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Pio Pio (Peruvian Restaurant) Mott Haven, South Bronx

A great find in a section of Mott Haven that doesn’t see much upscale action! Delicious food, huge glasses of Sangrias (no liquor license so sadly they cannot sell their famous Pisco Sours), friendly staff and lively, energizing music make for a fantastic atmosphere. Congratulations on making this year’s Zagat list for the Bronx, guys! Check this place out - but make sure to bring cash (unless you want to be running down the street in high heels to the nearest bodega in search of an ATM like I was last night - NOT fun!) Note to owners: Who only takes American Express these days?!!?

It’s that time again! Time for another Save the Date for this month’s Revolution! party in Mott Haven at the Bruckner Bar & Grill.  (See past party photos here)  

Check out these great photos from last month’s party where Kissy Kamikaze, William Control (NSFW) and others performed, courtesy of Richard Scott:

THE GALLERY LOUNGE - Mott Haven, South Bronx

(Great staff at The Gallery Lounge)

I wrote about a great time a friend and I had last week when we hopped aboard the Bronx Trolley. During our many stops (here, here and here) in the South Bronx, we popped into the The Gallery Lounge (see my post here on The Boogiedowner).  It was great to finally check this place out, meet the very friendly staff and eat some great sushi. Check out there website for a funky and fabulous slideshow.

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)

Blanka Amezkua immediately reminded me of an artist channeling the spirit of the great Frida Kahlo. I had the good fortune to make a pilgrimage to Kahlo’s home in Mexico City (Casa Azul) years ago, and Blanka’s Bronx Blue Bedroom Project had the same feeling of the artist’s living space becoming an intertwining extention of the art and artist herself. The idea behind the BBBP is to showcase a different artist every month – giving them the run of her Tiffany-box blue bedroom as a gallery. They in turn bring dinner, snacks and drinks for the guests who show up.  The artist this past Wednesday was the delightful Melissa Calderon.  (Send me those pics, Melissa!) But Blanka’s own work is definitely worth a visit in and of itself.  How often do you see in one collection a sculptural collage made entirely of multi-colored pipe cleaners, a figure made of several disparate and seemingly tortured doll parts and a framed thorned brassiere?!? 

I highly suggest you visit this unique artist’s home, studio and gallery – I promise it will bring out the inner-bohemian in all of you!

 (Following photos courtesy of Blanka’s Website)

BRONX MUSEUM PROJECT SPACE - Stop on the Bronx Cultural Trolley Tour
Mott Haven, South Bronx

After Blanka’s Bronx Blue Bedroom Project, we meandered down the streets of Mott Haven and ventured into The Bronx Musuem Project Space, filled with art that was definitely my cup of tea – I mean the first thing I saw upon entering was a painting definitely worth a thousand words - George Bush in Mickey Mouse ears.  Now THAT had me at Hello!

          HAVEN ARTS, Stop on the Bronx Trolley Tour
Mott Haven, South Bronx(Reposted from an earlier entry): Located right around the corner from Alexander’s Cafe and across the street from what used to be (sigh!) Antique Row, sits Haven Arts - a gallery I’ve been meaning to check out for quite some time. On exhibit now is Men on Maps - a unique idea whereby 40 male artists use NYC subway maps as their “blank canvas” and inspiration.  Pretty cool stuff! Check out their website for upcoming events and exhibits. Thanks J.C. for your hospitality! I hope you continue to flourish!

BRUCKNER GALLERY - Stop on the Bronx Trolley Tour
MOTT HAVEN, SOUTH BRONX

Actually, the last stop was at Sweetwater Bar & Grill, but by the time we reached the Bruckner Bar and Grill, the martinis, wine and high heel shoes had taken a toll and all we wanted to do was sit, pig out and people watch at this South Bronx institution.  Great music, yummy food and a fun crowd was the perfect way to end this great SoBro evening. (See Sobro! (Part 2) for another post on The Bruckner Bar & Grill)

(Photo courtesy of Elle Perez)

MOTT HAVEN - SoBro

For all you young and hip underground rock fans - here’s a SAVE THE DATE for you:

A REVOLUTION! Party - Friday, September 26th at  Bruckner’s Bar & Grill

Connected with the same group that brought you the Bronx Underground (NSFW), Revolution! has finally brought the dance party scene to the South Bronx! Here’s what one of the organizers, Anita Colby, has to say: “Produced by a collective of Bronx native musicians and artists with a vision to mix live bands, art, nightlife and Bronx authenticity; the Revolution! Party exploded onto the scene this July”.  And yes, Anita, we agree with you when you say that “The Bronx is burnin’ indeed!” She also says that this will be a monthly event at the Bruckner Bar & Grill! We think that’s great news for Mott Haven (and, of course, the Bronx in general)! You not only get great music, a fresh and hip party scene, but you get Bronx prices as well - A $7 cover and $3 shots! Show me any where else in NYC where you are going to find that combination! Yeah- I didn’t think so!

Take a listen to a few past and present acts from a Revolution Party: Fire and Reason, The Scene,
Kissy Kamikaze, and William Control. (NSFW)

Photos by Elle Perez from Revolution!’s last event:

Malikka Style

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!!

 Nothing to be melancholy about here. The former opulent Grand Concourse Plaza Hotel, built in the twenties, is now a very well run home for the elderly.  Rumor has it that with all the development going on around the area, the City and/or developers approached the current owners about buying the property with the intention of returning it to its former state - a luxury hotel.  “No deal”, was the answer they got.  Can we all not agree - those folks are living in some seriously glorious digs!

The formerly opulent and majestic Loew’s Paradise Theatre (recently restored), sitting seemingly forlorn on the Grand Concourse. Can’t you just imagine this place in its heyday!  And though from the outside, it looks like it has seen better days, I bet when the curtains goes up, it is just as mesmerizing as it was when it opened in 1929. For more information, please visit here to read my article on The Boogiedowner Blog - ”Treasures of the Grand Concourse”. 

I cannot wait to get inside.    (Picture courtesy of the NY Times…)

Horace Ginsbern's Art Deco Building

Tags: Deco Architecture, Horace Ginsbern, The Fish House
Posted in BRONX ARCHITECTURE, BRONX ART and CULTURE, SOBRO | 1 Comment »