F: Is for Food thats lasted a Century!

What could be better than a restaurant celebrating it's 100th Year anniversary and offering a day of 1908 Prices. On Thursday, October 23rd John’s of 12th Street, located at 302 East 12th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues) will roll back their prices on their menu to the year the hallowed establishment opened its doors. From 11AM – 4 PM patrons can dine on signature dishes (including Manicotti, Sausage & Peppers and Veal Parmigiana) all priced under a dollar. Born and bred New Yorkers, owners Mike Alpert and Nick Sitnycky conceived of the event as a way to celebrate the restaurant’s century milestone with their patrons, the neighborhood, and all of New York City. Patrons though the years include an eclectic range of bold face names including Jackie Kennedy, john and Caroline, Ben Stiller (who dines with his parents), Pete Townsend (lore has it he sketched the idea for Tommy on a napkin), Christian Slater (who had his 9th birthday party in the restaurant’s back room), Tom Cruise who waited for an hour for a table, and Kelly Ripa (her first date with now husband Mark Conseulo was at John’s). John Pucciatti The original owner,came to New York City from Bevagna (a small hamlet in Umbria, Italy) with his wife, and a slew of recipes.



Keeping with tradition the menu is largely the same today as it was at the turn of the century, with occasional additions or substitutions. At that time the area was heavily populated with Italian immigrants. “This was the Lower East Side before it was the East Village. It pre-dates the emergence of Little Italy.” During prohibition they kept a “hootch” still in the backyard behind the kitchen and made wine in the basement. John opened a speakeasy upstairs and patrons would enter through the restaurant, serving the brews in espresso cups in case of a raid. To celebrate the end of prohibition, John put candles on each of the tables in the restaurant and started the wax candelabra which is still in use and being added to nightly in the back room. Its now grand formation started in 1938 and is trimmed when it reaches the ceiling. Eventually the resturaunt sold the establishment to Nick and Mike in 1973 and they have run it together ever since, 36 years and counting.

Word of warning John’s does not accept credit cards, so make sure you have cash in hand. For additional information visit www.johnsof12thstreet.com. This is the perfect recession relief and that is a blessed F.A.C.T.