From gangsters to gravy

Good afternoon dear readers. I'm Gail Ciampa, Journal food and dining editor.

It was a mostly beautiful Memorial Day, weekend which I hope means a lovely and peaceful summer for all of us.

My colleague Whitman Littlefield has compiled many of my past stories and video recipes in one place, here on the Providencejournal.com website. This summer food landing page includes guides to clam shacks, romantic dining and other wonderful destinations. Please check it out if you are wondering where to head all summer long.

It seems like every week the world loses another famous musician, actor or athlete.

Last week's losses included Ray Liotta, who will always be Henry Hill in "Goodfellas" to me and many others.

I have to admit, even now, when I notice that movie is on, I can't resist watching it. It's not just his compelling performance, it's just such a familiar era to baby boomers like me. It's the clothes, and cars and the food. Oh the food.

Is there a crazier scene than Paulie, played by Paul Sorvino, cooking a full Sunday dinner in prison? He starts by cutting the garlic paper thin with a razor blade. He makes a beautiful Sunday sauce, has fresh bread and prosciutto, wine, and even scotch. And remember, he's in prison.

Maybe there is a crazier scene. Could it be when Joe Pesci's mother cooks a full Italian meal in the middle of the night for her son and his crew who are on their way to bury a body?

Then, there's the insane ending which begins with Liotta rushing in the kitchen to cook for his brother. He has to braise the beef and the pork and make the meat gravy. You can feel the desperation and foreshadowing as he cooks.

RIP Ray. Hope someone makes the Sunday sauce for you on the other side.

I don't know how many streaming services you subscribe to, but we have a few in our house, between those of our adult kids, and my husband and I.

Right now we are watching a Paramount original called "The Offer." It recounts how "The Godfather" came to the big screen from the Mario Puzo novel in the 1970s. It's from the point of view of producer Al Ruddy. His is not a name I heard before, but he also created "Hogan's Heroes." That's something he is often chided for in "The Offer."

It's interesting behind the scenes viewing.

There's a fascinating scene at the Coppola family dinner table where director Francis Ford has invited all the stars to share a meal. They include Marlon Brando, James Caan and Al Pacino. It is at this table that Brando turns himself into Don Vito Corleone. The other actors follow suit.

We have also been enjoying "Julia" on HBO Max and the accompanying podcast "Dishing on Julia." It's eight parts and a Brit, Sarah Lancashire, is great as Julia in the early 1960s. Her husband Paul is played expertly by David Hyde Pierce.

It's a work of fiction and has only a few parts that are based in reality. Those include the relationship between the couple, that Julia had great friendships and that her TV career began on a book show on PBS in Boston.

But it is entertaining as can be.

On Monday,  "Julia," the two-hour Sony documentary, appeared on CNN. This is the real story, the one that puts into perspective the world into which she brought her show. Processed foods were all the rage, including the TV dinner.

My mother cooked every night. Swanson's Turkey Dinners were a real treat when she let us have them. But I can see how a regular dose of them would not be good.

It's well worth watching. Here's the trailer.

The Rooftop Dining story is in print today, if you want to be transported.

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More: Downtown Providence is bringing back Open Air Saturdays. Here's why you should go

I'll see you here next week dear readers.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RIP Ray Liotta from Goodfellas and hit the roof