Ferrara’s Pasticeceria and Espresso Bar on Grand Street has been a tradition in Little Italy and the nearby New York City Theatre District since 1892 |
LITTLE ITALY FAMILY TRADITION—We were told the stretch of good weather all the
way to the end of September was lucky for us.
It had been 20 days without a hint of rain. Perfect time to take in Manhattan, while we
cat sat for friends, who had gone to Italy for two weeks.
Our adopted West 76th
Avenue co-op was six blocks from the subway station. Earlier in the morning we grabbed the #1
subway line at 72nd and Broadway and exited at the south tip of
Manhattan. From there we strolled over
to Ft. Clinton, to board the ferry that would take us to Liberty Island and the
Statue of Liberty. Later that week the
federal government was closed because of a whining Republican party deemed it
wise to block funding for political gain. Because of such Congressional
immaturity, many visitors were disappointed to miss the now closed ferry to the
Liberty Island national park. But
luckily we toured the small isle along with every known nationality in town
before the D.C. meltdown.
After photographing Lady
Liberty from every angle, even under her armpit, we returned to the
mainland. From the Battery in lower
Manhattan we walked north along the East River, under the Brooklyn Bridge and
eventually found our way to Little Italy and Ferrara’s Pasticceria and Espresso
Bar. We only had room for dessert
because earlier we had stopped in Chinatown for a midday dim sum.
Ferrara’s is a big
place. And, even if the main floor is
jammed there’s room upstairs to take care of the busy trade.
Ferrara’s has been there
since 1892 at the same Grand Avenue location.
There was no way we’d miss stopping there. Because it was late afternoon on a weekday,
the downstairs area was not overly busy.
We felt at ease taking a very long time to enjoy our desserts and
coffee. Why not we had more than a week
still ahead of us to enjoy Manhattan.
Antonio Ferrara, founder, impresario |
HISTORY OF FERRARA’S--New York in the Gay Nineties had almost
everything, except for a place where an opera lover, after a night of Verdi or
Puccini, could relax, play a Neapolitan card game called "scopa" and
drink a cup or two of espresso.
This situation was remedied
when Enrico Scoppa and Antonio Ferrara, opera impresario and showman, opened a
cafe called Caffé A. Ferrara. Caruso thought the coffee marvelous but
especially loved the cookies and cakes.
After World War I, Peter
Lepore, a nephew of Antonio Ferrara, had stowed away on a ship bound for New
York.
A tradition on Grand Street since 1892 |
At the beginning of the
1929 Depression, Peter married the daughter of Enrico Scoppa. He was to spend
the rest of his life at Ferrara's, transforming a charming neighborhood cafe
into a world famous shrine of delicious tastes. Times were tough and in order
to make sure there was very little waste, they began to bake two, three and
sometimes four times a day, small batches of cookies and cakes. These difficult
circumstances were a blessing in disguise.
Because of the frequency
with which they baked, Ferrara acquired a great reputation for freshness. This
reputation and the fact that the Lepore's were devoted to their business almost
as much as to each other, enabled Caffé Ferrara to grow and prosper.
Today, Ferrara is called
Ferrara, Pasticceeria and Espresso Bar and it is still a family owned business
operated by the fifth generation. And that's perhaps the most wonderful thing
about Ferrara's. Since its beginning in 1892, the spirit has changed very
little.
www.ferraracafe.com
Below more photos of Ferrara’s courtesy, Ferrara website and Phyllis Shess for Pillar to Post blog, October, 2013.
New Yorkers from the famous to infamous are familiar with Ferrara’s take out counter. |
Medley of Ferrara miniatures: raspberry tart (left), lemon tart and tiramisu (right). |
Vintage New York Little Italy Neighborhood circa 1940s |
The hallmark of cream puffs |
Ferrara’s at Grand and Mulberry since 1892. |
San Diegans Tom and Phyllis Shess stop by for cappuccinos and dessert |
So many choices: triple berry tart, center, cannoli's top and lemon tart below |
Cannoli: Reportedly the favorite dessert of Enrico Caruso. |
Cappuccino aficionados should ask for a double as a single goes down real quick. |
The bottom line |
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