#MonthlyPicks | March’17 by Soleil Griffin
BY QEDC It's In Queens
This month’s picks are by Soleil Griffin.
Good Eats:
I’m from Queens Village, and my parents are West Indian. So when I’m in the mood for some Caribbean cuisine, I head to The Smokehouse at 189-33 Linden Blvd. in St. Albans. It’s famous for jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk salmon, and general Jamaican fare. I usually order rice, peas, cabbage, and oxtail.
If you’re looking for something filling coupled with excellent customer service, Van Dam Diner at 45-55 Van Dam St. in Long Island City is the place to go. Since it was across the street from my school, LaGuardia Community College, I knew that I should give it a try. The first thing that caught my attention was the chicken parmesan special on the bulletin board. It was not only well-seasoned, but they gave a large portion so I was able to take some home. When I had a problem with one of the dishes they served, the waitress immediately allowed me to pick something else from the menu. The manager even let me sample one of the dishes before I decided to order it.
Unique Treats:
Martha’s Country Bakery is the best place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Although the lines might be long, the desserts are definitely worth the wait. Plus, there’s an espresso bar, and the ambience is calming and inviting. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, you’ll definitely enjoy the chocolate mousse cake. The creaminess will undeniably satisfy your craving. The bakery also offers “unique treats” like blue velvet stracciatella and white chocolate raspberry cheese cake with raspberry sorbet. Stores are in Astoria (36-21 Ditmars Blvd.), Bayside (41-06 Bell Blvd.), Forest Hills (70-28 Austin St.), and two spots in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg.
Historic Feats:
Flushing High School, which was founded in 1875, is known for its Neo-Gothic architect with turrets and gargoyles. It was also the first public high school established in New York City. In 1991, the main building received landmark status from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Not far away is the borough’s oldest domicile, Bowne House at 37-01 Bowne St. English immigrant John Bowne (1657–1695) left Boston for unknown reasons and moved to small, English-speaking Flushing in 1661, when NYC was under Dutch control and called “New Netherlands.” He became a pioneer in the fights for religious liberty and abolitionism. He openly defied the ban on practicing religions other than Dutch Reformed and allowed Quakers to hold services in his home, which he had purchased for about $14. His residence was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. Nine generations of Bownes lived in the wooden-frame English Colonial saltbox until 1945, when they donated the property to the Bowne Historical Society. With a pitched roof and three dormers, the museum combines common architectural features from English and Dutch styles. It displays roughly 5,000 objects (furniture, clothes, textiles) that the family acquired over more than three centuries. There is also a collection of rare books and correspondence that offers insight into the civil and political activities that surrounded the family. It’s open year round.
Wander Streets:
Queens Boulevard is known for its busy streets and diversity. I like to spend time at Queens Center at 90-15 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst. It’s located where an amusement park used to operate. Queens Center gets 27 million visitors a year. Per capita, the Macy’s is the highest grossing Macy’s in the world. It’s a truly urban shopping center that is easily accessible by subway and bus. Plus, it has a huge parking lot. More than 70 stores operate there, including Bath and Body Works, Gap, and Macy’s as well as restaurants such as Applebee’s, Cheesecake Factory, and Shake Shack.
About Soleil Griffin
Lifelong Queens Village resident Soleil Griffin graduated from Flushing High School in 2015. She is currently studying business administration at LaGuardia Community College, where she represents the academic institute at networking and fundraising events as an ambassador with the President’s Society. She is also the team leader for the Alpha Theta Phi chapter of the National Honors Society .