PASTA alla PACINO
Daniel Bellino
Al Pacino’s favorite pasta? It’s Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, (Spaghetti Garlic & Oil). Al’s favorite. I know. Al used to come to the restaurant Barbetta, in New York’s theater district. I was the wine director there. Mr. Pacino once asked me, “Can you guys make me Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.?” To which I replied, “Of course we can. For you Mr. Pacino, we will make it.” And so we did. We had. He made us an offer we couldn’t refuse. The dish, as you should well know, is beloved by most Italians, whether in Italy, or here in America. We Italian Americans just love it. Especially in the New York Metropolitan area of New York & New Jersey. We grew up with it, as Al Pacino growing up as a boy in the Bronx, New York, and as a young man living in Manhattan. It’s part of his life, and is in his blood. He’s Italian. Italian-American from the Bronx. New York Italians? We love: Baked Clams, Sunday Sauce, Lasagna, Meatballs, Linguine Vongole, and yes, as Mr. Pacino, “Spaghetti Aglio e Olio.”
Take note, that Parade Magazine April 1, 2025 picked up on my story of Al Pacino and myself (Daniel Bellino Zwicke). The wrote a little piece, quoting me, and telling the story of Al Pacino and me. That night at Barbetta, and the subsequent act of me telling the story (with recipe) in my book Positano The Amalfi Coast - Travel Guide - Cookbook. Parade magazine picked up on it, and my story and Al Pacino and I (Daniel Bellino) has snowballed, in print and all over the internet. And yes, “I’m proud it is.”
And so I could not resist telling the story again. The story and myself - Daniel Bellino Zwicke, and the great Al Pacino. I’ve been a huge fan, as most Americans of Mr. Pacino for some 50 plus years now. “We are Paisons,” and blood brothers in a way. We are both Italian-American New Yorkers, with Sicilian ancestry and roots, from the same area of Sicily. Al Pacino’s family, believe it or not, are from Corelone, Sicily. Yes I said Corleone, the same town in Sicily as the fictional character Pacino played in the movie The Godfather, as one Michael Corleone, whose father Vito is from the Sicilian town Corleone.
My family, the Bellino’s are from the nearby town of Lercara Friddi, Sicily, the same town that the famed Mafia Boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano is from, as well as Frank Sinatra’s father - Martino Severino Sinatra. That’s our connection - Frank Sinatra, Al Pacino, and Me - Daniel Bellino.
And yes, I greatly admire both Frank Sinatra, and Al Pacino, and I’m proud of our small connection as Sicilian Americans. “Paisons.”
PASTA alla PACINO - RECIPE
INGREDIENTS :
8 ounces imported Italian Spaghetti
8 tablespoons Olive Oil
5 cloves of Garlic, peeled and sliced
½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
2 tablespoons fresh chopped Parsley (optional)
Note : Make sure to use good quality imported Italian Spaghetti, and Italian Olive Oil.
Fill a 3-4 quart pot ¾ full of water and add 1 teaspoon Sea Salt. Turn heat to high and bring the water to the boil.
Add olive oil and the garlic to a large frying pan. Cook on low heat until the garlic just starts to brown. Turn the heat off. Add the red pepper and stir.
Drop the spaghetti into the boiling water. Cook, following the directions on the box (about 9 - 10 minutes).
When the spaghetti is finished cooking, drain it into a colander, reserving about ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water.
Reserve a ¼ cup of pasta water to mix into the finished plate of pasta.
Place the drained spaghetti into the pan with the garlic & olive oil. Toss and mix the spaghetti so it is completely coated with the sauce. Add a little of the parsley and a little of the pasta cooking water if needed. Mix everything together.
Plate the spaghetti on two plates, dividing it evenly. Sprinkle on the remaining Parsley. Serve immediately. It does not require cheese, but you may put on a little if you like. Just not too much. Enjoy.
Note : Yes, this book is all about Italian Nonnas and their wonderful home-cooked Italian food recipes. Going a little bit out of that realm with this story and recipe of Al Pacino’s favorite pasta - Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. Yes. Well yes and no. Al is Italian, of Sicilian ancestry, and though he does not at the time of this printing have any grandchildren, but we are certain with having 4 children that he will one day have grandchildren and become an Italian Nonno.
Anyway, we love Al. And who doesn’t? So, we have included our Italian-American brother here. “Basta”
…. Daniel ….
Excerpted from soon to be published book by author Daniel Bellino Zwicke. Working Title - Italian Nonna Cookbook ... Anticipated publishing date - November 2026
- The Restaurant Connection: Bellino shared in his writings that Al Pacino routinely ordered simple spaghetti aglio e olio while dining out in New York City.
- The Cookbooks: Daniel Bellino Zwicke features Italian-American culture, New York City restaurant lore, and celebrity anecdotes in books like Sunday Sauce and Positano the Amalfi Coast Cookbook.
