Good Eats
Momo Crave is great if you are…well…craving Nepalese dumplings, known as “momos.” This cozy-chic Woodside café offers a wide range of dishes. Of course, they serve traditional Himalayan cuisine, such as steamed momos stuffed with your choice of meat or vegetables, but they also specialize in fusion. The menu include such items as Taco Momo, which is fried and topped with avocado, black bean paste, and salsa, and Tandoori Momo, which incorporates elements of Tandoori Masala. Try Momo Crave once, and you’ll surely return until you try everything on the menu.
Wander Streets
Stretching from Kew Gardens to Rego Park, Austin Street is a vibrant, bustling corridor with plenty of boutiques, restaurants, and international franchises. Whether you’re looking to shop or just take a stroll, Austin Street is the place to be. Just blocks away is Forest Hills Gardens, a true hidden gem. It’s one of the first neighborhoods in the United States to follow English urban planner Sir Ebenezer Howard’s garden city layout. The enclave uniquely combines Tudor architecture and greenery, and you truly won’t believe you’re just 15 minutes away from Manhattan on the subway. Be sure to check out Station Square, a newly restored, brick-paved plaza that once served as the landmark district’s centerpiece.
Historic Feats
Spring is arguably the best time to visit the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House in Ridgewood. This historic landmark is the oldest Dutch Colonial in all of New York, dating back to as early as 1661. With the help of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, the Onderdonk House was saved from demolition in 1975. Now the property serves as a museum, where visitors enjoy indoor exhibits, outdoor activities, and walks around the garden. Be on the lookout for upcoming cultural events and candlelight tours.
Unique Treats
A Kew Gardens staple for more than 40 years, The Potter’s Wheel teaches ceramics to all skill levels and ages. The 83rd Avenue venue offers a variety of classes for either handbuilding or working with a wheel. One of my favorite aspects is the variety of glazes and underglazes they offer. The selection is large, and you’ll definitely be blown away once your piece gets fired after glazing. The instructors are very kind and patient, and you’ll soon realize you’re surrounded by a close-knit community of inspiring artists. The owner, Grace, is very knowledgeable and offers many great suggestions to make a perfect piece. If you aren’t interested in making ceramics but you’d like to purchase one, check out the selection of pieces.
Nalisha Samlall is an undergraduate student at Baruch College majoring in Public Affairs with a double minor in Journalism and History. The Richmond Hill resident is currently interning at QEDC, focusing on community revitalization in her home neighborhood. In her free time, she enjoys biking around Queens, mushroom foraging, and practicing ceramics.
Top image: Momo Crave; middle image: The Potter’s Wheel; bottom image: Nalisha Samlall