Day: September 12, 2024

While Manhattan’s Little Italy might be famous for the San Gennaro Feast, Brooklyn is getting its own taste of the action. On Sept. 15, Gargiulo’s will bring the vibrant Italian festival to Coney Island.

Forget the trek to Manhattan for cannolis and meatballs — this year, Brooklynites can stay local and join the fun. Gargiulo’s, a beloved “old world” Italian restaurant at 2911 W. 15th St., will turn its driveway into a festival hub, filled with the sounds and aromas of homemade Italian dishes

Come hungry! For $75, Brooklyn can get as much pasta, pizza and cannolis they'd like. — Come hungry! For $75, Brooklynites can enjoy all-they-can-eat pasta, pizza and cannolis.Photo courtesy of Gargiulo’s Restaurant

Matthew Cutolo, a chef at Gargiulo’s, will be serving up some of the eats. But beyond the delicious dishes, he said event organizers are most excited to bring the community together for an evening of fun.

“What sets our San Gennaro Feast at Gargiulo’s apart from others is the authentic, family-style atmosphere we create. While the Little Italy festival is legendary for its size and history, our Brooklyn event brings that same tradition to a more personal level,” Cutolo said. “We keep the focus on community, with a curated selection of authentic Italian dishes and entertainment that feels like a celebration at your nonna’s home.”

Guests can look forward to an impressive buffet with a mouthwatering selection of classic Italian dishes, including famous brick oven pizzas, rice and spinach balls, penne Pasqualina and calamari Racanati. For those with a sweet tooth, there will be mini cannolis, flaky sfogliatelle and the festival favorite zeppole.

“Hosting the San Gennaro Feast is about honoring our heritage and creating a familial atmosphere where everyone feels welcome,” Cutolo told Brooklyn Paper. “We want each guest to feel like part of our extended family, gathering to celebrate traditions passed down through generations.”

The Feast of San Gennaro, an iconic celebration in Manhattan’s Little Italy, traces its origins back to 1926. Established to honor Saint Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, Italy, the festival began as a modest religious procession and has since evolved into a vibrant street fair attracting thousands of visitors each year.

A view of the annual Feast of San Gennaro street festival in Manhattan’s Little Italy.Getty Images

Originally conceived by Italian immigrants seeking to preserve their cultural heritage, the feast features a blend of religious ceremonies, live entertainment and an array of traditional foods. Over the decades, it has become a beloved tradition — and a symbol of Italian-American pride in the Big Apple.

Much like the Manhattan-based event, musicians will bring the energy to Coney Island with live entertainment, and families can expect classic festival games and activities.

“We’re bringing all the typical excitement from Little Italy’s San Gennaro Feast right here to Brooklyn,” Cutolo said. “We want to recreate that authentic, vibrant atmosphere — just with a Gargiulo’s twist.”

The festivities will kick off on Sept. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. For $75, guests can enjoy full access to the event, including the entire buffet, music and games.