PATSY'S COOKBOOK: Classic Italian Recipes from a New York City Landmark Restaurant

Patsy's, on New York's 56th Street, was founded in 1944 by the author's grandfather Pasquale (Patsy) and grandmother Concetta. Fans like Frank Sinatra, Al Pacino, Rosemary Clooney and, recently, Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Lopez, Sean "Puffy" Combs and Rudy Giuliani have frequented the restaurant because of Patsy's unpretentious Neapolitan roots. In one sidebar Aunt Anna recites her recipe for Frittata with Leftover Pasta; another relates a Quick and Easy Lobster Fra Diavolo (although the sauce, while you can buy it, remains a guarded secret). The introduction is devoted to Old Blue Eyes, with Frank's Clams Posillipo and Frank's Veal Cutlets Milanese, describing the time he and Sammy Davis Jr. competed—tap dancing and singing. The book covers traditional courses, beginning with Asparagus Rolls and Mussels Arreganata and ends with Maddalena Raspberry Cookies and Tiramisu. The extensive vegetables chapter includes Vegetable Napoleon, Fried Zucchini Blossoms, Zucchini a Scapece, and White Bean and Scallion salad. Soups include the homey Pasta e Ceci, while pastas provide a basic palette of sauces along with variations such as Farfalla Papalina and Risotto Fruitti di Mare. Scognamillo (Patsy's grandson and current chef) shares recipes for Chicken Piccata, Steak Alla Patsy and Sal's Chilean Sea Bass with Eggplant and Olives (the "best sea bass in New York City" according to Tony Bennett). Directions are simple and well adapted to home cooking; the book will please both old and new fans alike. (June)