Over 5 million Italians emigrated to
American from Italy between 1820 and 1978. Each one came
with a dream and each had stories to share. But there was
one very special one, the one whose story I am most
interested in sharing with you. It’s about a young woman who
arrived at Ellis Island in May of 1935. She traveled across
the Atlantic alone, carrying her young children, anxious to
be reunited with her husband. She arrived in Niagara Falls
and settled on Elmwood Avenue in the heart of Little Italy.ls
and settled on Elmwood Avenue in the heart of Little Italy.
She brought with her, many recipes from her home in
Collarmelle, Provence of Aquila. Erma was an excellent
chef and worked in the family’s restaurants until her death
at age 96. Her sauces, homemade pastas, gnocchi and zucchini
supreme made her famous with the locals. She shared her
culinary acumen with neighbors, family, senators,
congressmen, judges and yes, even notorious members of La
Cosa Nostra. But this woman had a secret. It was found in
every recipe. Of course she incorporated only the freshest
ingredients but her secret was found in her olive oils.
Only the finest were good enough. The love of course,
added flavor as well. All who knew her, adored her.
To
family and extended family she was lovingly referred to as
"Mama". Today, her legend lives on in this establishment.
Her name was Erma D’Allesandro D’Avolio.
She was my
grandmother. |
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Danny Gagliardo
Owner
D’Avolio
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