The Arthur Avenue Cookbook: Recipes and Memories from the Real Little Italy

Growing up in the Bronx was an amazing thing, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. And though Arthur Avenue isn't as big as it used to be (Little Italy-wise), it's still a magical place. And unlike such grotesque places like Eataly, which is overpriced and pretentious, Arthur Avenue retains much of its traditional old-world quality. In some shops, it's literally like stepping back into another decade.I have had this book for many years. I have also given this book as a gift many many times and the receivers (mostly relatives in Australia) are always ecstatic about it as the families were connected even from across the world, always remembering their relatives in the Bronx.This book is a good primer on the establishments that still exist despite the various evolutions of the area over the decades. There are histories and recipes and personalities that represent not only the flavor of the food but the flavor of the culture that is retained in this little piece of New York City.There are no bad restaurants on Arthur Avenue. I love Madonia Bakery but all are amazing. And the coffee on Arthur Avenue is the BEST in New York City, hands down. Roberto's is also an excellent restaurant.This book is not a substitute for visiting Arthur Avenue. But, for people who lived here once, for people who have heard of it in other locations in the world, this book is a bit of nostalgia and a small primer on what is a little piece of heaven. Just make a few of the recipes and read a few of the stories and you'll be transported.High recommendation.

Although I live in FL now, I grew up in the Bronx. My family shopped at the Arthur Avenue Market for as long as I can remember. I bought this book for myself and my one son who still continues to shop there now.It was not so much for the recipes (which are excellent) but more importantly because the author has taken the time to do research about the merchants and the outlying area from the 40's and 50's and up to the 70's. I knew many of them by name because I shopped there so frequently. There are also stories about other merchants in the area such as the bakeries, the pasta store where you could buy fresly made macaroni, the latticini places to buy freshly made cheeses, and the butchers.The vegetable vendors were located inside the big market.In addition, Arthur Avenue has some of the finest restaurants. Just up the street, there is Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church which is another area landmark. It was built for Italians, by Italians. Ms. Volkwein included the church in her research too.This is a wonderful book!

This may be called a cookbook, but it is, in reality, an extended love letter to a neighborhood and a culture. Arthur Ave in the Bronx district of New York City clearly must be an amazing place for food and family to elicit such a sweet and loving homage.The recipes are just the lure to bring the reader into contact with people who remind us that immigrants made America and the culture they share enriches everyone.Highly recommended

In the late 40's my father was a pizza maker at the Half Moon Rest .I was just a little girl going to Mt Carmel school and church. Two men from the DC area wanted an authentic NY Pizza and off we went to Silver Spring MD.Over the years we had Arthur Ave. parties for my dad and all my friends were very familiar with it. Having no idea what to get my sister this year I googled Arthur Ave. Cookbook and there it was. The book is beautiful not only wonderful recipes but family stories, colorful pictures, maps etc. I was more then pleased. I actually went to get one for me and they were sold out. I will defenitley recommend this book....perfect for any table.

This book arrived quickly, and was in excellent condition - even better than expected! Very happy with the book and the seller!

I recently bought a home in Florida and this book takes you back home to your roots. If you ever shopped on Arthur Avenue this book encompasses all the stores and memories. Thank you to the author.

If you have ever lived near, or on A street in NYC like Arthur Ave.and Little Italy, the pictures and recipes will bring you there again, you can even hear the conversations, and the smell of the neighborhood are so vivid, you want to try to repeat the recipes and be there. They did,nt have super markets, it was a neighborhood ,and shopping for the foods needed for the day ment talking to the veg. man and the sausage maker and then the cheese store. It ment asking how the family in Itly was, and getting the news or a different story from every market. Fresh bread OH How I Miss it. This book is a master of REAL ITALIAN FOODS, and from the REAL ITALIANS

What a great book! As a descendant of Italian immigrants who were very proud of their heritage and eager to share their love of food and tradition with their American neighbors, I found the stories magical and the recipes superb! An amazing account of our proud ancestors and their way of life.

Great receipies so different than new Italian receipies but so tasty full of flavour make you want to keep doing them excellent book well worth buying