Poems – MARONI CUISINE

An Angel Earned His Wings Today 2019 (03/08/2019)

An angel earned his wings today

Then got right down to work

By focusing on others

In lieu of godly perks

He slipped on his holy apron

Said Come Together, have a seat

It’s a Hard Day’s Night in heaven

And now it’s time to eat

He filled up plates and glasses

In heaven, what’s enough?

When Saint Peter said to take a break

He replied right off the cuff…

He said Pete I’m not a taker

Beggars Banquet? They’re my guests!

I’ll live each day in heaven

Just like I’ve lived the rest

If I see an angel who needs meatballs

I’ll stop and load her up

Then I’ll wheel out seafood tower

Serve bisque in tiny cup

I’ll bring comfort to lost spirits

Fine meal is all they need

I was brought here for a reason

My purpose is to feed

Whether Saucerful of Secrets

Or million dollar chip

My aim to make it easy

No need to add a tip

And I’ll finally break our record

With forty course per night

A fitting welcome to God’s Kingdom

Just like God’s loving light

So all my dearest loved ones

Please don’t mourn for me

I’m doing what I’m meant to

What God has planned for me

As proof look towards the heavens

And you just may see my light

Because that’s me up in the kitchen

I’m the third star from the right

Author’s Note: The Maroni family has brought so much joy to our family and to our community. From Mike’s extraordinary dishes and Maria’s warmth and hospitality to dad proudly holding court as the patriarch. In this time of sadness we find ourselves reflecting on the myriad of special occasions and exceptional culinary experiences that your family has been a part of in our own lives. You have brought Michelin Star fine dining (and our favorite restaurant in the whole world) to Northport – just steps from our home. Your creative approach to infusing the music and memorabilia of the Beatles, Stones and of course Pink Floyd into the dining experience enhance the ambiance (hence the band references in the poem) – Roger Waters would be proud. On behalf of our shared community we also appreciate all of those times that you’ve stepped up for our causes. Mike will always live on in our hearts and through our stories… tales of million dollar potato chips, endless courses, mini-Dove bars and bottomless glasses of wine will survive us all! Tom & Elisa Berger (03/08/2019)

Michael’s Poem (3/8/2020)

A year has passed

I’m hard at work

As Lord’s head chef

With sous-chef clerk

For Adam served

Our braised short rib

Sly wink to Eve

While donning bib

Floyd’s Syd is here

He’s quite the loon

Loves truffled mac

Served on a spoon

I formed new band

With George and John

Our meatball pots

I play drums on

God’s Heaven is

Just as we dreamed

All worldly doubts

Resolved, redeemed

As one, we are

Now intertwined

Through your eyes

My sight refined

You honor me

As I gaze down

I’m proud of you

Toast of the town

Oh! Darling, dear

So much to see

But Time transcends

Don’t rush to me

Above all else

One fact burns true

Our love endures

I’ll wait for you

Our love endures

I swear it’s true

Keep living life

I’m here with you

Author’s Note: A follow-up poem for Maria on the one year anniversary of Mike Maroni’s passing. Mike and his family have had such an enduring impact on our community. I do picture him up there having fun, cooking and hanging with the artists that he so admired. I worked in references to some classic Maroni’s dishes as well as bands and songs. The braised short ribs for Adam was a slam dunk. Adam, rib, Eve; get it? Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd was always ‘tripping out’ and mushrooms are a psychedelic, hence the reference to Maroni’s truffled mac and cheese. Mike would give Ringo a run for his money playing drums on an iconic Maroni’s take-out pot as the new drummer for Heaven’s Beatles. Oh! Darling is a Beatles song and Time is a Floyd song. I made this one more personal to Maria. When we visit the restaurant we always see her emotion just under the surface, ready to break through. I know Maria has strong faith so I’m just trying to bring focus to the belief that heaven is a better place but there is no rush to get there. Time works differently in our next world. He’ll be waiting, but our loved ones always want us to live out our time in this world in happiness. At least that’s my strong belief. And Maria, you’re doing a great job honoring him with all of your hard work. You know Mike is proud of you.

Celebrity Chef (3/8/2021)

I’ve been busy up here

Sometimes need a ref

It’s the premium paid

God’s celebrity chef

My purpose is clear

Bring joy, role reverse

Those artists we loved

Favor food over verse

My regulars flock

Three deep at the bar

The crowd you’d expect

A who’s who of rock stars

There’s John and there’s George

And Jim Morrison too

Last week sushi flight

For Keith Moon from The Who

David Bowie’s great Fame

Means menu rearranges

Wild boar he likes first

Tasting constantly Changes

When Garcia stops by

Touch of Grey in his hair

I serve-up our ribs

Topped with sweet gummy bears

Truffled grilled cheese a big hit

Syd brings Richard Wright

They’re Learning to Fly

Always high as a kite

As Jimi Hendrix lights up

Fire marshal, forsaken

On his flaming guitar

Crisps Peter Luger-sauced bacon

Billy Preston taught me

How to make Goat’s Head Soup

And for green eggs and ham

Built new chicken coop

We have Doug from The Knack

Always sings My Sharona

He loves bottomless beer

But new rule, no Corona

I’ve got a booth here like you

In the corner, so plush

Petty’s sharing a Chipwich

With Neil Peart from Rush

Sometimes Moses strolls in

As a joke parts the line

And Jesus, good Lord

He turns water to wine

It’s a great group up here

They’re all in cahoots

I cater to all

Meatballs and gagoots

Woodbine evenings I miss

Of course family, dear wife

But until we next meet

Please all live your best life!

Author’s Note: This is the third installment in the Michael Maroni tribute series! This one memorializes the 2^nd anniversary of Mike’s passing. I’ve heard talk of perhaps having a painting commissioned based on my prior poems showing rock stars dining at Maroni’s with Mike. That inspired me to weave a greatest hits of rock icons into a single poem. Based on Mike’s love of music I imagine this is exactly how he would spend much of his time in Heaven. As with past poems you will see that I included reference to classic Maroni dishes as well as artist-specific song references such as Touch of Grey, Learning to Fly, Fame and Changes. The Rolling Stones are all still around but Billy Preston was a big contributor on the Goat’s Head Soup album so I made that connection. As a sign of the times I also added a subtle reference to Corona. I like the play on Moses parting the line (Red Sea). Jesus turning water to wine felt spot-on given Mike & Maria’s ability to ensure all guests have bottomless wineglasses. Mike will always be missed but his legacy lives on in Northport, and beyond!

Celebrity Chef (3/8/2022)

There’s a guy up here like Bobby Flay

Who fancies self a chef

He suggested friendly challenge

Apostle Thomas as our ref

I said, friend, you’re on, let’s do this

A throwdown sure sounds swell

What pray-tell’s your favorite dish

On reply my jaw just fell

You challenge me to meatballs!

Dear sir that’s hardly fair

I learned from my sweet grandma

That’s her right over there

She’s straight from Benevento

That’s Naples, Italy

Via Oyster Bay to Heaven

From sea to shining sea

In a blaze I started cooking

Up to elbows, fresh chop meat

Then garnish with ricotta

Served to Thomas fit to eat

I doubt this will impress me

I doubt that you will rise

To the challenge you are faced with

I doubt this path is wise

Thomas Thomas Thomas

Here you go again

Don’t doubt what’s bound to happen

Maroni meatballs are a 10!

With that he took a nibble

And then a massive bite

As if Jesus rose before him

Doubting Thomas saw the light

Mike, you’ve won this throwdown

Your meatballs are insane

Now if I sample pasta tasting

My faith shall never wane!

Author’s Note: In 2007 Mike and Maria Maroni hosted “Throwdown With Bobby Flay, The Meatball Challenge,” a competition between Mr. Flay and Mr. Maroni that aired on the Food Network on October 23rd-24th, 2007. This poem was written to honor the 3rd anniversary of Mike’s passing. I respectfully use the Apostle (Doubting) Thomas as a judge to add color to the story. Our community is grateful that Maria continues to honor Mike’s legacy as owner/operator of one of the finest dining experiences, anywhere. Tom & Elisa Berger