Grimaldi's Pizza
The “slices” –the first at Grimaldi’s –Neapolitan style pizza made with a coal fired brick oven –thin crust with just tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil.
Grimaldi’s is at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge so we walked down the street to get some great views of this amazing engineering phenomena.
Note: The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete. The driving force behind the whole project, John Roebling, would never get to see the bridge he had designed: he died after crushing his foot in an accident. His wife completed the project.
The bridge was inaugurated in May 1883. But even after the inauguration, many New Yorkers were not convinced the bridge was safe. So to prove the doubters wrong, P.T. Barnum led a caravan of circus animals - including a herd of 21 elephants - across the bridge in 1884.
The second “slice”—a Sicilian style pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst. Thick crust pizza cut into large squares—made with the cheese baked in the middle—keeping the crust crispy---topped off with a cup of spumoni ice cream.
Note: The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete. The driving force behind the whole project, John Roebling, would never get to see the bridge he had designed: he died after crushing his foot in an accident. His wife completed the project.
The bridge was inaugurated in May 1883. But even after the inauguration, many New Yorkers were not convinced the bridge was safe. So to prove the doubters wrong, P.T. Barnum led a caravan of circus animals - including a herd of 21 elephants - across the bridge in 1884.
The second “slice”—a Sicilian style pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst. Thick crust pizza cut into large squares—made with the cheese baked in the middle—keeping the crust crispy---topped off with a cup of spumoni ice cream.
L&B Spumoni Gardens
In between, we saw the neighborhoods of Brooklyn interspersed with clips from movies shot in the city. As we watched the opening scene of “Saturday Night Fever” with John Travolta walking down the street under the elevated rail line, we drove down the same street and saw the places he stopped. We drove the streets where they filmed the chase scene from “The French Connection” (which was filmed without shutting down the street—all but one of the cars were regular drivers!)
A made a stop at Coney Island and a walk down the boardwalk (with a clip from “Annie Hall”),
In between, we saw the neighborhoods of Brooklyn interspersed with clips from movies shot in the city. As we watched the opening scene of “Saturday Night Fever” with John Travolta walking down the street under the elevated rail line, we drove down the same street and saw the places he stopped. We drove the streets where they filmed the chase scene from “The French Connection” (which was filmed without shutting down the street—all but one of the cars were regular drivers!)
A made a stop at Coney Island and a walk down the boardwalk (with a clip from “Annie Hall”),
Coney Island Boardwalk
a drive along Shore Road in Bay Ridge with “million dollar homes”, and a drive through Brighton Beach- the Russian section of Brooklyn- called “Little Odessa” …and of course, the obligatory film clip from “Donnie Brasco” explaining the many meanings of “Fuggetaboutit”.
Back to Jersey City and the “gypsy wagon” made its’ way from the motorhome to our new digs.
Back to Jersey City and the “gypsy wagon” made its’ way from the motorhome to our new digs.
The Urban Gypsies
We really did look like urban gypsies—with bags and wine filling the car. I’m sure Jim’s doorman was impressed as we dragged our bags through the lobby and up to the 24th floor.
The daylight views were just as spectacular as our night views from the other night. We settled in to our respective rooms, got some wine (and took lots of photos as the day turned to night and the city came to life with lights). We were in heaven….Jim’s cat, Octavia, not so much. Our idea of a dog and cat love story was dashed.
Octavia...
Octavia was not thrilled with this small white barking creature invading her space and quickly decided that Jean and Gordon were her new best friends.
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