Italian and seafood restaurants aren’t hard to find in the Bronx. However, a new establishment has already proved that it stands out.
DaFranco & Tony Ristorante, located at 2815 Middletown Road near Westchester Avenue and the Middletown Road IRT train station, has been open for just over three months and has already been awarded for its delicious cuisine and romantic atmosphere.
The restaurant, which officially opened on Wednesday, December 3, came to fruition when brothers Frank and Tony Hasanramaj considered opening an Italian restaurant.
They were already partners of Frank’s Pizza on 2823 Middletown Road, just up the block from the restaurant, a pizzeria that has been open for 15 years.
In time, it came to Frank and Tony’s attention that a location just up the block from the pizzeria had space available.
“The best thing about this restaurant’s location is that we see so many familiar faces that we saw in the pizzeria,” said Frank, who was born in Kosova and moved to the United States when he was 17. “We’ve also seen customers travel in from Manhattan and Westchester, which is a great sign for potential future expansion.”
Hasanramaj went on to mention that in the short time that the restaurant has been open, it has received visits from the Bronx’s big names, such as Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., Councilman James Vacca and president of the Throggs Neck Merchants Association, Steve Kaufman. He explained that once the winter months pass he will open up the backyard patio to give customers more space and seating options.
“We have received a lot of support since we opened and we hope our customers keep coming back for all occasions,” he said.
One of the biggest restaurant occasions of the year, Valentine’s Day, was a huge hit at the new eatery. For the holiday, DaFranco & Tony Ristorante was full, and led to the restaurant being acknowledged as February’s Most Romantic Restaurant by restaurant reviewer Tasty Ladies NY.
“The food is excellent and it’s a great new restaurant for the area,” said Bailey Provetto, founder and owner of Tasty Ladies NY.
“I love the Bronx – we have the best restaurants with the best variety of cuisine and I love to promote them,” she said.
