KEEN'S STEAKHOUSE
NEW YORK NY
Manganaro's Grosseria Italiana, commonly referred to as Manganaro's, was an Italian market and deli on Ninth Avenue in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It opened in 1893 and operated for 119 years, helping to introduce the hero sandwich to Americans. The family closed the business and put the property up for sale in 2012.
The business was founded in 1893 by Ernest Petrucci as a wine and spirits store, Petrucci's Wines & Brandies, that also sold groceries. Its location at 488 Ninth Avenue near 37th Street was on a stretch of the avenue that remained lined with exotic food stores for decades. After the enactment of Prohibition in the U.S. in 1919, Petrucci's nephew James Manganaro, an immigrant from Naples, took over the store in the 1920s and changed the name; in 1927 he was able to buy the building. Manganaro may have invented the hero sandwich, and played a role in introducing it to Americans.
On his death in 1953, Manganaro's passed to his brother Louis and sister Nina Manganaro Dell'Orto and their spouses; in 1955, with a publicity agent's help, they invented the six-foot "Hero-Boy" sandwich, which was successful enough for one of Dell'Orto's four sons to go on the original version of the TV quiz show I've Got a Secret, and for the family to open a sandwich shop next door at 492–494 Ninth Avenue the following year, while continuing to operate a deli and lunch counter in the rear of the grocery store.
In 1962, Louis Manganaro retired and two of his four nephews took over the grocery store and the other two the sandwich shop, Manganaro's Hero-Boy, and the businesses were separated.
Sal Dell'Orto, who bought out his brother's half ownership of the grocery store, and James Dell'Orto, who bought out his brother's half ownership of the sandwich shop, fell out over rights to the "Manganaro's Hero-Boy" name, trademarked by the sandwich shop in 1969, and advertising for party sandwich telephone hotlines, which led to two separate court cases. The business' neon sign installed in the early 1930s, which became blinking in the 1960s, was turned off in 2000 so that Manganaro's Hero-Boy could not benefit from it.The grocery store was repeatedly found at fault over the hotline and was ordered to pay damages to the sandwich shop, and the financial drain plus waning popularity, some of it due to the declining neighborhood, led to the decision to sell the building and close. This was first announced early in 2011, but the building was withdrawn from the market; the business then closed in late February 2012.
Anthony Bourdain featured the store, on the episode title "Disappering Manhattan" on No Reservations TV Show.
Lanza’s was an Italian restaurant in the East Village, Manhattan. It was opened in 1904 by Sicilian immigrant Michael Lanza in a tenement built in 1871. Lanza was rumored to have been a chef for Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. They closed in 2015. Eater reported it officially closed in 2017 after seizure by a marshal for non-payment of taxes. It is also said to have closed in 2016. The former restaurant's murals, stained glass, and sign were retained by Joe and Pat's, a pizzeria that opened at the location in 2018.
They were known to be a favorite of Lucky Luciano, Carmine “Lilo” Galante and Joseph “Socks” Lanza.
P.J.CLARKE'S - Since 1884
PJ Clarke's
NY NY
P.J. Clarke’s has been serving up delicious burgers in a cozy setting for nearly 150 years. A favorite among Hollywood stars, Frank Sinatra often sat at Table 20 and Buddy Holly famously proposed to his wife here after knowing her for just five hours. In 1958, Nat King Cole proclaimed that P.J. Clarke’s bacon cheeseburger was “the Cadillac of burgers,” and, well, the rest is history.
KEENS
"Home of The Mutton Chop"
KEENS STEAKHOUSE - Since 1885
Over 150 years ago, publishers, playwrights, and producers met and mingled at the renowned Keens Steakhouse before seeing a show. As the story goes, actors from the nearby Garrick Theatre would even come, dressed in full costume and makeup, to eat between acts. Today, the iconic steakhouse is known for being one of the last remaining establishments of the historic Herald Square Theatre District.
PETER LUGER STEAKHOUSE - 1887
Situated steps away from the East River, Peter Luger has been the go-to spot for lunch and dinner since the late 1800s. The restaurant started as a cafe and bowling alley by the Luger family and was later bought in an auction by Sol Forman when it fell into disrepair. Forman owned the manufacturing business across the street and realized he had nowhere else to bring his business clients for lunch if the restaurant were to close, so he decided to take over the spot himself. Fast forward decades later, and Peter Luger Steakhouse is still talked about for its juicy burgers and high-quality cuts of meat.
KATZ'S DELICATESSEN - 1888
Immortalized in that classic When Harry Met Sally scene (“I’ll have what she’s having!”), Katz’s has remained a quintessential New York City institution since the 1880s. Starting out as a small kosher deli on Ludlow Street, the beloved establishment has been making delicious corned beef sandwiches, knishes, latkes, matzo ball soup, and more for nearly 150 years.
RAO'S
East Harlem, NYC
RAO'S - 1896
Rao’s has been at its East Harlem location since 1896 and has a menu filled with Southern Italian classics. Known as one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, this small 10-table red sauce joint is near impossible to get a reservation at. You may have better luck snagging a table at its Las Vegas or Los Angeles outposts.
The statue is a figure of Libertas, the Roman Goddess of Liberty. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand, and in her left hand carries a tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776 in Roman numerals), the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. A broken chain and shackle lie at her feet as she walks forward, commemorating the national abolition of slavery following the American Civil War. After its dedication, the statue became an icon of freedom and of the United States, seen as a symbol of welcome to immigrants arriving by sea.
Bartholdi was inspired by a French law professor and politician, Édouard René de Laboulaye, who is said to have commented in 1865 that any monument raised to U.S. independence would properly be a joint project of the French and American peoples. The Franco-Prussian War delayed progress until 1875, when Laboulaye proposed that the French finance the statue and the United States provide the site and build the pedestal. Bartholdi completed the head and the torch-bearing arm before the statue was fully designed, and these pieces were exhibited for publicity at international expositions.
The torch-bearing arm was displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, and in Madison Square Park in Manhattan from 1876 to 1882. Fundraising proved difficult, especially for the Americans, and by 1885 work on the pedestal was threatened by lack of funds. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer, of the New York World, started a drive for donations to finish the project and attracted more than 120,000 contributors, most of whom gave less than a dollar (equivalent to $30 in 2021). The statue was built in France, shipped overseas in crates, and assembled on the completed pedestal on what was then called Bedloe's Island. The statue's completion was marked by New York's first ticker-tape parade and a dedication ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland.
VISITING The STATUE of LIBERTY
And ELLIS ISLAND TOUR
Discover the famous Statue of Liberty on a guided tour and ferry ride. Enjoy early access to Liberty Island, see clear views of the iconic New York skyline, and explore Ellis Island.
Begin your day at The Battery (formerly known as Battery Park), the historical gateway to Lady Liberty. Board the earliest ferry of the day (if you choose the earliest tour time) to avoid the crowds of tourists and sail away from Manhattan to greet the Statue of Liberty. Disembark at Liberty Island and join your guide on a walking tour of the island to learn the origins of the iconic Statue of Liberty. As you walk, take in views of the famed New York skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. Wander through the Statue of Liberty Museum and see Lady Liberty’s original torch. Next, board the short ferry to Ellis Island. Hear a brief introduction about the Island's historical significance and get recommendations on what to do on the island from your guide. Then, explore this special place at your own pace.
Wander the site, enjoy the official audio guide, search the passenger records for family names, or pause for a quick bite to eat at the popular cafeteria. Either return to Manhattan with your guide on the ferry or stay to explore the island as long as you wish.
