Showing posts with label John's of 12th Street. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John's of 12th Street. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2020

John's of 12th Street is back in action


[Photo from earlier this month]

After being sidelined for two-plus months for building "mechanical issues," John's of 12th Street reopens this afternoon.

Moving forward, they'll be open for takeout and delivery from 4 to 10 p.m. They'll have outdoor seating available — starting tomorrow, Aug. 1 — from 4 to 9:30 p.m.

John's, which first opened in 1908, is at 302 E. 12th St. just east of Second Avenue. Find the menu here.

Monday, July 6, 2020

John's of 12th Street remains closed due to mechanical issues



John's of 12th Street has been closed since mid-May due to a plumbing issue in the building that's unrelated to the classic Italian restaurant here between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Unfortunately, it looks as if the necessary repairs and subsequent inspections are moving at a glacial pace. From the restaurant's most-recent Instagram post — five weeks ago:

Con Ed and building still resolving the plumbing issue. Hopefully the city will be able to move very quickly to get whatever inspections and such needs to be done so we can resume making the best Italian food for the world’s best customers.

John's, which opened in 1908, had been offering takeout and delivery this spring.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: New owners of John's of 12th Street look to carry on the restaurant's tradition

Friday, August 4, 2017

Noted


[Photo this morning by Lola SΓ‘enz]

Someone decided to spraypaint "Shame on you for selling veal" on the sidewalk outside John's of 12th Street, the 109-year-old Italian restaurant near Second Avenue.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Checking in on John's of 12th Street



The recent news of Angelica Kitchen's closing prompted us to check in on the former vegan restaurant's longtime neighbor — John's of 12th Street, the venerable Italian restaurant that opened here between First Avenue and Second Avenue in 1908 ...


[Photos by Steven]

Judy Anderson, whose late husband, Mike Alpert became a co-owner of John's in 1973 along with Nick Sitnycky, said that there was a little confusion among a few patrons who thought that John's had also shut down.

"Nick tells me that ... three separate people have stopped by the restaurant a bit confused because they heard that John’s is closed. We are not closed!" Anderson said. "I’m guessing that the neighborhood talk about the closing of Angelica Kitchen, next door to us, somehow has morphed into discussion of John’s. Plus we were suffering in Verizon hell with no main phone line service the first week in April."

The phones have been back in service. As for their former neighbor: "We are sorry to see Leslie and Angelica Kitchen go. Nick and my husband knew Leslie when Angelica’s was on St. Mark's Place. Good neighbor and we wish her well."

Meanwhile, as we first reported last August, Paul Dauber, the restaurant's accountant as well as a longtime friend and patron, was purchasing John's along with a childhood pal from their days of growing up on the Lower East Side.

"The sale of the restaurant is on track though still no date set yet," Anderson said. "We’ll still be available afterwards to make sure that the transition is seamless. There are no planned changes in personnel, menu or decor. Meanwhile, we are open for business as usual."

-----

John's of 12th Street also has an Instagram account ... if you're on Instagram...


Previously on EV Grieve:
Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month

Q-and-A with Vanessa McDonnell, director of the John's of 12th Street documentary

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Exclusive: New owners of John's of 12th Street look to carry on the restaurant's tradition



There are plans for new owners to take over John's of 12th Street, the venerable Italian restaurant that opened here between First Avenue and Second Avenue in 1908.

Judy Anderson, whose late husband, Mike Alpert became a co-owner of John's in 1973 along with Nick Sitnycky, confirmed the news.

"Our accountant, Paul Dauber, a long-time friend and customer of John’s for about 30 years, along with his good friend from childhood days on the Lower East Side, Jan Siegel, are purchasing the restaurant," Anderson said.

Anderson emphasized the importance of new owners keeping the spirit of John's alive.

"Nick and I feel strongly about continuing the legacy of John’s of 12th Street and also ensuring that our long-time employees, some of whom have been with us 30-40 years, remain part of the continuing story of John’s," Anderson said. "There is great mutual affection and respect between Paul and our employees, and we are thrilled that Paul and Jan are enthusiastic about maintaining the character of the restaurant. They assure us that nothing will change, and Nick and I will assist in whatever way we can to be sure that the transition will be seamless."

Dauber and Siegel will appear before the CB3 SLA committee on Aug. 22 for a new liquor license.

"Nick and I plan to be at the Community Board meeting in their support," Anderson said.

In August 2014, a deal to sell John's to a team led by Brett Rasinski, who reopened the revamped Beatrice Inn, ended up not materializing.

Sitnycky and Alpert bought John's from the founding Pucciatti family in 1972. Sitnysky, who grow up on Avenue B, owns the building at 302 E. 12th St. Alpert died on July 13, 2013, at age 71.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

Report: Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off

Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month

Q-and-A with Vanessa McDonnell, director of the John's of 12th Street documentary

Friday, May 22, 2015

The John's of 12th Street documentary is now available for home viewing


[EVG file photo]

"John's of 12th Street," the documentary by Brooklyn-based filmmaker-editor Vanessa McDonnell, is now available as of today on Fandor and Vimeo on Demand.

The 65-minute film had its debut last November.

Here's a quick description:

"John's of 12th Street" is a portrait of a century-old Italian-American restaurant in New York City, one of the last of its kind in a rapidly changing East Village. This observational documentary loosely follows the rhythm of the restaurant’s day, which swings between boredom and frenzy as the old rooms empty and fill, cataloguing the overlooked details of working life and a vanishing facet of New York City.

Watch John's on Fandor here … and on Vimeo on Demand here.

And to warm you up…


John's is located at 302 E 12th St. just east of Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Q-and-A with Vanessa McDonnell, director of the John's of 12th Street documentary

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Q-and-A with Vanessa McDonnell, director of the John's of 12th Street documentary


[EVG file photo]

John's of East 12th Street, the 106-year-old East Village treasure, is the subject of a new feature documentary that made its debut last night.

Here's a quickie recap of the 68-minute film: "This observational documentary loosely follows the rhythm of the restaurant’s day, which swings between boredom and frenzy as the old rooms empty and fill. No one who works at John’s is actually Italian, but some have been here for 40 years, including two pairs of brothers and a father and son. John's of 12th Street catalogues the overlooked details of working life and a vanishing New York City."

The documentary is the work of Vanessa McDonnell, a filmmaker and editor based in Brooklyn. She answered a few questions for us about the film.

Why was John’s of 12th Street an appealing subject for you?

I used to live on 14th and C in the worst apartment I’ve yet to encounter. My boyfriend (now husband) and I used to meet at John’s for dinner frequently and it was my escape from the hordes of mice, persistent gas leak and falling-down ceiling that was my life at the time (I slept with my head under a specially fashioned cardboard box so it wouldn’t be crushed).

John’s was a warm and friendly oasis of civilization for me, much more so than the trendy places that were inching their way toward Avenue C. It was like being lost in the woods but then finding your way to your grandmother's house where there’s food on the table.

I worked as a cook in an Italian restaurant throughout high school, and I had fond memories of the camaraderie and all of the daily rituals involved. I wanted to make a film that would show how special John’s is in particular, but also to show the small details of working life for the kitchen crew and waiters. We see a distorted version of this in all the food-related television that exists now, but not so much the actual vocation. I think the daily grind is really interesting.

What was the reaction from the folks there when you approached them with the idea?

My husband and I were eating one night when Mike Alpert, one of the owners, sat down at our table to chat, which you see him do a lot in the film. I was eating spaghetti and I brought up how Sophia Loren famously said "Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti,” which is something I like to bring up whenever possible.

Perhaps this endeared me to him. I actually asked him first if I could have a job. There has yet to be a female employee at John’s and after a bottle of wine I was feeling ambitious. He said no, so I asked him if I could make a film about the restaurant instead. Totally nonchalant, he gave his blessing, telling me not to get in the way too much. Both Mike and his business partner of 40 years Nick Sitnycky were incredibly friendly and helpful about my filming in the restaurant. I loved every minute I spent there.

You spent a month filming at John’s. What struck you the most about that experience?

I was struck by how many interesting and sometimes eccentric things happened in front of my camera. At first I thought to myself, “Wow. I’m getting really lucky here.” But then I realized it’s just the normal day at John’s.

Granted, these are things that I find interesting and charming and not the sort of things that would find their way into a food network show. For instance, a guy drove all the way from Canada because he’s obsessed with John Lennon and he got confused reading something on the Internet the day before, thinking it said that John’s is haunted by Lennon’s ghost. Also, people talk animatedly about the Gotti trial. The most argumentative handyman ever comes by to fix things. A regular starts singing an opera. Another weighs in passionately on Italian-American food as a legitimate cuisine unto itself, pointing out that “millions of billions” of plates of veal parmesan have been served and people like it.


[John's owner Nick Sitnycky with longtime employee Pedro. Photo last December by James Maher]

What do you think makes John’s special?

The allure of John’s is so hard to articulate. So many new restaurants try to create that atmosphere of warmth and history by designing the space and the menu in certain ways, and some people probably like a sanitized version that only hints at authenticity.

John’s is the real thing and unfortunately there are fewer and fewer places like it. It feels like a very open public space to me — as much as a place of business can — it’s not a place that is selective or self-selecting. You can go there and encounter many different kinds of people and it somehow encourages interaction. This is one of the crucial things that gets ruined when an area becomes transformed by the powers that be who are killing New York City right now — namely the collusion of government, real estate interests and corporations to create pockets of homogenous, uninteresting people.

I hope I was able to convey what makes John’s great in the film. There are so many little things that add up to the whole. Once I was eating there and the waiter asked if I wanted fresh pepper. I said yes. He starts grinding. After a few seconds I say, “Thank you,” meaning, in my mind, “okay you can stop now’. He said, “You’re welcome,” and keeps grinding. I said thanks again and again he keeps saying ‘you’re welcome,” continuing to grind. I looked up at him and said it again, he was actually getting tired from the grinding, grinding with effort. My food was covered with so much pepper. Finally I realized I was supposed to just say “Stop,” and I did, not a moment too soon. He came back several minutes later with a large, soup-size bowl full of pepper, saying, “Here, since you like it so spicy.”

Another time, I had a birthday gathering with about 25 people. The restaurant was really busy and maybe they were short on staff that night, so our waiter was really put through the paces, running back and forth and doing everything at once. At the end of the night he was really tired, his tie was hanging off and he was actually out of breath. He brought out the remains of my cake and I cut him a slice. He gave me a hug and said, “We did it!”

You can check out the trailer here...


As the flyer shows, there are screenings on Sunday night at 7:30, Nov. 22 at 10 p.m., Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. (Not on the poster: The screening Saturday night at 10.)



The screenings are at Spectacle in Williamsburg. Details here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

Report: Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off

Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month

Friday, October 31, 2014

The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month

[EVG file photo]

John's of East 12th Street, the 106-year-old East Village treasure, is the subject of a new feature documentary that premieres next month.

Here are details on the 68-minute film via Vimeo:

JOHN’S OF 12TH STREET is a portrait of a century-old Italian-American restaurant in New York City, one of the last of its kind in a rapidly changing East Village. This observational documentary loosely follows the rhythm of the restaurant’s day, which swings between boredom and frenzy as the old rooms empty and fill. No one who works at John’s is actually Italian, but some have been here for 40 years, including two pairs of brothers and a father and son. JOHN’S OF 12TH STREET catalogues the overlooked details of working life and a vanishing New York City.

The documentary is from Vanessa McDonnell, a filmmaker and editor based in Brooklyn.


The film debuts on Nov. 12 at Spectacle in Williamsburg. Details here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

Report: Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off

Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Report: Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off

[EVG file photo]

As we first reported last December, John's of East 12th Street, the 106-year-old East Village treasure, was about to begin its fourth generation of ownership. A team led by Brett Rasinski, who reopened the revamped Beatrice Inn, was expected to take over the operations here.

However, that deal reportedly has fallen through. Eater has the scoop:

The iconic restaurant is currently "not on the market" owner Nick Sitnycky tells Eater, and any future deal would require that the decor and menu remain unchanged and the staff "looked after."

Last December, Rasinski told us that he was "approaching this venture as a preservationist."

And!

"As an East Village resident, and a longtime patron of John's, I understand the historical relevance of the space, as well as the importance of its position in our neighborhood. That is why I was so adamant about securing the property."

So perhaps then the menu, decor and staffing were going to change after all.

Sitnycky and Mike Alpert bought John's from the founding Pucciatti family in 1972. Sitnysky, who grow up on Avenue B, owns the building at 302 E. 12th St. Alpert died on July 13, 2013, at age 71.


[Photo of Nick Sitnycky for EVG last December by James Maher]

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2

Thursday, April 3, 2014

'Boardwalk Empire' returns to a familiar East Village location



Crews were filming scenes for "Boardwalk Empire" (the fifth and final season) today on East 12th Street… outside a familiar locale for the show — the great John's of 12th Street …







Photos by Bobby Williams

Previous EVG "Boardwalk Empire" coverage is here.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Out and About in the East Village

In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.



By James Maher
Name: Nick Sitnycky
Occupation: Owner, John’s of 12th Street
Location: 12th Street between 1st and 2nd Ave
Time: 1 pm on Monday, Dec. 16

I was born in Brooklyn, in Williamsburg when no one wanted to be in Williamsburg. When I was 9 years old, my parents moved over to Avenue B between 5th and 6th. That was 1958. We moved in 1968 to 145 Second Avenue.

I go back to 1958. Everyone tries to be cool and tells me, ‘Oh I remember the Fillmore East.’ I say, ‘The Fillmore East was a latecomer. It was the Loew’s Commodore.’ When we were kids we’d hang around Avenue B and C. There were little candy stores all over and they’d sell 1-cent chocolates, along with 5-cent sodas. There was Gem Spa, there were used comic book stores on Avenue C. You’d go in and you could buy a used comic book for a penny or two pennies. You’d walk in and it would look like a warehouse.

All us kids would be standing around on corners. And you’d actually be doo-wopping on the street, doo-wop music, you’d harmonize. We were wearing our leather jackets with the stars on it, that was cool. You’d have your groups and then you’d go walk down certain blocks you couldn’t walk down, just because. You’d run away and they’d chase you. It was like cowboys and Indians.

It was almost ethnic by block. You’d have an Italian block, an Irish block, a Puerto Rican block, a Ukrainian block, a Polish block. First Avenue was all Italian stores — it was Italian or it was Kosher. There would be Kosher stores that only sold butter and eggs. There would be Italian butchers and Italian produce stores, fish stores, little butchers on the side streets, Kosher butchers and Italian butchers. There were all these movie houses. All of us kids would be playing basketball and football in Tompkins Square Park. We’d roller-skate around the circle. If you wanted to play baseball you’d go over the bridge on the FDR drive and play in the park along the river.

There weren’t many restaurants around then. It was either the Chinese restaurant or John’s. There was Sonny’s pizzeria around the corner where the kids would go, where Cacio e Pepe is now. Sonny was married to John’s daughter. So when I finished grammar school, my family came to John’s for dinner. In 1962, I had my graduation party from high school at John’s. Then I went to St. John’s and graduated with an economics degree in 1966, and where did I have my graduation dinner, in John’s restaurant. I got my masters at Adelphi in ’68 and we had our dinner at John’s.

John’s is an institution. John Pucciatti came from the province of Umbria, from the little medieval village of Bevagna, between Spoleto and Assisi. My wife and I actually went there. He opened this restaurant 105 years ago, in 1908. The restaurant was just the front room and he was the chef and his wife, known as ‘Momma John,’ helped him.

When prohibition came 10 years later, this became a speakeasy. The whole second floor of the building was the speakeasy. People would sit and eat and then the people who knew would ask for ‘dessert upstairs.’ They’d go through from the restaurant. You can see the outline of a door that they sealed. Our back room was the backyard and Momma John was the brewmaster. She actually made her own hooch. There was a little shack and in there was a still and in the basement she made her wine. Then she had a pulley system to get the liquor up to the second floor because they never wanted a drop of liquor in the restaurant, so whenever they got raided there was never a violation.

Remember, this was the time of "Boardwalk Empire." Joe the Boss Masseria was a real guy and a real friend of John’s. And Lucky Luciano was down here also in the neighborhood, so they would always be around here. And then there was the other side. I’d guess you’d call John a progressive because he was a very, very socialist-minded individual. There were a lot of meetings here. There were guys like Carlo Tresca, who was a real firebrand. And one day they gunned him down [on 13th Street and 5th Avenue]. So you had two sides, the anarchists and the Mafia, that hated each other. But they were all here in John’s.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

Part 2 tomorrow: Big Nick and Mike buy John's in 1972.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

Thursday, December 5, 2013

About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street

[EVG file photo]

John's of East 12th Street, the 105-year-old East Village treasure, is about to begin its fourth generation of ownership.

Public documents on file at the CB3 website ahead of next week's SLA committee meeting show that principals involved in the new Beatrice Inn on West 12th Street will be taking over John's, the venerable Italian restaurant between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

New ownership is led by Brett Rasinski, who reopened the revamped Beatrice Inn on West 12th Street along with Graydon Carter and Emil Varda in December 2012. (Carter's name is not involved with John's.)

So does this mean the end to John's of 12th Street, which seemingly hasn't changed all that much through the years (vegetarian menu aside)?

We reached out to Rasinski, a former GM of the Waverly Inn, for more on his plans for one of the last of the so-called red sauce joints around.

"I can't reveal too much at this point, but I will say that I am approaching this venture as a preservationist," he said via email. "As an East Village resident, and a longtime patron of John's, I understand the historical relevance of the space, as well as the importance of its position in our neighborhood. That is why I was so adamant about securing the property."

Since 1973, Mike Alpert and Nick Sitnycky have owned and operated John's; they bought it from the founding Pucciatti family. (Sitnysky, who grow up in the neighborhood, owns the building at 302 E. 12th St.) Alpert died this past July 13 at age 71. He and Sitnycky had together previously discussed selling the business, according to Alpert's widow Judy Anderson.

"Prior to Mike’s passing away in July, he and Nick had made the decision to retire after 40 years at John's, and they were both very happy to come to an agreement with Brett, who has been a regular customer for over six years and has frequently spoken of his appreciation for the history and authenticity of John’s," Anderson told us. "Brett has told our kitchen staff and servers directly that he comes to John’s as a preservationist, so the neighborhood can anticipate seeing familiar faces and essentially the same menu."

Rasinski recalled his first meal at John's, and the immediate impression the place had on him.

"When I first moved to New York City from Newport Beach, California nearly seven years ago, John's was one of the first restaurants that I visited. I came across it one evening while wandering the neighborhood by myself. It was a freezing night in December, and the place was packed. They didn't have any tables available. Big Mike, who I later learned was one of the owners, approached me and said that he would find a way to clear some space. He ended up sitting down with me at a table by the bar for over three hours. He bought me a bottle of Chianti and a Chicken Parmigiana. Given that I didn't know too many people in the city, his generosity and kindness meant more than I can possibly explain."

Since then, he became friends with the owners of John's, and even expressed an interested in buying the space if they ever decided to sell. Several months ago, Alpert called Rasinski and said that they were going to retire.

"Prior to his passing, we were able to agree to the terms of the deal, and I have ultimately been entrusted with the responsibility of preserving their legacy, a 105-year-old tradition that Big Mike and Nicky have kept up for the past 42 years," said Rasinski, 29, who is the same age as Alpert was when he bought John's from the Pucciatti family. "I love John's the way that it is, the way that it has been for over a century, and I will do my best to ensure that it stays around for years to come."


[Via the John's Facebook page]

For Anderson, she feels good that the restaurant will continue on the same as it ever has.

"It's been gratifying to continue to have longtime customers from as far back as the 'second generation' while making new friends as people discover this treasure. We’re sure that Brett will enjoy the wonderful mix of people that grace our door. And of course, Nick and I are happy to help with whatever assistance Brett needs during the transition," Anderson said. "As Mike and Nick were the third generation of John's, having purchased from John's son Danny Pucciatti, we view Brett as the fourth generation and wish him and his team all the best in carrying on the John’s tradition."

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Boardwalk Empire magically turns John's of 12th Street into Whitings Pharmacy for the day



HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" is back in the neighborhood filming scenes for its upcoming season... and the crew returned to a favorite spot — the great John's of 12th Street ... making things all 1920s-ish...



The restaurant is closed tonight for filming... back with the red sauce tomorrow...

Photos via the John's of 12th Street Facebook page.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

On this date in End of Prohibition history...

Via the John's of 12th Street Facebook page...


"Our famous candle at the back of John's of 12th Street was started on December 5, 1933 to celebrate the end of Prohibition!"

Monday, June 18, 2012

'Boardwalk Empire' returns to the East Village tomorrow

You've probably seen these signs about "Boardwalk Empire" filming interior scenes around here tomorrow ... it will impact portions of 11th Street and 12th Street... and First Avenue and Second Avenue... (tow trucks arrive tonight at 10)


[Click image to enlarge]

Last July, the HBO series filmed in part at John's of 12th Street ...

[EVG reader Han Shan]

The folks at John's confirmed that "Boardwalk Empire" would again be filming there, though they weren't aware of all the details just yet ...

Meanwhile, we also saw the filming signs outside EVG favorite DeRobertis on First Avenue...



...a seemingly perfect location for the show set in the 1920s-1930s ...



We asked someone at DeRobertis about this... while she agreed that their cafe would be be a great fit for the show, "Boardwalk Empire" would not be filming there... Perhaps another time...



And a bonus photo... a hallway in the building above DeRobertis... via Dave on 7th, who points out that the walls and ceiling are all pressed tin...

Friday, October 28, 2011

John's of 12th Street has a new awning

John's Italian restaurant on East 12th Street is certainly a neighborhood treasure... Jeremiah pointed out at the beginning of the year that the 100-plus year-old restaurant is now offering vegetarian fare...

All fine... Anyway, EV Grieve reader James C. Taylor noted that they've made this part of their awning now too...

Before!


Now!


Not sure exactly when it went up... noting it nonetheless...

Via Twitter, they told us "Just trying to mix in some 'new school' with the 'old school.'"

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Lucky Luciano, 'Boardwalk Empire,' dining at John's of 12th Street today

Earlier, we mentioned that crews for "Boardwalk Empire" would be filming in the East Village today, possibly bringing an old-timey feel to the neighborhood.

Well! Turns out they are filming at John's of 12th Street... already an old-timey-feeling restaurant. (And we mean that in a positive way!) Han Shan just sent us this photo of who we think is Lucky Luciano.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Happy 100th birthday John's of 12th Street


Just got a press release announcing that East Village mainstay John's of 12th Street "is celebrating their 100th year anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 23 by rolling back the prices on their menu to approximations of those available in 1908."

The release included a few historical tidbits. Like!

During prohibition Momma John kept a "hootch" still in the backyard behind the kitchen and made wine in the basement. John opened a speakeasy upstairs and patrons would enter through the restaurant, where he served Momma John's brews in espresso cups in case of a raid. To celebrate the end of prohibition, John put candles on each of the tables in the restaurant and started the wax candelabra which is still in use and being added to nightly in the back room.


And celebrities!

Patrons though the years include an eclectic range of bold face names including Jackie Kennedy (who brought her young family in for spaghetti dinners), Ben Stiller (who dines with his parents), Pete Townsend (lore has it he sketched the idea for Tommy on a napkin), Christian Slater (who had his 9th birthday party in the restaurant's back room), Tom Cruise (who initially went unrecognized and waited patiently for a table for an hour), and Kelly Ripa (her first date with now husband Mark Conseulo was at John's).