NYC for a week....suggestions for bakeries and eateries ? ...

Now you're speaking my language......ran an Italian restaurant up on the east side for a number of years, it closed just a few months ago. One of my old time favorites is Il Vagabondo, on east 62nd street, been there since I was a kid more than half a century ago. Old traditional italian classics done right, plus the added attraction of the original bocce ball court out back, the restaurant I ran is right around the corner on first avenue, it re-opened now as an italian place called Cafe Espresso I think, owner of it was a former staff member of the place I ran and from what I hear they are doing pretty much the same menu........but I digress, try Il Vagabondo. I am trying to remember the name of the place around the corner from my apartment......began with an S....eighty third street and East End Avenue..maybe Sirabella....you would think I would remember the name of the place I ate at on average of 5 times a month for years. Another old goodie, Carina's, Second Ave at around 88th street, again old world italian. For old rustic european/polish food try down on second avenue at 11th street Little Poland, great soups, roasted meats and hand rolled pierogies, or try Veselkas also on second ave at I think 9th or 10th street. Starving in the middle of the night.......down to Chinatown for Hop Kee until the wee hours, Mott Street 2 blocks off Canal. Deli foods  Arties Deli 82nd, on Broadway, after a trip to Zabars.  Got a whole group together and want italian, try Tony Di Napoli's 83rd st and second ave, family style plates and decent to boot. Pizza, the original Patsys up on first avenue between 117th & 118th or downtown I like Totonnos, John's on Bleeker St or Arturo's on Houston. Can you tell I miss living back home in NY?

I sent you a private message..............

I also used to frequent Tal Bagels on East 86th street, they were only about 3 blocks from my apartment and they had the best salads to put on those bagels......my sister loved their shrimp salad, made with whole shrimp and no fillers, I usually got the checken salad, again fresh with no fillers. They also had another branch up on Broadway and 92nd street. For Bialys, which are really my favorite, I used to go down to Orchard street and there was a little hole in the wall place that had the best I ever found, in all the years I went to them I never did find out their name and no one in the shop spoke english either! I don't know if they are still there as the neighborhood has undergone a major renovation that has forced many of the old timers out now, and thats a shame....but this isn't the place to go into that. And yes the name of the place around the corner from my apt is called Sirabellas and they are still open, its on East End Avenue between 82nd and 83rd street. Zabars carries the Kai Komachi knives that people here use to slash their loaves and is the place where I bought my bannetons quite a few years ago. If you will be making dinner at your brothers place let me put in a good work for Brunos Ravioli they are over on 9th avenue near your brothers place, we also used to eat at Manganero's over on 9th ave, but the last time I went it had changed a lot and the food wasn't as great as it used to be. I miss the street fairs that I frequented every weekend, especially the 9th ave International Food one that usually occured the end of May and sort of started off the street fair season. If I think of any other places I will update you before you leave. I almost forgot about Orwashers Bakery over on the east 78th right off First Ave, Mr Orwasher had the place forever and has now sold but the new owners say they are going to continue with his recipies and procedures, you may want to take a run over there for some great breads if they are indeed following his lead. mattie

Do you ever go exploring up in upstate NY? We had moved up near the Washintonville winery back in 1971 and friends used to love to come up to visit and go on the tours, it's not too far from the city and you can hop a bus from Port Autority.  Also if you are in the shopping mode on your visit you might want to hop the bus at Port Autority and take the trip up to Woodbury Commons, it's one of the largest outlet centers in the country and they are forever expanding it, my oldest son lives not too far from it so I always take the grandkids shopping when I am up visiting.......lots of places like William Sonoma (their sales are rock bottom, got a couple of AllClad pans for something silly like under $20 each) they also have lots of stuff not in their regular stores and catalog, there are also other cookware stores, also the bookstores in the complex are great. The bus ride takes a little under an hour and in nice weather is packed with tourists mostly from Asia but it is so bog it is rarely crowded except suring holiday seasons like Christmas when the wait for a parking spot can take hours if you are driving. Let me know if I am piling on too much info.  Mattie

I hear you about the weather, it is an absolutly beautiful day down here today. I was out in the yard just soaking up the bright azaleas that are in full bloom, I got the smoker and the grills set up for the season and put my herbs back out in the bright sunlight, I am so surprised they held their own throughout this winter. Next weekend if the weather holds we will have our first big BBQ for the kids and grands, so this week I'll try making some burger buns.........maybe Norms onion rolls, a burger would be fantastic on them. If your brother and his wife love outlet malls they probably have already been to Woodbury Commons, I think they have a website too so you might be able to check it out that way to see if you want to make the trip. Whatever you do, have a great time and enjoy the food! mattie