Bronx Artists Take Home the Bacon!

Our lovely friend Simone over at www.thebronxrocks.com was kind enough to share the following photo and write-up with us regarding a recent awards ceremony at the Longwood Art Gallery:

Photo by Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com

First stop on this month’s Bronx Culture Trolley Tour was the award ceremony for recipients of the Greater New York Arts Development Fund grants funded by both the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). $130,000 worth of checks were handed out! That’s some serious bank! Longwood Art Gallery was packed with a Who’s Who list of everyone who’s anyone in the Bronx art and education scene. Congratulations to all those individuals and organizations who make the Bronx a thriving borough when it comes to art, culture and educational opportunities for our borough’s citizens!

Be sure to click on over to www.thebronxrocks.com to check out more photos from the event!

~ErLu

Simone Rocks

Hopefully you all know of and visit often The Bronx Rocks, the photography website run by our unsung BoogieDowner contributor, Simone Davis. Well if you don't, you should. In particular, you should check out her most recent post about the art she found at LDR Studios while on the Bronx Culture Trolley. The images are pretty sick (more after the jump).

Thanks Simone!
Check it out HERE

*photo courtesy of Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com*
~ErLu

Get Yer ‘Cue and a Lube!

Mo Gridder’s BBQ – Hunts Point

Only in the Bronx, folks! As much as I travel around the this great borough (in search of anything and everything to dispel the horrible Bronx myths and stereotypes), I must admit to being a tad on the squirmish side at the daunting thought of traveling to the most desolate industrial area of Hunts Point to visit the famous Mo Gridder’s BBQ. While I wouldn’t necessarily want to make the trip at night (Mo’s is only open during the day anyway, so that’s a moot point), my concerns were entirely baseless. The area won’t be winning any prizes in aesthetics or charm, but it felt perfectly safe. And the reward is super cool! I can’t do this place enough justice in a short blog write-up – so check out all these great reviews (NY Times, White Trash BBQ, New York Daily News). Mo’s has got to be one of the most unique dining experiences out there. And hey – if it’s good enough for Guy Fieri and the Food Network, it’s good enough for you! Give ‘em a try!

Getting there: Take the #6 subway to Hunts Point. Either walk (east) the 10 minutes or so or jump on the #6 bus (just make sure to hop off before the bus turns left off of Hunts Point Ave – or you’ll end up in scary no-man’s land like I did.) Bonus: There’s a Citibank across the street to pull cash.

And for those who want a more traditional sit down experience, Mo's just opened a traditional restaurant in Belmont (in the old Roberto's, Belmont and Crescent Aves).

~Simone Davis
www.thebronxrocks.com

COALS: A Pizza Lover's Gem in Morris Park!

Photography by Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com

Ever had grilled pizza? Yeah, me neither. Curious and inspired by all of the great reviews of COALS (including one from the NY Times), I just
had to check this 2007 Zagat-rated treasure in Morris Park. What a find this place turned out to be! The place was packed full of locals, med students from nearby Einstein and Montefiore, and others like my friend and I from other neighborhoods who made the trip via bus and taxis. (Definitely worth going out of your way for!) The pizzas were delicious, the service was friendly and upbeat and the decor simple, cozy and casually hip. I'm told the place is extremely family-friendly, but it's hard to imagine that on a packed Friday night with its bar scene as big of a draw as the cheap and appetizing food. I'd leave those outings with the kiddies for lunch and weeknight dinners. (Note: they are closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Getting there: We took the #31 bus from Westchester Square that lets you off right in front of the restaurant.

~Simone Davis, www.thebronxrocks.com

Simone Found a Thai Spot

Photo courtesy of Simone Davis ~ The Bronx Rocks

BoogieDowner's favorite cuisine to eat out (especially with a kid) has to be Thai food. It's usually relatively cheap and Thai restaurants are usually pretty casual with speedy service.

Simone Davis, over at The Bronx Rocks, has apparently found a solid Thai restaurant over in Pelham Bay called Honey's Thai Pavilion. Click here to check out some photos and get Simone's take on the place.

We'll definitely be checking it out. When we've wanted Thai in the past, we've always headed to Tum Raa up in Woodlawn (629 McLean Avenue). Their food is good, but the space is teeny tiny and not great for kids.

Thanks Simone!

Anyone else know of any other Thai spots in the BoogieDown?

~ErLu

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary... (Update)

Boogiedowner readers with us from the start will remember that one of the first BD posts featured Poe Cottage.

It took me a while, but I finally made the trip over there to check the place out for myself. A friend and I signed up for the $5 tour (along with a Bronx mother and daughter team as well as a lone female tourist who was “seeing the sights” of our much under-appreciated borough. Very impressive, girlfriend!) Unlike some of the larger historical homes (i.e. Bartow-Pell and Van Cortlandt) Poe Cottage is really, well… cottagey. Cute and sweet! And unlike the residents of the other grander homes, Poe had financial woes throughout his short life, so the furnishings are sparser and simpler. But still a must for history, literature and antique aficionados.

And mystery buffs – the theories surrounding the poet’s death are as varied as are those regarding the true identity of Jack the Ripper. Who knew! After a guided tour, there is a short documentary that visitors can watch, which ends with a reading of the author’s eerie but romantic Annabelle Lee. Quaintly chilling and should remind you of the first time you read The Raven in school. I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

~Simone Davis, http://www.thebronxrocks.com/

Peruvian Cuisine Arrives In The South Bronx!

Pio Pio, a Peruvian restaurant with locations around NYC, opened up shop in Mott Haven not too long ago, and how lucky we are! With a great atmosphere to match their delicious food, this place is so popular I have no doubt it will be around for quite some time. While the location seems surprising (138th and Cypress - not a lot of upscale action in that particular area, but hey - who's complaining), the chain's foray into the Bronx does not. And the newly announced Zagat rating will only continue to boost their popularity (this place was packed!)

What I found: lively and energizing music, nice casually upscale decor, attentive and friendly service and food so scrumptious you'll be already planning your next visit before you've ordered your coffee and dessert! Sadly, at this location they cannot serve their famous Pisco Sours, but order one of their huge glasses of Sangria and you'll blissfully enjoy your evening (those things pack a whollop!!). The portions are enormous, so much so that I doggiebagged it and enjoyed leftovers the next day. While the menu isn't vast (hint: you must love chicken), the flavors are delish and the prices so reasonable you will be pleasantly surprised when the bill arrives - that is of course if you either a) are an American Express cardholder or b) you remember to pull cash before you arrive. I was in neither category so I found myself running (in high heels!) to the nearest bodega in search of an ATM. Can we say Total Buzz Kill?!? (Note to Pio Pio owners: What are you THINKING??? But your place is so divine, I guess you deserve a pass...) So, guys - check out their menu and be sure to pay them a visit, AMEX or cash in hand!

Transportation is easy: Just off the #6 Cypress stop.

~Simone Davis

http://www.thebronxrocks.com/

When the Moon Hits Your Eye....

We all know how much New Yorkers LOVE their pizza and Patricia's II, in Throggs Neck, is a great bet when you're in the mood for a slice of Heaven. Currently located 3764 East Tremont (they will be moving a few blocks up any time now so stayed tuned for a much larger and "fresher" space), Patricia's is a favorite among locals.

Vintage murals, red checkered tablecloths and framed photographs of diners and celebs, give this eatery that comfy (nearly kitschy) atmosphere (all that's missing are chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling!) I hope the new place retains the same cozy, old-fashioned charm! An authentic brick oven (pictured with manager Mark Coragliano) makes for a fantastic pizza like the one I had (pictured). Topped with gorgonzola cheese, asparagus, onions and capers (my swap for black olives), this MINI was $8.95 - now THAT'S Amore!!

~Simone Davis

http://www.thebronxrocks.com/

SoBro Swank

The Gallery Lounge in Mott Haven has been on my list since it first opened about six months ago. But every time I stopped by, it was closed. Hmmmm....not a good sign I thought to myself. The problem was I was under the very mistaken impression that it was a restaurant, which it is not - it's a CLUB! This past Wednesday, my friend Karen and I took part in the Bronx Trolley Tour and after hitting most of the cultural hot spots of the South Bronx, we stopped in to finally check out The Gallery (again, thinking it was a restaurant). Unfortunately for the staff (but great for us!) an event that was supposed to take place that evening had been cancelled and we pretty much had the place to ourselves (and got tons of Scoop from the very friendly bartender - Joe). Apparently, this place is packed when open and comes complete with all those things that gives most of us over-forties the shivers: rope lines, body guards, disco balls, VIP rooms, ear-splitting music and bottle service (though with prices starting at $200 a bottle, the Bronx once again is a clear Bargain compared to our over-priced neighbors to the south, where the same liquid pleasure (and price of entry) will set you back at least double that amount).

So, lucky us - we were able to enjoy the place in relative peace and quiet, drink a few martinis, eat some great sushi, talk to the staff and just soak in all of the fun (and toned down!) music, local artwork and fantastic LED light displays that brings a little bit of South Beach to the South Bronx!

So, all you young ones out there - have at it! (The rest of us old poops will probably want to stick to Alexander's Cafe, The Bruckner Bar and Grill, Sweetwaters, etc...)

~Simone Davis

http://www.thebronxrocks.com/

G-Bar Attracts a Great Crowd!

OK, fellow Bronxites – I know you’ve seen those ubiquitous (and frankly, somewhat annoying) commercials that play every other minute on T.V. and, like me, you’ve always wondered what the low-down was on G-Bar. Well, I finally ventured in last night for dinner and entertainment (and I admit - to finally quench my curiosity!) Now - BoogieDowner readers will remember my delight at discovering not only a new restaurant in my Parkchester nabe – Willie’s Steakhouse, but also a great performer – Annette Aguilar and The StingBeans! So, when Annette informed me that they would be appearing over at G-Bar, I had to go and check the place out! Her Latin Jazz inspired music is so perfect for dining – a great, uptempo beat but not too in-your-face, loud or intrusive.

So, I knew that part of the night would be great. What REALLY surprised me was how unbelievably pleasant and inviting the whole place was. (I went in on my own and within minutes felt very welcomed, cozy and comfortable.) Great upscale décor, friendly staff (you know - the kind that simply doesn’t exist in most parts of Manhattan), great Italian food (the Lobster Ravioli was well worth the extra junk I no doubt carted off in my trunk), mojitos that would delight Papa H. himself…and the best part? A crowd that was one great-big-happy-family of a mix!! Locals, Yankee fans, students, businessmen and tourists all gave the place a wonderful lively ambiance. There are three separate areas – the restaurant proper with it’s own classy bar, ANOTHER bar area (the one that is pictured with the retro-cool snake-like counter that glows in the dark) and a more private upstairs seating area that overlooks the action below.

Manager Benny told me there is something going on every night from Live Music to Celebrity DJs to Karaoke to Open Mic. They also have a fab Sunday Champagne Brunch! And valet parking! (Also of note: this is the same group that brought the Zagat-rated Tosca to the Bronx!)

Bravo guys! You just scored a new repeat customer!

*Photo by Simone Davis. For more photos, please visit http://www.thebronxrocks.com/*

~Simone Davis, http://www.thebronxrocks.com/

Street Art Street Life Exhibit Recap

As we've told you here at BoogieDowner, the Bronx Museum of the Arts kicked off their new exhibit, Street Art Street Life, with a street fair yesterday.

BoogieDowner contributor, Simone Davis, attended the day's events and has posted a recap on her site: http://www.thebronxrocks.com/2008/09/street-art-street-life/. Great photos, as well as her take on the day.

The exhibit has even attracted the attention of the New York Times. Click here to see what they had to say.

*Photo courtesy of Jamel Shabazz and The Bronx Museum of The Arts*

~ErLu

Do YOU Cha Cha Cha?

Well, I admit it – I don’t know my Salsa from my Merengue, my Rumba from my Samba or my Bolero from my Tango. BUT, I do know great music when I hear it and that’s why I suggest you head on over to Willie’s Steak House - just a few short blocks outside of The Parkchester Condominium Complex. (And yes, I will also have to eat my words about Parkchester not having much to do in the way of nightlife! There are quite a few other bar and restaurants along this stretch of Westchester Avenue that I can’t wait to check out!) Check out Willie’s website for a terrific photogallery and menu. Here’s what Zagat has to say: “At this friendly Bronx steakhouse, intergenerational diners gorge on economical slabs of beef and Latino dishes that are as spirited as the great Latin Jazz performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”

Owner Dan Ortiz (pictured right) greeted us warmly, we picked up a few Midori Magaritas from Marta at the large bar and headed out back to enjoy the lovely evening in the garden patio. Afterwards, we headed inside for delicious surf and turf all the while boppin’ to the fabulous beat of Annette Anquilar’s drums and the first class music of her StringBeans (pictured above left), several who I’m told have played with the late Tito Puente – a superstar who called Willie’s “a home away from home” back in the day. As people who drive in from as far away as Jersey and Connecticut can attest – this place is well worth a subway or bus ride! Check them out!

Getting there: Take the #6 to Parkchester and walk west on Westchester Avenue.

~Simone Davis

Another Way to Get Your Culture Fix Without Leaving the Borough

Walking down the Grand Concourse a few weeks ago, I again came across The Bronx Museum, which although small, looks remarkably world-class. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit, but can’t wait to do so and provide more info to Boogiedowner readers on just what is going on in this very impressive building.

The museum, founded in 1971, is dedicated to presenting “hundreds of critically acclaimed exhibitions featuring works by culturally diverse and under-recognized artists from a spectrum of levels, on themes of special interest to the Bronx community, and themes that explore the intersections between popular culture and contemporary art," according to its website.

The museum is closed for a few weeks and is set to re-open this weekend when they will be kicking things off in a very festive way:

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 12 to 5 pm
Street Art Street Life Outdoor Fair
Sidewalk outside the Bronx Museum of the Arts
Admission: Free

“For the opening day of Street Art Street Life, the Bronx Museum will sponsor a grand street fair on the sidewalk immediately in front of the Museum. Highlights include live D.J. and performances, arts activities for families, street food, and local artisans.” [http://www.bronxmuseum.org/]

Count me in!

Getting There: D or B train to Grand Concourse and 167th Street Stop (take B during tush hours). Exit rear of station and walk two blocks south along Grand Concourse.

4 to the 161 St./Yankee Stadium station. Walk east three blocks to the Grand Concourse, then, walk north four blocks along Grand Concourse to 165th St.

*Photo courtesy of http://www.bronxmuseum.org/*

~Simone Davis