Spots Unknown has a short film about John Mola and his relationship with North Beach, an Italian neighborhood in San Francisco. He talks a little about the way Chinatown businesses have moved into some of the old Italian owned businesses. (I thought it was ironic that the T-shirt Mola wears while talking about this trend appears to have Chinese on it!)
For me, the best reason for watching this video starts at 5:15, when Mola makes gnocchi and sauce. I just ate lunch and I'm hungry again.
Presented through the eyes and hands of local North Beach resident, John Mola, a former poverty lawyer and Old World Italy aficionado, this video first touches on Chinatown's growth into previous North Beach territory, then presents some restaurants that are part of what Mola sees as a trend of Italian immigrants coming back into North Beach. It finishes with him sourcing and making a gnocchi dish from scratch. Do not watch this video hungry!
Music tracks: "Scalinatella" and "Campagna d'ro" by Roberto Murolo
