As part of our foray to the Bronx, we decided to check out the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. Different retailers sell from the large building - cigar makers, florists, housewares (like a mini, less gentrified Chelsea Market) - amidst the stretch of restaurants, bakeries, fishmongers, and other butchers on Arthur Avenue. We made a beeline for Michael's Deli, in the back right corner of the market, because we had seen Michael give a demonstration of how to make fresh mozarella on NYC TV. After he sort of making fun of us for taking pictures (forcing us to pose with a ball of smoked mozarella, so we could be holding "Michael's ball"), Gothamist bought some fresh mozzarella, which, upon trying when we got home, was some incredible stuff - rich and creamy. We didn't even need to salt it!

You can order smoked cheese and meats from Michael's Deli online. Here's a recipe for the thin crust pizza made with fresh mozz on NYC TV. And Slice covered the fresh mozzarella tip with lots of good links.

Yesterday, Gothamist posted on visiting the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights. Tomorrow, we'll cover the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens.