Indoor Dining Returns to New York City, but Will Customers?
September 30, 2020: New York Times
Restaurants express concern, as well as excitement, regarding the reopening of indoor dining. “Regina Delfino, the owner of Mario’s, a 101-year-old Italian restaurant in the Bronx, said that out of dozens of people who called for tables this weekend, only two reservations were made for indoor seating.” Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue is also featured in this article demonstrating safety measures they will be taking to ensure a safe reopening of indoor dining. Read more, here.
Mayor’s Remarks on Outdoor/Indoor Dining
September 30, 2020: NY1
The mayor discusses his outdoor dining experiences and mentions eating at the 100-year old restaurant, Mario’s, here on Arthur Avenue. Watch more, here or listen, here.
How Ritchie Torres won a battle for the Bronx in the heat of the pandemic
September 29, 2020: Yahoo News
City councilman Ritchie Torres mentions Arthur Avenue and cites Little Italy, with its “sidewalk cafés and vibrant cultural mix,” as proof that it “demonstrates that America works.” Torres continued to say, “People from every walk of life can coexist… The reality on the ground is more unified than our politics.” Frank Franz, the treasurer of the Belmont Business Improvement District also comments on Torres’ help in funding the annual pizza festival in Little Italy. Read more, here.
The “Donnoli” from Gino’s Pastry Shop
September 28, 2020: Weekday Magazine
Gino’s Pastry Shop in Little has been featured for its newest dessert creation. “With some ingenuity, Jerome decided to bring a new twist to the traditional cannoli and took an italian baked confection, better known as the “bombolini” or what Americans would know as a doughnut, and decided to fill them with cannoli cream. The result was incredible, particularly after a number of Bronx-born long time celebrity friends tried his new creation – affectionately called the ‘Donnoli.’” Read more, here.
Outdoor Dining in N.Y.C Will Become Permanent, Even in Winter
September 25, 2020: NY Times
“It was a game changer for us in terms of making sure the fabric of our community — the restaurants and retail stores — are vibrant again,” says Peter Madonia, owner of Madonia Brothers Bakery on Arthur Avenue, in this article on the continuation of outdoor dining into the winter season. Read more, here.
All In NYC: Meet The Bronx’s Beer Brothers
September 24, 2020: ViewingNYC
The Bronx Beer Hall was on All In NYC, featured as the “dauntless duo” that is “keeping Belmont happy – and hoppy – in uncertain times.” Check them out! Watch more, here.
The best bakeries in NYC
September 22, 2020: TimeOut
Gino’s Pastry Shop is included in TimeOut’s list of best bakeries! “This iconic Arthur Avenue bakery has supplied locals with Italian baked goods—from cannoli to wedding cakes—since 1960. Pass time waiting in the shop’s ever-present line by admiring the photos of famous visitors that appear on the walls, like Joe Pesci and Al Pacino.” Read more, here.
Best Pizza & Pasta Dishes from Bronx Little Italy
September 22, 2020: Stacy Knows
Restaurants in Little Italy are given a shout-out for their best pizza and pasta dishes! Read more, here.
Bronx Beer Hall on News 12 Bronx & Brooklyn
September 19, 2020: News 12 Brooklyn
Housed in the Arthur Avenue retail market, the Bronx Beer Hall was featured on News 12’s “We’re Open” segment. The managing partner Paul Ramirez discusses the support from the community and mentions their original products from brews to masks to slushies. Check it out! Watch more, here.
Estrellita Poblana III on News 12 Bronx & Brooklyn
September 18, 2020: News 12 Brooklyn
Estrellita Poblana III is featured in this News 12 segment “Estamos Abiertos.” The restaurant’s manager, George Pirgousis, gives the history of the authentic cuisine and how his uncle brought the recipes straight from Puebla, Mexico. Check out the homemade tortilla chips and guacamole! Watch more, here.
The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Dining in NYC
September 18, 2020: Eater
Eater highlights some of the best places to enjoy a nice meal outside on Arthur Ave. Read more, here.
News 12 Bronx “We’re Open”
September 17, 2020: News 12 Bronx
Check out this tweet by News 12 Bronx for their “We’re Open” segment featuring Little Italy’s Estrellita Poblana III. The restaurant says the support from the community has been great the past few months. Be sure to check out their signature sangria along with their delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. Watch more, here.
Arthur Avenue on News 12 Bronx & Brooklyn
September 17, 2020: News 12 Bronx
Arthur Avenue is featured in this News 12 segment regarding the reopening of indoor dining in New York City and the policies set in place to ease the financial burden restaurants have been facing. Watch more, here.
De Blasio extends street closures for outdoor dining to weekdays
September 16, 2020: NY Post
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the “open streets” program will no longer strictly be confined to weekends. “Restaurants deserve every chance they can get to serve more customers this fall – and, as the weather gets cooler, New Yorkers deserve every chance they can get to enjoy outdoor dining,” says de Blasio. Read more, here.
The Return of Indoor Dining Will Not Save NYC’s Restaurant Industry
September 11, 2020: Gothamist
In this article, Peter Madonia, owner of Madonia Brothers Bakery, poses concerns regarding the new guidelines for indoor dining in New York City. Aside from capacity limitations, Madonia mentions the air handling issue and the lack of HVAC technicians to ready all of the city’s restaurants within the next couple of weeks. Contrasting the idea that people will not dine indoors, Madonia says, “There’s enough people regionally who will be comfortable going inside, that I don’t doubt.” Read more, here.
New York speeds to open restaurants for indoor dining despite scientists’ concern over COVID-19 spread
September 11, 2020: Yahoo News
Peter Madonia, owner of Madonia Brothers Bakery, is quoted on the push for indoor dining stating that, ‘this is doable,’ and that to wait for a vaccine is, “tantamount to a ‘death knell.’” Read more, here and here.
Top businessmen honored at premier Kings of the Bronx virtual event next week
September 10, 2020: Bronx Times
On September 17th, the Kings of the Bronx event will be held virtually to honor and celebrate the successful businessmen in the Bronx. Of the honorees, Peter Madonia, owner of Madonia Brothers Bakery on Arthur Avenue, will be awarded. Read more, here.
I Love New York. Still.
September 9, 2020: Fordham News
In the time of COVID-19, New Yorkers are affirming why they love the city. Andrea Marais, the Associate Dean of Strategic Marketing and Enrollment of the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, says she has loved visiting Piazza di Belmont since Arthur Avenue was closed to traffic and outdoor dining began. She says, “it has a very Old World feel to it,” and that, “it’s like Paris meets the Bronx.” Read more, here.
‘It’s a Really Tough Call’: NYC Restaurant Industry Reacts to Indoor Dining Return
September 9, 2020: EATER: New York
Owners, workers, and chefs in NYC express comments and concerns for the opening of indoor dining. Maria Di Rende, the owner of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, says, “I am happy we got to this point. It’s a start in the right direction. One concern that I have is that when they did outdoor dining, they put up guidelines that kept changing on us. We’d like to have better directions and know what they actually want instead of constantly changing as we go along. We spent so much money trying to get outdoor dining right.” Read more, here.
Indoor Dining in NYC on WABC-TV and News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn
September 9, 2020: WABC-TV and News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn
News teams covered Gov. Cuomo’s newest remarks on indoor dining on the scene in Belmont. Local diners and restaurant owners in Little Italy are interviewed. Watch more, here and here.
A Totally Biased List of the Best Foods to Eat in NYC-and Where to Eat Them
September 9, 2020: AFAR
Check out these top dishes borough-by-borough! Little Italy’s very own Madonia Brothers Bakery was listed for its Cannolis, and Mike’s Italian Deli was listed for its Big Vinny’s Favorite sandwich. Read more, here.
NYC indoor dining will return on Sept. 30 at 25 percent capacity: Gov. Cuomo
September 9, 2020: NY Post
“It should have been yesterday, but it is what it is,” says Peter Madonia, owner of Madonia Brothers Bakery in Little Italy, in regard to opening indoor dining. Read more, here.
Interview with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer
September 9, 2020: WNYC-FM
WNYC’s Brian Lehrer talks to Peter Madonia, the owner of Madonia Bakery on Arthur Avenue and the Chairman of the Belmont Business Improvement District. They discuss Little Italy’s push for indoor dining and how it is ready to make a safe transition. Listen more, here and here For the full segment of Brian Lehrer’s interview, listen here.
The Best of New York’s Bold Outdoor Dining Experience
September 3, 2020: Bloomberg
Restaurants across the city have gotten creative with their outdoor dining setups. Estrellita Poblano 3 on Arthur Avenue is a great option, with a mix of locals, Fordham students, and Westchester visitors. Read more, here.