On June 21, 1948, in a small town called Carini in Sicilia, a boy was born Antonio Basile (Nino). In 1954, at the age of 7 years old, his family left this beautiful country to start a new life in America. The parents of Antonio, his four brothers and one sister, emigrated to America on a ship called the Satunia. Something very special happened on that ship —another one of the brothers was born. They all went to Brooklyn, and that's where it all began.
Nino started to work in Brooklyn as a shoe shiner for all the people that worked in New York City. By age 12 he started to work in a pizzeria because he loved to cook and spin pizzas. At the age of 14 he had the great opportunity to work at the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows for two years. While working at the Maestro Pavilion, he was awared trophies for Best Pizza Maker.
Two years later in 1966, at the age of 17, he left America to go on vacation in Italy. That is where he met his first love, Antonia Leone (Nina). She became his bride in 1967. One year later they came back to America and started a family of their own.
Their first born was Salvatore, then Vincent and finally their daughter Maria. Through the years Nino established several restaurants in various states. Then he decided that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania would be the best place for his family to settle. The Pane E Vino restaurant was started in 1993 and he has been serving the dining public of the Lehigh Valley ever since.
Now, in 2007, Nino and his family would like to welcome you to Mama Nina Foccacheria!
We thank you for your continued patronage. —Mama Nina, Nino, and Vinnie.