TheBronxRocks.com

Valentine-Varian House 

This little neighborhood has become almost a weekly soujorn for me.  With its great array of bakeries, cafes, restaurants, speciality shops and and indoor farmers market, it holds great appeal for many of us in the Bronx who don’t have the best amenities in our respective neighborhoods. Two new places that I checked out for lunch and after-lunch cappuccino were Emilia’s (where else can you find Braised Rabbit, Deep Fried Zuchinni Flowers or Breaded Artichokes) and Parisienne Cafe (a little taste of France in a sea of Italian establishments). Click on the Little Italy tab on the front page for more outstanding restaurants in the area.

Danny - owner of Parisienne Cafe. Merci, Danny!

 Indoor market, Arthur Avenue

COUNTRY CLUB, The Bronx

…here’s more proof that housing in the Bronx isn’t about burnt out buildings, run down tenements and crack houses….(I know that’s what your thinking, but I’m just sayin’…)

Teasing aside, Country Club is actually a little enclave in the East Bronx, a place that has a serene, small-town feel unlike most places in the Bronx, or in NYC for that matter (Well, ACTUALLY, the Bronx does have  City Island, Riverdale, Throgg’s Neck, Pelham Bay…)  Some of the homes in CC are right on the water.  To have those views coupled with Bronx real estate pricing, is (in my opinion anyway) to die for!

Borgatti’s

The Bronx’s Little Italy is such a short bus ride from my home in Parkchester that I can’t believe I didn’t take advantage of it the first year and a half I was here.  It was only doing research for TheBronxRocks, that I finally figured out where it is (in between Parkchester and The Bronx Botanical Gardens, which I have been visiting regularly since I moved to this borough).  I posted about two fabulous restaurants early on here. But now I have to rave about the other shops one can enjoy during a stroll down Arthur Avenue.  I coaxed my friend Isabelle to join me last weekend and being Swiss-Moroccan and having spent her early years in both Paris and Switzerland, I knew she would appreciate this little enclave.  Reminiscent of the fromageries, boulangeries, chacuteries of the streets of Paris and other European villages, many of the shops of Little Italy specialize in their own…well, specialities – meat, cheese, bread, pasta, seafood and so forth.  Our favorite (and something neither of us had seen before) was Calabria Pork Store where the ceiling is literally filled to the brim with hanging salamis and sausages! After lunch at Tino’s Delicattessen and capucinnos at a bakery close, by we shop-hopped all the way down Arthur Ave for supplies to have an evening picnic-style dinner. French baquette, camembert, grapes, figs, olives, sundried tomatoes and a bottle of wine? Heaven!

Calabria Pork Store

A Little Taste Of Cuba

THE BRONX CULTURE TROLLEY - SOUTH BRONX

My friend Karen and I hopped aboard the Bronx Trolley this past Wednesday for a great little urban adventure – a foray into the cultural hot spots of the South Bronx. The Bronx Council of the Arts‘ hospitality was in full force at their reception held at Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos College.  Cheese platters, crudités and wine were served in abundance and the works of art by Samuel Lind and Raul Ayala on display were a pleasant surprise.  Once aboard the trolley, we rode down the Grand Concourse for a spin, dropped fellow passengers off at the Bronx Museum and then continued to travel East into Mott Haven where we eventually hopped off for visits to The Bronx Blue Bedroom Project, the Bronx Museum Project Space, Haven Arts Gallery and The Bruckner Gallery at the Bruckner Bar and Grill (with martinis and sushi at the Gallery Lounge along the way!).  Fellow passengers were from many parts of the City and were all in great spirits (the free flowing wine at each event didn’t hurt of course!)

See posts below for photos of all of these wonderful South Bronx must-sees. The Trolley rolls through various Bronx neighborhoods every First Wednesday – I highly suggest you give the next one a try!  

(My friend Karen up from Manhattan to visit the South Bronx)

THROGGS NECK

So…just a few weekends ago, I posted about the Bronx Museum’s street fair in which they celebrated Street Art, Street Life.  The exhibit inside the museum had some pretty awesome stuff by the likes of Yoko Ono, Amy Arbus and Jamel Shabazz.  But let me tell you -  I was in Throgs Neck all day today (more posts to follow cause I seriously love what this little neighborhood has to offer being just a short cab or bus ride from my home in Parkchester.)  Take a look at these photos to see some true street art in all its glory and simplistic purity.  Someone painted an entire block of construction pine barriors in these very basic yet compelling stories of Throgs Neck life. Intrigued, I asked a passing resident who informed me the artist was his neighbor who lives across the street from the construction site.  Her mission? She simply wanted to beautify what normally would be an ugly eyesore, knowing full well that her art would necessarily have to be removed and destroyed at some point in the near future.  (He promised to try to have her get in touch with TheBronxRocks, because I would love to meet the person responsible!)

Willie’s Steak House - Parkchester  (Live Music Wednesdays and Fridays!)

Just a few minutes walk from my apartment in Parkchester is Willie’s Steak House, a Zagat-rated restaurant that not only serves up fabulous criollo cuisine, juicy steaks and a variety of seafood dishes that have patrons coming from as far away as Manhattan, New Jersey and Connecticut but it’s also an establishment famous for showcasing top talent in the Latin Jazz arena.  Tito Puente I’m told was a regular here and called Willie’s his “home away from home”.  I spoke to the very hospitable owner, Dan Ortiz (pictured below), and learned that Wednesday and Friday nights are a jazz lovers dream.  Also very informative was the incomparible Miquel Martillo (pictured below with Ava out back in the garden patio) - a true afficianado of every type of Latino music! Check out his very impressive website!  (This guy knows his stuff!) Percussionist and composer Annette Anguilar and her Stringbeans were playing tonight and what a great treat they were! This woman ROCKED those drums, ya’ll! (Check out her appearance in this Infiniti commercial!) The steaks were delicious, the music superb and the fun and energetic vibe made for a combination that will have me coming back as a regular! Next Wednesday night - You’ll know where to find me! 
(Also, check out my write up of Willie’s over at The BoogieDowner)

PARKCHESTER

Not many places in the Bronx where you can get all three at one shot, folks - not all within walking distance!

But you CAN find it all here (and more) in Parkchester!.  This city-within-a-city is becoming quite the hub and destination spot for the East Bronx - with people coming in from other communities to take advantage of the wonderful amenities we have to offer.  Need to do some shopping? Macy’s is right here. (For a comprehensive list of shops, see my Home Sweet Home! post below). Then you can walk over to see a movie at the American.  OK, so it’s not Art House cinema, but for the Bronx - it’s a dream.  Next, stop on in at The Step-In Restaurant (where I had the most delicious Stuffed Shrimp With Crabmeat the other evening).  Be sure to say Hi to George the bartender (pictured) who’s been with the establishment since it opened in the seventies. And if you Karaoke - swing by on a Tuesday evening! After dinner, you can walk a few stores down to Starbucks for your beverage of choice and then head on over to enjoy the beautiful fountain in the Oval, Parkchester’s gathering spot for locals. You will be sure to find room on one of the many benches as well as smiles on the faces of those around you.  When you are all done, you can say that you truly enjoyed a night out on the town - and all without leaving The Bronx! (For more on Parkchester photos, see posts below.)

Mott Haven, South Bronx   Bruckner Bar & Grill and Sweetwater’s Bar & Grill

After the wonderful brunch I had at Alexander’s Cafe (see post below), I mosied on over to two other great Mott Haven establishments for coffee and drinks - the famous, Zagat-rated Bruckner Bar and Grill and Sweetwater’s. First, Bruckner Bar and Grill: great atmosphere, reasonable prices and a fun and always-friendly bartender  (link NSFW due to volume) who’s also a a pretty cool rock-n-roller!! (Who knew?!?) Because I had already eaten, I didn’t sample the food, but what I saw (and smelled!) coming out of the kitchen makes me vow to return quite soon. Oh, and P.S. - the best sighting in SoBro (bar none) was provided at The Bruckner - two nuns, eating burgers…drinking beers…out of the bottle!!! Priceless!

Sweetwater’s was next on my tour of Mott Haven - and what a great little surprise.  The charming bartender Starr, though not the owner or manager, seemed to be the enterprising driving force of the restaurant/bar.  When you stop in, try ordering her very own concoction - The Starr Bright! But be forewarned.  She made one for the photo (see below) and it looked like it would knock you off your you-know-what!!!

Alexander’s Cafe - Mott Haven, South Bronx

A friend of mine living in Mott Haven turned me on to this little gem on Alexander Avenue (at Bruckner Boulevard).  I ventured in for brunch and struck up conversation with fellow diners as well as with Mateo David and Chris Dimitriyadi - the two very friendly owners.  This creative and dynamic duo has created a charming cafe with a wonderful, soothing ambiance and remarkably refreshing customer service. Oh, and the food?  I ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict and the very first thing I noticed after digging in (besides the overall deliciousness) was the amazing freshness and quality of the ingredients - right down to their freshly baked croissants - served in lieu of English muffins.  Best croissants this side of Paris, I promise you! It is immediately apparent in this age of homogenized and processed food just how much these guys take pride in what they serve to each and every customer.  And for all you beer lovers - stop in and sample a few of their 107 different types of beers!!!

And check out some serious international press for Alexander’s in this London Financial Times article: “Bonfire of an Urban Myth“.  Not too shabby, guys! Keep up the good work.  I will definitetly be back - see you soon! (For more, visit here and read my write-up - ”Culinary Delight in SoBro!”)

Pictured from top: Mateo David and Chris Dimitriyadi - owners; outside shot of Alexanders; patrons Tomas, Alex Abeles and Vered (Alex is the owner of The Bruckner Bar and Grill); and new Bronx visitors Dru and Josue, up from Staten Island to visit friends in the fabulous lofts in The Clocktower.  They secretly confided that they (like many) had some trepidations about venturing into the Bronx.  But after a few minutes here (and a few Mimosas!) they were all smiles.  Yes, guys - you found out in a NY minute that those Bronx myths are so YESTERDAY! It was a pleasure meeting you all! Keep in touch!

Check back tomorrow for posts on The Bruckner Bar and Grill, Sweetwaters and other fun SoBro stuff!!

My favorites are the ones way up high that seem to be floating and watching over the community, welcoming and comforting us Parkchester residents as we pass underneath.  (My favorite is the first photo below - being at the top of a 10th floor building, you can only really see the sillouette of this statue.  To me, when I’m looking up from ground level, she looks like Wonder Woman hovering from a lofty perch.)  

City Island, The Bronx

  A trip to City Island (yes, IN THE BRONX!!) is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.  My friend Ava (who just moved to our borough from Colorado) took time off working on her doctorate (go girl!) to come check out another City Island restaurant with me.  The Sea Shore Restaurant and Marina (around since the twenties!) was a perfect choice - right on the water, outdoor seating offering a cool breeze, wonderful seafood and great prices. Afterwards, we walked around soaking in the quaint, small town atmosphere. Check back here at TheBronxRocks for future posts on the unbelievable diverse architecture of the homes on City Island.

Parkchester

I have lived in Parkchester for almost two years now and I must say - it gets better and better all the time. With a new diverse crowd of people moving in every month (see photos of some of my neighbors below) and with new commercial establishments setting up shop, the future of my little “village” is very bright. 

Adding to the wonderful quality of life in Parchester is the huge selection of shops and services located in walking distance from each apartment, making it a true “city-within-a-city.  From Starbucks to Macy’s to its own cinema and post office (all within walking distance!), Parkchester has everything a resident needs for daily living. (For photos and a list of stores, see below)

 

 

 

For even more of what Parkchester has to offer… 

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