Saturday, June 14, 2014

Little Italy Bust: Emilia's Restaurant, Bronx, NY

Tourist attractions are hard.  So went our visit to the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx followed by a stop on Arthur Avenue (the real Little Italy) for a late lunch.

Actually, the Botanical Gardens are beautiful and easily navigable by the tram. And the boys absolutely loved the Children's Adventure Garden.  The real challenge begins when the bellies start to rumble.

Arthur Avenue is everything you imagine it to be - pastry shops doling out cannoli, shirtless men hanging out an open window and Christmas lights still up in June.  Our usual stop is Dominick's which is a no reservation, all cash operation.  As we learned that day, it is worth the hassle.

We dined next store at Emilia's who takes reservations and credit cards.  Tucked in the back of a dark restaurant on an absolutely gorgeous day we waited for eons for a waiter and some water.

We ordered some appetizers for the table including rice balls, fried zucchini with prosciutto and mozzarella, stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari.  Everything was eh.  The breadbasket was the best thing.   I was disappointed.

Entrees were slightly better.  I tolerated a chicken cutlet siciliana with eggplant and mozzarella.  JB's spaghetti and meatballs were fine. But seriously my local pizza place could have done better.

Good thing there was a bakery down the street.

Until our next Berger,
KLB


Emilia's Restaurant
2331 Arthur Avenue
Bronx, NY
718.367.5915
www.emiliasrestaurant.com


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