Bay Ridge showed up in full force on Saturday, March 28 for the annual Taste of Third Avenue, a now-neighborhood tradition that brings together some of the best restaurants along the avenue for an unforgettable afternoon of food, music, and community. Hosted inside St. Patrick School, the event once again proved why Bay Ridge’s restaurant scene is still one to be contended with – and a great meal does not mean having to spend an hour and a half on the R train!
The lineup of participating restaurants was STACKED! Neighborhood Italian favorites including Brooklyn Roots, Zio Toto, Anthony’s, Panino Rustico, Terina, Piccante, Nonno’s, ALC Italian Grocery and many more brought their best dishes from penne with vodka sauce (Nonno’s) to hearty sandwiches (Panino Rustico), antipasto spreads (ALC) and old-school comfort food that felt just like Granny was back in the kitchen for Sunday dinner in Brooklyn.
Of course, Nino’s Pizzeria delivered one of the most dependable bites in Bay Ridge: their legendary grandma slice, which as always hits. And how could anyone not like Americana fare being served up by Kettle Black and The Corner with their crispy mac and cheese balls and crab cake BLT respectively!
Beyond the Italian staples, the variety on display reminded everyone just how diverse – and dare I say, hip – the Bay Ridge food scene has become. Tanoreen served up incredible brussels sprouts, hummus, and za’atar pita chips, while Bar Chuzo and Puertas brought some excellent Latin flavors to the mix. CEBU rolled out their signature FDNY sushi roll and Saravá’s coxinhas were a standout bite – especially when paired with the lava sauce! There are too many to call out individually, but special shout out to Olives & Pita for that super tender chicken souvlaki, and of course Sapporo’s Alaska roll – which still hit – even sitting at room temperature for a few hours 😉
One of the sweetest surprises of the night came from Brooklyn Dipped, whose cheesecake may very well sit in my top 10 best cheesecakes I’ve ever had – and growing up as an Italian kid in Bay Ridge, often spending our weekends at New Corner and Lentos, that is to say I’ve had quite a few in my lifetime!
Sweet Streets of Brooklyn also brought the fire with their endless display of cookies – and mini-cupcakes. You had me at chocolate chunk & sea salt!
To wash everything down, Café Latte Da provided a perfect finish with a cold brew topped with pistachio cream.
Complimenting these great dishes was some great music as the house band from Bay Ridge’s School of Rock absolutely melted our faces off with an incredible set featuring “Crazy Train,” “APT.,” My Chemical Romance, and Guns N’ Roses. The energy in the room was electric, and the talent on display made it clear that Bay Ridge’s next generation of musicians is in very good hands.
For me personally, the evening had an extra layer of nostalgia. Walking through the halls of St. Patrick School again with my Elementary School bestie – where we both graduated in 1997 brought back a flood of memories. Seeing the auditorium named after the GOAT, Aldo Bruschi was especially meaningful. Mr. Bruschi inspired so many students, including me, to pick up an instrument. What started with recorder and flute eventually turned into a lifelong love of playing electric and acoustic guitar. Watching the School of Rock students take the stage, I couldn’t help but think that Mr. Bruschi would have been proud, counting along to the beats in the music – ‘ta-ta-ta-ah; ta-ah; ta-ahh.’
Events like Taste of Third Avenue remind you what makes Bay Ridge so special. It’s not just the food, the music or the history – it will always come down to the people who make this neighborhood feel like home. It was so inspiring to see all the restaurants, merchants and neighbors come together, without any competition – all helping each other in the greater goal of spreading good cheer in the ‘Ridge! It truly felt like one giant family reunion.
Looking forward to next year!
