#WeeklyColumn | February ’15 by Sebastian Rodriguez
BY Daily News Digital Solutions
Good Eats:
Definitely a tough one since there are so many great places in Queens. For starters, one of my favorite brunch spots is Austin Public (formerly known as The Flying Pig) in Forest Hills. I always manage to jump start my Sundays with an order of Steak and Eggs and one of the many incredible draft beers. For Italian, I recommend VITE Vinosteria in Astoria. It’s a small place so service can be slow, but the Tortelloni is definitely worth the wait! Plus, free wine seems to reduce the delayJ. If you’re looking for a great dinner date place, go to Blend on the Water in LIC. Delicious Latin fusion cuisine topped with beautiful view of Manhattan from your table. For dessert, LuLu’s Bakery in Fresh Meadows is the spot. Pretty sure my parents have been going there to buy boxes of cannolis ever since I was born!
Wander Streets:
Forest Hills and Forest Hills Gardens for sure. Walk from Austin Street past the Station House bar next to the Long Island Rail Road, and the neighborhood changes from busy shopping center to quiet European suburbia. I recommend trekking all the way to Metropolitan Avenue. The architecture and greenery are wonderful, and once you’re there, reward yourself atEddie’s Sweet Shop. Another favorite is the LIC piers. I walk around there taking pictures and admiring how much the area has changed since I was a kid. I remember when the piers were being built and the city named the area “Queens West,” which I thought was a play on “Key West.” If you’re in the neighborhood on a Saturday, wander over to LIC Flea to enjoy local and artisan food vendors. Maple Bacon Popcorn from Alobar ranks #1 for me!
Unique Treats:
I’ve found that Queens has a pleasantly diverse nightlife scene. The Mad Donkey in Astoria is a great dive bar where you can throw your peanut shells on the floor while slowly watching the world spin with one of their famous fishbowls. Karaoke bars in Flushing offer a one-of-a-kind experience that everyone should try at least once. For example, Place@Main is a great venue where you can try the famous Hennessy and Green Tea combo while playing a dice game from a friendly local or bartender (just remember win or lose, you walk out a winner in the end). And if you’re in the mood to catch up on all the films nominated for an Oscar this year, check out Kew Gardens Cinema, which is the Queens version of the Film Society at Lincoln Center.
Historic Feats:
The RKO Keith’s Theatre on Northern Boulevard in Flushing continues to fascinate me. Opened in 1928, it weathered wars and recessions, eventually expanding into a multiplex in the 1970s. Unfortunately, the theatre was shut down and sold in 1986 and its future is still unsure. My mother has told me stories about the theatre, the architecture, the service, and how amazing it was to see Purple Rain there with my father all those years ago.
Flushing native Sebastian Rodriguez hopes to move to Astoria this year and continue exploring its culinary scene. A product of the local educational system, he went to P.S. 219, Francis Lewis High School, and St. John’s University. Sebastian works in digital advertising sales and tweets about travel via@ShoT_Tr3s.
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