Greek Restaurants In Astoria

Cavo - Modern Greek Cuisine In Queens

Astoria Neighborhood / Astoria Restaurants / Queens Restaurants / Queens Buzz. Cavo is one of the leading modern Greek restaurants in NYC.  Cavo is located in the heart of Astoria, just off Steinway Street, only a few blocks walk from the N subway stop.

We had occasion to visit Cavo recently, where we were able to enjoy the restaurant's modern Greek cuisine, airy decor and well mannered clientele.  You may click here to read a review of one of the leading Greek Restaurants In Astoria - Cavo.

Restaurants In Astoria

Winegasm - Wine Bar In Astoria

Astoria Neighborhood / Astoria Restaurants / Queens Restaurants / Queens Buzz. Winegasm is a wine and tapas bar in Astoria Queens NY. They offer good service, a nice selection of wines and an appetizing array of finger food as well as a few entrees. We were hosted by one of the restaurant's principals, one of whom is there nearly every evening.

Winegasm is located just off Broadway Street between Steinway Street and 31st Street where one can catch the N Subway train.  The following review is of some of the wines sampled, along with a variety of appetizers.  Click here to read a full review of Winegasm Wine Bar & Restaurant in Astoria.

Restaurants In Astoria - Aegean Cove

A Tasteful Blend Of Old & New

Astoria Neighborhood / Astoria Restaurants / Queens Restaurants / Queens Buzz. I visited the Aegean Cove at the north end of Steinway Street in Astoria one Friday evening, to sample their Greek cuisine.

Chef Christos Christou, who grew up on Cyprus, manages the restaurant's cuisine with a staff that has been with him for about a decade. Christos technique is to begin with traditional dishes and old world flavors, and then build upon them by drawing out a particular flavor or by adding something new. Thus the Aegean Cove serves Greek dishes created to delight both those who long for tradition, as well as those who long for something new.

Click this link to see the rest of the story about the Aegean Cove Restaurant in Astoria Queens.

Dutch Kills Gentrification: Restaurants & Real Estate

The Making Of The Crescent Grill Restaurant in LIC

July 13, 2013 / Dutch Kills LIC / Restaurants in Queens / Real Estate in Queens / Queens Buzz.  Last fall I embarked on a bit of an adventure when Michele Beaudoin of Beaudoin Realty Group [a QB client] introduced me to Daniel and Shaun Dougherty.  She had just sold the brothers a two-story, corner building that had been a Beauty Supplies store along Crescent Street in the Dutch Kills neighborhood of Long Island City.  The Doughertys had plans to convert the building into a restaurant.  Likely the first restaurant of its kind in the Dutch Kills neighborhood of Long Island City.

I went to meet the brothers at the site of what would eventually be their new restaurant.  I was given a tour of the facility while it was still, in essence, a recently vacated Beauty Supplies store.  But not for long ...

Click here to read the rest of the story about the gentrification of the Dutch Kills neighborhood of Long Island City and the making of the Crescent Grill restaurant in LIC.  The story includes information and photos about the design and construction of the renovated building, as well as a review of some of the culinary delights that await those who patronize the restaurant. 

Restaurants In Long Island City LIC

Dining At The Waters Edge

Long Island City Neighborhood / LIC Restaurants / Restaurants In Queens / Queens Buzz. So if you’re considering whether to go to Waters Edge Restaurant let me give it to you in a nutshell. The food was nearly perfect, the setting has a view that’s nearly beyond compare, and the service hit that mark rarely seen – politely being there with information about the food or the menu, or the plate or beverage precisely when you wished it, while floating in the background the rest of the time. The prices were a good value even by the competitive Queens standards. The Waters Edge provides world class food, service and ambiance at reasonable prices and is a steal when compared to its neighbors across the river. Appetizers range from $12 to $21 and entrees range from $28 to $39. The Waters Edge Restaurant is located at the East River on 44th Drive.

So you can skip the rest of this review if you wish, but we have a lot from our experience to impart to the interested reader and some photos to match. Let’s start with the ambiance. Click here to read our report and view photos of the Waters Edge Restaurant in LIC.  Click here to view our section on Valentines restaurants in Queens.

Restaurants In Long Island City LIC

Da Gianni's Hits A Home Run

Long Island City Neighborhood / LIC Restaurants / Restaurants In Queens / Queens Buzz. This is a report about Da Gianni's Ristorante, an Italian restaurant in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens. Da Gianni's restaurant serves fresh made pastas, veal, seafood and chicken. Da Gianni's Ristorante is a fun, comfortable Italian restaurant that's only a couple of blocks from the Citicorp center in Long Island City.

The restaurant has patio space in the back which receives ample sunlight and a medium sized room upstairs where they host private dinners and parties. They also have a full bar. Click here to view our report on Da Gianni's Italian Restaurant in Long Island City.

Taste of Sunnyside

Food, Fun & Fanfare at Taste of Sunnyside 2012

October 15, 2012 / Sunnyside / Sunnyside Restaurants / Queens Buzz. It was a rainy evening as I headed down to the third annual Taste of Sunnyside at the Sunnyside Community Service Center on 39th Street.  I looked forward to seeing what new restaurants and people I would encounter - as the restaurants that participate in the Taste of Sunnyside change from year to year.

The main hall seemed less crowded than last year, due in part because the large sit down tables had been moved out to make more space. This had the effect of allowing people more room to mingle; but you pretty much had to stay on your feet throughout most of the event. The crowd that had gathered was ethnically diverse, somewhat youthful and hungry.

Click here to view our report on the Taste of Sunnyside Restaurants.

Turkish Cooking Classes in Queens

Cooking Class Mixes Culture, Cuisine & Comedy In Cool Klatch

February 6, 2013 / Sunnyside / Food in Sunnyside / Queens Buzz.  I attended an evening cooking class offered by the Turkish Cultural Center in Queens. They offer one cooking class each month, wherein they teach Turkish cuisine. Seating is limited to about fifteen; and you don’t have to be a member or Turkish to attend. In fact almost all of the people in attendance were not Turkish, and there were a couple of males in attendance too.

My interest in Turkish cuisine has grown over the past few years, as Sunnyside and western Queens has become a small magnet for Turkish immigrants. Turks have a long history of culinary achievement and a number of them have opened grocery stores and restaurants which have become quite popular in their neighborhoods [see review of the Turkish Grill restaurant in Sunnyside].

Click here for our report with photos of Turkish cooking classes in Queens.

Restaurants In Sunnyside

The Turkish Grill In Queens

Sunnyside Restaurants / Queens Restaurants.  The Turkish Grill in Sunnyside is one of those great culinary finds you wish you would come across more than once in a good while. Great food, excellent service and a comfortable dining atmosphere - all at affordable prices. The Turkish Grill is located along Queens Blvd in the forties in Sunnyside. Click on the above link or photo to read a full review of the Turkish Grill Restaurant in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Queens NY. The Turkish Grill serves Ottoman Style middle eastern cuisine.

Click here to read a full review including numerous photos of the Turkish Grill - restaurants in Sunnyside.

Restaurants In Jackson Heights

Arunee Thai Restaurant

Jackson Heights Neighborhood / Jackson Heights Restaurants / Queens Buzz. Tonight I ventured out to a Thai restaurant in Jackson Heights that I had discovered on pure happenstance. I arrived at the restaurant around 7.30 pm on an cool overcast Saturday evening. More than half of the sixty seats had already been filled and it seemed the waiting staff had fallen a bit behind. As I sat there waiting, I began to doubt my choice.

As I surveyed the restaurant I noted that many of the customers were Thai, which I took to be a good sign, as I was looking for real Thai food, not some Americanized version of it. Within the next five to ten minutes, things completely turned. The waiting staff turned up the energy and within minutes it seemed that everyone who had been waiting now had a drink or appetizer sitting in front of them … myself included. Click here to read the full review of Arunee Thai restaurant including photos.

Restaurants In Jackson Heights

LaPortena Argentine Steakhouse

Jackson Heights Neighborhood / Jackson Heights Restaurants / Queens Buzz.  La Portena Argentinian Steakhouse isn't exactly the kind of restaurant that would come to mind when you think of Jackson Heights ... that is unless you live there. La Portena Argentinian Steakhouse is located at 74th Street and 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights. It's quite a popular restaurant which is what first caught my attention. While Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai and Nepalese restaurants first come to mind when thinking about Jackson Heights / Elmhurst restaurants, there's an entire Latin American flavor to the restaurant mix in the neighborhood - and the food and service are both very good. Click here to read a the full review of La Portena Argentinian Steakhouse, including more photos.

Pool Hall Tournament In Jackson Heights

This is a report about a billiards tournament which took place in the Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens NY. Many of the top players in the nation were there, including a top ranking female and last year's pool champion. This was for the Tony Robles tournament at BQE in the Jackson Heights section of Queens. Click here to view the story of the pool tournament at BQE in Jackson Heights Queens including photos.

Jamaican Jerk Festival 2012

Afro Caribbean Cultural Event In Queens

July 22, 2012 / Jamaica Neighborhood / Ethnic Food in Queens / Queens Buzz. It was a warm, dry, sunny Sunday, as I made my way into Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica. Today was the 2nd annual Jamaican Jerk Festival, that I’d been waiting in anticipation for over the past few weeks. The Jamaican Jerk Festival is a combination reggae concert and food festival.

I entered through the gates of Roy Wilkins Park in the southern Jamaica neightborhood of Queens, as a slight breeze willowed its way through the trees and crowd. There were retail vendor tents to my left, with displays of vibrantly colored clothing and fashion jewelry Afro Caribbean style. Caps, hats, dresses, shirts and scarves hung loosely in little white tents, as shoppers and merchants mingled and did business.

Click here to read our report and view photos of the Jamaican Jerk Festival 2012.