If you build it, they will come. That’s what the pundits said a decade ago about New Rochelle’s dormant downtown, advising that what the city needed was to attract people with disposable incomes by building housing in the downtown district. Businesses would flourish. Restaurants would burgeon.
Fast forward: 2006. Four mid- and high-rise luxury residences are occupied, two more with a combined 773 residential units are under construction and four more, which will have 839 units, are in the development pipeline. A critical mass has been reached. Scores of people are now downtown, and they want to lunch, dine and socialize. Thus is growing a new niche market for Downtown New Rochelle—restaurants, cafes, and even a wine bar. Seven have appeared within the last six months or are scheduled to open in the near future.
Mayor Noam Bramson is gratified by the extraordinary residential growth and takes pleasure in patronizing Downtown restaurants. Mayor Bramson said, "Every day, our central business district is becoming a better place to live, work, shop and play, and our thriving restaurant scene is at the heart of New Rochelle’s downtown renewal."
The Downtown gastronomical niche was further enhanced in October by the opening of the state-of-the-art Monroe College Culinary Arts Center. In its downtown New Rochelle campus, the college is training students for careers in the various branches of the food service industry. The Center will soon have its own gourmet restaurant open to the public.
Marc M. Jerome, President of Monroe College and Chairman of the New Rochelle Business Improvement District (BID) believes the city and the BID have created the climate for this culinary explosion through their economic development initiatives. Jerome said, "All of the new exciting culinary activity is a broader reflection of all the great things happening in New Rochelle. It’s clear that the city is heading in a new exciting direction."
The proliferation of new restaurants began in July with the grand opening of Mo’s New York Grill, to the acclaim of a celebrity crowd. Mo’s, at 14 Memorial Highway, features steaks, chops and sea food. The handsome sports-theme decor celebrates one of its owners, the talented New York Yankees’ closing pitcher Mariano Rivera.
In August Rangoli, an Indian restaurant with a strong following from its former location in Pelham, opened at 615 Main Street. It has exotic Indian food and decor, a relaxing lounge and monthly live entertainment—including belly dancing.
The DaVinci’s Cafe at 22 Division Street opened in September, serving Italian specialties and brick oven pizza. The eating experience is augmented by the stunning decor, with etched glass, beautiful wooden millwork and tile floors lovingly crafted by artisans.
In early November Emporio Gelato opened at 452 Main Street, a short walk from New Roc City. It serves a wide selection of gelato, sorbet, frappes, smoothies and milk shakes and features a coffee bar, panini, crepes, soups, pastas, pastries and gelato cakes for special occasions.
Belle Bella will open at 583 Main Street in November, offering traditional Italian cooking served in an old-world atmosphere surrounded by murals of Italy. The proprietors promise family friendly eating at affordable prices.
And there are more coming soon. The Gnarly Vine, New Rochelle’s first wine bar, serving wines from many regions and light fare, plans to open at 501 Main Street by the end of 2006. The Speckled Door, a traditional Irish Pub named after an inn located in Kinsdale, Ireland, is expected to be in operation by spring of 2007.
The new establishments join of a number of downtown restaurants and cafes that have sprung up in the last few years offering the cuisines of Mexico, Peru, India, Asia and Italy. Downtown is also dotted by taverns, pubs, pizzerias and delis. Although the decor and cuisine vary greatly, they share attributes—they are charming, intimate in scale and project a warm inviting ambiance.
