(gotta love that eye-catching "cornflower blue" fire escape!)
Folks like their homes to "stand out"...
Sauntering east on 30th Avenue, you'll pass numerous eateries. Restaurants are predominantly on the major east-west roads: Ditmars Boulevard, 3oth Avenue, 31st Ave, and Broadway. Steinway Street is a notable north-south artery.
Most of Astoria's charm comes from the locally-sourced ingredients used in its cozy eateries--each creatively decorated to be unique and contribute something different to the neighborhood.
From 21st Street, our walk down 30th Ave takes us past the aromas from corner-property Vesta Trattoria. Known for its menu of sustainable seasonal ingredients (from the local greenmarket), I recommend their cheese plate, house-made duck prosciutto, and their veal lasagna.
*In fact, many local restaurants use fresh ingredients from the branch of Brooklyn Grange in Long Island City, which produced 25,000 lbs. of organically hand-grown veggies, last year: kale, peppers, brandywine & black krim tomatoes, carrots, turnips, radishes, herbs, pac choi, beans, eggplant, cucumbers, squash, and leafy greens. They also have a apiary of 30 naturally-managed honey bee hives. All on roofs of buildings! Below are some pix of the "crab boil" party for the workers/volunteers.
The next place worthy of a visit is Astoria Coffee! (on 30th Ave. & 30th St.) For more, please read my review:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2015/02/astoria-coffee.html
They serve fair-trade organic coffees (including pour-over) and teas. The roasting/grind dates are handwritten on each bag. The baristas could be friendlier, but some are okay even when they are silent...
The young woman with the blue hair can foam a lovely cappuccino. She is the only barista to play upbeat music and chat with customers to brighten their days. Alas, she will leave that job soon.
Their menu of savories & sweets comes from small-batch makers and from Ceci-Cela: a patisserie in NoLIta. There is enjoyable "people watching".
*[FYI, further south on 30th Street showcases some interesting homes: an Art Deco private townhouse is 3 doors away from historic home with a front porch].
Turning south on 31st Street, and walking under the elevated subway tracks, we arrive at 31st Ave. Here, 31st Ave has a short strip of "tucked away" eateries. The Euromart has an amazing olive bar, and it's a nifty spot to buy things like organic butter, jars of bergamots in syrup, stuffed cherry peppers, and great salamis!
St. Demetrios is a 1960s-looking Greek church. Its exterior belies turn-of-the-century woodwork inside that was donated and transplanted! Reminds me of Downton Abbey.
A Turkish café sells authentic Turkish coffee, menemen, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, white bean salad, and breads. Their honeyed baklava are loaded with pistachios! Drool...
Turning left onto 31st Ave will bring you past a haven of restaurants. Brick Café serves a mix of European foods (escargot, fried ravioli, chicken Milanese, homemade gnocchi, wonderful meatballs) via pretty Russian waitresses and muscular-armed busboys.
Their sidewalk seating allows great sunset-watching and makes a perfect brunch destination.
Farther on the tree-lined street is another "foodie hot spot".
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2017/09/restaurant-review-madame-sou-sou-cafe.html
Enthaice Thai Kitchen is on the next corner. Aside from their clever aperitif menu, open-air atmosphere, and creative "utensil" chandeliers, they have the friendliest staff.
In addition to a brisk "delivery" business, nearby customers also line up for "take out" orders that they've phoned in. Their food is phenomenally flavored and eye-catching!
Lewis likes their tall leather banquettes, soda floats, freshly-juiced beverages, and the VERY handsome male servers... but that's another kind of meat entirely, lol.
*To see the trip that Lewis and I took to cherish Italy, please click this link:
A wonderful tapas bar named Il Bambino is nearby, with a flower garden in the back.
Please use this link to learn more about it:
Please use this link to learn more about it:
A little further east on 31st Ave, Tea Plus Cafe is the BEST place to go for amazing tea flavors, nitrogen ice cream, crepe layer cakes, French pastry (2 for 1 after 5pm), polite service, and a well-appointed candlelit garden.
Let's aim our feet northbound, beside the bike lane on 34th Street. We might see some mounted police.
You'll certainly appreciate Astoria's many hardy roses bushes and other blooms.
Arriving back on 30th Ave, I shall bypass Burger Club because I think it pales when compared to Bareburger. I will mention the Citifresh Supermarket, which is stupidly maze-like but has a nice selection of artisanal cheeses. Due to its proximity to several gyms, some of its customers have athletic physiques.
Lewis and I also enjoy the wonderful fruits and vegetables at the 24-hour United Brothers Fruit Market, a godsend for those of us who like seasonal fresh produce.
Their juice bar is scrumptious, as is the doe-eyed counter boy. I also recommend Ginger (not a boy, but another juice bar further down 30th Ave)...
The avenue "comes alive" at night, when its sidewalk seating gets illuminated and filled with diners, and its pavement is full of flâneurs.
Kurry Qulture brings upscale service and creative Indian cuisine.
The Shady Lady serves a splendid brunch (with hubbub all around you). Their oysters, fried pickles, tequila-lime chicken, carbonara mac 'n cheese, Pork Wellington, and "Freakin' Starvin' breakfast"--with fried chicken waffles--are all lovely.
Jujube Tree is a delightful vegan restaurant that cleverly plates its dishes to look/taste like the real thing. Their always-attentive service is divine.
Aside from perfect rugalach, savory pies, and scones, Leli's Bakery makes a perfectly authentic Black & White cookie! They also make the city's best Red Velvet and Carrot Cake (in our opinion).
Their "Russian cake": flavorful fruit preserves, spices, and glazed nuts.
William Hallet Restaurant (named after a founder of Astoria whose descendants still reside here) makes the only Turducken sandwich in the county.
Gossip Coffee makes artisanal doughnuts & rice pudding, in a swank setting.
Please use this link to learn more about it:
Their juice bar is scrumptious, as is the doe-eyed counter boy. I also recommend Ginger (not a boy, but another juice bar further down 30th Ave)...
The avenue "comes alive" at night, when its sidewalk seating gets illuminated and filled with diners, and its pavement is full of flâneurs.
Kurry Qulture brings upscale service and creative Indian cuisine.
The Shady Lady serves a splendid brunch (with hubbub all around you). Their oysters, fried pickles, tequila-lime chicken, carbonara mac 'n cheese, Pork Wellington, and "Freakin' Starvin' breakfast"--with fried chicken waffles--are all lovely.
Aside from perfect rugalach, savory pies, and scones, Leli's Bakery makes a perfectly authentic Black & White cookie! They also make the city's best Red Velvet and Carrot Cake (in our opinion).
William Hallet Restaurant (named after a founder of Astoria whose descendants still reside here) makes the only Turducken sandwich in the county.
Gossip Coffee makes artisanal doughnuts & rice pudding, in a swank setting.
Please use this link to learn more about it:
SugarFreak gives good ol' New Orleans and Creole flavors, with the BEST charbroiled oysters in the whole city!
Their Oysters Rockefeller are AMAZING. They get it right, each time! Their gooey mac 'n cheese comes in a skillet.
Their Oysters Rockefeller are AMAZING. They get it right, each time! Their gooey mac 'n cheese comes in a skillet.
Butcher Bar brings a triple-threat to the scene: a butcher shop, a restaurant, and the ability for them to cook (per your specs) whatever you buy at the butcher counter!
On Steinway Street is the "community clock".
Across the street is Queens Comfort, a Mom & Pop-style eatery that is crammed full of memorabilia. Drinks come in Mason jars. They serve up hearty meatloaf sandwiches and clever breakfast dishes.
*[It's too bad that the streetcars are gone from Astoria; it might make our cross-town journey easier].
Sometimes those streets are layered with a weekend Street Fair, with food vendors from Brooklyn, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Manhattan.
As the glorious sunsets shine over the low-rise skyline, prepare for a twilight of activity in a city (borough) that never sleeps.
In addition to bars and late-night diners, outdoor movies abound (weather permitting). Socrates and Astoria Parks have them. So does a generous gentleman, Frank, who lives on Newtown Road (a colonial-era trail; it's the only diagonal road that cuts across Astoria). Hence, the name "Newtown Road Outdoor Film Festival".
Frank opens his townhouse's backyard for an always-rotating mix of guests, each bringing their own food & non-alcohol drinks. Sometimes, he orders pizzas.
People who bring their own chairs can sit in the street (when the yard is full). The local police don't mind.
Lewis and I joined hundreds of local viewers to donate towards Frank's (that's him, below right) new digital video projector. It keeps the cozy tradition going.
Frank was thrilled (as was his cat, Pablo, seen below getting kissed from Frank's ex-boyfriend, Justin).
Such togetherness makes this neighborhood great! Thus, I hope these 3 Walking Tours gave you insight to Astoria and incentive to visit. I'd be happy to show you around.
To see Astoria's luxury apartments, go to:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2016/04/luxury-apartment-rental-buildings-and.html
On Steinway Street is the "community clock".
Across the street is Queens Comfort, a Mom & Pop-style eatery that is crammed full of memorabilia. Drinks come in Mason jars. They serve up hearty meatloaf sandwiches and clever breakfast dishes.
*[It's too bad that the streetcars are gone from Astoria; it might make our cross-town journey easier].
Sometimes those streets are layered with a weekend Street Fair, with food vendors from Brooklyn, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Manhattan.
As the glorious sunsets shine over the low-rise skyline, prepare for a twilight of activity in a city (borough) that never sleeps.
In addition to bars and late-night diners, outdoor movies abound (weather permitting). Socrates and Astoria Parks have them. So does a generous gentleman, Frank, who lives on Newtown Road (a colonial-era trail; it's the only diagonal road that cuts across Astoria). Hence, the name "Newtown Road Outdoor Film Festival".
Frank opens his townhouse's backyard for an always-rotating mix of guests, each bringing their own food & non-alcohol drinks. Sometimes, he orders pizzas.
People who bring their own chairs can sit in the street (when the yard is full). The local police don't mind.
Such togetherness makes this neighborhood great! Thus, I hope these 3 Walking Tours gave you insight to Astoria and incentive to visit. I'd be happy to show you around.
To see my final Walking Tour of Astoria, please go here:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2016/04/luxury-apartment-rental-buildings-and.html
