Since New York is such a city of international cuisines, it can also allow you to travel the world without even leaving the five boroughs. And we know just the spot if you’re craving a trip to Italy!
Did you know there’s another Little Italy in New York City, one that’s way further uptown? Okay, technically it’s in another borough completely! It’s Arthur Avenue (or the area of Belmont) in the Bronx, also known as “Little Italy in the Bronx.” This area has developed a very special, under-the-radar alcove of quality Italian restaurants, markets, bakeries and shops thanks to the generations of Italian immigrants who have lived there.
And the second “Little Italy” of NYC is reopening for another year of their special outdoor dining to mimic an Italian piazza. The Belmont Business Improvement District (BID for short) will close vehicular traffic on Arthur Ave (from East 188th Street to Crescent Avenue) during weekends beginning Friday, May 6 through Sunday, September 25 for in-street outdoor dining. Street closure hours will run from 6pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3pm to 9pm on Sundays.
Visitors can expect to see their favorite restaurants participating like Zero Otto Nove, Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue, Emilia’s Restaurant, Mario’s Restaurant, San Gennaro Ristorante, Estrellita Poblana III, and Gurra Café.
New to the event this year will be entertaining performances by acapella group “The Belmont 4.” The group will stop by restaurants during opening weekend and the the last weekend of every month to sing doo-wop, Italian favorites, hits from the 50’s through today, and take requests! Weekend performance hours will run on Fridays and Saturdays 6pm – 8pm, and Sundays 4pm – 6pm.
BID chairman, Peter Madonia, said “[w]hile the pandemic has devastated our city, borough, and neighborhood, we are hopeful for the future with the ongoing vaccinations, lifting restrictions and the re-launch of Piazza di Belmont, which has become popular with our guests and allows more visitors to dine outdoors during the warmer months.”
It’s the perfect place to get your pizza fill and sip on an Aperol spritz all summer long! Stay up to date with more information on their website or social media.