#MonthlyPicks |August ’16 by Leslie Ramos
BY Michael Gillen
Good Eats:
Jackson Heights is home to NYC’s largest South American and South Asian communities. This gives me the luxury to experience a variety of world cuisines at any time! Delicias Colombianas is my daily go-to- place for coffee and Colombian bread. My favorites are the ones filled with guava and fresh cheese. In this small, family-owned shop, customers are always greeted with warm smiles and affection. The typical “how can I help you, mi amor?” makes me feel at home. (I’m Puerto Rican.)
For traditional Ecuadorian food, I usually go to El Pequeño Coffee Shop, where the assortment of seafood is plenty and the lunch special is unbeatable. Their fried trucha (trout) is made to perfection: tender inside and crispy outside. For the lunch special, their Sopa de Mariscos (seafood soup) is a must try.
When I’m in the mood for Caribbean food, I head to Boca Chica Grill. Their tostones (fried green plantains) are one of the best in the neighborhood, and their chicken is well-seasoned and always fresh.
Historic Feats:
Jackson Heights was the first garden city community built in the United States. In 1993, about half of the neighborhood, especially most of the area between 76th to 88th streets, and Northern Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue, was designated a New York City Historic District by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. A larger portion of the neighborhood was designated a National Register Historic District in 1999. Most buildings within this area were built between 1910 and the 1950s. They were rendered in historically-based styles, ranging from Georgian, Tudor, Gothic, Italian Renaissance, and Spanish Romanesque to Art Deco, Moderne, and International Style.
The Landmarked district includes the 82nd Street commercial corridor, which I have the honor to represent. The street is distinguished by its picturesque neo-Tudor style commercial buildings that date back to the period between the two World Wars. Its buildings were constructed to complement and integrate with the residential buildings. In the lobby of our building at 37-06 82nd Street, the community can find a collection of historical pictures showing the vibrancy of this commercial district through time.
Wander Streets:
The world famous 74th Street is the area’s main South Asian commercial district. I love walking around and seeing the colorful stores displaying saris, beautiful gold jewelry for use in wedding ceremonies, Bollywood DVDs, and religious goods. On this street, you can also find restaurants serving food from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
Unique Treats:
Casa Rivera is full of unique treats, ranging from Dulce de Leche cups to specialty ice creams made with fruits from the Andes. This is also one of the few places in the city where I can find Guanabana (soursop) pulp. Guanabana is a heart-shaped, fragrant fruit from the tropics. Its taste can be described as a blend of banana and pineapple or coconut. Although the fruit is mostly sweet, it has a slightly sour citrus undertone that contracts its creamy texture. It’s perfect in shakes, fruit popsicles, or a cooling drink.
Leslie Ramos is the Executive Director of the 82nd Street Partnership, an award winning business improvement district devoted to improve quality of life and support business growth by creating a cleaner, more welcoming and sustainable neighborhood. The organization accomplishes this through a range of local economic development programs, including neighborhood marketing, placemaking, streetscape beautification, supplemental sanitation, and advocacy.
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