‘Piazza di Belmont’ returns to the Bronx’s Little Italy with outdoor dining on Arthur Avenue
Photo courtesy of the Belmont Business Improvement District
One of New York City’s most famous foodie destinations will once again transform into an outdoor dining hot spot this spring. Starting April 30, “Piazza di Belmont” returns to the Bronx’s Little Italy neighborhood, with several restaurants setting up al fresco seating along historic Arthur Avenue. Developed by the Belmont Business Improvement District, the European-style experience first debuted last summer as part of the city’s “Open Restaurants” program.
Piazza di Belmont kicks off Friday, April 30 and will run through the fall. Arthur Avenue will be closed to cars from East 188th Street to Crescent Avenue from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Some favorite eateries participating include Zero Otto Nove, Mario’s Restaurant, Enzo’s of Arthur Avenue, Estrellita Poblana III, Ann & Tony’s, and Pasquale’s Rigoletto Restaurant.
“While the pandemic has devastated our city, borough, and neighborhood, we are hopeful for the future with the ongoing vaccinations, lifting restrictions, and the re-launch of Piazza di Belmont, which has become popular with our guests and allows more visitors to dine outdoors during the warmer months,” Peter Madonia, Chairman of the Belmont BID, said.
“Many of the small businesses in Bronx Little Italy are owned and operated by the same families who founded them over a century ago – some of which have already been through the 1918 pandemic. Piazza di Belmont will help to support many of these family-operated restaurants on weekend evenings, while the streets will remain open during normal business hours throughout the week to support our essential and retail businesses.”
Last year, the Belmont BID worked with traffic engineer Sam Schwartz to design Piazza di Belmont, which had 25 participating restaurants when it first opened.
The city made Open Streets and outdoor dining permanent last fall. According to the city’s Department, over 11,330 restaurants are currently participating in the Open Restaurants program, with about 350 of them on Open Streets.
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