If there was one item that encapsulated the essence of GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚, it would be the big wooden kitchen table that sat in the basement among the sinks and prep stations.

SA国际影视传媒淢y mom would never say no to anyone,SA国际影视传媒� said Rocco Meraglia whose parents, Cosimina and Giorgio opened GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚 in 1984. SA国际影视传媒淚f it was busy, we would seat people downstairs and they would sit at this table and eat while dishes were being done.SA国际影视传媒�

After a while, regular patrons requested that table.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was like a backstage pass, even if it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 busy, theySA国际影视传媒檇 still want to sit downstairs with my mom,SA国际影视传媒� said Meraglia.

The table always had a thin layer of flour SA国际影视传媒� it was where the women would roll the ravioli and gnocchi. There was a plastic cover, but when guests arrived it was transformed with a tablecloth and bright candle.

Meraglia and his sister Rosanna worked at the family restaurant after school and on holidays.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was like slave labour,SA国际影视传媒� he laughed. SA国际影视传媒淚t was a fun, fun time. It was such a social place. There was a big Somali taxi population who spoke Italian. In the afternoons when it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 busy theySA国际影视传媒檇 come in and sit and talk with my dad.SA国际影视传媒�

Politicians, hockey players, Howie Mandel also dined at GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚, and a mining engineer once sat on that prominent table and introduced a young Meraglia to the trade and shaped the course of his life: SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 what ISA国际影视传媒檝e done all my life. I still do it now for a living. I still see him and his wife,SA国际影视传媒� he said of his chosen career path.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been decades since GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚 has closed, but Sandra Piro can still recall the taste of its signature fried zucchini.

The Italian eatery SA国际影视传媒� since replaced by The Point condominium development on 47 Street SA国际影视传媒� was known for its takeout lunches that were infused with authentic ingredients and love from the family who made them.

SA国际影视传媒淭he food was incredible. Homemade bread and mortadella (sausage) sandwiches. Pasta e fagioli. A soup that was so deliciousSA国际影视传媒� The smell of red wine takes me back to their house every time I smell it.SA国际影视传媒� said Piro.

Darin North was a teenager when he began visiting GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚.

SA国际影视传媒淐osimina and Giorgio used to cook and drink red wine in their basement across the street in the house. They turned a portion of their basement into a pantry-kitchen, the family being Italian and all,SA国际影视传媒� said North, who visited the store twice a week.

He recalled the wine was stored in glass jugs, not bottles.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou know the glass jugs with a ring for the finger and you put the jug up on your forearm and pour it back into your mouth like back in the prohibition days,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Everything was always made from scratch, said several former patrons, with a crowd favourite being the lasagna. For North, it introduced him to a style of cooking and spices and herbs he had never tasted before, some that customers could purchase on site to cook at home.

SA国际影视传媒淢y favourite era of GiorgioSA国际影视传媒檚 is when it was a convenience store and takeout place. Giorgio himself would sit on a stool inside the front door, and would catch the attention of my young daughter and sneak her a candy from the shelves,SA国际影视传媒� said Peter Cullen.

He recalled an image of Cosimina emerging from the cellar with a huge steaming tray of something fresh and aromatic.

SA国际影视传媒淪he has the most beautiful skin and eyes, maybe the kindest eyes ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever seen.SA国际影视传媒�

Cullen remembered grabbing a couple of Brios (drinks), containers of food and heading home to enjoy family dinner.

SA国际影视传媒淪he showered her people with love and cooked some of the most delicious, homemade food on the planet.SA国际影视传媒�