← All Of It with Alison Stewart
All Of It with Alison Stewart
Summer in the City: What To Do In The Bronx
00:29:12
Our Summer in the City series continues, spotlighting great things to do in each borough. Today: The Bronx.
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- [00:00]
Alison Stewart
Our state has changed a lot in the last 140 years. We know because Multicare has been here guided by a single making our communities healthier. That comes from making courageous decisions, partnering with local communities to grow programs and services, and expanding healthcare access to those who need it most. Together, we're building a healthier future. Learn more@mycare.org this is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart live from the WNYC studios in Soho. Thank you for spending part of your day with us. I'm really grateful that you're here. On today's show, author Mark Kurlansky will be here to talk about his new novel, Cheesecake Harvest. Harpist's Brandy Younger has a new album out and she's bringing her band into WNYC Studio 5 for a live performance. And we'll hear from Emmy nominated actor Cristian Milioti about her role as Sofia Falcone Gigante in the crime drama the Penguin. That's our plan. So let's head to the Bronx. We are continuing our Summer in the City series highlighting the best things to do in each borough over the summer. And today we are heading to the Bronx. Journalist Ian Fraser recently declared the Bronx New York's greatest borough. And Bronx residents surely agree. There's so much to do, from museums to sports to a day at the beach and of course, a lot of good food. Joining me to discuss some of her favorite things to do in the Bronx is local journalist E.T. rodriguez. E.T. writes frequently for the Bronx Time and is also a licensed tour guide. She's also a major foodie and a self described pool shark. More on that in a bit. Hey ET thanks for coming to the studio.
- [02:03]
E.T. Rodriguez
Oh my God. So happy to be here.
- [02:04]
Alison Stewart
Listeners, we want to hear from you. What's your favorite thing to do in the Bronx in the summertime? What's your favorite restaurant? Your favorite park or museum? Give us a call. 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC before we get into your list, what's your favorite thing to do in the Bronx in the summertime?
- [02:25]
E.T. Rodriguez
My favorite thing to do in the Bronx all the time is play pool, but I have all my friends there. Everything. I'm just everywhere. I'm all over the borough all the time.
- [02:35]
Alison Stewart
Okay, I was gonna say that for the end of the interview, but let's talk about you being a pool shark. When did you start playing pool?
- [02:41]
E.T. Rodriguez
I started bar hopping in New York City before it was legal for me to do so. I was 17 years old when I started playing pool.
- [02:49]
Alison Stewart
And where do you go? Like, where do you like to play?
- [02:51]
E.T. Rodriguez
I actually love The Punchbowl on 238th and Broadway, right off the 1 train. That building, over 100 years old, local dive, great place. I also go to bulma cabes on St. Mark's and then everywhere else.
- [03:03]
Alison Stewart
All right, so everybody look out for E.T. rodriguez. She's a pool shark. All right, let's start with the Bronx Dominican Day Parade. It's happening soon. It's July 28th. Where is the parade happening? What should I look for?
- [03:15]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes, the parade is happening along the Grand Concourse between 167th street and 176th Street. Dominicans have superseded Puerto Ricans. I'm a Puerto Rican myself. We used to be the dominant Hispanic culture, and we're not anymore, and it's great. And so everyone's gonna be celebrating there from 11 to 5. The parade's supposed to kick off around 1:40. Weird time, but, you know, fun, and I think it'll be a great time.
- [03:42]
Alison Stewart
It's also a festival as well as a parade.
- [03:44]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah.
- [03:44]
Alison Stewart
What can people see?
- [03:45]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah, food. A lot of food vendors, A lot of people selling their wares, jewelry, things like that. And then I'm sure you'll see the Bronx Borough president there, Vanessa Gibson. She's literally at every event. I cover all the time.
- [03:59]
Alison Stewart
Anybody you wanna see special? Any special performances?
- [04:02]
E.T. Rodriguez
Not that I can think of, honestly. But there will be a lot of music, I'm sure.
- [04:07]
Alison Stewart
That's happening on July 28th. The Bronx Dominican Day Parade. All right, our next up is the New York Botanical Gardens. We've all heard about this. This beautiful Van Gogh flower show. But you say we should go at night.
- [04:21]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes. So in conjunction with the Van Gogh Starry Night show, they're also doing a drone show, and it's the first of its kind in any cultural institution in New. So they will have this gorgeous choreographed drone show at night, and it's going to be every weekend in July and August.
- [04:37]
Alison Stewart
So when you talk about a drone show, it's not like they're coming down from the sky to get you. Explain to me what the drones do.
- [04:45]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah, they're going to perform a light series. There will be choreographed lights which will have designs to them that will be like the Starry Night.
- [04:55]
Alison Stewart
And this will last through the summer.
- [04:57]
E.T. Rodriguez
This is going to be every weekend in July and August. So July 18, 19, 25th, 26th, August 1, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16, 22nd, 23rd, from 7:30 to 10.
- [05:07]
Alison Stewart
All right, let's talk To Laura in Riverdale. Hey, Laura, thanks for calling, all of it.
- [05:12]
Caller
Hi, how are you doing?
- [05:14]
Alison Stewart
Great.
- [05:16]
Caller
Yeah, so I'm just calling because we do run a community space in the northwest Bronx. It's called KRVC Kingsridge Riverdale, then Cortlandt Development Corporation. We have a few great events coming up and I just like for people to know about them, if that's okay.
- [05:32]
Alison Stewart
All right. You want to give us the elevator pitch.
- [05:36]
Caller
So we have a space. We, we promote inclusivity here in the northwest Bronx. Every Monday for parents, we have free craft, arts and crafts classes with Nina, our art director, from 4:30 to 6. So you're more than welcome to come and join. We have a new neurodivergent mixer for young adults that's taking place on July 20 from 2 to 5 here at the community space. And I also would like to invite people to see our art gallery that we are showing. We're showing the work of Francisco Usita and it is a gallery that is open to the public. And if anyone has any questions, they're more than welcome to follow us. RVC on Instagram or you can email me at laurathenumber4bronxmail.com Laura, thanks for the call.
- [06:22]
Alison Stewart
Let's talk to Carl, who's calling in from Miami. Hey, Carl, what's up?
- [06:27]
Caller
Hi, Alison.
- [06:28]
Alison Stewart
Yeah.
- [06:30]
Caller
Oh, my God. Thank you for your show. You're amazing. Your guest for writing a book about the Brahms. I'm sorry. Or the pool shark business. I got lost.
- [06:41]
Alison Stewart
That's okay. What do you want to shout out?
- [06:44]
Caller
The 44 bus. I think it's the longest line in the city anyway. And it takes you through a big. It goes. Takes you from the Bronx Zoo all the way to JFK, I think.
- [06:54]
Alison Stewart
And why do you like the 44 bus?
- [06:57]
Caller
Because it goes over to Whitestone and you can see like Manhattan. Forget about Manhattan head. You can see like a, like a large part of Manhattan. And sunset is beautiful and sunrise is beautiful also in the morning. So yeah, it's a great bus and I love the Bronx Zoo. Bronx is the best.
- [07:12]
Alison Stewart
Awesome. Thanks for calling from Miami, Carl. My guest is Bronx journalist and New York City tour guide ET Rodriguez. We're discussing her selections for the best things to do in the Bronx this summer. Listeners, we want to hear from you. What's your favorite thing to do in the Bronx? Give us a call at 2124-3396-9221-2433 wnyc. Two things to remember. One, if you're driving, please don't Call us, pull over, then you can give us a call. Not while you're driving. We want to keep everybody safe. And remember, transcripts for this segment will be available later. So if you're writing stuff down, don't worry about it. You can catch it on the transcript. All right, let's talk dancing. This is my favorite thing. I can go to Orchard beach on Sundays. What will I experience if I want to go dancing at Orchard Beach?
- [07:59]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes, Salsa Sundays. So it started back in the 1960s when rogue Puerto Rican DJs would just go out there, play their music, people would come and it just became a staple of the place. I mean, and it's a family friendly event. Kids, older adults, you know, teenagers, everyone is just there to have a good time. You don't have a partner, don't worry, you'll find one there.
- [08:22]
Alison Stewart
Oh, all right.
- [08:23]
E.T. Rodriguez
You know, it is so communal, so friendly and just such a wonderful time. Usually it starts around 5 o', clock, so you don't have to worry about that intense summer heat.
- [08:32]
Alison Stewart
Do I have to know how to dance salsa?
- [08:34]
E.T. Rodriguez
No, absolutely not. You just need to have a good time. Just come with, you know, an open heart and open mind. Someone will wrap you, you up and teach you, I promise.
- [08:43]
Alison Stewart
All right, let's say I work up a little bit of something. I want to eat, I want to drink. Where else should I go while I'm out there dancing?
- [08:49]
E.T. Rodriguez
Oh, so City island is right nearby. After you're done at Orchard beach, you can go to City Island. It's a one mile stretch, one way in, one way out. And then there's also Cinema on the Sound, which is an independent theater that just opened there.
- [09:04]
Alison Stewart
I was going to ask you about this, the special movie theater. Tell me a little more about that.
- [09:08]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes. So Gerry Landy and Peter Gennari, they opened in 2023. I believe it was 2022. And you know, the Bronx only has two movie theaters and we are twice the size of Manhattan. And you know, people are just kind of tired of not having that, the borough being overlooked. So they opened up this independent theater and they screen awesome movies there, they hold events. And again, City island is just focused on seafood. So you go there, you go anywhere, you're going to have really good food to eat, right?
- [09:39]
Alison Stewart
So you get a cinema on the Sound, say, I want dinner plus the show. What are some of the best seafood restaurants on City Island?
- [09:46]
E.T. Rodriguez
So me, you know, I'm a Bronx chick and people know you go all the way to the end. It's either Johnny's Reef or Tony's Pier. Johnny's Reef is one of my favorites. They're the only place in the Bronx that I believe that sells frog legs. They have the best pina coladas. They have a great clam chowder, cafeteria style, really casual, cash only. But if you want something a little more refined, there's also the Black Whale that focuses on American cuisine. And Sammy's Fish Box is a favorite amongst everyone there.
- [10:11]
Alison Stewart
All right. A vintage hunter on our staff said there's a place that's called Dan's Parents House. Yes, Dan's Parents House. What can I find at Dan's Parents House?
- [10:21]
E.T. Rodriguez
It's so cute, so niche. I mean, you'll find old Simpsons memorabilia, old action figures, pins, just anything you can find that's like really quirky at a vintage shop. And it's very laid back and very small and kind of you navigate through these little spaces.
- [10:40]
Alison Stewart
Well, it's Dan's Parents House.
- [10:41]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah, exactly.
- [10:42]
Alison Stewart
Let's take a couple of calls. Let's talk to Marilyn, who is calling in from Chelsea. Hi, Marilyn, thanks for making the time to call all of it.
- [10:51]
Caller
Hi, Alison, thanks for taking my call. I look forward to going back to Orchard beach during this segment. And I wanted to give some love to the Lit Bar. It's a bookstore established by a woman who's a native from the Bronx. It's lovely with a great selection of socially committed books and it's got wonderful readings. And I so enjoyed going to one of the readings and standing on this long line that swirled around the block and chatting with the other people online. And I heard about the Lit Bar on the Brian Lehrer show.
- [11:29]
Alison Stewart
There you go. We're big fans of the Lit Bar at all of it as well.
- [11:32]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah, really nice place. That whole area, Mott Haven, is changing quite a bit and there's so many wonderful spots to go there. Some places have closed and falls, unfortunately, but new places are opening.
- [11:41]
Alison Stewart
Let's talk to Ryan, who is calling from the Bronx. Ryan, you are on the air.
- [11:46]
Caller
Hey, thanks for having me on and thanks for doing this segment, giving some love to the Bronx. There is so much to be in love with in this borough. And I think it's a community that gets a bad rap. Like Bronx slander is a very popular thing in this city. But for me, my favorite thing in New York to do in the Bronx rather, and it's like a weird observational people watching thing, is to go to Joyce Kilmer Park. It's that park right outside of Bronxborough hall at 161st on the concourse directly up the block from Yankee Stadium, go on a Yankee game day and watch the single most diverse confluence of humans you will ever see in your life. In one place, like we're talking, there is a party in the corner. There are some people selling, some now recreationally legal, though the way they're doing it, not legal substances. On another corner, there's a Quince Sierra in the middle and a baseball game being played by guys who just got off the Metro north to go see a Yankee game all at once. It is a fascinating case study in what or how diverse New York actually is.
- [12:57]
Alison Stewart
Ryan, thanks so much for calling in. You actually have. It's sort of a Yankee game adjacent piece of advice. You go to a Yankee game, but then you said you should go out of your way to eat at Porta Salva restaurant. You wrote Porta Salva is a gem of a restaurant tucked away on 161st street like a buried treasure.
- [13:18]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes, absolutely.
- [13:19]
Alison Stewart
Tell me about who runs the restaurant, what makes it special.
- [13:22]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes. It's a husband and husband team. Mark and Luigi, I believe are their names. They tout not having Wi Fi and they say pretend it's the 1990s and talk to each other, but they do wonderful Italian food. They brought in an Italian chef to really focus on the place. Fantastic wine list. Octopus carpaccio, which I feel you can't really find in a lot of places, just. And a maritime theme. It's just beautiful. Wonderful place to go. And they also opened a sushi place right across the street.
- [13:51]
Alison Stewart
I was gonna say, like, if you're not feeling Italian food right about now, it's hot. Where else should I go?
- [13:55]
E.T. Rodriguez
Right across the street. There's Monado that they open. And they also brought in a Japanese chef to keep it authentic. They also have the only outdoor Japanese gard in the Bronx.
- [14:05]
Alison Stewart
Oh, interesting. All right, there's a speakeasy near Yankee Stadium. You're not going to tell us the exact address?
- [14:12]
E.T. Rodriguez
No.
- [14:13]
Alison Stewart
But can you give us a hint?
- [14:15]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah.
- [14:15]
Alison Stewart
So people can find it on their own?
- [14:17]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes. So it's a bodega. You go in, you pay bodega prices, you grab your beer, walk to the back. And in the back, there's this little speakeasy area where you can drink. It's near the stadium. It's somewhere between Jerome and the Grand Concourse. And that's all I'll say.
- [14:35]
Alison Stewart
That's all she'll say. Our next guest is. James is calling from Hunts Point. Hi, James, you're on the air.
- [14:44]
Caller
Hey, thanks for having Me, I agree with every one of your wonderful callers, so I don't have to say any of that. ET has been to our spot, Bronx Landia, where we do live music, local musicians. Every Thursday from 7 to 10. It's free entry, good drinks, and then we out because it's a school night.
- [15:03]
Alison Stewart
All right, tell us about blocks Bronx Landia, Bronxlandia.
- [15:06]
E.T. Rodriguez
It's the old Hunts Point train station. It's a gorgeous building. You know, from the outside, I remember when I passed by, I kind of thought it was abandoned for a while. And then I saw the doors open. And me being the curious journalist I am, I walked in, I said, what is going on here? And I met this lovely couple that's been founding it. They also own Boogie Down Grind, which is a cafe in Hunts Point that also holds events. And just a really nice communal place. I mean, the Bronx is just so communal. People love you. I mean, like the other caller said, gets a bad rap. Bronx sites are friendly.
- [15:43]
Alison Stewart
We are talking about the best things to do in the Bronx with New York City tour guide and Bronx journalist E.T. rodriguez. If you'd like to add to the conversation, our Phone number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. After the break, we'll talk about the Bronx Do Documentary center as well as some historic houses. Stay with us. You're listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. My guest in studio is journalist and New York City tour guide ET Rodriguez. She is going through all of the great things you can do in the Bronx. We got so many texts, I'm just going to read them out. This one says, as a Fordham alum, I am all things Arthur Avenue. Best ravioli in NYC can be found at Borgatti's on East 187th Street. Bronx born and raised. I paused on my way out the door to Orchard beach to listen to the segment. Then on my way down to Johnny's on the tip of City island for budget seafood and trinket shopping. Favorite Bronx activity is trail running in Van Cortlandt Park. I recently discovered an excellent Bronx art substack called Art all around us substack.com it lists all the artistics goings on in Bronx in a clear, concise way. Highly recommend. And this last one says, when you're on City island, you gotta check out City Island Oyster Reef. They're a group that aims to restore the oyster population around the island and engage with the community. Check out their website with Tons of opportunities to get out on the water and get your hands dirty. Doing some amazing conservation restoration. Thanks for all of your texts that you sent to us. All right, let's talk about the Bronx Documentary Center. Who founded it?
- [17:40]
E.T. Rodriguez
Michael Camber, who is. He was a war photojournalist for the New York Times. He bought the building outright.
- [17:47]
Alison Stewart
Oh, wow.
- [17:48]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah. And he provides just so many amazing things. He teaches adults and teenagers how to use manual cameras, how to videograph. You know, they have this wonderful exhibit going on right now. It's the 8th annual Latino American Photo Festival. And it's just capturing Bronxites in their environment in real time and just making beauty of the everyday.
- [18:14]
Alison Stewart
We've got somebody who actually has something they want to say about the Bronx Documentary Center. I think it's BC from Montclair. Hey, bc, you're on the air.
- [18:23]
Caller
Hey, Alison, how are you? I'm so glad to talk to you. You inspired me to want to get into journalism. However, I went to law school, but that's another story. For another. But. But nevertheless though, no, the Bronx Documentary Center, I believe is a hidden gem. I try to tell everybody about it just because it really is located in the heart of the South Bronx. It is very community oriented and you know, this is a place that this photography could be seen anywhere, but it's located in the South Bronx. I think that's something very special about their mission and what they try to do. I also just want to shout out really quickly, not too far away from the Bronx Documentary center, but the Puerto Rican traveling, the Pergones, they're located in the South Bronx. However, they do have a theater that's located, I think like in the 40s, somewhere between 8th and 9th. Very high level productions, a lot of great art centered around Puerto Rican culture. It's just really, really good. It's just two places that normally people might not know about. So I can throw all those hidden gems. I've done my work for today.
- [19:25]
Alison Stewart
See, you've been a journalist. See you found these hidden gems and you shared them with people. So thank you, BC let's talk to Stephen in Melrose. Hey, Stephen, thanks for calling. All of are on the air.
- [19:37]
Caller
Thank you very much. I just wanted to give a quick plug to Bronx Music Hall, Bronx Music Heritage center here in melrose, on East 163rd street and Elton Avenue. They just opened back. I think it was about November 1, 2024. So I think the word still needs to get out that they have great programming. It's a kind of evolving calendar as they get establishment or established. But now it's, I think, coming up, they have a spoken word performance. They have Puerto Rican vaudeville performance coming up. And also some dance. Some Latin dance groups are scheduled to perform in the evenings as well. I should also say that they offer classes, free or low cost, to anybody that wants to learn music and dance, salsa, conga, guitar. It's just a wonderful facility for the neighborhood and for the Bronx and great for people who are visiting the Bronx for the first time as a kind of intro to what makes the Bronx great. And also within just a mere spitting distance of Minato. I think somebody mentioned Minato and Porto Salvo, two now venerable restaurant outposts here on the block between melrose and elton. 3rd avenue on east 161st street.
- [21:23]
Alison Stewart
Thank you so much for calling in. We appreciate it. I want to talk about the Bronx Museum of the Arts. This has been such a big deal. You've been covering it since it started its renovation. Tell us a little bit about it.
- [21:35]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes. The old executive director, Claudio Rodriguez, left, and they just appointed a brand new one. I'm really excited to see what she has in store. They're currently undergoing a nearly $50 million expansion, or as Claudio put it, a rebirth of. They have this exhibit that's going on there that's incredibly interactive. Just this. It's an installation, I would say more than an exhibit. And, you know, it's. It's. I want more people to go there. Every time I go, I feel like I'm the only one. And sometimes it's nice to have a museum all to yourself, but, you know, you just want others to really enjoy it as well.
- [22:14]
Alison Stewart
Through the renovation, through what you've heard and what you reported, what is the museum hoping to accomplish with the renovation?
- [22:21]
E.T. Rodriguez
They definitely want to create more of a communal space. They want the people around to know it's there and come there. They also are thinking of doing an outdoor space where they might hold daycare or something for the community. They're kind of toying with the idea of what they want to do there, but they are stressing community first for that space.
- [22:44]
Alison Stewart
Let's talk to Marilyn, who is calling from the Bronx. Thanks for making the time to talk to us, Marilyn. You thank.
- [22:50]
Caller
Hi. Thank you, Alison. Yeah, I want to give a shout out for two things. African American food on City Island. It's a place called Seafood Kings, K I N G Z. It's the first one you come to when you go on that main strip. Right. It's on the other end from the ones that were named. And the food is fabulous. It's not generic tasting seafood. It's soulfully seasoned seafood and just not realized. People don't realize it's there. You go right by it to go into the other end. So seafood kings, I want to give them a shout out. And also I live in the northeast Bronx and I mean, this has got to be the best Jamaican food outside of Jamaica. There's hardly a block you can go on and not have like this fabulous Jamaican food. And I haven't heard anybody call it out. One of my favorite places is the Food Hut on Boston Road and Eastchester Road. Fabulous every day of the week. Soups, just everything. So there's a lot of gems in northeast Bronx as well.
- [23:46]
Alison Stewart
We appreciate it. Sheila is calling in from Manhattan. Hey, Sheila, where do you like to go in the Bronx?
- [23:54]
Caller
Which is this Vietnamese spot on Jerome and Kingsbridge Road? It's like a hole in the wall. But they recently renovated and they're like Michelin starred. It's just Vietnamese food like no other. It's these chicken wings and flat shrimp dumplings that are like flaky. They're just perfect, perfect. Brand new in ways that I know no one else has. This stuff. It's so good. Anytime I'm in the Bronx, usually I'm doing yog yoga in like Kingsbridge area. And then I take the BX9, you can take the 4. It's just unbelievably good, this place. It's like my headquarters. And I probably shouldn't give it away, but it exists in the world.
- [24:37]
Alison Stewart
I'm gonna ask you even way a little more. You know what I'm gonna ask you to spell it for people.
- [24:42]
Caller
Com is C O M, Tom, T, A M N I N H and kyo. It's K I E U. I mean, like I learned how to say it. Cause like it's that good.
- [24:56]
Alison Stewart
Thanks for calling. We really appreciate it. ET let's talk about some old historic homes. We can visit Andrew Friedman home, which was built 101 years ago. Yeah, I understand. It's just massive.
- [25:10]
E.T. Rodriguez
Massive. It's this gorgeous building. It's as big inside as it is outside. It's one long block and you can walk right by it because it's hidden by trees. You don't notice it. It's diagonally across the street from the Bronx Museum of the Arts. They usually hold exhibits there. They're lacking an artistic director. Anyone who's an artistic director or wants to hold exhibits, please, please, please talk to them. Do it. And they're Doing the Bronx Vegan Bazaar every Wednesday. They're holding it there, or I believe it's once a month, I'm not sure. But they're doing it and they're pushing a lot of healthy eating now in the Bronx and people should really go. And it has a beau beautiful outdoor area as well.
- [25:54]
Alison Stewart
Also another home people can visit Van Cortlandt House Museum, which is built in 1759. What will we see there?
- [26:01]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yeah, the Van Cortlands were one of the founding settlers of the Bronx from the Netherlands. This was their mansion. And you'll see their old home with all the old wares and the furniture. And there's the Van Cortland pool nearby. And there's, there's the famous Carrot Top Bakery across the street and Santa Fe Grill and Jake Steakhouse. So if you go there once you get out, there's so much to do.
- [26:26]
Alison Stewart
And finally, Edgar Allan Poe Cottage.
- [26:29]
E.T. Rodriguez
Yes.
- [26:30]
Alison Stewart
What will we see at Edgar Allan Poe Cottage?
- [26:32]
E.T. Rodriguez
His home where he lived where his wife Virginia died and where his mother in law lived with him as well. And it's a beautiful little place, actually. It's, if you do go to the Vietnamese place on Jerome Avenue, you just have to walk a couple blocks east and you'll be at the Edgar Allan Poe cottage. And it's just, you know, just nice trip through time if you like.
- [26:55]
Alison Stewart
Let's talk to. I hope I'm saying this right. Angelina, who is calling from the Bronx.
- [27:00]
Caller
Hi, this is Angelines from the Bronx, born and raised. I'm so glad that you're doing this on my borough. I love my borough. There's so many amazing things. Very quickly, some of our favorite things to do are going canoeing from the Bronx river alliance over Starlight and Starlight park and some amazing food that I feel like is under the radar. One of the last few Cuban Chinese places. Now it's also Cuban Dominican. It's called Saro Sura on Capitol Hill Avenue. While you're there, juices for life. Also, it's a great juice bar that was founded by the Locks over in Riverdale. There's Moss Cafe on White Plains Road right outside of Park Chester. There's a really great Dominican place called Ajo y Oregano, I think. And there's just so much amazing food and culture and great things to do in my borough. So I hope more people come and experience it.
- [27:49]
Alison Stewart
We appreciate it. Martin is calling in. Martin, what do you want to mention?
- [27:55]
Caller
Oh, hi, Allison. I've called in before because I am a Bronxite my whole life. Nobody has mentioned so far, beautiful 28 acres in the North Bronx Riverdale area of Wave Hill Hill. It's a cultural center. They have also like somewhat of a botanical garden. And it's just a very nice place to escape to.
- [28:18]
Alison Stewart
Thank you so much for calling in. Yeah, you had on your list Wave Hill, but you also had a recommendation for a place to eat that apparently millennials and gen zers are loving.
- [28:28]
E.T. Rodriguez
Oh, Bokagwa, Is that it? Yeah, I believe that's it. It means watery mouth mouth in Spanish. And it's opened last year. It's super trendy, super hip, a Dominican Asian fusion. And you know, people just love it. New York Times wrote about it. It's right by there. Also on the same block as Tin Marin, which has been in the neighborhood for almost 15 years. AOU is my one of my favorite sushi places on Johnson Avenue nearby. But you know, anywhere you go, there's just a whole strip of restaurants there. You can't go wrong.
- [29:01]
Alison Stewart
Anything you want to mention in our last 45 seconds?
- [29:03]
E.T. Rodriguez
Oh, my God. Gotta represent my Puerto Ricans. Puerto Ricans are having a moment right now. Bad Bunny topping the charts. Made in Puerto Rico and Salsa Confuego are two venues that have Puerto Rican food, but they also do dancing. They have big venues for dancing. Made in Puerto Rico does Saturday, salsa brunch, Latin Thursday nights, and Salsa Confuego right off of on the end of Fordham Road where Jimmy's Bronx Cafe used to be. And that's all I have to say. Wepa.
- [29:36]
Alison Stewart
My guest was Bronx journalist and New York City tour guide ET Rodriguez. Thanks for walking us through the Bronx.
- [29:43]
E.T. Rodriguez
Oh, my God, thank you.
- [29:44]
Alison Stewart
Our state has changed a lot in the last 140 years. We know because MultiCare has been here guided by a single purpose. Making our communities healthier. That comes from making courageous decisions, partnering with local communities to grow programs and services, and expanding healthcare access to those who need it most. Together, we're building a healthier future. Learn more@ multicare.org I'm Ira Flato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, our team has been reported high quality news about science, technology and medicine. News you won't get anywhere else. And now that political news is 24 7, our audience is turning to us to know about the really important stuff in their lives. Cancer, climate change, genetic engineering, childhood diseases. Our sponsors know the value of science and health news. For more sponsorship information, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.