For those on here that have had the privilege in the past to be invited to some of the social clubs we talk about on here, how was your experience? Did it live up to expectations and did you meet anyone worthwhile?

Discuss.

They were basically store fronts with a few tables , a tv, and sometimes a sofa or 2.
An espresso machine amd sometimes a bar, refrigerator. A few had small kitchens,for cooking. Some had a back room. All had a restroom.
Most were generic whereas a few were kind of nice.

My "well healed" friend got or tried to buy a membership for the Palizzi Social Club in Philadelphia.
He sent them a check for $20. their membership fee. Keep in mind that he's not "connected".
Joey Baldino, the owner, returned his check and made a reservation for him and his wife.
I'll bet he'll bring his new best friend, Joey, a bottle of GAJA Single Vineyard Babaresco $$$
I've heard this "club" is supposed to be the finest dining and toughest date in Philly.
Can anyone tell me any thing about this joint?

es...I live in Philly as some of u know , & am a frequent diner @ Joey's other restaurant Zeppoli in Collingswood N.J.& it has since went downhill cause chef Joey devotes all his time over in Philly . he is a great chef & nice guy..he is not "connected"..but that club in south philly WAS a mob club in the 70s & 80s..it's origins go way back..I have not been but I do know that it IS a tough seat 2 get in & I do know that his crab gravy w/ macaroni is supposedly THE best in town...I know him fairly well due 2 our backgrounds in working in high end Italian restaurants around this area...he knows my former boss & owner of Ristorante Panorama in the Pennsview Hotel..& he has invited my wife & I to give him a call @ this club but I have yet 2 do so...but if your in Philly FOH , & have a chance 2 get in I would take advantage of the opportunity....Parking is a bitch down there though!

Thank you and I'll tell my friend to try Ristorante Panorama while he's in Philly :-)

When I visit Philly where should I go for good Italian? I know this place you mentioned is very tough to get into so let me know of others that won't be as hard and are worth my time.

Thank you!

Google their website...halve of their shit (menu) is all my creations from back in the day...lol....I was there from 1993 to 2000 as the Sous Chef de Cuisine...

Disappointing to hear Zeppoli has declined. I haven’t been in a few years and never been to his new spot (though I heard good things). Zeppoli was great the few times I was there. For those who don’t know, that Joey Baldino isn’t connected and isn’t the same person who has been mentioned elsewhere on this site. I do t know if they are related. Kitchen Consigliere (Angelo Lutz restaurant) is also in the same NJ area. Despite the tacky vibe with mob shit all over the walls, the food is actually really good for what it is. There’s another Italian spot that opened up a few blocks away called Albertino’s that I’ve heard is very good. I don’t get down to Philly either much these days but I was always a fan of L’angolo, barbuzzo, and vetri. Fiorella is a newer spot I went to last town I was in the area that was very good. There’s a few recommendations.

Very cool. You still in the biz? Random question but were you involved with a now closed restaurant/bar that used to be in old city that had “unique” bathrooms and two names? Not trying to “out” myself here but I have a feeling our paths may have crossed a while back.

Is dante and luigi still in philly? Is it still good ?

Never been. But it’s still open.

I've been to a few in the Boston area (years ago). They weren't very glorious. Mostly smoke filled, dark and dingy.

Ahh.. my friend that I may or may not know...I was the Lunch Sous Chef @ "Paradigm" @ 3rd & Chestnut 4 about a yr....under the tutelage of a certain Chef Dave Grier...the restaurant was owned by a dude w/ Joey Merlino connections by the name of Dave Cirrlino??(not sure if I got that last name right)....Merlino was a silent partner in that joint...the bathroom doors would og up when u locked them , thus u could see out , but nobody could see in..very cool... long lines & when Joey came in , he did not want 2 wait in line , so he came into the kitchen & proceeded 2 piss in the mop sink in fu--ing kitchen...1 time ..he did it while Mayor Ed Rendell was in the building..funny shit..& he had no class as far as food was concerned..always ordered a London Broil cheesteak when there other nice choices as sesame crusted Ahi Tuna Sandwich as he always came in 4 lunch ,never dinner..what a cheapskate....& no I am not inthe biz anymore ..I am retired w/ a healthy income as a Landlord of a major size property & some disabilaty payments I do OK..

For those who may not understand what a "Sous Chef" is: Hoodlum Must be very talented.
Next step is Head Chef and his resume is outstanding.
I for a couple of decades owned two of restaurants so FWIW, I know what I'm speaking about.
Best of all, he was smart enough to plan well for his retirement - Congratulations :-)

That's very kind of u FoH..yes , some ppl don't know what a Sous Chef is .but it is like an underboss...lol...I basiclly ran the kitchens minus the major headaches of the ordering...but I got what I wanted thru communacato w/ the exec chef...sometimes I ran the the whole 9 yrds.(chef on vacation etc...)..did all the blackboard specials , sometimes 8 or 10 a nite between apps & entrees..never dabbled in desserts though..except maybe a wine poached pear w/ a reduced gastrique (aged balsamic vinegar & a good quality sugar) dusted w / fresh lavender sugar.....again , FOH..thanx 4 the shout out...& I do always read ur well educated posts , you have been here longer than me & I respect that..thank you..

Well thank you but I only know from the experience with chefs that no much I paid them and I was able to pay the most, it really wasn't enough for the hard work and their special gift, that not all have, of being a high line chef such as yourself. Unlike most, you were smart enough to plan for the future.
Happy Thanksgiving and stay safe. it ain't over yet :-(

Are there still social clubs? Was it a NYC thing or also in other US cities? I know in Naples they have them.

There's some in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. You have this one on Court St. which is only a couple of blocks away from where Capone was married at St Mary Shining Star of the Sea and a few more blocks away from Bobby Boriello's social club the One Over Golf Club. I'm not saying the one I'm putting up is connected but it's in the heart of Anthony Scotto's neighborhood and the Scotto name is everywhere on Court St.
https://www.brooklynpaper.com/holy-mola-heirs-to-italian-heritage-honor-the-immigrant-past/

There's one or two on Henry St that are even scarier and are always closed up, you wouldn't catch me knocking on the doors either

The Southside of Chicago (Bridgeport) has them all over the place around 26th street with 4 of them all within walking distance of eachother. But that has always been a very strong mobbed up neighborhood. Everyone that grew up in that area is related to a mobster or two and many had fathers and grandfathers who are or were in that life.