The Bare-Bones Salad That Was Frank Sinatra's Favorite At This NYC Restaurant
Frank Sinatra rose to the highest heights of the entertainment world in his decades of music and movie stardom. Yet, in many ways, he remained an Italian kid with humble roots in Hoboken, New Jersey. His taste for simple dishes reflected his heritage, even if they were made in some of the country's finest restaurants. An excellent example shines through at one of his favorite New York City eateries — in the form of a simple arugula salad with an easy dressing and very limited toppings.
Sinatra was known to regularly order the dish as part of meals at Patsy's, a long-running Midtown restaurant known for Italian classics. It consisted of nothing other than arugula dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar, enhanced with a few shreds of herbaceous fresh basil.
This straightforward dish was part of Patsy's menu for decades, appearing as late as the 2010s. Unfortunately, for those who want to eat like Ol' Blue Eyes, it fell off the menu sometime in the years since, with Patsy's now only offering Caesar, tricolore (which features arugula alongside endive and radicchio), and mixed green salads.
Sinatra was a man of many favorites
Of course, the music legend didn't limit himself to just salads on his regular trips to Patsy's. Frank Sinatra was also fond of clams Posillipo (cooked with tomatoes, onion, and garlic) and crispy veal Milanese. Like the arugula salad, these have been replaced by alternative dishes on the Patsy's menu, including veal Francese and clams oreganata.
On the other hand, Sinatra wasn't immune to the allure of the high-end dining that his fame allowed. He was also a dedicated carnivore. At Melvyn's, one of the crooner's favorite West Coast hangouts, his go-to steak order might surprise you: Steak Diane served in a mouthwatering sauce of mushrooms, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Cognac.
To be sure, the Chairman of the Board was loyal to his beloved eateries, developing a long list of favorite restaurants across the United States. But when he made a trip to Patsy's, there's little doubt he'd be seen enjoying the simple but vibrant arugula salad.