« previous post
editorial bundle
Dec 20, 2012
1
comment
Leave a Comment

Bamonte's

By Greg Ferro
Print Save Article
Bamonte's restaurant, New York Enlarge Image Credit: Todd Coleman
My mother had her bridal shower at Bamonte's. When her bridesmaids booked it, they were concerned the place might be a bit old-fashioned. That was 52 years ago. Now, there's no doubt: Bamonte's is old. Pasquale Bamonte opened the Italian restaurant in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn in 1900—and it hasn't changed much since then. The kitchen moved from the side of the dining room to the back, and the photos on the walls have been updated. Somewhat. But being old is what makes this red-sauce, white-tablecloth landmark so popular. It harks back to a different time: It's got a phone booth and a cigarette machine. And the food—basic, classic Italian-American—is so beloved that it draws regulars over the bridges from Manhattan. Pasquale's grandson, Anthony Bamonte, who owns the restaurant along with his daughters, says the most popular dish is the pork chop sautéed with hot or sweet vinegar peppers, but linguini with clam sauce and penne with bolognese sauce are favorites, too, while the beef-and-cheese-stuffed agnolotti is a clamored-for special. If you have a hankering for something that's not on the menu, your tuxedo-clad server will likely convince the kitchen to make it for you. Speaking of the crew, they've all been at Bamonte's forever. Recently, when my parents, who had not been there in about 20 years, walked into the restaurant, John, the bartender, took one look at my father and said, "Artie, where ya been?" It's that type of place.

See the recipe for Penne Bolognese »

See the recipe for Pork Chops with Pickled Peppers »

Bamonte's
32 Withers Street
Brooklyn, New York
718/384-8831
Bamonte's restaurant, New York

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #153

Subscribe now
« previous post
Vintage Virginia

Comments (1)

Just came back tonight from Bamonte's. Your review nailed it. In full candor I live just four blocks away from the restaurant and have lived here all my life. My grandfather came to the U.S. from Italy in 1903 from the same town as the Bamonte family. In the dark days of New York City, before Williamsburg became an international tourist spot, Bamonte's was the place to eat, drink and meet friends. It still is. It is a key reminder of the Italian immigrants who came here and whose grandchildren still, in many cases, live and still visit her. P.S. - Next Friday I will have our annual post-convention lunch at Bamonte's. We moved it here from Manhattan about six or seven years ago. I always provide a choice, but the food of Bamonte's draws them back. The place is unique and a treasure.

Your Comment

Please log in to leave a comment. Not a member yet? Sign up here.