All posts related to Queens on Guest of a Guest for Queens.
So everyone knows about Flushing, Queens, aka little Asia (well at least in my mind). If you think Chinatown is like stepping into a foreign country, you haven’t been to Flushing yet. If the traffic, loud chatter in foreign tongues and colorful signs with unrecognizable characters didn’t clue you in as soon as you stepped off the 7 train at Main Street, I don’t know what will.
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With rising rents all across the city, it’s surely not news that the outer boroughs have experienced a surge in construction and an influx of inhabitants. It’s a common phenomena, one that is only increasing as the economy wavers. Take Astoria for instance, once home to a large population of Greeks and Italians, which is seeing a strong trickle of youth. But, I’m not here to discuss demographics, rather the housing itself.
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Just a couple of months ago, China Pagoda moved into my neighborhood. No pork in a Chinese restaurant/take-out joint? An anomaly? Being Chinese myself, I know that though some things claim to be vegetarian, there is always pork essence (at least in my household). Pork is so much more than meat. Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding and their sentiments on lamb.
Apparently, China Pagoda proves that pork or not, the same flavor can be reproduced sans pork and with halal meat. More »
[Photo via NYMag]
Before the weekend began its rapid descent into Monday, I made it over to the Astoria Bohemian Hall beer garden for some outdoor futbol action on the big screen. This Sunday was the quarterfinals and, while the beer garden’s owned by Czechs, there were plenty of Italians and Spaniards on hand to celebrate one lucky team’s victory in the Eurocup game. Every surface was covered with plates of bratwurst, plenty of Hoegaarden, and enough kraut to choke a horse- all of which was to be expected.
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[Image via arttattler.com]
P.F.1 (Public Farm One) will be unveiled today in entrance courtyard of P.S. 1. Okay, so if none of that makes sense to you, let’s put it in a way you understand so you can sound knowledgeable around your artistic friends:
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Toss that old popcorn aside and have some real food while you watch the silver screen. Beginning Saturday, June 14th, it’s the 2nd Annual NYC Food Film Festival, held at the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Here you have the entire food lover’s experience: it’s like watching the Food Network then actually sampling the food the chefs create (simultaneously you’ll be getting some great views of NYC). The first film on the docket is Ben Daniel’s This is My Cheesesteak (yum!).
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Yesterday, all I ate was sandwiches…You may think that sounds repetitive, a bit lackluster for the palate, but the sandwiches I ate were as different as night and day. Lunch on the job was a hurried, pre-made, cold little thing at CafeMetro, clocking in at over $7. Don’t get me wrong, I admire CafeMetro and the other “deli/luncheonette” type joints, catering to the suit-wearing, blackberry-carrying slew of midtown robots. Though, my sandwich was tasty equipped with the tiniest morsel of avocado (how I love them so!) and turkey (can I even call it turkey? it was more like turkey essence) it lacked the love of a human touch and at that price I feel like I should be full…Which brings me to dinner:
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[Image via Bridge and Tunnel Club]
Sugar, spice and everything nice. Taste Good will be serving up its hot and savory cuisine for a sweet cause Wednesday, May 28th. Hands down one of my favorite Queens chow joints will be holding a fundraiser for the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake. The proceeds from all meals, whether they be in-house dining or take-out will be donated 100% to those in need overseas. The Thongs, the lovely little couple who both own and run the restaurant have held similar fundraisers for other causes including the World Trade Center victims.
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While some were living the high life in the Hamptons, many others were enjoying their New York City sans the socialites. Brooklyn Bridge Park hosted a non-stop birthday extravaganza in honor of the structure from which the green space earned its name. There were movies, lectures, d.j.’s—and, of course, my favorite—an 18 mile bike ride. The not-so-latent hippie in me has trouble maintaining a steely New York exterior in the face of a peaceful gathering consisting of 2,000 New Yorkers who decided that, on their Sunday off, it would be best spent aboard a two-wheeler taking in the finer points of the (cough! superior) borough. Watch this video. See if you don’t get that rush of love.
If you are anything like me, you love Mexican food, but there are barely any places in Manhattan that (in my opinion) are worth going. It”s the ONE thing that L.A. has over us. You have those Tex-mex places, which are neither here nor there. You have Chipotle, but ladies and gentlemen remember it”s owned by McDonald”s, which says a lot in itself. And, of course you have “Mexican” restaurants, which pander to god knows who”s bland taste buds. I always find myself asking, where”s the salsa? Where”s the spice? It tastes like Ragu with Polly-O cheese. Do you ever see anybody Mexican eating there? I didn”t think so; thus it can”t be good.
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[Photo from NY TImes]
Love to ride your bicycle? like Queen?
Bikes aren’t just for delivery boys or messengers; nowadays a bike is chic and eco-friendly. Not only are you helping the environment by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and using less fossil fuels, but you’re also getting a workout.
That doesn’t mean your bike has to look like everyone else’s. A bike can truly express the identity of the rider. If you don’t believe me check out the sweet rides featured in this slideshow in a previous issue of the online NYTimes Style section.
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So everyone knows about Flushing, Queens, aka little Asia (well at least in my mind). If you think Chinatown is like stepping into a foreign country, you haven’t been to Flushing yet. If the traffic, loud chatter in foreign tongues and colorful signs with unrecognizable characters didn’t clue you in as soon as you stepped off the 7 train at Main Street, I don’t know what will.
With rising rents all across the city, it’s surely not news that the outer boroughs have experienced a surge in construction and an influx of inhabitants. It’s a common phenomena, one that is only increasing as the economy wavers. Take Astoria for instance, once home to a large population of Greeks and Italians, which is seeing a strong trickle of youth. But, I’m not here to discuss demographics, rather the housing itself.
Just a couple of months ago, China Pagoda moved into my neighborhood. No pork in a Chinese restaurant/take-out joint? An anomaly? Being Chinese myself, I know that though some things claim to be vegetarian, there is always pork essence (at least in my household). Pork is so much more than meat. Think My Big Fat Greek Wedding and their sentiments on lamb.
[Image via arttattler.com]
Toss that old popcorn aside and have some real food while you watch the silver screen. Beginning Saturday, June 14th, it’s the 2nd Annual NYC Food Film Festival, held at the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Here you have the entire food lover’s experience: it’s like watching the Food Network then actually sampling the food the chefs create (simultaneously you’ll be getting some great views of NYC). The first film on the docket is Ben Daniel’s This is My Cheesesteak (yum!).
Yesterday, all I ate was sandwiches…You may think that sounds repetitive, a bit lackluster for the palate, but the sandwiches I ate were as different as night and day. Lunch on the job was a hurried, pre-made, cold little thing at CafeMetro, clocking in at over $7. Don’t get me wrong, I admire CafeMetro and the other “deli/luncheonette” type joints, catering to the suit-wearing, blackberry-carrying slew of midtown robots. Though, my sandwich was tasty equipped with the tiniest morsel of avocado (how I love them so!) and turkey (can I even call it turkey? it was more like turkey essence) it lacked the love of a human touch and at that price I feel like I should be full…Which brings me to dinner:
[Image via Bridge and Tunnel Club]
If you are anything like me, you love Mexican food, but there are barely any places in Manhattan that (in my opinion) are worth going. It”s the ONE thing that L.A. has over us. You have those Tex-mex places, which are neither here nor there. You have Chipotle, but ladies and gentlemen remember it”s owned by McDonald”s, which says a lot in itself. And, of course you have “Mexican” restaurants, which pander to god knows who”s bland taste buds. I always find myself asking, where”s the salsa? Where”s the spice? It tastes like Ragu with Polly-O cheese. Do you ever see anybody Mexican eating there? I didn”t think so; thus it can”t be good.
