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| Peppino's restaurant in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Photos by New York Scugnizzo |
By Giovanni di Napoli
Friday evening, members and friends of the St. Rocco Society of Potenza convened at Peppino’s Restaurant (7708 3rd Ave.) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn for our monthly “boys’ night out” dinner meeting. In reality our recurrent gathering is more like a party than a meeting, and after a busy work-week our crew always looks forward to blowing off a little steam, having a few laughs, and, of course, eating well.
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| The boys came hungry and ready to party |
Warmly welcomed by chef Joe Mancino’s crack wait staff, our jovial party was promptly seated and served. After our drinks and entrees were ordered, a seemingly never ending array of hot and cold antipasti was brought to our table. Beginning with Joe’s own rendition of bruschetta al pomodoro and affettati e formaggio, we were treated to several classic southern Italian specialties, including fresh insalata di mare, cozze alla marinara and vongole al forno.
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| Insalata di mare |
The beer and wine flowed almost as freely as the lively conversation. A veritable free-for-all, revelers discussed everything from religion, politics and history to the hit Italian television crime drama Gomorrah. Though I never saw the show (I don’t care for the gangster genre), I did enjoy listening to their take on it. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I do find it interesting that my friends appear to enjoy the fact that they speak Neapolitan (as opposed to Italian) on the show more than the actual storyline.
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| Vongole al forno |
After a much needed breather, our appetites magically returned with the arrival of our main courses. We each had a delicious fish or pasta entree, with a side of friarielli (broccoli rabe) or scarola aglio e olio (escarole). I enjoyed a heaping serving of spicy linguine con calamari, which was perfectly cooked and very tasty. As always, Chef Mancino outdid himself and dished us up another memorable meal.
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| Friarielli |
After coffee and dessert, the diehards among us went out for after-dinner drinks, while the rest of us called it a night. Normally I would join them for cocktails, but I was feeling a bit knackered and needed to hit the hay.
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| Linguine con calamari |
More than just a feast society, our tight-knit group has become a second little family. Many of us socialize, do business, and pray together on a regular basis. I actually see some of them more than I do my own blood, who—having succumbed to the temptations of the false cult of progress—have sadly scattered to the wind. Our faith in God and devotion to San Rocco has brought us together and drives us to keep our time-honored traditions and culture alive. I am truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group. Viva San Rocco!
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| Gamberi oreganata con linguine |
