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Tosca’s Café in the Bronx will be showcasing its trademark coal-oven pizza, among other specialties, as part of “Savor the Bronx,” the Bronx’s first Restaurant Week.
Story and photos by Alexandra Rosario
The Bronx is good enough to eat.
The Bronx's inaugural “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week, sponsored in part by American Express, kicks off this Tuesday, November 1st and lasts until Sunday, November 13th. Participating are the borough's best eateries from City Island to Riverdale.
“Savor the Bronx” is produced by the Bronx Tourism Council and co-hosted by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Foodies can try cuisines from around the world, from hearty Italian pastas, to fresh seafood and sushi, to southwestern Mexican specialties. The week features special deals at the nearly 35 restaurants participating in the event like prix fixe meals, complimentary appetizers and desserts, or 20 percent off the check.
“There is great stuff in the Bronx,” said Melissa Liebman, of Tosca Cafe in Throggs Neck. “You don't have to go to Manhattan to get great food; you can stay in the borough.”
The Tosca Cafe will offer a $14.99 dinner menu featuring an appetizer, entree and dessert.
“Our specialty is our coal-oven pizza,” said Liebman. “And diners also love our Porterhouse Steak.”
Tosca is a unique restaurant that not only offers traditional Italian fare but also a fresh sushi bar as well. In addition, Tosca is partnering with new-kid-on-the-block Bronx Brewery for a night of pizza and beer tastings on Wednesday, November 2.
“We're a well-known, older restaurant, and they're new, so we want to help promote them,” Liebman said. “This particular event is going to show Bronxites that they don't need to leave the borough to get the best pizza and beer.”
Over on City Island, be sure to check out the Lobster House to taste the freshest seafood in the city.
“We're a close-knit community,” said Joe Mandarino, owner of the Lobster House. “I always like to participate in community events [like this].”
Guests can experience Mandarino's favorite dish, the crab-and-lobster combo or the clam bake special with complimentary appetizers such as sweet coconut shrimp or succulent fried calamari. Mandarino notes the paella is another customer-favorite dish, featuring Spanish yellow rice heaped with steaming lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams, chicken, and pork sausage cooked in a seafood broth.
If you're in the mood for Mexican one night, make your way over to Riverdale to Santa Fe Grill and Bar. With the purchase of an entrée, diners can enjoy complimentary coffee and dessert. Try the fajitas; the dish comes out sizzling in a skillet with tender onions, peppers, and your choice of meat. It is accompanied by yellow rice, beans, and sour cream, tangy guacamole, sweet tomatoes, and lettuce, the essentials for your fajita.
“I think it's good to participate in something like this,” said Efrain Farciert, owner and manager of Santa Fe. “It's good for us as well, as more people come and try out our food.”
And if you happen to go on a Friday night, stick around for the live mariachi band.
After all of this delightful food, those with a sweet tooth will want to try a delicious carrot cake cupcake from Lloyd’s Carrot Cake. Offering a discount of 20 percent off the check, the tantalizing carrot cupcakes and cakes are all made from scratch right in the shop – the carrots grated, the cream cheese frosting whipped up, and all is baked to perfection.
“Manhattan has had its restaurant week, this is a great event to showcase great places in the Bronx,” said Betty Campbell Adams, owner of Lloyd’s. “Anything to promote the Bronx and the community.”
As for the Bronx Borough President Ruben Díaz, Jr., don’t try and pin him down at any one local spot. When asked where he’ll be spending his Restaurant Week, he is quick to rattle off a few choices: Tosca, Bronx Ale House, Spoto’s, and Havana Café are just some of the places he’ll be visiting.
And as for those not named? No worries. “Savor the Bronx” offers just the opportunity needed to experiment.
“I’ll definitely be checking out the menus and trying new things,” assures Díaz.
For more information on participating Bronx restaurants and their unique specials during “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week, please visit www.savorthebronx.com or call the Bronx Tourism Council at 718.590.2502.
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