BRONX — Platters of pizza ricotta from Café al Mercato, antipasto from Mike's Deli and jars of the recently unveiled Bronx Hot Sauce were spread across the bar of The Bronx Beer Hall on Monday afternoon, offering just a taste of the culinary variety available during the fourth annual Savor the Bronx.
The borough's version of restaurant week launched Monday and runs through Friday, Nov. 14, showing the world the best nosh from Bronx restaurateurs, brewers and other food vendors.
The Bronx Beer Hall, located in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market at 2321 Hughes Ave., is taking part in the event for the second year, and co-owner Anthony Ramirez said he was excited for the culinary festivities to begin.
"It sort of reintroduces Bronxites to their own community and introduces outsiders as well," he said.
The Bronx Beer Hall's menu includes food from Café al Mercato and Mike's Deli, two restaurants located within the Arthur Avenue Retail Market known for Italian fare.
Multiple eateries from the South Bronx are participating in the food celebration as well, including Charlie's Bar and Kitchen at 112 Lincoln Ave., which serves modern American cuisine, sushi restaurant Ceetay at 129 Alexander Ave. and Mexican restaurant Xochimilco Family Restaurant at 653 Melrose Ave.
Lunch pre fixe menus during Savor The Bronx, which is produced by the Bronx Tourism Council and co-hosted by the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, cost $16.41, while dinner pre fixe menus cost $20.14.
Additionally, some restaurants are offering coupons of 15 percent off meals that are more than $20, which bargain hunters can obtain here.
Paul Ramirez, who co-owns the Bronx Beer Hall with his brother Anthony, said he used to eat downtown frequently, but an event like Savor The Bronx helps foodies realize that The Bronx has plenty of great restaurants as well at reasonable prices.
"It brings more attention to the diverse eateries throughout the entire borough," he said.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who was on hand to help launch the festivities, maintained that the new restaurants taking root in the area were indicative of the "New Bronx" and that the borough's restaurant week would let people know that there is no better place in the city to find good food.
"This is so that people, whether they live in The Bronx or abroad, understand that we are second to none when it comes to cuisine," he said.
