Bronx Voice - March 24, 2021

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Page 12

4th Year, No.18

Device to protect pedestrians becoming nightmare for drivers?

Photo by David Greene

Phony plumbers sought in home invasion Page 2

Vaccine house call Arrest made

Montefiore Home Care, the nation’s first hospital-based agency dedicated to providing newly discharged patients the benefits of at-home support, recently became one of the first NYC locations to vaccinate homebound patients from COVID-19. Nurse, Misael Campos, is seen here vaccinating Michael Quinones in the Bronx.

in ‘road rage killing’ by Pel Bay Park Page 13

March 24 - 30, 2021

Phony plumbers sought in home invasion

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2• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

By David Greene Police are looking for two individuals who posed as plumbers and are now wanted in connection with a home invasion robbery and the overnight torture and assault of two residents in the Wakefield section of the borough.

Police are searching for two men who allegedly posed as plumbers during a home invasion.

According to a February 25 statement from the NYPD, the incident began at 3 p.m. on February

22, in the vicinity of East 227th Street and Barnes Avenue. Police stated that a 28-yearold male and a 35-year-old male were inside the home when two men knocked at the door, stating they were there to "fix the plumbing.”

The NYPD statement read in part, "The two males entered the apartment, displayed a firearm, tied up both victims and demanded money." The two assailants remained in the home overnight and assaulted both victims.

The 28-year-old man suffered a head injury as well as burns to his back after the pair tortured him with a hot clothing iron.

Police reported that the home invaders fell asleep and the 28-year-old victim was able to free himself and escape the home and call police.

Officers from the 47th Precinct quickly responded and found the two suspects and

the second victim had left the location. Police say the second victim was eventually located and the thieves escaped with a cellphone and $2,000 cash.

Police have released a photo from home surveillance video that captured the two suspects entering the home. Both men wore matching black slacks and shoes and matching, official-looking bright yellow vests, face masks and black hooded jackets.

Anyone with information regarding 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 WWW. NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

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BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 3

St. Paddy’s Day fatal shooting in Norwood

4• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

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By David Greene Police have not yet released the name of a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death inside a Hull Avenue apartment-- the woman becomes the first recorded homicide in 2021 within the confines of the 52nd Precinct.

According to an NYPD statement released on March 18, police were called to apartment 3-H, at 3339 Hull Avenue, between East 209 Street and East

Gun Hill Road, at 10:09 p.m. on March 17, St. Patrick's Day. The NYPD statement read in part, "Upon arrival, officers observed CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Photo by David Greene Members of the NYPD's Crime Scene Unit outside of the Hull Avenue building on March 18, 2021.

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BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 5

Feds get $6 million worth of cocaine off the street

6• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

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The Feds found more cocaine than carrots when they busted a drug operation working out of a produce distributor. Officials say they removed $6 million worth of the drugs from the streets.

Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Raymond P. Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that Adriano Rodriguez-Diaz, Ironellys Paulino-Nolasco and Robert Nunez were charged in a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan federal court with narcotics importation, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses.

Rodriguez-Diaz, Paulino-Nolasco were apprehended on March 12, 2021 and were presented before United States Magistrate Judge Sarah

L. Cave. Nunez remains at large.

S t r a u s s said: “This investigation has yielded the seizure of over 120 kilograms of cocaine and over $1 million in suspected proceeds from illegal narcotics trafficking, disrupting the operation of this alleged drug trafficking organization. Thanks to our partners at the DEA, this massive shipment of potentially deadly narcotics has been kept off the streets.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Raymond P. Donovan said: “A stakeout turned into a three-day enforcement operation taking six million dollars’ worth

Photo by DEA DEA officials say a 3-day surveillance leads to $6 million dollars’ worth of cocaine seizure as part of joint law enforcement operation.

of cocaine sales away from alleged drug traffickers while saving lives.

Over one hundred kilograms of cocaine is significant in many ways since CDC warned of a 26.5% increase in overdose deaths involving cocaine in a 12- month period ending May 2020. Law enforcement will continue to rally our resources to seize

illegal drugs responsible for record-breaking overdose rates.”

As alleged in the Complaint: Since in or about late 2020, the DEA has been investigating the importation and distribution of narcotics through a produce warehouse in New Jersey called “Sweet Produce” (the “Warehouse”).

Cocaine was shipped CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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8• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

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Homeless woman charged in unprovoked subway shove

A Manhattan woman has been charged with pushing a woman onto the tracks at a Bronx subway station in what prosecutors are describing as an unprovoked attack.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Manhattan woman has been indicted on Attempted Murder and additional charges for pushing a woman onto the subway tracks as a train pulled into a station Photo by NYPD Luz Sanchez has been charged with pushing a woman onto the subway tracks at a Bronx subway in Crotona Park East. station.

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly went up to the victim, who was waiting for a train on her way to work, and deliberately pushed her onto the tracks as a train approached.

Fortunately, the victim survived this horrific, random attack.”

Clark said the defendant, Luz Sanchez, 29, of Lexington Avenue, Manhattan was arraigned on Attempted Murder in the second degree, Attempted Assault in the first degree and third-degree Assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross. Bail was set at $150,000 cash/$150,000 insurance company bond/ $150,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent.

The defendant is due back in court on June 9, 2021.

According to the investigation, at approximately 7:50 a.m. on February 9, 2021 on the platform of the 2/5 subway line at the

Southern Boulevard and East 174th Street station, the defendant approached the victim, Rosa Elizabeth Galeas Florencio, 54, and pushed her with her body causing the victim to stumble backwards. The defendant then put both hands on the victim’s shoulder area and pushed her, causing her to fall backwards and onto the tracks as a train pulled into the station.

While the victim was on the tracks screaming for help, Sanchez walked to the edge of the subway platform, looked at the victim, and then walked away. A train on the opposite track alerted the oncoming train that the victim was on the tracks and the train braked before striking her. The victim was pulled up to safety by a Good Samaritan. Galeas Florencio was treated for injuries at Saint Barnabas Hospital and was later released.

The defendant fled to Georgia and was arrested on February 25, 2021 by the New York City Police Department Warrants Squad.

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

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BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 9

Feds get $6 million worth of cocaine off the street CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

from a company in the Dominican Republic to the Warehouse. Be-

tween March 9, 2021 and March 12, 2021, DEA agents observed members of the conspiracy receive and move shipments from the Warehouse to other locations, including an apartment in the Bronx.

On March 10, 2021, agents seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine from a car driven by Nunez.

On March 11, 2021, agents seized approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine and $1.3 million in United States currency from the apartment in the Bronx.

On March 12, 2021, agents seized approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine from a produce van as it left the Warehouse, and also seized a firearm from the Warehouse. The Produce Van was en route to a safe house in New Jersey that contained approx-

imately one kilogram of cocaine, a cocaine press, and packaging materials.

Adriano Rodriguez-Diaz, 41, Ironellys Paulino-Nolasco, 37, and Robert Nunez, 50, are charged with conspiring to import at least five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, and conspiring to distribute and

possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Rodriguez-Diaz is also charged with possession of a firearm during and in relation to the narcotics importation and trafficking conspiracies, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences described above are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants would be determined by the assigned judge.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Danielle M. Kudla and Alexander Li are in charge of the prosecution.

St. Paddy’s Day fatal shooting in Norwood

10• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

a 20-year-old female inside the location, unconscious and unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to the head.”

The statement added that the mortally wounded woman was transported to Jacobi Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. The victim was transported all the way to Jacobi because the hospital is a level 1 trauma center.

On March 19, police re-

ported that no arrests had been made in the case and the identify of the victim is pending notification of the victims family.

WABC-TV reported that a man inside the apartment was taken into custody and charged with an unrelated crime, but that could not be immediately confirmed.

One Hull Avenue resident recalled what witnesses had told him later that night, telling the Bronx Voice, "They

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brought out some girl, they said she was all bloody." The resident had learned that the shooting had taken place on the third-floor of the 5-story building from a police officers radio, a fact later confirmed by the NYPD. A second resident of the block recalled, "My mom heard it last night, that was it. My sister was going to work, she works at MonPhoto by David Greene tefiore and she was saying there were a lot of cops Police outside the Hull Avenue building investigating the shooting death of a 20 year-old woman on March out here. It's crazy."

18, 2021.

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Device to protect pedestrians becoming nightmare for drivers

By David Greene A New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) pilot program of installing "Bollards," a 2-foot high plastic barricade along streets and traffic islands around the city, devices that were designed to protect pedestrians--are creating a nightmare for some drivers, residents say.

The latest incident took place at just before 2 a.m. on March 21, when a woman driving a white SUV apparently struck the Bollard and the vehicle flipped over on its side.

A rebroadcast of the transmission on Citizen's App, one firefighter from Battalion 18 stated, "There was one person in the vehicle, she was not pinned. We were able to get her out through a window." An accompanying photo showed the vehicle on its side with the vehicle's sunroof smashed.

With broken glass still in the roadway, "Anto-

nio," a resident of West Farms, said hours after the crash, "This was not the first time. Once they put the little partisans in the middle of the street, it's called a Bollard? It happens so often, like once every three months, even in the daytime.”

"I've seen it happen almost half a dozen times," Antonio continued, "It seems like every time I come out and walk my dog, someone's going crazy, making that slow baby turn and they flip the whole car over," as cars on Van Nest Avenue turn left onto East Tremont Avenue.

It is still unknown if the Bollard at East Tremont Avenue and Van Nest Avenue had anything to do with an earlier crash inside of Young Park.

Antonio still had a photo on his phone from the very first crash after the Bollard was installed, from December 27, 2019. He suggested a sign warning drivers who speed across East Tremont Avenue. Antonio added, "The Bollard is problematic for other drivers who don't see it, but coming down this block (East Tremont Avenue) everyone is speeding and no one cares.”

Citizen's App user "NYCBX1995" commented, "They need to remove that dumbass thump shit, serves no purpose." He added, "Everywhere they put that shit is poorly placed.”

A second Citizen's App user "Stiles47," added, "Then they went and made them black so no one could see them at night. Even then you would have to be in a gocart to be close enough to the ground to see them over your own damn hood.”

On March 5, DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman addressed the media for the first time since replacing Polly Trottenberg, who stepped down in December. During the press conference along Bronx Park East, the Bronx Voice asked about the Bollards as well as several possible problems with the redesign of the northbound exit of the Bronx River Parkway onto Pelham Parkway South and more recently, the redesign of Boston Road at Bronxdale Ave-

Photos by David Greene DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman (Center) greets the press during a press conference along Bronx Park East on Friday, March 5, 2021.

nue.

Gutman stated he was "not familiar with the specifics," and passed the question off to Bronx Borough Commissioner Nivardo Lopez, who failed to directly mention Bollards, but did say, "We're still putting the finishing touches on this project that we installed last year, so once the weather gets a little warmer will be able to make some more changes.”

The DOT press conference held at the entrance to the Bronx River Greenway, was called to announce that 10,000 new bike racks will be going up around the city over the next two years, as well as the city's new launch of an e-scooter pilot program and the announcement of new protected bike lanes, including one planned for Bronxdale Avenue.

Bollards have since been installed at East Tremont and Westchester Avenue, East 138 Street and Willis Avenue, East 139 Street and Willis Avenue, East 149 Street and Third Avenue and one at Paul Avenue and West Mo-

sholu Parkway.

In a request for comment after a series of crashes involving another Bollard at East Tremont Avenue and White Plains Road, on January 30, 2020, an unnamed DOT official stated, "DOT has not received any formal complaints regarding this intersection.”

The DOT spokesperson continued, "As with many of our safety improvement projects, it takes time for motorists to get adjusted to the new street design.”

The spokesman concluded, "These types of Bollards work to deter speeding and turning vehicles from entering pedestrian spaces and are at numerous locations throughout the borough and citywide.”

Meanwhile, a fence at Young Park across East Tremont Avenue was still on the ground after another motor vehicle crash several weeks earlier.

The FDNY stated they had no record of a crash at that date and time, the DOT and NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 13

Ohio man charged in alleged road rage killing in Pel Bay

By David Greene Police have announced the arrest of an Ohio man who has been arrested in the suspected road-rage shooting death of a 20-year-old man outside Pelham Bay Park.

According to police, Dane Salmon, 22, of Hutchinson River Parkway was shot three times in-

side his vehicle at Westchester Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard at 7:08 p.m. on February 6. Salmon

was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he died a short time later.

On March 12, the NYPD announced the arrest a day earlier of Kelvin Ortiz, 35, of Avon, Ohio.

Ortiz was charged with murder, manslaughter and poses-

A Facebook photo of homicide victim Dane Salmon, 20, of Pelham Gardens.

sion of a weapon.

Photo by David Greene

Police investigate a fatal shooting on February 6 across from Pelham Bay Park.

Police sources had stated that Salmon was shot in the torso, right arm and right leg after an argument ensued during a possible road-rage incident.

Salmon's vehicle appeared to have suffered a crash during or prior to the shooting.

Ortiz' cellphone was no longer in service and attempts to reach his family in Ohio were unsuccessful.

His Facebook page stated he had previously lived in the Bronx and had attended Harry S. Truman High School in Co-op City.

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Health Matters

14• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

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Social worker Joseph Alvino on how ‘connecting with others can really help’

By Chandra Wilson During the April peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City last year, social worker Joseph Alvino was sick with COVID-19 himself.

“I had every symptom in the book,” he says. He was also mourning the loss of his father from the illness. But Joe, who has been with VNSNY for over 25 years, opted to continue visiting patients by telephone, in keeping with COVID-19 protocols, a heroic act that gave him purpose and provided patients with a compassionate and expert resource.

“It was important for me to keep my mind busy and active, doing the best I could to help my patients with all

they’re dealing with,” says Joe. A full-time social worker with VNSNY Home Care in Queens, Joe cares for patients coping with a variety of medical conditions and for their often-overburdened family caregivers. During last year’s peak, at a time when even the simple act of going to the grocery store felt riddled with peril, he helped clients get through the day, bringing them updated information on the virus and preventive measures and assisting them in navigating the anxiety and depression amplified by the need to socially distance from friends and family members.

Joe recalls one client telling him that his phone call made her day.

“A phone call might not seem like much on the surface,” he says, “but considering what everybody was going through, it meant a lot.

Reaching out and just having a conversation goes a long way, especially when people can’t visit with their families. I ask open-ended questions about their concerns, validate their feelings, and try to normalize what they are going through. I don’t sugar-coat things—they have every right to be anxious. It’s a frightening time, but connecting with others can really help.”

“While the pandemic has limited access to many community resources and services, Joe and his fellow VNSNY Home Care social

workers, along with colleagues across VNSNY, have coordinated closely to share information and problem-solve together to address the needs of patients and each other.

Joe is particularly grateful for the compassion he received from his colleagues as he battled COVID-19 and mourned the death of his father on April 14. “Everybody has been so supportive,” he says. “Everybody stands out. That makes a difficult situation just that much easier.”

Visit www.VNSNY.org or call 1-800-675-0391 to learn more about home- and community-based services that can be integrated into your health and wellness needs.

Joseph Alvino

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BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 15

Preventing, treating colorectal cancer in the Bronx

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16• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

By Edward Chu, M.D., M.M.S., As we pass the one-year mark from when COVID-19 began to devastate the Bronx, the coronavirus continues to make headlines. March, however, is also a time to recognize an entirely different health condition impacting our most vulnerable – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

In 2021, an estimated 150,000 new colorectal cancer (CRC) cases will be diagnosed in the U.S., resulting in nearly 53,000 deaths, making it the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Closer to home, we see almost 600 new cases in the Bronx each year.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include fatigue, reduced energy, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain or discomfort, and blood in stools or changes in the color of stools, as well as changes in stool caliber or consistency. Some patients experience no symptoms at all, which is why CRC screening is so important.

One long-held myth is that colon cancer occurs only in individuals with a family history of the dis-

ease. In reality, it is well established that age is by far the number one risk factor. More than 90% of CRC is diagnosed in individuals older than 50, providing the basis for the long-held recommendation that CRC screening start at age 50 for average-risk individuals.

Racial and ethnic backgrounds also play an important role in CRC risk.

African Americans have the highest CRC incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the U.S., and the disease tends to occur at an earlier age in this patient population than in Caucasians. In fact, colorectal cancer is being diagnosed in people as young as their early thirties. This is referred to as early-onset colorectal cancer.

At Albert Einstein Cancer Center, our research-

Dr. Edward Chu urges Bronxites to be screened for colorectal cancer.

ers recently investigated racial and ethnic disparities as they relate to CRC. Of nearly 650 patients who came to Montefiore, early-onset CRC was present in 26% of Hispanics and 57.3% of Blacks, and five-year overall survival was significantly lower in these two groups than in Caucasians. These findings provide strong support for developing a race- and ethnic-specific screening strategy for patients younger than 50.

This data is also why I strongly encourage everyone to get colonoscopies.

Colorectal cancer is unique as it is the only cancer that can be detected and sometimes treated by a procedure at the same time. This procedure is

called a colonoscopy, which involves inserting a flexible tube into the anus, through the entire length of the rectum and colon. Given the increasing incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society now recommends regular screening to start at age 45. By conducting colon cancer screening, we can catch colorectal cancer at its earliest stage – by doing so, we can cure up to 90% of cases. As the cancer progresses to a more advanced stage, it is harder to treat. With this in mind, I ask all members of our community to know your family’s history with cancer. If there is no family history of colorectal cancer, start screening at

age 45. If you do have a history of colorectal cancer in your family, call 718-920-7183 and we can provide screening recommendations.

Screening is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer. Don’t postpone what could be a lifesaving test. Let’s work together to reduce rates of colorectal cancer in our community.

Edward Chu, M.D., M.M.S., is director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Albert Einstein Cancer Center, vice president for cancer medicine at Montefiore Medicine and professor of medicine and of molecular pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021• 17

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Barnabas safety officer named Health Heroes Honoree

Morena Lasso, director of safety and emergency preparation at SBH Health System, has been named as one of the 50 Whole Health Heroes honored by Empire BlueCross BlueShield in partnership with Crain’s New York Business.

The awards recognize those heroes who during the pandemic have “unflinchingly fought against the unseen enemy, often sacrificing their own health and personal comfort to help others. These New Yorkers, who hail from the health care sector, the business world and the nonprofit field, have displayed extraordinary leadership, dedication, empathy, and remarkable compassion to help ensure the safety and wellness of all New Yorkers during this unprecedented crisis.”

Empire selected these honorees because they reflect its own mission: to improve the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, not just its 4 million members.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx with brute force during the spring, Lasso ran the health facility’s command center.

She communicated with both New York City and Greater New

York Hospital Association officials to help in the identification and distribution of desperately needed emergency equipment on a 24/7 basis.

Lasso, who has been the health system’s safety director for seven years, acted as the point person in maintaining sufficient supplies for patients and staff. She also worked closely with individuals and organizations who donated PPE, food and other essentials to ensure their timely distribution to staff.

“We counted on Morena to keep our command center operational during an incredibly challenging time and she never failed us,” said Dr. Daniel Lombardi, Senior Vice President, Chief Academic and Chief Quality Officer, SBH Health System. “She played an instrumental role in making sure our staff was able to help so many extremely sick people.”

The Whole Health

Heroes program was created to honor and celebrate individuals and teams whose commitment, kindness and exceptional leadership have helped to improve the health, wellness and safety of the city during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

“COVID-19 hit New York early and hard, which meant that our communities were on the front lines of the response,” said Alan Murray president, CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “In true form, many New Yorkers stood up to these new and evolving challenges, demonstrating resilience and innovation as they worked to address emerging needs across our city.

It was a true honor to learn about these stories as part of selecting our 50 honorees.

Thank you to the honorees and all applicants for your service during this past year.”

“Crain’s is proud to be part of the 2020 Empire Whole Health Heroes Awards program to honor and celebrate 50 individuals, and teams, that demonstrated remarkable compassion, empathy and true leadership during the pandemic,” said Frederick P. Gabriel Jr., Publisher and Execu-

Morena Lasso, director of safety and emergency preparation at SBH Health System.

tive Editor of Crain’s New York Business.

“It was a privilege to work in partnership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield in bringing these remarkable stories to light.”

Lasso joined such well-known New Yorkers as Chirlane Mc-

Cray, the city’s first lady; Michael Dowling, president/ceo, Northwell Health; and chef Daniel Boulud in being selected for this honor.

Crain’s New York Business honored these individuals and teams, at a virtual celebratory event on February 18.

18• BRONX VOICE• March 10 - 16, 2021

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Oasis for healthcare workers on frontline of pandemic Healthcare workers on the frontline of the pandemic now have the chance get a moment of peace without leaving the Bronx.

HOHM, the company bringing custom-engineered sleeping pods to new places, announced a program to provide frontline workers in New York City with much needed rest and recuperation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOHM is a custom-engineered, sound-blocking pod designed to safely provide individuals with

comfort, privacy, and a place to decompress.

HOHM pods are now available to doctors, nurses and essential staff at Montefiore Hospital as a safe and comfortable way to recharge.

HOHM features a massage chair, a privacy and sound-blocking curtain, charging stations, and a tablet to control reservations.

HOHM pods are now available to doctors, nurses and essential staff at Montefiore Hospital as a safe and comfortable way to recharge.

“Our frontline providers and essential workers have been supporting our community tirelessly as we continue to fight through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Paulette Giambalvo, MPH, CHES, director of Associate Wellness at Montefiore. “As part of our associate wellness efforts, we are delighted to offer a new space for our colleagues to relax and re-energize.”

Associates at Montefiore can book downtime via the HOHM pod tablet. Once booked, associates simply walk in, sit down and unwind. After each use, Montefiore’s environmental team will clean and sanitize the space for the next asso-

ciate.

“We want to create the ultimate escape for the doctors, nurses and staff on the frontlines of this pandemic,” said Nikolas Woods, Founder and CEO of HOHM. “Our on-demand pods provide a serene environment for essential workers to recharge.”

HOHM plans to expand its sleeping pod placements to additional hospitals in the coming months and will also continue to serve corporate offices and educational institutions.

If you are interested in providing HOHM sleep pods to your workers or students, please visit www.hohm.life for more information.

Culinary Road

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By Morris Gut

Spring has sprung for foodies

The start of the spring season finds restaurants feeling more upbeat about prospects for the rest of the year.

New York City has expanded indoor dining to 50% capacity while nearby suburbs like Westchester have increased seating to 75%. The onset of milder weather also means al fresco dining will continue for the foreseeable future. My palate is forging ahead. Here are some of my recent culinary encounters…and don’t forget, you still should follow Covid protocols and Stay Safe!

SPRING SPECIALS AT ARTIE’S, CITY ISLAND!

Owner Spiro Chagares is back in the kitchen and offers patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair.

New to the menu are family style whole roasts for take home or delivery like Chateaubriand, Pork Loin, Virginia Ham, or Prime Rib. There are hearty Seafood Chowders; Smoked Salmon Roll-Ups; Wood Grilled Jumbo Shrimp and Scallops; hunks of tender Short Rib; a massive Zuppa Di Pesce; tender Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb; Chardonnay Poached Salmon with seafood; and fresh Lobster prepared in a variety of styles. Big combo platters. Craft beers.

Private party facilities. Off premise catering. Open 7 days. Free parking. Artie’s

Steak & Seafood, 394 City Island Ave., Bronx. 718885-9885 www.artiescityisland.com INDOOR/OUTDOOR TASTINGS RETURN TO BRONX BREWERY!

The crew at 10-year-old Bronx Brewery in the Port Morris section of the south Bronx are geared up for food and brews 7 days a week in their popular backyard. Indoors and outdoors Friday thru Sunday. I am a fan of their Pale Ales.

Empanology, the food concession, is open, serving a variety of fresh-made empanadas, burgers, and sandwiches. Check the website for exact times of operation. Bronx Brewery is located at 856 E. 136th Street, Bronx. Phone: 718402-1000 www.thebronxbrewery.com A TASTE OF DALMATIA AT DUBROVNIK

Founded by Jerry Tomic, Dubrovnik is Westchester’s first restaurant devoted to the food and culture of Croatia, a multi-level 85-seat establishment with seasonal outdoor patio, state of the art temperature- controlled wine cellar (ask for Jerry’s wine from his family’s winery in Croatia), al fresco wood fire rotisserie BBQ, lush seasonal herb garden and bar/lounge.

Talented Chef Selendic is in the kitchen and he will transport you to the beautiful Adriatic in flavorful style. Most everything is house made from the bread to desserts. Try the Warm Octopus Salad; Steamed

Mussels; Bay Scallops on the Shell; Fresh Cod Filet with grapes, olives, pearl onions; Mama Tereza’s lobster, shrimp, scallops, fish, clams, and mussels steamed in a seasonal broth over pasta; Rack of Lamb; or whole roasted fish prepared out on the BBQ. Valet parking.

Dubrovnik, 721 Main St., New Rochelle. Open daily. 914-637-3777 www. durbrovnikny.com ‘OFF THE SMOKER’ AT KRAVE, NEW ROCHELLE!

On the menu Thursday thru Sunday at Krave Restaurant: house smoked meats and BBQ served with fried dumplings and pickled cucumbers, including Beef Brisket, Baby Back Pork Ribs, Jerk Sausage and delicious Pork Belly Sticky Buns. A vibrant Chyrisse Crisp and Chef Chrissy have brought Westchester an exciting new Caribbean/American/Southern restaurant loaded with colorful, comforting dishes from the islands. There is a long sparkling bar/ lounge area leading into the dining room, dramatically glass enclosed, part banquet seating. Start with an order of Lamb Meatballs, or Cod Fish Cakes.

It is a bustling modern setting for such specialties as: ‘Pass The Dutchie’, traditional foods served in Dutch pots: Dutch Pot Fried Chicken; Jerk Pork & Jerk Chicken; Stewed Oxtail; Ackee with choice

of fish; even Curry Goat on weekends. Whole fish include: Red Snapper, Salmon and Bronzini.

If you’re in a vegetarian mode, try the Tofu Chop Suey. Open Tuesday thru Sunday. Krave, 8 S. Division Street, New Rochelle.

Phone: 914-740-7240. www.kravenewroc.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, tasty big Empanadas, ‘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 Sundae 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 KNOCKOUT MEXICAN AT EL BARRIO!

Chef Sal Cucullo Jr. of The 808 Bistro, Scarsdale, has opened El Barrio Mexican Restaurant highlighting Mexican street food. There is partial indoor and outdoor seating. It is open for take-out and delivery. There is fine talent at work here and a playful new design. Specialties at El Barrio include: Calamares y Camarones Fritos, arbol aioli; traditional Guacamole; Wood-Fired Quesadillas; Tacos and Tostadas; an El Barrio Burger wrapped in a flour tortilla; and fresh-made south-of-the-border cocktails.

El Barrio, 185 Summerfield St., Scarsdale. Open for takeout, delivery, and patio dining 7 days a week. Phone: 914723-2600. www.elbarrio.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: 914235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@ optonline.net)

20• BRONX VOICE• March 24 - 30, 2021

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