Giovanni

Giovanni

Harley Davidson Junkie, Italian Restaurant Owner, Boxing Enthusiast

“I live in a rich neighborhood with a lot of wealthy people. You can imagine a guy that rides a Harley, smokes pot, is a little more rough… Well, yeah. They judge the book by its cover. They’re like, ‘who’s this crazy bastard? I love it though. To be the black swan up here.”

“ If you rest in this city, somebody will run you over, but New York is fun. It is different from other cities. The timing, speed, energy. It’s special. New York is not United States. It’s not Europe. It’s just New York. Different way to think, different way to act. New York has got the best and worst of all the worlds, that’s the way it is.”

“Who can live in New York? You either have to be lucky, rich, or be the best at what you do. At that point, you can be in New York. If you’re poor, or just a normal person without stabilized rent you should go home.”

“The most important color here is green. Money. It doesn’t matter if you’re white or black, but if you don’t have the green in your pocket, a lot of people don’t care.”

“New Yorkers are very politically correct. Maybe not fake, but always politically correct.

They might not always express the way they feel. I’m a bit different. If I’m upset, you’ll see it, if I’m happy you’ll see it. People here are always smiling politely, even if they’re unhappy.”

“People often have very high expectations to the top restaurants in this city. When you come to my restaurant there’s no bogus. Italians watching a soccer match, families eating dinner, music that creates a great ambience and atmosphere. It’s not a fine Italian restaurant, it’s an extension of your living room.”

“When temperatures are rising after winter, the city get’s crazy, smelly and loud. Like a beast waking up. People loose their clothes and showing off. It’s intense and I love that. Especially the girls in NYC at the first sun of spring are just bellissime!”

Favorite neighborhood? East village is the most rock and roll neighborhood of the city.

Favorite street to stroll? Queensboro Bridge.

Why? It is where I can speed with my motorbike over the water and see the most amazing skyline of the city there looks like Gotham city.

Favorite restaurant? Rosa Mexicano have few locations in the city and make the best guacamole in town. I love it!!

Favorite bar? McSorley’s Old Ale House is the oldest Irish pub in the city. It feels like going back in time to the beginning of the 1900.

Hidden gem? The Sport Center at Chelsea Piers When you are in the hot tub you can see the Statue of Liberty.

How to be(come) a New Yorker? You mast be gorgeous and very particular. You have to be over the top with a swag...and you have it or you don’t!

Your New York soundtrack? Rino Gaetano — Ma il cielo è sempre più blu translates to “But the sky is always more blue”.

“My lovely New Yorkers, the subway is not your house. Stop eating on the face of others and stop clipping your nails. BASTA!”

5 THINGS THAT TELLS A STORY ABOUT GIOVANNI

BOOK “This book changed my life. He’s been in bed for 17 years and wrote this positive book with his eyes. It brings you back to real life. Especially when living in New York, where everything is so material. It puts things in perspective.”

EVIL VILLAIN CAT “When you don’t get married you have to get a cat. I’m probably getting lonely and old.”

PHOTO “I didn’t have a good relationship with my father. My grandfather was the one who took care of me. If I had a problem I would go to him. I take this picture everywhere. He’s my guardian angel.”

SCARF “This is love. My football team in Italy. It reminds me of hanging out with all my Italian friends. When I wear it here in New York I feel like I am home again. It represents victory, loss, tears, joy, pain. It’s the same scarf I put in my grandfather’s coffin.”

MOTORCYCLE (HELMET) “It’s freedom. It’s like I can go any time, anywhere. It’s kind of interesting, the rush you can get from riding a motorbike. Everything can happen when I’m riding my bike.”