Sunday, September 19th 2010, 4:00 AM
The Feast of San Gennaro is in full swing (through the 26th) and there’s only one way to celebrate… mangia! The restaurants and bars on Mulberry St. in Little Italy are going all out for this Italian holiday, which has been commemorated in New York City since 1926.
1. All of Mulberry St.’s restaurants are opening their doors to a flood of diners over the next week, many of whom come downtown especially to celebrate the Patron Saint of Naples with food and, of course, a lot of vino. Da Gennaro is just one restaurant that will be serving up Italian specialties like seafood risotto and penne alla vodka. 129 Mulberry, at Hester St.
2. Angelo’s is one of the oldest places to eat on Mulberry St. One waiter, a favorite named Gaspar, has worked there for 37 years and others, even longer. Try the famous spaghetti and meatballs or rigatoni vodka (above). Says regular Alice Ryan, 24, “This is absolutely the best place to eat in Little Italy!” 146 Mulberry, at Grand St.
3. Open since 1908, Mulberry Street Bar is one of the oldest in New York (second only to McSorley’s Old House). The famed watering hole has been featured in flicks like “The Godfather III” and TV shows like “The Sopranos.” Billy 65, from Washington Heights, has been coming for years because of “the great oldies in the jukebox.” 176 Mulberry, at Broome St.
4. Ciao, bellas! Angela Freedman and Nicole Nedd, both of New Orleans (above), are in New York visiting their girlfriend Nekia Daste, who lives in Hell’s Kitchen. The ladies come to the Big Apple a few times a year, and always make sure to stop in Little Italy during the feast. “It’s on our top list of things to do,” says Freedman. The ladies enjoyed antipasto and a bottle of red wine at Giovanna’s at 128 Mulberry, at Hester.
5. Pizza pizza! The best place to grab a slice downtown is Frankie Cee’s Pizza. Owner Jimmy Valentino (pictured here) has been serving pies for the past five years in the 90-year-old space, which used to house a grocery store. Among their famed pies are the margherita and mozzarella with fresh basil. 186 Grand, at Mulberry.
6. Another favorite eatery is Caffe Napoli (above), known for its cheese ravioli and famed vodka sauce. It’s a bit farther down Mulberry St., but both regulars and visitors to the neighborhood claim it’s worth the few extra blocks. 191 Hester, at Mulberry.
7. Mulberry St. is lined with gelato stands boasting Italian favorites like stracciatella and pistachio. The vendors are extremely friendly and will often let you try a taste before you buy a whole cup. Try Cha Cha’s, outside Bocca Al Lupo Cafe, for a sweet treat throughout your day. 120 Mulberry, at Hester.
8. Hungry for more dessert? Visit the “Cannoli King” at Cafe Palermo (above). Open since 1973, Cafe Palermo has been hosting cannoli eating contests during the Feast of San Gennaro since its opening. Not a fan of cannolis? Palermo bakes fresh cheesecake and tiramisu as well. 148 Mulberry, at Grand.
9. And because you can’t just eat all day (or can you?), stop in to get a bit of the local culture at Mulberry Street Cigar, where local artisans sell their famous hand-rolled cigars, all around $ 11.95 each. 140 Mulberry, at Grand.
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