Ironside: A hidden gem worth the trip

With its original iron framed doors, Ironside stands in the very same walls that accommodated an old iron factory situated along the railroad running across the historic neighborhood of Palm Grove. This diverse and artsy urban center for tourists and locals alike is home to approximately 70 luxury independent businesses. One thing they all share in common is that, despite Ironside’s rich culture and beautiful concept, it is commonly referred to as a hidden gem by business owners due to its secluded nature.

Ironside Kitchen is an Italian restaurant which tends to be the main attraction. With beautiful outdoor seating, customers can look out onto the piazza, Ironside’s public square or marketplace, and listen to smooth jazz while taking a look at the choices the menu has to offer. The menu has a great variety and accommodates to most diets, offering vegan cheese and gluten-free pizza crust.

“I think customers are looking for the best café and the best pizza around here,”  Ca D’Oro gallery owner Gloria Porcella said, “As an Italian, I can say that they are very good.”

In fact, the Ironside Kitchen is what most customers are drawn to. Most traffic is diverted toward the restaurant due to its popularity and accessibility from the map. Many regulars claim they would not have known of this enclave if it were not for the restaurant.

“I visited Ironside for the first time with some friends after my dad had mentioned the restaurant’s great food,” sophomore Alejandro Gomez said. “The food was delicious, my friends and I were amazed by Ironside’s history and have visited many times since then.”

This delectable restaurant is generally known for its amazing pizza, but they also offer a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes,  ranging from pasta fresca to pizza napoletana. They also offer an enticing pannacotta and their rich and creamy tiramisû.

Similar to Ironside’s delicious Italian restaurant, the enclave does not fall short with its decor. The entire urban center is adorned with an endless variety of plant life as well as bright colored furniture. The various storefronts depict their owners’ personalities in creative ways, not to mention its original structure adding onto the artsy ambiance. The paintings of two faces in the center of the piazza were originally a part of the Berlin wall, taken down in 1990. These paintings not only add color through a unique art form, but they also contribute to Ironside’s historical aspect.

Although Ironside is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon, many people do not look much further than the Ironside Kitchen. In reality, Ironside’s property stretches up to 100,000 square feet.  The fact the small stores surrounding the restaurants do not receive as much attention does not do the venue justice. The absence of corporate businesses only adds on to its independent business dynamic.

“People don’t know that it exists with stores, they know it as a restaurant so we stay open very late to receive traffic,” founder of Imperio JP, a luxury goods boutique, Jessica Packer said.

Its location, although generally inconvenient, has allowed for small business owners to settle down in a community of boutiques and galleries alike. Its small gardens and iron framed doors add onto Ironside’s aesthetic and complete the enclave’s signature welcoming atmosphere.