Bronx Voice - December 13, 2023

BRONX VOICE

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7th Year, No. 14

MOPED DRIVER REPEATEDLY Page 7 STRUCK, DRAGGED

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FREE December 13 - 19 2023

Grinches rob elderly man of $26 Grand at Mall

The NYPD is searching for two women in the grand theft of $26,000 from an elderly man's bank account.

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Treating Page 12 communities of color in fight against AIDS

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NYCHA playground shooter gets 25 to life 2• BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

By Dan Gesslein A Bronx man convicted in the dramatic daylight fatal shooting of a man near a NYCHA playground was sentenced to 25 years to life, prosecutors said. The murder was captured on surveillance video.

Jameel Campbell, 45, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder charges.

Campbell was convicted in the murder of 27-year-old Ezequiel Rivera in the courtyard of the Monroe Houses.

At around 9:15 am on September 13, 2020, Campbell opened fire on Rivera in the courtyard near 1770 Bruckner Boulevard. Prosecutors said Campbell fired seven roundstwo bullets struck RiIn 2020, the NYPD released dramatic surveillance video of the fatal vera. He would later shooting of Ezequiel Rivera. A Bronx jury convicted Jameel Campbell die of his wounds.

Following an intense of the murder.

manhunt in which the NYPD released the dramatic video of the shooting, police found Campbell in Atlantic City, NJ. He was arrested and brought back to New York in February 2021.

“The defendant opened fire on a Sunday morning near the Monroe Houses, shooting at the victim seven times, striking him twice,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

"This is another example of a callous shooter, and with its verdict a Bronx jury has decided our community has had enough.”

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BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023• 3

Mystery over police shooting continues

4 • BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

By David Greene An off-duty NYPD police officer wounded a man inside a furniture store at the same time Mayor Eric Adams was holding a town hall meeting with local seniors less than a half mile away. Nearly two weeks later police have yet to announce an arrest or the status of the officer.

According to an official release by the NYPD, police stated at the time that the incident took place inside of the ‘Hollywood Touch of Class’ furniture shop located at 4062 White Plains Road at East 229 Street, at 3:05 p.m. on November 30.

Officials reported that a 42-year-old male walked into the shop and engaged

in a dispute with the off-duty officer, when during the dispute, the officer fired one round, striking the still-unidentified male in the left arm, before the bullet grazed his chest. The male was transported to Jacobi Hospital in “stable condition.”

At a press conference outside of the furniture shop later that evening, Assis-

tant Chief Benjamin Gurley, the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Bronx stated everything in the earlier press release.

Gurley added, “Further information will be made available as the investigation unfolds by the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.” Without taking any questions, Gurley added, “That’s it, good night.”

The police involved shooting took place as Mayor Adams had just begun taking questions from seniors at a town hall meeting held at the JASA Bay Eden Older Adult

Photo by David Greene

Police officers outside of the Hollywood Touch of Class furniture shop after and off-duty NYPD shot a man as Mayor Eric Adams was speaking with seniors less than a half a mile away.

Center at 1220 East 229 Street, just eight blocks from the scene of the shooting.

Although much of the meeting discussed the impending budget cuts, Adams addressed crime, telling seniors, “We’ve been extremely successful in this city with a real partnership with your senator, with the borough president, crime has decreased… a decrease in our five of seven major crime categories.”

On December 9, the Bronx Voice visited the Hollywood furniture shop where several people were sitting around a table and several men were standing behind the counter. When asked about the shooting one woman responded, “Na, na, na, no, no. We don’t want, we don’t have no stories.”

Asked for information about the man shot inside the store, the woman replied, “No, we don’t know nothing about nothing.

Thank you.”

On December 11, the NYPD was asked if the 42-year-old male had been arrested and identified as well as questions about the officer, but the NYPD had not responded before the submission of this article.

Grinches rob elderly man of $26 Grand

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By Dan Gesslein A pair of female crooks stole a man’s bank card and removed $26,000 from the 81-year-old man’s account at a Bay Plaza bank, the NYPD said.

At around 10 am on November 16, an 81-year-old man was standing in front of a Bank of America branch in the Bay Plaza Shopping Center. Two women walked up to the man and removed his bank card off the victim.

Cops said the women then used the bank card to remove $26,031.45 from his account.

With the cash in hand the thieves ran off in an unknown direction.

The NYPD released surveil-

lance video of the suspects.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers. nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

The NYPD is searching for two women in the grand theft of $26,000 from an elderly man's bank account.

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Graffiti fans mourn passing of legend ‘Tracy 168’

By David Greene An outdoor memorial was attended by about 50 friends and fans of graffiti legend Michael Tracy, 65, who suffered a fatal medical emergency inside of a Kingsbridge Wendy’s on September 23.

The crowd gathered outside of the Valentine-Varian House at 3266 Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood not far from the Williamsbridge Oval Park where Tracy often hung out as a teen.

Credited by many as the father of modern-day graffiti, Tracy grew up in Kingsbridge and once

publicized his exploits in an Associated Press article, offering to paint anyone’s name on a New York City subway train for $25. Tracy was also one of the first graffiti artists to commercially paint store fronts as a business.

“Bio,” a member of Tats Cru, a group of

A screenshot photo of Michael Tracy in a social media post announcing the first of two memorials held near the Williamsbridge Oval Park.

graffiti artists who have turned their graffiti into a multi-million-dollar business, said of Tracy “He was a unique character.” Bio continued, “He would do things most people wouldn’t dare, and he wasn’t trying to prove anything, he was just Tracy, you had to know him to understand.”

Bio added, “I remember looking at some of his older outlines and thinking damn, this is still better than most things out Photo by David Greene today. I remember him Longtime friends and fellow graffiti artists hold balloons in honor of “Tracy 168” outside of the Valentine-Varian House doing commercial work way before a lot of artists on Bainbridge Avenue.

even thought about it. He was definitely ahead of his time.”

Bronx artist and Fordham Heights resident Kathleena Howie, who goes by the name “Lady K. Fever,” said she had produced a show and had asked Tracy why graffiti had survived so long, born with the birth of rap or hip-hop in the Bronx around 1973, Tracy told her it was, “made from love,” which is what she named her show.

Howie continued, “If you look back at the 70’s, a lot of these guys

were put into Special Ed or kicked out of school because they were creative people and they were thinking outside the box.”

When told that some in the community remember the millions of dollars spent by the MTA to combat graffiti, Howie replied, “Shame on the MTA and shame on New York for not being like Europe and actually seeing it as a cultured fabric of New York City. I mean they really need to embrace it one day and really need to start funding it properly.”

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BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023• 7

Moped driver struck by multiple vehicles, dragged in fatal cycle

By Dan Gesslein A moped driver was killed when he was struck by three separate vehicles and then dragged on the Cross Bronx Expressway, the NYPD said. Two of the drivers did not stay at the scene.

Police responding to a call of an accident found the moped driver unresponsive with severe body trauma at the Cross Bronx Expressway near Jerome Ave-

nue.

The NYPD has identified the victim as Joseph Anthony Ruiz of 214th Street.

NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad determined the cause of the accident. At around 9 am on December 4, Joseph Anthony Ruiz, 18, was driving a Jiangsu moped eastbound on the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Investigators said Ruiz was traveling in the right and center lanes when he struck the rear left corner of a Honda minivan in the right lane. He then struck the right side of a tractor trailer

traveling in the center lane. The impact threw Ruiz off the moped and onto the pavement and under the rear wheels of the tractor trailer.

Cops said Ruiz was then struck by a Dodge Charger and dragged for a distance by the muscle car.

The driver of the minivan remained at the scene where as the tractor trailer and Dodge drivers took off.

Anyone with information in

regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Community Op Ed 8 • BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

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Saving New Yorkers from the opioid crisis

By Mayor Eric Adams A fatal overdose occurs in New York City every 3 hours. The opioid epidemic is a growing public health crisis that we must end.

It has inflicted too much heartache in our city. Manufacturers and distributors have hooked thousands of New Yorkers on opioids and other painkillers.

They have raked in billions of dollars — profiting off of addiction and tragedy while people’s lives have been lost and destroyed.

Last year was the deadliest year on record for overdose deaths in our city. In 2022 alone, over 3,000 New Yorkers died of a drug overdose — a 12 percent increase from 2021 — and fentanyl overdoses made up 81 percent of those overdoses.

I know the destruction that overdose epidemics can cause. I was a police officer during the 1980s, and

I saw firsthand how crack devastated our communities. We cannot sit back and let what happened to prior generations happen to our families. This is the moment where we must do everything in our power to confront and defeat the opioid crisis.

Thanks to the efforts of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who secured billions of dollars from opioid manufacturers and distributors, we are investing in our neighborhoods across the five boroughs to fight this epidemic and save lives.

Just last week, our adPhoto by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office ministration announced Mayor Eric Adams announces an additional $12 million to combat the opioid epidemic as $12 million in new fundpart of funds secured by New York Attorney General Letitia James from settlements reached ing for Staten Island, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

in her numerous lawsuits against different manufacturers and distributors of opioids at Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island.

Saving New Yorkers from the opioid crisis

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

which has been hit hard by the overdose epidemic.

Staten Island accounts for five percent of all overdose deaths citywide and has the city’s second highest overdose rate of the five boroughs. We listened to the concerns of leaders on the ground in Staten Island, and we’re proud that this critical funding will make a real difference, and ensure more New Yorkers can live long, healthy lives with their loved ones.

This work goes hand-inhand with the significant steps we have already taken to combat the opioid crisis. Earlier this year, we released our mental health agenda, which outlines how we will expand access to high-quality harm reduction services, and we set a bold goal of reducing overdose deaths by 15 percent by 2025.

We also held the first ever two-day summit on the fentanyl crisis that brought elected leaders, public health officials, and law enforcement pro-

fessionals from across the country to New York City to work towards a national strategy to combat fentanyl overdoses.

And through intensive enforcement, we have made hundreds of arrests of drug dealers and traf-

fickers. In addition to expanded enforcement, we have increased our support for prevention, harm reduction, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery programs citywide, and have distributed more than 200,000 Naloxone kits and

tens of thousands of fentanyl and xylazine test strips.

It is devastating to lose a loved one to an overdose. It impacts your family, friends, and community. It impacts this city. Every overdose death is a tragedy, but every overdose is also preventable.

We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past, and with these critical funds, we are tackling the opioid crisis head on. Together, we are going to reduce overdoses, save lives, and protect our communities.

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Safer charging for e-bikes is coming - Adams says 10 • BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

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Mayor Eric Adams plans on ringing that we safely harness and expanding enforce- batteries or dangerousin the New Year with launching e-bike the transformative po- ment against high-risk ly refurbished batteries.

In June, Mayor Adtential of e-bikes in our situations. charging stations throughout the city in city.”

Additionally, this ams, FDNY Commisan attempt to stop the problem of fires “Charge Safe, Ride year, Mayor Adams has sioner Kavanagh, and started by cheap lithium-ion batteries. Safe” focuses on four also signed several bills New York City Small key areas: promoting to further regulate lith- Business Services ComThe plan will include battery-swapping and incentivizing safe ium-ion batteries sold missioner Kevin Kim networks, as well as secure bike parking battery use, increasing in New York City and launched a new action docks that supply fast charging to deliv- education and outreach strengthen fire safety plan to expedite investo electric micro mobil- related to battery fires, tigations into potentialery workers’ e-bikes. ity users, advocating for including bills that pro- ly hazardous conditions “New Yorkers rely on ment builds on our ho- additional federal regu- hibit the sale of unsafe, involving lithium-ion delivery workers for so listic strategy to ensure lation of these devices, uncertified lithium-ion CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 much, and this innovative pilot program will test different technologies to make this technology safer as we continue to do all we can to help protect workers from the dangers that lithium-ion batteries can pose,” said Mayor Adams.

“By investing in battery-swapping networks and fast-charging e-bike docks, we’re building e-bike-friendly infrastructure and preparing our city’s streets for a new generation of users,” the mayor said.

“Today’s announce-

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Safer charging for e-bikes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

batteries, as well as launch a comprehensive outreach and education campaign to educate bike shop and bike repair shop owners about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries and best practices to avoid fires. As part of the plan, 311 calls regarding questionable activity at bike repair shops or any other location where batteries are being charged will get a response from the local fire station within 12 hours.

E-bikes and e-scooters are an affordable and convenient alternative to cars and are essential for delivery workers and other New Yorkers who rely on this mode of transportation for their livelihoods. However, these new transportation options have also brought serious fire risks.

Fires caused by batteries that power electric micro mobility

devices are a significant problem in New York City, growing from 30 in 2019 to 253 in 2023. These fires are particularly severe and difficult to extinguish, spreading quickly and producing noxious fumes. From 2019 to 2022, these fires resulted in an average of approximately three deaths and 66 injuries per year.

So far in 2023, these batteries have already resulted in 18 deaths and 133 injuries.

“Spreading education about safe practices for lithium-ion batteries is one of the FDNY’s top priorities,” said Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “We know these fires can cause serious injury, and even death. We are grateful to our partners in city government for their out-of-the-box thinking on how we can embrace this new technology while also protecting lives.”

BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023• 11

Health Matters 12 • BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

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Treating communities of color in fight against AIDS Montefiore AIDS Center, one of the largest HIV prevention and treatment programs in New York State, has been awarded $6.8 million in New York State and New York City Departments of Health funding to amplify its already robust prevention and treatment program for Bronx adults and youth over the next five years. The three grants secured since last World AIDS Day, are all focused on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) including the LGBTQ+ community.

One in four new HIV diagnoses in New York City happens in the Bronx. Most of the individuals impacted by this virus identify as Black or Hispanic and are under 40 years old.

“We have made tremendous strides in addressing HIV and AIDS. But since the beginning of the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, communities of color and people who identify as LGBTQ+ remain at higher risk and unacceptable disparities remain,” said Barry Zingman, M.D.,

the principal investigator at Montefiore for all three grants and Medical Director of the Montefiore AIDS Center. “The funding from New York State and City allows us to expand services, and enhance our team with more counselors, patient educators and mental health support to ensure our patients obtain the comprehensive care required to meet their medical and psychosocial needs, both to optimally treat those living with HIV and to prevent it in CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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people who are at higher risk. Importantly, the new funding also enables us to increase services that will help us to identify and address barriers to care like lack of healthy food, unhealthy living conditions and unstable housing.”

The three grants include: Advancing Health Equity through Comprehensive Community-Based HIV Ambulatory Care Services: Component A, Retention and Adherence Program (for The Center for Positive Living/ID Clinic): focuses on both newly diagnosed patients and those who were previously diagnosed who are on antiretroviral therapy that has failed to suppress their viral load (associated with decreased survival and increased HIV transmission). The goal is to help these individuals, particularly people who have been impacted by racial discrimination, trauma and stigma, tackle a range of challenges related to health dispari-

ties like limited English proficiency, educational and transportation barriers. By addressing these challenges, the goal is to help people consistently access comprehensive care and maximize opportunities for viral load suppression, which in turn leads most to a long, healthy life with HIV and prevents transmission of the virus to others.

Advancing Health Equity through Comprehensive Community-Based HIV Ambulatory Care Services: Component B, Centers for Young Adults (for The Oval Center at Montefiore): enables Montefiore to provide 13–29-year-old BIPOC LGBTQ+ Bronx patients living with HIV, with comprehensive primary, HIV and mental health care. The goal of the program is to have Montefiore’s multidisciplinary staff, consisting of infectious disease specialists, outreach specialists, social workers, peer navigators, patient educators and

BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023• 13

more to assist historically underserved patients in improving self-management of their HIV disease.

Montefiore will also help this population with addressing challenges like lack of medication, difficulty adhering to medical appointments, food insecurity and feelings of isolation and depression.

24-PHC-165P for PlaySure Network 2.0 in Health Care Settings: a high performing site since the start of this funding in 2022, Montefiore earned more funding in 2023 to increase screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and to improve access to medicines like PrEP and PEP (pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis) that prevent HIV. There is a continued focus on the impact of housing, transportation and education. Funding also supported activities to address MPOX (formerly called “monkeypox”) which disproportionately affects gay, bi, trans and

other men who have sex with men, as well as other racial and ethnic minority groups in New York City. Montefiore has been one of the largest evaluation and treatment site for MPOX in New York State and one of the first to offer MPOX vaccines on-site, ensuring that populations experiencing the greatest health disparities in the region do not suffer from lack of vaccine access.

“For more than 20 years, the Montefiore AIDS Center has proudly served the Bronx and surrounding areas, and more recently opened The Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center (JFPWC) of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, the first LGBTQ+-focused medical center in the Hudson Valley,” continued Dr. Zingman, who is also professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and clinical director, infectious diseases, at the Moses division of Montefiore Health System. “Our experience

consistently reinforces the importance of regularly learning from and caring for our communities, particularly people who are stigmatized and might be distrustful and disengaged from the healthcare system.

Having these additional funds and support from the State and City will help us make a real difference in people’s lives and we hope will create opportunities to recognize and celebrate our achievements on future World AIDS Days.”

Yesterday, The Oval Center, part of the Montefiore AIDS Center, was awarded a NYS DOH Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award in the HIV category and The Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center of Montefiore Nyack Hospital was awarded a Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award in the LGBTQ+ category, at New York DOH’s Annual World AIDS Day event.

Culinary Road 14 • BRONX VOICE• December 13 - 19, 2023

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By Morris Gut

My favorite culinary encounters of 2023

I have had many fine culinary encoun- White Plains 914-761-1818 www.mulinosny.com ters this past year. Here is a short list of ANASA GREEK KITCHEN! favorite dishes and dining venues you The vibrant flavors and should try not to miss in 2024! hospitality of Greece are LIEBMAN’S DELICATESSEN FOR A NOSH!

Liebman’s kosher Jewish delicatessen in Riverdale has been serving their traditional larder since 1953. They are the only kosher deli left in the Bronx where once there were many.

For all you corned beef and pastrami mavens, there is a wide selection of old-world favorites: matzo ball soup; frankfurters with mustard & sauerkraut; smoked fish and appetizing; overstuffed sandwiches; stuffed cabbage; Hungarian goulash; and chicken in the pot with all the fixings. Owners Yuval Dekel and Craig Weitz have announced they are working on a second location at Addyman Square in Ardsley.

Stand by. Liebman’s original deli is located at 552 W. 235 Street, Riverdale, The Bronx.

718-548-4534 www.lieb-

mansdeli.com MULINO’S EXTENDS HOLIDAY FEST! It is over-the-top at Mulino’s of Westchester in White Plains during the holidays, and it begins with the bright glittering lights at the entranceway.

The annual Christmas Holiday Fest at Mulino’s runs through January 2024, and it’s a sight to behold for the whole family!

The fountain garden is beautiful as is the lavish dining room and bar/lounge. General Manager Gimmy Cavagna and his staff are keeping the premises spiffy as ever: gesticulating Christmas decorations galore, life size toy soldiers, bursting colorful floral displays, the handsome multilevel seating area. A special holiday menu is served. Open 7 days. Valet parking. Reservations advised. Mulino’s of Westchester, 99 Court Street,

served up with gusto at Anasa Greek Kitchen, the newly revamped Mediterranean restaurant on Central Ave., White Plains. Proprietors Bobby and Stevia are all over the room engaging with customers. Bobby, who is the talented self-taught chef and artist, will help you create a special menu. Extraordinary starters are their hot meze platter of Chargrilled Octopus served with olive oil and lemon, or lightly fried Zucchini Chips. Follow with their colorful Horiatiki Salad. As a main course try the skewered Lamb; fresh Whole Branzino; or Pork Chops. A glass of traditional Greek Restina white wine is a fine complement. Anasa Greek Kitchen, 287 Central Ave., White Plains. 914-368-8828 www.anasagreek.com CLASSICS AT TORCELLO

Imer Rraci and his veteran team have reimagined the former La Riserva, a lovely setting for the Italian classics. Named after an island off the coast of Venice, Chef Avni turns out such winning dishes as: colorful Mozzarella Caprice; Eggplant Rollatini; Rigatoni Bolognese in a meat sauce; Risotto Di Funghi with porcini; Veal Martini; classic Rack of

Lamb; and delicious Pollo Torcello, topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in a light bourbon mushroom sauce. Rraci has spent years working for the former Giambelli in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, CT. Open 7 days for dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. Bar/cocktails. Weekday Happy Hours: 4:30-6:30 pm.

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My favorite culinary encounters of 2023

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Free parking. Torcello, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. 914-833-1118 www. torcellolarchmont.com SUNDAY INDIAN BUFFET AT TANDOORI!

Bharat Patel, proprietor of long running Tandoori Taste of India, moved his restaurant into a new contemporized location along Westchester Ave., Port Chester. The dining room and bar area are separated. Light grey walls are highlighted by modern industrial fixtures, lighting, and colorful Indian artifacts. Manager Kirit will show you the way. At a recent sitting, we enjoyed a dramatically presented Stuffed Dosa with masala spiced potatoes, served with coconut chutney and sambar.

An order of Chicken Curry was an herbal delight. The marinated Salmon cooked in the tandoor oven was juicy and delicious. The multi-course Sunday all-you-can-eat buffet is back.

Tandoori Taste of India, 223 Westchester Ave., Port Chester.

Just up the street from the Capitol Theatre concert hall. Closed Tuesdays. 914-937-2727. www. tandooritasteofindia.com

VIA VEROLI PREMIERES IN YONKERS! Partners Salvatore Cucullo Jr. and Walter Palma have opened Via Veroli Ristorante on Central Park Ave., Yon-

kers. It is the same space that longtime Westchester diners will recall as Reggia Morelli, and most recently Calabria Mia. The 150-seat restaurant, named after a section, north of Rome, has been completely refurbished with classic white tablecloths and burgundy cloth napkins.

There is an enclosed patio area facing Central Park Ave. A small inviting bar sparkles with its display of vintages and liquors. Look for such specialties as Beef, Pork & Veal Meatballs with whipped ricotta; Italian Fried Chicken, Pork Chop Scarpariello and Linguine Cacio e Peppe.

Many will know Chef Salvatore, who is also an owner/chef at The 808 Bistro in Scarsdale. Chef Sal offers an Italian-leaning menu without borders. According to the whims of his creative kitchen, there are often surprising global extras worked into his dishes. Via Veroli, 2150 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. Open 7 days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

Happy Hours: 3-6 p.m. daily.

914-961-3333 www.viaveroli.com HEARTY IRISH AMERICAN FARE AT JACK’S

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BAR Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. The space has been totally remodeled and 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 a refreshing Harvest Green Salad; Double-Stacked Smash Burger; decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Jack’s Meatballs; Seared Scallops; Chicken Curry; Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Berkshire Pork Chop; and Grilled Lamb Sliders. The staff could not have been more friendly.

Open daily. Indoor & outdoor seating. TVs. Municipal parking; free evenings.

Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com VIEWS OF L.I. SOUND AT MAMMA FRANCESCA

When Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples in Italy, his earliest memories where of the simple seaside meals he would enjoy with his family, farm-to-table and of course seato-table. As proprietor of Mamma Francesca for nearly 40

years, located on the banks of Long Island Sound with 6-story views of the ‘Queen City’s’ seafaring boat clubs, this culinary philosophy still holds true, albeit with a sprinkling of contemporary taste. There are private and semi-private party facilities for up to 100 guests and catering packages to suit your needs. Robust Italian/American specialties include freshly made Manicotti, Calamari Fritti, Ischia Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Misto Frutti di Mare. Rabbit Cacciatore, too. Daily Happy

Hours. Off-premise catering.

New woodburning pizza bar.

Free parking. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229 www. mammafrancesca.com (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.

Email: gutreactions@optonline.net)

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