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Looking for bargains in SoBro

BY MARLENE NAANES | SPECIAL TO amNEWYORK

2:34 PM EST, February 1, 2006

Just when real estate prices in Dumbo, Williamsburg and Long Island City are spiraling in the once-affordable waterfront neighborhoods, here comes SoBro.

Housing projects and 99-cent stores line the main drags, but turn many-a-corner to find gorgeous renovated loft buildings and brownstones lining the side streets. SoBro is dotted with examples of its Latin heritage. The newest Latinos denizens are making their presence known with Mexican restaurants, music stores and bodegas along 138th St.

The newest developments mostly hug the southern boundaries of this up-and-coming locale. Before rezoning changed industrial buildings to residential, few would think of the South Bronx as the next hip neighborhood. Rampant crime and arson previously had overshadowed development.

SoBro was initially a seaport and home to the Bronx's first settlers and industries. Now, the area is holding its breath to see if it can survive becoming the latest neighborhood known by an acronym.

Where to find it:

The boundaries are still being defined as the area evolves, but SoBro sits in the Mott Haven and Port Morris neighborhoods, which are bounded by 149th St. to the north, the Bronx River to the south, the Harlem River to the west and the East River to the east.

To eat and drink:

Sit-down restaurants and places to hang out after the sun goes down are hard to find in SoBro. Walk down 138th St. and you'll find several storefront restaurants cooking up Latin and Caribbean food. Search a little longer and you'll find restaurants that offer a slightly more formal atmosphere and nighttime entertainment.

El Chicanito

This Mexican restaurant has a ranch motif. Saddles and cowboy hats decorate the walls and traditional live music fills the air until 4 a.m. every weekend. Traditional Mexican grilled chicken and seafood dishes are the specialty. 536 E. 138th St. (718) 292-8865

Bruckner Bar and Grill

This cozy restaurant tucked under the Third Avenue Bridge serves up hearty American fare to an eclectic crowd that ranges from loft dwellers to Bronx politicians. As a nightspot, the Bruckner Bar and Grill hosts poetry readings and is expanding its offerings to live music and comedy nights starting this month. 1 Bruckner Blvd. (718) 665-2001

Maybar Cafe and Piano Bar

This large food and music spot specializes in Spanish fare. Music seems to always be playing here, whether it's piano or Latin tunes. 2537 3rd Ave. (718) 292-3822

To shop: You''ll find unique furniture stores in the Arts and Antique District on Bruckner Boulevard. Grocery stores, inexpensive clothing shops and Latin music bodegas line 138th St.. The shopping selection becomes a little broader on 149th Street.

Places to see:

Walk down Bruckner Boulevard between Alexander Ave. and Brown St. and you'll find one of SoBro's hidden jewels, the Arts and Antique District.

Here you'll find quality kitschy furniture, reupholstered true antique couches and books from medieval times - at below Manhattan prices. You'll even find a colorful mural dedicated to the late Latin songstress, Celia Cruz.

Upstaters trying to beat traffic and in-the-know Manhattanites have flocked to this little-known district for 30 years.

2. Take a walk down Alexander Avenue and head to the numbered side streets to step back in time when Alexander Avenue was the "Irish 5th Avenue" because of its previous inhabitants. Brownstones and stately brick houses dating back to the 1800s line these streets.