On September 23, 1894, one of the East Village’s longest-running businesses, Veniero’s Pasticceria, opened its doors. This venerable local institution has been serving confections, cakes, and pastries to New Yorkers and visitors ever since from its home at 342 East 11th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues, in the heart of what was once the East Village’s own Little Italy, and remains one of the few surviving businesses from that once-thriving community. Located just down the block from our offices, we have a special love for Veniero’s — from which we have been known to indulge in a treat from time to time (or more) — and a special insight into the beloved business’ rich history, thanks to an oral history that Veniero’s current co-owner Robert Zerilli, grand nephew of Veniero’s original founder, conducted with us in 2014.
Antonio Veniero immigrated to New York from Italy in 1885, in the period following Italian unification when poor Italians, especially southern Italians, began to leave the country en masse, seeking better lives and opportunities. At 15 years old, Antonio began working in a candy factory downtown. By 1894, he bought today’s 342 East 11th Street, a pre-old-law tenement built in 1865-66. Originally the business, then called Antonio Veniero Confections, was founded as a social club, complete with pool tables. Antonio sold homemade candy and espresso, the beans of which were roasted in the backyard. Veniero hired other Italian immigrants also skilled in confectionery. This part of the East Village was well populated with Italian immigrants, mostly Sicilian, although Antonio was from Naples. No. 342, which had residences above the ground floor, housed 13 families, all Italian immigrants or of Italian descent, according to the 1900 Federal census.
VENIERO’S PASTICCERIA
ITALIAN PASTRIES
East 11th Street, NY NY
The same census and 1900-1901 New York City directory show Antonio living with his wife and children across the street at No. 345, a no longer extant building. In his oral history, Robert Zerilliexplains that the business evolved from Antonio’s founding to serve baked goods such as biscotti and cakes, later renaming itself Veniero’s Pasticceri. Following Antonio’s death in 1931, the business would continue to be run by members of the family. In 1970, Frank Zerilli, Robert’s father and a cousin of the Venieros, bought the business. As a teenager, Frank Zerilli had worked in the bakery and learned a great deal working under Antonio.
Zerilli shares great stories of both the family and the neighborhood connected to Veniero’s, including Antonio’s managing to avoid firebombing by the Black Hand, (Mano Nero gang — a mafia extortion racket), neighborhood quarrels with other bakers and pushcart sellers, and a legal fight over the ownership of a coffee-sipping parrot.
Zerilli was born in 1962 and by that time his family lived in New Jersey. He would sometimes join his father for the workday in the East Village, and in his interview, Zerilli shared the sights, smells, and sounds of the East Village in his early years through the eyes of a child. One of the sounds that dominate his memories was the constant mix of English and Italian throughout the streets and small businesses in the area. As a teenager, he would work at Veniero’s, and lived in one of the apartments in the upper floors at No. 342, rent-free.
The neighborhood has changed quite a bit over the course of Zerilli’s tenure, and he talks about gentrification, as well as changing ethnicities and business and building ownership. On a side note, he mentions the East Village’s punk rock scene, and Joey Ramone coming to Veniero’s to buy a cake. Veniero’s itself has changed over the years too, adding items like red velvet cupcakes, which Zerilli discusses his reluctance to include. One of the many things that hasn’t changed, though, is that Veniero’s is still very much a family-run business, with Robert and his three sisters at the helm as co-owners.
Do you know Sinatra? We’re not talking about the man and his personal life here. No we’re talking about the music. The music of Frank Sinatra? Sure, if you’re a fan, you know My Way, Strangers in The Night, New York New York, That’s Life, and The Summer Wind. You know the hits, and some others, but do you know Sinatra greatest most beautiful music of all? Maybe yes/ Maybe not?
Frank Sinatra recorded more than 1,200 songs during his 54 year career, and in all likelihood you haven’t heard them all. Most of us haven’t, even myself who I feel that I know more than most, when it comes to the music, and the recordings of of one Francis Albert Sinatra, The Greatest Singer of The 20th Century, and beyond. Beyond? Yes beyond, for as of now in 2026, a quarter century into the 21st Century, the music of Frank Sinatra who passed away almost 40 years ago, his music is hugely relevant, and 100 of millions of him, and of some of his music.
Yes, some know a bit of Mr. Sinatra’s music, maybe a couple handfuls of hits, and that’s about it? Others, who consider themselves fans, they know more. And those who feel they are more of a super fan, and think they know quite a lot of the mans music, but maybe not. There are all different degrees of what one might know. I myself, who has loved the music of Frank Sinatra for just about 60 years now, I’ve seen Sinatra perform live 7 times, and have about 40 of the mans albums, and I consider myself a sort of Super Fan as they say, and feel I know a good bit about the man and his music. But even I who in all likelihood knows more than probably 9o or 95% of his fans, I’m still learning more. All of a sudden on any given day, I might hear a Sinatra recording that I’ve never heard before. Yes, once in a while but not that often.
Anyway, speaking of the people who believe they are great fans, and feel they know his music, I’m afraid many may not know Frank Sinatra’s “Best Stuff.” I’m talking about Sinatra’s greatest of all “Love Songs.” Songs like : All My Tomorrows, You & Me, You Will Be My Music, Let Me Try Again, and a few others. These songs are Mr. Sinatra’s most beautiful, loving, and passionate songs. Sung with the most real feeling that only Sinatra could convey. So poignant and beautiful, they (Sinatra Love Songs) can make you cry. “I have.” Yes I have, listening to Frank Sinatra sing a song like “All My Tomorrows,” and I think of a great love, and how I had yearned to love her, as Sinatra states in the song, I can get all choked up, and on the verge of crying. I’m not ashamed to admit. This is what a great singer Frank Sinatra was. His music conveyed such genuine feelings. Feelings of love, lost love, heart ache, and bittersweet romance, that when listening to one of these songs, you feel it too, and it brings out strong emotions. Strong enough to choke you up, and perhaps shed a tear.
If you haven’t heard these songs, and you say you’re a great fan of Sinatra. Now is the time. You absolutely must listen and become aware of these beautiful Love Songs. The Greatest Sinatra songs of all. They’re listed below.
PS .. Yes, we were talking about Frank Sinatra, and how beautifully he sang. And the complete package of these beautiful love songs, were Sinatra singing over beautifully compose music, beautifully executed by the most wonderful orchestras, which Sinatra demanded, whether recording, or playing live, Frank Sinatra was always backed by the World Best Musicians and orchestras, that’s what completed these wonderful packages – beautiful lyrics & music, sung by Sinatra, backed by the most perfect bands.
Basta !!!
Daniel Bellino Zwicke
May 17, 2026
The LOVE SONGS of FRANK SINATRA
Frank Sinatra
LIVE
Frank Sinatra
YOU & ME “We Wanted it All”
From the TRILOGY Album
1980
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“All My Tomorrows” is a 1959 ballad with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen .The song was expressly written as a Frank Sinatra vehicle. It was introduced in the film A Hole in the Head where Sinatra sings it in the opening credits.
Sinatra later featured “All My Tomorrows” on his 1961 album All the Way. Sinatra re-recorded it for his 1969 album MY WAY, in a new arrangement which Charles L. Granata considers to be superior to the original, and which AllMusic calls “lush and aching”.Rolling Stone describes the song as “the poignant monologue of a man determined to turn his life around”.
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“ALL MY TOMORROWS”
Francis Albert Sinatra
“All My Tomorrow Belong to You”
Listen to The Master at Work. Francis Albert Sinatra, the greatest singer of the 20th Century.
There is no one in the 21st Century, a Century of Crappy Music and Crappy Musicians (so-called) to campare to the great Frank Sinatra, not only the greatest singer of The 20th Century, but one of
the greatest singers of all-time. Listen to Sinatra sing this beautiful song written for him by the
great songwriters Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn.
Sinatra’s voice was in impeccable instrument, which hi conveys most masterfully in this wonderful song. And the musical composition and arrangement of the song is stunning, with lovely Violins, Flute, Harp, and an expert orchestra, made up of top-notch professional musicians. Listen, savor the music, and enjoy one the greats, Mr Francis Albert Sinatra. It doesn’t get any better than this. We’re sure you’ll agree.
Sinatra Sauce “Music Metaballs & Merriment” and Living The Good Life. “Like Frank” .. Yes, it’s about Frank. That is one Francis Albert Sinatra, the Greatest Singer of The 20th Century, and Icon of American, especially of the Italian-American Enclave in America. Frank Sinatra was many things, first and foremost a Great Italian-American singer, Love & Adored by Millions. Mr. Sinatra was also an actor, citizen, and Entertainer Par Excellence. Yes this book is about those things, Frank Sinatra : the incomparable singer, actor, recording artist, Teen Idol of the 1940s, philanthropist, and Las Vegas & Nightclub Entertainer. He was like no other, Sinatra was one-of-a- kind, and he had a lust for life, “Hanging with Friends,” – sipping cocktails, with good food, and making good times. That’s what this book is about, Frank Sinatra, eating (Italian Food), enjoying a cocktail or two, and the company of family and friends. Yes, Frank Sinatra lived life to its fullest. He wouldn’t have it any other way, but “His Way.”
This book “Inspires” and gives you the tools to live out your Sinatra Dreams. You can make it reality, with recipes of Frank’s Favorite Italian Foods, Pasta, Meatballs, Posillipo, Eggplant Parm and more. Eating, drinking, and having good times, all the time as Frank did. Meals with friends and family. Meals you can cook, with recipes in this book. The info and recipes are all here in Sinatra Sauce. Read it, put on some Sinatra (music), cook, eat, and create memorable times at the table, just like Frank. That’s what this book is about: Sinatra, Family, Friends, and Good Times. “The Best is Yet to Come”
Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke is a lifelong Sinatra fan. He is a Best Selling author, who lives and writes in New York’s Greenwich Village. Daniel is currently working on several other projects.
He has authored : Sunday Sauce, La Tavola, Mangia Italiano, Grandma Bellino’s Cookbook, Segreto Italiano, and Positano The Amalfi Coast – Travel Guide / Cookbook.
Sinatra Sauce: Music Meatballs & Merriment by Daniel Bellino Zwicke. It was published on November 7, 2024, and is available for purchase on Amazon. The book features recipes of Frank Sinatra’s favorite Italian dishes, combined with stories about the legendary singer and his favorite restaurants.
About the Cookbook
Recipes and stories: The book combines recipes with anecdotes and stories about Frank Sinatra’s life, his passion for Italian food, and dining experiences with friends and family.
Family connection: It includes classic Italian-American recipes inspired by meals made by Sinatra’s mother and father.
Dining experiences: It covers Sinatra’s experiences dining at famous establishments such as Patsy’s in Manhattan and Jilly’s in New York.
Featured dishes: Recipes include classic Italian-American dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, and clams posillipo.
Author: Daniel Bellino Zwicke is an Italian cookbook author and lifelong Sinatra fan who lives in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Based on documented reports from his favorite restaurants and anecdotes from his family,
Frank Sinatra had several favorite Italian dishes. The recipes for these classic Italian-American foods are featured in the cookbook Sinatra Sauce: Music Meatballs & Merriment by Daniel Bellino Zwicke.
Veal Milanese
A breaded and fried veal cutlet was one of Sinatra’s all-time favorite meals. At his regular New York haunt, Patsy’s Italian Restaurant, the chefs would make his cutlets pounded extra thin and served crispy with a light arugula salad on top.
Clams Posillipo
A Neapolitan dish, Sinatra regularly ordered this plate of littleneck clams served in a light tomato and herb sauce. Because he was not a fan of overpowering garlic, Patsy’s chefs would sauté whole garlic cloves in oil to extract the flavor, then remove them before adding the sauce ingredients.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sinatra had a deep appreciation for the Sunday sauce and meatballs he grew up with. He was known for his simple yet classic spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce. The Sinatra Saucecookbook features his mother Dolly’s meatballs and a recipe for “Sunday Gravy“.
Fusilli with Garlic & Anchovies
At Patsy’s, Sinatra also enjoyed this simple pasta dish, which featured fusilli pasta with garlic, anchovies, and breadcrumbs.
Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes
Sinatra’s preferred appetizer was stuffed artichokes. Just as with the clams, he requested that the restaurant go light on the garlic.
Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake
For dessert, Sinatra’s sweet tooth was often satisfied with a slice of lemon ricotta torte.
Frank Sinatra did not eat a lot of sweets, but he loved this Cheesecake, and another favorite were “Regina Cookies” which are Sicilian Sesame Seed Cookies, and the recipe is in “Siantar Sauce” (Cookbook).
SINATRA BELLINO & “LUCKY” LUCIANO
Sinatra Sauce Cookbook by Daniel Bellino Zwicke, whose family is from the same town in Sicily that Frank Sinatra’s father – Martino Severino Sinatra was from, the town of Lercara Friddi, Sicily. Also from this town was infamous Mafia Boss – Charles “Lucky” Luciano, born in Lercara Friddi, Sicily, his parents immigrated to New York City 1906. The Luciano family settled into an apartment on East 10th Street in the East Village of New York City. Incidentally the author of the Sinatra Sauce Cookbook, Daniel Bellino Z, lived in the East Village as well when he firsted moved to New York City. Daniel had an apartment on the corner of Avenue A & St. Marks Place, just two short blocks from where “Lucky” Luciano once lived.
