By Morris Gut
Bronx Voice
August 19, 2025
NEW YORK - Go for a stroll through the lovely New York Botanical Garden. The beautiful Van Gogh presentation is ongoing through the Fall. There are Dining Pavilions near the Enid Haupt Pavilion: the casual family friendly Pine Tree Café or the more formal farm-to-table Hudson Garden Grill. Changing specialties include Sweet Corn Chowder, Murray’s Chicken Cobb, Hudson Burger, and Salmon Vera Cruz. For info: 646-627-7711, or 718-817-8700. www.nybg.org/visit/dining/
FARMERS MARKET AT NYBG!
The Farmers Market at New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will run through October. Admission and parking are free. Enter the market at the Mosholu Gate. www.nybg.org/event/farmers-market/
ADRIATIC FLAVORS AT DUBROVNIK
Founded by Jerry Tomic some 12 years ago, Dubrovnik has evolved into a dynamic Michelin-recognized restaurant. The region’s first restaurant devoted to the cuisine of Croatia, a multi-level 85-seat establishment with a lovely seasonal outdoor patio, state of the art temperature-controlled wine cellar, al fresco wood fire rotisserie BBQ, and lush seasonal al fresco garden. Manager Matija will be your guide.
Talented chefs man the kitchen and they will transport you to the beautiful Adriatic in flavorful style. Seafood is a specialty. Octopus Salad, Adriatic Cuttlefish Risotto, Whole Mediterranean Branzino, Seafood & Saffron Pasta, Roasted Cornish Hen. Happy hours: 3-6 pm. Valet evenings. Dubrovnik, 721 Main Street, New Rochelle. 914-637-3777 www.dubrovnikny.com
IRISH AMERICAN WITH PIZZAZZ AT JACK’S BAR & KITCHEN
Their Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich is a winner. Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. Jack’s offers an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Lamb Lollipops; Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Guinness braised Short Ribs; Woodfired Pizzas and big juicy Burgers. Check out their decadent Grilled Cheese Menu. The full Irish Breakfast at brunch is awesome. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily. Weekend brunch. TVs. Al fresco seating. The same team operate Jill’s in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Municipal parking; free evenings. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com
ROBUST ITALIAN OUT OF A DINER AT TRATTORIA VIVOLO
Recently cited by Forbes Magazine, Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo serves his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner just across from Harrison's Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty thin-crusted pizza; Crostino di Polenta topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and tomato sauce; Grilled Lamb Chops; Braised Lamb Shanks; Lasagna Bolognese al Forno; and wonderful Linguine alle Vongole. Fine wine list. Sparkling lights in the evenings. The outdoor patio is now open. Free parking. Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www.trattoriavivolo.com
WINGS FLY AT THE BEECHMONT
I like vintage pubs and taverns. They have so many stories to tell. They are a living history of the communities they serve often filled with nostalgia and memorabilia. Also enjoy the good pour from the bar, hearty finger foods, wings, big juicy burgers and fries. I recently got back to the Beechmont Tavern, across from IONA University in New Rochelle. It has been around since 1928, they say, and proprietor Rob Hayes, a former bus boy and IONA student, has had it since 2018. We ordered their popular traditional chicken wings, a Gael burger and fries, and a summery goat cheese and pear salad. We shared. All were great. A special shout out to the staff. They were friendly and on the spot. We will be back. Beechmont Tavern, 750 North Ave., New Rochelle. Open 7 days. 914-636-9533 www.beechmonttavern.com
INDIAN STREET FOODS AT MUMBAI KATTA
Anita Gawde is a dynamo. At one moment she is greeting entering patrons, the next she disappears into the kitchen, the next she is on the dining room floor touting her menu: the tasty street foods of regional India. Anita and her husband Jayant Gawde are marking their 1st. Anniversary with vibrant specialties plated with pizzazz. We recently feasted on a tasty tour of savory small plates: Samosa Chaat, Sabudana Vada, delectable Chicken Kathi Roll, ending with their delicious Chicken Masala and crispy crusted Shrimp Fry. The Kesar Phirni, their version of rice pudding, was a festive dessert. Anita and her friendly staff will help you through the menu. Take-out and catering. Mumbai Katta, 227 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. 516-953-3265 www.mumbaikatta.com
CLASSICS AT TORCELLO
Imer Rraci and his veteran team reimagined the former La Riserva into a lovely setting for the Italian classics. Named after an island off the coast of Venice, this kitchen turns out such winning dishes as: colorful Mozzarella Caprice; Risotto Di Funghi with porcini; Linguine alle Vongole; Veal Chop Parmigiana; classic Rack of Lamb; and delicious Pollo Torcello, topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in a light bourbon mushroom sauce. Rraci had spent years working for the former Giambelli in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, CT. Open 7 days for dinner starting at 3:30 p.m. Bar/cocktails. Happy hours Wed. through Fri. 3:30-6 pm. Outdoor patio. Free parking. Torcello, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. 914-833-1118 www.torcellolarchmont.com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant 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. Email: gutreactions@optonline.net )
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