The sauce is exhausted at this iconic red sauce spot.
Ferdinand's focus at Carol Gardens suddenly closed its doors last weekend after serving 121 years of Sicilian classics like rice balls and panel sandwiches. Manjamanjia There's no more.
Owner Frank Buffer said his age and physical anguish lie behind the decision to call it a day – he will have a second life after the iconic eatery. Despite wanting to do so It has arrived.
“I can't stand 12 hours a day like I used to,” said Buffalo, 75.
Italian kitchens also never fully recovered from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
After taking a break from overseeing the restaurant from a recent month break due to back issues, Buffa said he finally decided to retire over the weekend.
“I'm the guy type… who has to be [here] said Buffa, who has always owned the building. “I really don't want to give it to anyone else [because] This is my life. ”
Born in Sicily, Buffalo moved to the Big Apple in 1971 and took over Ferdinand after his wife's father died in 1975. And he “never took a sick day” in 52 years, he told the Post.
Locals paid tribute to the century-old front post base on Monday afternoon, hugging and kissing buffers, recalling memories of decades held among the four walls of restaurants in the Old World . The spot has served several New York City mayors and officials, Leonardo Di Caprio, a well-known client of Martin Scorsese, who used the Ferdinand scene in the “dead” scene.
“It's like a big hole in my life,” said Robert Iannucci, a Brooklyn Heights resident. “This is the best restaurant in New York City for me. My life plan was the last meal I had before they put me on the ground and I wanted to have it here. That's what it was.
“Whenever you feel bad, feel weak, feel bad, feel bad, feel bad, it's all great whenever you come here and eat food from Frank,” Iannucci, 79 says. I did.
“Ferdinand is loved by everyone in Brooklyn,” said Andrew DiMaria, a Manhattan resident whose father owns a building on the same block. “Anytime you can see Frank on the window, making the famous panel special and greet everyone walking around.”
Anna, a resident of Carol Gardens, said she was 10 when her mother began sending out panels, rice balls and potato crockets from Ferdinand over the highway.
“I was able to close my eyes and look at my mother, grandmother and my child's siblings.[Buffa] Respect is my family. ”
Longtime customers Georgian and Mario Tanji have said they missed the food and decades of memories, but they understand the decision of Buffalo.
“When the time comes when you reach a certain age, you realize it's time to stop,” Georgian said. “Tomorrow is not promised.
“We miss you, we miss the food,” Georgian said before claiming that Mario would come to Cook for them at their Bergen Beach home.
But Ferdinand may have a future where new owners are at the helm.
Buffa said he is working on inquiries, including the owner of a Brooklyn pizzeria and a Michelin-rated chef.
“If I give you that, you need to make sure who knows how to take care of this place and continue the tradition,” Buffalo said.
“But I'll take my time.”
