Restaurant nostalgia and the joy of ‘Skunk’s Misery’ | Pamela’s Food Service Diary Updated Jan 20, 2021; Facebook Share STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — With mention of catering halls of yesteryear and indigenous, mysteries skunk cabbages, the food memory floodgates have opened. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and details of Staten Island restaurant history. Very much appreciated by fellow natives of our great borough as per the lovely feedback. With talk of the Bill Francis Band, the comments certainly flowed. Said one reader, “He played at my wedding 1984 at the Shalimar” and another at her 1979 prom, yet another at a wedding at The Beachcomber. A fan noted, “He played at my wedding in ’90 — fantastic show. Had a female vocalist that would bowl you over with her voice.” And yet another remarked, “I always remember my parents talking about the Billy Francis band. They loved him. If you are a native Islander from back in the day those were wonderful memories. Truly old Staten Island.”