OSTERIA CUCINA RUSTICA RECREATES THE STORIED BROOKLYN BLOCK PARTY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

PHOTOS BY PATTY’S PIXELS

In Brooklyn, a street event that marked many a kid’s city experience was the annual block party. Lasting all day and into the night, they were and are often marked by colorful flags, rides and games, home-cooked food, and a night barbecue.

Osteria Cucina Rustica in Marlboro has kept this tradition alive since opening six years ago. Every Sunday after Labor Day, it throws the annual “Brooklyn Block Party.” This one featured the band, Gipsy Kings, as well as tunes from DJ Larry Gold all day and into the night. The food was seemingly endless, and cooked over charcoal grills, “just like back on the block in Brooklyn,” said the restaurant’s owners, Steven Botta and Angelo and Nellie Bongiovanni. “We had the Mr. Softee ice cream truck, too, as well as funnel cakes and fried Oreos for a final treat. Osteria wanted all of our friends and guests to experience a little piece of their childhood and bring us back to a much simpler time in life, if only for one day. We would like to thank everyone who makes the Osteria Brooklyn Block Party the best party in New Jersey each year.”