FOOD DAY lll - 2016

What was most heartwarming and tummy filling of this event (which is in the least annual and possibly even quad annual if not more) was the fact that Amelia and Markito were present.

And so the two Brooklyn boys marched forth with foresight and knowledge of what lay ahead but Maria and Frank's children had great gastronomical approval along the path.

Markito rated L & B Spumoni Garden with a 20 on a scale of 10 and inhaled 4 Slices (count em' 4) on our first stop. Amelia got in on the Spumoni action as well but ask me on Food Day Vlll how she loves the Slices and Spumoni for her details, this is yet to come.

A full Pie at L & B Spumoni Gardens as shot through the window/serving area.

Next stop, Willoughby (Silver Star).

The Wonton Soup with a segmented & contorted Noodle afloat.

It remains so easy to get my regular order of Chow Mein but I am bent on trying new things from the menu.

Here is Chicken with Eggplant in Garlic Sauce.

Yes, it was Delicious.

The regular for Frank and the bartender knows his name.

Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. Top flight and first class.

An unusually contorted Crispy Soup Noodle on parade.

Maria's Shrimp & Garlic Sauce.

Amelia & Mister Silver Star.

"looks like we're not in Kansas anymore".

In anticipation of receiving his "Paul Sorvino" Sandwich (Sausage & Broccoli Rabe) Frank happily extends an Manhattan Special Coffee Soda amidst the Stuffed Breads.

(La Familia) Maria, Frank, Amelia & Markito.

Amelia wears the pants in this family but Frank orders the FOOD on this massive FOOD DAY 3.

LIONIS - Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York

Just Look at it Wouldja.

Fresh Mozz in the foreground and Smoked Mozz in the background.

Couple of Tomatoes too.

An Ocean Of Olives.

Pepperoni and Cheddar Rice Balls ?!!!

Unheard of Until Now.

The Preparation Area 51

no photos please.

A Beaut of a photo but sadly I did not procure the photoed Loaf. 

I must thank my friend Roy for purchasing all the goods on this day but I did in fact turn this down. 

Goes without saying.

Best Prosciutto Balls in town thus far.

MSG Vs. The Prosciutto Ball.

Uhh, Yeah.

LIONIS ONLINE

FOOD DAY - 2014

You can take the man out of Brooklyn but you can never take the Brooklyn out of the man.

My friend Frank (A.O.F.) takes his two hour commute back to Brooklyn a few times a year to stock up on some Foodness which is unique to the area of which his youth was ensconced and we always meet up and indulge. While this BLOG is strictly Food and not "people" the back story must be mentioned as he is the deviser and entitler of FOOD DAY and this entry is hopefully the first of many more. 

Frank did get some 7 Layer Cookies, S Cookies and Anisette Cookies at the 18th avenue Bakery on 60th street prior to rendezvous.

If you look carefully our mystery man is somewhere in the epicenter of the photo above, don't blink or you might get a "Rice Ball In Da Head !!!" (in a thick Brooklyn accent).

First stop was Lioni's and while I was pacing myself (foolishly perhaps) my friend got some Prosciutto Balls and a #44 The Paul Sorvino Hero (Sausage & Broccoli Rabe) of which we shared.

I snapped a photo of the Deli Fridge showcase and as we can see it is full of Meatballs, Chicken, Chicken/Turkey Meatballs (not sure) and Sausage.

Two Manhattan Specials (diet and original) Espresso Soda's to go with Meal one at Lioni's and some Fresh Mozzarella (salted and smoked) to bring back for mom.

Afterwards we stopped in next door to Romeo Brothers Meat Market and my friend picked up some Cocktail Franks and I spied with my little eye Bacon and Cheese Spiral Sausage !!! which is unheard of, he got a piece and gifted me a piece as well.

11/16/14 - Bell & Evans Chicken Sausage with Bacon & Cheese - Out of this world and of course its Chicken, Bacon and Cheese and not Pork, Bacon and Cheese, makes much more sense. I overcooked mine a bit unfortunately being so used to making Pork Sausages.

When in Brooklyn Do as the Brooklynites Do. 

Onto the train we went Metrocards in hand to Nathans Famous on Stillwell avenue, The Original Nathan's !!!.

I was still foolishly pacing myself but did for the first time sample Nathan's Shrimp & Chips which was quite good, I cannot say the same for the Cornbread and Coleslaw served as sides but,...

Watcha gonna do ?.

Amongst the Best Sicilian Slices in Brooklyn, Da Vinci's !!!

They fell short this time, my theory is the Squares were sitting out for a bit (45 minutes was my estimation) and I have never been disappointed, this time I was. 

We still had Go Ba at Silver Star on the horizon. I will be back to Da Vinci's of course, you can never truly ruin a Classic until the Chef's change of course and I recognized the Chef's so that wasn't it.

Seven months prior a noisy sizzling Platter passed our table while dining which is not uncommon but always intriguing. My plates never sizzled but as with Indian Food there are sizzling dishes which pass by intriguingly and I asked the waiter what it was, he replied "Go Ba". Well, we made a plan to get this on the next visit.

Seven months later and it was time, "Go Ba" it shall be.

Really Great as expected, Barbecued to an extent of perfection, basically Pork, Chicken and what I can only surmise as being Shredded Pork (of which I am usually not a fan of but I loved this time) with mixed Chinese Vegetables served with a good portion of Rice and Soup of choice, my friend got the Won Ton and I was Still pacing myself but left the table completely Stuffed.

FOOD DAY was a Complete Success and I await FOOD DAY 2.

Silver Star Restaurant on Video. Frankly (A.O.F.) I was surprised to find no previous footage on Youtube of this Classic eatery, Well here we begin the cinematic Dynasty 70 years into this iconic Restaurants existence.

DARTH NOODLE.

Even Darth Vader likes Silver Star unusually long and contorted Noodles - Fast Frankie Cee 2014

LIONIS HERO MENU

NATHANS FAMOUS ONLINE

LIONIS - 11/10/14

It took me less than 5 minutes to make a decision, I wanted to treat myself to something on my birthday and Lionis Prosciutto Balls was just the ticket. I have mentioned this before but whenever I do take a walk over I am surprised at how close it is to my apartment and wonder why I don't go more often. As usual everything was on offer and it was difficult to contain myself.

Delicious Fresh Baked Italian Bread, probably 3 footers.

Some Nice Bocconcini with Plum Tomatoes in Olive Oil.

Would I wear this on a t-shirt ?, Hell Yeah !!!

I Love my Lard Bread but Lard Rolls ? Hell Yeah !!!

As seen from 78th street on the 14th avenue side.

LIONIS ONLINE

PROSCIUTTO BALLS - LIONI'S

And there are No Apologies forthcoming for Any of the quotes presented on the sign, If You Aint Lived it Then ,.... ummm you aint lived it. I wonder if the people who painted the sign lived it.

Either way Lioni's remains one of The Great Spots.

The Vanity Photo, Lets get some Proscuitto Balls and Fresh Mozzarella in one photo along with the catering Menu, Bless Them, Oh wait I took the photo, Bless their ever Influential Jedi Cheese ways.

I did indeed Multitask and bought the Best of the Best sofar as the Prosciutto Balls were concerned, I added a Fresh Bagel from my corner store and some Cream Cheese I had waiting in the fridge for my Original Sandwich of Yore, of which I created back in the "Yore" days back in the 1980's. 

It does not get simpler than this and I implore you ALL try one so long as it is a Proper Prosciutto Ball.

Bagel (of your liking) with Cream Cheese, Place 1 or 2 Heated Prosciutto Balls on the Cream Cheese Sandwich, SQUISH accordingly (not too much). Enjoy.

The Storefront, Oh Yes.

Some of the Prepared Foods on offer aside from the vast selection of Hero Sammiches.

The Prosciutto Ball Plate is lowered in quantity as I had ordered six from it and another customer did the same before me, more Prosciutto Balls will fill that space shortly.

Lioni's makes their own Fresh Mozzarella keeping the cost down for us the consumer and keeping the Quality up also for us the consumer, As Fresh as can be.

The Olive Bar at Lioni's.

Had to catch this pic of the "certificate of appreciation" due to Lioni's donation to P.S. 128, I hope the teachers got some. I Mean Food.

This photo was taken after Lunch Hour so not many Breads remained, we can look at the labels and dream though can't we ?

Prosciutto Balls in all their Glory.

To me this appears to be a much older Sandwich Menu plated to these hallowed walls yet it tells the Complete story. They misspelled Jalapeño, or maybe they didn't.

I have always championed the prepared Food Shop but the Meat Market next store is even possibly held in greater reverence.

My Thumb is not for sale but check out the Meat Market facade.

Below is a link to 150 Sandwiches on Lioni's most formidable Hero Menu, This list continues to grow by leaps and bounds here and there so keep checking back on their Official Site.  

It perplexes me that they never came up with a "Tony Soprano" or "James Gandolfini" Sandwich but who am I to ask questions.

150 LIONI'S HERO SANDWICH MENU

NEW YEARS EVE 2013

My Manifesto was to procure some Rice Balls & Prosciutto Balls to contribute to the bounty at the Moroni household on New Years Eve 2013 but my plans were thwarted, I hate for that to sound so typical in these times but too much of my time was spent in Lioni's on the corner which in hindsight was time well spent. When you compare 3 Delicious Hero Sandwiches (Actually 2 Hero's as one went to the help) to a few Rice Balls, Well you weigh that out on your own. 

Papa Pasquale opened just a few doors down from the famed Lioni's after my previous employer Gus (who was the mastermind of Papa's) closed down his glass shop that my friend Roy and myself worked at during the summer months and I felt it was a bold move. I mean basically copying what Lioni had laid ground to after all, they still seem to be dwindled greatly by the Powerhouse with a rep on the corner, Pasquale's is running but always empty whenever I am there, who knows, whatever. 

Gus was a very colorful cigar smoking and lawn chair sitting fellow and I will never forget the morning when I cheerfully said to him "Good Morning Gus" to which he replied "Why Don't You Go Eff Yourself!!!" Glorious days indeed. 

So Papa Pasquale gets the Photo Op at the top of this post mostly because of the love I have for my former employer but also because Lioni's Win's in every other way and does have header photo's on this Blog elsewhere and to come I am sure (Papa does make the better Rice Ball though).

I did snap a quick pic of the Papa Sandwich Menu as displayed on the street, My apologies the Ingredients are not clearer to the eye in this photo. Once again they are comparatively priced with Lioni's so why would I even try, someday I shall (maybe not).

Dying for some Lasagna Rollatini right now though.

The Lioni's storefront, Just Perfect.

While working at the glass shop which was to become Papa Pasquale I have a distinct memory of one of Lioni's artisans bringing Roy and myself some Bocconcini (mini Mozzarella Balls) just created and Fresh as can be, they melted in your mouth. I am sure we had Lioni's on the job a bit but I mostly remember ordering in Chinese Food. 

Aah, Delight of Delight's. The Breadcrumb Stuffed Peppers and Hot & Spicy too. This was the secret Ingredient Warhead to the number 25, The Louie Prima Hero (Genoa Salami, Hot Cappacolla, Pepperoni, Provolone, Swiss Cheese, Spicy Mustard and the above Stuffed Peppers) My Fave.

Today (12/30/13) I was not so afraid to snap some pics (what with the Mexican workers running to and fro with 12 foot Hero's in hand delivering to waiting automobiles outside for their pre-ordered Sammiches) and got a shot of a portion of the Menu board on display in this most unique of Sandwich shops.

Waiting to be picked up, another gorgeous display of the Craftsmanship at Lioni's.

Finally, It Is Time To Eat. Pictured here are Two originals as they are not on the Lioni's Menu and were hand crafted just for the occasion. Laying flat and to the bottom left is the "Connie Moroni" which consists of  (Genoa Salami, Provolone Cheese, Olive Salad/Muffaletta and Roasted Peppers) on the upper right is the "Jamie Moroni" which comprises (Prosciutto Di Parma, Fresh Lioni Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers and Lettuce) Both Amazingly Delicious.

Jamie prepared some Party Food (Jalapeño Poppers, French Fries and Chicken Nuggets) and pictured here is a White Castle Cheeseburger for Papa Moroni.

Jamie Beheads Santa from Jaques Torres Chocolatier but I did not try any, Delicious I am sure.

3 Prosciutto Balls from Lioni's and the Best Prosciutto Ball in town. these were prepared around 11 p.m. in time for the midnight countdown and in Conchetta's brand new oven.

http://www.lioniitalianheroes.com

http://www.papapasqualeravioli.com

Jaque Torres Chocolate Site