Ferdinando's Focacceria Awning Fixed

It's the Ferdinando's Focacceria awning again. And with the spelling fixed on the edge of the awning. No more "Focacceceria." I've been trying to figure out how that would be pronounced all week.

Ferdinando's Awning Gone as Fast as It Came

The new awning for Ferdinando's Focacceria, the 107-year-old Brooklyn institution, disappeared as fast as it arrived. Late afternoon Monday it was going up. By Tuesday, it was gone. I have to think this has something to do with what one of my eagle-eyed readers spotted: Focacceria was correctly spelled on the front of the awning, but misspelled as "Focacceceria" on the edge of the awning. Back to the awning factory it goes!

Ferdinando's Focacceria Gets Huge New Awning

This huge orange thing went up over Ferdinando's Focacceria around 5 PM Monday, March 28. It's certainly the biggest awning, sign or anything that the old Sicilian sandwich place has had in its 107 years in business, as Ferdinando's and otherwise. (It's always been a Sicilian joint, but under different names.) In the past, the awning, when unfurled, has only covered the storefront. It hasn't stretched the length of the entire building.

It looks nice enough. And I can begrudge the owner (that's him, center) the chance to attract more attention to his restaurant. The trouble is, with each "improvement," Ferdinando's looks less like Ferdinando's, and more like some dodger that's trying to look old and authentic. I hope they never get rid of those narrow double doors that serve as the entryway.

How to Eat Old School

The folks at Eater, who like to map everything edible in the City, ask my to pick out of selection of old guard dishes from New York City's most venerable restaurants. Mutton Chops at Keen's, Pastrami on Rye at Katz's, that sort of thing. Such a task is a pleasure for me, so I was happy to do it. Thanks to Zachary Feldman for putting the post together. Here's the intro. You'll have to jump to Eater to read the rest, because the layout is too complex for me to copy here.

What are the makings of an iconic dish? While the critics and blogs dole out "least favorite food trend" memes annually, these stalwarts—provided, with commentary, by the erudite Brooks of Sheffield of our Who Goes There? column and the erstwhile Lost City—have stood the test of time to help define and inspire the city's ever-changing culinary landscape. Noteworthy dishes that offer something beyond the pizza, cupcakes, burgers, and fried chicken that seem to have strong-armed the market, you won't find this food on a truck anytime soon.- Zachary Feldman

Ferdinando's Gets a New Coat

The owner of Fedinando's Foccaceria, the great old Sicilian sandwich place in Carroll Gardens, has decided to spruce up a bit. The facade got a new paint job on Saturday. Nice sort of umber shade. Looks good. Brightens up the block.