[SPEAKER_01]: On Sinatra Swing to Brando Stage Maryland's Grace to JFK's A It's Johnny Russo Hollywood's own The teeny Rayman's secrets are shown
[SPEAKER_02]: welcome everybody it's time for another hollywood godfather podcast and tonight we have a very special guest a gentleman who's invited me back to his famous restaurant called good fellows which sounds like we're doing a mom movie it tonight but anyway doctor cunti the third how are you sir we're good johnny it's good to see you we uh... we really enjoy the first time that you came to good fellas and uh...
[SPEAKER_01]: It's really, um, it's really heartwarming to know that you're coming back.
[SPEAKER_01]: You and Julia.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_02]: And, um, two bad, we don't have my pies on here who we didn't in another introduced actually, my co-host, Jeannie Raymond.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes.
[SPEAKER_01]: Okay.
[SPEAKER_00]: Hello.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's very nice to meet you.
[SPEAKER_01]: See, say, say, Mayor Jeannie.
[SPEAKER_00]: I love all your advertisements.
[SPEAKER_00]: You've got whoever does your advertising does a great job.
[SPEAKER_00]: So,
[SPEAKER_01]: So we take what we we definitely take pride in that.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, you do a great job.
[SPEAKER_02]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_02]: I think I mean, anybody that's listening, you should make your reservations now.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's on the 26th in golfville, New Jersey.
[SPEAKER_02]: In fact, I even know the phone number.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's 9 7 3 4 7 8 4 1000 call make the reservations we're going to sell out again in
[SPEAKER_02]: And this time we're expanding it because we're doing a Q&A afterwards.
[SPEAKER_02]: You can talk about the Godfather movie.
[SPEAKER_02]: You should go online and buy your books on Amazon.
[SPEAKER_02]: Even though my first book, Hollywood, Godfather, Mafia, Secrets, bringing them will sign them, bring Godfather memorabilia.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's going to be a fun night.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's going to be, and make sure you're taking that.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's going to be a long night.
[SPEAKER_02]: And great food to besides.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's, and that's why we're having the return because we had such a great um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um um
[SPEAKER_02]: And the one thing I want to make everybody aware of, when they see $150, that's the tip and tax included, everything you think about it.
[SPEAKER_02]: A lot of people don't read it.
[SPEAKER_02]: And they get afraid of it and they figure, you know, a couple of people are plus this plus that.
[SPEAKER_02]: But it's probably the best money you'll ever spend.
[SPEAKER_02]: And it's not, and it's not, I know that for a fact that it's not over price at all because so.
[SPEAKER_02]: And for what you getting, it's amazing.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, and then plus and then there's no questions everybody knows that everything is included and then plus they get to see your show, which is really the most important part of it.
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, thank you.
[SPEAKER_02]: I love that show though.
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, you know, it's quite logically, it's my biography for the people who have never seen it.
[SPEAKER_02]: So I take you through my life from early on, and you'll meet Sinatra, you'll be a mountain where you're seeing from someone like and hot.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's just not me.
[SPEAKER_02]: There's a lot of major stars in this show.
[SPEAKER_01]: And when I loved about it, what I loved about it is watching this set up and your warm-ups and standing in the back of the room was where we have this presented it's called Doc Social Club.
[SPEAKER_01]: This is why I named it after the character that my dad played in the Suprenos because the the the restaurant is named for the movie Goodfellows and my dad played Dr. Dan when a poll is 50s crew.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, but we have the entertainment, and it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's a, it's
[SPEAKER_01]: You could have a home base in Garfield and Jersey at the Goodfellist restaurant, and that you can count on that.
[SPEAKER_02]: I appreciate it.
[SPEAKER_02]: Thank you so much.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_02]: No, but like I'm saying also, you know, it's, it's, when you think about people who come to New York, go to Broadway play, go to a restaurant.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_02]: $4,500 a head.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes.
[SPEAKER_02]: Not having an evening that whip that whip presenting together,
[SPEAKER_02]: over there.
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, chronologically, like I'm talking about the show, the food, the Q&A afterwards, meet and greet.
[SPEAKER_02]: You could talk about anything you want.
[SPEAKER_02]: We'll answer the questions and hang out.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's a very intimate setting, and that's what makes it special, especially in the theme of the rest of the year.
[SPEAKER_01]: You're not going to a regular theater.
[SPEAKER_01]: You're going to a restaurant that's authentic, especially with the association with the movie and the work that my dad has done, so to be able, you know, the other part of it's to be able to continue the legacy that my dad has laid down, and especially to bring back because my dad was also a good friends with, it all started with his friendship
[SPEAKER_01]: the battery.
[SPEAKER_02]: If they charge our battery one second, please?
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm glad you have my favorite technician with you there.
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank God.
[SPEAKER_02]: There you go.
[SPEAKER_01]: Let's start then.
[SPEAKER_01]: Just let me see.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: But again, as we were talking about my dad started, especially with Tommy DeVito from the Foresteas, and then Tommy's good friends with Joe Pesci, and then of course with Franky Valley, and then Joe and Frank Vincent.
[SPEAKER_01]: So that's how my dad really got his start.
[SPEAKER_01]: He started, he's a medical, he was a medical doctor, and then he was a frustrated actor, and was in the first film with Joe and Frank called death collector.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, and then they made the movie Raging Bull, and then Goodfell is, and then this opportunity came for the restaurant, so my dad opened up the restaurant in 1991.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm blessed.
[SPEAKER_01]: Wow, that's a good one.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, what did you get today?
[SPEAKER_01]: He was Dr. Daniel County, Jr., but never wanted to be called Jr. And when Frank Finsey used to call me on the phone, he used his, because Frank Finsey was a Jr. Frank, a two-cell, Frank Finsey, a two-cell.
[SPEAKER_01]: He used to call me and said, trade, it's his two.
[SPEAKER_01]: That was two who thinks he's one, talking about my dad, because he became, he was Dr. Daniel County.
[SPEAKER_01]: No, Jr. No scene, it's just Dr. Daniel County.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's all right.
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_00]: And just give me the background and for our listeners, since I don't know, no, you like Tiani does.
[SPEAKER_00]: So was he a doctor or were the doctor?
[SPEAKER_01]: Yes, my father, he opened up his practice, he was at a family practice, he opened up his office in 1964 and my grandfather was an architect, he was, and his son, my grandfather's Daniel Piquante Sr.
[SPEAKER_01]: He was an architect, he designed the building, and we have a first cousin, Joe Muscurelli, he was a builder.
[SPEAKER_01]: So we had my grandfather was the architect, my cousin was the builder, and he started his practice in 1964, and he had his own medical building with his practice at a dentist, a podiatrist, and then a pharmacy.
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's when Tommy DeBito had sensitive teeth.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he came to the dentist because he worked with, he did pain and stench history.
[SPEAKER_01]: So the dentist brought Tommy over to my dad and they were like, long lost brothers.
[SPEAKER_01]: And so their friendship, that's how their friendship started.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, but to have, what's that Johnny?
[SPEAKER_02]: I said, we just lost Tommy recently.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, that's the guess.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, right.
[SPEAKER_01]: And you were friendly with him at Las Vegas?
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh, yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh my God.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then, so, so,
[SPEAKER_01]: Tommy and Joe and then Frankie and then Frank Finson, they made their first to the Joe and Joe and Frank made their first mince and cold death, death collected my dad got a small part in there.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then DeNara while he's filming the God Father's reading the book, Raging Bull.
[SPEAKER_01]: And Raging Bull was a book written by Peter Savage and from my understanding, Robert went to
[SPEAKER_01]: Martin Scorsese, who he was in with Taxi Driver and Mean Streets, and wanted to make the movie Raging Bull.
[SPEAKER_01]: And they were screening for cast members to play different parts in Raging Bull.
[SPEAKER_01]: And they saw Joe Pesci in a death collector.
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's when Robert Cole Joe and cast it him for the role of Joey Lamada in Raging Bull.
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh, wow.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then Frank Finstein read for the part, Salvi, and I went with my dad, to Cis Corman, who was the casting director for Raging.
[SPEAKER_01]: But we'll do a apartment.
[SPEAKER_01]: They're Manhattan, and we walked in.
[SPEAKER_01]: She said, come on, boys.
[SPEAKER_01]: Come on in the kitchen, and who's sitting there but Robert De Nero and Martin Scorsese.
[SPEAKER_01]: So my dad had a read before Robert and Martin.
[SPEAKER_01]: And he got a part as a Detroit botching for motor and raging boat.
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh, wow.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_02]: Wow, you've got a history in the film business.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, I was privileged enough to go with him, to be on the set, and we had a close friendship with Joe and Tommy, and that's why Johnny being friendly with you now.
[SPEAKER_01]: We can carry on this legacy, because like you said, Tommy passed away, Joe is in California, Frank.
[SPEAKER_01]: Vincent passed away, so all my dad's good friends.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, I've been, are not around any longer.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know, to have you come and have you do your show and goodfills, it really is, it's a privilege that we can extend.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I know that people, because people ask, you know, there's Joe come back, there's Frank around, you know, he'll ask, you have individuals from the, I said, we had Johnny Russo who played, who played Carla when the Godfather.
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh, you know, so people are intrigued by that.
[SPEAKER_01]: And especially since, you know, I enjoyed meeting you over by the pork store, that Robert told me about when you were signing on the grass.
[SPEAKER_01]: And I was like, I was like, yeah, you know what called me Johnny?
[SPEAKER_01]: And I didn't know that much about you, but when I met you and then I read a little bit of your book and he talked about staying in Anthony as being your patron saint.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was very intriguing and to me, you know, that just opened up the door and getting a book and reading a book and the story that you told were just, it's a fascinating story.
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm blessed.
[SPEAKER_02]: And what are you talking about for all of you who want to come that night?
[SPEAKER_02]: I would make the reservations and this is not a hype.
[SPEAKER_02]: get them now because we sell out, but get the books bring them.
[SPEAKER_02]: There's two books out.
[SPEAKER_02]: Hollywood, Godfather, my first book is still doing well.
[SPEAKER_02]: And my new book, Mafia Secrets, is going through the roof because of
[SPEAKER_02]: James Patterson wrote a book right after that, the last days of Mount Monroe, and basically certified everything I said about Marilyn 63 years ago, who killed her even, Bobby Kennedy.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's in his book.
[SPEAKER_02]: He made it a fact.
[SPEAKER_02]: We got Noguchi, the corona.
[SPEAKER_02]: they all clarified it.
[SPEAKER_02]: So now that's being made into a movie.
[SPEAKER_02]: So we got another movie coming up huge that George Gallo was doing and George Gallo just wrote John Luz new movie about Callow Gambino.
[SPEAKER_02]: So it's a whole thing that keeps spinning.
[SPEAKER_02]: I love it.
[SPEAKER_01]: It really goes full circle with the stories that you tell and the stories that are in your book,
[SPEAKER_01]: the the the fascinating thing about it is when you're when you're in person telling the story but not only telling the story is having the film we put in and we put in the big screen sixty five and uh... tv just for you so you can tell that story and when you come up the stairs and you have uh... admiq man introducing you and then you had the music
[SPEAKER_01]: And I'm telling you, if you write, if you like a Broadway play, this you're like much, much more because again, because of the intimate setting.
[SPEAKER_01]: And especially the other part that I really love is when you sing speaks softly now.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm telling it that because when you hear the music of the Godfather, it just does something to you.
[SPEAKER_01]: It brings back then nostalgia.
[SPEAKER_01]: But to hear you sing it, you know, with your character, that to me, that really brought it to the next level, Johnny.
[SPEAKER_02]: I appreciate it.
[SPEAKER_02]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_02]: I really love coming there.
[SPEAKER_02]: And yeah, we don't have to do any commercials.
[SPEAKER_02]: We could just keep talking because we're doing a constant commercial, which would.
[SPEAKER_01]: All right.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's good.
[SPEAKER_01]: But what I really like though is when you stay up here and then interact with everyone because that I think is really going to take it again to the next level because people want to hear the stories, people want to see you and be with you and be next to you on a one-on-one basis.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I think that's something that we could do with the small number of people that will be in attendance at night
[SPEAKER_01]: And it'll make it really, really intimate, you know, I like, I've used that word over and over again, but I think that's really the best way to describe the night that we'll have with you.
[SPEAKER_02]: You know, I do big venues and like you say, it's not a personal feeling and a big band.
[SPEAKER_02]: When you're sitting around with, you know, 100 people and you're walking around to the tables after words and asking questions and it makes it an intimate night.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, go ahead.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, you know, Gina, go ahead and tell you.
[SPEAKER_00]: I was just going to say, you know, I, I see, I've gone to a few events with Gianni and I see how excited people get to meet him in person.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think they're picture taken with him and they're autographed.
[SPEAKER_00]: They're just so happy.
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, we've had people bring in memorabilia that they've had for years.
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, and like you said, not to overuse the word intimate, but there's nothing better than that.
[SPEAKER_00]: for him to get to come around and meet people.
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, what a great situation.
[SPEAKER_00]: Plus a fabulous show in the food sounds incredible, so... Oh my God.
[SPEAKER_01]: It really is.
[SPEAKER_01]: And you know something went, especially when you meet someone that is like yourself with an amazing story, it really for a moment there.
[SPEAKER_01]: It changes their lives.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, you get, you just get that one for feelings.
[SPEAKER_01]: Like, oh, you know what?
[SPEAKER_01]: I remember that, I remember, I remember your character and then to meet you in person, it takes it to a whole different level.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, you know, when I first started doing this, I would say to people, yeah, I'm doing a podcast now.
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'd say, have you seen the Godfather and they were like,
[SPEAKER_00]: Okay.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's not how you ask.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's how many times have you seen the godfather?
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, that's right.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's right.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's like it's this not one kind of thing.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is like one of those movies that you just see over and over and over.
[SPEAKER_00]: Right.
[SPEAKER_00]: Somebody that's that's your that's your way.
[SPEAKER_00]: And then get get to meet you on a person.
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I, it's got to be exhilarating.
[SPEAKER_01]: It really is.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then also to get the autographed pictures.
[SPEAKER_01]: I have, I don't know if you could see behind me.
[SPEAKER_01]: This picture here, I think, is the iconic one, right with all family and Johnny signed that.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then we have the one, when Johnny is given him the, given them the, given the beat and the string.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then, but the other one that I like Johnny that you signed for me and I have it in the front of the restaurant is when Vito Carlione is grabbing your cheeks and you know, right.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: But I like the way I like the way that you signed because I ask you, I asked you if you could, you know, write your most famous quote from the quote from the movie and it's, and it's a set.
[SPEAKER_01]: You said, to the Goodfell is crew.
[SPEAKER_01]: Now clean it up.
[SPEAKER_01]: John, right?
[SPEAKER_01]: It was great.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was coming.
[SPEAKER_01]: But to have that, those personal items now are there forever.
[SPEAKER_01]: So when people come into the restaurant, I tell the story.
[SPEAKER_01]: We have the Christian for Sirron who played young Henry, the King Henry, from the Good Fellows.
[SPEAKER_01]: We have the good fellows, post them in the front.
[SPEAKER_01]: I've got the pictures of my dad having saws and sandwiches with Paulie Holden, court, and then Paulie's 50s crew and right next to that is your picture with Bill
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, thank you for giving me such a great privilege to get into that crew.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_01]: All right.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, they need to clean it up.
[SPEAKER_01]: But we're doing it, though.
[SPEAKER_01]: Nobody.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, that's well.
[SPEAKER_00]: So how long have you been in the restaurant business?
[SPEAKER_01]: well you know that's a that's a good question so my dad as I said before my dad opened up the restaurant in 1991 1992 and I have to tell you a story about 1992 that first year that Johnny and I talked about it but so 1992 I went out to Fort Worth Texas and I did a residency in an Aussie pad that medicine so I was there for six years we came back I got I met my wife we got married we came back in
[SPEAKER_01]: And I never really got involved.
[SPEAKER_01]: We just came here and enjoyed Penny Vodka and the different dishes.
[SPEAKER_01]: And then once my dad and uncle were 50-50 partners, my uncle is also a primary care doctor who passed away 2020.
[SPEAKER_01]: And they said before, my dad was also primary acute, passed away 2022.
[SPEAKER_01]: So after that, that's when I really started to get involved and decided in November of 2024 to keep the rest and keep my dad's legacy and really share this.
[SPEAKER_01]: with all the people that remember him, with new people that want to come in, and for people that want to see shows like Gianni is going to put on.
[SPEAKER_01]: Because that's really the, this has become my passion now, is to work dog social club.
[SPEAKER_01]: And Gianni, actually, Gianni was the first celebrity to come and really Christmas this, the club in January.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's so I wanted to do that this year right away, and we got Gianni and so, right, so, and it was really, it was a really great hit.
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, I heard just I heard the other day that you do something on the first Monday night of each month.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right, yeah.
[SPEAKER_02]: No, I'm a little about that.
[SPEAKER_02]: I want to come and see this one.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, you know, Johnny, we'd love to have you here and actually, right, so what I wanted to do, of course, you know, so you have the vibe of the Godfather and Goodfell is and, you know, the, the, the, the custom oyster on that organization.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, you know what, that's great.
[SPEAKER_01]: The way that we have it here, of course, that's in the movies.
[SPEAKER_01]: We know that these things happen in real life.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, you have your story.
[SPEAKER_01]: But I wanted to change the vibe just a little bit.
[SPEAKER_01]: a special dinner and I call it.
[SPEAKER_01]: from good fellows to God-fellers, a spiritual butter-bing transformation from being a wise guy to a wise man.
[SPEAKER_01]: And so, in X, we had it this money, but it's the second Tuesday of every month, and we've invited different right.
[SPEAKER_01]: We just did it this time, because we actually we had the archbishop of Slovakia.
[SPEAKER_01]: And so, some of the other friends are part of the Byzantine Catholic Church in Pasectin, Jersey, over here.
[SPEAKER_01]: And so, they were visiting their hometown and the Archbishop was going to be here.
[SPEAKER_01]: So he came and he spoke and he did kind of what you did told his life story.
[SPEAKER_01]: We had to have an interpreter, but we had 40 gentlemen up here.
[SPEAKER_01]: The place was packed and then so each month we have a pastor or someone give us a give us a little homily, we shared dinner, we break bread, we're family style, and we come out and light it.
[SPEAKER_02]: But you know what, as I'm listening to you saying what it's now.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, I've known three poops.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, well, that's right, right.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right, no, no, better than that, though.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right, this cross.
[SPEAKER_02]: I remember you showed me, right?
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, I'm poor, but this right neck, right?
[SPEAKER_02]: I have the right, the saint.
[SPEAKER_02]: And they call me from the Vatican, asking if I want to contribute this.
[SPEAKER_02]: And I said, no, I love this.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right, right, they do a whole thing is the matter, right, because the same, unfortunately, you want to copy it, great, but I'm not giving you this, you know, this, to me, I, I did not the money about it, it's a guy.
[SPEAKER_02]: Right, my, my grandkids say, Papi, I can't believe you have.
[SPEAKER_01]: a saint gave you a medal, I said, yeah, that takes you to an even higher level, this spiritual level.
[SPEAKER_01]: But that's why you know something, maybe we'll have to invite Johnny to our Godfellet and have you speak, right?
[SPEAKER_01]: You could talk about, well, and but the other thing too that I really like in your book is when you're in a Pope's limousine, and then they stop you, tell me the story again, what happened with that?
[SPEAKER_02]: Oh, I used to get the limousine all the time.
[SPEAKER_02]: right right on the purpose of late right right right so yeah and they send me the car and all the time the Pope's right Pope right I just called the Pope my bill but right right and I got I was got the late so I figured let me go to the Veevander though because I know the cafe don't I I know it on the corn I called it right yeah
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I pull up in the pope's mobile.
[SPEAKER_02]: And as I'm coming up the street, the people are saying they're called pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,
[SPEAKER_01]: That's a great story every but that's but that's a fun part of your book all the different stories And that's why when I read especially the chapter with lies of an alley That's what I wanted to get back so when we open up the restaurant in 1991
[SPEAKER_01]: 1992, I had changed directions in my path in medicine.
[SPEAKER_01]: I was going to go into plastic surgery, and I decided that that really wasn't the root for me.
[SPEAKER_01]: I wanted to do more holistic medicine.
[SPEAKER_01]: So I made an appointment with my dad.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was on January 17th.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was 2 p.m. and I had to do it.
[SPEAKER_01]: And my dad was wearing a black shirt, just like you.
[SPEAKER_01]: with a purple tie, you know, and so when I said that, you know, thank you for everything and I'm changing course of my profession.
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm not going to go into plastic surgery.
[SPEAKER_01]: I want to go into osteopathic manipulative medicine, you know, osteopathic physician, so that's great then.
[SPEAKER_01]: How are you going to make money?
[SPEAKER_01]: That was a responsibility response.
[SPEAKER_01]: Like a father, right, Johnny?
[SPEAKER_01]: Of course.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, we want to make sure that you do well.
[SPEAKER_01]: Plastic surgery, of course.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, that's, that's a catch-up front.
[SPEAKER_01]: with osteopathic medicine and a little bit different.
[SPEAKER_01]: Holistic medicine and a little bit different.
[SPEAKER_01]: So the next day, I come into good fellows.
[SPEAKER_01]: I meet Frank Finnsit, we're hanging out at the bar, and who comes in front or, you know, my dad knew, but Joe Pashy would lies them in alley.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, that's right.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, Joe and Liza come in and sit at the table in the corner and then the Majority flagged Joe of Frank and I had to come over.
[SPEAKER_01]: It was like we were in the movie raging bull.
[SPEAKER_01]: We walk over to the table, my dad introduces Liza to Frank and then my dad introduces Liza to me.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, my dad goes to Liza.
[SPEAKER_01]: This is my son, Dr. Dan.
[SPEAKER_01]: Dr. Dan, this is Liza and he goes, he's going to be a plastic surgeon.
[SPEAKER_01]: The day before I just told him I'm not going into plastic surgery, so then now we're hanging out.
[SPEAKER_01]: What was that?
[SPEAKER_00]: Just kind of ignored what you said.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, well, yeah, well, Mike that, well, be, you know it.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, he ignored it and stayed right.
[SPEAKER_01]: Some way, but you know, because I think he just had an envision in his brain that that's what I was going to do.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, and you know how Italians go, you don't want to take no for an answer.
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't know.
[SPEAKER_02]: They'll keep drilling in your head until you see it.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, so then everybody joe leaves a table, my dad leaves a table, frankly, and it's just lies
[SPEAKER_01]: know something so we hook up a really great friendship and that's why I'm reading Johnny's book you know because he's got the chapter about his relationship with Liza which was really great.
[SPEAKER_01]: So Johnny we share something very special together.
[SPEAKER_01]: A really super, super great person you know the things that I learned from her we went out and actually I came she invited me to Las Vegas we stayed at Steven Edigore May's house with her to keep that
[SPEAKER_02]: They threat to East even needy a lot of the stars board homes there
[SPEAKER_01]: right right tells let them right for the stars right exactly exactly so we stated with papy her conductor and and and and and and and then i want to see a show we were backstage and then i got to see a show with desert as junior and so it was really and lies that she said they uh... a little note she was said i'm so glad that you're here and then she sons the royal arborson song crying over you i couldn't feel my legs johnny my whole body went numb
[SPEAKER_02]: That's a well, no, no, he was, and she still is a special person.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, she's a star.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, most people don't realize she's not well.
[SPEAKER_02]: Really not.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, I don't know, but no lies on I had a special relationship.
[SPEAKER_02]: I met Liza in her mother's kitchen.
[SPEAKER_02]: It should be 13 on 72nd Street.
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, yeah, because she was going out where a good friend of mine, I mean, not lies with the mother.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, she used a lot of these young male models and she was got a Jimmy Mac.
[SPEAKER_02]: This guy was like an Adanas.
[SPEAKER_02]: Yes, yeah, he comes Liza And it was so funny.
[SPEAKER_02]: She sent me she's a giant a good go go to the bodega up the corner and get me for what doesn't eggs I went up and got eggs
[SPEAKER_02]: Judy is in the kitchen, but the clothes buds, all the petals into the egg omelette.
[SPEAKER_02]: But it hasn't been doing.
[SPEAKER_02]: She said anything looks as good.
[SPEAKER_02]: Hasn't taste good.
[SPEAKER_02]: We all ate this egg with a needle like this.
[SPEAKER_01]: All roads that taste.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's great.
[SPEAKER_01]: But you know, but to share these things, and that's why I think I have such a connection to you and a real feel for the things that you've done.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, there's some parallels.
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's why he even would lies in and hurt and hurt dad.
[SPEAKER_01]: and her mom and the parallels with my mom and my dad.
[SPEAKER_01]: And you know, she was a real professional, she was a real star, and it was really a great, I mean, we were to, we probably spent time together over a two-year period to tell him back to Texas, and then I met my wife Leslie, and so the last time I think I saw Liza, she came, she brought, it was Kate Thompson, her aunt, for it was New Year's Day, New Year's Day.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, they came in.
[SPEAKER_02]: She's a special person.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yep.
[SPEAKER_02]: But, you know, again, I want, I can't emphasize enough, but I'm going to be there, March 26th.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_02]: Thursday night.
[SPEAKER_02]: Please call.
[SPEAKER_02]: Get your reservations.
[SPEAKER_02]: Good.
[SPEAKER_02]: Why don't go off feel new jersey?
[SPEAKER_02]: Anybody in the tri-state area?
[SPEAKER_02]: It's worth the trip.
[SPEAKER_02]: Believe me.
[SPEAKER_02]: Because it's, uh, it's going to be a great night.
[SPEAKER_02]: take over that room upstairs, and I can't believe one of you, I don't know, I don't know it was a Monday, but it's a Tuesday.
[SPEAKER_02]: I want to come and do a spiritual thing.
[SPEAKER_01]: John, you know, it'll be our play, you know what that?
[SPEAKER_01]: Especially, you know, we're all going through things in life, and some people don't want to go to church, you know, so it really is a different environment, you know what?
[SPEAKER_01]: And it's a group of men that just share their
[SPEAKER_01]: And it really brings it together, and I tell you a couple weeks after which you just feel uplifted.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's really an uplifting experience, and especially to be here, and I look over and I see my dad's picture, and you just know that we're really moving in the right direction, going from the good fellas to the God fellas.
[SPEAKER_01]: And we actually, I have a, we have a theme scripture verse from Corinthians, and it says,
[SPEAKER_01]: We urge you not to take God's grace and vane.
[SPEAKER_01]: So God's fellow workers, where God's fellow is Johnny?
[SPEAKER_01]: I know, that's your go.
[SPEAKER_01]: God, that's a great idea of God fell in love with him.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now that's, how often do you do that one?
[SPEAKER_01]: We do that once a month, once a month.
[SPEAKER_01]: The second, it's the second twos they have every month.
[SPEAKER_01]: And actually we have a lot of women that want to be part of that also.
[SPEAKER_01]: So once we really established the logistics of how we're doing it, we would love to bring on one for women, a support group for women, and they could come in and maybe we even couldn't even join together with things like that.
[SPEAKER_01]: But as of right now, it's just for the Godfellers.
[SPEAKER_01]: And second Tuesday, second Tuesday every month.
[SPEAKER_00]: Do you have any other things like that that you offer monthly or you just get this stuff out?
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, nothing else that I think that we offer monthly.
[SPEAKER_01]: We're doing some other, you know, we have parties here.
[SPEAKER_01]: We're actually good.
[SPEAKER_01]: And something that I may want to offer monthly is that we just had a couple who are good in me celebrating 40th birthday party for I think their cousins.
[SPEAKER_01]: And they came here because they wanted to do a mob murder mystery.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh wow.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, right, and it was really great because, you know, I brought them upstairs.
[SPEAKER_01]: I had all the lights on, we had the pictures, you know, and they came in and she walked up and you said, oh my God, this is perfect.
[SPEAKER_01]: you know so this this would be the first time for that and we have you know we have entertainment so depending upon how things go for that you know the thing that we could offer and then you have a great lounge act on says that guy's very yes yeah yeah well and right and and down so so upstairs is the doc social club we have and what i i've got identity you know we we've we've named the different that the dining room is we have
[SPEAKER_01]: Cicero's court over by the windows.
[SPEAKER_01]: We've got the Billy Batch bank hedge from the from the movie and we have our shine box bar You know this scene of course where we're Billy Batch and and Tommy DeVito get into it and Billy Batch gets the body of being And then they put them on the trunk of the car So But what's great though, genius, you know when you first walk in you catch the godfather
[SPEAKER_01]: right and now so and what the other things that and actually the other things that I wanted to do really is maybe even to start to have movie night.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know what we could have an intimate gathering of individuals and show the movies on the big screen, you know, and then have a Q&A afterwards.
[SPEAKER_01]: So even with Johnny wanted to come to something like that, show the movie, hang out, you know what, and then we could do a Q&A for things like that too, but I wanted to show all my dad's movies with the death collector, bridging bull, good fellas, casino, he was in the movie because, you know, this thing of ours, and then of course he did, he would have
[SPEAKER_01]: of Faustino Docs and Toro in the sopranos.
[SPEAKER_02]: That's fabulous.
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, I want to thank you.
[SPEAKER_02]: I've got you any here.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, I'm so sorry.
[SPEAKER_00]: Do he gave up his doctor career to be an actor?
[SPEAKER_01]: No, he did both.
[SPEAKER_01]: Oh, no, he did both.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, right.
[SPEAKER_01]: He was a doctor and actor.
[SPEAKER_01]: He was involved in real estate.
[SPEAKER_01]: And now a restaurant tour.
[SPEAKER_01]: It sounds like Kiani's got his head and everything so we're used to practicing doctor or you Yes, yes, yes, I see patients four days a week from Monday through Thursday and like come here in the evening But I'm here all day Friday and Saturday That's amazing.
[SPEAKER_00]: I love that you get a little bit of both
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, you know something like I said before, it's really a privilege for me.
[SPEAKER_01]: I've been really brought up with having two fathers, my dad and my uncle, his brother, both physicians, and then with the education, and then with the friends that they had and to be part of this, it's almost like Johnny is my uncle too, you know.
[SPEAKER_02]: In fact, I want to be your honorary uncle.
[SPEAKER_02]: OK, thank you, Johnny.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's amazing.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, Gianni does all these shows.
[SPEAKER_00]: And I just, I'm a new top.
[SPEAKER_00]: Right?
[SPEAKER_00]: So far from the action, you know, I keep saying, one of these, I haven't seen this show.
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'm like, one of these days, I'm going to have to sneak out to somewhere and see them.
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I see bits and pieces, and they look amazing.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, well, we'd love to have you come here and I and I like your I like to print behind you with the what's it.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
[SPEAKER_00]: Everyone's no all I get centered like this and I said.
[SPEAKER_01]: Right.
[SPEAKER_00]: I said I'm going to get my little halo over here and some major level.
[SPEAKER_00]: Then when I'm still in Stasi, I go here.
[SPEAKER_00]: I try to be out of the way, but inevitably it might the real me shows up.
[SPEAKER_01]: That's true.
[SPEAKER_01]: Why should little halo over there?
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm so excited for you.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm very jealous.
[SPEAKER_00]: I won't be joining you, but I love to hear the stories and it sounds like you're
[SPEAKER_00]: bringing some great new stuff to your restaurants.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you very proud of what you're doing.
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_01]: Well, you know, it's legacy isn't something that's simply inherited.
[SPEAKER_01]: It's something that we share here with good fellows with one embrace, one dinner, and one story at a time.
[SPEAKER_01]: And, you know, for Jonathan to be able to continue that with us, it truly is an honor.
[SPEAKER_02]: I was in my pleasure and in closing I want to say don't forget March 26 is a few weeks away You want to be a part of this you want to experience it not because it's me, but it's so different and the food is so great And you're not going to have anything like this.
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't I mean it sounds like a $150 that's all inclusive That service tip tack everything and just come up and enjoy and have fun
[SPEAKER_02]: Don't worry, I'd be want to be on the show, just call us up now and you're on.
[SPEAKER_02]: That's fine.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, and tell them your handle on Instagram, because I'll tell you what the food looks incredible.
[SPEAKER_01]: Great.
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you.
[SPEAKER_01]: Yep.
[SPEAKER_00]: What's your Instagram handle?
[SPEAKER_00]: You know?
[SPEAKER_01]: It's good fellas.
[SPEAKER_01]: Good fellas, Jersey.
[SPEAKER_01]: You know, it's a good fellas.
[SPEAKER_01]: Jersey, good fellas.
[SPEAKER_01]: Let me just.
[SPEAKER_00]: Let me see, because I was just lifting.
[SPEAKER_01]: I think it's good fellas, Jersey.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, people go check that out, check out the food and their pictures of your beautiful place.
[SPEAKER_00]: And when you start talking about the food, I was just thinking, I need dinner right now.
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm so jealous.
[SPEAKER_00]: It looks like I hope you have a great night.
[SPEAKER_01]: And Jean, the other thing too, we're working on our brand new website.
[SPEAKER_01]: So, and that's, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven't, we haven
[SPEAKER_02]: to all our listeners.
[SPEAKER_02]: Thank you so much.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's a conclusion of another great podcast.
[SPEAKER_02]: Again, I can't say enough.
[SPEAKER_02]: March 26.
[SPEAKER_02]: Good fellows, restaurant, golf wheel, new jersey.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's at 9 7 3 4 7 8 4,000.
[SPEAKER_02]: Call now.
[SPEAKER_02]: There's not a lot of seats.
[SPEAKER_02]: It's an intimate room.
[SPEAKER_02]: You can love it.
[SPEAKER_02]: Good night.
[SPEAKER_02]: God bless you.
[SPEAKER_02]: Good evening.
[SPEAKER_02]: Love you.
[SPEAKER_02]: Till next week.
[SPEAKER_00]: All right.
[SPEAKER_00]: Good night.