City Island Secrets

City Island is the most popular dining destination for Bronxites, so being a Bronx native I've dined in almost every restaurant on the strip. It's a little island off of the northeast Bronx, with one road in and one road out. On the weekends in the summer it's a zoo and has a reputation for being a not so nice, loud, low class "hang out spot", but during the week especially on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening when the weather is nice, it's worth taking the trip. The trick to City Island is knowing where to go if you aren't a huge fan of fatty cholesterol laden fried fish and shellfish with a side of precut frozen french fries or mediocre Southern Italian seafood which is commonplace. For first timers visiting the Island it can be quite overwhelming, huge signs with huge restaurants one right after the other...its hard to differentiate between which ones are for tourists (or people with a really unexposed palate), and which ones are actually worth going to. Let me first say that there isn't a restaurant in City Island that is 5 star quality, with the exception of La Refuge Inn...it simply doesn't exist, so ratchet down your expectations, realize that you are going for the "experience and ambiance" and have some fun. There is no reason to go to City Island to sit inside, read between the lines DON'T GO IN THE WINTER...half of the experience is to smell the salt water and sit outside in the good weather. The food just isn't good enough to make the trek all the way out there in the freezing cold (remember it's a tiny island surrounded by water). Now, if you go in the summer (during the week only), head to the following spots and you will not be disappointed.

Seafood - the Seashore Restaurant and sit on the outside dock by the water
American food - Black Whale - probably the best of the bunch (I went there tonight). I've only had one bad experience in all of the times I've been there. My vegetarian friend didn't have a good meal because they put pork in her penne vodka, and tried to say there was no pork in it (but there was). However, tonight my dish came laden with green peppers(which I never, ever eat under any circumstances) despite the fact that the list of ingredients didn't include them, and the waiter apologized a million times, and so did the chef and he recooked my meal and it was perfect. Really cute garden, a prix fixe, great desserts and they take restaurant.com coupons.
Italian Seafood - Lobster House Restaurant - all tables are by the water


Some like Arties or Portofinos - but in my honest opinion neither have the outdoor dining ambiance to make it worth the trip unless looking at the buses and cars passing by the main road are your thing.

I think that City Island is a must experience for all New Yorkers at least once, and with the above choices you will have a fun time and a decent meal.