Date Night by Mama Pat and Uncle Nunzio, Emilia's Style

So the missus and I were granted a childless date night to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary (thank you Lizard), and we decided to go back to the scene of the crime.

You see, we held our rehearsal dinner at Emilia's on Arthur Avenue (the nuptials were celebrated at Fordham University Church). We had dined at Emilia's before our wedding preparations, but we had such a lovely time and were treated so well at the rehearsal dinner that we've become lifers. We're always warmly welcomed and treated like family. Pat usually calls us "the kids."

I must admit it was rather nice this summer when we went out to eat with the whole family. The Yankees were in town and the place was packed with Westchester folks fresh from the stadium and Pat gave us a table without our waiting (much to the chagrin of a bitchy looking rich white lady from Scarsdale, or some other homogeneous environs, who appeared thoroughly aggrieved by being bumped).

the veal parm...delish

Now there are a lot of worthy candidates for your Arthur Avenue dollars (Antonio's, Roberto, Zero Otto Nove, Tra Di Noi, Dominick's, et al), but we give the overwhelming BoogieDowner stamp of approval to Emilia's.

The food is consistent, delicious, and reasonably priced. We always share the hot antipasta della casa; the missus always gets the veal parmigiana; and I am a sucker for their pork braciola. The tartufo (aka bomba) is a must for dessert. You can actually view their full menu complete with prices here.

Pat's munificence continued on our most recent anniversary meal, when she sent over a glass of wine for me and a dessert for the missus (no wine for the one who is laden with child).

So in short, if you are debating as to where to eat on Arthur Avenue for a babyless date night, let Pat and her husband Nunzio do the heavy lifting. Tell them "the kids" sent you.

Emilia's Restaurant
2331 Arthur Avenue
718-367-5915
*reservations are recommended if you're planning on dining during primetime dinner hours during the weekend

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Belmont Rental

693 E. 189th Street 2 Bedrrom 1 Bath - $1125/mo

Split this rent with a friend and you live in a fun neighborhood with food and cafes and great culinary shopping for $562.50 a month! Can you even get parking for that in Harlem?

Belmont is very close to the Bronx Zoo and the NY Botanical Garden for fun. The BX12 bus runs down Fordham Rd. to the B/D at Grand Concourse and further to the 4 at Jerome Ave. And hey, since you'll be saving so much money on rent, why not treat yourself to a Metro-North ticket at the Fordham stop at Fordham Rd. and Webster Ave. and be in Grand Central in 18 minutes?

Fordham University is also a neighborhood presence with tons of cultural things to offer, and lectures, and lots of goofy white kids in the neighborhood. Another added bonus from Fordham University, on top of stability, beauty and top notch education it brings to the hood, is A-10 division one hoops. Season tickets for Rams basketball are only $195 (another great way to spend all that extra cash).

This apartment is in Belmont and close to 187th and Arthur Avenue, which are great stretches lined with cafes, restaurants and pastry shops. My favorite 187th restaurant is Tra Di Noi, but to be honest if you lived here you would be REQUIRED to go to Emilia's on Arthur Ave. - simply the best! And try to get a table at Mayor Bloomberg's beloved Roberto's on Crescent Ave. - very good, but in my opinion, a tad overrated.

Save money, have fun, eat well, rent in Belmont.

Full Listing

~ErLu