As an account executive at Anat Gerstein, a communications firm that solely works with nonprofits, Sandra Tharas gets the message out about amazing organizations that make New York City a better place. The Germany native spends her summers in Rockaway Beach and the rest of the year in Forest Hills. In her free time, she pursues her biggest passion: surfing. Here are some things she loves about the world’s most diverse (and delicious) borough.
Great Eats
I love to travel and try different cuisines, and that’s what makes Queens so special. You can eat your way around the world without having to get on a plane. A friend introduced me to to Abuqir Seafood in Astoria years before The New York Times featured it in its Top 100 Restaurants. The fish and seafood are amazing, and the side dishes take you straight to Egypt.
I enjoy putting a juicy picanha (top sirloin) from Astoria’s Rio Market on our barbecue and eating it with some Brazilian cheese bread and a nice bottle from The Wine Room of Forest Hills, where owners Toni and Donovan Sinclair always have superb recommendations for any occasion.
Every Thursday, I pick up dinner from Sushi Time in Forest Hills. The sushi is always super fresh, and the owner, Jenna, is the nicest person I know. In the same neighborhood, the brunch at Dirty Pierre’s is my favorite, especially on a rainy day. I always get mussels and sangria, while my husband loves their burgers. And to satisfy my sweet tooth, I treat myself to some delicious artisanal chocolates from Aigner on Metropolitan Avenue.
Wander Streets
My favorite place for a stroll is the Rockaway Beach boardwalk — and not only in summer. The peninsula is amazing year-round. What I like even better than walking the beach is surfing the waves. People are always surprised when they hear that you can surf within the city limits. Did you know that Queens boasts the only official surf beach in New York City? I took my first lessons with Skudin Surf almost 10 years ago and am so glad I found this incredible surfer community. I spent my last three summers by the beach and got to surf before work and sometimes even in between client meetings or story writing. I highly recommend reading Diane Cardwell’s Rockaway for a glimpse into this world. If you want to ride waves, you can rent surfboards and book lessons through Phase Surf or some of the other folks in Rockaway.
Fall is awesome when hurricane swells hit, and even if you don’t surf, it’s fun to watch the pros rip. Winter at the beach is magical — snow and surfing are such a unique combination. Just dress accordingly as the water gets very cold!
Historic Feats
I love music. I am lucky that my work often brings me to Flushing Town Hall. The historic landmark from 1862 is a true hidden gem. The nonprofit pioneered the Global Mashup concerts where two bands from different ethnic backgrounds and countries perform together on one stage and “mash up” their different music styles. This is unique and feels perfect for the World’s Borough. They also offer superb jazz programming and fabulous monthly Jazz Jam sessions that are open and free to anyone who wants to play. True to its mission to provide global arts for global people, Flushing Town Hall celebrates several cultural festivals, from Diwali and Holi to Lunar New Year. All are family-friendly and offer great activities from cooking to dancing for all ages.
I also love Forest Hills Stadium. The historic venue that once hosted the U.S. Open is within walking distance from my house, and there’s no better way to spend an evening than listening to a concert — inside or outside the stadium. My first concert there was The Who!
Unique Treats
After a long session in Rockaway, I like to recharge with some delicious post-surf treats. I love the guava-cream cheese pastry at Rockaway Beach Bakery. It’s super flaky and the perfect combination of fruity and creamy. The owner, Tracy Obolsky, also bakes a mean Everything Ham & Cheese Croissant for a hearty pick-me-up. The perfect cool-me-down treat on a hot day comes from Coastal Market RBNY. The homemade Toasted Coconut ice cream is so good, and the Passion Guava frozen yogurt is super refreshing!
During summer, the Rockaway Bazaar concessions at 97th Street offer even more food options. I often catch some waves with one of SeanNY’s pizza bakers before he goes on to make yummy pizza, and I think of the next story for my clients. Often, the best ideas come to me while sitting in the water waiting for the next wave.
In the evenings, my husband and I like to enjoy a cold beer and hog wings at Tap That. They have a great selection of local and international tap beers that you pour yourself. My favorite summer beer is Mango Cart.
