February 10, 2021

BRONX VOICE

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

FREE

ROAD RAGE SLAY? 4th Year, No.15

February 10 - 16, 2021

Photo by David Greene

Man shot dead in possible road rage incident Page Braving snow for shot at vax Page 12

4

2• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Gunman pumps numerous bullets into man in lobby of his building

By Dan Gesslein Hipster Haven Mott Haven took another blow to its generification image following news that a man was gunned down inside the lobby of his building.

At around 11:50 pm on February 3, police responding to a 911 of numerous shots fired found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. The officers found the man in the lobby of 620 East 137th Street inside the Mill Brook Houses.

The 42-year-old man was found unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and hip. The victim was rushed to nearby Lincoln Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The NYPD has not released the name pending no-

tification of the victim’s family.

No description of the gunman or motive has been provided at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (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 WWW. NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 3

4• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Man shot dead in possible road rage incident in Pelham Bay

By David Greene Police are looking for the gunman who opened fire on a vehicle after a possible fender-bender may have led to a violent road rage shooting in Pelham Bay. According to police, officers from the 45th Precinct were called to Wilkinson Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard at 7:08 p.m. on Saturday, February 6.

In a brief statement, poPhoto by David Greene lice reported, "Upon arMultiple sources and published reports say Dane Salomon, 22, was shot in his vehicle after a minor fender bender in Pelham rival, officers discovered Bay in a photo taken on Sunday, February 7, 2021. a male with multiple gun- but added, "One of my shot wounds to the upper friends that lives in the body. EMS responded to building told me they the location and trans- had an accident and that ported the victim to Jaco- somebody got shot.” bi Hospital, where he was According to the friend, later pronounced. There the initial fender bender are no arrests and the in- took place at Westchester vestigation is ongoing.”

Avenue, before the actuThe victim was later al shooting took place in identified as Dane Salm- the Wilkinson Avenue inon, 22, of nearby Hutchin- tersection with Bruckner son River Parkway.

Boulevard a block away.

Salmon's 4-door NisA female resident of san had apparently been Salmon's 24-story apartinvolved in an accident ment building, stated, moments before the "I did hear about it. A shooting as the bumper to lady in my building told his vehicle was left hang- me about it... but I don't ing. Nearly 12 hours later know who the young a tow truck removed the man is.” vehicle for further analShe added, "It's a horriysis and police reopened ble story.” the roadway.

According to his FaceSources say police book page, Salmon atwere treating the incident tended Harry S. Truman as a case of road rage and High School before atwere looking for two men tending Florida State in their late 20s, who al- University. The social legedly fled the scene in a media profile also stated late model, 4-door Toyo- that Salmon was most ta sedan. recently working at the One local business fashion giant, the Ralph owner stated, "I was not Lauren Corporation, but here, we are closed Sat- that could not immediateurdays and Sundays," ly be verified.

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 5

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Cool crook steals $17 grand worth of air conditioners

By Dan Gesslein Cops are looking for a cool crook who stole 10 air conditioners from a Bronx rehab center valued close to $17 grand.

And the theft was caught on video.

The NYPD released surveillance video of a suspect who stole nearly $17,000 worth of air conditioners from Workmen’s Circle Rehab Center.

According to police the suspect struck at around 8:23 am on a Saturday morning on January 9. Driving a graffitti covered white box truck, the suspect pulled into

the back gate at 3155 Grace Avenue and up to the loading dock.

Surveillance video captured the thief wheel the 10 air conditioners one by one on a hand truck into the box truck. The NYPD says the combined value for the air conditioners is $16,800.

The suspect is described as a lightskinned male approximately 40-50 years old, last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants, a black mask and black sneakers.

Anyone with information is urged to call

CRIMESTOPPERS at (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 WWW.NYPDC R I M E S TO P P E R S .

COM, on Twitter @ NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Police released surveillance video which shows a man loading 10 air conditioners into a box truck. Cops say the suspect stole the AC units from a Bronx rehab center.

Anti gun activist guns down man - DA says 6• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

An anti-gun activist has been charged with fatally shooting a man during a party in the Bronx.

Mervin Joseph Moore, 37, of Sheridan Avenue, was arraigned on second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter and two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross. Remand was continued and the defendant is due back in court on April 28, 2021.

“The defendant allegedly fatally shot a man last August, contributing to a wave of gun violence our borough suffered during the summer of 2020,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said.

“This defendant was part of a Bronx anti-violence group

and was very active in the community.

He attended anti-gun violence rallies and marches and visited NYPD Precincts to talk about his network. Now in tragic irony he stands charged with murder,” Clark said.

“I consider these anti-gun violence groups in the Bronx vital stakeholders in the fight against the gun scourge, and their good work should not be tarnished by this alleged crime.”

According to the investigation, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on August 1, 2020, the defendant spotted the victim, Forest Byrd III, 34, at a party in a courtyard at 1166 Burke Ave-

Forest Byrd III was gunned down during a party in August.

Proscecutors say an anti-gun activist fatally shot him. -Photo from gunmemorial.org

nue. The defendant allegedly went inside a building and returned to the gathering and fired multiple shots at Byrd, striking him in the chest, back and arm. The victim was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after. The defendant,

who had been active with Jacobi Medical Center’s Stand Up to Violence (SUV) group, fled and was arrested on December 24, 2020. The motive for the shooting is unclear.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Reach more people

Advertise in print & online: bxadsvoice@gmail.com

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 7

Status of storm victim remains unknown

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

8• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

By David Greene

In a city with a million ways to die from things such as extreme temperatures, hunger, drugs and now COVID-19, one man who was thought to be sleeping on a park bench during a blizzard, was found to be unresponsive.

On February 8, Dan Kastanis, a press officer at New York City Parks Department confirmed the incident that was reported to

Parks officials at 12:10 p.m. on Sunday, February 7, at St. James Park, located at 2579 Jerome Avenue at East 192 Street in the Fordham Manor section of the borough.

In an email response, Kastanis stated, "A Parks supervisor observed FDNY EMS on scene at St. James Park near the comfort station to transfer an unresponsive, approximately 40-year-old male to the Allen Pa-

vilion Hospital.”

Kastanis added, "Our records indicate that the individual was breathing, but not responsive.”

Meanwhile, the NYPD and the FDNY claimed to have "no information" of the incident at the time and location provided.

Calls to the Allen Pavilion of the New York Presbyterian Hospital to learn the condition of the man, were not immediately returned.

Photo by David Greene

Paramedics work on the unidentified 40 year-old man found unresponsive at St. James Park on February 7.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 9

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

10• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

Grandmother’s new rap tells kids to wash your hands

By David Greene A North Bronx grandmother frustrated that parents are not explaining to children why they are being told to wear masks and to wash their hands more frequently-- has written a poem and has been distributing copies of the poem to folks at different sites across the borough.

Long time activist and Community Board # 12 member Barbara Gibson, 81, recalled,

"As a teacher... I noticed society was not approaching the children and explaining

to them what the virus was about, so I wrote this rap that tells kids there's a virus in the land."

Gibson's rap goes like this: Hey Kids Wash, wash your hands There's a virus in the land And we want you to understand Hey kids Wash, wash your hands There's a new style in the land And masks to cover

Photo by David Greene

Barbara Gibson, 81, sits outside of the Bethlehem Church of God Holiness at East 216 Street in Olinville where she handed out flyers to her rap “Wash Your Hands.”

your nose and mouth 2020, when the panTo keep in place on demic was just takyour face ing hold of the city and has since been Hey kids handing out flyers to Wash, wash your hands parents and children Help your friends and in Co-op City, Olfellow man inville, Eastchester, Baychester and The Hey kids Hub. Stay six feet away She adds, "I'm givSocial distance ing out this flyer to Always remember parents for them to sit when you remove your down and read it and mask explain to their chilTo wash your hands dren why they have to wear this mask.”

Hey Kids On February 5, GibWash, wash your hands son was outside of the Thank you for under- Bethlehem Church of standing God Holiness, locatWhat it takes to keep ed at East 216 Street the virus and Willett Avenue in From spreading in the the Olinville section, land. where local elected officials were preparGibson continued, ing a food and PPE "So I felt they weren't giveaway, where Gibreaching the kids or son would hand the telling the kids why flyer to anyone who they have to wear was interested. this mask. They were Gibson added, "I just putting it on their hope my flyers reach faces and they didn't all of the kids as that's know why they had been my life's work.” to keep it on their Although no recordfaces or why they are ing of the poem is curwashing their hands rently in the works, more than usual.” don't expect "Wash Gibson stated that Your Hands" to be she wrote the poem the last rap made by back on April 24, Grandma Gibson.

Get Breaking News @ bronxvoice.blogspot

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 11

12• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Bronxites brave snow for shot at Covid- 19 vax

By David Greene

As much as six inches of fresh snow fell across the borough, but that didn't stop Bronxites from doing their daily routine of biking, shopping or getting their COVID-19 inoculation during a global pandemic as the second major winter snowstorm of the season battered the area for most of the day on February 7.

Trees glistened as they were covered in snow making picturesque photos for residents along Mo-

sholu Parkway, Bronx Park East and Pelham Parkway.

Despite initial plans

by Governor Andrew

Photos by David Greene

Despite the snow a steady flow of people seeking the COVID-19 shot walked in and out of Yankee Stadium on February 7. Bronxites were screened before passing through metal detectors set up outside of Yankee Stadium before being allowed in and getting their COVID-19 shot.

Cuomo to shut all COVID-19 vaccine distribution centers, dozens, if not hundreds of Bronxites lined up outside of Gate 4 at Yankee Stadium, which had only

opened a day earlier to give the vaccine shots that were being given by appointment only.

NYPD officers and several National Guard members

Folks braving the elements in Kingsbridge Heights walking at Jerome Avenue and East 195 Street on February 7.

assisted medical personnel in keeping the steady flow of people moving through a maze of metal barricades as they passed through metal detectors and into the House that Jeter Built.

One driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree at West 179 Street and Cedar Avenue, but no serious injuries were reported.

As falling snow brings the hazard of downed trees, which can and often does bring down power lines, Con Edison is reporting 160 outages with 711 customers out of service citywide, including 4 customers in Highbridge and one in Fordham Heights.

Con Edison was working to restore power to those customers.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 13

The changing face of eating disorders

14• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

By Dr. Hina Talib, Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore In recognition of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, which takes place February 22 – 28, it is important to raise awareness and share how eating disorders affect our community.

Typically, someone with an eating disorder was assumed to be a skinny teenage girl, usually white and affluent. Gone are those days.

Those of us caring for teens now recognize eating disorders, which are a group of mental health conditions with potentially life-threatening consequences, in more diverse groups of teens.

Paying attention to new or unusual eating habits is more important than ever, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more challenging to recognize who may be struggling with an eating disorder. And since the pandemic hit, fewer teens are coming in for their yearly check-ups.

Here are five ways the face of eating disorders have changed over the last decade: First, younger teens and pre-teens are now facing eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, which we used to think of more in older girls and adults. Pre-teens

can actually have more rapid and drastic weight loss and have other mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.

They are less likely to binge eat or force themselves to vomit, so, they may not look like a “typical” eating disorder, but they are still at risk. In fact, pre-teens can become very sick as a result of malnutrition from rapid weight loss. Fortunately, earlier treatment can lead to earlier recovery.

Another group we do not typically think about are boys, especially younger boys, who are often missed and have later diagnoses, when medical complications may arise. Doctors as well as families still don’t think of eating disorders in boys, who may be focused on body shape and muscles for sports, but are still struggling with troubling, disordered thoughts about food and their bodies. Student athletes of all genders should be screened at their year-

ly check-ups for eating disorders - another good reason not to skip sports physicals even during the pandemic.

Third, teens of color have historically not been given attention both in diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, but studies in America now show that eating disorders are found in all races and ethnicities. It is important to do more to increase access for Hispanic and Black teens to skilled care, as well as to educate families and communities about eating disorders, as they might not be aware that eating disorder can affect non-white teens too.

Fourth, teens who identify as LGTBQIA+ are actually at a higher risk, and teens who are transgender as well. Studies

show that students in the sexual minority, including those who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual have more unhealthy eating and dieting than cisgender students. This is also true for young adults who may be attending college, as studies have shown similar risk in college students who identify as transgender.

Finally, teens who are not underweight and are actually overweight, may still have an eating disorder. These are challenging cases, as sometimes teens get a lot of praise for losing weight from doctors and families. This highlights the importance of discussing healthy eating and physical activity, and not solely focusing on a number on the scales.

It is important to rec-

ognize that teens of all ages, genders, races and even weights could potentially face an eating disorder. This awareness is the first step to identifying all teens who may be struggling with food, weight, and nutrition issues.

If you have concerns about your child having an eating disorder, please discuss with your pediatrician. At the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore - Division of Adolescent Medicine - we offer culturally competent and inclusive eating disorder treatment for all teens and families facing eating disorders.

You can also contact the National Eating Disorder Association helpline at 800.931.2237, which has Spanish translation counselors as well.

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 15

Saving limbs through hyberbaric therapy

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

16• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

To this day, Peter Visvardis is still not sure how he got it.

It may have been when walking barefoot around the pool while vacationing in Arizona.

Or, he may have gotten that small puncture wound on his foot at home in the Bronx.

What the 57-year-old contractor remembers is that in September 2019, seemingly overnight,

his foot became swollen and changed color, and his temperature spiked to 105 degrees. He’s had Type 2 Diabetes for 20 or so years, but this would be his greatest crisis.

“I didn’t know the fever had anything to do with the foot. I didn’t think the two were related,” says Visvardis. “I have high blood sugar and my feet are

not as sensitive as they should be. The fever was getting to me and I was bedridden for a couple of nights, but I continued working. I took some Tylenol to bring the fever down. I thought it would go away on its own.”

He called his podiatrist with the intent of taking the next available appointment. “When I described the symp-

toms to him he told me I couldn’t wait. He said, ‘From what you’re telling me, it sounds like a bad foot infection and you better go to the hospital immediately.’ So I drove to St. Barnabas and even then I thought I’d be in the E.R. for a few hours, or maybe at the hospital overnight.”

Podiatrist Dr. Andrew Campbell rushed him to the operating room,

where he made deep cuts in the foot to drain it. The foot would soon become gangrenous, which cost him his middle toe. Visvardis’s optimistic expectations failed to materialize. He was admitted, and stayed in the hospital for more than a month.

“After his discharge, Peter came into the wound center as an outpatient. He was very concerned about his foot,” says Suzan Bramante, a registered nurse and regional director at Restorix Health, SBH Health System’s partner at its Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing. “He had a grave infection that had travelled to the bone. These infections are hard to treat. He was at risk of losing his foot and lower extremity.”

Dr. Campbell told him that his white blood count was very high, and that wounds like this more often than not end up in amputation. He treated him with several rounds of IV antibiotics and recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

HBOT uses 100 percent oxygen at a pressure greater than that at sea level to promote healing. Safe and pain CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Saving limbs through hyberbaric therapy

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 17

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

less, it involves treating patients inside a transparent tube for 90-minute sessions.

Studies have found that an aggressive multidisciplinary therapeutic protocol of diabetic foot ulcers in conjunction with HBOT is effective in decreasing major amputations.

For those with diabetes, this is critical as it is estimated that their lifetime risk of foot ulcerations is about 15 percent. This was most obvious during the recent pandemic. According to an article in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA), diabetes patients were 10.8 times more likely to undergo any level of amputation and 12.5 times more likely to receive a major amputation during the pandemic. Major amputations tripled during the pandemic and the highlow amputation ratio, a quality marker in limb salvage, more than doubled.

Visvardis started seeing improvement, but over the next few weeks suffered several setbacks. This meant going back on antibiotics. He believes, however, that the daily dives he took

every morning for three months in the chamber saved his foot. The HBOT, he says, was the tipping point.

“Without it, I believe I would have had an amputation,” he says. “It speeded up my recovery. When you suffer from seeing your foot like it was, with deep six-inch cuts and re-infections, you can quickly lose hope and get very nervous. Having hope is very important and so is your attitude towards it. The hyperbaric oxygen changed it for me.”

Emotional support, says Bramante, is an important component of the treatment. As with many patients in the wound center, staff also provides transportation for those who can’t drive if the wound is on their driving foot (and, like Visvardis spend months on crutches). Financial assistance may be necessary.

“It is really more than giving the patient antibiotics,” she says. “Aggressive infections and aggressive wounds require aggressive treatment. With that said, it really took a village to treat Peter.”

Today, a year after the onset of his infection, Visvardis says

he’s leading a normal life. His foot is nearly back to normal. He’s walking normally without any sign of a limp and can perform low impact aerobic exercise.

This includes walking on a treadmill and using the elliptical at a local gym. He’s returned to work. And, as importantly, he’s become far

more observant in managing his diabetes.

“I won’t let my blood sugars get out of hand again and I’m making a greater effort to control my diet,” he says. “I used to drink a lot of beer, especially in the summer, and would eat hot dogs, pizza, high carbs in my car during the day between jobs. I now make

a conscious effort to have something to eat in the morning and wait until I get home to eat again. Suzan and Dr. C (Campbell) got me in a right way.

“Sometimes it takes something bad in order to turn it around into something good. It was a big warning sign, a red flag, but it’s something that changed my life.”

18• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

BronxDocs continues to work with community on COVID-19 vaccination efforts

By Dr. Denise Nunez, MD After almost a year of working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in the critical care unit as a community-based provider, light is finally at the end of the tunnel.

After hundreds of thousands of deaths of Americans and 25.8 million patients who have been infected with the virus, vaccines are being distributed to communities, health care workers, and the elderly across the country, helping to stop the spread of the pandemic.

Like so many of my fellow frontline workers, I was fortunate enough to receive the vaccine. And while it has brought both myself and my family a sense of relief, the last few weeks working in the intensive care unit have been a sobering realization that we still have another uphill battle from COVID-19: education and vaccination supply.

Though I am one of the lucky ones to be vaccinated because of my profession, vaccines still remain in limited supply, which means that people are

still getting infected.

Here in the Bronx, residents continue to suffer at a disproportionally higher rate than other communities in New York City.

In an effort to further serve the community, BronxDocs continues to partner with our affiliate AdvantageCare Physicians to utilize our three sites to aid the citywide COVID-19 vaccination efforts. We continue to receive available supplies and are working to vaccinate eligible patients and any city resident who meets the current criteria. It is definitely a large step in the right direction towards herd immunity.

In addition to frontline workers, first responders, and residents over the age of 65, the BronxDocs team is thrilled to now provide vaccines to teachers, grocery workers, shelter staff and residents, pub-

lic transit employees, and public safety and corrections officers.

We are on the right track to getting more community members vaccinated, but everyone should remain COVID aware as this virus continues. Follow CDC guidelines and contact BronxDocs if you or anyone you know need educational materials.

Remember, we can all do our part to keep each other safe. That includes reminding everyone to follow the CDC guidelines. Wear a face mask, frequently wash your hands, and practice social distancing -- these are all proven methods of preventing viral infections, such as the coronavirus, from spreading. It is important to remember that these small changes can help save lives. It is our responsibility to help one another as a community, and practicing these steps in our everyday routines is one of the best ways to protect our neighbors and loved ones.

For further information or to schedule an appointment for vaccination, our

Dr. Denise Nunez, MD

COVID-compliant offices can be reached directly at (646) 6805200 or visit us at www.bronxdocs.com.

You can also call (877) VAX4NYC for further information.

EmblemHealth is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health insurers, with more than 3.2 million members and an 80-year legacy of serving New York’s communities.

BronxDocs, a part of EmblemHealth’s family of companies, is a full-service, community-focused, multi-specialty medical practice with offices located in the heart of the Bronx that provide adult primary care/internal medicine, specialty care, and diagnostics.

Dr. Denise Nunez is a Pediatrician and BronxDocs’ Director of Medicine.

BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021• 19

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com

Culinary Road

By Morris Gut

(Limited) dining out for Valentine’s Day

At this writing, Governor Cuomo and New York City Mayor DeBlasio have given the okay for restaurants in the 5 boroughs to reopen for partial indoor seating to 25% capacity starting on Feb. 12th. In Westchester, indoor seating is allowed up to 50%. Restaurants must close by 10 p.m. Patrons must adhere to Covid-19 protocols.

NYC RESTAURANT WEEK EXTENDED THRU FEB. 28th !

NYC & Co. has announced an extension of NYC Restaurant Week To Go thru Feb. 28th.

This year there are 17 restaurants coming out of the Bronx. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this popular bi-annual event has pivoted for the first time to include take-out and delivery only.

Participating restaurants are required to offer a special lunch and/or dinner meal for $20.21. At the same time, food delivery services have offered to reduce delivery fees over the course of the program.

It is organized by NYC & Co. which claims to have signed up 570 restaurants scattered thru the 5 boroughs.

For more info and a full list of participating eateries go to: www.nycgo. com/restaurant-week VALENTINE’S DAY: A TIME TO ROMANCE OVER FOOD & WINE!

Amore! The coupling of good food and wine with the sensual is the aphrodisiac of literature and verse

through the ages. Pucker up! Valentine’s Day is Sunday, Feb. 14th. Warm things up a bit, make a whole weekend out of it!

Restaurants in the Bronx and Westchester are gearing up to serve some of their most titillating specialties. You can also opt for takeout & delivery.

Here is an eclectic roundup of delectable dishes and dining venues for you and your loved one, and don’t forget to reserve early.

MARIO’S FEEDING PATRONS SINCE 1919, FORGETABOUTIT!

Since 1919 five generations of the Migliucci family, owners of Mario’s Restaurant, 2342 Arthur Ave., Bronx (718-5841188), have been working the front and back-of-thehouse making sure patrons are well served. With the passing of long-time patriarch Joseph Migliucci, his daughter Regina has been doing a fine job welcoming her guests. This restaurant has a landmark 100-year history full of colorful chapters. Step inside and you are transported to the ‘old world’. To many, the flavorful sauces and dishes produced in this kitchen are the stuff of Italian ‘foodie heaven’.

Partial indoor & outdoor dining. www.mariosarthurave.com TITILLATING FLAVORS AT MARIA!

Winners of Michelin’s prestigious ‘Bib Gourmet’ Award, brothers Peter and Giovanni Cucullo have been causing a stir in New Rochelle, drawing patron-

age 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 SALSA LOVE AT MINIS LATIN FUSION!

Nicole Pirraglia-Piparo of City Island has opened Minis Latin Fusion, a charming eatery that offers colorful, flavorful Latin/Caribbean specialties such as fresh made traditional Sancocho Stew, ‘Picaderas’ such as Cuban Spring Rolls, and Shrimp Tostones. ‘Plato’s Fuertes’ include Minis Burger, Pernil, Mofongo, Ropa Vieja, and Churrasco with rice & beans. New Haitian dishes via Chef Evens Auguste include: Conch, and Tassot de Cabrit, fried goat.

Share a Big Maduro Sun-

Heart-shaped Margherita pizza will be served thru Valentine’s Weekend Jack’s Eastchester.

dae for dessert. The new lunch menu served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Happy Hours 3 to 7 p.m. featuring specially priced cocktails and appetizers. Minis is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch Tuesday thru Sunday. Free parking. Minis Latin Fusion, 237 Main Street, New Rochelle.

914-355-5609 www.minislatinfusion.com HEART SHAPED PIZZA AT JACK’S, EASTCHESTER!

Heart-shaped Margherita pizza will be served thru Valentine’s Weekend.

Decadent Wildfire Oyster Rockefeller and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb.

Partners Shane Clifford and Steven Robinson have opened Jack’s Bar & Restaurant on Main St. in Eastchester at the sight that previously housed Edmondo’s. It has been totally remodeled and offers an enhanced Irish tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of this Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include: Scotch Eggs, decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese, Smoked Seafood Chow-

der, a unique Shepherd’s Pie Calzone, and Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven. There is seating indoors and out following Covid guidelines.

The staff could not be more friendly. Carnivores must check out the Surf & Turf, Porterhouse Frites, and Rump of Lamb. Tennessee Thursdays offers such hearty BBQ fare as Pulled Pork and Brisket.

Weekend Brunch. Jack’s is located at 219 Main St., Eastchester. Open daily; check website for kitchen hours. Municipal parking; free evenings. Phone: 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com FOLLOW COVID PROTOCOLS AND STAY SAFE! (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor.

He has been tracking and writing about the food & dining scene in the Bronx and Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. Email: gutreactions@optonline. net)

20• BRONX VOICE• February 10 - 16, 2021

www.bronxvoiceny.blogspot.com