With Easter Sunday (April 20th) just around the corner, it’s time to highlight some of the family-owned businesses and local shops in Bronx Little Italy offering special holiday food items, gifts, and Italian delicacies. Below is just a selection of the “egg-cellent” offerings that New Yorkers and visitors can find in the historic Arthur Avenue neighborhood.
- Easter Egg Bread from Addeo & Sons Bakery, Madonia Bakery & Terranova Bakery – The bakeries of Bronx Little Italy are world-renowned for their freshness, and Easter Egg Bread is no exception. Made with Italian woven and glazed enriched dough, this festive bread traditionally features colorful hardboiled egg “baskets,” making it a beautiful Easter table centerpiece and the perfect sweet treat.
- Pizza Rustica & Basket Cheese from Joe’s Italian Deli, Tino’s Deli & Catering, and Mike’s Deli – Pizza Rustica is a dense and savory Italian Easter Pie stuffed with a variety of meats, cheeses, and eggs. The delis also offer basket cheese, a traditional Easter cheese made with fresh cow’s milk which gets its name from the basket it is formed in. Shipping and delivery are available from Mike’s Deli.
- Traditional Easter Meat from Biancardi’s Meat Market, Peter’s Meat Market, and Vincent’s Meat Market – Head to Arthur Avenue to get your traditional Easter meats, including baby lamb, legs of lamb, and baby goats. A show-stopping roast found at these establishments makes for delectable star of your Easter meal as well. Shipping and delivery are available from Vincent’s Meat Market.
- An Assortment of Cakes, Pastries & Sweets – The aromas from neighborhood pastry shops are so irresistible, it is hard to choose just one! Must-tries are the traditional Italian Grain/Wheat Cheesecake from Artuso Pastry Shop; assorted pastries from DeLillo Pastry Shop, which celebrates 100 years of business this year; cannoli from Egidio Pastry Shop; marzipan lambs from Gino’s Pastry Shop; and struffoli, or “honey balls,” from Morrone Pastry Shop and Café. Even sweeter – delivery and shipping are available at Artuso Pastry and DeLillo Pastry (on select products), and Gino’s Pastry offers shipping on select products.
- Chocolate Easter Eggs from Cerini Coffee & Gifts & Teitel Brothers – Whether you’re looking to fill up Easter baskets for the kids or set up your own egg hunt, customers can shop for a plethora of Chocolate Easter Eggs in a variety of chocolates, fillings, and even some filled with toys.
- Ravioli & Pasta from Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles and Enzo’s On-the-Go – Borgatti’s is offering (and shipping) freshly made manicotti, ravioli, and Easter-favorite lasagna. In addition, a “to-go” version of a neighborhood favorite, Enzo’s, will be selling a variety of their own fresh pasta from their convenient location in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. The pasta-bilities are endless!
- Fresh Seafood from Randazzo’s Seafood and Cosenza’s Fish Market – Those who abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent can find an extensive variety of fresh seafood at these local fish markets, including shrimp, branzino, octopus, calamari, mussels, eels, clams, and lobster.
- Holiday “Spirit” at Arthur Cantina Wine & Liquor and Mount Carmel Wine & Spirits – Shop an array of fine wines and liquors, including traditional Italian favorites, to round out your Easter meal. The knowledgeable staff are also available to make great pairing recommendations. Plus, if you’re looking for something “egg-stra” special, Arthur Cantina is selling a rare 54-year-old bottling of The Singleton of Dufftown malt scotch whisky, available in-store or via shipping.
