What became obvious last Sunday when the Azzurri won the Euro Cup is that not only does Italy have the continent’s best soccer team, but the Italian presence in New York is wide and deep. Enthusiasm in New York for the squadra d’Italia surprised no one, and La Cucina Italiana USA presented this pre-finals guide to watching the game at various restaurants around the city. As expected, the respective eateries on Sunday did not disappoint in turnout and enthusiasm. Perhaps less expected were other celebrations that took place around New York with an array of Italian presence in New York on glorious parade. Here are a few examples of the bigger celebrations as well as an ongoing tribute to the Azzurri in pizza form:
Bensonhurst: This Italian-American enclave in Brooklyn exploded on a closed-off 18th Street (pictured at top) where hundreds watched the game on street side screens with images streaming out of Caffe Sportivo. Most of the spectators were dressed for the occasion, in Azzurri regalia or Italian-motif among the many flags, held in hands or flung from rooftops. Ebullient celebrators danced, sang, hugged, kissed, blew horns, cheered. and chanted in the splendor of a spontaneous Italian celebration. Bravo Bensonhurst!
Keste Pizza & Vino: The bottega-inspired banquet room of Roberto Caporuscio’s spacious Financial District eatery in Manhattan was packed with expats and locals, the brick, wood, and slate confines shaking with Italian passion throughout the afternoon filled with pizza, spuntini, and vino. “It was such a special and unique experience seeing everyone so very happy during the game and transporting myself and my guests to Italy and sharing this happy time with other Italians,” Caporuscio says, reflecting on the event. “Our hearts are full.”
Addeo’s of the Bronx: To Laurence Addeo, the EuroCup victory for Italia was very personal and meaningful in a manner that spanned both continents and generations. “It was so exciting to see Italy win the EuroCup, but more exciting was seeing the Italian American community come together. The energy was electric. After what we had to endure the past year, we needed this sheer joy. My grandparents came from Naples and opened up the family bakery in East Harlem 60 Years ago and then later on Arthur Avenue. I’m so proud to carry on the tradition in my restaurant now. They would be very happy to see Italians gathering at Addeo‘s of the Bronx.”
Panzerotti Bites: The charming backyard of this Smith Street establishment in Brooklyn was as stuffed as the eponymous Apulian delights that give the restaurant its name. The party hosted by owners Vittoria Lattanzio and Pasquale De Ruvo, a young couple from Puglia who opened their shop featuring their regional delicacies in 2018, welcomed fellow industry workers (many who closed their own establishments to watch the game) and new friends in America, all of whom reveled in the shared camaraderie and communal experience of an Italian connection in America.
The Pizza a Gir, created to celebrate the Azzurri's EuroCup victory. Photo: Courtesy of Song' E Napule
Song' E Napule: Perhaps the symbiosis between Italy and New York was best exemplified by the creation of a new Neapolitan pizza on West Houston Street in Manhattan. While crowds were celebrating within his walls, Ciro Iovine, owner and chef of Song’ E Napule, came up with a pizza to celebrate the EuroCup victory. “Pizza a gir” — inspired by the signature kick of hometown hero and Azzurri star Lorenzo Insigne — is a tribute to the Italian flag with cream of datterini tomatoes from Azienda Carbone, cream of Parmigiano cheese "vacca rossa" aged 24 months, and basil pesto. The Italian flag pizza will be available for a limited time, but the amore for Italia in New York will remain evergreen.
Bensonhurst photo by Daniel Paterna.