Comments on: Ferdinando’s Focacceria: old school before it was kool

By: We Are Never Full » Hell’s Kitchen: Hot & Smelly, Yet Delicious

We Are Never Full » Hell’s Kitchen: Hot & Smelly, Yet Delicious — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:39:15 +0000

[...] another of my favorite communities, Carroll Gardens, the block of Ninth Ave between 36th and 37th streets is an old Italian-American neighborhood and [...]

By: We Are Never Full » Pasta con le Sarde: Sicily on a plate

We Are Never Full » Pasta con le Sarde: Sicily on a plate — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:20:42 +0000

[...] should be given to Ferdinando’s Focacceria for inspiring us to cook this [...]

By: Ken albala

Ken albala — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:25:42 +0000

This looks SO good. I love when restaurants resolutely refuse to homogenize to meet mainstream expectations. If you’re interested in a foray to a similar neighborhood, head out to the Bronx, not to Arthur Avenue as everyone does, but to Pelham Bay, way out at the end of the 6. Between Middletown Road and the last stop, you’ll find salumeria, fruit stands, fabulous old world butchers, fish mongers, and just serious Italian food. (I lived right there before heading West.)

By: Lori Lynn

Lori Lynn — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:20:13 +0000

Oh it sounds so charming, I love those mismatched plates.

I didn’t know the baby’s name was Paolo, that’s very cool!!
LL

By: rach

rach — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 17:21:13 +0000

Sounds like my kind of place. The octopus salad has started something that will not pass until I have a plate of my own (volpetti tomorrow). I will look forward to the pasta con le sarde update which I am sure will start something else. Everything is looking rather nice and green at the market here, fave and pecorino not far off. Paolo – che bel nome.
great pictures as usual.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 22:53:32 +0000

Taking the kid out for meals actually gets harder later on, but I’m glad this worked so well. There was a joint on Sullivan or Macdougal St. that we used to go to years ago for exactly this sort of vintage vibe. Carroll Gardens still has some serious authenticity left, no doubt. I’d be jealous that you live near so much good eating, but then I have half a lamb (including its organs) in my great big chest freezer that’s as big as your whole kitchen so we’ll call it a draw.

By: Rachel (S[d]OC)

Rachel (S[d]OC) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:45:36 +0000

What a fun meal. I was drooling over your cheese descriptions (although not so much over – veal spleen? ) It’s amazing that a truly authentic and unusual Italian place would survive for so long. Brava to them! Even the places that try the hardest to be regional or more faithful to the old country tend to veer into the red sauce direction. (Yes, I agree red sauce Italian is a special cuisine unto itself and if well done, deserving of praise. SPP and I had our first date at such a restaurant almost 13 years ago and we are still regulars there)

By: Jonny & Amy

Jonny & Amy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:38:21 +0000

@Heather – that is indeed the mitt of nostro bambino!
@Joanne – they have been thinking outside the stereotypical Italian food box for 100 years. Long may it continue!

By: Joanne

Joanne — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:05:56 +0000

This place sounds awesome! I wonder how I’ve never been there…. I love how they think outside the stereotypical Italian food box. Everything sounds delicious.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:27:21 +0000

I see that tiny bebbeh hand in the background! I would kill for a place like this in my neighborhood. We get good Vietnamese, but I guess that’s an effect of being on the west coast – we’re closer to Asia than Europe.