Patsy's Cookbook: Classic Italian Recipes from a New York City Landmark Restaurant

By Salvatore Scognamillo

Book Overview

From the Restaurant That Frank Sinatra Made Famous Of the thousands of restaurants in New York City, very few withstand the tests of time-and only one can lay claim to being Frank Sinatra's favorite. And where Frank went, his friends followed-from close pals such as Tony Bennett and fellow Rat Packers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. to the show-biz colleagues they brought in. Established nearly sixty years ago, Patsy's has long been a celebrity favorite and a New York institution. Why? Great food, family friendliness, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you've come home. And the fare is the classic southern Italian cuisine that's become America's comfort food: Mussels Arreganata, Fettuccine Alfredo, Rigatoni Sorrentino, Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Marsala, Shrimp Scampi, Tiramis? . . . a greatest hits of Neapolitan-influenced dishes. And Patsy's Cookbook provides more than recipes: also in the mix are anecdotes from family and friends, including the occasion when Pablo Picasso tried to give Patsy a painting; the time that the restaurant opened on Thanksgiving Day just for Frank Sinatra; Aunt Anna's rather unorthodox autograph request of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs; and the story of the roast suckling pig delivered to Jackie Gleason's hotel suite. Here is a remarkable collection of 100 perfectly executed, delicious recipes, heartwarming stories of a successful family business, and entertaining celebrity tales, capturing the full experience of a New York City institution. Patsy's Cookbook is an invitation to join the extended family that's proud to call Patsy's their second home.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609609548
• ISBN13: 9780609609545
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter Publishers
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.5" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Patsy's pasta and more

As a New Yorker of Italian-American descent, I can honestly say that most New York Italian restaurants are mediocre at best, and nothing more than tourist traps. Patsy's, however, is the exception to this rule. I have never EVER had a meal there that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Now, Patsy's has put their best recipe's in a beautiful book, Patsy's Cookbook: Classic Italian Recipes from a New York City Landmark Restaurant. The recipes are pretty straightforward, with lots of leeway for people to adjust them to their tastes. Mr. Scognamillo's directions are clear, and free of those vague terms that you find in most other cookbooks: heat for a few minutes, add a tad of basil, stir frequently... all those instructions that mean nothing specific and could destroy a dish. No mistaking the directions here. But most important, the meals are delicious!

The most user friendly cookbook ever!

What a delight to have this cookbook in your kitchen. The recipes are so user friendly that even the most inexperienced cook can prepare an unbelievable delicious five star rated dinner in the comfort of their home. I have one cookbook for myself and got one for my daughter is who away at college, so she can learn the "Real" way to prepare some of the most delicious Italian dishes in the world. The instructions are so easy to follow and are given in such detail that there is absolutely no way to make a mistake. You will thrill your next dinner guests with your culinary abilities compliments of Sal Scognamillo. You also will find this book an enjoyable read filled with all sorts of stories of family traditions and famous guests, who have known New York's best kept secret of fine Italian dining for years. The secret is out now ... and available to all of us! If you are ever in New York you will have to stop into Patsy's and enjoy the best Italian food in the world...and if you aren't making it up to the Big Apple anytime soon you can use this cookbook to bring Sal vicariously into your own kitchen to help you prepare the Patsy experience! :)

One of the best and most enjoyable cookbooks I own!

Living in the Pacific Northwest, I get to New York maybe once or twice a year. It has always been a treat to eat at Patsy's and now I can share the experience with my family. The recipes are easy to follow; my husband and I particularly enjoyed Sal's common sense approach. The book has been loaned out many times as the combination of history, pictures and mouth-watering recipes is quite enticing. Thank you Sal for this wonderful contribution!

MUST HAVE COOKBOOK

THIS COOKBOOK NOT ONLY HAS GREAT RECIPES, THEY ARE ALSO EASY TO FOLLOW. I ALSO ENJOYED THE STORIES IN BETWEEN THE RECIPES ABOUT FRANK SINATRA AND OTHER CELEBRITIES. THE VEAL MARSALA RECIPE IS OUTRAGEOUS!