Beginning a dream... In 1972, Sonny and Shukri Islamovic, two brothers, then 8 and 13, came to America from Ulqin, the southernmost town in Montenegro, a republic in southwest Yugoslavia. “Three kids and my parents in a one-bedroom apartment in the Belmont section of the Bronx -- the ‘little Italy’ of the Bronx,” recalls Shukri of those early years here.
Here they learned many things: about hard work, about this country (Shukri served in the U.S. Armed Services, in fact) -- and, importantly, about food. "The sauce we have now is the recipe of an Italian woman we met here -- we never changed it," says Sonny.
How did they become partners in the food business? Shukri was working at a local pizza shop when the business was put up for sale. Shukri asked his father for the money to buy the business. Sure -- said dad -- but only if Shukri took his younger brother as a partner. For Sonny, it was a choice of school or work; looking at his grades, work seemed the better option. Within six months, the brothers pizza business was thriving -- and their dad had his loan repaid.
With a knowledge of the flavors of home, the brothers infused their cooking with what they learned on American soil, particularly in Little Italy. A series of restaurants -- mostly pizza and fast-food Italian shops -- served guests the unique, palate-delighting results. Many may remember these brothers from their Bronx locations: Joe's Pizza on Archer Street; Joe's Pizza II at 180th and Southern Boulevard; Dino's at 152nd and Melrose; Two-Star Cafe on Arthur Avenue; VNS on Williamsbridge Road.
Today, the brothers have brought their food -- and their family -- to City Island, the small New England type village of the Bronx, New York, opening The Tree House Restaurant (273 City Island Avenue) in 2000.
"The food here is delicious, but the people who come and enjoy it, are our foremost priority," notes Shukri. "It has to be family first -- the family of our dinner guests. We treat visitors to our restaurants as if they were eating in our home."
Recent dinner guests sent an e-mail calling The Tree House "the friendliest restaurant in all of New York." They added: "The service was great; the food outstanding. But what made the evening special was the warm and personal attention of owners Shukri and Sonny, and their mingling with us and making us feel as if among old friends."
Our patio is now open! Enjoy spring & summer -- and our delicious food!
No matter the season, the place to be is The Tree House!
Diners at The Tree House can always expect a welcoming, family-like atmosphere -- and fine food. One diner recently remarked: “The food here is consistently good. If it changes at all, it only gets better."
The Northern Mediterranean fare of The Tree House features some specialties that call to mind the home of the two brothers from Montenegro. Brought to your table, to eat with delicious Arthur Avenue bread (they went back to their old Bronx neighborhood for this), are eggplant and roasted red pepper spreads. Among the appetizers, there are, for instance, the chevapas starters, skinless beef sausage seasoned with spices and black pepper and char-grilled, and the shunka wrappers, cheese rolled with prime bacon. And too there is the pizza -- a signature dish at The Tree House, from the large to the personal size, including the delicious Tree House special pizza, featuring tomato sauce, mozzarella, smoked meats, peppers, onions, olives, and fresh sliced tomatoes.
We've introduced more delicious dishes to our menu! Explore this site for descriptions -- and glimpses -- of other appetizer and main course selections.
Why it is called "The Tree House"? Sonny and Shukri invite you to come and find out. You'll see the answer immediately, as you enter a dining area built around a showpiece tree. And, once you've sampled the food and experienced the hospitality, you will definitely want to watch the seasons change and be part of the year's celebrations right here at The Tree House. We also provide a full bar, and offers catering options.
Planning a party or family celebration? Have it at The Tree House! To contact The Tree House, for reservations or with questions, call (718) 885-0806, or e-mail them.
Getting to City Island:by car: New England Thruway or Hutchinson River Parkway to "City Island / Orchard Beach" exit; follow signs to City Island, and once over the City Island Bridge, The Tree House is one-and-a-half blocks past the third traffic light, in the middle City Island Avenue, between Hawkins and Carroll Streets. by train and bus: IRT Number 6 train to Pelham Bay (last stop in Bronx) and take Number 29 Bus to City Island; once over the City Island Bridge, exit the bus at Fordham Street, and The Tree House is one-and-a-half blocks down, in the middle City Island Avenue, between Hawkins and Carroll Streets.
