River view observer july 31st to august 16th, 2013

Volume 17, No. 7

July 31st - August 16th 2013 FREE PUBLICATION

riverviewobserver.net

201-349-4336

Pg. 2 On the Cover

Sam Borowski’s New Film MANIAC Premiers at Rhode Island Film Fest for a Shot at an Oscar Nod

Pg. 6 Artists Advocate Pg. 9

Home Decor

Pg. 12

La Festa Italiana

Pg. 17

Casa Dante

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By Sally Deering

he 17th Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF) takes place Tuesday, August 6 and runs through Sunday, August 12, and one of the short films on the festival’s schedule is MANIAC directed by Sam Borowski and starring Bill Sorvino of Jersey City. Borowski, whose films have competed at the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City – which is produced by Sorvino – will premiere MANIAC at RIFF for the chance to be an Oscar contender in the Best Short Film category.

MANIAC makes its world premiere on Sunday, the closing night of the festival. In the short film, Sorvino plays ‘The Man’ a good guy who does bad things for good reasons.

“It’s about a man who turns to vigilantism after being pushed over the edge,” Borowski says. “Something happens that makes him turn. It’s like violent philanthropy. He’s trying to rid the world of bad people. It’s a socially relevant film. The last few years have been a sort of Depression. If you look at the social and economic climate of the country, somebody who’s not right is affected even more by the fact that things are really tough out there. con’t pg. 2

‘With MANIAC, I

By Sally Deering wanted to do something that

on the cover. . .

“The character of ‘The Man’ played by Sorvino believes in doing what’s right but he breaks the law,” Borowski continues.

“We’re trying to look at what pushes people over the edge. It will get people talking on both sides. That’s why I know it’s relevant. It’s very shades of gray; not all bad, but not all good.”

MANIAC was written

by Nihad Shalabi, an Intern at Borowski’s The Naoj Company. Shalabi came to Borowski with a story he wrote, Borowski says he liked it, did a rewrite and put it on his immediate ‘to do’ list.

“The story originally reminded me of Martin Scorsese’s TAXI DRIVER,” Borowski says, “which is

one of my top 20 movies, one of my two favorites, and I saw some homages, I thought if we film it, we should make it look like a 70s film. If we film it that way, it would make it more special. The poster is a mock-up of the original TAXI DRIVER one sheet.”

Borowski also attached an old 70s lens to a stateof-the-art movie camera to get the look he wanted.

Even the score by Dr. Calvin Hogue, who is also from New Jersey, has a 70s feel. The film, which runs 22 minutes, is Borowski’s second shot at qualifying for an Academy Award nomination. His short film, THE MANDELA MAKER also qualified when he made it in 2009.

could be a contender for the Oscars,” Borowski says.

“Short subjects are as important as features. There’s a market for short features.

Between the festivals and the Oscars, there are theaters that will do screenings.

DVD companies will put out Shorts and there’s also Video on Demand. There’s a cable station in Canada that only shows Shorts.

While I make feature-length pictures, I still enjoy doing Shorts from time to time.

I’m flexing my muscles; and it’s a great calling card.”

Borowski’s other films include POLLINATION, NIGHT CLUB, THE MANDELA MAKER and KARLOFF AND ME. And while it only took four days to shoot MANIAC, Borowski and his crew filmed in several New Jersey towns

including Linden, Clark and Rahway.

Along with Sorvino, the

the film stars David Harris, who was featured in the Cont’d on next page

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Cont’d from page 2 OSCAR SHOTS

films THE WARRIORS

and A SOLDIER’S STORY; Joseph D’Onofrio, who played in GOODFELLAS and A BRONX TALE; and Maria Rusolo, who starred as the wife in Borowski’s short film, POLLINATION. Rusolo is also Borowski’s good friend. “Like any director or producer, I work with whom I’m comfortable with,�

Borowski says. “Directors and producers want to work with actors that make our lives easier not harder. And also who’s best for the part.�

Sorvino, also a good friend, is the nephew of legendary actor Paul Sorvino and Borowski sees Sorvino following in his “Uncle Paul’s� footsteps, but carving out his own niche. Sorvino produces the Golden Door International Film Festival which takes place every year in Jersey City and Borowski, who has shown a couple of films in the festival, will be presenting MANIAC this year, too. “I had to delve into my

deepest fears and the most broken parts of my own character from the darkest corners of my mind to create the character,� Sorvino says. “I had nightmares for weeks. It was emotionally, by far, the most challenging role I have ever played. It was also the most gratifying because I feel I gave something to the film that will allow viewers to have a contemplative experience that gives room for thought and discussion.�

Borowski says he was inspired to make MANIAC after his friend Shawn Christensen won the Best Short Film Oscar for CURFEW. “I was so inspired by how great the work was and I want to do great work,�

Borowski says. “Whether I do it with a feature or a Short, I still want to do it.

And whenever there’s a story to be told, I’m going to tell it. MANIAC is a socially relevant and important film. It’s entertaining, disturbing and it’s relevant to not just the social but the economic climate of the

day.

We completed editing two-and-a-half months ago and we’re already premiering for an Oscar-qualifier.

We’re very serious about bringing home an Oscar.�

If you go: Sun, Aug. 11th, MANIAC World Premiere Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival Providence, RI (401) 861-4445 www.film-festival.org info@film-festival.org\ The River View Observer Like us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ Riverviewobserver.com

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Page3- July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

NEWPORT BEACH PARTY 2013

The Last American Guido Premiers at Hoboken’s ClearView Cinema

Mike DiGiacinto as The Last American Guido

Newport, Jersey City celebrated its 11th year hosting a party for the community and this year marked the second year it was held at Newport Green, the neighborhood’s new 4.25-acre park, which features the only urban beach on the Hudson River.

Close to 1,000 people came to celebrate the summer season, and to check out the beach and the incredible NYC skyline views, and taste an incredible sampling of food from a selection of the 14 Restaurants at Newport. Dishes ranged from Mexican and Italian to Japanese and New American! Bottom 2 photos by Steve A Mack

Page 4-July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Pictured above last week at the premiere of his independent film the Last American Guido Writer/Producer Vito La Bruno (R) and lead actor of the film Mike DiGiacinto.

La Bruno currently a Jersey City Police Officer.wrote the script and the film was shot in the fall of 2012 in several different New Jersey cities including Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, Nutley and Maywood.The cast includes Mike DiGiacinto, Chris Tardio, Kim Director, Robert Costanzo and Al Sapienza (House of Cards,Person of Interest).

The film centers on Tommy Losurdo in the 1990s who ruled the Jersey club scene. His style, moves, and sheer confidence were unprecedented. Nowadays, Tommy runs an Italian Deli to support his family.

His hairline has receded and his fashion has faded. When Tommy discovers his fiancé, Stefi, had an affair, he is forced back into a world that has passed him by.

For information visit www. thelastamericanquido.com

Page 5-July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Artists’ Advocate Meredith Lippman,Program Development Specialist for Hudson County’s Office of Cultural Affairs Bridges Artists and Community

By Sally Deering Artist Meredith Lippman seems the perfect fit for her position as Program Development Specialist for the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development.

Lippman empathizes with the artists she advocates for and she works diligently to help them connect with the Hudson community and grow their careers through workshops, newsletters and updates on venues where they can exhibit works.

Hudson’s Office of

Cultural & Heritage Affairs provides advisory services, technical assistance, grant programs, audience development initiatives, artist round tables and networking events for artists in the community. The Office also hosts tours and lectures on Hudson’s history, promotes historic preservation and presents events that celebrate Hudson’s cultural diversity. Joining Lippman on staff are Eileen Gaughan and Robert Kakolewski, and director William LaRosa.

Lippman and the crew

Page 6-July 31st-August 16th River View Observer

Meredith Lippman, Program Development Specialist for the Hudson County Office on Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development

work out of well-worn offices on the first floor of the Brennan Courthouse building in Jersey City, and even though her office may date back to the 50s, Lippman, like the rest of the staff, is in the cultural loop. On a

recent Wednesday afternoon, she took a break from her busy schedule to talk about her work on behalf of Hudson’s artists and the eight years she has spent as Program Development Specialist.

RVO: What are your responsibilities in the cultural affairs office?

ML: I’m a program development specialist.

There are certain things I do that are focused on the arts and the arts community like professional development workshops. The early ones

I did focused on basic business skills like how to write a write a statement about your work, and how to help your career in terms of business, or focusing on what you want your work to say; the problems of being an artist in a sense. I had a panel of museum Curators talk about what kind of packet (artists) should send them, what they look for. I had a panel of gallery managers who discussed the kinds of work they were showing, the things that interested them and how to approach them. We had a financial advisor talk to artists about how to do your taxes and set up your business.

RVO: Do you work with other artists besides visual artists?

ML: Yes. I’m interested in theater and dance groups, too, and I’m always asking what can we do to help those groups? I’ll take surveys and send emails asking what would you like Cont’d on page 7

Artists’ Advocate

Cont’d from page 6 a workshop on? What are your concerns? What can I do out of our office that will help you with your goals?

RVO: What is your educational background?

ML: I studied philosophy at Adelphi and I went to SUNY Purchase and was in the fine arts program. I did the final at Empire State SUNY and earned my BA. I did about a year full-time studying Public Art in their graduate program and now I’m going for a Certification in Creative Placemaking out of Ohio State University. That was a program that started at Rutgers.

RVO: Can you explain Creative Placemaking?

ML: Creative Placemaking is how to meld business and culture to help define a city, a municipality, a village, a town. Think of Red Bank, New Jersey. Red Bank was a sleepy little town, I was there in the 70s and as more arts, music and theater began to develop there, Red Bank became more known as a place to go for culture. This impacts the area economically as a plus and it helps to define it, show it as a place that has cultural activity. If you’re looking at public art and looking at how art and culture help a place economically, then you’re also talking about urban planning. If you were going to curate a county for public art, you’re curating it in terms of planning.

What type of piece would I put where? How does it reflect the community?

How does it interact with the community? I’m very excited about that. It affects how I think about my job and how I think about the community at large and what else I can bring to the art community and the public.

RVO: As an artist, what do you bring to your position that’s special or unique?

ML: The easiest answer is I’ve lived the life. I’ve had worked accepted and rejected from shows, I’ve had money problems not earning enough. When I talk to an artist, I know what they’re talking about. I came from the artist community. When I took this job, I packed up

ML: We’re excited about Superbowl 2014 coming into the county. What this means is we’re getting 150,000 visitors to the area.

It’s an opportunity for the business and cultural communities to benefit from that exposure.

“That’s the Way It Feels” a 2005 Mixed-Media work by Meredith Lippman

my studio. Why? Whenever I worked a job, I always wanted to be in the studio.

This time, I wanted to give this job all I had. I wanted to be fully-committed to the job and I felt it was an opportunity for a new phase in my life, which it turned out to be.

RVO: Is there anything new and exciting coming up for Hudson artists?

For more info: Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/ Tourism Development www.visithudson.org (201) 459-2070 1-800-542-7894

River View Observer We Support the Arts

Page 7-July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Happenings Book Group: The Readers’ Circle book group resumes Thursday, September 19th at 7:00 pm in All Saints, 701 Washington Street, in Hoboken, to discuss the novel THE LAST PICTURE SHOW by Larrry McMurtry, Other Fall selections are The Bad Seed by William March on October 17th and Washington Square by Henry James on Novemeber 21.

The Readers’Circle is a community event open to all book lovers. Free coffee and cake is served for more information write readerscircle123@aol.com

Page 8-July 31st-August 16th , 2013 River View Observer

Hudson County Animal League invites all you cats to join them On the Casino Bus to Sands Casino in Bethlehem PA. Saturday, August 24th, 2013 Bus departs from CWV Post-at 23rd street off Broadway in Bayonne.

Departure time 10am sharp for tickets call Lorma Wepner 201-437-7263 or Barbara & Eddie Prokop201-437-5721 Chris Reilly, Maureen Gallagher, Charlene and Barbara Devaney, Fran Kane, Cheryl Leszczynki, Fran Halitzer, Kathleen O’ Malley or Lormalady@aol. com

Tickets $29- $20 Play Back & $5 Food Coupon Refreshments, Games, Prizes on the bus.

Come join for a day of fun, besides gambling you can enjoy good food, great shopping on the on-site outlets.

BAYONNE SUMMER SOUNDS BY THE BAY August 14th 7pm-9pm 1910 Fruit Gum Company August 21 6:30-9:00 pm Bayonne Senior Orchestra; The Mahoney Brothers The concert site is the amphitheater on the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park. Off Avenue A in Bayonne. For info call 201-471-7590 after 4:00 p.m., www.bayonnerec.com,

Page 9- July31st -August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Liberty Humane Society: Call for Sponsors and Vendors for Bark in the Park 2013

Now in its 10th year, Bark in the Park continues to serve as Liberty Humane’s biggest fundraising and alumni gathering event benefiting the thousands of stray and abandoned animals from Jersey City and Hoboken that our shelter cares for each year. The event begins with a dog walk fundraiser that concludes at the park where guests can enjoy a variety of demonstrations, shopping, and contests. There will also be plenty of adoptable dogs and cats in attendance. We’re also very excited to announce that this year’s Bark in the Park will be hosted by dog trainer and comedian, Justin Silver from the CBS series “Dogs in the City”.

For information please call 201.547.4147 x1005

Page 10-July 31st- August 16th, 201 River View Observer

Palisades Medical Center’s Casino Night Set for August 15 at The Waterside Restaurant, North Bergen On Thursday, August 15, 2013, The Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen will be transformed into a Las Vegas-style casino during Palisades Medical Center’s 7th Annual Casino Night. The event will begin with dinner from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Gambling will take place from 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM, followed by the drawing of a Super 50-50 and other raffle prizes.

Casino Night admission is $100 per person and includes a buffet dinner (beer, wine and soda) and $150 in casino chips for guests to try their luck at Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Poker, Craps, Roulette and more.

Additional chips may be purchased throughout the evening, and guests redeem chips at the end of the event for raffle prize tickets.

Casino Night is planned and organized by the Palisades

Medical Center’s Auxiliary, a team of dedicated volunteers that works throughout the year to support the Palisades Medical Center Foundation.

For tickets or for more information, please call Denise Whitley at (201) 8545011 or visit or visit www. palisadesmedicalfoundation. org.

Ray Greaves Association Holds Annual Sportsfest

The Ray Greaves Association will be holding their Annual “Jeffery T. Farley Sportsfest 2013”on Saturday September 14th, 2013 10am at Hudson County Park basketball courts, (Rain date: 9/15/13) All Bayonne children ages 6 and up are invited to come down to this highly anticipated annual event. Attendees can participate in sports clinics such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and other fitness skills given by many of our local coaches as well as special guests. Participating children will be given a participation t-shirt and have a chance to win special gifts and prizes. As always there is no cost for your child to participate.

This wonderful event honors of our beloved friend, Jeffery T. Farley. As many of you know Jeff was no stranger to many kid’s sports programs in Bayonne, most notably the Bayonne PAL. We knew it would be truly appropriate to plan a day of fun with sports and fitness for the kids of Bayonne in his honor.

For additional information or if you would like to volunteer/ sponsor this event please contact the Ray Greaves Association at 201-339-3885 or via email at raywgreaves@gmail. com Ray Greaves Standard Bearer

Page 11-July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Holy Rosary Church Celebrates 110th La Festa Italiana AUG 14-18, 2013 JERSEY CITY, NJ) A joyful feast of fun, faith and delicious food awaits at LA FESTA ITALIANA, Holy Rosary Church’s 110th Old World street festival that begins Wed, Aug. 14 and runs through Sun, Aug. 18. For five days, from 5-to-11 pm at Holy Rosary Church, 344 Sixth Street between Brunswick & Monmouth Streets, friends and neighbors will celebrate Holy Rosary’s 128 Years as the first Italian parish in New Jersey.

“We are pleased to share La Festa Italiana with our devoted parishioners, beloved neighbors and extended Jersey City family, ” Rev. Jerzy “Jurek” Zaslona, Holy Rosary Church’s Pastor says. “This wonderful tradition that began 110 years ago here in Jersey City brings together life-long friends from across the tri-state area and builds strong ties with

our community. This year, La Festa Italiana promises to be better than ever and we look forward to sharing this tradition with our Holy Rosary community.”

Tradition is at the heart of LA FESTA ITALIANA where dedicated parishioners volunteer their time year-after-year to mix, twirl and deep fry Holy Rosary’s delicious homemade Zeppoles, made from a veryguarded recipe. Parishioners will also be selling their famous Rice Balls, filled with chopped meat, tomato gravy and peas, and deep-fried to a golden brown. At Caffe Italiano, the beautiful garden area will be where parishioners sell their homemade cheesecakes, brownies and cookies.

Feast-goers can go to La Festa Italiana all five nights and eat something totally

different each night.

Page 12 -July 31st-August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

Holy Rosary Church in Downtown Jersey City Home to La Festa Italiana

They can dine on traditional Italian foods like sausage & pepper sandwiches, meatballs in gravy and fresh mozzarella made right before their eyes, with drinks like parishioners’ homemade Limoncello, Wine and Peaches. Jersey City restaurants will offer an array of multi-cultural foods like Hispanic rice and beans and

French crepes made right on the spot. For adults who want wine or beer to go with their dishes, White Star will be setting up a full-service bar.

Feast-goers can try their hand at games of chance to win fun prizes and throughout every evening of the feast, try their luck at the hourly 50/50 to win some cash. Sunday night’s closing activities will feature a climactic “Super 50/50” where one lucky person will walk away with a big cash payout.

Last year’s winner won more than $9,000.

LA FESTA ITALIANA will feature live entertainment all five nights of the Feast and this year there’s a great line-up of acts that will have folks dancing in the streets – another tradition. The schedule includes: Wed, Aug 14, Everybody’s Everything; Aug 15, The Toga Party Band; Aug 16, Total Soul; Aug. 17, Jersey Sound; and on the closing night of the Feast, The Cameos.

Kids will have a great time, too, going on the thrilling rides and other amusements provided by Cliffhanger Productions.

On Sat, Aug. 17, parishioners who attended Ferris High School are welcome back to the neighborhood to reconnect with old friends at the 4th annual All-Year Reunion Night held at the Holy Rosary Parish Center. Pictures taken of the parish and the old neighborhood will also be on sale at the Vintage Photo Gallery, a terrific keepsake for feast-goers.

La Festa Italiana will also hold special masses to venerate the feast days of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Rocco.

Feast-goers can express their spirituality and devotion by attending a Mass, purchasing a Memorial Candle for a loved one or sending prayers skyward with Memorial Balloons.

A Novena featuring nine guest celebrants will take place Aug. 6-14. The Feast of the Assumption Mass will take place on Thurs, Aug. 15 at 11 am.

The Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

Thomas A. Donato, a son of Holy Rosary Church.

A Triduum will be held three days prior to St. Rocco Feast Day, Aug. 13, 14 and 15. A Feast Day Mass will be held for St. Rocco on Fri, Aug. 16 at 11 am, celebrated by Rev. Jurek Zaslona, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church.

Following the 11 am Mass on Thurs, Aug. 15, the Holy Day of Obligation, the Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato, Auxiliary Bishop of Newark will bless Memorial Balloons donated by parishioners in memory of a loved one’s passing and in honor of someone important in their lives. More than 300 people annually participate in the Memorial Balloons launch which takes place at the foot of the steps of the church where Fr. Donato will give the blessing. After the balloons are released into the sky, a street procession carrying the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption will walk through the neighborhood.

LA FESTA ITALIANA promises to be 5-days of fun and celebration with friends and family. LA FESTA ITALIANA is Holy Rosary’s way of thanking its community for their continued support and celebrating 128 years of serving the spiritual needs of its devoted parish.

Wed, Aug 14th through Sun, 18th, 5 pm-11 pm LA FESTA ITALIANA Holy Rosary Church 344 Sixth Street, Jersey City, NJ (201) 795-0120; www.lafestaitalianajc.com Twitter: @lafestaitaliana; Facebook: Lafestaitalianajc The River View Observer Serving Hudson County Since 1998 Print-Digital -Mobile for rates & Information 201.349.4336

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restaurant VIEWS-Ten

Ingredients

Casa Dante, Chef Freda Creates Italian Dishes a

Traditional Grandmother Would Love

By Sally Deering

D

uring the summer months, the Riverview Observer likes to slip into the kitchen of some of Hudson’s best restaurants and shine a spotlight on the chefs who create the delicious dishes on their menus. This week, RVO visited Casa Dante restaurant a few blocks north of Journal Square on Newark Avenue. Casa Dante opened 40 years ago and changed hands about 8 years ago around the time Chef

Gregg Freda came on board as Executive Chef.

Newark Ave. could use a little fixing-up, that’s for sure, and it appears the street outside Casa Dante will be going through some demo to put in new street lights, but that shouldn’t deter a visit to Casa Dante.

Once you step inside the restaurant’s foyer, you are immediately transported to an extremely tranquil setting where a visitor can easily relax and enjoy the traditional Italian cuisine.

Another good reason: Casa Dante has its own parking lot, a rarity in Jersey City.

Casa Dante’s menu includes Antipasto dishes like Mozzarella in Carrozza, mozzarella, parmigiano encrusted bread, lightly fried; served with a size of the house marinara sauce; Clams Oregnata, Little Neck clams baked with oreganoseasoned bread crumbs; and Fried Calamari, tender fresh calamari lightly fried and served with lemon and a choice of sweet or hot

Casa Dante Executive Chef Gregg Freda

marinara. Salads feature the Insalada di Avocado, hearts of palm, fresh mozzarella and diced tomatoes Cont’d on page 18

Page17- July 31st -August 16th, 2013 River View Observer

restaurant Cont’d from page 17 Casa Dante

with lemon and olive oil dressing; and Crabmeat Salad, tangy arugula, colossal crabmeat and asparagus in garlic and lemon dressing. And the House Specialty, Seafood Salad ala Dante, chilled shrimp, scungilli, calamari, diced tomato, lemon, garlic and olive oil.

There are Pasta, Chicken, Veal, Seafood and Steak entrees, all traditional Italian cuisine. Chef Freda also creates daily specials, some with a flavorful twist.

Let’s meet Chef Freda!

RVO: Chef Freda, what is your background and how did you get interested in cooking?

CF: I was born in Newark and raised in Verona. I’m the middle-child. My mother’s side of the family has always been into food. My grandfather Frank Panico was a butcher and had his

VIEWS-Ten own shop in Newark. My first job was in King Supermarket where I worked as a cashier while I was still in high school. I was always around food. Then my uncle Frank opened Panico’s restaurant and I started out as a cook, worked my way to sous chef and chef. That was in the 90s.

RVO: What is your educational background?

CF: I had attended St. John’s University and studied pre-law, but the book work, the reading, that stuff I didn’t find interesting. I liked cooking better. Working with food, I enjoyed it more. It’s fun. It’s still fun 30 years later.

RVO: Did you go to culinary school?

CF: No, I’m self-taught. I worked my way up the old way before culinary schools were popular.

RVO: What are your responsibilities as Executive Chef?

Page 18-July 31st-August 16, 2013 River View Observer

Ingredients

CF: My responsibilities are pretty much everything. I oversee the kitchen.

RVO: Does Casa Dante have any signature dishes?

CF: There are certain things synonymous with Casa Dante like the Casa Dante Seafood Salad, and the Sole Francaise. We have tripe, which you don’t see very often. That’s an “Old World” dish. I’m not crazy about Tripe, but it does give a lot of flavor to the tomato sauce it’s served in.

RVO: In traditional Italian cuisine, isn’t tomato sauce called ‘gravy’?

CF: Tomato gravy has to have meatballs, sausage, braciola, pork spare-ribs – to me, that’s gravy. At Casa Dante, we sell Sicilian meatballs with pignoli nuts and raisins in them.

If you’re from Sicily, it’s a classic Sicilian meatball.

RVO: How would you describe traditional Italian cuisine?

CF: Italian food is supposed to be five ingredients.

They can be whatever you want, but the dish has to be simple. The product is supposed to stand on its own. If it’s a veal chop, let it be the best veal chop. If its fish, let it be fresh. It’s all healthy food.

RVO: You also create daily specials with a twist?

Can you give an example?

CF: They’re Italian dishes but not “old Italian”. Today we have a Braised Beef Short Rib over Creamy Polenta; Swordfish Rollatini; and Wild Salmon with a Mixed Peppercorn Crust.

RVO: Many of our readers don’t have a lot of time to cook when they get home from work, can you suggest a quick recipe?

CF: Here’s a great summer pasta dish: Take some Jersey tomatoes, peel and seed.

Chop the tomato and put it in a bowl with fresh basil, salt & pepper, and garlic.

Take hot pasta, toss your hot pasta on top and drizzle some Extra Virgin olive oil on top of that. Serve it with some bread; it’s a classic, simple dish.

RVO: Who would you say is your favorite chef?

CF: The best food I ever had in my life was my grandmother’s. I remember the holidays and her macaroni and meatballs and sausage. It’s a pity I never got to learn from her. One time, my brother asked her to cook him a can of Chef Boyardee. So my grandmother cooked him Chef Boyardee and then she threw the pot in the garbage. She wasn’t going to say no to her grandson, but she was not going to use that pot again.

That’s a traditional Italian grandmother.

If you go: Casa Dante 737 Newark Ave Jersey City (201) 795-2750 www.casadante.com

River View Observer Est. 1998

OPEN AUDITION FOR A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW SUNDAY AUGUST 11TH 3:00pm until 6:00pm A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW Trish Szymanski, Director This play is scripted from the short story of the same name written by Washington Irving. Set in Communipaw/Jersey City approximately between 1685 and 1710, the story follows two outsider types, a young Dutchman and a mysterious African, as they sail the seas, take up piracy and other risky business, and return again and again to Communipaw, finally to reap their just rewards. Irving’s story resonates today, and this play is theater, history, literature and more.

To find out what roles are available Trish Szymanski, Director TrishSzymanski@ gmail.com

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Co-op for Sale/Weehawken/$149,999 This charming apartment is a NYC commuter’s dream.

Charming one-bedroom apartment on Boulevard East in

Weehawken is on the 4th floor of the beautiful River Cliff Hall, a restored pre-war building on Boulevard East that faces the spectacular Manhattan Skyline.

This private and quiet one-bedroom overlooks a quaint courtyard adorned with plants and flowers of the season.

It has a nice-sized working kitchen that's open to the living/dining area. There's a French door to the bedroom which has a raised floor and fits a king size bed and has a wall of closets. There’s a laundry room on site.

NYC commute is 15 minutes by bus which stops right in front of the building.

$149,999.

For more info, call Mary Waldron, 201-232-6959.

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Mike Cruz (Mortgage Consultant) All American Mortgage

Office:201-576-0700 Cell: 201-759-3821 mikec@allamericanmortgage.us www.MortgageHow.com Page 23-July 31st-August 16, 2013 River View Observer