Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.
INTRODUCING CROTON MEMORIES, a new series that will focus on Croton from the 1940's through the 1970's—more or less. Here’s the 9th installment, again with thanks to The Croton Historical Society.
GINO'S POST INN
Long before there was a Samurai Steak House, there was a Gino’s Post Inn. Located at 352 S. Riverside, the late Croton historian Joyce Finnerty interviewed Eleanor Cristello, the daughter of Gino and “Mama Gino” Filippi, owners of the Post Inn, a long standing village establishment that is still remembered fondly today. Here’s some highlights:
--Gino bought the Post Inn in 1939 from Tony Phillips and held a grand re-opening. The renovations took almost a month and were eagerly anticipated in the area. Residents were given free calendars and a glass of chianti and the reservations book was packed that first night. Peter Cavossi would become head chef and later, Gino’s partner until his death. Mrs. Filippi or “Mama Gino” however, made the lasagna, spaghetti and her locally famous meatballs. According to her daughter, she loved doing it.
--The Post Inn hosted many local organizations. The Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and Lions Club held their monthly meetings and parties there. Many fundraisers were held at the Post inn and one especially dear to the family’s heart was the Keon School in Montrose.
--Gino also did private catering and loved cooking. He especially loved Croton and the people who came into his restaurant. Indeed, he thought Croton was a paradise. In later years, his son Ronald Filippi worked at the restaurant until it was sold in 1977. Residents tell us that Mama Gino made cream puffs that were so light, they almost floated off the plate and that there was no place in town that served a better Manhattan.
Click on the link to see a photo from Gino’s Post Inn, circa late 1940’s, early 1950’s: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6123012904/in/photostream
As one resident put it, it’s a real tribute when some 30 plus years later, the mere mention of Gino’s can still bring a smile.
Stay tuned for more Croton Memories. To see past editions of this series, click:
Long before there was a Samurai Steak House, there was a Gino’s Post Inn. Located at 352 S. Riverside, the late Croton historian Joyce Finnerty interviewed Eleanor Cristello, the daughter of Gino and “Mama Gino” Filippi, owners of the Post Inn, a long standing village establishment that is still remembered fondly today. Here’s some highlights:
--Gino bought the Post Inn in 1939 from Tony Phillips and held a grand re-opening. The renovations took almost a month and were eagerly anticipated in the area. Residents were given free calendars and a glass of chianti and the reservations book was packed that first night. Peter Cavossi would become head chef and later, Gino’s partner until his death. Mrs. Filippi or “Mama Gino” however, made the lasagna, spaghetti and her locally famous meatballs. According to her daughter, she loved doing it.
--The Post Inn hosted many local organizations. The Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and Lions Club held their monthly meetings and parties there. Many fundraisers were held at the Post inn and one especially dear to the family’s heart was the Keon School in Montrose.
--Gino also did private catering and loved cooking. He especially loved Croton and the people who came into his restaurant. Indeed, he thought Croton was a paradise. In later years, his son Ronald Filippi worked at the restaurant until it was sold in 1977. Residents tell us that Mama Gino made cream puffs that were so light, they almost floated off the plate and that there was no place in town that served a better Manhattan.
Click on the link to see a photo from Gino’s Post Inn, circa late 1940’s, early 1950’s: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6123012904/in/photostream
As one resident put it, it’s a real tribute when some 30 plus years later, the mere mention of Gino’s can still bring a smile.
Stay tuned for more Croton Memories. To see past editions of this series, click:
OTTO’S COFFEE SHOP http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-ottos-coffee-shop.html
THE STARLIGHT DRIVING RANGE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-croton-memories-starlight-driving.html
What lovely happy memories this article brought back. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThis was REAL lasagne not the nouvelle cra* you get these days.
ReplyDeleteMy aunt was engaged to be married at Gino's, her bridal party was at Gino's, christening and birthday parties always at Gino's.
ReplyDeleteOh what memories!
ReplyDeleteI was a busboy, dishwasher and finally cook at Gino's from ~1965-1970. My brother (who followed in my footsteps) and I still reminisce about our experiences there. It was one of the most fun jobs I had growing up.
ReplyDeleteMurzy Jhabvala