Dante & Luigi’s ~ Corona di ferro

A Journey of Love, Style and Taste

By Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser

Philadelphia, USA

This site ~ This Blog is your connection into my world, and the journey, love, style and taste of the culinary creations that are around us and abroad. I am hoping by the words that I write about different places I go, will give you access and bring not only a flow of salivating to your mouth but, refuge and tastes that will captivate you and place a permanent smile on your face.…

Dante & Luigi’s

Corona di ferro

Est. 1899

762 South 10th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

Ph: 215-922-9501

Fx: 215-922-3437

http://www.danteandluigis.com/index.htm

“Established in 1899, “Dante & Luigi’s, corona di ferro” is one of the oldest existing Italian restaurants in the United States.

Situated in the heart of the Italian Market district, it was once the destination of Italian immigrants arriving in Philadelphia. Unable to speak English, they arrived on the docks with the name of the restaurant written on a scrap of paper and pinned to their lapels. They were given lodging in the upstairs rooms and work in the restaurant.

Today, Dante & Luigi’s retains much of the same atmosphere as it had in the past. Housed in two converted town houses, the charm of yesterday still exists. The cuisine is a well-balanced mix of homemade, “Old World” specialties, along with delicious

fresh seafood and exceptional daily specials.”

Rated 5 Stars in

Zagat's Restaurant Guide

This was an awesome treat and experience for me.. Not only was I able to lavishly relish all the beautiful food that was served but, I was able to do it with my Best friend of 35 years and his beautiful wife..(Bella Amore ) Our birthdays are 10 days apart and to top it off, My friend Tony and his wife’s JoAnn’s birthday is the same day.. So, I could not let this day that go by, without experiencing the best.. And the best is what we got.. There was already too many years that we have been apart.. My buddy is Italian himself and I grew up with his family taking me under their wings.. I can remember the dinners that took about 10 hours to eat.. I needed a crane to pull me out from the roof.. I waddled for weeks.. I learned a lot about the Italian culture through them.. “Just sayin… You know how it is…. Forgitaboutit” LOL

There was and is so much love in that family.. So to Take Tony and JoAnn here was extremely exciting for me..

We Walked into
“Dante & Luigi’s, corona di ferro” and we felt as if we were walking into a home.. Old Colonial 19^th century architecture, beautiful oil paintings and the hostess and staff was loving and friendly.. We sat down near the kitchen, and I found myself peaking in a lot to see what I can see. I also kept looking at Tony’s expression on his face. He was happy boy..

Being it Mid summer that we were here and, in the realms of New Jersey. We all had the Jersey tomato~ Basil~ and Fresh Mozzarella with balsamic and XVOO drizzle Insalata Got to soak that up with homemade Italian bread loaf.. …..Beautiful… Fresh everything.. Wonderful Beginning..

Then The entrée came.. Tony had the Linguini Bolognese Sauce.. I knew he would order that.. Being, He love’s his beef.. He was smiling ear to ear.. But I know personally that it was not as good as his Mama’s. She knows how to cook, But I do believe that it came in a very close 2^nd

JoAnn’s Bel piatto di filetto di manzo Migon
(Beautiful dish of beef filet Migon) came Fettuccini Filetto ….Sliced Filet Mignon, Shitake mushrooms and sun dried tomato with Italian Gravy. It was a beautiful “ting”.. I was excited …I got to taste both of their dishes.

Well, last but definitely not at all least.. I had the Wide Ribbon Pasta
Jumbo lump crabmeat & sun dried tomatoes in a Bianco Sauce … This dish was pure Heaven.. I was worried that the sun-dried tomato would be too strong and make it bitter.. That was not the case.. It added a wonderful light zing to the cream white sauce. There was a mega amount of Crab in it.. As you might know by past articles. With my surgery. My stomach is very small now.. Not a lot of food can fit.. But I was enjoying this so much. I had to have those extra bites. I was in no hurry.. So I took my time.. It is easy to do that when friendship , conversation and great food is over flowing.. This is a place that you do not find food pumping out on conveyor belts as fast as possible to get the flow of the seating filled as many times as they can.. You can sense that there is history of love, compassion, passion, creativity, unity, a sense of urgency and family that was nurtured and passed down from the very 1^st immigrant that walked off the ships.. It is not about the mighty buck earned. It is all about the love you have to serve people and treat them like family.. (Even if you do not know them).. I think we all have something to learn from this.. From my experience here, I am going to continue that same love in my Restaurant in a couple years… You have heard it said…. “If you build it.. They will come” I add to that and say… If you love them… They will come.. (-:

There is nothing better then enjoying a great place to eat, except for having the company that you have to sharing the experience with .. I am hoping that I can get a few of you to join me in this adventurous journey and, experience it with me.. Just something to think about.. If you have a place in mind and want to join me.. Or, if you have any questions that you would like to ask of me…. Send me a message.. You can also check me out on my Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chef-Eddies-Restaurant-and-Food-Review/237831496253637 and ask me anything you wish.. You can also tweet me.. @EddieAElsasser

Now, Until we meet again~~ Many journey's into the Love, Style and Taste of the world and food around you...
God Bless
Chef. Eddie A. Elsasser