Ferragosto Connects Rose Hill to its Surroundings

Blog by Luke Berman


Any Fordham Student will tell you that one of the best parts of the Rose Hill campus’s location is having some of the best Italian food in New York in your backyard. Arthur Avenue, about a block away from Fordham’s gates, is informally known as the original Little Italy, and features some of the best and most authentic restaurants you can find. Being from New Jersey, I know good Italian food, and believe me when I say any of the eateries on Arthur Ave are hard to beat. In fact, my parents and I have a goal to try every one of them before I graduate. 

Every year the local Belmont community hosts the Ferragosto Festival, a traditional event marking the end of the harvest season, and this past Sunday, I attended for the first time. The street was flooded with guests trying to get a taste of the various treats the local vendors were selling, and embracing the Italian American tradition that flows through the neighborhood. From the decadent gelato to the pig being roasted on a spit, culture and cuisine filled the air.

Aside from just being yet another chance to have some great food, this was also a fantastic opportunity for Fordham students to immerse themselves in the Bronx community, which is filled with a rich cultural history and surrounds our gorgeous campus. 

My Birthday Weekend at Fordham!

Fordham's New York City location is ideal for academia, internships, and jobs, but going to college in New York is also perfect for celebrations! Whether you're in Manhattan or the Bronx, Fordham is a great place to gather friends and family for special occasions. This weekend, I celebrated my birthday at Fordham and in Manhattan with my friends and family. 

On Saturday, my friends and I took the D-train from Fordham's Rose Hill campus down to Manhattan's Lower East Side for a lovely birthday dinner. Getting to Manhattan from the Bronx is very convenient, which makes it easy for my friends and I to leave campus for work and for fun! My friends and I had so much fun at the restaurant, and I was happy that everyone had fun at my birthday dinner. The friendships I have made during college are amazing, and I am so happy that Fordham connected me with such wonderful people.  

My friends and I had so much fun celebrating my birthday in Manhattan!

On Sunday, my birthday celebration continued closer to my home at Fordham's Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. My family drove to campus from New Jersey, and we went out for a birthday lunch on Arthur Avenue, the Bronx's Little Italy. Arthur Avenue is right across the street from Fordham Rose Hill, and is home to many authentic restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Most of Arthur Avenue's restaurants are Italian, but my family decided to try something new and took me to a Mexican restaurant called Estrellita's. The food was delicious, and the restaurant was only 5 minutes from campus! 

My family and I at Estrellita's on Arthur Avenue

Fordham has given me so much over the last three years, and its endless opportunities for work and for fun never disappoint. Celebrating my birthday at Fordham again this year was a great reminder of how lucky and happy I am to attend such an amazing school with so much to see and do. I am so proud to be a Fordham Ram! 

When Family Takes Fordham: A Fun Visit For Everyone!

One of my favorite parts about going to Fordham is that there is an endless amount of new places to go, activities to try, and experiences to have. There is always something exciting going on on Fordham's campuses, and I love going into Manhattan! This component of Fordham is especially helpful to me whenever my family comes to visit me from New Jersey. Like me, my family loves to enjoy all that Fordham has to offer. Whenever my parents and my brothers come to Fordham, we never run out of things to do and no family visit is ever dull! 

My brothers and I when they came to visit me!

My family loves coming to visit me at Fordham, and now that football season is in full swing, my parents have totally embraced that "Ram Spirit" we students hold close to our hearts. I really enjoy going to Fordham football games with my family because the community and the spirit in the stands makes everyone feel welcome and excited to be there. At the last home game, even my younger brothers got into the Fordham spirit when they saw the Ram mascot cheering from the sidelines! 

Our view of the field at the football game

Arthur Avenue is also a huge success when my family comes to town. Whenever they visit, parents and brothers love to try the many different restaurants that line the street. The delicious Italian cuisine and the authentic Italian atmosphere is very exciting and different from any restaurant back in my hometown. The proximity of Arthur Avenue to Fordham's Rose Hill campus is also a huge plus. 

Arthur Avenue is a great place to bring family!

Fordham's campus is my home, and I love it when my family comes to Fordham and feels at home, as well. The welcoming environment and the endless opportunities Fordham has to offer are fun and enjoyable for everyone. Whether friends, family, or anyone else comes to visit Fordham, a good time is always guaranteed! 

Roberto's Restaurant: The Best-Kept Secret of Little Italy in the Bronx

Outside Roberto's Restaurant on Crescent Ave.

For many New Yorkers, it’s no secret that the best Italian cuisine is located in the Belmont section of the Bronx.  A Piccola Italia in its own right, the neighborhood is an epicenter for Italian gastronomy.  Many of the best pizzerias, sit-down ristorantes, coffee shops, delis, bread bakeries, and meat markets are concentrated along one street, Arthur Avenue.  It is here that the Italian festival of Ferragosto occurred this past weekend, garnering hundreds of patrons to take part in festivities including music, dance, and of course food.

While the festival no doubt looked like fun, my family and I (they love to visit me on campus at Fordham whenever they get the chance) hoped to find a quieter venue to enjoy each other’s company.  After pushing through the crowds on Arthur, we wandered along Crescent Avenue and stumbled upon Roberto’s Restaurant.  Well off the beaten path, we had found the best-kept secret of the Bronx: a small eatery with an inviting, authentic atmosphere.  Best of all?  The wait time at Roberto’s was half as long, but the food and service were twice as good at Roberto’s than at any other restaurant I’ve visited in the Bronx.

The interior of the restaurant is classy with a brick wall, arches, and a colorful chandelier.

Every dish off the Southern Italian-style menu satisfied each of our appetites (and portions were big enough to provide us with tasty leftovers for the next day); however, there are some outstanding plates worth noting.  For pasta, the thick spaghetti strands smothered in a creamy zucchini sauce, called Bucatini a Modo Mio, was savory and just rich enough.  A standout chicken dish is the Pollo con Spinaci, which combines chicken breast, spinach, prosciutto, and mozzarella masterfully.  My brother highly enjoyed the Filetto di Manzo alla Griglia, a delicious grilled skirt steak.

Don't forget the Tartufo for dessert!

Finally, you can’t forget dessert at Roberto’s.  The rich Tartufo is the best choice for lovers of chocolate and ice cream, though the American-style Strawberry Cheesecake is another sweetly satisfying option.

Roberto’s Restaurant is located at 603 Crescent Ave. Bronx, NY 10458.  Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.

New Orleans Adventures (feat. the Fordham Marketing Association!)

My beautiful e-board :')

One of the main reasons why I was so excited to attend Fordham was because of all of the great opportunities this school offers both in and out of the classroom. During every tour I take part in, I make sure to stress to incoming students the importance of finding and working at internships. Personally, I’ve had an internship during every semester of college thus far, which has allowed me to take what I learn in class and apply it to real-life situations nearly instantaneously while also gaining a breadth of professional knowledge that classrooms and professors cannot necessarily provide.

The local food was *so* good!

Late-night sightseeing.

However, one of my favorite professional experiences came this year when I, along with the rest of the Fordham Marketing Association executive board, went to the American Marketing Association’s International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans. FMA has been travelling to the conference for several years now – and has even placed in several of the competitions – but this was my first time going (and also my first glimpse at the amazing city of New Orleans)!

Our four-day trip allowed gave us the privilege of sitting in on panels led by present-day marketing professionals from companies like Google and Coca Cola, meeting and networking with students from collegiate marketing associations all across the country, and gaining insights on how to better run our own club. In the evenings, we had free time to explore the French Quarter, try out the amazing southern cuisine, and go sightseeing and souvenir shopping. We actually passed by a voodoo shop at one point and I couldn’t resist stopping and buying one that’s supposed to bring success to its owner! Fingers crossed that it works…

View out of our hotel window!

Streets of NOLA...

Aside from the Fordham Marketing Association, there are plenty of other organizations and clubs students can join to further themselves professionally or just to get involved in student life on campus. Whether you’re interested in the student government, the Campus Activities Board, or even writing for this blog as an Outreach Ambassador for the Rose Hill Society, there is surely a spot for you at Fordham. Maybe next year, you’ll even be coming along to New Orleans with me… Who knows? 

Happy Spring Break!

Alligators in South Carolina (from a safe distance)

Hello from South Carolina! I am spending my very last spring break at Fordham down south with my roommates. So far, I've seen about 20 alligators (very scary), three gorgeous sunsets, and more palm trees than I could count. It's the ideal place for some rest and relaxation before out sprint to graduation.

Exploring Little Italy (the Manhattan version;
it's not as good as Arthur Avenue) my sophomore year.

Spring Break at Fordham always gives students a lot of opportunities. Freshman year, I flew home to celebrate my birthday with my extended family and catch my cousin's play. Some students stay at Fordham over break, and that's what I did my sophomore year. I took advantage of the extra time to explore while helping finish a volume of the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal. Although some residence halls close over break, students who stay can relocate to on-campus apartments. I lived in Salice-Conley and got a taste for the still-new apartments that seniors (and some juniors) get to enjoy.

I spent my junior year abroad in Granada (you might be able to find a few posts about my study abroad experience here or here), so spending spring break in Paris was a no-brainer. A lot of Fordham students jump at the chance to travel a little further during break. I know friends who have paired off to explore Europe (spending today in Ireland, of course), grouped up to head to a Caribbean resort. or signed up for GO! projects to devote their breaks to immersion and/or service. Some GO! projects this break include San Jose, California; the Adirondacks in upstate New York (which you may hear about later this week-- stay tuned!); and Les Cayes, Haiti.

There is no wrong way to do spring break, but I've found that the best way is to spend it with your Fordham family.

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Weekend Update

Emma Eccleston

Some delicious pizza!

This weekend I got to partake in one of my favorite parts about being a Fordham student: dinner on Arthur Avenue! Arthur Avenue, located in the Bronx, is known as the real Little Italy because it is a street lined with countless authentic Italian restaurants.  The best part is that this delicious secret is located within walking distance of campus, only taking about five minutes to get to! On Saturday night I was lucky enough to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends at one of my favorite restaurants, Zero Otto Nove.  It was great to catch up with my friends after all being on break while also enjoying some delicious pizza!

Our view from Central Park

Teresa Swindal

This weekend, my friends and I tried to take advantage of the long break and spend some quality time in the city! We got brunch at Le Pain Quotiden and explored the city for a while. Then, on Sunday, we had dinner at our very own Michaelanglo's on Arthur Ave (the Bronx's Little Italy!). New York has some of the best food and sightseeing in the world, which is one of my favorite parts of living here!

The city is always bustling!

Emily Tanner

This weekend, current members of the College Democrats and former members who have graduated met for dinner in the city at a diner called Good Enough to Eat. Featuring yummy comfort food, it was DELICIOUS and located on Columbus Avenue, on the Upper West Side, my favorite neighborhood. Afterwards, we took a cab to Lincoln Center to walk around for a bit. I love this area – it's absolutely beautiful!

Arthur Avenue: Not Your Average Cappuccino

Cute little puppy coffee!

Blue Mediterranean has amazing seafood dishes.

Academics are incredibly important here at Fordham, but when we want to unwind from class and catch up with friends, Arthur Avenue is the place to go. 

I still remember my first time going to Bronx’s Little Italy after visiting Fordham during my junior year of high school. I had never been in such a neighborhood before, and it was fascinating seeing all of the quaint Italian restaurants and cafes.

Quick Tino's veggie
lasagna lunch
before class.

Umai Sushi's
specialty rolls.

I’ve made it my mission to visit every eatery on Arthur Avenue by the time I graduate. However, as I’m in the midst of my junior year, I’m slowly realizing that this might not be possible to accomplish in my remaining time at Fordham. 

There are so many options in Bronx’s Little Italy that are essential to try out; some have been around for years, and now ones open all the time. Inevitably, I’ve found my personal favorites, and I suggest them to every visiting family and prospective student I meet on campus.

A common misconception about Little Italy is that it’s only good for dinner, but Fordham students will tell you otherwise. There are plenty of dinner options for sure, but it’s just as easy to go out and grab a breakfast sandwich after a long night of studying, indulge in a quick cup of coffee and pastry between classes, meet friends for frozen yogurt when the weather’s nice, or grab a delicious slice of pizza – just because!

My favorite: taco salad from Estrellita's!

Coffee and
croissant
breakfast
from De Lillo's.

Not only that, but the area is also particularly affordable – especially since many of its patrons are very budget-concerned college students – and offers all different types of cuisines, not solely Italian (even though the Italian food here is second to none…). The area exudes a very family-friendly vibe, and the school spirit lives on in the neighborhood, even more so after homecoming and big football games when the streets fill with crowds of Fordham families and proud alumni.

Arthur Ave.

Dinner at Zero Otto Nove

Just beyond the gates of Fordham is a wonderful place called Arthur Ave.  Arthur Ave. has an endless amount of restaurants, bakeries, grocery and retail stores, along with off-campus student housing.  It is because of the various shops and eateries that Arthur Ave. serves as one of the largest off-campus social hub for Fordham students. 



Caesar Salad & Margherita Pizza at Michaelangelos



Arthur Ave. is known as the original Little Italy.  Lining the blocks are numerous authentic Italian restaurants with recipes that have been passed down for generations.  Two of my favorites are Michaelangelo’s and Zero Otto Nove.  When my family comes to visit, we usually choose one of these two places to catch up and have a fantastic meal.  Although Arthur Ave. is known to be mainly Italian, there are plenty of other options that are just as good!  Some of these include Estrellita’s, a Mexican restaurant, Umai Fusion, a great place to go if you’re in the mood for sushi, Full Moon Pizzeria, and Simon’s Deli.  Another great thing is that most of these places deliver to the residence halls on campus!  

Although Fordham has many eating options on campus, sometimes it is nice to branch out and try new things.  Arthur Ave. is the perfect place for Fordham students to do that!  It is relatively inexpensive and has a ton of variety. 

Me and some friends at Michaelangelo's

It’s Always A Good Day To Be A Ram- Even After You Graduate.

My best friend Jenn who graduated last year!
 She couldn't stay away!

One of the many aspects that Fordham University has to offer is tradition. These traditions are carried over from generation to generation of Fordham Rams, and the way in which these traditions are carried over is through Fordham’s very own tradition postal service, if you will: alumni. As I am in my second year at Fordham, I have experienced many of the events on campus that generate a huge alumni population, and one of our biggest ones was this weekend for Homecoming.

I was a 'foam finger enthusiast' 

Thank you to the ram- I hunted him down for a picture!

Days leading up to the big game students watched as the oh-so-grand Alumni Tent was pitched in the middle of Edward’s Parade. Students and Alumni alike literally hit the ground running during the third annual Homecoming 5K Run around campus. As I walked over to the game, I overheard two men talking about the run. After giving each other a high five, I overheard one say to the other “Wasn’t it great to run around campus again? It’s like it was yesterday.” This got me thinking. I passed through various alumni at the game, too. They were all laughing and cheering, and I couldn’t help but overhear all of their memories that they were discussing. I think I heard “it’s so good to be back!” over 100 times. The unity of Fordham is ever lasting, and alumni are one of most prideful aspects of Fordham. They want to know how Fordham is now; they want to be ever connected with their alma mater. This for me is a beautiful thing that Fordham has to offer, and I know that in three years, and more to come, I will be on Edward’s Parade, Jack Coffey Field, and Arthur Avenue screaming, “it’s good to be back!”