Final Tastes of Summer

More Tasty Summer Drives for Foodies

Insalate DiMare at Trattoria Vivolo.

By Morris Gut

Manhattan Voice 

August 21, 2024

NEW YORK - Get out of the house. Time to plan some road trips with good food in mind. Here are some suggestions within a 20-mile radius of the Bronx…

ROBUST ITALIAN OUT OF A DINER AT TRATTORIA VIVOLO

Recently cited by Forbes Magazine, Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo serves his robust regional Italian cuisine out of a vintage diner just across from Harrison's Metro-North station. Sit at the counter, tuck into a booth, or take a table in the rear greenhouse and enjoy the surprising contemporary and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty thin-crusted pizza; Crostino di Polenta topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and tomato sauce Linguini Nere with bay scallops; Grilled Lamb Chops; Lasagna Bolognese al Forno; and wonderful Spaghetti a la Vongole. Fine wine list. Sparkling lights in the evenings. The outdoor patio is now open. Free parking. Closed Mondays. Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison. 914-835-6199 www.trattoriavivolo.com

SOUTHERN COMFORT AT FREEBIRD KITCHEN & BAR!

The rooftop deck is open for drinks and dinner. Seasoned proprietor Nick Fusco serves tasty versions of Fried Calamari, meaty Baby Back Ribs, Cobb Salad, spicy Chicken Wings, crispy Brussels Sprouts. Shrimp & Grits and Braised Short Ribs. The cooking here is very satisfying, and all done with a friendly Southern theme. Portions are ample and shareable. The lighting and those artsy birds hanging from the ceiling in the dining room give it a magical atmosphere. Sprawling bar. Craft beers. Happy hours: Tues.-Thurs. 4-6pm; Fri. 2-6 p.m. Weekend Brunch. Closed Mondays. Live music jams on Friday & Sunday evenings. Freebird Kitchen, 161 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-607-2476 www.freebirdkitchenandbar.com

NORTHERN ITALIAN AT TORCELLO RISTORANTE

The Eggplant Rollatini and Rigatoni Bolognese are terrific. Seafood dishes excel. Imer Rraci and his veteran team reimagined the former La Riserva into a lovely setting for the Italian classics. Named after an island off the coast of Venice, Chef Avni turns out such winning dishes as: colorful Mozzarella Caprice; Risotto Di Funghi with porcini; Veal Chop Parmigiana; classic Rack of Lamb; and delicious Pollo Torcello, topped with applewood bacon and melted fresh mozzarella in a light bourbon mushroom sauce. Rraci had spent years working for the former Giambelli in Manhattan, and Valbella in Old Greenwich, CT. Open 7 days for dinner starting at 3:30 p.m. Bar/cocktails. Happy hours Wed. through Fri.  3:30-6 pm. Outdoor patio. Free parking. Torcello, 2382 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. 914-833-1118 www.torcellolarchmont.com

IRISH AMERICAN WITH PIZZAZZ AT JACK’S BAR & KITCHEN!

Their Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich is a winner. Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. Jack’s offers an enhanced Irish/American tavern menu on steroids. The best way to describe it. Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohue’s kitchen include decadent Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese; Lamb Lollipops; Burrata Pizza out of their woodfired oven; Guinness braised Short Ribs; Woodfired Pizzas and big juicy Burgers. Check out their decadent Grilled Cheese Menu. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily. Weekend brunch. TVs. Municipal parking; free evenings. Jack’s Bar, 219 Main St., Eastchester. 914-652-7650 www.jackseastchester.com

JILL’S PREMIERS IN MAMARONECK!

Partners Ro Flanagan, Shane Clifford and Chef Brendan Donohue, proprietors of popular Jack’s Bar & Kitchen, a popular Irish American tavern in Eastchester, have premiered Jill’s Bar & Restaurant in Mamaroneck, across from Harbor Island Park. Jill’s, a colorful ode to modern Ireland, serves a winning combination of gastropub favorites and modern-European specialties along with a good dose of hospitality. Lobster Cobb Salad, Non-Traditional Fish & Chips, Guiness Braised Beef Short Ribs, Ahi Tuna Bowl, and Birria Tacos. Jill’s,100 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, off the corner of Mamaroneck Ave. Happy Hours. Weekend brunch. 914-341-1776 www.jillsbarandrestaurant.com

NEW HAPPY HOURS AT MAMMA FRANCESCA ON THE SOUND!

Check out the views before the sun sets. When Nick DiCostanzo was growing up on the Island of Ischia on the Coast of Naples in Italy, his earliest memories where of the simple seaside meals he would enjoy with his family, farm-to-table and of course sea-to-table. As proprietor of Mamma Francesca in New Rochelle for nearly 40 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. Robust Italian/American specialties include freshly made Manicotti, Calamari Fritti, Ischia Salad, Chicken Parmigiana, Misto Frutti di Mare. Rabbit Cacciatore, too.

Daily Happy Hours. Off-premise catering. Woodburning pizza oven. Live entertainment schedule. Free parking. Mamma Francesca, 414 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-636-1229 

www.mammafrancesca.com

BIRRIA AT CANTINA TACO & TEQUILA BAR

Owner, host, and actor John Solo, of bustling Cantina Taco & Tequila in White Plains, is offering a 3-taco lunch for $9.95, or you can choose one of their tasty 3-cheese quesadillas with steak, chicken, shrimp, or a big Burrito. The special Birria Tacos are a knockout! A Street Bowl is available with a choice of protein, for $8.95. Might be a good time for one of their frozen drinks, too. Cantina is a playful, colorful restaurant. A bright aqua pastel façade attracts along Mamaroneck Ave. They serve a bouncy menu of reasonably priced south-of-the-border fare. Try the new Cheeseburger Tacos, and such ongoing house specialties as: Carnitas, Chicken Mole, Garlic Shrimp, and Steak Fajita. Open 7 days. Bustling Happy Hours. Live entertainment Thursday nights. Cantina, 166 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-461-3959. www.cantinawhiteplains.com

BRONX NIGHT MARKET 6TH ANNIVERSARY!

The popular Bronx Night Market is back the first Saturday of each month starting at 4 p.m. Tickets must be reserved through the website. There are scores of Bronx-based vendors and food trucks including Crabmeat Mike, Empanada Papa, Fried Lasagna Mama, Hungarian Hotspot, Mixto Tacos, and Island Love Cake all selling food, drink, crafts, and live entertainment. It all takes place at: Fordham Plaza, East Fordham Road and Webster Ave. Belmont, The Bronx. For more info: https://www.maschospitalitygroup.com/bronxnightmarket , or Bronx Night Market on Facebook. 

FARMERS MARKET AT NYBG!

The Farmers Market at New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is on every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will run thru October. Admission and parking are free. Enter the market at the Mosholu Gate. www.nybg.org/event/farmers-market/

(Morris Gut is a restaurant 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 over 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)