NewRoc Now

Found this old NYTimes Article from 1992 that gives you an idea of just how far things have come in downtown New Rochelle.

Are you bummed out because you moved out to New Rochelle, NY and there is basically crap takeout?  If you are willing to walk a few blocks East/South on North Avenue you will find some great prepared food to cook at Battaglia Brothers on 138 North Ave.  Besides being the best Italian deli and meat market in the downtown area, they have amazing prepared foods to pop in the oven.  Lasagna, canneloni, pasta’s, stuffed meats, lots of choice, most are great.

I’m not Mexican, but the Mexican community seems to have an incredibly good time in New Rochelle.  There are at least 10 Mexican Restaurants in downtown NewRoc, most of which are very good.  But every Sunday night, as I stumble back to my place, I pass by an incredibly rocking party at Las Palmas on Church Street.   This little place is about a half block east of Main Street and they have a band, I think Mariachi though I’m not an expert on Mexican music, and they rock the place.    The party isn’t incredibly late, but it is a blast and highly recommended for some home style, Mexican fun.  Great food to by the way, but don’t expect too much English.

Happy to report that there is a Cigar store opening on Main St., just North of Division.  Now there is wine and cigars and very over priced steak (Mo’s) in a 2 block walk.  The store isn’t open yet so who knows what will be in the humidor, but it is another nice development for downtown New Ro.

Now we just need a sushi restaurant to be complete.  Maybe one of the 1000 from Mamaroneck will be trailblazers in the hood.  Maybe Mexican sushi? I’ll start that one.

For my money, and taste buds, it is Coromandel on Division St.  Great buffet, great dinners, nice clean place and nice guys that run the place.  They hit pay dirt when the new Avalon opened, but they deserve it.  Great food and consistent.  Rangoli, on Main St. has good food as well, but I found it a little pricey and the service has been inconsistent.  They have a dance floor that is occasionally occupied and that can make it interesting.

There are many pizza stores in downtown New Ro, though most are not so great. My favorite is Alfredo’s on South Division Street just east of Main Street. Second favorite, or even most favorite is Fratelli’s on Huegenot. Great guys at Fratelli’s and excellent roasted hot peppers when they have them. Nick’s, on the corner of North and LeCount is an interesting version of Greek pizza but it will pass after a few beers on a stumble home. New Ra pizza is good, but inconsistent. There is one pizza shop on Main St. next to my favorite bakery, whose name I forget, but the pizza is entirely forgettable.

Today I heard even more plans for downtown New Rochelle - New Street.  New Street should run from New Roc and will replace Lawson street and run to the library.  It will run through the long stripmall on the south side of North Avenue, in between Citibank and the shoe store, wiping out the building in between them.  Just a rumor, but incredible plans.

It seems like the the Trump building is mostly empty.  At night maybe 10 to 15% of units are lit, there is very little lobby traffic and besides NYSC, there are no commercial tenants nor are there signs that any are on the way.   There are all kinds of rumors about lower prices and rent-to-own plans, but I have done no research to confirm them.  There are also rumors that the second building that was to go up where the post office currently stands is delayed.

Rumors are that the Avalon East is over 50% filled, but still plenty to go.   My informal ‘lights on’ tests shows that there are plenty of people living there and the apartments I have seen are nice, but cheap feeling.

After months of signs proclaiming the opening of New York Sports Club the NYSC actually opened. It is clean and new and so far uncrowded. A welcome addition, for sure.

All summer I watched as the Gnarly Vine slowly took shape on Main Street.  I don’t think there has been a business that attempted to have attitude on Main Street for at least 10 years and somehow William and Ray thought they would give it a go.  Gnarly opened in the fall of ‘08 and has been a very welcome addition to my life in downtown New Rochelle.

First of all, the guys worked hard to build the place and their hard work shows.  The bar is home made, the food is home made, the wine is hand chosen and William and Ray make interesting hosts.  Ray is the bartender and as my friend says ‘the ornery one’.  William is the food part of the duo and from the smallest workspace imaginable he wips out some pretty tasty lite fare.  He has a great cheese selection, great meat balls, and an amazing quesadilla with Gruyere, mushrooms and truffle oil.   William is mostly in a good mood, but Ray sure can be grumpy.

Back to the place…Gnarly is open late, there are always characters there to talk to, the wine is decent and different and it is a welcome addition. I wish them the best!