Laura Altimari works in public relations and marketing through her company Fine Tastes LLC. She also partners with KMc Hospitality in the food-and-beverage commercial real estate leasing-and-sales division. The ever-active Richmond Hill High School graduate, who holds degrees from Nassau Community College and The International Culinary Center (f/k/a The French Culinary Institute), specializes in the Food & Beverage, Lifestyle, and Entertainment worlds. Here’s what she loves about Queens.
Great Eats
There are countless top-shelf restaurants in the borough, but I’m a hopeless Francophile. Plus, I attended The French Culinary Institute where I was trained in classic French technique and studied global food trends. So, I highly recommend Tournesol and Cafe Henri in Long Island City and Bistro Eloise in East Elmhurst. Enter any of these establishments, and you’ll feel like you are stepping into Paris or a quaint city in France. The service is always great, just like the food, the presentation, and the atmosphere. That’s why all three have been around for so long.
And let me add La Boulangerie de Francois in Forest Hills. The baked goods here bring the essence of French pastry and breads, as well as Christophe Toury, a master chocolatier we are so lucky to have in Flushing’s Renaissance Hotel at Tangram.
Wander Streets
I always enjoy Fort Totten and Little Bay Park. You have views of the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Bronx, and Fort Totten, which always amazes. Plus, you can sit by the water and watch people fishing and clamming. There’s also an amazing sunset to be viewed just at the foot of the bridge.
Historic Feats
Every time I go to the US Open, I take in the view of Flushing Meadows Corona Park from the walkway. History – including World’s Fairs, major concerts, and unforgettable sports moments – have all happened there, and the Manhattan Skyline is visible, too. But the walk also makes me think about the future, thanks to the new construction in Flushing, the Queens Night Market, and the constant use of the park by immigrant generations.
More Top Queens Treats
As everybody knows, living in Queens is kind of like taking a trip around the world. But it’s even more diverse than people realize. Each neighborhood offers many different, authentic experiences. Where else can you eat worldly cuisines in one borough? I absolutely love Telly’s Taverna, because you cannot get fresher seafood and grilled meats or more scrumptious lemon potatoes and loukoumades served with the kindest service anywhere else. When I want to spice things up, I hit the Chinelos Tacos truck or Corona Plaza Market as you cannot get more authentic tacos, tamales, chalupas or chilaquiles. A brick and mortar favorite has to be Tacuba Cantina Mexicana in Astoria, I experienced my first Pisco Sour, Jalea, and Elote here.
Probably the best kept empanada secret in Northeastern Queens is Mimi’s Empanadas, making the tastiest savory and sweet little treats I’ve ever gotten my hands on! Although Flushing is best known for Asian cuisines, I show up for Afghan goodness at Kabul Kabab with the non-fussy skewers of meats and grilled veggies right on Main Street. Who knew?!
Queens is still a pizza-centric borough, serving up the classic new york slice, crusty and charred neapolitan, thick roman and sicilian, savory greek, and the list goes on… I’m a classic slice fan, love a semolina crust whenever you can find it, but I’ll always trek to Howard Beach for the saucy, cheesy and crunchy-crusted slice at New Park Pizza with a close Neapolitan second at the new Terrone in LIC. And I cannot mention the LIC/Astoria neighborhoods without a nod to Dutch Kills Bar for an alluring and potent speakeasy cocktail and The Greats of Craft, where there’s a fresh beer supply and a cool, breezy rooftop. Queens certainly has its share of operating breweries, you can find them all Here. My go-to coffee fix has to be Under Pressure Coffee, which will open a Mediterranean specialty food shoppe, Athena, soon. Stay tuned!
When I travel down Crossbay Boulevard through Ozone Park and Howard Beach, it’s hard not to continue on to the Rockaways, home to the Rockaway Bazaar vendors beginning at Beach 97th Street. This is where the summer fun is (former B116-er here)! I love the Lobster Rolls from Red Hook Lobster Pound, the unexpected borough favorite Thai Rock, and the slew of beachfront haunts running across the boardwalk with delish burgers, fries, affogato, and slushies. Plan a Rockaway day trip here.
Have a delicious Summer here in Queens!
IG: @tastefulgirlnyc