BP kicks off 9th annual Savor the Bronx Restaurant Week
Food at a media preview of the 9th Annual “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week at Seis Vecinos on Monday, January. 6.. Schneps Media Jason Cohen
BY JASON COHEN
January is typically a slow
month for restaurants and often
when people’s pockets are
light due to holiday spending.
In order to fi ll stomachs
and help eateries stay afl oat,
the Bronx Tourism Council is
hosting its ninth annual Savor
the Bronx Restaurant Week
January 6 to January 17.
On Monday, January 6,
Borough President Ruben
Diaz Jr. held a media preview
of the event at Seis Vecinos,
640 Prospect Avenue, Long-
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,14 JANUARY 10-16, 2020 BTR
Omar Canales, social media manager of Seis Vecinos, speaks at a media
preview of the 9th Annual “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week on Jan. 6.
Schneps Media Jason Cohen
wood. There were samples
from several places and food
producers, including Ceetay,
Bronx Brewery, Empanology,
Bricks & Hops and the Bronx
Night Market.
In total, 45 restaurants are
participating, more than doubling
the amount from when
it began nearly a decade ago.
For more information, go to
http://www.ilovethebronx.
com/index.php/happenings/
savor-the-bronx.
“Our borough’s culinary
institutions are second to
none,” Diaz Jr. said. “ Not only
do we have world famous epicurean
destination on City Island
and Arthur Avenue, but
we have hidden gems like Seis
Vecinos in neighborhoods
across the borough. I encourage
foodies from all over the
region to check out the fl avors
of the Bronx during our annual
restaurant week event.”
Diaz told the attendees that
the Restaurant Week isn’t just
for Bronxites, but the whole
city. People can get a taste of
the delicious Italian, West Indian,
Caribbean and Central
American foods that the borough
offers.
“Savor the Bronx is about
celebrating our fl avor,” he
said. “Savor the Bronx is about
letting the world know we are
the Boogie Down Bronx and
we are just as good, if not better
than everyone else.”
Olga Luz Tirado, executive
director of The Bronx Tourism
Council, told the Bronx
Times, Restaurant Week
benefi ts the entire borough.
Whether people are trying a
place for the fi rst time or getting
a good deal at one of their
favorite spots, it is a win-win
for everyone.
“I’m excited that among
those who have played an active
role in this initiative
throughout the years, we also
have some new eateries added
to our list,” Tirado said.
Among the restaurateurs
at the event was Amir Chayon,
owner of Ceetay, an Asian fusion
eatery at 129 Alexander
Avenue. Ceetay, who has been
participating in Restaurant
Week since he opened eight
years ago.
Chayon grew up in Israel,
with dreams of being an actor.
Like many aspiring stars, he
eventually joined the restaurant
industry.
“Like a good actor I was
serving tables,” he said.
He managed restaurants
in Israel and 11 years ago immigrated
to America. Shortly
after moving to the borough,
he saw the need for sushi in
the south Bronx and launched
Ceetay.
“It’s an up and coming
neighborhood and I’m still
waiting for it to really boom,”
he said.
Chayon told the Bronx
Times Restaurant Week has
defi nitely brought him more
business.
“It does introduce new
people to the restaurant,” he
said. “I still meet people that
haven’t heard of Ceetay and
every year we get more and
more new faces.”
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. at a media preview of the 9th
Annual “Savor the Bronx” Restaurant Week at Seis Vecinos on Jan. 6.
Schneps Media Jason Cohen
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