I passed by the old Catene Deli on 9th Street and Fourth Avenue in Park Slope today and found a big sign draped over the old sign saying "For Lease." Guess I'm late to this: the place closed in October after 46 years of operation, under the same family.
The small joint (it was tiny inside and strictly take-out) was opened in 1965 by Vincent Cervasio after he had cooked for more than a decade in the kitchen of the MetLife Building. Later it was run by his son, Vincent Cervasio Jr. As the sign states, fried calamari was the specialty. You could order a fried calamari on a hero.
Not a famous institution. Not a historic eating destination. But the sort of local culinary landmark that you like to see anchoring a neighborhood. Sad.
Too much bad news here lately. What a shame.
ReplyDeletesaw this joint last year and it really caught my eye. No more no more..
ReplyDeleteIt was tiny, but I think originally it extended over to the corner of Fourth. Yes, it is very sad Catene's is no longer around.
ReplyDeleteThe deli I was told originated in the corner spot (now a bodega) before shifting next door to it's current (and final) location. The sandwiches were very good and the family very nice. I lived around the corner for 12 years until, funny enough, October.
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