5 Best Restaurants Near High Bridge Park
In the 19th century, walking along the High Bridge that connects Manhattan and the Bronx was considered a most excellent way to spend a lovely afternoon. Fast forward a century or so, and the city's oldest standing bridge was closed due to disuse and overall neglect. Today you can once again soar (or walk or cycle) high above the Harlem River, thanks to a citizen-led campaign to revitalize and rejuvenate the area. The bridge is back in business. But you'll need energy for your perambulations, so here's where to eat nearby on both sides of the bridge. By Jessica Allen.
So close to Yankee Stadium you can almost catch fly balls, The Feeding Tree has been feeding folks for years. Indeed, this Jamaican restaurant is something of an institution, gaining nods from New York Times critic Eric Asimov in 2000 and Anthony Bourdain in 2009. Among the most popular items are curried goat, oxtail stew, jerk chicken, jerk shrimp (both super spicy), and beef stew. Not surprisingly, game days get pretty busy around here, so go early and in the off-season.
A bit further west into Washington Heights, this pub is the kind of place you can take your kid, your best friend, your paramour, and even your grandma, assuming she likes stouts and ales. You can't really translate le chéile into English, which perhaps says something about our culture, but the phrase connotes the kind of good feelings and positivity that comes from community. You can build your own salad, grab a burger, nosh on a meatball sub, or try a full Irish breakfast (two eggs any style with beans, toast, sausage, bacon, and black and white pudding).
Here's a recipe for a perfect date: a twilight stroll along the High Bridge, followed by a few small plates and the adult beverage (or soft drink) of your choice. We particularly like the champiñones al ajillo (wild mushrooms in olive oil and garlic) and tortilla al sarten (an omelet with onion, potato, and piquillo pepper), but you can never go wrong with a cheese or charcuterie plate. Hungrier folks will want a "plato fuerte," such as arroz con pollo or red snapper. What happens after dinner is, of course, up to you.
This homey Dominican restaurant will fill your belly and nourish your soul. It's a small spot, whose lively, welcoming atmosphere makes it seem far bigger. Start with a soup made from cow feet, tripe, beef, or chicken, then try the fried fish, shrimp with garlic, baked ribs, or pepper steak, with a side of rice with red beans, rice with corn, rice with peas, or green plantains. To drink? A tall frosty glass of citrus-y soursop or passion fruit juice.
Tasty Deli embodies its name by offering up a ton of overstuffed sandwiches, including the "Hot Mess" (Cajun turkey, red spicy chicken, guacamole, jalisco sauce, grilled onions, and jack cheese on a toasted hero), "Smoke Gets in Your Sty" (roast pork, mustard, smoked Gouda cheese, and coleslaw on a club roll), and the "Zombie" (mozzarella cheese, lemon chicken, Parmesan cheese, and tomatoes topped with marinara sauce, ranch, and pesto on a garlic hero). They're all great!
