The Feast of San Gennaro

There are just so many things I love in the month of September: my birthday, Fashion Week, and the feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. Besides my love of all things Italian, its definitely the food that keeps me coming back, year after year. 

I have been going to the feast for a few years now, and the plan of action has always been as follows: 

-Start at Spring and Mulberry street 

-Walk up Mulberry and sample well, just about everything

-Call it quits when everyone involved is full. 

While the many vendors selling everything from sausage and peppers, to fried oreo's are the main attraction, many of the restaurants that line Mulberry make special outdoor seating for the feast, and have great dinner specials (free pitcher of sangria with entree anyone?). So for the feast this year, that is what my friend Lauren and I decided to do. After checking out at a few along the way, we decided on the one with the cute sweet Italian man, from Naples. I will admit, I was worried that it would be smoke and mirrors (especially since I didn't have a review to go on, but dinner was excellent. From the homemade pasta to the vino, it far exceeded expectations.

Pasta for dinner could mean only one thing for dessert: gelato. And since dinner was so good, it could not disappoint. After walking along Mulberry, neither of us were really feeling any of the vendors we saw, as well, none of them seemed authentic (IE not Italian). I then remembered an article I was reading on the train about the feast, and in no time we were at La Cremeria. We knew we hit the jackpot, when we walked in, and were greeted with a very welcoming and authentic "Ciao!". Again, we were not disappointed. The only other place I have had gelato that was this delicious was in, well, Italy!

pinot grigio and Cannelloni.

gelato selection at La Cremeria

perfect end to the night

If time allows, I hope to make a second trip to the feast. Its the only time "street meat" is acceptable to me (the sausage and peppers are to die for), and I need a zeppole (or 20).