Delicious meatballs at Macelleria.
By Morris Gut
Bronx Voice
October 15, 2022
FOOD - It has become an annual rite of the culinary. The prestigious Michelin Restaurant Guides have been publishing their ratings internationally, nationally, in NYC, and for the third year, Westchester & suburbs. As always with these guides, there is controversy: who made the list, who did not, and why? It is all kept so secretive.
The ‘Bib Gourmand’ designations (typically more casual eateries of merit), and Stars (high end restos), can be meaningful to a restaurant’s bottom line. There is a group of local spots that made the list. Based on my experience, these are each deserving finalists. Bon Appetit!
Bib Gourmand recipients in the Bronx: Hudson Smokehouse; Da Franco & Tony Ristorante; Patricia’s, Morris Park; Mexicosina; La Morada; Cka Ka Qellu; Enzo’s of Williamsbridge; El Nuevo Bohio; El Molcajete; Beccofino; Liebman’s Delicatessen; Zero Otto Nove; Beatstro; Tra Di Noi; and Roberto’s.
In Westchester: Dubrovnik, New Rochelle; Maria, New Rochelle; Macelleria Italian Steakhouse, Pelham; Tredici Social, Bronxville; Café Alaia, Scarsdale; Burrata, Eastchester; The Southern Table, Pleasantville; Badageoni Georgian Kitchen, Mt. Kisco; Shiraz kitchen & Wine Bar, Elmsford; RaaSa, Elmsford; Rafele, Rye; Boro6 Wine Bar, Hastings-on-Hudson; and The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry. New Westchester additions: Chutney Masala, Irvington; and TVB by Pax Romana, White Plains. The only star recipient in Westchester was Blue Hill at Stone Barns. You can access the full list including nearby Bronx online: https://guide.michelin.com/en/us/new-york-state/restaurants
Baby lamb chops at Maria
TITILLATING FLAVORS AT MARIA!
Three-time winners of Michelin’s prestigious ‘Bib Gourmand’ Award, brothers Peter and Giovanni Cucullo have been causing a stir in New Rochelle, drawing patronage from all over the county to their flavorful riff on Italian/global cooking. Named after Mother, Maria’s has become almost a regular haunt for me. Love their happy hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. when they offer some favorite beverages and small plates that are loaded with flavor.
I am already hooked on such eclectic dishes as: Glazed Pork Ribs, Truffled Green Beans, Grilled Sausage with sweet & spicy Peruvian peppers, Mom’s Meatballs, Cauliflower Fritters, and Roasted Shishito Peppers. Nice dining room and bar filled with artifacts from home. Friendly staff, too. Good networking spot.
The family also operates bustling Fratelli’s Pizza and Pops Café next door.
Maria, 11 Huguenot St., New Rochelle. Take-out & delivery. Closed Sundays. 914-636-0006 www.marianewrochelle.com
PRIME DINING AT MACELLERIA ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE!
Making it into the local Michelin Guide for the second time, this high-end Italian steakhouse serves classic cuts of prime beef and chops along with a hearty helping of Italian/American specialties. Proprietor Tony LaLa and his team will take good care of you. Be seated in the handsomely renovated dining room and bar/lounge and peruse the menu over a good glass of wine from their vintage list.
A recent celebratory meal here started with their fresh made jumbo Crab Cake appetizer served with an herbed mustard sauce, and a perky Arugula Salad, with arugula, navel orange segments, fennel, goat cheese and lemon vinaigrette.
As a main course my beautifully marbled Rib Eye Steak was a tender hit served with a flavorful brandy peppercorn sauce on the side. My companion went for the big Diver Scallops served with asparagus, mushrooms, leeks, and a touch of truffle butter. Had to have the addictive home fries and garlic spinach as sides. Both entrees were large enough to share. Leftover steak to take home, too. For dessert we shared a most extraordinary house made Tiramisu.
Additional specialties to look for: Steak Tartare, slabs of Canadian Bacon, Spaghetti Carbonara, Pappardelle with Short Rib Ragu, Zuppa di Pesce, even a Classic Burger. Carnivores should consider the Lamb Chops, Veal Chop, or New York Strip Steak. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Happy Hours.
Macelleria Italian Steakhouse, 142 Fifth Ave., Pelham. 914-365-2561. Macelleria Italian Steakhouse, 111 Bedford Road, Armonk. 914-219-5728 www.macelleriasteakhouse.com
SEIS VECINOS AWARDED MICHELIN
DESIGNAITON!
The Bronx offers a lot of fine international eat and drink these days, so you might want to explore the local culinary landscape. A recent event at Seis Vecinos on Prospect Ave. in Longwood was a tasty revelation. They laid out a colorful table of appetizing Central American/Mexican specialties. Cocktail bar. They offer indoor/outdoor seating all week. Seis Vecinos, 640 Prospect Ave., Bronx. 718-684-8604 www.seisvecinos.com
STANLEY TUCCI’S ‘SEARCHING FOR ITALY’ , SEASON 2 CONTINUES!
Here is another tasty nibble. Actor Stanley Tucci has been starring in an appetizing series on CNN entitled: “Searching for Italy.” It is a delicious romp thru the scenic Italian culinary regions. Beautifully filmed and depicted, Tucci visits various cities and towns throughout the boot zeroing in on the incredible food scene in each area. Several new episodes are now airing on CNN, Sundays at 9 p.m.
The new episodes take him thru the distinctive regions of Calabria, Sardinia, Puglia, and Liguria.
Stanley Tucci is originally from Peekskill and grew up in Katonah, attended John Jay High and SUNY Purchase. He has long been a food and wine aficionado, having owned a restaurant called Finch Tavern in Croton Falls back in 2007. Who can forget his classic culinary-themed films: “Big Night” & “Julie & Julia.” He hosted a series called “Vine Talk” on PBS. His latest cookbooks: “The Tucci Table: Cooking with Family and Friends” which he co-authored with his wife Felicity Blunt; ‘The Tucci Cookbook’; and ‘Taste: My Life Through Food’. My palate is longing for more. Check it out: www.cnn.com/travel/article/stanley-tucci-searching-for-italy-restaurants/index.html
(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)
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