narcisa's Profile
south bronx eats?
LOL!!!!!!!
Hysterical! I haven't been able to get there yet....now curiosity is killing this cat! I just wanna see!
south bronx eats?
La Orquidea has pretty good food! I would only recommend la orquidia during daytime hours though since as night falls it becomes a central gathering spot for latino gangbangers.
SO JUST A WORD OF WARNING:
- LA ORQUIDIA DAYTIME OK
- LA ORQUIDIA NIGHTTIME BE WARY.
south bronx eats?
What type of spot is glacken's. I've never been there or seen it although I MUST HAVE passed it a million and one times! Is it a place where two girlfriends can go for a "low key" night out.
I tried googling it but there doesn't seem to be much info on this place.
Do they serve food or is it just a bar?
south bronx eats?
Bigjeff!!!!!!!!
I'm backkkkkkkkk.
You thought I forgot about ya!
I was out last night......went to Bruckner Bar to hear my friend play w/his band, "The Scheme" .....had fun.....house was packed.....they belt out funky jazzy r&b mixed with a little rock & latin rythms.
On the way to bruckner bar I passed a wine bar/cafe. It immediately caught my eye and my reaction was that my mouth hung open as I asked myself what is this doing here?! It just looked so out of place......in an AWESOME way.....change for this neighborhood has GOT TO START SOMEWHERE! Right?
I was speeding by because I was running late.....but the place looked like it belonged in the west village with it's little umbrella covered tables on the sidewalk. I think the name was Alexander's Cafe or maybe it was Alexander's Wine Bar.
Does anyone know of it? What's the word? Have you tried it yet? I can't wait to go back and give it a try! We need more business owners who are daring enough to open little places like these regardless of what neighborhood they may be in.
The funny thing is, I was so excited about "discovering" this little diamond in the rough that I just woke up (w/headache & tummy ache....too much fun last night) and I had to head straight to the computer to put in this comment!
Mofongo Depot
Ooooooh! I LOVE bistec encebollado...lol
Alrighty then! Puerto Rico in da house! LOL Just kidding!
I LOVE to cook, I just don't have a family to cook for, one day I will, I tend to cook for myself and then give the rest away to people in the neighborhood! But I can understand your sentiments. LOL
There's another place I know of called Cabo Rojo. They have a menu for each day of the week. It's a very humble spot with very typical Puerto Rican food. It's located between 24th street and 25th street on 10th Avenue. It's super cheap. I wouldn't describe it as "gramma can I have a third helping please" but the food IS good, consistent, and it hits the right spot when you miss home.
Mofongo Depot
Hi MizYellowRose!
I'm glad these postings are having such a positive impact! I love to exchange information, share, and learn!
Casa Adela is a Puerto Rican restaurant. Now there is something that not many people realize about true Puerto Rican culture.....not Nuyorican Culture...lol. Just touching on the topic of food: There are 3 MAJOR influences in Puerto Rican cooking (which are the ones anyone every focuses on) and then several lesser influences but quite notable influences in Puerto Rican cooking.
The 3 major influences are:
- Spaniard: i.e. garlic, olive oil, pork, garbanzos, chorizo, etc.
- African: i.e. malanga, quimbombo (okra), gandules, etc.
- Taino: i.e. pineapple, yucca, gaunabana (soursop), etc.
Several lesser influences (BUT NOTABLE INFLUENCES- this is the part people, sadly even our own, never learn about) are:
- Canarian (especially during the 1930's when Spanish Civil War broke out MANY fled and permanently relocated to Puerto Rico due to former Spanish ties)
- French & Corsican (when France was overthrown in the 1850's many Corsicans & French fled to the southern part of Puerto Rico - especially found in the town of Yauco - due to the similar weather & humidity in comparison to their homeland)
- Irish (during the Potato famine many wanted to immigrate to America and chose Puerto Rico because of its very strong catholic roots)
- Syrian/Lebanese, Jewish, (MANY came to the Caribbean as indentured servants especially during the late 1800's to early 1900's)
- Indian & Asian (especially when large numbers of Chinese began to immigrate throughout Caribbean during the beginning of the 19th century)
- Cuban (during the 1960's a huge wave of Cubans entered Puerto Rico's open arms trying to escape the Castro Regime)
- and most recently Dominican (due to the horrible economy they have sought refuge in their closest neighbor, Puerto Rico)
During the 1800's Spain heavily promoted immigration to Puerto Rico
and made landowners of thousands of the following so that they could develop Puerto Rico's vast supply of fertile land:
- Italian
- German
- Scottish
- Portuguese
So you see, so many people think that Puerto Rican food is just arroz con gandules, cuchifritos, and pasteles. BUT there is soooo much more which unfortunately you usually don't see in NYC.
If anyone would like more information there is a free interactive website that I HIGHLY recommend. It's called Puerto Rico Dish By Dish and it's found on the Care2.com network. This group consists of recipes, history, legends, photos, newsclips, etc.
Sorry for being so long winded but I hope this proved to be beneficial to many.
south bronx eats?
Bigjeff
I love tamales!!! But they've GOT to be well made. I would LOVE to try these that you mentioned. Is this a store or the ladies that sell from their carts on the street. If it's a store, the next time you're in the area could you get me the name and address.
It sounds like you're around 138th alot.
There's a Mexican shop on 138th between Brook and Willis? that makes such DELISH mexican breads (I don't remember the name but it's on the south side of 138th street)!
OMG..... the best if you go around 4pm!!!!
That's when all the different types JUST come out of the oven......all soft and nice and hot.......IT'S YOUR FAULT I'M TALKING ABOUT THEM AND NOW I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO THERE TODAY! NOW YOU SEE WHAT YOU WENT AND MADE ME DO?! LOL
I have to tell you there is one lady (I forgot her name....I think it's Rosa) that sells from her cart on 149th & 3rd Ave (the same corner where the eyeglass shop is, around the corner from Cookie's Dept. Store) that makes a mean tamale wrapped in banana leaf too! They are sooooo moist and tender!
What about the Bronx?
I AGREE with you totally Unocal! There are many good restaurants in LIttle Italy but Roberto's.....well....I just LOVE the atmosphere! The outside AND inside are very inviting and attractive. The downside.....which really isn't a downside....merely an honest observation.....is that Roberto's is sooooo popular that sometimes it can get quite full, especially when a tour bus rolls into Little Italy, which is usually on the weekends. So if you're looking for a quiet place I would suggest going for lunch or going on a weekday.
Mofongo Depot
Lau....I'm so glad you enjoyed Casa Adela and I really enjoyed reading your review.
I'm also glad you noticed the difference between Puerto Rican style Mofongo and Dominican Style Mofongo. Puerto Rican style Mofongo is served with a broth and doesn't have meat mixed into it the most it will have mixed into the plantain mash itself is the garlic, oil, and chicharron...the meat (be it chicken, pork, seafood, even vegetables is usually placed in the center of the mofongo or poured over it. Dominican mofongo usually has the meat of choice actually mixed into the plantain mash and it is served with a gravy not a broth. They are both delicious it just depends what style you are hankering for at the moment.
Like I've mentioned before, Mofongo isn't really something you want to eat often (especially if you're health consciuos) but it is something that when you get a craving for it everybody better watch out!
As for the chicken, the color you noted is very typical of homestyle Puerto Rican chicken. The chicken is basted with achiote oil.....if I'm not mistaken, I believe it is called Annatto in English. The achiote seeds are simmered in olive oil until the oil turns red. This is then used to baste the chicken and give it that noticeable color and depending on how long you cook it that crispy skin. I personally don't like to eat skin but that is a favorite among MOST Puerto Ricans.....the first thing they attack is anything that has crunchy skin! LOL
Now, I am a Pernil enthusiast......I make a KILLER Pernil! I hope that is not being too boastfull....lol...if you are ever having a dinner or the like (I extend the offer to my other fellow chow members in the NYC area) and would like a Pernil..... feel free to email me and (I just ask you give AT LEAST 2 days notice because I like to marinate the meat) let me know and we can come to an arrangement. I LOVE cooking but don't have anyone to cook for....at least not at this time in my life!
I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it or can even find it, but we also make something called Pollochon which is baked chicken that has been seasoned to taste like roasted pork shoulder/pernil/lechon (Spanish word for chicken is pollo and Spanish word for roasted pork is lechon....squish the two words together and you get....Pollochon...lol) and Pavochon which is turkey that has been seasoned to taste like roasted pork shoulder/pernil/lechon (this is typically made during thanksgiving - Spanish word for Turkey is pavo and Spanish word for roasted pork is lechon... squish the two words together and you get....Pavochon...lol). I also make these....so heads up!
Funny story: I actually made Pavochon one fall for a local community garden event. I carried the turkey over to the garden.....boy......was it hot and HEAVY!
Needless to say I forgot to bring the cutting/serving utensils with me. I told the organizer: " I'll be right back". (I literally live ONE block away on the first floor - how long could that possibly take- less than 5 minutes right???? Especially since I literally RAN home!!!!)
When I got back....I was flustered.....WHERE in samcottonpickinhill is the turkey???! I'm looking around! Where's the turkey??????? I turned and saw the aluminum pan it was SUPPOSED to be in.....no turkey.....there was so much laughter I guess at my reaction....and then complaining that there was no more.....and then one of the volunteers bashfully admitted that the moment I walked out someone just wanted to peak under the aluminum foil.....when the scent came out....I was told that people hoarded around like vultures! LOL Too Funny! That was TWO YEARS AGO and I still have people bugging me when I walk down the street! Mannnnn.....I didn't even get any!
south bronx eats?
Here's another spot that is literally hidden near fort apache - but not for long - Boricua College's monster campus grounds are being constructed directly across the street from Perry's. Where there's students there's business, there's change, there's life. The future looks bright if the businesses in this neighborhood can hang on, unfortunately several have already closed unable to pay their bills such as the tropically decorated Mom's Coffee Shop that used to be located across from the forman mills on third avenue. The owner's really tried to hang on but it closed suddenly about 4 weeks ago. I swear, that place made THE best latin caribbean style noodle soup in this neighborhood. I ventured out one day while I had the flu and after I dragged my feet back home that soup was CURATIVE....I SWEAR IT REALLY WAS....that's how GOOD the stuff was! That soup was made with love.
R.I.P. Mom's Coffee Shop!
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Perry's Coffee Shop
2783 3rd Ave # 2, Bronx, NY 10455
south bronx eats?
I'm on a mission now.
There's no way we can expect our communities to improve unless we are willing to promote and support them ourselves, especially during these difficult times where most of the business are struggling first time family owned here in the bronx.
We need to seek out the places that we see may have potential and help them reach the greatness we know they can be.
best PR style mofongo in NYC?
La Fonda Boricua is AWESOME! They've kept true to their roots and have a postive influence. I respect that. Some of you may have not seen the place about 10yrs back when they first opened.....it was a little tiny hole in the wall that some people wouldn't be caught dead in (kinda like the cuchifrito place on 116)....they just started to fly in the past 5 yrs I'd say but there food has ALWAYS been good and now its even better!
best PR style mofongo in NYC?
Yeah Yeah Yeah.....that's it!!!!!
If you paid me I wouldn't be able to give you the real name of this place.....lol......even as a regular customer of over 20yrs!!! Isn't that crazy.....but regardless of wether you know the name of the place EVERYONE knows where you're talking about! LIke I said....in my family the name of this place is: "the cuchifrito place on 116"....lol
south bronx eats?
Just thought of two more places that I like:
African food: Bate Restaurant located at 860 Melrose Avenue on 159th Street
Mexican Food: Xochimilco 653 Melrose Avenue (want to say 153rd Street). Awesome enchiladas and sopes at unbelievable price.
I've just finished trying to input all the addresses in chowhounds restaurant listing. It's pathetic but south bronx wasn't showing ANYTHING! I'm kinda new to chowhound (signed up 3 days ago) so I didn't realize I could just put the link instead of yapping away. Sorry!
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Fresco Pizza and Pasta
560 E 149th St, Bronx, NY 10455
Bruckner Bar & Grill
2412 3rd Ave, Bronx, NY 10454
Lucho Barrios
516 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
Coqui Mexicano
871 Brook Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
Flavas International
3204 3rd Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
C&G House of Pizza
3075 3rd Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
Xochimilco
653 Melrose Ave, Bronx, NY 10455
G-Bar
579 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
south bronx eats?
I forgot one of my favorite places....forgive me!
This is my most favorite place in the south bronx. it's a little hard to find though.
It's called Bruckner Bar & Grill located at 1 Bruckner Boulevard Bronx Ny 10454 (718-665-2001). They have a really nice champagne brunch that I've been to on Saturdays after shopping at the dimitri's greenhouse across the street. And Friday nights can be really hopping!
I should've included some of the websites of these places, forgot that too:
http://toscanyc.com/enter.html
www.myspace.com/coquimexicano
http://www.brucknerbar.com/
south bronx eats?
OMG I L-O-V-E this thread!
You're gonna regret having invited me to post here.....lol!
Ok, now I just finished rummaging through my kitchen menu draw....here we go....by the way I ONLY keep the menus of the places I really like:
Honduran Food: La Orquidia which I won't get into because I see you have it on your list already.
AHA! But did you know about:
Ecuadorian Food: Lucio Barrios - - Best damn chaulafan.....it's addictive. Word of caution - this dish costs $10 but it's enough to serve 2 ravenous persons and leave them STUFFED
Jamaican Food: I have two places I like
1. Flavas (this place has been around for years) - 3204 Third Avenue, Bronx NY 10451, they deliver (718-292-7200) Love the collard greens, macaroni and cheese and oxtails here!
2. I can't find the menu but it is on the west side of 3rd avenue between 152nd street and 153rd street. It's very tiny, you can almost walk past it if you're not paying attention. It has a black awning on the outside with a colorful palm tree if I'm not mistaken.
3. Italian: I have three of these that I like for different reasons
1. C&C House of Pizza located at 3075 Third Avenue on the corner of 157th Street (718-292-5503) just opened a few weeks ago. The owner has been in the neighborhood for years (a really nice hard working man) and decided to open a pizza shop which took him forever to open(I don't know what the deal was with that but if any of you ask him let me know - I mean it seemed like the place was ready for 6 months before it ever opened, I'm sure it was city related issues). Now it's the typical pizza shop but his buffalo wings are REALLY good and you can choose from a variety of sauces for the wings, which I've never heard of before (honey bbq, honey dijon, spicy bbq, hot sauce, mild, toxic waste, roasted garlic, son of beach, hot spicy garlic). I mean usually you just go to a place and buffalo wings are just buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing.
2. Fresco located at 560 E 149th street (corner of St. Anns Avenue, 718-292-5744) is a casual family style restaurant with awesome pasta. Yeah, you have to wait a while for you food but all that means is that is fresh. I don't have a problem with fresh food. If I'm in a rush then I'll go to a fast food joint. If I'm hungry I'll go to fresco's.
3. G Bar Lounge & Restaurant located at 579 Grand Concourse (718-239-3300) awesome everything here, nice jazz, great drinks, tasty food, lively ambiance, nice place to hang out on a friday/saturday night.......it gets PACKED! I hear their sunday brunch gets packed, haven't been there on a sunday.
MexiRican:
Coqui Mexicano, 871 Brook Avenue (intersects w/3rd Avenue 718-450-3477) this is a brand new business still getting on its feet and still in the process of creating a steady menu BUT the food is good and the place is clean with a nice mix of old & new latino music. What I like is the feel of the place (did you ever see the movie barber shop/beauty shop and locals like to come to the place because they were comfortable? Now imagine that its a food shop and not a hair shop). Although you go to places like this to eat, I also enjoy the fact that they are trying to improve the neighborhood any way they can and so they've made themselves an official bookcrossing spot. YOu can drop off books and pick up books for FREE. OMG and the desserts, I've tried ALL of them - Budin de Maiz, Tembleque, Triple Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, Flan, Mata Hambre, Passion Fruit Mousse, Pina Colada Pie.......Can you tell I have a sweet tooth???? LOL
Mofongo Depot
ohhhhh....ooops....sorry Lau. Yeah, I know what you mean. When I lived in manhattan I used to be a regular on LES but now it's really out of the way for me and I usually go only when the weather is conducive to a nice long walk on a weekend. Send my regards to LES there are soooo many wonderful little joints down there. :)
Tehuitzingo - grocery?
Sure! I'm so glad you're interested. I'm a firm believer in supporting small business ownership and if we want the bronx to improve we need to search these places out.
I'm gonna go dig in my kitchen draw to see if I can find the menus to the jamaican place and the coqui mexicano. I'll post on the link you gave above in a few! :)
What about the Bronx?
Vietnamese in the bronx?! Wow....I've got to try this place!!!!! THANKS! I'm saving this thread to my favorites!
As for other suggestions in the bronx bigjeff, there is a jamaican spot on the west side of 3rd avenue (I want to say 152nd street) across from conway's - i have to say that the food at this takeout joint ain't too shabby! I ended up wanted to lick the takeout container. Granted the place is SUPER tiny but the owners are such sweet people and food is very good and much needed in the area. I'm so sick of seeing all this fast food.
There's another place on 3rd Avenue and brook avenue (in between the police precinct and the old bronx boro courthouse), it's called Coqui Mexicano, they're still trying to get on their feet but the food is very good. Fresh tacos, tortas, cuban sandwiches. FRESH desserts which you can find nowhere in the vicinity, my favorite is the guava cheecake and the pina colada pie. It has a homey feel to it like the roadside places in Puerto Rico. Give these places a shot and let me know what you think.
Tehuitzingo - grocery?
I don't know if this is going out of your way (I know you said Manhattan but I don't know exactly where in Manhattan you're located), but there is a place called Coqui Mexicano, it's located on 3rd avenue in the bronx (near #2, #5 train & #4,B,D trains - it takes me 30 minutes to get from midtown to this place).
If you call ahead of time they would be more than happy to make you fresh tortillas. Just let them know how many you would like.
The place is like a deli cafe that just recently opened - very humble but tropical feel to the place. Their food is super fresh (tacos, cuban sandwiches, tortas) as in made while you wait and they have really great homestyle desserts (tembleque, guava cheesecake, flan, coconut cornbread pudding.) I know you asked for tortillas but I'd figure I'd add a little extra details.
Like I said I know you mentioned manhattan but if you want more info on this little unknown spot let me know
Mofongo Depot
Thanks Lau!
I've never been to Castillo de Jagua! But, I've heard of it, good things! BUT, you say they're way uptown??? Is there a second restaurant uptown, because the one that I've heard of is on the Lower East Side???? If there is one closer to me I would love to know
Mofongo Depot
I've been to Monfogo Depot, twice. It is not a Puerto Rican or a Dominican Restaurant. It's a Latin American Caribbean restaurant. Yes mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish but Latin American countries have a habit of fusing other country's foods with their own and making their own little tweeks. The mofongo at Mofongo Depot is Dominican style mofongo.
I would suggest trying the place for yourself as everyone's tastebuds are a little different but the two times I've been to Mofongo Depot (as a Puerto Rican who grew up eating and making mofongo at home) their mofongo was A-W-F-U-L and I walked away EXTREMELY disappointed. The texture, the flavor, the intensity was not what it should have been. Now, I don't want to slam the restaurant MAYBE it just happened to be the two times I went that it just happened to be one of their off days, it happens.
If it is MOFONGO that you are interested in, I can offer three places that I would recommend. Casa Adela on Avenue C (they can have their off days here and there too - just being honest - but generally they are VERY authentic and good). Then there is La Fonda Boricua on 106th street off of 3rd Avenue (I haven't had their mofongo but I have had almost everything else and it has NEVER been a disappointment, not to mention it's a nice spot to hang with friends, live music, lounge across the street that is an extension of the restaurant, pleasant atmosphere, nothing but ++++ so I feel safe to say their mofongo is good although I haven't tried it). MY BEST RECOMMENDATION would be a chuchifrito stand on the south side of 116street between 3rd Avenue & Lexinton Avenue. HANDS DOWN THE BEST MOFONGO IN THE CITY outside of gramma's & tia's kitchen! BUT remember if you go here you are going here for THE FOOD, not for ambiance, not for being health conscious, not for doting customer service. This is a tight, loud, crowded, dramatic Puerto Rican style, spot frequented by locals for YEARSSSSSS. Heck my grandmother used to enjoy this spot when she could peel herself away from the kitchen. If you're not comfortable with blending you won't survive the experience! If you are good with blending then you might find the whole experience entertaining! LOL You come here SOLELY for cheap eats, your taste buds, food PILED on plates, their MOFONGO, and a full tummy! Like I mentioned on another post, once you put the first fork in your mouth you zone everything else out.
best PR style mofongo in NYC?
I know this is an old post I stumbled across but being raised in Puerto Rico, being crazy about mofongo, and making it at home myself, I have to agree with stuartlafonda - Casa Adela does make ONE of the best PUERTO RICAN style mofongo's in the city which are sadly & ironically far and few between.
I've been to Mofongo Depot twice and twice their mofongo was AWFUL in texture, in taste, in sazon. I wouldn't even dare call it mofongo. Maybe it was just happened to be the two times....hey, it happens to the best of places, even in our own kitchens BUT I wouldn't go back to Mofongo Depot unless I was dragged by friends and even then I would walk in grumbling.
Now...there is a chuchifrito stand on the south side of 116 street, between 3rd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. I don't know the name. It's been there since before the start of time! God, I lived for years in the neighborhood and never bothered to know the name....the whole family just called it " the cuchifrito place on 116"....the only thing that was important to us was their mofongo....who cares about the name just gives us the mofongo!!!!! HYSTERICAL! THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR MOFONGO! It is the best mofongo in NYC hands down outside of gramma's or tia's kitchen!
But for the best flavor you have to eat there. Do your tongue a favor. Yes the place can get loud, yes the place can get cramped, but once you put the first fork in your mouth somehow you zone out! This is not a place you go to for the "ambiance", you go hear PURELY for cheap eats, your taste buds, and a full tummy! Oh and don't even try to be health conscious if you're going to eat mofongo!
Anyone been to Cabrito?
I just walked passed Cabrito this afternoon....the outside caught my curiosity but something was just knawing at me not to go in when I looked inside. glad I didn't decide to go in being that I am used to down home mexican cooking, after reading the reviews posted here! lol
Glass of wine or cocktail and a good book??
That's IT!!!!!! Lord....I wouldn't have remembered that name for the life of me!
Glass of wine or cocktail and a good book??
Oh, I've been there, nice spot....just escaped my memory. It's really close to a really good italian old world style pastry shop that's been around for AGES, the name just escapes me.
simple chocolates
I just recommended on a previous posting a GUARANTEED place for chocolates on 9th avenue called Three Tarts. Check out their site: www.threetarts.com
AWESOME, AWESOME,AWESOME....Trust me......although it seems impossible I've NEVER and I MEAN NEVER heard ANYTHING negative about this cute little spot.
uni panini... i wish they had sidewalk stands
I've seen the Sea Urchins many a time on sidewalk stands on Arthur Avenue but I haven't gotten the courage to try them yet....lol....I'm curious, what is the proper way to eat them? What do they taste like? Texture? I can do clams occasionally. I can NOT do oysters. I think its all in my mind probably.
Glass of wine or cocktail and a good book??
HYSTERICAL KTinNYC!
So I guess I will like the spot, I'm not looking to stay out late as I said I have a significant other w/relationship on the rocks & besides I have to be at work at 4am.
Don't get me wrong.....I'm still young, 32 and can break night but it somehow just doesn't seem worth it to me when I have no choice but to be at work the next day. I like sleeping, I like my bed, I like not being more miserable than necessary at my job. LOL
So tomorrow will be a toss between VON and Mud. I'll let you know.
Glass of wine or cocktail and a good book??
Thanks for clarifying that.....kinda assumed it had munchies....I decided to google it quickly and found that its pet friendly! That's awesome! I'm developing quite a nice list here. I'm definitely gonna post back w/all of the suggestions that I follow up on! I'm new to chowhound and this is the first time I ever chat with people online and you guys are the nicest bunch!
