Almost Famous, All'Antico Vinaio, Ainslie
We love alliteration around here
Here’s a few blurbs from my latest blog below, but if you want to skip that and read the full piece just click here. And then scroll down for the rest!
I peaked earlier this week when I got to MEET Cameron Crowe at Almost Famous the Musical. I somehow made IG friends with the set designer for the show (shout out to the super talented Derek McLane!) and he introduced us. Blurry selfie below. I cannot stress enough how much I hate night mode on the iPhone because it always, always comes out like shit. And you know what Cameron said to me? He said “oh, I know night mode well. But you know what? Think of it as 5 more seconds we have with each other.”
WHAT A LEGEND.
Now onto the sandwiches…
All’Antico Vinaio is a transplant from Florence, Italy, and it just so happens that they’re opening a second NYC outpost in the West Village. IT’S ALL HAPPENING.
Honestly, it’s one of those things that’s hard to explain WHY it’s so good, but it is. The bread is salty and crunchy, but airy in all the right places. The mozz is soft and melts in your mouth. These aren’t complex ingredients or supremely unique combinations, but they’re simple, quality, and executed perfectly. Not much more you can ask of a sandwich.
Read the full piece about the show and the sandwich details here.
And what else did I do this week?
Welp…
La Pecora Bianca opened their UES location this week, and I got to visit for Friends & Family. I can’t stress enough how much I love their rigatoni vodka with the ball of burrata on top - it’s gone viral for a reason. Sometimes that stuff actually holds up to its image. That said, the zucchini fries are a low key sleeper hit. They absolutely perfected the breading and frying process on these bad boys. Crispy, light, and most importantly, not soggy or greasy at all. BRAVA. Go check them out (they have 6 other locations if you don’t want to trek to UES).
Ainslie opened their new Bowery location at 199 Bowery, which was the old space that held Vandal. If you’ve been there, you know it is MASSIVE. Ainslie already has a large (and gorgeous) spot here in Williamsburg, so it’s no surprise that they brought that ambiance to Manhattan eventually. The menu is the same as the Brooklyn location at the moment (from Chef John DeLucie), and if you haven’t had their salt & pepper ribs yet…you need to remedy that asap. So addictive. Oh, and the Diavola pizza is my favorite pie, if you must know.
Below is a video I made for their TikTok - a little tour of the space :)
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That’s it for now…
D