There are
certain places that come to mind when you are looking to celebrate,
commiserate, or crave a really good meal. Living in Brooklyn, New York my
choices are always abundant. I can go into the city or any of the other
boroughs for any type of food you can dream of (see previous blog). It is a
spoil of riches. It can also make the decision that much harder. Then I
remember a place that is close to my neighborhood where just the thought of the
food can make you drool.
As an
Italian I am very judgy about where I eat Italian food. There are the places
that are good for just a slice of pizza, those where I would never eat marinara
sauce because it tastes like it came from a can (a BIG no-no in my family), and
places that are like stepping across the ocean for a meal right out of Italy.
The latter is a place I know well and I am lucky enough to be a car ride away.
That would be the iconic Gargiulo's.
Gargiulo's
is one of the two most historic places in this party of Brooklyn, Coney Island.
The first is Nathan’s Famous for hot dogs (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/04/for-life-under-sea-ny-aquarium.html).
This is where hot dogs were invented in 1916. Ever since that day these hot
dogs have become the standard for this classic American dish. They became world
renowned when President Franklin Roosevelt served them to the King and Queen of
England during their visit in 1939. Coney Island holds the record for one of
the most widely cherished foods. They even have a hot dog eating contest every
July 4th. Looks like the Nathan’s brand isn’t going anywhere any
time soon. Now I could go for one well done with sauerkraut and mustard. To die
for! Damn they need to start a delivery service.
A mere
block or two away is the legendary Gargiulo's. It could be hard to miss if you
aren’t paying close attention. Especially in the boardwalk off-season when
Coney Island is quiet at night. But once you park in the lot across the street
and you step inside the restaurant it is like the world has come alive again.
The crowd is loud, there is music playing, and waiters ushering trays of amazing
smelling food all around. There it sits taking up the middle of the block.
There are two entrances one for parties and one for dining. Up until recently
the party entrance was the one I was more familiar with. That is not true
anymore.
The last
time I was here was a couple of years ago for a friend’s wedding. Although I
don’t remember much of this party, because of a terrible migraine and
subsequent pills not the drinking I wish I could have done, I most definitely
remember the food. It was sort of hard not to. I couldn’t even cheat and check
my pictures because I had accidentally erased them all during that night in my
pain haze. I know it was a lot of fun. But the food managed to stick in my
brain that is because it was one of the best I have had especially for wedding
food. I feel like every time I go to a wedding the food is substandard if not
awful and I know it is not cheap. Just a racket they have going. But that’s
enough about that.
The
cocktail hour at this wedding was so good I wish I could go back once or twice
a year and just have that. It had all of the usual foods like meats, cheeses,
crackers, sushi, but then I stumbled upon hot dogs, rice balls, pizza, and
countless others that were so good I have blacked them out. But that wedding didn’t
stop there. I should have known it would be a great experience since the Russo
brothers took over. After all “Russo’s on the Bay” is its own party
extravaganza in Howard Beach, Queens.
Once we
went to the ballroom and it came time to pick our entrees there was one my eye
was immediately drawn to but it sounded too good to be true. I actually asked
several of the people sitting at my table to confirm it in case my meds were
playing a cruel joke on me. Luckily they weren’t and I was able to order LOBSTER
TAILS! That’s right, two tales for my dinner. That was of course after pasta
and salad courses. When I took a bite out of those babies and the beautiful
butter next to it I felt the pain leave me momentarily. They were so perfectly
cooked, sweat and firm, I was in awe. The last time I had lobster that good I
was in San Francisco (again another topic for another blog appearing in the
next few months). If I closed my eyes and listened I could have sworn I heard
the sea lions barking at the pier while I ate my lobster.
I had
been to a few family dinners in the main restaurant and they were good. I had
chicken dishes and pastas my favorite of which being the fettuccini alfredo. I
am afraid this is my favorite place to get this dish because it’s the best I
have ever tasted. Sadly that includes those who created it at Alfredos 100 (see
link below). The cheese isn’t too sharp, less oil even when I heated it up the
next day, and the noodles are just richer and sturdier.
Last week
was the first time I was there since Hurricane Sandy. Sandy hit this area very
hard, as the ocean is so close. It demolished many of the landmark eateries we
have been talking about. But I am pleased to say that Gargiulos is back and has
been almost right away. Any changes aren’t noticeable they have maintained
their standard.
About
that dinner, it was my last birthday dinner; I mean the last dinner celebrating
my thirty-third birthday this past December. It was a girl’s only dinner
ironically with the women I went to Savannah with. One of my friends also had a
December birthday so it was a shared birthday feast, even better.
We had
waited for this dinner on purpose with all of the craziness of the holiday
season we wanted to wait and go when we had the time to really enjoy it. Plus I
like to celebrate my birthday as often and for as long as I can get away with.
This might be the longest I have succeeded doing so.
Everyone
went with an idea of what they wanted. I was on the fence. Appetizers were
first and that was easy. My friends got the mozzarella, peppers, and prosciutto
and my mother and I shared the stuffed mushrooms. Man I really love stuffed
mushrooms and I haven’t had a good one in a long time. The last ones I had I
spit out. I have been meaning to make them myself but never got a chance. This
was better. They were served to me and so good even though I have no idea what
made them so special. They were light but heavily stuffed with cheese,
breadcrumbs, and seasonings I couldn’t identify. I find most of the great meals
of my life consist of stuff I can’t identify.
My entrée
was much tougher. My initial instinct was to try something new but everything
started to sound good and I was getting hungrier by the second. Then I was
afraid I would get something I wouldn’t like, but I am pretty sure that isn’t
even possible here. At the last minute I went with my gut- the fettuccini
alfredo, and there were orders of chicken francese, shrimp scampi, and chicken
and sausage with potatoes. Everyone couldn’t have been more satisfied with their
choices. As for me I too was thrilled I went with my favorite meal here. It had
been too long since I have had those tastes in my mouth and it filled me with
joy. Like I said it even heated up great the next day.
Then the
real fun began. While no one could really breathe and had some food to take
home with them, we still went ahead with dessert. After all this was a birthday
celebration. We each got something different. We had tiramisu, and three
different kinds of Italian ice creams. I had the spumoni, which was light,
creamy, fruity, and nutty. This was such a good choice after my meal. Next time
I am trying the tiramisu because that is my favorite kind of cake. I did taste
it and loved it. I could go for a cold slice to eat for breakfast in the morning.
Damn all restaurants really do need a delivery service.
Shockingly
enough my favorite part of dessert was not the spumoni. It was my cappuccino. I
so love getting a cappuccino after a nice meal. Normally I do not want whipped
cream on it or sugar in it. I take it black. Usually the waiter asks before he
or she brings it. Here it was just delivered with the cream on top swirled into
a big pile. At first I was upset until I took a sip that is. This had to be the
best-whipped cream on the planet. I hate anything that is too sweet and this
was creamier than anything else. Plus the cappuccino was beyond anything I
could remember tasting. This too needs to be part of the order I get delivered
as soon as someone is smart enough to get that started.
With my cappuccino
finished and our dessert plates cleaned it was time to go. I thought I would
have to be wheeled out but I managed to make it back to the car. For such a big
meal, one that exceeded my expectations, it was very reasonably priced. I love
when I can feel like I am splurging on a special occasion and it doesn’t break
the bank. There are so FEW restaurants that can make that happen, even less in
N.Y.C. Just another reason to heart this Coney Island treasure. I know I will
have to make it back more often now that it is fresh in my mind. The urge is
real.
On my
ride to dinner that night I saw another familiar face, a building with a sign
on it that read: “Grimaldi’s” which is another Brooklyn original gem. I have
never been to this location yet just their more popular one under the Brooklyn
Bridge (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-day-spent-under-brooklyn-bridge.html).
I know this location will do well especially once Spring and Summer arrive. I
am happy to know I have more than one place to visit when I feel the need
coming on.
I have
heard that the famed “Wahlburgers” franchise is opening several locations in
New York and one is rumored to be in Coney Island although I have not found any
recent literature on the exact addresses. I suspect Times Square will also be a
hot spot for them. Just having one
in N.Y.C. will be a luxury. They are at the very top of their game, these
famous acting, singing, cooking brothers, and I believe their success will only
continue. In the coming weeks I will have a Boston series which they will be
apart of naturally.
Brooklyn
over the last few years has gone under major gentrification in just about every
neighborhood. It appears the time has come for Coney Island to have its turn. I
saw lots of buildings under construction and signs in the window for condos for
sale. Soon the price of a Nathan’s hot dog will be more than a latte at my beloved
Starbucks. Speaking of which, Brooklyn needs more of those too. They can start
in Coney Island if they like. Everyone else seems to be.
But if
you want the real deal, the most renowned, remarkable restaurant the one that
predates all of the above and established the standard I have become accustomed
to then you are going to need to go to Gargiulo's. I recommend making a
reservation.
Things
haven’t been the same since Gargiulo's opened in 1907. Thank the good Lord
Jesus.
For More
Information:
For Other
Italian Eateries I Fancy:
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