City Living: Bay Ridge

Originally christened Yellow Hook by Dutch settlers due to its rich yellow soil, Bay Ridge got its present name only after a yellow fever epidemic made the original moniker a tad unsavory.

The area was once the remote summer playground of New York's elite, but the advent of the Fourth Avenue subway -- and later the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge -- opened Bay Ridge to the middle class, as well as generations of immigrants.

A stroll down Shore Road reveals why the area has appealed to so many settlers: tree-canopied streets, plush lawns, spacious homes and bay breezes are only blocks from trains and buses.

The culturally diverse environment that resulted from years of immigration to the area is most apparent on the neighborhood's main commercial arteries, Third and Fifth avenues. Newer restaurants and shops among the thriving restaurant and bar scene reflect the neighborhood's changing population.

"It was all Scandinavian when I was growing up," explained Ron Myrvik, a Bay Ridge resident. "It's changed a lot since then. Most recently, a lot of Chinese and Arabs have moved in-in some ways it's like a different neighborhood."

Still, older aspects of the neighborhood have been preserved even as things change: Bay Ridge's Scandinavian heritage is honored at the annual Norwegian Constitution Day Parade, while the more recent Middle Eastern immigrants -- Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian -- have set up numerous jewelry and specialty food shops.

Find it Bay Ridge is defined by the Narrows on the west, the Gowanus Expressway and Seventh Avenue to the east, 65th Street to the north and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Poly Place to the south.

TO EAT Third Avenue is the "restaurant row" of Bay Ridge, but Fifth Avenue has its share of dining options as well.

King Falafel Aromatic ingredients -- fried cauliflower, diced onion and mint, pickled radish -- are loaded into pitas before your eyes in this European-style falafel house. Enjoy your sandwich or platter in the orange glow of the tiny eatery, or take it to go. 7408 Third Ave. 718-745-4188

Café Caffe Bay Ridge's confluence of cultures and nationalities is reflected in the coffee at Café Caffe: roasts from around the world are enjoyed by a leisurely bunch at tables that overflow onto the sidewalk. 8401 Third Ave. 718-748-8700

Hinsch's Pull up a stool and settle in with a malt at this old-fashioned diner -- the waitresses won't shoo you out anytime soon. Classic triple deckers, fresh egg salad and every imaginable combination of milk, syrup and soda have been perfected after 85 years of practice. On your way out, grab a chocolate dinosaur or alligator for the road. 8518 Fifth Ave. 718-748-2854

Omonia One part old-world Astoria bakery, one part Upper East Side patisserie, this breezy cafe offers a wrap-around case loaded with just-frosted cakes, bite-size sandwiches, and plump cheesecakes blanketed in chocolate. Bay Ridge is littered with fragrant family-owned bakeries, but Omonia takes the cake when it comes to atmosphere and presentation. 7612 Third Ave. 718-491-1435

Cheesesteak Factory Who can argue with a joint dedicated to cheesesteaks? Whether you go with provolone or Cheese Wiz, Cheesesteak Factory satisfies those 4 a.m. hankerings for grease and salt. 8407 Third Ave. 718-833-8880

Tanoreen Even before New York magazine named this humble eatery the holy grail of Middle Eastern food and sent the crowds stampeding out to Bay Ridge, Tanoreen's exquisitely spiced mezes and platters spoke for themselves. Now that the frenzy has subsided somewhat, there's no need to make a reservation centuries in advance to sample the thick labneh, cauliflower coated with pomegranate syrup and succulent lamb kabobs washed down with a tall glass of mint-infused iced tea. 7704 Third Ave. 718-748-5600

Anopoli Ice Cream & Family Restaurant Prepare to be greeted by neighborhood old-timers at this Italian mainstay. The menu boasts "Great Food at Reasonable Prices," but it's the homemade ice cream and "Fancy Frappes" that'll lure you in. 6920 Third Ave. 718-748-3863

TO PARTY Residents joke about Bay Ridge's surplus of churches and bars -- every block seems to have its own pub.

Plush Don't feel like watching the big game over a Guinness? Skip the onslaught of pub-style bars lining Third Avenue and settle into the cushy, faded armchairs at this lounge-style spot. The airy backyard hangout is open in the summer. 7915 Third Ave. 718-439-6444

Salty Dog Bright? Open? Cheery? Not the first words that come to mind when describing a sports bar -- unless it's Salty Dog you're talking about. This rowdy joint, founded by two former NYC firefighters, is also a kid-friendly restaurant. During halftime, tune out the noise from the giant television screens and check out the mounted firehouse memorabilia. 7509 Third Ave. 718-238-0030

Three Jolly Pigeons Bay Ridge is full of Irish pubs with animalian names written in the same copperplate gothic font, but Three Jolly Pigeons wins with its karaoke nights and giant flowing taps. And unlike some of the other pubs, it's charming, not sketchy. 6802 Third Ave. 718-745-9350

TO SHOP Not unlike Manhattan's version, 86th Street in Bay Ridge is a major shopping hub with some choice outlets: Century 21, Modell's and Nine West Outlet are just a few of the chain stores that line the thoroughfare. Mom-and-pop joints, including many specialty food shops, pepper Third and Fifth Avenues.

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