02.5
09
by Simone ·
(Amazing photograph taken by Luis D. Rosado)
LDR STUDIO GALLERY - Mott Haven (On The Bronx Cultural Trolley Tour)
So, I rode the Bronx Trolley Tour again last night (lots more photos on that coming soon) and LDR Studio Gallery was on the route for the first time. The Bronx Rocks not too long ago featured another fab South Bronx artist whose apartment acts as a blank slate for her art – Blanka Amezkua - and I was thrilled to find another really cool Bronx artist pad to gawk at and get my inner bohemian on! (Check out the artistic flair sprinkled all over this railroad 4th floor walk-up!) Besides being amazingly talented, photographer and artist Luis D. Rosado is friendly, humble and loves to share his thoughts on the continually bourgeoning Bronx art scene. And like Blanka, he has generously opened his home up as a showcase space for other Bronx artists who don’t always have avenues available to showcase their work. Now THAT rocks! (Contact Luis at LRStudioGallery@gmail.com)
02.3
09
by Simone ·
As my outings all across the Bronx hopefully have shown, this borough has some fabulous bars and eateries, but so far An Beal Bocht tops my list of Favorite Places To Hang Out! Another neighborhood haunt where everyone seems to know everyone else and where regulars come in to hear the local gossip and news as much as they do to eat. I had a wonderful late breakfast after which I spent a few hours just reading, listening to the great music they play and watching the locales come and go. How nice it is not to be hurried or rushed by an over-eager waitstaff desperate to turn tables. Check out their website to learn more about upcoming live music dates. Bonus: They have WiFi! Oh, and did I mention the Guinness…?
Mini-Irish Breakfast (bacon, sausage, beans, egg, tomato, potatoes and black and white blood pudding.)
The main room (above)
The more contemporary addition (above and below)
02.1
09
by Simone ·
FENWICKS BAR (A True Neighboorhood Bar) - Riverdale (238th Street)
I spent a wonderful day walking around Riverdale (more posts coming soon) and I find myself looking forward to going back. I wandered in to Fenwicks Bar to ask for directions (I’m sooo not the type of woman who feels comfortable in a bar alone), but within minutes I found myself welcomed-like-I-was-a-long-lost-friend by bartender Regina Wallace (pictured below) and the many regulars (Karyn, Doris, Maureen, Robert and all the others whose names I seem to have forgotten but who interacted with one another as if they were regulars on
Cheers). I had a great evening and I learned more about Riverdale (and the Bronx in general) in just a few hours than in all of my research on this borough put together! It will take me months to visit all the places these insiders were so gracious enough to turn me on to. Riverdale is a little enclave that (at first glance anyway) feels like a true village (with the usual small town cast of fascinatingly unique and colorful characters) - quite surprising, refreshing and heartening to find! TIP: Apparently, this place gets packed with the college crowd later in the evening, so if you’re older and want to enjoy authentic local company and flavor, drop by during the day and early evening.
Extraordinarily hospitable bartender Regina and local Maureen.
Fenwicks is the place with the black awning
And oh yeah - be prepared to hike these stairs if you come by bus or subway!
01.27
09
by Simone ·
When one of the many fabulous reviews on this famous BBQ joint warned “Not for the faint of heart!”, naturally I couldn’t resist dashing to Hunts Point tout de suite to check it out! While I wouldn’t recommend getting lost (yep, I admit I did - ending up in probably THE most desolate industrial area of the Bronx…but I digress), I would highly urge you all to pay this little slice of hog heaven a visit! Read the reviews above to see what makes this place so darn special. For those less intrepid, Mo’s has opened up shop near Little Italy. (Check out this Boogiedowner review on that location). But come on - don’t be a weenie! Check out the original Mo Gridder’s! This place could very well be a chain in a few years, and you could tell the tale of how you were a culinary daredevil, conquering all your unfounded Bronx nightmares just to be there at the very beginning…..
Order here…
Eat in there. (Yep, you heard me)
01.24
09
by Simone ·
COALS, Morris Park
NY Times Review / Daily News Review
I love, love, LOVE this 2007 Zagat-rated eatery. What you’ll find: a delicious and original take on pizza (hint: they’re grilled!) I had the Rustic (anything flavored with truffle oil has me at hello!), the tomato and pepperoni Dean Martin was a hit with my friend as well as the two tables we were sandwiched in between, and the appetizers and desserts (Nutella Pizza - Hello!) looked just as scrumptious. The service was unbelievable - the uber-friendly Christine (pictured below) and Lynette were the sole wait staff for the packed Friday night crowd!!! The decor and overall atmosphere is hip, cool and casual, but thoroughly unassuming and without that trying-too-hard feel! Customers, I’m told, are mostly locals and med students from the two nearby hospitals. Unfortunately, I had to borrow a friend’s unfamiliar camera, so the quality of the photos suck - I will definitely return to snap some more. This place is a HIT, in every sense of the word!
Thanks for posing, Alfonso and Raphael!!
01.24
09
by Simone ·
I’ve posted a few others posts (
here and
here) on the BBG, but thought I would snap a few photos to show that the grounds provide a great place to walk around during “off peak” months. Go on a Saturday morning (free between the hours of 10:00 and 12:00), walk around and just enjoy the serenity. Reminder: if you haven’t seen the fabulous
Henry Moore exhibit, you’ve got until March to check it out.
01.22
09
by Simone ·
BRISAS DEL CARIBE, Castle Hill (1207 Castle Hill Avenue)
While I wouldn’t necessarily go that far out of my way for this no-fuss, no-frills Spanish-Caribbean establishment, I live within walking distance - so I will definitely be back. Great food and even better prices. Note: either come VERY hungry or expect to bring home a doggie bag! Great value here! And cute murals. I was there between peak hours so the photos don’t reflect how packed this place generally is. Check out these reviews…(Update: A reader just wrote in that Brisas del Caribe actually has a Michelin rating and that it is still to this day Jennifer Lopez’ favorite stop when she visits her childhood home. Cool!)
01.18
09
by Simone ·
Honey’s Thai Pavillion (check out these Yelp reviews!) - Pelham Bay
Ok, so it may be lacking in the decor department, but trust me - it certainly makes up for it with delicious food and unbelievably friendly service. I’ve had several meals here and I’ve never been disappointed! (Just off the Buhre Avenue stop on the #6)
Honey (second from right) and her wonderful, cheerful staff.
01.18
09
by Simone ·
I literally just came home to a fire fighting scene in the building just next to mine. The army of NYC firefighters had the blaze under control within minutes! A big Bronx THANKS to each and every one of these heros from Squad Company 61! You guys rock!
Update: And kudos to Parkchester Management. I just walked by and every single window that had been blown out was replaced. Pretty impressive on a holiday weekend!
11.26
08
by Simone ·
This sweet little cottage with a huge history is a must for anyone interested in Bronx history, Edgar Allen Poe or just 19th century architechture and furnishings in general. The guided tour and screening of a Poe documentary are well worth the $5 admission ($3 for children, students and seniors). Click
here and
here for my
Boogiedowner write-ups on the Poe Cottage Restoration. And a big Thank You to Kathy from the
Bronx Historical Society for allowing me to take photos to post here on TheBronxRocks!
The Gazebo in Poe Cottage Park
11.22
08
by Simone ·
Pio Pio (Peruvian Restaurant) Mott Haven, South Bronx (264 Cypress Ave)
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?!!?
11.16
08
by Simone ·
Van Cortlandt House Musuem - Van Cortlandt Park
Nestled in the beautiful expanse of Van Cortlandt Park, this 1748 historic home is a must for history and architecture buffs as well as anyone fond of antiques and the decorative arts. To book a $5 tour, just call ahead to make sure one of the volunteer guides are available. My friend and I showed up today sans reservations but were lucky that the wonderful David Kappes was around! Thanks David! I can’t wait to return for the Decemeber Christmas Evening Candlelight Tour!!! (Check out their website for a list of upcoming events.) Afterwards, you can cross the street to grab some great Mexican food at Santa Fe Grill (I had a fantastic shrimp enchilada platter for $6.50) or a meal at the more upscale Jake’s Steakhouse.
11.9
08
by Simone ·
11.9
08
by Simone ·
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
11.8
08
by Simone ·
This isn’t your normal cemetery, folks. Nothing creepy about it - it’s a true beauty! For more details check out my Boogiedowner write up
here. There’s also a few great NY Times Articles
here and
here. And afterwards, you can head to
the cute little town of Woodlawn for a lunch and a pint! (And for the truly adventurous, they even offer night tours - so bring your flashlights and head on over!)
11.4
08
by Simone ·
A Great Day To Be An American!
11.3
08
by Simone ·
Check out the huge new condo development being built in Classon Point.
Uh, yeah… I’d kill for those views!
11.1
08
by Simone ·
Another great find in the Bronx. After spending three hours in the Woodlawn Cemetary, I was famished. After checking out the many Irish Pubs along Katonah Avenue (most of which I will be sure to return to soon) we settled for The Rambling House Bar and Lounge. This place is huge and is divided into a loud and busy bar (today, they were hosting a Halloween Party so cute kids in even cuter costumes were just as abundant as were those downing pints of Guinness and Murphy Irish Reds) and a more sedate (thank Heavens!) dining room. I had a superb clam and linguini dish and my friend had a killer burger. And they have one of the largest beers-on-tap selection that I’ve seen in a long time (We each had a $5 pint of Blue Moon). Oh - AND they have waiters like Kenny (pictured below) who are not only super friendly, but have got a TON of guts!!! Thanks Kenny! You rock!
10.28
08
by Simone ·
Well, the Bronx does! Who knew?!?
I have to admit being surprised at all the sushi places I have seen just in the last few weeks in the Bronx - from Mott Haven to Throgg’s Neck to City Island and even a temporary sushi bar this month at The Bronx Botanical Garden. And those are just the places I have seen first hand. I look forward to finding others to add to the list.
10.27
08
by Simone ·
The owners of the incomparible Roberto’s in Little Italy have brought another Zagat worthy establishment to the Bronx. The small bar in front belies the huge space these guys have “carved out” further back in the building. The food is scrumptious. They are known to excel in the pizza making department, but I opted for an arugula/goat cheese/grilled pears salad, followed by their Portobello al Forno - both were appetizers with portions so huge I should have asked for a doggie bag. But with food this delish, I kept on ’til the very end! For more adventurous gastronomes - tell me where else in the Bronx are you going to find “rabit cooked in tomato sauce with fresh Rosemary” or “free-range cornish hen” - FOR LUNCH?!? Check out their website for menus and photos. Oh, and if you are a lover of olive oil - snatch up a bottle of their private label. And don’t forget to say buon giorno to Tony, manager extraordinairre (pictured below in the bar).
