bronx little italy

The fact of the matter is that within its 42.10 square miles the Bronx has much more to offer in the way of positive attractions such as the historical Edgar Allen Poe Cottage on the corner of Kingsbridge and the Grand Concourse.  According to the Bronx County Historical Society, Poe lived in this little cottage from 1846 to 1849.  It was here that Poe created many of his best works such as “Annabel Lee,” “The Bells” and “The Cask of Amontillado.”  Tours are available.  And it is a short walk from the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Gardens, and Bronx Little Italy.  Yankee Stadium is a short cab ride away.

Edgar Allen Poe Cottage

2016 marks the 125th Anniversary of The New York Botanical Garden.

Bronx Little Italy is sometimes referred to as Belmont, or by the main street called Arthur Avenue which intersects East 187^th Street.  Both Arthur Avenue and 187^th Street are filled with restaurants, pizzerias, meat and fish market, bakeries and pastry stores.

The food is well prepared and primarily Italian-American influence by Neapolitan and Sicilian dishes.  No other neighborhood in New York City offers the amount of choices of fine Italian-American foods.  The quality and value rated as “Best Buy” repeatedly by the Zagat Survey.  Take Mario’s Restaurant on Arthur Avenue.  It is considered one of New York City’s iconic restaurants.  Mario’s has been in business for 92 years with five generations of family managing the restaurant.  Occasionally you will catch a sports figure or movie star.  Although many of the first Italian families have moved out, according to  http://www.bronxlittleitaly.com/about-our-neighborhood/ the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continue to run the family business helping to maintain the neighborhoods unique Italian tradition.  For instance, walk down the street and you’ll catch sight of Italian sausages hanging from the window like in the old days, or someone cooking up what we Hispanics call pernil or pork.

Italian sausages hanging from the window

There are also some interesting events that are coming up that you might want to consider checking out highlighted at the Bronx Little Italy website.  For instance, on June 11^th from 11am to 4pm, on East 186^th Street, there will be the Bronx Little Italy’s Second Annual Art Show.  Also, for over 15 years now the neighborhood has been celebrating the Ferragosto on September 11th.  This festival recognizes the end of the harvest season. It is a way for families to engage in part of the Italian culture and coming together with family and friends.  As the neighborhood has a strong Catholic presence, you might want to check out the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3^rd.  Around this time, you may also want to check out one of the most amazing displays in the city; the Bronx Christmas House.  It is located at the corner of Pelham Parkway North and Westervelt Avenue.  The owners flip the switch around Thanksgiving and turn it off around January 6th.  According to a NY Times article of 2008, the Garabedian family started the display in 1974 after the family experience a miracle.  This is how the family shows their appreciation to the Lord.  No detail is provided about the miracle.  There is a video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3-8D4Pm-xg.

Bronx Christmas House

You may also want to schedule for next year a visit to the 12^th Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration.  This is not a typo.  To add more variety to the neighborhood, The Belmont District Management Association has promoted other ethnic restaurants such as authentic Mexican food.  Next year there will also be the Bronx Little Italy’s third annual car show on May 1^st.

Well, New York City homies, this ends my promotion of Bronx Little Italy.  I hope I have been able to give you a good feel for the atmosphere via the written word.  Of course, the only way to experience it is to actually visit the neighborhood yourself with friends and family and taste and see what it has to offer.  While there make a day of it and visit the iconic Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Gardens.  Or take in one of festivals the neighborhood has to offer.  After all it is only a subway ride away from Manhattan.  I promise that if you do visit you too will agree that Bronx Little Italy is truly another jewel this great city of ours has to offer.

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