I ventured over to Brooklyn to check out an Italian restaurant that has been serving up homemade dishes since 1904. I could not wait to check out Ferdinando’s.
It was in between shops and houses. It had that old school vibe both inside and out. From the cool original tile on the floor to the Holy Family statues displayed in the corner, Ferdinando’s was filled with a rich history.
It is a history of feeding generations of families with homemade Italian food, made with love.
I started off ordering a Manhattan Special. This is a coffee soda that is bubbly and sweet. They actually have it on tap, which I have never seen before.
The arancina special was calling my name as soon as I spotted it on the menu. I could not wait to dive into one of my favorite Italian dishes.
This rice ball was filled with chopped meat, peas, and sauce. Because I ordered the “special” my arancini was topped with Ricotta cheese and covered in a homemade tomato sauce. Naturally they also covered the sauce with grated Parmesan cheese.
I was in heaven as soon as I took a bite. The rice was tender and moist. The meat had the right amount of sauce to add flavor not just to the meat itself, but also to the rice. The peas added extra sweetness to the sauce that already was sweet.
All the cheese on top added a creaminess to the sauce and to the rice. This hands down had to be one of the best arancinis I have ever eaten.
I also ordered a Panelle and Potato special while I was there. I had never had this before. So Panelle is chick pea flour that is made into a patty and deep fried (almost like a potato pancake). The potato part of this special was a potato croquette.
These two elements are combined on a fresh made Italian roll, along with fresh Ricotta cheese. The cheese made the sandwich creamy. The panelle added crunch. The potato added the heartiness to the dish that made the sandwich quiet filling. Since I had already eaten an entire rice ball, I only ate half of the sandwich. Luckily I was there with a friend who I could share it with.
Ferdinando’s was an amazing place. It is full of a rich history of feeding hungry families across the generations. You have to experience this little piece of history when you visit Brooklyn.
Check them out at www.ferdinandosfocacceria.com
Enjoy!
T
This is an awesome place. Have gone to it for years. Glad you got a chance to try it.