Mulberry Street is two blocks of restaurants and Ferraras in a sea of Chinese characters on every storefront. In years past a candidate for mayor had to travel to Rome, Dublin, and Tel Aviv. Now even Tel Aviv is off the list. So electorally there will be little price for Red Whilhelm to pay. Though interestingly there is a Spanish Cristobal Colon celebration in old East Harlem, Spanish Harlem to the Drifters and Ben E King.
Little Italy has been swallowed almost whole by Chinatown. I truly doubt mobsters hang out there anymore although I could be wrong. Happily, some Jewish hallmarks like Russ & Daughters & Katz’s remain.
You’re new to NYC, aren’t you?
;>)
Else you’d have understood the reference to the mob, even though the neighborhood has changed.