I don't want this to sound like a travel log. We had to go to NY for a wedding. Since we (my wife Linda and I) were going to be back east I decided to visit the Barnes Foundation Museum in Philadelphia. Sal (Altomare) lives in a suburb of Philadelphia. I emailed him and invited him and his wife, Cathy to dinner in Phillie. Sal would have none of that, instead he insisted that we join him and his wife at his home instead. We had a little go around about that. I did not want him and Cathy to go through any trouble for us, especially on a week night. We spoke on the telephone and I said we would go to his house, only if he would call and have a pizza delivered instead of cooking for us. Sal agreed to that.
When we arrived Cathy and Sal greeted us like we were long lost relatives. The welcome was warm and comfortable. Well Sal lied to me about the food. We sat in his living room where they had antipasti for us. Sal even had gluten free beer for me. We sat and had Pino Grigio with the antipasta. Cathy kept jumping up and running to the kitchen and at some point hollered out "the food is ready please come to the table." We came into the dining room and in the middle of the table was big bowl of spaghetti with a red clam sauce. I was not happy about them going through that much trouble but was thoroughly thrilled with the clam sauce. We ate and visited. Then Sal got up and went into the kitchen and came out with a platter of charcoal grilled Maine lobsters, grilled lamb chops, roasted potatoes, asparagus and salad (there was enough food there to feed a village). We then moved back to the living room and were served coffee and strawberry shortcake. If you are ever in the area and are hungry I'll give you Sal's address.
Here are some pictures:
Arriving at Sal's house we were dazzled by a gorgeous Japanese dogwood tree.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000279_zps241a4e3b.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000279_zps241a4e3b.jpg.html)
It was difficult to photograph such a busy tree that I put Sal in front.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000280_zps3ce2b4d1.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000280_zps3ce2b4d1.jpg.html)
Here is a picture of Sal and me at the dining room table. I'm the guy with a lobster in my hand.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000281_zps62262510.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000281_zps62262510.jpg.html)
Here I am in front of Sal's famous reel cabinet.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000288_zps9f367a6f.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000288_zps9f367a6f.jpg.html)
I got caught trying to put a reel inside of my shirt.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000285_zps6713b8ea.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000285_zps6713b8ea.jpg.html)
This is Sal and Cathy. Also a clear example of not waiting for the camera to focus before taking the picture. Check out the food on the table.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000283_zpsbde73e7a.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000283_zpsbde73e7a.jpg.html)
I went on to the Jersey Shore and got some surf fishing (well, off a jetty). Here are a couple of photographs of my best fishing partner ever. This is my friend Joe who lives about 200 yards from this jetty. No fish that day. The wind was blowing from the southeast at about 15 miles per hour.
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000291_zps3082bb54.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000291_zps3082bb54.jpg.html)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000292_zps0b2703d4.jpg) (http://s1220.photobucket.com/user/lmdl4law/media/PHILLIE%20TRIP-VISIT%20WITH%20SAL/P1000292_zps0b2703d4.jpg.html)
Dominick, great pictures and it looks like grat fun. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope the rest of your east coast tour went as planned. Thanks again for sharing. Btw did you catch anything?bob
What kind of Pizza Joint Delivers Lobster and Clams in Red Sauce?
Sal's Pizza?
fantastic, ain't that what its all about, two great guys and their wifes getting together, we saw two great guys enjoying each others company, fine food and of course reel talk, beautiful ! harryk
Quote from: Joel.B on June 03, 2013, 08:34:03 PM
What kind of Pizza Joint Delivers Lobster and Clams in Red Sauce?
Sal's Pizza?
:D :D :D
Thanks for the writeup Dominick! And thanks to Sal and Cathy for serving their idea of a pizza dinner so we could drool. ;D
"Reel Talk" with Dom and Sal
i'd subscribe to cable if that show was on TV
Dominick, I'm glad you and Sal finally had the chance to get together. It's no secret what Sal thinks of you. You however, being involved in Law, should have known the Pizza was a scam. ;D If I ever need a lawyer, I hope he is as willing to believe my story. ;) Bob
i like the cabinet....sure wish i'm handy with those carpentry tools.... :D
very nice! ;D
What a handsome group! Looks like a great time was had by all!
Charlie
Who's the guy on the rocks?
Sal & Cathy are A1, first class. No wonder. It's like 4 peas in a pod with Dominick & Linda.
Looks like you had fun.
Although the visit was much too short, it was still sweet. Thanks for the pleasure of your company, Dominick and Linda.
Your friend, Sal
Quote from: Bucktail on June 04, 2013, 02:13:52 AM
Who's the guy on the rocks?
That is my friend Joe who lives on the Jersey Shore. I modified the post above to add in the information. Also Broadway Dom was supposed to join us but something called "work" got in the way. Dominick
I want to gain 20 lbs at Sal' s and I' m probably 20 mins away!
I Think I'm headed to Philly! I Love Lobster!
looks like you wer'e tearing it up Dom!
Quote from: Mikeflorian on June 15, 2013, 12:16:12 AM
I want to gain 20 lbs at Sal' s and I' m probably 20 mins away!
Where are you from Mike? If you decide to come and see me, don't do it now. Most roads are closed due to the US Open.
I had to get a special pass to get around, I'm just three blocks from Merion Gulf Club.
Sal
Dominick,
It was such an honor and a pleasure to have you (and Linda) in our home and at our table. Sal was so very happy to have you in his home and he was always so excited to learn that someone from the Alan Tani family might be coming to the east coast.
I would like to extend the sincerest invitation to continue that wonderful tradition and invite anyone from the site, who might be in the greater Philadelphia area, post Covid 19, to come to the Ciarlante house and sit at our table. I never did learn how to grill those famous lobsters of Sal's, but I make a mean spaghetti with seafood dish! There will always be a warm welcome waiting for you in Pennsylvania!
Love,
Cathy
Cathy, may I suggest a name for your spagetti dish:
Pasta Alto Mare :)
Much love Chris.
Quote from: Cathy Ciarlante on November 22, 2020, 05:56:23 PM
Dominick,
It was such an honor and a pleasure to have you (and Linda) in our home and at our table. Sal was so very happy to have you in his home and he was always so excited to learn that someone from the Alan Tani family might be coming to the east coast.
I would like to extend the sincerest invitation to continue that wonderful tradition and invite anyone from the site, who might be in the greater Philadelphia area, post Covid 19, to come to the Ciarlante house and sit at our table. I never did learn how to grill those famous lobsters of Sal's, but I make a mean spaghetti with seafood dish! There will always be a warm welcome waiting for you in Pennsylvania!
AND ziti and chicken parm!!!!! Cathy, anywhere I turn in either of the shops, there is some sort of talisman from Sal in sight- parts he sent me, reel handles he crafted or whatever. Sal may be gone up physically, but not in our hearts and minds....not even counting the legacy of his wizardry in reels, and the stones he laid....and your wonderful family, so gracious to me.
Having been at guest of you AND Dominic and Linda, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Things haven't been great for us lately but this put a smile on ,my face.
John
Cathy, I look forward to once again visit with your family. I will keep in touch. Sal was one of the best. Dominick
I would have loved to dig through his reel collection. Wished to have him build a reel for me but I always wished to be respectful of his time. Knowing he was busy with other's projects... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on February 22, 2021, 03:13:26 PM
I would have loved to dig through his reel collection. Wished to have him build a reel for me but I always wished to be respectful of his time. Knowing he was busy with others projects... Jeff
Sal loved spending time on others reels. He completed a tanked 10/0 for me just before he went into the hospital. I never even asked him to build it. I was happy with my 9/0s but big Goliath groupers were beating us up a lot so Sal decided I needed something special just for the big Goliaths. That 10/0 will always be on my boat and so will Sal's spirit.
He was a great man with a big heart.
Dwight