Although finding a restaurant that offers top quality fish in New York can be difficult, most Eastchester residents had the luxury of dinning at one of the most trusted restaurants in the area for over 30 years, The First Gourmet.
The chefs from The Fish Gourmet go to the New Fulton Fish Market every night and personally select the fish. They purchase only the freshest and finest fish available, all of which is filleted on the premise, which is why the restaurant menu changes daily.
Since 1981 The Fish Gourmet has formed long-standing relationships with the community, which the owner, Rick Ross, says is his favorite part about having a restaurant in the area.
Located at the ideal location between Scarsdale, Eastchester, New Rochelle and Bronxville, and conveniently next to the Bronx River Parkway and the Hutch, The Fish Gourmet receives a large amount of support from local families.
"Eastchester is a wonderful place to raise a family," Ross says. "I've had a lot of local kids from the community work for me through the years and I'm still in touch with many of them. Many of our customers dine frequently in the restaurant or fish market and after 30 years I've watched their families grow, kids go to college, birthdays and anniversaries celebrated."
With such ties to the community, Ross also offers his services for more intimate events like clambakes and barbecues at his customer's homes who are celebrating special occasions such as rehearsal dinners, birthdays, family reunions or just a summer get together.
"Making our customers feel welcome in our restaurant and fish market is a priority for my business," he adds.
The Fish Gourmet is open seven days a week, making one of the hardest parts about owning a small business is juggling it all. "Everyone has to work as teams in order to make it all come together," says Ross.
The support from the community is reciprocal, as The Fish Gourmet is involved in many non-profits including the Crohns & Colitis Foundation, Jensen Hospice and ARC, as well as many of the local school and community activities.
However, there is one change that Ross would like to see happen in the area: reevaluate the parking meters until 7pm and update the parking meters so they take credit cards.
"One of the biggest complaints we get from our customers, who mostly come from Eastchester, Scarsdale, New Rochelle & Bronxville, is about parking," says Ross.
The Fish Gourmet will also be honoring the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week from March 10 - March 23 by participating Sunday – Thursday for dinner (3 Course Meal for $29.95) and lunch on Thursday and Friday ($20.95).
The Fish Gourmet Regular Specials: Monday Night Lobster Special – 1 ½ lb Steamed Maine Lobster with Baked Potato and Cole Slaw for $26.95, Thursday is our Raw Bar Special – Clams 1.00, Oysters 1.25 and Shrimp 1.50 and through the winter they have an early bird special Monday – Wednesday from 5:00-6:30 which is essentially the same menu as our Restaurant Week Menu - three Courses for $29.95.
For more information or to book a reservation, please visit The Fish Gourmet.
