San Francisco's Italian American Heart (Greetings From Italian America: California Adventures, Pt 4)

San Francisco, California has been called "Everybody's Favorite City," and we like to think that the nickname owes a lot to the significant Italian American community that has long called the City by the Bay home.
Come along with hosts Rossella, Pat and John for the Grand Finale of our Adventure through Italian California; with visits to a truly historic chocolate maker, (maybe) the oldest Italian Restaurant in America, and the birthplace of the original Italian American icon. All this, and plenty more as we eat, drink and explore our way through the latest edition of Greetings From Italian America.
Presented as a joint project from The Italian American Podcast and The Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), and in association with Joe Minnella Studios LLC, we present Greetings From Italian America
Join us each month for a fresh look at one of the best parts of this country of ours… the Italian side!
Visit our websites and social media for more information-
THE ITALIAN AMERICAN PODCAST:
italianamericanpodcast.com/​
iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast​...
Facebook: / italianameri​. .
Instagram: / italianamer​. .
Twitter: / italamerican​
THE ITALIAN SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA: www.orderisda.org/​
Facebook: / orderisda.org​
Instagram: / ​
Twitter: / orderisda​
JOE MINNELLA STUDIOS: www.joecinema.com/​
“Greetings From California: Part IV - Leaving Our Italian Hearts in San Francisco"
Directed by Joe Minnella
Executive Producer Basil Russo
Written by Joe Minnella and John M. Viola
Producers John M. Viola, Rossella Rago, Pat O'Boyle, Joe Minnella and Stephanie Longo
Narrated by John M. Viola
Hosted by John M. Viola, Rossella Rago and Pat O'Boyle
Director of Photography and Editor Joe Minnella
Special Guests: Nicola Mastrelli, Nick Figone, and Geo Rivas
Featuring Original Music By:
Oakwood Station (Sunny San Francisco) - Epidemic
O P Baron (Cherry Pie Rag) - Artlist
Five Dime Fellas (Afternoon Swing) - Epidemic
Bob Hart (Black Cat Soiree and Boogie Down Bordeaux) - Artlist
Shtriker Big Band (Chunky Monkey) - Artlist
Victor Orchestra (Wild Cherries Rag) - FMA
Other music provided Royalty Free from Free Music Archive and via Public Domain from MusOpen
Debussey - Danse Sacree et danse Profane (MusOpen)
Mozart - Sonata for Organ and String (MusOpen)
Vivaldi - Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D (MusOpen)
Stock Footage from:
The Library of Congress, Pond5, and Storyblocks
Still Photos from:
Facebook, iStock, Wikipedia, Pinterest, We The Italians, ISDA, KPBS, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, The Press Democrat, Rare Historic Photos, Water and Power, Classic Hollywood, Hip Post Card, San Diego Reader, Our Lady of the Rosary, IAMLA, RAIN News, Curbed LA, Newsweek, Slant Magazine, IMDB, Decanter, Google, UC Press, LAist, Lauren Nicholsen, Whitehall Lane Winery, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Family Search, Google Arts and Culture, Guglielmo Winery LOC, The San Diego Union Tribune, Happy Days 365, Florida's Paradise Coast, Albany.org, San Diego Voyager, Eater San Diego, USA Restaurants, Slice of Brooklyn, Library of Congress, Water and Power Associates, IAMLA, Daily Breeze, Images.png, California History, Buffalo News, Smithsonian, Riboli Family Wines, Break Magazine, San Antonio Winery California Catholic Daily, Articulos El Classificado, Hotels.com, Ischia Review, Mary's Star Of the Sea, Yelp, Locale Magazine, David Hurn, Henry Cartier Bresson, La Gazette Italiana, Herbert List, Research Gate, Katie's Bliss, Wine.com, Miceli's Restaurants, The Famil Savvy, Watts Towers, LA Times, Weekend Sherpa, Atlas Obscura, Spectrum News, Wacky Tacky, Discover Hollywood, KZbin, CBS,
Special Thanks
Nicola Mastrelli, Molinari Delicatessen, Nick Figone, San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, Geo Riva, Fior D'Italia, Victoria Pastry Company, Stella Pastry & Cafe, Liguria Bakery, Little City Market, Mona Lisa's, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Giovanni's Italian Specialties, San Antonio Winery, Dante Colobatti, Rosie Lee Hooks, Luisa Del Giudice, Marianna Gatto, Frank Miceli, ISDA, The Italian American Podcast, IAMLA, Chris Gomez,The Miceli Family, Saints Peter and Paul's Church, Chris Gomez, The City of San Francisco, The Viola Family, Basil Russo, Stephanie Longo, John Deike
Filmed in San Francisco, CA

[@Tommy71726]

Let me first start by saying that North Beach is the real deal…outstanding food, Italian American culture and traditions and some of the best people and friends I’ve had the privilege of meeting in my entire life live(d) there. This group did the right thing at highlighting the significance of many of these places there in North Beach - especially the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. My wife and I lived in SF for a year, some years ago, and being Italian American from Boston (the North End is extremely legit for those of you who may be curious) I of course looked to North Beach & the SFIAC for a place to hang. Becoming a member was one of the best things I could have done…I still maintain my membership although now I live in FL…North Beach will always have a place in my heart. Absolutely incredibly community of people who really take pride in welcoming you, teaching you the neighborhood history and introducing you around to everyone. (Zio Romano #1) There are so many excellent restaurants, Italian import stores, pastry shops, etc., this episode could have been hours long. Pardon the long post here, I just had to let people know that North Beach is great and the SFIAC is indeed the heartbeat of the community. An incredible group of guys who selflessly go above and beyond to engage and serve that community. Ciao!

[@ItalianAmerican]

Grazie Tommy... we're gald you liked the video, and you're right SFIAC is a treasure!!! Thanks for watching!

[@chinatownboy7482]

Well done. Growing up, the kids in Chinatown & North Beach did everything together. This video is excellent.

[@jpecci1262]

I remember that as well from the 70's. Orangeland was just a short walk from The North Beach Restaurant. Best way to distinguish the neighborhoods at night was to look into the basement windows. Late night MahJong for money in Chinatown and late night betting gin games in North Beach.

[@chinatownboy7482]

@@jpecci1262 Orange Land is closed now. Empty store front. North Beach Restaurant is closing also. Almost everything from those days is gone. Gold Spike. US Restaurant. Capp's Corner. As well as countless places in Chinatown which closed or changed hands.

[@milom-dc9ei]

God Bless Sam Franciscos Historical Beautiful places especially in Chinatown and Little Italy and other beautiful historical areas. Let's get another great mayor like Mayor Lee ,(loved him) our mayor now is unfortunately let the power greed lies and corruption almost ruin this city. Please vote her out the next election and let's pray for a new mayor that wants to see Progress Prevention and True Love of the People and History of San Francisco. God Bless the World and God Bless my Grandfather whom just passed at 99 years old who use to give tours of the cargo ship by Pier 43-Pier 45 that is one of 3 of the over 1700 ships still running today as my Grandfather fought in two wars and my father and myself born here. I pray for Sam Franciscos next mayor to help build detox centers and stop the corruption and mismanagement of money. We have the resources! Let's stick together and rebuild our City of Love.

[@lpickman8514]

14:01 looks like The Green Tortoise Hostel on Broadway. Can't miss those windows anywhere ❤

[@Esperia-ef9xh]

Bellissima 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@PeterMasella]

You guys produce some fantastic content! I always look forward to these! More, please!

[@ItalianAmerican]

Grazie Peter! Thanks for watching, there is plenty more on the way!

[@danbonini357]

Love the chapel St Peter and Paul truly beautiful ❤ love your family and friends, God bless you.

[@watitduful]

Love North Beach! Every time I go I gotta grab me a Luciano or Renzo at Molinari’s and a caffe Africano down at Cafe Greco and enjoy it at Washington Square park. Love me some North Beach! Also love me that clam and garlic pizza at Golden Boys too! Beautiful place and people. God bless NB and the human family in general!

[@ItalianAmerican]

It's a great slice of Italian America! Thanks for watching!

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

What is a Luciano? Besides being me?

[@watitduful]

@@lucianomezzetta4332 Lol its a particular sandwich that they serve there.

[@CinCee-]

I went into a pastry shop in SF little Italy & asked for canoli & the girl looked & said "whats that?" so idk how Italian they are in SF these days. However I did find a good pizzeria selling sicilian slices over by Peter & Paul church. He had no idea they were called sicilian slices but thats exactly what they were & they were very good slices.

[@stephenlavezzo378]

Yep. Even Victoria Pastry isn't where it was-I think they got the date wrong. It was established in 1914. My dad and his partners ran it until about 1997. That's when they sold it to the current owner that actually moved the business from its original digs on Stockton and Vallejo streets (including the brick and stone ovens that were removed by the Asian bakery that now rents the place,) to a small place on Filbert across from the church. Italian "Little Italy?" not so much-assimilation and high rents have taken their toll.

[@IlSoleMusica]

Stephen, did you know Romano Buoncristiani? My late father Tony Albini was also a baker in Marin. He knew Romano. My father and my uncle owned the California Bakery in San Rafael from the mid 1950’s until they sold it in 1978. My father was then hired by William Sonoma to open the first Il Fornaio bakeries in SF. In 1981 he opened a successful Bakery in Novato. He sold it in 1998 and retired. My father was also known for his St. Honore cakes, panettone, and other Italian breads and pastries.

[@stephenlavezzo378]

@@IlSoleMusica Romano and my father Renzo Lavezzo were partners in Victoria Pastry. Along with Johnny De Stefano, Ralph Pierotti, and my uncle Jimmy, they made Victoria Pastry a San Francisco (and then Greenbrae) an Italian American success story. Romano moved to Marin in the 1970's but my dad stayed in SF. It's hard for me to even pass by the old Stockton and Vallejo location. So much history gone...Thanks for reaching out. Did you Albinis start out coming from SF???

[@IlSoleMusica]

@@stephenlavezzo378 My family started out in Marin. My grandparents came to Marin from Southern Italy in 1930. My father was born right when they arrived in Marin. My father knew Romano very well.

[@bamman881]

@@IlSoleMusica My step uncle, Vittorio Romano, worked IL Fornaio restaurant in SF for years. He passed away recently. Rest In Peace! Uncle Vittorio!

[@joevaccaro6655]

4:17 John, I love the jacket, you have a great sense of style, and it looks good on you 💯. And I learned a lot of things positive about California I never knew before, everyone did a great job 👍

[@AresCosmos137]

Closer to home! Being from Southern Oregon SF is a place that I have been to multiple times. Awesome to see some history about places I’ve been to but never knew. Thank you for the great work you do.

[@jeanneamato8278]

Want to see more of you guys.

[@frannielovesfood]

What a great series of videos! I can’t wait to see where you go next 👏🏻

[@stk.plantation2912]

nice

[@aussie6639]

You guys should come and do Italian Australia. 🇮🇹 🇦🇺

[@ItalianAmerican]

YES PLEASE! If you've got reccomendations let us know!

[@Pavleinna]

i heard the winters are warmer. Great Video thank you. I shared this video with friends who lived in San Fran and now are back here in Italy. It shows them that the Piadina romagnola is taking off. Something that they tried and at that time said wouldnt work. God bless you all

[@ItalianAmerican]

Thanks for sharing with friends!!

[@cocoaorange1]

Maybe someday you can do Little Italy's in Canada.

[@franktaylor7978]

Awesome video, but "San Fran" sounds so un-San Franciscan to most of us.

[@williamdalcerro9476]

Nicely done. Though it's hard to include everything, one has to also mention the famous Italian cafes in North Beach (some of the earliest in America) as well as the famous City Lights Bookstore run by the late poet and writer Lawrence Ferlinghetti. You can see why Tony Bennett (born Anthony Benedetto) lost his heart in this city, which even physically resembles Italy in its topography. One caveat: The area keeps shrinking with each passing year. Hurry and see it when you can!

[@oldschoolbaseball16]

I live right down Peninsula from The City ..... Would have LOVED to meet all of you Especially Rossella ....would have loved to talk food, recipes, and Nonna's .... Hope you had a great time .... don't know if your still around ...but enjoy!

[@ItalianAmerican]

Next time! Everyone loves Ro! We plan to come back!!

[@BigSmallTravel]

Glad to see a mention about Bank of America. This is a factoid about banking history and Italians that should be well known. Love the historical parts of your video very much. Keep it up!

[@ItalianAmerican]

Grazie! You're right BofA's Italian roots are something to be proud of! Glad you're enjoying, thanks for watching!

[@RadAngelDMV]

I would rather have not known. A stain on our great Italian immigrant ancestors' historical feats for anyone who knows BoA's track record during the 2008 big bank bailouts when they & other big banks cheated thousands of Americans out of their homes and later continue/d to fund pipelines on Native land that poison their water. Name isn't everything, connazionale.

[@JW-sy2yt]

My grandparents settled in SSF for the steel jobs.

[@valimback5109]

Bom Dia 👍

[@joevaccaro6655]

Bom dia, pode dar conselhos pra um passeio por São Paulo?

[@GiovanniCapannori]

Still the best hood in SF. Just need some more paesani to move back. The views, the walkability, and most importantly that community feel.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

They will not. It is too expensive. It is cheaper to live on the Italian Riveria as I do.

[@jasonmango5232]

You guys need to come to Philly and Norristown

[@ItalianAmerican]

BIG TIME... send us any reccomendations at [e-mail]

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

We definitely do not have to go there.

[@salvogiammalva761]

Come to downriver, in Michigan

[@ItalianAmerican]

Get in touch at [e-mail]... we would LOVE to!

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

NO!

[@claudiacardinale7164]

For real though, when my parents first immigrated here in 1955 we lived on Lombard Street (at end of crooked street) and I went to St Peter and Paul's church . My auntie worked at the Dante Building all her life which is next door to the Italian Amer athletic club featured in this video. It's an amazing place but unfortunately most of the italians have left the North Beach and the Chinese have taken over. They say the Italians sold out but I say yeah they sold and moved to Hillsbourough (exclusive community in South San Francisco). Anyway I have some great memories...

[@ItalianAmerican]

How cool! Is Hillsborough pretty Italian now??? Should we go???

[@RadAngelDMV]

i.e., sold out to the bourgeoisie.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

South San Francisco had a lot of Italians ( like me ) but Hillsborough is a separate city miles away. Anyway, you sure are a great looking woman, Claudia.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

@@ItalianAmerican It is NOT Italian. It is an expensive enclave of WASPS.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

@@ItalianAmerican It is full of filthy rich WASPS.

[@Inzo42]

Where Joe D lived and when is confusing. He was born in Martinez, where I live and where the Martini was invented, but moved to North Beach at age 1. We have his boat and are working on a Joe D museum. I’ve heard from people who had spotted Joe at the grocery store in Martinez when he was an old man… but I looked it up and he didn’t die here. Tony G owns an unbelievable amount of restaurants- many in North Beach- including Dago Bagel! Haha. Molinari’s didn’t survive covid. I like going to Caffe Sport when I’m there- the inside is straight up like being in old Sicily.

[@SFIACfoundation415]

Molinari Deli is is very open and thriving. Still a line every day.

[@rockyracoon3233]

​@@SFIACfoundation415 . That's good to know!

[@ItalianAmerican]

YEA... that scared us!!!

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

Mi dispiace, ma il martini NON e stato inventato a Martinez. Just because the first six letters are the same as the city cuts no ice. Martini is the name of the popular brand of Italian vermouth. To go from the brand name to the name of a cocktail is not making a twisted laborious leap to the notion that a bartender in a jerkwater town somewhat east of San Francisco made a cocktail and named it after the small town leaving out the "ez" and then adding an "i". Yours is folklore etymology. It is like the infamous etymology of "wop", that it stands for without papers. Instead wop comes from guappo, meaning "cool dude" in Naples. It is likely that the martini cocktail began in New York City.

[@johnmessina8966]

You didn’t even have cioppino. The Italian American dish the city is famous for.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

That is a serious error.

[@jillbenenati9004]

Zurg

[@tonynasaofficial]

Why is KZbin recommending me these videos...

[@ItalianAmerican]

Maybe cause your name is Italian and they're awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[@claudiacardinale7164]

It ain't NY lol!!

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

That is what makes the City great.

[@sangeronimoband9018]

Even now with the $20 an pay and communist. I don’t think so

[@josephc7900]

Dude, it's never called San Fran". At 57 seconds. Shame on you!

[@rockyracoon3233]

How about Franny.😄

[@ItalianAmerican]

Hey, we gotta try to change it up, right?

[@RadAngelDMV]

Actually, heard it called San Fran & also Frisco before.

[@jennifercharvez147]

Please, please.... do not ever call it San Fran....nopety nope

[@itiswhatitis.jonathan4590]

New York Italians : Aint no damn Italians in SanFran whatever the fuck .

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

Jersey and Brooklyn and Bronx "Italians" are boorish Americans with bad taste in clothes and food. Noi da San Francisco siamo diversi. San Francisco Italian Americans are not slobs as you so certainly are.