Sunny side up and woody side down, bounded along the bottom by the BQE, along the top by Skillman Avenue, then all that mess of Amtrak tracks, and then Broadway until it hits the BQE. Western boundary is 34th Street.
Full Version: Best Mouthfuls - Queens
Woodside Pubs and Food
Sripraphai of course.
Donovan's
My favorite burger and also a very decent pub.
5724 Roosevelt Ave (718) 429-9339
Kilmegan
60-19 Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 803-9206
Where I spotted my bartender drinking on her night off.
Walking into Kilmegans, you’ll be directed by a sign to the “restaurant” on the left or “bar” on the right.
Check out both sides, as you can drink on either. The restaurant side has lower ceilings and lots of hidden nooks and crannies, creating a cozier feel. The bar side, on the other hand has a more rambunctious feel, with a jukebox blaring and tons of folks downing pints. And yes, you just might spot your friendly neighborhood bartender drinking a Guinness that she didn’t have to pour.
La Flor
I always forget about this place but it's especially good for dessert after Sripraphi.
Sripraphai of course.
Donovan's
My favorite burger and also a very decent pub.
5724 Roosevelt Ave (718) 429-9339
Kilmegan
60-19 Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 803-9206
Where I spotted my bartender drinking on her night off.
Walking into Kilmegans, you’ll be directed by a sign to the “restaurant” on the left or “bar” on the right.
Check out both sides, as you can drink on either. The restaurant side has lower ceilings and lots of hidden nooks and crannies, creating a cozier feel. The bar side, on the other hand has a more rambunctious feel, with a jukebox blaring and tons of folks downing pints. And yes, you just might spot your friendly neighborhood bartender drinking a Guinness that she didn’t have to pour.
La Flor
I always forget about this place but it's especially good for dessert after Sripraphi.
Ramen- Yamakaze, Sunnyside
Korean BBQ- Shin Chon Kalbi, Sunnyside
Korean Tofu Stew- Natural Tofu, Sunnyside (much better than manhattan branch)
Filipino- Ihawan, Woodside
Filipino Pastries- Krystal's Cafe, Woodside
Korean BBQ- Shin Chon Kalbi, Sunnyside
Korean Tofu Stew- Natural Tofu, Sunnyside (much better than manhattan branch)
Filipino- Ihawan, Woodside
Filipino Pastries- Krystal's Cafe, Woodside
| QUOTE (banh cuon @ Aug 19 2005, 01:56 PM) |
| Korean Tofu Stew- Natural Tofu, Sunnyside (much better than manhattan branch) |
I always forget about this place but when I've gone I've liked it very much. I brought our galleygirl there once and she went ballistic with joy. Hot, spicy stews. There's a summer soup that I keep meaning to try, I think it is a cold soup with beef, noodles and sliced pears.
Sunnyside pubs have a funny habit of burning down. My favorite has managed to avoid this fate so far:
Tailors Hall at 46th and Queens Blvd.
Tailors Hall at 46th and Queens Blvd.
| QUOTE (Abbylovi @ Aug 19 2005, 01:59 PM) | ||
I always forget about this place but when I've gone I've liked it very much. I brought our galleygirl there once and she went ballistic with joy. Hot, spicy stews. There's a summer soup that I keep meaning to try, I think it is a cold soup with beef, noodles and sliced pears. |
Here's a better description of that soup. Courtesy of CH's Tom Meg:
One Cold Spice Noodle Soup. Sort of like cold pho, but with more of a vinegar bite to it. Very thin buckwheat noodles which the waitress cuts with scissors , julienned zucchini, very thin slices of beef, some very spicy pickled peppers, and a handful of sliced raw pear, that makes the dish so unique.
That soup sounds like naengmyun, korean chilled buckwheat noodles in beef broth. Usually restaurants serve small containers of korean hot mustard as white wine vinegar alongside this dish so that you can spice and sour it to your taste. It's a great summertime noodle dish; very refreshing. Dae Dong in manhattan's Koreatown makes a good version.
Irish groceries: Butcher's Block, 41st Street just north of the 7 line
Irish bakery: Shane's, 39-61 61st Street
Has anyone tried Romanian Garden on Skillman Avenue?
Irish bakery: Shane's, 39-61 61st Street
Has anyone tried Romanian Garden on Skillman Avenue?
| QUOTE (StephanieL @ Aug 21 2005, 02:39 PM) |
| Irish groceries: Butcher's Block, 41st Street just north of the 7 line |
Oh lookie, another place in Sunnyside that burned down. Fortunately they rebuilt elsewhere. Anway, they've also got pretty good meat. The bartender at Tailors Hall told me that their steam table items are quite good but I've never tried them.
Thai: Sripraphai
Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia
Turkish sitdown: Hemsin
Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab
Mexican Torta: Rincon Azteca
Italian: Sapori d'Ischia
Afghan: Speengar
Filipino: Ihawan or Renee's
Salvadoran: Izalco
Burgers: Donovan's
Hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot
Chilean: JC & Family
Cuban: El Sitio
Peruvian chicken: Peking Chicken
Peruvian sit-down: Fiesta Latina
Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba
Mexican tamales: under the 7 train 61st St station
Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia
Turkish sitdown: Hemsin
Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab
Mexican Torta: Rincon Azteca
Italian: Sapori d'Ischia
Afghan: Speengar
Filipino: Ihawan or Renee's
Salvadoran: Izalco
Burgers: Donovan's
Hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot
Chilean: JC & Family
Cuban: El Sitio
Peruvian chicken: Peking Chicken
Peruvian sit-down: Fiesta Latina
Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba
Mexican tamales: under the 7 train 61st St station
Bad news about JC Family - it's been sold to Ecuadorans so no more of those pork sandwiches. They still have the beef and avocado one thought.
| QUOTE (Abbylovi @ Aug 19 2005, 01:59 PM) | ||
I always forget about this place but when I've gone I've liked it very much. I brought our galleygirl there once and she went ballistic with joy. Hot, spicy stews. There's a summer soup that I keep meaning to try, I think it is a cold soup with beef, noodles and sliced pears. |
Went tonight--a much more convenient alternative to the tofu place in Ft. Lee. They have soft tofu bowls in 7 varieties (including beef intestine) and 4 spiciness levels. I had the combination--beef, shrimp, clam, mushroom, and scallion--which was very filling. The "spicy" level was pleasantly hot. Panchan were excellent. They also have Vietnamese rice noodles, pajun, bibimbab, and a few barbecued items, including whole squid. All tofu bowls are $7 and everything else is $15 or under.
Natural Tofu
40-06 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside (right under the 40th Street 7 stop)
718-706-0899
Glad to know this place is still good -- it's been a couple years since I ate there. As I remember it, only the tofu stew was good. I did however really like the vibe there.
Have we done best mouthfuls astoria yet and I missed it, or have we not done it yet?
Have we done best mouthfuls astoria yet and I missed it, or have we not done it yet?
We are way behind because I am so lazy. Thanks for the reminder.
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city). Best ramen: Yamakaze. Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi. Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's. Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia. Best Turkish: Hemsin. Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia. Best Afghan: Speengar. Best Salvadorean: Izalco. Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Ecuadorian management). Best Cuban: El Sitio. Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear). For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot. Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab. For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca. For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station. Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor. For Filipino pastries: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Tailor's Hall; Donovan's (good burger too); Kilmegan (jukebox on the bar side, nooks and crannies on the restaurant side).
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Anything else?
Well, is there? Any markets, for example? Wine stores?
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city). Best ramen: Yamakaze. Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi. Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's. Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia. Best Turkish: Hemsin. Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia. Best Afghan: Speengar. Best Salvadorean: Izalco. Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Ecuadorian management). Best Cuban: El Sitio. Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear). For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot. Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab. For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca. For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station. Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor. For Filipino pastries: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Tailor's Hall; Donovan's (good burger too); Kilmegan (jukebox on the bar side, nooks and crannies on the restaurant side).
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Anything else?
Well, is there? Any markets, for example? Wine stores?
| QUOTE (Wilfrid @ Oct 20 2005, 11:12 AM) |
| Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Ecuadorian management). stores? |
Not only that, but the Chilean sandwich that we all adored the most is no longer served.
Scrap it?
Hmm...not sure. Last time I was there (Abby and eatpie were there too), we did have the one remaining sandwich on the menu that I think is Chilean.
But it's not a Chilean place anymore, really.
flushboing will have to give us a definitive answer.
But it's not a Chilean place anymore, really.
flushboing will have to give us a definitive answer.
Oh the pressure. All I know is that JC Family still has the chacarero sandwich (the one with the beef and string beans and avocado). There's one cook back there that was around since El Guaton, so maybe he's the one cooking up the surviving Chilean stuff. Actually, I usually order their special dinners, which usually consists of some kind of stew with rice and beans (and a nasty salad). The stews are good and hearty and the beans are usually really good with a nice smoky aroma. And it's $5. JC Family seems to fill up with locals more than El Guaton did, and they all seem to be getting these dinners too.
To add to the shopping section, Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods.
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
I've never bought fresh meat at the Butcher Block, but Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
To add to the shopping section, Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods.
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
I've never bought fresh meat at the Butcher Block, but Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
| QUOTE (flushboing @ Oct 20 2005, 04:18 PM) |
| Oh the pressure. All I know is that JC Family still has the chacarero sandwich (the one with the beef and string beans and avocado). There's one cook back there that was around since El Guaton, so maybe he's the one cooking up the surviving Chilean stuff. |
But they didn't have that other sandwich anymore - the one with the pork. You know which one I mean?
That was the lomito completo, with saurkraut and roast pork and avocado. I know, it's a terrible loss.
Indeed. Boohoo. Sniffle.
I wonder what happened to the brothers who owned and ran the place - and their parents too, right?
I wonder what happened to the brothers who owned and ran the place - and their parents too, right?
Thanks for all the input, fleshboing. I will crank up another couple of threads any moment now.
fleshboing....that's a good one.
The NY Times has a recycle article of earlier reviews in the Woodside area:
The City
The City
QUOTE
DE MOLE
(718) 392-2161; 45-02 48th Avenue (45th Street); $; Article: 8/17/05.
This Mexican spot opened last summer as El Jarro Caf, run by Ramiro Mndez, who is the chef de cuisine at Chinos in Manhattan; his wife, Mireya; and his brother Antonio. The name was changed recently for legal reasons.
The menu emphasizes dishes with homemade tortillas and fresh corn tamales, both savory, with chilies and cheese, and sweet, with chocolate. Bring your own tequila for the margaritas.
LA FLOR BAKERY AND CAFE
(718) 426-8023; 53-02 Roosevelt Avenue (53rd Street); $; $25 and Under: 6/20/01.
In an ocean of franchise duplicates, La Flor stands out for its looks as well as its food. The chef, Viko Ortega, has assembled a menu that combines specialties from Mexico, where he grew up, with French and Italian dishes, like jumbo shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and served with a white wine reduction and fresh corn and chive butter sauce.
Mr. Ortega also created La Flors shard-art motif, displaying broken bits of cups, saucers and plates.
KRYSTALS CAFE
(718) 898-1900; 69-02 Roosevelt Avenue (69th Street); $; $25 and Under: 1/5/05.
This traditional Filipino restaurant offers dishes like chicken adobo: tender, primarily dark-meat chicken braised in garlic, bay, vinegar and soy. The sizzling sisig, minced raw onions and diced pork, is a relative of corned beef hash.
SAPORI DISCHIA
(718) 446-1500; 55-15 37th Avenue (55th Street); $$; $25 and Under: 10/04/00.
By day, Sapori dIschia is a bright and thriving Italian specialty market on an industrial block. But around 5 p.m., candles are lighted and a waiter takes over. The kitchen turns out fine individual brick oven pizzas with thin, crisp crusts.
The small menu has other excellent choices like fettuccine alAntonio, fresh pasta with cream, white truffles and prosciutto prepared at the table in a bowl carved out of a wheel of Parmesan.
SRIPRAPHAI ★★
(718) 899-9599; 64-13 39th Avenue (64th Street); $; Review: 11/4/04.
By almost every measure the top Thai restaurant in town, Sripraphai dutifully goes through the paces for a Thai restaurant in New York. You can have your pad thai and your curries, and you can rest assured that this restaurants executions of them will be very fine. But you can also make less conventional choices like pickled barbecued pork, which has a bracing tartness.
(718) 392-2161; 45-02 48th Avenue (45th Street); $; Article: 8/17/05.
This Mexican spot opened last summer as El Jarro Caf, run by Ramiro Mndez, who is the chef de cuisine at Chinos in Manhattan; his wife, Mireya; and his brother Antonio. The name was changed recently for legal reasons.
The menu emphasizes dishes with homemade tortillas and fresh corn tamales, both savory, with chilies and cheese, and sweet, with chocolate. Bring your own tequila for the margaritas.
LA FLOR BAKERY AND CAFE
(718) 426-8023; 53-02 Roosevelt Avenue (53rd Street); $; $25 and Under: 6/20/01.
In an ocean of franchise duplicates, La Flor stands out for its looks as well as its food. The chef, Viko Ortega, has assembled a menu that combines specialties from Mexico, where he grew up, with French and Italian dishes, like jumbo shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and served with a white wine reduction and fresh corn and chive butter sauce.
Mr. Ortega also created La Flors shard-art motif, displaying broken bits of cups, saucers and plates.
KRYSTALS CAFE
(718) 898-1900; 69-02 Roosevelt Avenue (69th Street); $; $25 and Under: 1/5/05.
This traditional Filipino restaurant offers dishes like chicken adobo: tender, primarily dark-meat chicken braised in garlic, bay, vinegar and soy. The sizzling sisig, minced raw onions and diced pork, is a relative of corned beef hash.
SAPORI DISCHIA
(718) 446-1500; 55-15 37th Avenue (55th Street); $$; $25 and Under: 10/04/00.
By day, Sapori dIschia is a bright and thriving Italian specialty market on an industrial block. But around 5 p.m., candles are lighted and a waiter takes over. The kitchen turns out fine individual brick oven pizzas with thin, crisp crusts.
The small menu has other excellent choices like fettuccine alAntonio, fresh pasta with cream, white truffles and prosciutto prepared at the table in a bowl carved out of a wheel of Parmesan.
SRIPRAPHAI ★★
(718) 899-9599; 64-13 39th Avenue (64th Street); $; Review: 11/4/04.
By almost every measure the top Thai restaurant in town, Sripraphai dutifully goes through the paces for a Thai restaurant in New York. You can have your pad thai and your curries, and you can rest assured that this restaurants executions of them will be very fine. But you can also make less conventional choices like pickled barbecued pork, which has a bracing tartness.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd must be Lowery's, I don't know wine, but the spirit selection there is very good.
As far as pubs go, I like Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside. I don't think I've ever been in Tailor's.
I've had the Kare Kare a couple of times at the Filipino place across Roosevelt from Renee's and Krystal's and enjoyed it, do the other Filipino palces mentioned do that better?
As far as pubs go, I like Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside. I don't think I've ever been in Tailor's.
I've had the Kare Kare a couple of times at the Filipino place across Roosevelt from Renee's and Krystal's and enjoyed it, do the other Filipino palces mentioned do that better?
Is Saints and Sinners the big, fairly smart Irish pub on a corner not far from Donovan's?
Yep.
Questions:
--I've heard very bad things about Sapori d'Ischia. Do you really like it flush?
--I believe that JC & Family is now completely Brazillian. True?
--I had one cubano at El Sitio and it didn't rock my world. Was it an off day? Should I have ordered something else?
RIP, Kilmegan.
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Turkish: Hemsin.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Afghan: Speengar.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Ecuadorian management).
Best Cuban: El Sitio.
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Tailor's Hall; Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in SunnysideKilmegan (jukebox on the bar side, nooks and crannies on the restaurant side).
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
--I've heard very bad things about Sapori d'Ischia. Do you really like it flush?
--I believe that JC & Family is now completely Brazillian. True?
--I had one cubano at El Sitio and it didn't rock my world. Was it an off day? Should I have ordered something else?
RIP, Kilmegan.
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Turkish: Hemsin.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Afghan: Speengar.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Ecuadorian management).
Best Cuban: El Sitio.
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Tailor's Hall; Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
I have to say, I've gotten desserts to go from La Flor on a couple of occasions and haven't been all that impressed. Are there are must-haves and must-avoids?
I *always* get the molten chocolate cake.
QUOTE(Abbylovi @ Dec 13 2006, 06:11 PM) 
Questions:
--I've heard very bad things about Sapori d'Ischia. Do you really like it flush?
--I believe that JC & Family is now completely Brazillian. True?
--I had one cubano at El Sitio and it didn't rock my world. Was it an off day? Should I have ordered something else?
--I like Sapori quite a bit. The appetizers might be better than the entrees. But for something really heavy, I like their pasta that they mix in the parmesan wheel. It's a bit overwhelmed with truffle oil (not the best quality either), but it's a good dish and probably about half of what you would pay in Manhattan, and twice as large. The pizzas are also quite good. I do like the robiola/truffle oil pie (but make sure you get that as an appetizer for a table--not something for one person to eat as an entree). It's best to approach Sapori as a solid neighborhood place. Don't expect to be blown away.
--JC & Family is almost completely brazilian, but I understand they still make the chacarero sandwiches. I haven't been by there since the change of format.
--The cubanos at El Sitio are pretty solid. It's the standard variety as far as I know, not the mega Dominican version. At $3.50 I can't complain.
I think what I'm remembering about Sapori is the big no tap water offered drama.
I'm in abby's camp about the cubano at el sitio. Not bad, but it didn't rock my world either.
Hardly 10 posts and my recommendation goes into the best mouthfuls without so much as being seconded. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I'm afraid that Tailor's Hall might have to come off the list or at least get a yellow flashing light. I went over the weekend and they were playing really loud, terrible music.
my 2 cents:
El Sitio is just ok, better to be had in Manhattan and (reportedly, I don't know by personal experience) elsewhere in Queens.
JC and Family still has most all the sandwiches of yore and near as good as ever. As for the Brazilian, I've had only the buffet steam table which is cheap and filling but nothing to trek for.
The tamale stand under the 7 train 61st Street station has gotten so popular that the last 3 times I've tried they have been out or near out of everything before noon. Lament Lament.
Has anyone been to Speengar on 69th in the last year? They were so bad I stopped going years ago.
El Sitio is just ok, better to be had in Manhattan and (reportedly, I don't know by personal experience) elsewhere in Queens.
JC and Family still has most all the sandwiches of yore and near as good as ever. As for the Brazilian, I've had only the buffet steam table which is cheap and filling but nothing to trek for.
The tamale stand under the 7 train 61st Street station has gotten so popular that the last 3 times I've tried they have been out or near out of everything before noon. Lament Lament.
Has anyone been to Speengar on 69th in the last year? They were so bad I stopped going years ago.
Glad to hear that JC & Family is still turning out those sandwiches.
I've never tried those tamales. Will have to change that.
Never been to Speengar, don't even know what it is.
I've never tried those tamales. Will have to change that.
Never been to Speengar, don't even know what it is.
Updated for 2007
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Turkish: Hemsin.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Afghan: Speengar.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Brazilian management).
Best Cuban: El Sitio. (Some agree on this, some don't.)
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor, especially the molten chocolate cake.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside.
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Turkish: Hemsin.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Afghan: Speengar.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Brazilian management).
Best Cuban: El Sitio. (Some agree on this, some don't.)
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor, especially the molten chocolate cake.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside.
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
QUOTE(Abbylovi @ Feb 26 2007, 02:41 PM)
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Arguably the best of its type in the city. I would rather have a meal there than Babbo, Felidia, A Voce, L'Impero or Del Posto (but why would anyone want to eat in DP anyway?).
It just has a special feel to it - especially on opera night (Thursday).
Updates for 2008?
I'm adding Donovan's for the best burger.
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Turkish: Hemsin.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Chilean: JC & Family (caution: it now has Brazilian management).
Best Cuban: El Sitio. (Some agree on this, some don't.)
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor, especially the molten chocolate cake.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside.
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
Last call...
JC & Family is no more. It's a new place called La Chonta. I'm not sure if anyone remains from the old Chilean operation, but I think I recognize the cook from then. I haven't given it a try, so no comment on the food.
Hemsin is also no more. It's now a seafood place, still Turkish, I'm led to believe. Haven't been there either.
I'll add: Best Pizza. Peppino's at 61st/Roosevelt. The grandma slice is really one of the best things in the neighborhood. I don't think I've had a better slice of the kind, anywhere.
Hemsin is also no more. It's now a seafood place, still Turkish, I'm led to believe. Haven't been there either.
I'll add: Best Pizza. Peppino's at 61st/Roosevelt. The grandma slice is really one of the best things in the neighborhood. I don't think I've had a better slice of the kind, anywhere.
Thanks flush.
Sorry to hear about JC, though I don't know the last time I'd been there. Thassa big pizza claim. You throw that down on CH and you'll be banned for life!
We need help in Flushing, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst too if you get a chance to look at those threads. Let me know if you need help finding them.
Sorry to hear about JC, though I don't know the last time I'd been there. Thassa big pizza claim. You throw that down on CH and you'll be banned for life!
We need help in Flushing, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst too if you get a chance to look at those threads. Let me know if you need help finding them.
I let them be on CH with all the DiFara chatter. I've had the square slices at DiFara recently, and frankly, I'm happy going down the street and having a grandma slice at Peppino's. They're at the same level, as far as I'm concerned.
QUOTE(flushboing @ Mar 6 2008, 04:27 PM)
I let them be on CH with all the DiFara chatter. I've had the square slices at DiFara recently, and frankly, I'm happy going down the street and having a grandma slice at Peppino's. They're at the same level, as far as I'm concerned.
It's okay... you know enough other stuff that I wont bother you here (even though you're wrong)
Funniest Experience -- Sunnyside
I was taken to Romanian Garden on Skillman Ave. by a Romanian women who is much younger and more attractive than me.
As we left after dinner to get into the livery car that would take us to Milk & Honey for post-prandial booth occupancy (my contribution to the evening), we passed three old guys (I think the Romanian term is "alter cockers") sitting on folding chairs near the curb. They yelled out something to my date in Romanian.
"What did they say?," I asked her after we'd climbed into our car.
"Be sure to be nice to him," she said.
I'll never have any idea how close that translation was.
The food was not worth mentioning.
I was taken to Romanian Garden on Skillman Ave. by a Romanian women who is much younger and more attractive than me.
As we left after dinner to get into the livery car that would take us to Milk & Honey for post-prandial booth occupancy (my contribution to the evening), we passed three old guys (I think the Romanian term is "alter cockers") sitting on folding chairs near the curb. They yelled out something to my date in Romanian.
"What did they say?," I asked her after we'd climbed into our car.
"Be sure to be nice to him," she said.
I'll never have any idea how close that translation was.
The food was not worth mentioning.
Update for 2008
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Cuban: El Sitio. (Some agree on this, some don't.)
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Best Pizza. Peppino's at 61st/Roosevelt. The grandma slice is really one of the best things in the neighborhood. I don't think I've had a better slice of the kind, anywhere.
Best Burger: Donovan's
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor, especially the molten chocolate cake.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside.
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
Sitting down mouthfuls
Best Thai: Sripraphai (maybe best in city).
Best South Asian: Spicy Mina.
Best ramen: Yamakaze.
Best Korean BBQ: Shin Chon Kalbi.
Best Filipino: Ihawan (don't miss the huge pork knuckles); or Renee's.
Best Ecuadorian: Braulio & Familia.
Best Italian: Sapori d'Ischia.
Best Salvadorean: Izalco.
Best Cuban: El Sitio. (Some agree on this, some don't.)
Best Peruvian: Fiesta Latina.
For Korean tofu stew: Natural Tofu (also the One Cold Spice Noodle Soup - buckwheat noodles, beef, peppers, pear).
For Peruvian chicken: Peking chicken.
Best Pizza. Peppino's at 61st/Roosevelt. The grandma slice is really one of the best things in the neighborhood. I don't think I've had a better slice of the kind, anywhere.
Best Burger: Donovan's
Standing up mouthfuls
Best hot dogs: Rocco's stand at Home Depot.
Best Turkish fast food: Mangal Kabab.
For Mexican torta: Rincon Azteca.
For Mexican tamales: the stand under the 7 train 61st Street station.
Best Colombian empanadas: Casa de Pollo or Seba Seba.
Sweet mouthfuls
For dessert after Sripraphai: La Flor, especially the molten chocolate cake.
For Filipino pastries and the BEST flan: Krystal's Cafe.
Thirsty mouthfuls
Best pubs: Donovan's (good burger too); Saints and Sinners in Woodside and The Gaslight in Sunnyside.
Shopping mouthfuls
For meat and Irish groceries: Butcher's Block.
Phil-Am market on Roosevelt and 70th is a good spot for your typical Filipino goods
There are two Korean markets in the designated geography: Han Au Reum on Woodside/60th, and Hanyang Mart on Roosevelt/51st. Both are little sattelites of larger shops in Flushing/Bayside. Chonghap market in Jackson Heights is just outside the designated geography and is a slightly better choice for Korean goods.
For Italian goods, Sapori d'Ischia does double as a small market during the daytime hours.
Otomanelli's on Woodside/61st is also a good butcher shop.
The wine/spirit shop on Queens Blvd near 41st (south side) is probably the best wine shop in the area.
The middle eastern market on 43rd Ave in the mid 40s is also pretty good for middle eastern goods.
Anything else?
I just went on a food walking tour of the #7 line, and I can recommend another Sweet mouthfuls: Alpha Donuts on Queens Boulevard between 45th and 46th. Old-school donut shop, with counter service. Apparently, they do full Irish breakfasts. The donuts aren't quite as good as the ones from Peter Pan, but the marble cruller I had was huge and tasty, with a nice glaze.
The tamales at the tamale cart really are good.
The tamales at the tamale cart really are good.
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