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Frankie Avalon tours Italian Market for cookbook inspiration

Also: Waterworks restaurant owner meets the pope; Jimmy Rollins learns to spin.

Actor Frankie Avalon attends the world premiere of "Grudge Match", benefiting the Tribeca Film Institute, at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Actor Frankie Avalon attends the world premiere of "Grudge Match", benefiting the Tribeca Film Institute, at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Read more

CONSUMMATE teen idol Frankie Avalon yesterday stopped by his old stomping grounds - the Italian Market - to prep for his upcoming cookbook, Frankie Avalon's Family Cookbook, due out from St. Martin's Press around Christmas 2015.

Avalon and buddy Jerry Blavat checked out places like Cannuli's (937 S. 9th St.) and Claudio's (924 S. 9th St.), looking for inspiration.

Avalon, who grew up in South Philly before hitting it big musically and cinematically, told me that the book will feature recipes from his own collection and his mother's classics.

So, what does Avalon think of first when mom's cooking comes to mind?

"Crab sauce," Avalon said, immediately.

That's a good South Philly boy.

From Philly to Jerusalem

Water Works Restaurant and Lounge (640 Water Works Drive) owner Michael Karloutsos just returned from Jerusalem, where he served as trip director for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople during a historic meeting with Pope Francis in order to sign a Common Declaration, pledging to continue the unity between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Karloutsos coordinates all logistical support for His All Holiness' major international visits. Karloutsos was charged with coordinating between the government of Israel, the Vatican, the Palestinian Authority and the local government. "I felt like the U.N.," Karloutsos said.

He continued, "The Ecumenical Patriarch introduced me as his assistant from 'Philadelphia in the United States.' " Karloutsos told Francis that he looked forward to seeing him at the World Meeting of Families next year.

"By the time he departed, he knew me as 'Philadelphia,' " Karloutsos said.

The local businessman mentioned the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015 several times to Bartholomew but it is unclear whether His All Holiness plans to attend.

Yo, Sto

Attorney/restaurant owner Michael Stosic is pleased as punch with the way things are going at his Old City bar and bistro, Sto's (236 Market St.). To say thanks to his staff, I hear he's taking 12 of them to Cancun. All on him.

Note to Daily News editor Michael Days: Feel free to do this for certain hardworking gossip columnists . . .

Rollins spins

DJ Markus Schulz was recently at Citizens Bank Park teaching Jimmy Rollins how to rock the decks for a segment on MTV2's "Off the Bat from the MLB Fan Cave." The show airs at 11 p.m. tonight on MTV2.

In the segment, the trance DJ instructs Rollins, while Rollins warns Schulz that if his honorary first pitch doesn't reach home plate, Philadelphians will boo him.

Schulz promised it would reach home, making him my default pick over 50 Cent, who recently bombed during his honorary outting.

After the game Schulz performed for fans outside CBP.

* In other musically inclined television news, local contestants from "The Voice" - Season 5's Matthew Schuler and Season 6's Josh Howard - will be at the Hard Rock Cafe (1131 Market St.) for a show on Saturday. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Big Rube's chef turn

The People Paper's own Big Rube Harley will step up to the pizza ovens at Zavino's University City location (3200 Chestnut St.) from 5 to 10 p.m. on June 7.

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