Monte’s Trattoria is a Greenwich Village institution serving the same classic Italian food for over a century, but nine years ago the restaurant owned by the Mosconi family added something new to its menu: an annual Oscar party.
The idea came up in a bar late at night, when John Bennett and Drs. Mike was briefing general manager Peter Mosconi about the films.
“So Peter said, ‘If you like Oscar so much, we should have a party,” Dr. Mike, who declined to share his last name for privacy reasons, told The Post. “They said, ‘I put you in charge.”
Accepting the challenge, Drs. Mike and Bennett hosted Monte’s first Oscar ceremony in 2013. About 20 regulars donated tuxedos and evening gowns and gathered to watch the Oscar telecast on one of the restaurant’s walls. Party-goers snapped up film-inspired cocktails and enjoyed a spectacular feast prepared by Peter Peter’s father, Petro Mosconi, but the event really took off in Year 2, when guests dressed like gangsters and flappers Were “great Gatsby” Motif is inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio’s film.
“It just became a thing,” Dr. Mike said. “And the party got bigger and bigger.”
Every year the party has a different theme (whether Truman Kapot’s celebration of Black and White Ball is one year or “sex in the cinema” is another), but its traditions remain: Guests are a chubby dr on the “red carpet”. Have met Mike asking about cocktail hour and dinner with costumes or favorite movies. The Fun Movie Quiz takes place throughout the evening while guests indulge in free-flowing cocktails inspired by the year’s Best Picture nominee.
For dessert, everyone imprisons Pietro’s homemade cookies, Oscar-shaped statuettes in gold glitter. For the lucky person who wins the party’s movie pool, he takes home a “chocolate Oscar” from nearby Li-Lac Chocolate and gives a gift certificate for Monte’s return trip.
“I think that’s where our party is as the Oscar version of the Golden Globes.” People are drunk When he makes his speech, “Dr. Mike said with a laugh.
One of the cinematic soiree attendees is Tony-Award winning Broadway producer Irene Gandy, a Greenwich Village resident who has been around for 50 years and a regular at Monte’s.
“I had a great time,” said the glamorous Gandy at the party for the first time. “I could see the love we all have for each other in this neighborhood.”
John Bennett dines in Monte three to five times a week and will never miss the event.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the Oscars, celebrate the restaurant, and celebrate our community.”
The 2020 party went off without a hitch as it did last February, before COVID-19 hit the city. But months have been difficult since then. Many times Monte has been closed, limited to outdoor dining only or open for delivery only. Employees (many of whom have been for Monte decades) are struggling. Two employees came down with COVID and a third died.
“It’s been a difficult year,” Peter Mosconi said.
This is why everyone is waiting for Monte’s ninth annual Oscar gala this Sunday. It will be all about rebirth, with the theme of “Spring Awakening” and a color palette of pink, rose, lilac and gold. A special drink of the night – which you can make at home (see below) – includes The Desert Rendezvous: Best Picture front-runner “Nomadland” for a moment in a jolt when Frances MacDormand watches her fellow road traveler from Camaraderie Gestures offers a beer (the “cocktail” is actually a can of Peroni Nastro, served with or without a glass).
Epidemic-era concessions will, of course, persist with masked guests and social-far-reaching rules. Attendees also will not be able to congregate at the bar like normal, while Dr. Mike’s “red carpet” interviews will be tabloid.
But the optimism is still gone, John Bennett insisted.
“We all look forward to it. Everyone has joined and collaborated on it, and it’s time to get the tuxedos and evening gowns out of the mothballs again. “
Best picture cocktail
Every year, Monte’s Oscar gala makes cocktails inspired by some of the year’s best picture nominees.
If you haven’t been able to attend this year’s exclusive Oscar party at Monte’s – tickets are limited to restaurant regulars and returning attendees – go ahead and enjoy their festive drinks from home.
The best friends revenge
This version of the mind-eraser will knock you out, with an allusion to the freshness of Carrie Mulligan in “Promising Young Woman”.
- 1/2 ounce. Coffee liqueur
- 1/2 ounce. Vodka
- 1/2 ounce. Apparition
Serve in a shot glass with high expectations.
The solzrack
Recognizing the music at the heart of the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” as well as the Pixar film “Soul”, which could win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature – it would warm the stomach as well as the Sazerac soul.
- 1 1/2 ounces. Rye / Whiskey
- 1/4 ounce salicylic
- Pichowd’s butts
- sugar
Serve in a low glass and garnish with lemon peel.
The Shak, Not Steered
Celebrating Shaka King, the director of “Judas and the Black Messiah”, this martini will help overcome any personal betrayal you’ve suffered.
- 3 oz. Vodka
- 1/2 ounce. Dry – Vermouth
Serve in a martini glass and garnish with “queen” (green) olives.
The golden finch
In honor of David Fancher, the director of a “munk” who is an alcoholic, this Daikwiri excludes the two and remains creative.
- 1 1/2 ounces. White rum
- 1 oz. Lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce. simple syrup
Serve in a coupe glass and garnish with lime peel.
Conspiracy 8
Acknowledging the hard times at the heart of Aaron Sorkin’s “Trial of Chicago” 7, “This bourbon sour veins should settle.
- 2 oz. Bourbon whiskey
- 1 oz. Lemon juice
- sugar
Serve in a lower glass and garnish with orange slices and cherries.
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