Last night (July 23), Harbor East hotspot Chazz: A Bronx Original hosted a special happy hour featuring the original cast of the classic movie “A Bronx Tale.” The event, pegged “the Bronx Tale Happy Hour,” saw the actors gather to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the production of the movie and to launch a new charitable fundraising campaign at the restaurant.
Fans and spectators mingled with the cast and each other while enjoying the restaurant’s full menu of delicious food and signature cocktails. In honor of the special guests, Chef/Owner Sergio Vitale of Chazz: A Bronx Original has created a special 3-course dinner menu of Italian-American favorites inspired by “A Bronx Tale” that will be offered during Baltimore Restaurant Week. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each prix-fixe dinner menu will be donated to support the work of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the construction of Youth Development Parks and in support of its “Healthy Choices, Healthy Children” program.
On hand was Maria Martinez, Founder & CEO of Respira Medical, a company dedicated to ensuring effective treatment for individuals requiring custom tailored home care programs and one of the region’s most talked about women entrepreneur success stories. Maria Martinez is a graduate of WEB (Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore), a non-profit that builds strong, women-owned businesses that lift up communities and families. Maria recently took a temporary leave of absence at Respira Medical to steer the leadership of WEB while it searches for a new permanent Executive Director. Maria’s success has allowed her to diversify her business endeavors and she is one of the partners in Chazz, so it was only fitting she was on hand to celebrate the year anniversary. She had this to say “It’s so awesome to see so many of the people I love doing well and doing good things for this city – congratulations to the CHAZZ team, this event is fantastic and I’m so proud to be a small part of it.”
In attendance were a few of Baltimore’s interesting and dynamic women in business including Shelonda Stokes and her business partner David Grey, both of GreiBO media, the wildly successful production company that recently produced the phenomenal African American Festival held earlier this July. Also in attendance was Dara Bunjon, local food blogger, writer and gadabout. Dara is one of the region’s most popular and celebrated food writers and a dynamic part of the food community. The standing room only crowd was abuzz with all the celebrities and beautiful people in the room – the success of Chazz is a nice coup for Baltimore.
“I believe, both professionally and personally, that we do well when we do good,” Chazz Palminteri said. “That’s why I’m so excited to announce that our restaurant will support the charitable work of Cal Ripken’s foundation. He’s a living legend who has done tremendous things on and off the field. It’s an honor to be associated with his foundation’s work.”
Developed by Oscar-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri and experienced restaurateurs Sergio and Alessandro Vitale of Baltimore’s Aldo’s, Chazz: A Bronx Original redefines the Italian American culinary experience. Located in Baltimore’s Harbor East, Chazz takes diners on a trip down Arthur Avenue, the main culinary thoroughfare of the Bronx and provides one-of-a-kind “Bronx-style” pizza baked in a coal fired oven, homemade Italian American specialties and an unprecedented bar program including hand-crafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. As mentioned, Baltimore female entrepreneur and successful business owner and advocate for women and minority owned businesses – Maria Martinez of Respira Medical – is a partner in the restaurant. Martinez was recently named Vice Chair of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake‘s new Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises advisory council.