Angelina Borrello
A NGE LINA’S By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Max Ryazansky
T
he bar at Angelina’s is covered in cards, photos and tchotchkes. Some are from customers, some are political, some feature Angelina’s family. It’s a little bit busy, but then again, so is the owner, Angelina Borrello. Angelina’s is a one-woman show for the most part. Her son, Jon Paul, makes the occasional appearance, she says, joking that he doesn’t help out enough, but in the same breath, adds, “He’s a great mixologist, a great personality.” He’s been helping her since he was a little boy, “At three years old he would stack up crates and climb up and cut the calamari with big knives,” Angelina says. Other than that, she’s been doing things in her particular way since 1975. Some things have changed recently because of COVID. Her cousin, Mary Ceretta, helped Angelina get her menu posted on social media, and this has helped her find a new generation of customers. Angelina now requires all her dine-in customers to place their orders by phone before they arrive. This new method suits her well. She doesn’t have to run back and forth taking orders, and customers
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are less likely to get antsy waiting for their meals. Plus, she says, the new generation is super appreciative of her food.
Portion Control? Nah Tonight, Angelina brings out a feast. The menu hasn’t changed in years. It’s classic Italian. She starts with a salad of Tomato, Basil and Onion with Mozzarella. Fresh
and delicious, it’s perfectly paired with a crust of Italian bread. It’s like bruchetta in a bowl. The servings are so large that I wonder aloud if it’s meant to be family style. Nope. “All of my portions are huge. I don’t know why. I guess I just have a heavy hand,” Angelina says, bringing out an enormous bowl of Zuppa di Mussels
