The Only Two Places Left In The World Where Ballot Box Stuffing Is Acceptable Are Belarus And Zagat

After last year’s successful effort, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. is encouraging Bronx boosters to stuff the Zagat ballot box again:

Following up on last year’s successful push to get more of the borough’s eateries in the renowned guide, which saw 13 additional Bronx restaurants join 12 others from the borough in Zagat’s, Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. is teaming up with the Bronx Tourism Council again for the second annual Zagat Guide campaign.

“We’re just getting the word out again this year to encourage people to vote for their favorite restaurants and get them in the guide,” said Carrion. “More people are checking out our great restaurants because of the Zagat listings. I hope we will increase our presence in the 2007 guide.”

Last year, the BP’s office launched a campaign that saw Alice’s Tea Cup, Bruckner B&G, Dominick’s, El Malecon, El Rancho, El Rey del Marisco, Enzo’s, F&J Pine, Jake’s Steakhouse, Joe’s Place, Le Refuge, Lobster Box, Madison’s, Mario’s, Park Place, Pasquale’s Rigoletto, Piper’s Kilt, Portofino, Riverdale Garden, Roberto’s, Siam Square, Spoto’s, Tosca Café, Umberto’s and Willie’s Steakhouse added to the annual guide to the city’s best restaurants.

“The lack of attention to Bronx eateries is like the elephant in the room that everyone sees, but no one talks about,” said Jake’s Steakhouse general manager James Shelly. “We are ecstatic that the borough president was so aggressive in addressing the problem in a positive matter. It worked. We have worked hard here and people wondered why we were not in the guide. We didn’t have an answer, but now we have made it.”

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In order for that to be further recognized in the next guide due out later this year, Bronxites must step up to the plate and be heard. “It’s up to Bronxites, all New Yorkers and our suburban neighbors who enjoy our great restaurants to cast their votes for their favorite eateries,” said Carrion. “I know I’ll be voting for many places again this year.”