlet by the world famous and talented artist @sandroxchia who our family has been carrying his also world famous wines, such as Chianti and Brunello, for decades, and whose beautiful winery my brother even visited and is run by his son @filippochia and imported by @selectedestatesofeurope #pizza #pizzeria #naples #sarno #neapolitanpizza #pizzanapoletana #iveraci #gianlucarottura #mawhatareyoucooking #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Great to see the new @biancaofgreenwich by my friend @rossoprocino of @ribalta.restaurant The food was great, as expected, and the vibe and setting really differentiate it from every place else in the Connecticut/Westchester area. To make the vibe even more familial, we bumped into the great Bruno D’Ascanio and his wife, Francesca. As my luck would have it, I didn’t expect to go, so I did not have a gift to bring, which most often is wine, so I immediately went to my cousins at @sanpietrowines for the ONLY wine from the island of Procida from a long-time favorite producer of ours @cantine_farro whose Campi Flegrei wines we also always promoted and makes this gem from 100% Falanghina imported by our friends @panebiancowines from the legendary @castaldonunzio Falanghina from Campi Flegrei, a zone which also includes the islands of Procida, as well as Capri and Ischia, is different from more common Falanghinas coming from inland towards the Avellino/Benevento area. NB The song I used at the end is the only one I have that matches “wine” with “Procida” but it actually mentions Monte di Procida, the tip pf the mainland that faces the island of Procida and where a cousin is from @lucaschianonyc. #biancagreenwich #bianca #italianrestaurant #rosarioprocino #panebiancowines #procida #wine #italianwine #falanghina #gianlucarottura #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

Always tell the Truth……even when you lie. In Vino Veritas … #quidestveritas #invinoveritas #metallica #neverlie #truth #invinoveritaswinesnyc

At @unregularpizza husband and wife duo, Gabriele and Paola, have a great thing going. He has been making Roman style pizzas, as well as other styles, for many years. With their new spot, they bring his skill and also mix it with popular American and Italian-American classics. Even the logo and colors are perfect to take this idea nationally. The line is out the door ! They devised a great barter system with other businesses and it was great to pop in and give them a bottle of wine and a copy of both of my books in exchange for some great slices and other fun foods. If you like pizza, go check them out near Union Square ! #unregularpizza #pizza #barter #bartersystem #unionsquare #gabrielelamonaca #gianlucarottura #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc #gragnano #winemadeeasy #mawhatareyoucooking

Vuoi Favorire? Always the best with @sanpietroristorante #sanpietro #sanpietroristorante #italianfood #pasta #risotto #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc

“Quanto sei bella Roma quand'è sera …” “Roma nun fa' la stupida stasera…” “Dimmi cos'è, Che ci fa sentire amici anche se non ci conosciamo…” Whatever song you sing, just know that I hold life and death in my hands…. Or thumb!” What will it be ? Wait for it lol Happy Birthday, Roma. From er cupolone to the never fair er pupetto, (he’s the 8th king of Rome, you jealous fools!), you’re my favorite city, my true Love. I’ve even had the honor of showing locals around. One day, we will reunite like the old days ! And while the North jokes that SPQR really stands for “sono porci questi romani” (Romans are pigs), I prefer the other joke “sono pazzi questi romani” (Romans are crazy). I’ve been called “crazy” my whole Life, so I feel right at home. With stornelli playing in my head. And some vinello at my disposal ! If you want to know what I think of the Roma haters, wait for my verdict at the end of the video ! #roma #rome #lacittaeterna #theeternalcity #asroma #antonellovenditti #francescototti #totti #spqr #buoncompleanno #romulusandremus #romoloeremo #ancientrome #ilcolosseo #colosseo #colosseum #gladiator #gianlucarottura #romanempire #invinoveritas #invinoveritaswinesnyc