From Latin Fusion to Italian dishes to French eats, the borough’s ethnic diversity is evident during its annual restaurant week.
The fifth annual ‘Savor the Bronx’ Restaurant Week, a 12-day promotional event, kicked off with Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and The Bronx Tourism Council at Patricia’s Morris Park on Thursday, October 29.
The event has grown to its largest assortment of restaurants and eateries ever – with over 40 – and includes a large contingent of Morris Park eateries this year.
The borough president said at the launch that he worked to create a restaurant week when he saw that there were virtually no restaurants from the borough in a similar citywide celebration.
“Our borough has an amazing food culture and ‘Savor the Bronx’ is a great way to explore our epicurean delights while taking advantage of this 12-day promotional event to try something new,” said Borough President Diaz. “I invite foodies from not only all over the Bronx, but all over the region, to take advantage of this wonderful event and sample the many flavors the borough has to offer.”
Savor the Bronx is ongoing Monday, November 2 and Friday, November 13, and there will be specials at many of the restaurants involved.
The Bronx Tourism Council helps coordinate the festivities.
“We have a lot more restaurants involved this year than ever before,” said Olga Luz Tirado tourism council executive director, adding “(We hope) to encourage people not only from inside the borough but also outside of the Bronx to savor the flavor of the Bronx.”
She said that people in local communities know that may great eateries exist in their neighborhoods, but people from elsewhere may not be as aware of all the borough has to offer.
Ruth Papazian, a Morris Park resident, served as the borough president’s liaison to community restaurants after she had expressed dismay that Morris Park eateries were not taking part in the promotion.
“When the borough president’s office reached out to me, I accepted the challenge to recruit some restaurants,” she said. “They give me a list of businesses they hoped would participate, I used my personal diplomacy and the rest is history.”
Six restaurants from Morris Park are involved this year, but in previous years, none participated, she said.
Alex Borgognone, the owner of Patricia’s Morris Park where the Savor the Bronx launch took place, said that the borough has a vibrant restaurant scene and running Patricia’s helped him learn about the business.
Also taking part in the start of the week were Conti’s Pastry Shoppe and Bronx Brewery.
Among the participating restaurants this year are the following: Bistro SK, Xochimilco, P&K’s Grill, Luquillo, Enzo’s Restaurant, Travesis, Mike’s Deli, Giovanni, 900 Park, Muscle Maker Grill, Lucca, Made in Puerto Rico, Ceetay, Artie’s, Patsy’s Pizzeria, Don Coqui, Havana Café, Spoto’s, Santa Fe Grill and Bar, Patricia’s Morris Park, Mott Haven Bar & Grill, Cabo, Jake’s Steakhouse, Icehouse, Hard Rock Café, Bronx Alehouse, Tosca Café, The Bronx Beer Hall, Thai No. 1, Mamajuana Café, Charles, Antonio’s Trattoria, Lotus Flame, Hudson Garden Grill and Cozy Cottage.
