Bronx Voice - March 22, 2023

Selfie posing muggers sought in attack on man near Yank Stadium

By Dan Gesslein

If the NYPD is right, three women just posted their mugshots online following a vicious beat down and robbery. Cops are looking for three women, all of whom posted selfies to social media, in connection with the mugging of a man near Yankee Stadium.

At around 9 pm on February 15, three women approached an 18-year-old man inside a building at of 1183 Gerard Avenue in the Highbridge section of the Bronx-less than fi ve blocks away from Yankee Stadium. The women pounced on the victim punching and kicking him. They removed his cellphone and fl ed on foot.

The victim was treated at a nearby hospital for a contusion to the

face.

Police released photos of the suspected muggers. Each photo is not a mugshot from a previous arrest. Instead each photo of the suspects is a selfi e posted to social media.

Investigators say the fi rst suspect is 35 years old. The other two suspected attackers are thought to be around 18 years of age.

Cops are hoping one of the suspects’ followers will help turn them

in for this violent crime. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800577-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 confi dential.

Cops are looking for three women who posted selfies on social media, in connection with a mugging near Yankee Stadium.

Gas stations targeted by gunmen

By David Greene

Police are looking for several men after the latest incidents taking place at local gas stations-- including a man shot in the face during a robbery.

According to police, the shooting took place at the Gulf Gas Station, located at 1805 Webster Avenue at 12:45 a.m. on March 3, when the unidentified 51-year-old victim was pumping gas into his vehicle when he was wounded.

One police source told the Bronx Voice, "An unidentified male individual drives up to the pumps in a white Mercedes Benz, exits his vehicle, approaches the victim and attempts to remove his chain from around his neck while pointing a firearm.”

The police source concluded, "The victim then sprays the male with gasoline and the male discharges the firearm towards the victim striking him once in the face. The male individual then enters his vehicle and flees to parts unknown."

The victim was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital and

was listed as "critical, but stable" condition.

Detectives from the 46th Precinct continue to track down the suspect, who is described as a darkskinned male in his 30's, 5' 11'' tall and between 180 and 190 pounds.

Police in the 49th Precinct are looking for several suspects who are wanted in connection with an armed robbery of the B.P. Gas Station, located at 91 Westchester Square. Police

officials say this incident took place at 3:06 a.m. on March 7.

A police source said of this incident, "Several unidentifi ed individuals entered the location and one male displayed a fi rearm putting it to an employee's head demanding money. Two males assaulted the victim by striking him on the arm, chest, head and several males removed cash and merchandise from the lo-

cation."

The police source added that the suspects fl ed on foot, headed eastbound along East Tremont Avenue.

Police reported on March 20, that no arrests had been made in either case.

Any members of the public with information on either crime are asked to call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 577-TIPS, all calls remain confidential.

A surveillance photo of the alleged suspect as he gets out of his vehicle and attempted to rob a man fueling his car at a Webster Avenue gas station on March 3.

Crime continues to go down in NYC Community Op Ed

By Mayor Eric Adams

The numbers are in, and the news is good: Major crime in our city is down. From serious crimes like murder and shootings to quality-of-life issues like fare evasion, enforcement is up and crime rates are lower.

These decreases reflect the NYPD’s exceptional work to ensure the safety and security of all New Yorkers, and to combat crime and violence in every neighborhood.

Last month, we had a drop in major crimes compared to February of 2022 — when we had just recently begun our administration. Shootings and murders have continued their week-over-week and monthover-month decreases, and hate crimes were down by 69% compared to February of last year, while five of the other major categories also saw substantial decreases last month.

On the subway, major crimes were down by more than 9% last month compared to February 2022. This is the second month in a row that crime has gone down in our subway system.

Public transit is New York City’s lifeline and keeping that lifeline safe keeps it strong. The subway system has seen a reduction in crime since we started sending more officers into the system in October 2022. We’ve stepped up station inspections by the NYPD, and we are also cracking down on fare evasion. Those who jump the turnstiles are depriving our city of valuable transit dollars, which we rely on to keep the system moving. They are also creating an atmosphere of lawlessness and disorder, as some are doing so to avoid detection when committing a crime. Tackling fare evasion helps get us back on track.

Robberies are down in a majority of precincts, especially in Manhattan and the Bronx. Shootings are down and the NYPD has seized more than 1,200 illegal firearms so far

this year. We are also focused on policing more strategically in public housing complexes, which has resulted in a 31% decrease in shootings in all NYCHA housing for the month of February 2023, compared with February 2022. And robberies in all NYCHA housing fell by 11.8% in the last month.

The NYPD is making more arrests, and arrests for the most serious offenses have risen in each of the city’s fi ve boroughs for both the month of February and for the calendar year.

I want to thank our tireless men and women in uniform for making our city safer for all New Yorkers.

As Commissioner Sewell has said, “The NYPD continues to improve our accomplishments in 2022, and I am proud of our members who continue to address crime

wherever and whenever it occurs. We can never lose focus of our mission: fi ght crime, keep people safe, and work in partnership with the community.”

Being safe and feeling safe are critical to New Yorkers’ well-being and our economic recovery.

In another piece of good news: Recently released data from the State Labor Department shows that New York City has recovered more than 99% of the jobs lost during the pandemic. 99% — that means prosperity for our city and all New Yorkers.

Being able to walk in the streets, ride the subway, run your store, and go about your daily activities without worry — that’s what New Yorkers want. And that is why we have made public safety our top priority, and what I aim to deliver as your mayor.

As we go into the second year of our administration, I am proud that we have made real progress on the issue that matters so deeply to all New Yorkers: public safety

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) officials brief the media on a homicide investigation on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Help for rental assistance is on the way

By Safiyah Riddle, The City

This article was originally published on Mar 13 4:21pm EDT by THE CITY

Two major attorney groups are being deputized to help the city Department of Social Services address its ballooning backlog of rental assistance applications.

The move follows multiple reports that people eligible for housing vouchers through the city’s Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) have faced glitches and delays in receiving benefits — resulting in eviction cases against some tenants.

Previously, tenants had to go to Human Resources Administration-sponsored resource centers, called Homebases, for assistance with applying for CityFHEPS benefits. But applicants often have to wait for months to get an appointment, as THE CITY highlighted last month. Some of HRA’s Homebases don’t even have working phone numbers.

Under the new partnership, lawyers from The Legal Aid Society and Legal Services NYC — two of the groups that provide public defenders to clients in need — will be able to process CityFHEPS applications for their existing clients facing eviction in Housing Court. They are being trained in the process now and aim to start in April, according to lawyers involved.

“This is a good short-term fix to help with the bottleneck of cases across Homebases and HRA offices,” said Eric Lee, director of policy and planning at Homeless Services United, who

works with a coalition of Homebase staff, legal providers and social workers. “The long-term fix is providing more funding for HRA and Homebase staff to do this work in the community.”

The pilot program would not include applications for people who are already living in shelter, or annual recertifications for those already receiving benefits. The legal-help nonprofits are already responsible for submitting state-funded cash assistance applications.

Shifting the Weight

The social services department (DSS) said that the partnership is one of many ways it is trying to reduce the administrative obstacles for vulnerable New Yorkers as the end of the end of the pandemic eviction moratorium increased the number of people who qualify for assistance.

“As part of our commitment to helping housing-insecure New Yorkers navigate the standard application process in light of the expiration of pandemic-related protections, we are now also accepting CityFHEPS to Stay submissions from Legal Aid Society on behalf of their clients facing eviction in Housing Court, which will repre-

sent a very small percentage of the overall number of New Yorkers we work to connect to CityFHEPS,” DSS spokesperson Neha Sharma told THE CITY last Monday.

Sharma also noted other recent DSS initiatives to address the housing crisis, like reducing work requirements, expanding income eligibility and, for those in shelters, waiving apartment application fees.

While lawyers who will be taking on the new responsibilities said they are happy to see DSS trying to address obstacles to benefits, they noted that doing so transfers a heavy burden to them.

“We spend so much time trying to contact Homebase that we understand this is a better system,” said a Legal Aid lawyer who received the notice from management last week but wasn’t authorized to speak to the media. “We’re overwhelmed too, we lost lots of staff, but we understand that this is a crisis.”

The CityFHEPS program has come under renewed scrutiny from the City Council in recent months, after reports of slow response times and delayed payments citywide.

In her State of The City speech last Wednesday, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams called the vouchers “one of our most effective solutions to keep New Yorkers in their homes and move existing shelter residents into permanent housing.”

She vowed the “Council will soon pass legislation

to remove barriers to CityFHEPS so that more New Yorkers can access stable housing.”

At a January oversight hearing, Councilmember Diana Ayala (D-Manhattan/The Bronx) noted “the current realities of the program for many are hard to navigate, and laden with cumbersome and often circuitous bureaucracy that too often creates barriers to receiving assistance in a timely manner.”

In response at the time, a DSS official pointed to staffing shortages as the reason for delays — a growing issue at agencies and offices across city government.

A Council committee report Monday said that HRA has a 14.7 percent vacancy rate, with 1,779 positions unfilled. Officials have said that has left the office that processes CityFHEPs applications with approximately 100 administrators to process over 7,000 applications and renewals every year

Desperately Needed

Debra Velasquez, 55, is a CityFHEPS recipient who has

been unable to complete the annual recertification of her benefits since mid-December, despite having a Legal Aid Society lawyer assisting her. Her landlord is still missing rent that was supposed to be paid by the city, covering January and February at least.

“I’ve had to resubmit the application twice now. I’ve never had so much trouble getting what I need until now, until after COVID,” said Velasquez, who is unable to work due to a disability and has received some form of rental assistance for over a decade. “Everything used to be face-to-face, now it’s just send, send, send.”

After THE CITY reached out to an HRA spokesperson about Velasquez’s case, she said she heard from an agency administrator who asked her to resubmit the forms again.

She is hopeful that this will be the last time.

“The fact that Legal Aid is willing to help is great, it’s really needed,” Velasquez said.

THE CITY is an independent, nonprofit news outlet dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.

Acting Commissioner of DSS Molly Park testifies at a City Council budget hearing about funding for rental-assistance programs like CityFHEPS, March 13, 2023.

Photo by Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Bronx Bombers acknowledge young scientists

By David Greene

The youngsters at P.S. 119X were acknowledged in a letter by the New York Yankees for creating a replica of the famous stadium during their annual science fair, this year titled, "The Beautiful Bronx P.S. 119-X Science Fair.”

Students at the school had been busy for about 8 weeks working on their individual science fair projects as well as each grade creating replicas of Bronx landmarks.

Kindergarten students created a project dedicated to Wave Hill, first Grade created a Bronx Museum display,

second grade had a display on The New York Botanical Gardens, third grade students did a project on "Little Italy" and Arthur Avenue. The 4th grade made a project on the Bronx Zoo and the 5th grade created the replica of Yankee Stadium.

At a sneak preview held at the school, located at 1075 Pugsley Avenue in the Unionport section, students were told of the letter from the Bronx Bombers, that read in part, "We would like to express our gratitude to the fifth grade at P.S. 119-X for choosing Yankee Stadium as the landmark of highlight

at this year's P.S. 119-X Science Fair." The letter continued, "The student’s commitment to wonderful work and dedication epitomizes the Yankee spirit and we would like to congratulate P.S. 119X on its science fair.”

The first in-person science fair since the pandemic, teacher Marie Alexander told the Bronx Voice, "As a team of about seven or eight of us collaborated on a theme and we had decided for the theme to be The Beautiful Bronx, with the idea that science is everywhere so any theme can connect." They then selected

A replica of a suspension bridge created out of Legos by students of P.S. 119-X during their annual science fair held at the Pugsley Avenue school in Unionport.

Photo by David Greene

Bronx Bombers acknowledge young scientists

CONTINUED FROM PAGE

the different local landmarks that would be featured. In all, students created nearly 150 individual projects that were featured at the science fair.

Principal Kim Nohavicka said of the science fair, "It's magical. Our kids are so excited about being here."

The school has stepped up to the plate as it has taken in at least 24 kids who were bussed from border states to New York and have made their way to Unionport.

Nohavicka explained,

"We have one of the largest groups of migrant kids in the community, so we have lots of Spanish speaking parents... and they've been amazing, and they love it here and we love having them.”

Guidance counselor Carmen Morerro said of the migrant children, many coming from Columbia, recalled, "The kids came at the end of October, and it was a shock to all of us, like what do we do now? We asked how we can help them and a moment

passed and we all got together and clothes came in and food came in and we started doing resource workshops offering resources from the community.”

Morerro added, "It has been wonderful, and they come here every day. The children love it.”

Visitors to the science fair were given a "Passport" upon entry and it included a map detailing where the different Bronx landmarks were inside the school's gymnasium.

Parents and students gather inside a replica of Yankee Stadium during the opening of the annual science fair at P.S. 119-X on Pugsley Avenue in the Unionport section of the Bronx.

Photo by David Greene

Health Matters

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives

By Akash Kumar, MD Medical Director, GI Cancer Screening Program at Montefiore

Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in men and women. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with more than 52,000 deaths every year.

Here in the Bronx, we see approximately 600 new cases each year. However, colon cancer is a disease that can be prevented with early screening. That is why, each March, we strive to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

Our mission is to ensure people know the signs of colorectal cancer like persistent changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding and abdominal discomfort (like cramps, pain or gas). Our goal is to also partner with our community so steps are taken to prevent colorectal cancer, and if the cancer exists, stop it in its tracks at an early stage.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing incidence of this cancer rising sharply in people younger than 50. Also far too often, both here and nationally, this cancer is di-

agnosed in the emergency room rather than during preventive screenings. This is why the age to start screening for average-risk patients was changed from 50 to 45 by the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF).

The good news is that we are seeing cancer screenings increase to pre-pandemic levels, and even better we’ve expanded the number of tools offered at Montefiore, including the frequency of screenings.

Colonoscopies are Safe and Effective

Colonoscopy is the “gold standard" method to screen for colorectal cancer since it allows us to directly see the colon and remove precancerous growths or polyps.

In fact, the colonoscopy is the ONLY form of cancer screening that can both diagnose cancer and treat it!

While we perform colonoscopies across our Bronx hospitals and outpatient sites, we offer non-invasive testing options as well.

Many Excellent Non-Invasive Options for Screening

Recently, we expanded our stool-based test offerings, in-

cluding fecal immunochemical tests (FIT Tests), the only “tier 1” testing option, along with colonoscopy, recommended by the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on colorectal cancer. This task force represents the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. We also have SENSA, a high sensitivity fecal occult blood test, as well as CT colonography, a CT scan that can evaluate for colon polyps and cancer.

The stool tests work by completing a bowel movement in the privacy of your own home, and placing it in a special box. Our department of Pathology evaluates the stool in-house at Montefiore, looking for hidden blood from the lower intestines. While coloscopies are most ideal for screening, tests like FIT and SENSA are also effective options. Of the FIT tests distributed by our primary care practices, and examined in-

house, we’ve seen a 10 percent positivity rate in our community. This translates to lives saved and emergency department visits avoided.

While most tests are negative, people who do have a positive test result are referred to our colorectal cancer screening program for a colonoscopy to check for precancerous or cancerous growths or polyps. Bottom line – if there is a positive result, a colonoscopy is still required to remove the cancer.

Our

Team is With You, Every Step of the Way

Should you need a colonoscopy, it is important to know that you will not be alone. Patient Navigators, who have been trained to communicate with patients and providers to get the necessary steps taken care of, including scheduling appointments, are trusted resources and advocates throughout the process.

Our message to the community is that colorectal

cancer is Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable when detected early. We ask that anyone age 45 and older who lives in the Bronx, or who is younger than 45 but has a strong family history, to reach out to our Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at 718-920-7183.

Over the course of this month, we have various educational events in our community where we'll be discussing eligibility for colorectal cancer screening and even scheduling screenings. These include: Wakefield Hospital (600 East 233rd St. in the Bronx) on 3/18 10 am-2 pm, Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care (555 Taxter Road in Elmsford) on 3/22 11 am- 2 pm, New York GI Center (1200 Waters Place in the Bronx) on 3/24 7am-4pm, and at Moses Hospital (111 E. 210th Street) on 3/31 11 am- 3 pm. Don't delay screening; it saves lives!

To promote colorectal cancer screening, Montefiore team members pose in front of the “Rollin’ Colon.”

Photo provided by Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center

Help for mommies to be

Local families enjoyed an afternoon of education and celebration for people who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

They heard from a panel of maternal and infant health experts from Montefi ore Einstein who shared information and

resources on topics including breastfeeding, birthing and NICU services.

The experts also discussed how social issues, such as housing and food insecurity, impact health outcomes and shared details on how to fi nd support.

The event, held in partnership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield,

also included nutritious food from local vendors, mocktails and a maternity photoshoot.

We were all ‘new’ once

By Jorene Peters, Home Health Aide Supervisor,

VNS Health Personal Care

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work as a Home Health Aide Supervisor at VNS Health is watching passionate and talented people grow and thrive in their work.

Health care is a growing career path, and one way to get your foot in the door is as a home health aide (HHA), providing personal care to elderly or infirm people who need assistance with daily living. Many in the field of personal care go on to learn and expand their skills. The curiosity and compassion that I see in many talented home health aides leads them to make many meaningful contributions to the community and the clients they serve.

At the same time, for someone entering the field, the job of home health aide can seem daunting at first. Jasmin Fearon, a home health aide with VNS Health, experienced this firsthand. It’s not easy being in a new country, a new city, or a new job, much less all three at the same time, but when Jasmin first made the move from her home in the Cayman Islands to New York City, in 2022, that’s exactly what she was facing.

For the past 14 years, Jasmin had been working in eldercare in Jamaica and The Cayman Islands. When her daughter asked her to move to New York so they could be closer together, Jasmin was thrilled. Next stop: Queens, where Jasmin lives now. She figured it would be a simple transition that would move her forward in pursuit of a career in health care, right here in New York. But it turned out

even better than she expected.

Jasmin’s new career path started with training to be a HHA at VNS Health, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit home- and community-based organizations. She was excited to get going, but progress in booking actual clients was slower than she’d imagined. Work came in dribs and drabs; sometimes only three or four hours a week.

Everything seemed a bit overwhelming to Jasmin at first. The system for booking appointments took some getting used to, and she felt a little shy about asking for help. Because she was new, only a few supervisors knew who she was and had a sense of her abilities. She hadn’t figured on that being a hurdle she’d need to overcome.

Jasmin was also dealing with a lot of unexpected stress around her family back home in Jamaica, as well as the challenges that come with settling into a new country. She was excited to be starting in a new place, but felt awkward and wasn’t sure how to move forward. As a result, despite her naturally positive outlook, she started to doubt herself a little.

I first became aware of Jasmin when I returned from leave. Scheduling care for our patients with our home health aides is one of the key elements of my job, and often the most chal-

lenging. Even though we have more than 6,000 home health aides in our organization, it’s all about making sure you find the right fit for each client—and the right fit for each aide. Each is an individual, with their own special circumstances, and finding the right match is its own special “science.”

My goal is always to match the right caregiver with the right patient—to keep an aide’s strengths, skills, personality, and even geographic location in mind. We do our best, but sometimes a person needs to be placed very quickly. Until they’ve “proven” themselves, new workers may not be the first person a supervisor will feel confident pairing with clients.

Not long after Jasmin joined VNS Health, I had just returned from leave and was jumping back into work. I had a lot of spots to fill, including multiple short shifts I needed to schedule. As I combed through the list of recent hires and saw that Jasmin was getting limited hours, I wanted to know more. I reached out to her on the phone, and right away I had a good feeling.

When Jasmin explained the challenges she was having getting assignments from supervisors, I offered my support and shared that I had short shifts that needed filling.

Jasmin confided to me later, “When, I heard your friendly voice it melted my heart! I knew somebody cared!” She jumped on every shift I offered. She was enthusiastic, positive, and even willing to

do longer commutes because she wanted those hours.

I was also able to provide her with training and support for the app we use to pair HHAs with clients, and Jasmin began to think of the app more as a help, not a hindrance. I also gave her tips on “life in the big city,” and offered to be a support for her as she continues to navigate her first year at VNS Health.

I am thrilled to have such a dedicated caregiver working with our patients. It has been a real partnership; from the beginning, I’ve felt it was important for Jasmin to have an advocate on her side. She needed help, but I needed help too. We have patients we need to serve, and some of us work to schedule that help while others provide that help in the home. We can’t do it without one another.

Beyond helping Jasmin learn the ropes and book the hours she needed, it’s been rewarding as a supervisor to encourage her to be confident and trust her strengths. She’s a kind, intelligent and caring person. Being new to New

York City, she just needed to be reminded of that, and to know that she was not alone. With every passing day, she is finding her way more and more, and feeling more independent in the new life she is making for herself in New York. Most exciting of all is that Jasmin is feeling empowered to grow in her career— moving forward to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. We’ve all been “the new person” at one time or another. That first someone who takes a chance on you is so important in your life and your career. The lesson I’ve learned from Jasmin is that that the “new” person you don’t know much about yet could be the exact person who will help you solve a problem or bring a family comfort and peace of mind. Before you know it, they aren’t “new” anymore—they’re part of the team.

For more information about Personal Care services from VNS Health, or exploring a career in home health care, visit: vnshealth.org, or call 1-888-7358913. https://www.vnshealth. org/home-care/personal-care/

(Left to Right) Home Health Aide Jasmin F, and Home Health Aide Supervisor, VNS Health Personal Care, Jorene Peters.

Photo courtesy VNS Health

Torcello Ristorante serves the classics Culinary Road

Partners Imer Rraci and Chef Avni Brahimaj have opened Torcello Ristorante in the free-standing house that previously housed long-running La Riserva on Boston Post Road in Larchmont. Torcello, which is named after an island off the northern coast of Venice, espouses the classics of Northern Italian Cuisine.

Imer Rraci is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality business, having formerly worked for the former Giambelli’s in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, Ct. He had operated his own restaurant Delvina in New Jersey.

The dining rooms have been enhanced with black and white photos of Italy set against white walls. The antique mirrored middle dining area sparkles against the white table-clothed seating. Wooden floor tiles lend a lovely contrast.

From Chef Avni’s kitchen come such fine starters as: Mozzarella Caprese, a colorful platter of beefsteak tomato with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers; Artichokes Roman Stye, roasted baby artichokes, garlic, herbs, evo; house made Crab Cake, served with tartar sauce; and Eggplant Rollatini, with ricotta and spinach in a light tomato sauce.

By Morris Gut

Thin Italian Roman Piadina are prepared daily: Fig Flat Bread, figs, goat cheese, walnuts, with honey and evo; and Pear Flat Bread, pears, gorgonzola, pecans, arugula, balsamic glaze.

Fresh made Salads include traditional Cesare; Tre Color; or Insalata Di Barbabietole, baby arugula with red and golden beets, tomatoes, red onion, goat cheese and balsamic glaze.

Fresh made Pastas include Rigatoni Bolognese with meat sauce; Pappardelle Milanzane, fresh tomatoes and eggplant topped with fresh mozzarella; Risotto Di Funghi, with porcini mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce; and Spaghetti con Vongole, baby clams in garlic and oil served with a red or white sauce.

Main courses include Pollo Torcello, chicken breast topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in alight bourbon mushroom sauce; Veal Martini, scallopini lightly breaded with parmesan cheese in a lemon and white wine sauce; Pollo Scarpariello, boneless chicken with sausage and cherry peppers in a garlic lemon and white wine sauce; and Veal Sorrentino, scallopini topped with prosciutto and fontina cheese in a cognac sauce. There is a daily selection of fresh fish and

seafood.

Carnivores will enjoy hunkering down to a Veal Chop, served with sauteed shitake mushrooms; 12 oz, Filet Mignon, served with a peppercorn brandy sauce; a hefty Shell Steak, grilled and served with sauteed peppers, mushrooms, and onions; and classic Rack of Lamb. All entrees served with vegetable of the day, and supplementary sides are available.

Torcello Ristorante Italiano is located at 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. Open for dinner only from 4:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Main courses at dinner range: Appetizers: from $15. Entrees: $24 to $46. Bar & cocktails. Private party facilities. Take out. Proper casual dress. Major credit cards. Reservations accepted: 914-833-1118. www.torcellolarchmont.com

SEASIDE FAMILY STYLE MEALS AT MAMMA FRANCESCA!

Family-style Dinners for 4 to 8 guests are now being served at Mamma’s. The special menu is available all week and cost is $22.95 per person.

When Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples, 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 Italian Restaurant in New Rochelle for over 35

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. Nick is in the kitchen preparing robust specialties: fresh Ischia Tomato Salad; Brick Oven Pizza; Giant Meatballs; good retro versions of Chicken, Veal or Shrimp Parmigiana; a big platter of Misto Frutti di Mare loaded with shrimp, clams, calamari and mussels in a red sauce over linguini; and Pork Chops or Sirloin della Nonna, served with sliced potatoes, peppers, mushrooms and onions. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. Open 7 days. Pizza Bar. Happy Hours. Free parking. 914-636-1229 www. mammafrancesca.com

SPRING HUDSON VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEKS

THRU APRIL 2!

This popular dining out promotion originally created and sponsored by The Valley Table Magazine includes approximately 150 restaurants, past

participants and some new from all over the Hudson Valley even stretching the borders into Scarsdale, White Plains, Mamaroneck, and New Rochelle. Patrons are always anxious to cash in on the seasonal bounty at reasonable prices. There are added price options this year. Restaurants are expected to offer 3-course luncheons and dinners for $24.95, $29.95, or $39.95 or $44.95. Beverage, tax & tip are not included. Dine-in or take-out. Sometimes there are caveats, so be sure to verify the hours and the menus. Reservations are advised. For additional information and an up-to-date list of participating restaurants go to: https://valleytable. com/restaurant-week/

(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)

Delicious Pollo Torcello.