A few years back, I was not a lover of Italian food or at least the Italian food that I had experienced. To me it was all the same pasta, cheese and tomatoes; pasta, cheese and tomatoes. I’ve learned that there is so much more to authentic Italian food. I credit some of this to my good friend, Marc and to the Extra Virgin cooking show, a show I thought I would hate and ended up loving and enjoying — kind of the same way I felt about Marc.
I’m a sucker for restaurant cookbooks and specifically New York restaurant books and Patsy’s Italian Family Cookbook hits both of these notes. There is a dash of old New York in the photos and narrative that I love and — Frank Sinatra — who doesn’t love Frank Sinatra?
There are some of the usual recipes as in any Italian restaurant cookbook — meatballs, marinara, mussels but these are Patsy’s recipes – folks – Patsy’s! The secrets and recipes from the wildly successful restaurant.
Some of the recipes that stood out to me were the Meatball-tini — cute tiny meatballs served in a martini glass, shrimp casino – a play on clams casino, I love their version of Italian wedding soup with meatball-tini’s, sopressata and broccoli, Pavese soup a simple soup with chicken stock, Italian bread and a fried egg, steak oreganata, veal scaloppini besciamella, the Pork Rollatini looks incredible, and flounder milanese. Truthfully, everything looks like something I would enjoy making and feeding to friends and family.
The chapter on breads — includes St. Joseph’s Bread, zeppole (my favorite), ricotta and wheat berry cheesecake — and the dessert chapter – anise biscotti, panettone bread pudding, fried bows, Grandma Josie’s cream puffs, peach crostata and apple fritters. Dessert making is on hold during Lent – but come Easter – I’m going to be baking up a storm.
Today I am preparing the scaloppini besciamella but with chicken instead of veal – the recipe takes a little prep work but it promises to be delicious. I’ve never made a dish like this before – and the instructions were wonderful — the besciamella and cutlets are chilling and later I will finish the preparation. I will edit the post this evening with photographs of the dish.
Update: The chicken besciamella is heavenly.
The inside view — this dish will go into our rotation.
If you can’t have dinner at Patsy’s, you have the comfort of being able to re-create their legendary food at home with this wonderful cookbook. If you do decide to order, I would appreciate your using the link above the banner to help support this site.
GIVEAWAY
Random Number Generator picked number 67 — Pam Green – Pam please e-mail your address to icywit@gmail.com by Friday the 20th. If I don’t hear from Pam, another random winner will be chosen on Friday.
My friends at St. Martin’s are offering one of you a copy of this fabulous new book set for release on March 24th. Please leave a comment here letting me know if you have ever eaten at Patsy’s. For a second chance, please register here on the forum and leave a comment telling me you did. (Folks who are already registered – leave me a comment stating so!) The giveaway is open to US addresses only. A random winner will be chosen on March 17th. Good luck. (Be patient with your comments – all comments must be moderated and will show up.)
Thank you St. Martin’s!
Would love to have this cookbook!
Would love to have this book!
I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s but I’ve seen the author on various shows cooking some delicious recipes! Bet the book is fantastic!
This is fabulous! Patsy’s Famous for delicious food!
i love books from my old Italian neighborhood. I could really get into this one. Thank you again for another great giveaway.
sounds like a wonderful book
Yes I have eaten at Patsy’s…YUM.
I am already subscribed…yay me!
I have never had the pleasure of eating at Patsy’s.
Of course I’ve eaten at Patsy’s. I used to work right around the corner and usually every Friday we’d go there for drinks at the bar. We somehow always swindle the bartender into giving us that amazing basket of bread. It’s one of the meals that I find myself longing for when I think of the city.
Would love to win!
I am a registered member.
I would love to cook recipes from this book 🙂
I also registered for the forum. I have been meaning to for about a week now. Tell Jim I’m sorry it took so long 🙂
I have not eaten there yet but maybe this weekend going to the city for food show. Sounds like a wonderful book that needs to be in my collection. Thank you for the opportunity
I’ve never been….
Never eaten there, but I’ve heard good things.
I’m registered on this forum.
I am already registered.
I registered. Like, first day! Wheeee!
I have never been to patsy’s, I wish I had! When I was growing up we went to mama Leone’s and i never forgot it. I would definitely love to try these recipes!
And I’m a registered member ! Thanks for the opportunity Jenny!
i would love to own the cookbook, but I have never eaten at Patsy.
I had the pleasure of eating at Patsy’s once. I’d love to win the book
My Italian family would love to win this Italian cookbook!
Would love this book.
yes please. I’d love this
I am register and I would love to win a copy of Patsy cookbook.
I have never eaten at Patsy’s…sounds like a wonderful restaurant, though…
Would love to have this book, as I love Italian food.
I’ve never eaten there but it sounds delish!
I registered for the forum. Thank you for the chance to win.
Would love to have a copy of this Patsy’s cookbook.
I have eaten at Patsy’s in Las Vegas – fabulous!
Have never eaten there butcwould love to try the recipes!
I have had their sauce, it is so good. I would use this cookbook well.
Yes, I’ve eaten there. The food was great. It’s a real lively place too, lots of fun.
BTW, I’m registered too. Thank you for this opportunity!
would be a great cookbook to learn Italian cooking
i have already registered
I have never eaten at Patsy ‘ s but now I want to!
I am a proud forum member 🙂
This looks like a back to basics I could get in to.
Pick me, please!
Unfortunately, I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s, but I’d love to win this book!
I’m already registered here!
I’ve never eaten there but I’m sure it is wonderful.
I’m registered 🙂
l LOVE Patsy’s!! When I lived in NYC it was one of my favorite places to go. Being a confirmed (and certifiable) Sinatra fanatic, it was one of my favorite dining experiences ever — from the incredible pasta to the grumpy white-jacketed waiters to the heavenly tiramisu to the velvet tones of my guy Frank on the speakers. Whenever I go back, I always make a pit stop. I <3 NYC and I <3 Patsy's!
I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s but I’ve been eyeing up their books lately. Would love this 🙂
No! I never have.. But it sounds wonderful
Just seeing your review makes me want to cook through this book.
Logged on to forum, so, this is my second chance, hopefully I did it correctly. Would love the Patsy cookbook.
I would love to have this book!
I love the recipes that Sal features.. I would be honored to have this cookbook to try all the wonderful looking dishes that Sal and chef Peter whip up!!!
Registered
I haven’t eaten at Patsy’s YET but I will someday! Can’t wait to try the recipes!
I have eaten at Patsys several times over the last few years. I’ve become good friends with Sal and his parents. They are as wonderful as the food. Each time I plan on visiting NYC, the first thing I do is make a reservation! Love all things Patsy’s!
Would love this cookbook.
Logged on to the forum for a second chance.
I would love to add this cookbook to my collection! I am looking forward to trying to replicate my favorite recipes from Patsy’s…my all time favorite NYC restaurant.
Best eggplant parm I’ve evere tasted!
I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s but the recipes sound delicious!
Best Italian in the City….hands down! Went for the first time over 5 yrs ago and now every time I’m in NY, there is no other restaurant I go to! The owner, Sal….is a treasure! You are family when you go to Patsy’s….and there is only one! Would love this book 🙂
I have had the pleasure of eating at Patsys many time as always the best .I would love to be in the kitchen just to see how the masters do it. By the way I’ll be there this Monday night ,can’t wait!
I really love Patsy’s. It’s one of my pre-Carnegie Hall go-to places. The waiters and the food are truly old-school, which suits me just fine. The added “frisson” of knowing Frank Sinatra had his own private entrance below stairs doubles the cool factor for me!
I have eaten at Patsy’s…real Italian food with the friendliest owner!
I’ve never eaten there, but I think I should now!
I have never ate at Patsy’s but I would love to. I am quite a distance away but if and when I get to New York, this will definitely be one of my favorite stops.
I registered. And as I have yet to eat at Patsy’s I would love this cookbook. Thank you for such a great giveaway.
i’d love to win a copy of this book. Thx Jenny!
Kinda eat at Patsy’s through their tasty mail-order products!
I have eaten at this restaurant. It is probably my favorite to eat at while in NYC. The food is melt in your mouth awesome and warm your belly true Italian style cooking. Thank God you can by the sauce at some groceries stores to fill in the gap between visits.
We have never been to Patsy’s but would love to go. We’ve heard rave reviews from friends who introduced us to Patsy’s. Would love to have the book to cook meals for my Italian husband and in laws 🙂
I would love this book!
The chicken besciamella looks heavenly. Definitely a book I would want!
myself, my husband & son moved to New York in 2010 from Ireland. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in September 2011. We renewed our wedding vows in St. John the Baptist church in Manhattan then went & celebrated in your wonderful restaurant with our best friends. We loved your restaurant, your wonderful staff & amazing food. We got engaged in New York in 1999, our first trip to the city, came back in 2003 when we were pregnant. We moved to Saratoga Springs when we came here in 2010. We come to the city a couple of times a year & love to see Patsy’s bustling away. We Would love your cookbook to cook your amazing food & add to our life experience with New York!
Love Patsy’s!. Take care all!
Iren, Dave & Sam Wheeler
Ate at Patsy’s before a show at city center in November of 2014…..still dreaming about the most delicious meal I’ve had in NYC!
We traveled to NYC in October to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday. She lives in Florida now and really longed for a visit to, and reconnection with, the New York City of her youth. My brother, (a New Yorker) knew that Patsy’s would be just the thing to re-kindle memories of classic Italian and a family feeling, too.
It was an evening we’ll all remember with fondness.
I have eaten at Patsy’s several times. My favorite is the manicotti.
Cooking(as well as eating) is a passion of mine. I’d love to own this cookbook.
Patsy’s is great ! Would love to win a cookbook! Thanks!
Registered for the forum for a second chance! Thanks!
I have never had the pleasure of eating at Patsy’s, but would love to win this cookbook~
This would be thrilling! I’ve never been able to afford to dine at Patsy’s, but trying my had at replication would be wonderful. Thank you for this opportunity.
I have registered for the forum. Thanks!
not only is the cuisine at Patsy’s fantastico, the service and the atmosphere are equally wonderful! I’m hoping to get there again very soon! Would love to win the cookbook! Hats off to Sal!
this is my dads favorite restaurant! Always plans a trip to stop in to Patsy’s whenever he is close to New York. Would love this cookbook for him he has been talking about it for a while now.
We fell in love with Patsy’s several years ago when they held our table 90 minutes beyond our reservation on a busy Saturday night when we got stuck in awful traffic. Amazing people and food. Have eaten there several times and have sent several people there also!
never have eaten there but my husband lived in NY for years and says it’s the best! We live in FL now and refer all our friends traveling to NY…..
Mu family and I don’t make a trip to New York without having dinner at Patsy’s!
I will try and get in to eat on the 28th going to see jersey boys that night!!! Been dying to eat at your resturant I usually hit Vincent’s for his shrimp or angelos but I definitely will visit…
Went to eat with my friends food was so good and you were so friendly felt like at was at your home and the cookies were so good I would love to win your cookbook
Patsy’s is an awesome place to experience great Italian food. I’ve eaten there a few times. Sal and his staff are treasures. I definitely recommend Spiedino Alla Romana..also check out Sal’s first cookbook “Patsy’s Cookbook”. I would love to add the new cookbook to my collection.
Ciao!
A
Yes and my fav is your eggplant!!!! Deliciouso!!!!!
Wonferful food, wonderful family and when you can’t be there you can pick up their sauces in select markets to relive the experience!!
I have the original Patsy’s cookbook and would LOVE to have the newest addition!!
Mangia!!
I have had dinner at Patsys once. Im looking forward to getting there again soon. I will register next. Thank you
I would so, so love to have this cookbook. Many of my family Italian recipes have been lost over the years and I would love to have some real family recipes to work with.
Unfortunately, I have not had the good fortune of eating here YET….but now maybe I could taste some of her fabulous food in my kitchen!
But OF COURSE I am registered!!! All the “cool kids” are registered here!! 🙂
Great food and great service! I can’t wait to go to Patsy’s again soon!
Oh, and yes, I registered! 🙂
I have never been to Patsy’s but cooking from that cookbook would be the next best thing.
I have never eaten at Patsy’s. Would love to add this cookbook to my collection.
I have never eaten at Patsy’s but consider it a new restaurant on my ever growing bucket list!
I have never eaten at Patsy’s, but you know me and Italian cookbooks…I would love to have this one. And I am registered, too!
Just registered!!! Yay!! Love this web site!! Lived in NY my whole life and haven’t been able to score a table at Patsy’s yet. I would love to have this cookbook and entertain my friends with their amazing food!
I have never eaten here but hope to sometime when in the area.
Living in NYC for 15 years until recently, I have eaten at Patsy’s probably 100 times. Love the salads and the pizzas!
Gee, I hope that I am randomly picked. 🙂
I’ve never had the pleasure of eating there but the book looks like it would be delicious.
I did JUST register here and I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s, though with that cookbook, maybe I can fool someone else into THINKING they ARE eating at Patsy’s 🙂
I have never eaten at Patsy’s but would love the book.
I have never eaten at Patsy’s but that’s the beauty of a cookbook such as this. I can travel there without leaving home. I am already registered.
Haven’t eaten @Patsy’s in a long time but remember many a great meal there, a real NYC tradition. Would love to add this tome to my collection and cook from it.
No I have never eaten at Patsy’s…. that chicken dish looks divine….
I have never eaten at Patsy’s as I live in San Francisco. Cookbooks from restaurants are my way to vicariously eat there!
I am registered on this site. Thank you
Registered as well…
I’ve never eaten at Patsy’s but my does that chicken you made look good!
I have eaten at Patsy’s! Great food!
I would love to have a pasta cookbook, I don’t have one.