Mount Eden - Bronx, NY Area Guide

A postmaster named the area "Tremont" in the 1800s, deriving the moniker from the three neighborhoods of Mount Eden, Mount Hope and Fairmount. He did this to avoid confusion amongst the neighborhoods.

The Tremont Branch of the New York library system is one of the area's well-known historic buildings. The red brick structure is located at the corner of East 176th Street and Washington Avenue, one block south of East Tremont Avenue. Andrew Carnegie donated funds for its construction, as well as for the construction of 64 other New York City library buildings.

In the 1970s, arson destroyed much of the Tremont area. The city began to restore and renovate many abandoned tenement apartment buildings late that decade in an effort to create attractive, affordable housing. Developers then began to construct subsidized attached multi-unit townhouses on vacant lots in Mount Eden and the rest of Tremont.

Mount Eden's restaurant scene is small and traditional. Many patrons of La Estrella Bar & Restaurant are long-time regulars who appreciate the modest prices and menu, which incorporates popular dishes from a variety of cultures. Many opt for the Cuban sandwich, while others are fans of the oxtail stew. Combo meals include roast chicken, fried green plantains, and rice and beans.

Hungry Bird is an Indian restaurant that draws both locals and those from other parts of the Bronx. Try the vegetable jalfrezi, aloo saagwala or freshly made garlic naan. Other popular dishes include chicken saag, lamb tikka and okra. The menu is extensive and includes a variety of chutney.

Mount Eden offers several options for those looking for nightlife, including the Beso Lounge, which is known for its chic atmosphere, attentive, skilled bartenders and generally excellent customer service. It is also a great spot for an appetizer, all of which regularly receive rave reviews. Order the chicken wings, which go well with any drink on the menu. Expect a sophisticated crowd with many in their 30s or even 40s. DJs play a variety of music styles. This club also offers hookahs.

Come and celebrate your events and special occasions at the Budda Lounge, arguably the most upscale lounge in the Bronx. This spot hosts fabulous parties in the Bronx and Washington Heights area.

Mount Eden's main thoroughfares are the Grand Concourse and Mount Eden Parkway. It is also close to access to Highway 80, Route 46, Interstate 280, Route 23 and Interstate 287. There are many paid parking garages in Mount Eden ranging from the inexpensive to fairly expensive.

Uber serves the area from its New York City base of operations. The car subscription service Zipcar also serves the area. Several private cab companies frequent Mount Eden, making hailing a cab convenient.

The community is easy for both pedestrians and bicyclists to navigate with plenty of sidewalks and bike lanes, meaning that day-to-day errands do not require a car. Public transportation is plentiful, with Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses running throughout the neighborhood around the clock. The subway also runs from Tremont to Manhattan, stopping at several destinations in between.

Tremont Park encompasses 15 acres between Third, East Tremont and Arthur avenues. Since extensive renovations in the mid-1990s, the park has featured spray showers, a baseball diamond, basketball parks and a large number of trees.

The park, which is free to use, is both child-friendly, with its various playgrounds, and dog-friendly, with all areas of the park designated off-leash during certain hours. It also features several outdoor fitness sections.

The average cost of living in the Bronx is 13.2 percent less than the average for New York State, while the average cost of gasoline in the Bronx is 11 percent higher than that of the national average. Rent in the Bronx averages $954 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. It costs $5 for a pint of beer and $2 to travel from Tremont to Manhattan by subway.

A Bronx icon, family-owned Frank's Sports Shop has operated in Mount Eden since 1922. The store is the primary athletic outfitter in the area, serving high school, college and professional athletes. Its wide selection includes gear and clothing for basketball, football, baseball, soccer and boxing as well as hunting and fishing equipment and supplies.

Ethnica Royale, which opened in 2000 in Mount Eden, sells clothing and other products from Africa. The owner, who has imported items internationally for more than 10 years, also sells inventory online. The store is popular among those seeking to purchase items, as well as window shoppers.

From July through November, the Harvest Home Echo Park Farmer's Market operates on Wednesdays on Tremont Avenue. The Harvest Home Farmer's Market is a New York City non-profit group committed to increasing access to fresh local produce in low-income neighborhoods. The Tremont market features many local food vendors and information about health and nutrition.