Meet the Eater

Robert Romagnoli, Author and Illustrator

That’s me. Yes, I like to eat, especially the foods of my cherished hometown. I love exploring the different neighborhoods, meeting the “feeders,” sampling their creations, and taking photos of their fare and establishments. But lots of folks do that, so I wanted to take a different approach. 

In my professional life as a graphic designer I have enjoyed working with many of the city’s museums, historical societies, theaters, and other cultural institutions. As a cartographer I’ve mapped New York’s parks, neighborhoods and trails. My cartoons about the city have appeared in the Village Voice, Punk Magazine, and other publications. All this work required me to compile an ever-expanding library of New York-centric books, which I devour incessantly. I also designed my downtown loft kitchen, wherein great experimentation takes place, with widely variable results.

NYC EATS is a culmination (conglomeration?) of all these experiences. I first planned this as a traditional printed book, until my ever-helpful wife Patrice suggested I post each chapter on a website as it is written, so I can receive immediate feedback while the work is in progress. A WebBook...what a great idea! Thanks, Patrice.

There have been many fine books tracking the history of the city’s foodways, usually constructed as timeline narratives (see Second Helpings.) Instead, I’ve made the iconic foods the stars, and follow each one’s history to uncover its origin, creators, and heritage. A pastrami sandwich reveals the story of Jewish immigration into Lower East Side tenements. A slice of pizza is an exploration into the families and customs of countless Italian generations. Chicken and waffles (a Harlem creation) as well as oystering (involving thousands of African Americans) expose the struggles and startling innovations of New York City’s Black communities. And a simple cookie tells the tale of the Dutch founding of the city four centuries ago, and their lasting influence in our lives today.

Anyway, that’s the goal. The result all depends on your input. What do you like about this WebBook, and not like? Do you have any suggestions? Topics you’d like to see covered? Foods I’ve left out? Please contact me here. If you leave me your email (in total privacy) I’ll send you a quick note when I’ve posted something new. Thanks for your interest!