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Discovering Lidia: The First Restaurant

Season 2023 Episode 1 | 3m 16s

As a young woman in New York, Lidia was curious about what Americans considered “Italian” food. One of her first dates with husband-to-be, Felice, was at the legendary Manhattan restaurant ‘Mamma Leone’s’. Watch as Lidia visits the NY Public Library to peruse the old menu. What were the plans for Buonavia, the first restaurant Lidia and Felice opened, and what did working there awaken in Lidia?

Extras
A highlight of Lidia’s career, if not her life, was cooking for not one, but two Popes.
Lidia launches Lidia Celebrates America, and navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.
To cap off her 25th anniversary on PBS, Lidia hosts a celebratory dinner for old friends.
Lidia reminisces about her teenage years living in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, NY.
See the teacher come out in Lidia, as she makes gnocchi with her grandchildren.
Lidia Bastianich celebrates 25 years on television with family and celebrity friends.
Lidia has Chutzpah! Go behind the scenes and find out what it's like to work with Lidia.
Lidia Bastianich celebrates 25 years on television with family and celebrity friends.
Julia Child helps catapult Lidia into the world of culinary television.
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Lidia Bastianich celebrates 25 years on television with family and celebrity friends.