In Heaven at the 2nd Annual NY Pizza Festival

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I didn’t have enough time to eat breakfast before attending the Second Annual NY Pizza Festival in Little Italy on Sunday, and this turned out to be a good thing. Armed with a VIP pass and stalls from over 20 master pizzaioli, I got to sample 8 different slices, pasta, and check out the beer and wine garden.  Plus there was live painting! Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

I’m very simple when it comes to pizza, in the rare event I get a topping, it’s probably mushroom, so at the festival I wanted to try some new things. I sampled slices from Le Figlie di Iorio, Brooklyn Pizza Crew, Di Fara Pizzeria, Harry’s Pizzeria, Levante, Antica Pizza Da Gennaro, Il Pizzaialo, and the Bronx’s own Pugsley Pizza. I also got to sample pasta from Ponti Rossi. All of it was delicious, but I’d say my top three faves were:

1. Levante – The Levante (mozzarella, burrata, roasted wild mushrooms, truffle pate, and prosciutto) The flavors in this came together so well. Sooo good.

2. Le Figlie di Iorio – Aside from being one of the most festive stalls, complete with singing and dancing, the fresh lemon, prosciutto, and pistachios on this slice made this Napels-based stall worth the stop!

3. Brooklyn Pizza Crew – Chicken Tandoori. I usually am not a fan of mixing cuisines like this, but I’m so glad we gave it a chance. Such a unique mash up.

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Second Annual New York Pizza Festival Returns to Little Italy This Weekend!

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The second annual New York Pizza Festival makes its return to Little Italy this weekend, October 5 and 6, 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm.  The festival will feature pizza from 25 different restaurants across the country, including local spots like the Bronx’s own, Pugsley Pizza.  Click here to purchase tickets. Nicole from Bronxmama and I got to check out the preview a couple months back and I’m so excited to see what’s in store!

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Bulova x Windows of Hip Hop Host Hip Hop Celebration This Saturday 9/21 at Mall at Bay Plaza – FREE

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Bulova and Windows of Hip Hop (WoHH), a Bronx Non-Profit Organization dedicated to preserving the history and education of hip hop, celebrate ‘Back to School’ season, partnering with New York based artist, Nicholai Khan, to design an exclusive storefront window of the world famous Macy’s Herald Square.

The custom window celebrates a new academic year as Bulova and WoHH continue together in their mission to preserve the history of hip hop and keep the love for music alive amongst the youngest of generations.

Together Bulova and WoHH are working to promote the educational, communal, and historical perspective of Hip Hop, specifically in the Bronx at CS 55 Elementary School. Earlier this year, the first part of their partnership took place with the launch of a hip hop music program. The next phase will be the construction of the first-ever recording studio within a New York school, for children to explore and express their musical creativity.

This Saturday, join WOHH and hip hop legend Grandmaster Caz for an interactive workshop, open mic, and other family activities at the Macy’s at Mall at Bay Plaza at 2 p.m.

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Ferragosto Feast

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Ever since attending my first Ferragosto a couple of years back, it’s become an event I look forward to each year. Seriously, how can anyone pass up an opportunity to eat food made with fresh ingredients followed by delicious desserts and maybe even a glass of wine? I personally can never pass up some sausage and peppers (I don’t even get it anywhere else because I know it won’t be as good!)  and a cannoli.

A cool feature of this year’s Ferragosto was the debut of Little Italy of the Bronx’s new Tuscan wheat pasta line. I’m generally very skeptical of “alternative” pastas, but I tried a sample and was really impressed. You can’t tell the difference and of course you have the added benefit of a healthier option. The best part is that it’s available in local supermarkets – I actually randomly came across the marinara sauce in the Morton Williams by Kingsbridge.

Be sure to support your local businesses and make sure you check out next year’s Ferragosto Feast!

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Summer Cocktails with Bronxmama at the Hot House

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Last week, BronxMama and I teamed up with Ice House Cafe’s new beer garden, nicknamed the HotHouse for a summer soiree. With hammocks, lawn games, and frozen drinks, it’s the perfect location to spend a summer day. My personal favorite are the frosés, which come in a bunch of different flavors including peach and strawberry.  Because there’s so much space, parents can enjoy a refreshing cocktails while kids play games and socialize.

We ordered a special rosé bucket and played corn hole and ring toss (which is way harder than it looks btw). The kids had fun blowing bubbles, coloring, and getting their faces painted by Rocky the magician, who also hosted a very competitive game of limbo assisted by yours truly.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Eli, of Things by Eli. Guys. This is a 12-year-old business owner who donates a portion of his profits to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. I was sitting in my room in the dark listening to Linkin Park at 12.

The Hot House has tons of events coming up including a salsa night, line dancing, and musical bingo. Be sure to follow Ice House Cafe on Instagram to keep up with all of their events!

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Photo by Bronxmama

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Photo by Bronxmama

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SummerStage at Soundview Park

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SummerStage has been entertaining Bronxites all summer with concerts in Soundview Park. A couple of weeks back they hosted GrandWizzard Theodore, & Uptown Vinyl Supreme w/  DJ Perly, The B.O.O.M. (Bronx Organic Orchestra Melinated), and the Boogie Down All-Stars. Check out some photos from the show below:

 

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Photograph by Sean Jamar

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Photograph by Sean Jamar

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Photograph by Sean Jamar

 

If you’re interested in checking out one of SummerStage’s free concerts in the city, click here.

 

Taste of the Bronx Pop-Up Market Comes to Fordham Plaza, Aug. 2nd!

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If you’ve been paying attention, you already know that Taste of the Bronx Pop-Up Market has been making its way across the borough each month since February offering up some of the best of what the Bronx entrepreneurs have to offer – bath/body products, jewelry, candles, apparel, food, and more.

Tomorrow, August 2nd, from 4-9 pm,  the market comes to Fordham Plaza featuring over 20 Bronx-based businesses and performances from Uptown Vinyl Supreme.

In addition to the markets, Taste of the Bronx also has a quarterly subscription box with a seasonal theme containing Bronx-focused items. The selected products must meet the standards of the Taste of the Bronx Seal of Quality in order to qualify.

Visit Taste of the Bronx for more info and stop by the market on Friday to support!