Dining

The Original Umberto’s the Godfather of Pizza

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The original Umberto’s in New Hyde Park has been a Zagat rated pizzeria and restaurant for years. Owner Umberto Corteo came to America as a teenager. He opened the famed restaurant in 1965 with his brother Joe. Umberto’s has been a staple in the community for over 40 years.

Umberto’s traditional décor is stunning. The multi level establishment has grown over the years, expanding to fit the needs of the community. Umberto told me that when he first opened, he only had a storefront. The upstairs banquet room was his bedroom. The popularity of the food left Umberto no choice but to expand and serve his clientele with love.

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Owner:  Umberto Corteo

Although many claim the fame, Umberto’s is the home of the original Grandma Pizza slice. In fact, the story of the invention of this superb delicacy hangs on the wall in the lower level of the restaurant. I had two slices and will be back for more.

I was honored to have had lunch with Umberto. Former Jet player Erik Coleman stopped by and dined with us, which made the lunch even better. The appetizers started with flavorful dried meats, warm fresh bread and heavenly cheeses all made in-house. The Frutti Di Mare, which has to be the BEST I have ever had as you can taste the freshness of the calamari and shrimp. Simplay delectable! The dish was preceded with a Capricciosa salad. I was starting to feel full but I kept on eating knowing Italian tradition and good conversations are entangled with food.

Being the middle brother of thirteen children, Umberto shared numerous stories of family love and festivities. His journey for The American Dream brought culture and an authentic way of life to Long Island. This uniqueness and class is seen on the menu, and in the final dish I devoured… the homemade sausage and broccoli rabe. Yes, I said it, homemade. The zesty flavor and texture of the sausage were superb. The meat was piquant, savory and cooked to perfection. My mouth is still watering. The freshness is unlike any other sausage you will find in the area. Speaking of fresh – if I can take it back to 1987 – even boxing great Bernard Hopkins, Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, Voctor Cruz, actor Robert Davi and Fox News commentator Richard Salgado have enjoyed Umberto’s pizza for years. Now that’s Fresh! .

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Umberto’s is located at 633 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park. They take reservations although walk ins are welcome, The family friendly restaurant has a wonderful menu that suits children as well. They perfected the take out menu and deliver if needed. Catering with wait service is available upon request!

Getting hungry? Check out the menu and give them a call at (516) 437-7698.

http://originalumbertos.com/

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Alysia Stern is the demiurgic CEO of The Rendezvous Show Inc., a musical PR company. She is also a gifted, multi-published children's book author, a television talk show host and radio personality, an actress, and a celebrity journalist. Alysia began writing at the age of nine and has been highly received in the media since 2000. Her first innovative book, My Nanny Georgeann, was written in 1999. Since then, she has created, written, and published nine more children’s books with her team, Constance Lehry and Anthony DeSantis. Her books are available at Barnes & Noble, the NY public library, Amazon, iBooks, in hard and soft copy, and for the Kindle and Nook. Alysia schedules an annual book tour through New York State, where she entertains children and reads her books to them in schools, charities, day care centers, and summer camps. Since the early 2000s, Alysia has utilized her ingenious writing style and captured the hearts of many as a writer, a world-known poet, and a journalist; she has written for numerous columns, papers, and magazines. Bringing her versatility and zest for creativity from paper and pen to life, her creations have ranged from parenting advice, spiritual awareness, relationships, and politicians to restaurant reviews and celebrity interviews. She has spent time with artists such as Gloria Estefan, Stevie Nicks, and Snooki and pro ball players Tiki Barber, Dwight Gooden, and Sean Landeta. In 2012, Alysia began the journey with Madhouse TV as a talk show host. Her famed show, Rendezvous with Alysia, was seen in 78 countries and by thousands of people weekly. After years of helping artists succeed and pursue their dreams through the life lessons she has learned herself, Alysia officially started her own incorporated PR Company in 2012 with Cristino Melendez. Their love for music has kept them on a journey to help numerous indie artists with their music careers. They built their own radio station in N.Y.C. and started their own station TRS 247, which has taken off beyond their wildest dreams. They have interviewed various guests, including Debbie Gibson, Eddie Money, The Bangles, Chubb Rock, Dres Black Sheep, Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Loeb, Bobby Caldwell, Air Supply, and so many more incredible musical sensations. Acting is also something that has captured Alysia's interest, and she has enjoyed dabbling in it. In 2012 she began filming her first segment for Investigation Discovery’s Dirty Little Secrets. In 2014, Alysia played the role of Lita in the film Money Talks, Bullshit Walks, and in February of 2014, she filmed her first show with A TASTE OF NY, which airs on Channel 79 Time Warner Cable. Her new Web Series for Spoton Magazine, “On The Spot with Alysia Stern,” focuses on showcasing local tri-state area businesses. Outside of work, Alysia is the mother of twins. She enjoys speed walking, cross training, music, sushi, and feeding the homeless.

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