Whenever I travel to New York I make sure to have time to head to Brooklyn to visit Ferdinando’s Focacceria. They are a neighborhood Sicilian restaurant that has been serving up homemade dishes for over 100 years. They are an institution that almost everyone knows about them.
I got there right as they opened, so I was able to get a seat right away. The first thing I did was order a cold Manhattan Special. This is a cold coffee soda that is on tap. It is refreshing and a great way to wake up.
The stuffed artichoke was the first thing that came to the table. Of all the times I have visited this place, I never tried the artichoke. That was about to change this visit. The artichoke was covered in seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. The breadcrumbs were loaded with Italian seasonings, which made the artichoke meat taste savory. As I ate closer and closer to the enter, the flavor got more and more intense. The petals from the artichoke were so addicting.
Whenever I visit Ferdinando’s, I always make sure to order an Arancini. Their rice balls are some of the best I have ever eaten. The are big in size and loaded with meat and peas in the center. The rice itself is creamy in taste. The outside crust had a great crispiness to it. They put a nice amount of sauce on the meat and peas that you do not need any more.
The last must have item is the Panelle Special. Panelle is a fritter that is made from chickpea flour. The dough is formed and fried up. It was placed on a fresh made Italian roll with Ricotta cheese and shredded parmesan cheese.
The bread had a great crunch on the outside and was soft inside. The panelle had a great crunch to it as well. The flavor is very mild, and it reminds me of a potato pancake. The fresh Ricotta cheese added a smooth texture and creaminess to the bite. It is a filling sandwich and can be messy to eat with all the Ricotta.
The food is amazing at Ferdinando’s. It is no wonder why they are still around. Check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/category/Italian-Restaurant/FERDINANDOS-FOCACCERIA-287577861134/
Enjoy!
T
