New York City Storefronts
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McSorley's Old Ale House, East 7th St. - East Village - page 11
Open since 1858, it is the oldest Irish pub in New York. Also known for being the last bar that only served men, it is now owned and operated by a woman, Teresa Maher De La Haba. Teresa is also the first female bartender of this pub, which survived prohibitionism as a speakeasy. The bar only serves their homemade ale, light or dark.
Music Inn, West 4th St. - Greenwich Village - page 15
Founded in 1958, there is virtually no musician in New York who hasn't been there at least once. Packed with musical instruments, especially rare percussion instruments from all over the world. It also boasts a decent vinyl collection.
Albanese Meat & Poultry, Elizabeth St. - Nolita - page 21
Opened in 1923, the shop window is practically identical to original one. Today the shop is managed by Jennifer Prezioso who inherited it from her grandfather Moe Albanese who in turn had started working in the family shop in 1950, together with her mother Mary, also known as Mariannina. Moe Albanese personally managed the shop until his death from Covid in 2020, at 96 years old.
White Horse Tavern, Hudson St. - Greenwich Village - page 25
Founded in 1880 and operated as a speakeasy, this bar is one of the few wooden structures left in New York and still maintains its original interior. It is the place that the poet Dylan Thomas frequented before he died in 1953. Robert Zimmerman known as Bob Dylan took his stage name from Dylan Thomas and was himself a customer of this place in the sixties.
Tom's Restaurant, Broadway & 112th St. - Upper West Side - page 31
Famous for being the diner in the television series "Seinfeld", this restaurant (called Monk's Café in the series) is present in almost all episodes. The character who appears most frequently, after the main four (Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, George), is Ruthie, the cashier, with 101 appearances out of 180 episodes. The place is also at the center of one of the most famous episodes, in which George Costanza receives a Christmas card from his father with "Happy Festivus" wishes.
Caffe Reggio, MacDougal St. - Greenwich Village - page 35
Founded in 1927 by Domenico Parisi, it seems to be the first American bar to have introduced cappuccino to the public in America.
Comedy Cellar, MacDougal St. - Greenwich Village - page 37
The most important stand-up comedy venue in New York. Practically all the most important American comedians of the last 40 years have passed through here.
Meat Market Baczynsky, 2nd Ave. - East Village - page 39
Founded by Julian Baczynsky of Ukrainian origin, specializing in the typical Kielbasa handmade and smoked daily in the back of the shop, the butcher shop mainly serves the Ukrainian community that lives in this neighborhood inhabited by many Eastern European immigrants.
Katz's Delicatessen, E. Houston St. - Lower East Side - page 43
Opened in 1888 is known for its excellent typically Jewish-New York menu, including the "pastrami sandwich", or the always fresh "bagels", it became even more famous after the scene in the film "When Harry Met Sally", in which Sally simulates an orgasm at the dinner table, and the woman sitting at the next table (played by director Carl Reiner's mother, Estelle) utters the famous phrase, “I'll have what she's having.” Another feature of the place is that upon entering, after a long queue, you receive a numbered ticket, which serves both as a service order and to pay by returning it to the cashier upon exit.
Russ & Daughters Appetizers, E. Houston St. - Lower East Side - page 47
Family-run, it is believed to be the first shop to use “& Daughters” in its name. It is owned by the founder's great-granddaughter Niky Russ Federman and her cousin Joshua Russ Tupper.
Barney Greengrass, Amsterdam Ave. - Upper West Side - page51
“The Sturgeon King”, family-owned for three generations, specializes in sturgeon, smoked salmon lox, and caviar. Founded by Barney Greengrass in 1908, it is now also a very popular restaurant especially for brunch with smoked fish, pickles and above all very fresh bagels. The writer Philip Roth used it as a place to write.
Village Cigars Corner, 7th Ave. & Christopher St. - West Village - pag. 65
Opened in 1922 and recognizable not only for its particular triangle-shaped plan and red colour, but also because on the pavement in front there is a triangular plaque which marks the location of the Hess Triangle, which with its surface area of less of one square meter represents the smallest real estate in New York. The owner of Village Cigars, who purchased the property in 1938, has maintained the plaque as a reminder of New York's history.
Borgatti's Ravioli & Egg Noodles, 186th St. & Arthur Ave. - Bronx - page 67
Typical shop in Little Italy in the Bronx, which develops around Arthur Ave., its heart. Founded by Linda and Mario Borgatti in 1935, it is now managed by Chris Borgatti and his son, third and fourth generation. Linda and Mario are in a photo in the shop window, surrounded by food products and religious figurines.
O. Ottomanelli & Sons Prime Meat Market, Bleecker St. - Greenwich Village - page 71
Family-run butcher since 1935, it is managed by the five children of the founder Onofrio Ottomanelli, an immigrant from Bari.
Addeo & Sons Italian Bakery, Arthur Ave. - Little Italy, Bronx - page 73
Owned by the Addeo family since 1929. This popular bakery is now operated by the third generation of brothers, Laurence and Tommy Addeo. The original writing “Pane di casa” remains. Before the recent spread of the sale of fresh bread in supermarkets or other bakeries, Addeo Bakery was the point of reference for many Italians living in the New York metropolitan area who traveled for more than an hour to stock up on bread.
Bonbonniere, 8th Ave. - West Village - page 75
Opened in 1930, the place is present in many scenes of the TV series "Sex in The City" as a meeting place for the four protagonists. The two square Coca Cola signs are the original ones from the 1930s.
Vesuvio Bakery, Price St. - SoHo - page 77
Historic bakery on Prince Street in SoHo, founded in 1920 by Nunzio & Jennie Dapolito. Closed in 2009, became Birdbath Green Bakery and closed again a few years later, it reopened in 2020 with the ancient name "Vesuvio Bakery". New owner Adam Block only sells bread like the original store.
The Slaughtered Lamb Pub, West 4th St. - Greenwich Village - page 81
It took its name from the pub in the film “An American Werewolf in London” in which two NYU students are attacked during their trip to London.
Hector's Cafe & Diner, Washington St. - Meatpacking District - page 83
Now hidden beneath the High Line, this diner opened in 1949 and serves burgers made with meat from the Weichsel Beef Company, one of the last butcher shops in the original Meatpacking District. For many years it remained open 24 hours a day to serve workers and butchers in the early hours of the morning, but since the pandemic closes at 11.30pm.
Village Vanguard, 7th Ave & Perry St. - West Village - page 87
The Village Vanguard is a jazz club on Seventh Avenue in the Village. The club was opened on February 22, 1935, by Max Gordon. Originally, it featured folk music and beat poetry, but in 1957 it became primarily a jazz music venue. It has since hosted many renowned jazz musicians and today is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in New York City.
Zabar's, Broadway & 80 St. - Upper West Side - page 91
Founded in 1934 by Louis and Lilian Zabar, for years it was one of the few grocery stores with a wide selection of quality Italian products that cannot be found elsewhere and typical products from many other countries. Due to its location, it has always been very popular not only with Italians living on the Upper West Side but also with those from outside New York.
Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Hudson St. - West Village - page 93
Specializing in Texan-style barbecues and "margaritas", it has been present in the Village for many years and stands out for its Texan and slightly bizarre setup.
Little Owl, Bedford St. - West Village - page 95
This street corner, frequented by at least a thousand tourists a day, is famous for the exterior of the house used in the famous television series "Friends". However, the Little Owl restaurant has nothing that recalls the "Central Perk" frequented in the series by the six friends.
Puerto Rico Importing, Bleecker St. - West Village - page 101
Opened in 1907, the store was founded by Italian immigrant Patsy Albanese. At the turn of the century, the Greenwich Village neighborhood was home to a growing community of Italian immigrants and Albanian was one of many to open a business along Bleecker Street to satisfy their culinary needs. Just across the street, at 201 Bleecker Street, another Italian family, the Longo family, opened the Longo Sanitary Bakery on the ground floor of the building. In 1958, Albanese sold the Puerto Rico Importing Company to the Longos, and the coffee shop and roastery eventually moved into the space at 201 Bleecker Street. The current third-generation owner, Peter Longo, still lives upstairs in the building where he grew up, purchased by his grandfather in 1905 and where his father Angelo was born.
Balthazar, Spring St. - Soho - page 103
Balthazar is New York's most famous French brasserie. It opened on April 21, 1997, and is owned by British restaurateur Keith McNally. It is flanked by an excellent pastry-bakery of the same name. Balthazar's design resembles that of a brasserie, with high-backed red leather banquettes, oversized brass mirrors, a high tin ceiling, tile floors, faded saffron yellow walls, large windows, and lighting with vintage lamps.
Stonewall Inn, Christopher St. - West Village - page 107
The plaque outside the venue commemorates the events of June 28, 1969 and reads: “The events that began at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 marked a monumental change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Americans. Stonewall, which occupied 51-53 Christopher Street, was a gay bar that was raided on June 28, 1969. Patrons and a crowd outside resisted, and confrontations continued over the next few nights in nearby Christopher Park and on adjacent streets. This uprising catalyzed the LGBTQ civil rights movement, resulting in increased visibility for the community that continues to resonate in the struggle for equality.”
This bar remains a focal point to honor the diversity of this city today. Place of departure and great parties and music on the day of the Gay Parade.
Russo's Mozzarella & Pasta, 11th St & 1st Ave. - East Village - page 109
Daily mozzarella and fresh pasta since 1908. Mandatory stop in the East Village for a freshly made sandwich or a caprese dressed with extra virgin olive oil.
Chelsea Market, 9th Ave. - Chelsea - page 111
Although the structure also houses some offices and a television producer, Chelsea Market has the unique characteristic of being a "mall" entirely dedicated to food. The complex occupies an entire city block with a bridge connecting the Ninth Avenue building to the adjacent Tenth Avenue building. The High Line passes along the side of the building on 10th. Chelsea Market was built in 1890 and was originally the site of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) industrial complex where the Oreo cookie was invented and produced. Renovated in the 1990s, it is currently owned by Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. Chelsea Market is located within the Gansevoort Market Historic District, recognized by the National Register of Historical Places of New York State.
Di Palo, Mott St. - Little Italy - Bronx - page 117
Typical shop in Little Italy in the Bronx, founded and still managed by the Di Palo family. Numerous first-generation Italian shops in Little Italy have disappeared or been replaced by Chinese-owned shops and merchandise.
Oyster Bar, Grand Central Terminal - Midtown - page 119
Restaurant opened in 1913 on the opening day of the Grand Central Terminal train station. It is one day older than the first train that entered the station. It is located in the basement of the station itself.
FDNY Ladder 8, 14 N Moore St. - Tribeca - page 121
It is the site of the fire station used as a base in the famous movie “Ghostbusters”. On pages 128, 129, 152, 153 there are other stations whose colors, writings and architecture are typical of the New York urban landscape. The stations are identified with numbers next to the terms Hook, Ladder or Engine, fundamental tools of firefighters. The fire department as a public service was invented in the United States by Benjamin Franklin. In New York he is also called "The Bravest".
Minetta Tavern, Minetta Ln. & Macdougal St. - Greenwich Village - page 123
Founded in 1937, the tavern takes its name from the Minetta brook, a small river that flowed from Twenty-third Street to the Hudson River. Frequented by Village artists, writers and poets including Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings and Dylan Thomas.
Fanelli Cafe, Prince St. – Soho - page 125
In 1878 Nicholas Gerdes opened this place which he managed as a "saloon" until 1902. In 1922 Michele Fanelli baptized the café with the name it currently has. In 1982 the Fanelli family sold the business to the current owner, Hans Noe. During the years of prohibition, between 1920 and 1933, Fanelli operated as a “speakeasy”. Until a few years ago this place maintained the qualification of "saloon".
Bigelow Pharmacy, 6th Ave & 8th St. - Greenwich Village - page 127
Founded in 1838, it is the oldest pharmacy still in operation in the United States
Ed Sullivan Theater, Broadway & 52nd St. - Midtown - page 129
Perhaps the most important theater on the part of Broadway that runs through Midtown. It is the theater of the Beatles' first American appearance in 1964 during the live show hosted by Ed Sullivan, and it is the same theater where the "Late Show" has been held for years, a historic television program hosted first by David Letterman and now by Stephen Colbert.
Nathan's Hot Dogs, Coney Island - Brooklyn - page 135
In Coney Island, south of Brooklyn, there is the first place opened in 1916 and became famous for its hot dogs which then spread throughout the United States.
Luna Park - Coney Island, Brooklyn - page 137
The world's first amusement park intended as a “Luna Park” was established in Coney Island in 1903. It had roller coasters and other rides related to an imaginary trip to the moon. While in Italy and other countries the term continues to identify the amusement park in general, in the United States there remains the only park of this kind called Luna Park.
Strand Bookstore, 12St & Broadway - Union Square - page 139
A stone's throw from New York University, in the area between Union Square and the Village, there is one of the most famous bookstores in the city. Founded in 1927 by Lithuanian immigrant Benjamin Bass and with an inventory of about “18 miles of books,” according to his son and current owner Fred Bass, it is also the largest used bookstore in the world.
Magazine Store, 8th Ave. - West Village - page 141
One of the few, if not the only, shops left dedicated to the exclusive sale of newspapers and magazines. Until a few years ago there was one on almost every block.
Caputo Bake Shop, Court St. - Carroll Gardens - Brooklyn - page 143
Founded in 1904 and managed for five generations by the Caputo family. It is located in the Carroll Garden and Atlantic Ave. area of Brooklyn, still full of historic shops opened by Italian immigrants first and then Middle Eastern immigrants.
Joyce Theater, 8th Ave.- Chelsea - page 145
The Joyce Theater is one of the leading dance theaters in New York and nationally. It occupies what was the Elgin Theatre, a former cinema opened in 1941 with characteristic Art Deco architecture.
Rocco's, Bleeker St. - Greenwich Village - page 147
Rocco Generoso arrived in New York very young in 1956 and found work in the Zema bakery as a dishwasher, later learning the art of baking from Joe Zema himself over the years. In 1947 he managed to purchase the shop and transformed it into the reference point for Italian pastry shops in the city. Today it is run by his two sons.
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