Dining Choices to or From the Botanical Garden and Other Destinations

By Morris Gut

A beautiful technicolor harbinger of spring, the 20^th annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, is running now through Sunday, Apr. 23. I look forward to visiting, walking through the beautifully restored Enid Haupt Conservatory and beholding the seductive floral arrangements and dramatic plantings.

This year’s theme is artist and designer Lily Kwong’s Healing Power of the Natural World. For additional information, visit www.nybg.org.

After taking in all that beauty, we do get hungry. So, where do we dine? Here are some suggestions.

Mario’s

A venerable Bronx Little Italy institution, Mario’s has been around for more than 100 years. Regina Migliucci and her friendly staff run the show. To many, the flavorful sauces and gravies produced in this kitchen are the stuff of Italian foodie heaven. And for those in the know, the old-world menu also holds many surprises. For starters, enjoy the palate-pleasing lagniappe of marinated carrots, hot peppers and crusty Arthur Avenue bread. There are also antipasti for two, spiedini, chicken parmigiana, lasagna, braciola and osso buco.

Mario’s is located at 2342 Arthur Ave. in the Bronx. Free parking available. Info: 718-584-1188 or visit www.mariosarthurave.com.

Artie’s Steak & Seafood

Owner Spiro Chagares and his staff offer patrons an inspired melding of traditional and contemporary dishes served with flair. Sit back in one of several inviting dining areas and enjoy changing specialties such as hearty seafood chowder; Asian sticky buns; smoked salmon rollups; seafood salad for two; tender short rib; a massive zuppa di pesce; tender oven-roasted rack of lamb; chardonnay poached salmon; and fresh lobster prepared in a variety of styles.

There are also combo platters and a loaded lobster salad roll at lunch. The Mediterranean-style pizzas are good to share, too. Craft beer selection. Open seven days. Free parking.

Artie’s Steak & Seafood is located at 394 City Island Ave. in the Bronx. Info: 718-885-9885 or visit www.artiescityisland.com.

Jack’s Bar & Restaurant

Owner Shane Clifford and his staff have been drawing a fine crowd. The space has been totally remodeled and offers an enhanced Irish-American tavern menu on steroids – the best way to describe it.

Generous specialties coming out of Chef Brendan Donohoe’s kitchen include the decadent short rib mac and cheese; lamb lollipops; burrata pizza cooked in the wood-fired oven; Guinness braised short ribs; the buttermilk chicken sandwich; and a variety of burgers. There’s also a fabulous grilled cheese menu. The staff could not be more friendly. Open daily. TVs. Municipal parking (free in the evenings).

Jack’s Bar & Restaurant is located at 219 Main St. in Eastchester. Info: 914-652-7650 or visit www.jackseastchester.com.

Maria

Three-time winner of Michelin’s prestigious Bib Gourmet Award, brothers Peter and Giovanni Cucullo have been drawing customers from all over for their flavorful riff on Italian-global cooking.

Enjoy the happy hours from 3 to 7 p.m. when they offer some favorite beverages and small plates that are loaded with flavor. I’m hooked on the glazed pork ribs, truffled green beans, grilled sausage with sweet and spicy Peruvian peppers, meatballs, cauliflower fritters and roasted shishito peppers. Special mention must go to the tender baby lamb chops.

Maria is located at 11 Huguenot St. in New Rochelle. Info: 914-636-0006 or visit www.marianewrochelle.com.

One Rare Italian Steakhouse

Veteran restaurateur Harry Sinanaj of Manhattan’s Ben & Jack’s Steakhouse has opened Westchester’s newest upscale bastion of beef at the former Zachys Wine Shop space in Scarsdale.

The team at this handsomely designed 120-seat restaurant with sparkling bar will lavish you. From Chef Admir Alibasic’s kitchen come such specialties as a daily selection of East or West Coast oysters, wedge salad, pappardelle with short ribs, classic surf and turf and the porterhouse for two or more or the tomahawk steak.

One Rare Italian Steakhouse is located at 16 East Parkway in Scarsdale. Info: 914-330-8488 or visit www.oneraresteakhouse.com. 

The 808 Bistro

This eclectic Italian and American eatery glows nightly in a rainbow of alternating colors. Glistening ceramic and metal tiles highlight the 50-seat dining room and ceiling. There is modern artwork and lighting and silver metal chairs softened by stressed leather seats for comfort. It’s a Manhattan vibe and it’s all kept properly casual.

Chef-owner Sal Cucullo Jr. is a Culinary Institute of America graduate who practically grew up in restaurants. He knows how to cook Italian, but for as long as I have known him his creativity has never been bound by culinary borders. He can knock out a delicious version of Grandma’s gnocchi in a basil-pomodoro sauce one moment, and prepare a decadent baked macaroni and cheese with chunks of lobster and shrimp infused with truffle oil in another.

The 808 Bistro is located 808 Scarsdale Ave. in Scarsdale. Info: 914-722-0808 or visit www.the808bistro.com.

Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill

Michael Cuozzo operates a friendly tavern that offers delightful comfort food and reasonably priced happy hours. Specialties include pretzel bites with choice of dipping sauce; fried pickles with horseradish remoulade; house-made turkey chili; pork wontons served with soy sauce or Thai chili; a slider trio; and baked macaroni and cheese with asiago, cheddar, gruyere and fontina with panko breadcrumbs.

Tuck’d Away’s wings fly out of the kitchen in a variety of styles. Happy hours are Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays to 5 p.m.

Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill is located at 90 Yonkers Ave. in Tuckahoe. Info: 914-222-9162 or visit www.tuckedaway90.com.

Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at 914-235-6591 or gutreactions@optonline.net.