A “Vacation” at Casa Belvedere
In the summer, I like to vacation in my own “backyard” and I define that as the five boroughs and suburbs of New York. I always enjoy discovering new fun neighborhoods, restaurants by bodies of water (of which there are many!) and hidden gems.
I found one such gem on the “Isle of Staten” as my dear friend Grae, a native Staten Islander, always calls the outer borough. Let me tell you about my “vacation” at Casa Belvedere.
Casa Belvedere, located on a country-like windy road is not only a spectacular architectural structure, it is a not for profit cultural institution that celebrates all things Italian, from food, to music, to language lessons, and at the same time provides a stunning mansion available to rent for private functions.
The mansion’s history is quite rich. Built in 1908 by the Roebling-Stirn family (The Roeblings built the Brooklyn Bridge) Casa Belvedere is constructed in an Italianate, Arts and Crafts architectural style, complete with ornate columns, Mediterranean clay roof, arched window frames, decorative iron railings, small balconies, and front and rear verandas. When you drive up to the front, I promise you, you will think you were just transported to Tuscany.
Now owned by The Italian Cultural Foundation and operated by Gina Biancardi, the mansion’s entire main floor has been meticulously and lovingly restored. However, the transformation from a once private home to a public institution is ongoing, as 3/4 of the 14,000 square feet building has yet to be restored. Casa Belvedere is a New York City Landmark Building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was officially renamed “Casa Belvedere” in 2008 meaning “house with a beautiful view.”
This past Spring an innovative fundraising initiative was launched. Casa Belvedere partnered with the acclaimed Bocelli restaurant to offer “The Belvedere Club by Bocelli.” This is a private supper club for members only, with fine dining offered to members and their guests on Thursday and Friday evenings from 4 to 10 PM. Funds from the club membership go toward the mansion’s operating expenses and new programming.
But now, for a limited time only, Casa Belvedere is making these gourmet dinners available to the public. I highly recommend getting in on this special offer to enjoy a fine dining experience, experience the grandeur of the mansion, and the stunning views of New York Harbor and the Verrazano Bridge from the veranda or the dining room.
The evening we went, we were even treated to fireworks way off in the distance by Coney Island. It made for an absolutely perfect summer evening. Try your own “vacation” at Casa Belvedere.
For more information on these special dinners, programs at Casa Belvedere or information on how you can join the Belvedere Club by Bocelli, call
718-273-7660 or go to www.Casa-Belvedere.org. Dinner reservations are required and can be made at 718-420-6040
Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
