The current Sweetleaf location in LIC – the future one will be near Gantry Park
Grub Street via NYT Diners Journal told us this week that Sweetleaf is expanding in two ways – a new location and the addition of cocktails, partnering up with Richard Boccato from Dutch Kills. This will be the second location in LIC (there is also another location in Williamsburg) and will be at 46-15 Center Boulevard (GMAP), one of the East Coast buildings. They’ll serve coffee during the day and liquor (cocktails, spirits, wine, beer) at night.
On Wednesday we marked the anniversary of Prohibition ending. The 21st Amendment was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment. So what is your alcoholic beverage of choice – beer, wine, or liquor? Are you a craft beer fan or are you content with Bud and the like? Are you a white, rosé, or red wine drinker (or even port)? And are you a classic cocktail fan (e.g. Manhattan – though there is a Queens cocktail, too) or do you tend toward the fruity tropical drink? Let us know in the comments or via twitter at @queensnycity!
We had the chance to spend some time at S Prime, a new steakhouse in Astoria on 36th Street near 35th Ave. It’s just next door to 5 Napkin and up the street from Studio Square, an extremely popular beer garden and event space in the area. S Prime is in the location that used to be Island Lounge.
S Prime has redesigned the interior and for those that knew this space as Island may find it hard to believe that this is the same place, it looks so different. Here are a couple of shots of the interior of S Prime, which is classic and beautiful. First, the bar area, which you see when you enter the restaurant.
With its cheerful name, proximity to the city, and peaceful residential streets, Sunnyside has a lot going for it. The neighborhood is a mix of old and new, of Irish, Romanian, Turkish, Mexican, Colombian, Tibetan, and more. It may appear quaint at first glance – and that’s one of its charms – but if you know where to go, it’s also a destination for food, shopping, and great walks. Here’s our guide for those who want to spend a day exploring Sunnyside, from breakfast to evening drinks, and everything in between. (more…)
The Michelin folks put together their list of Bibb Gourmands - “restaurants that the guide highlights for excellence on a budget (defined as two courses and wine or dessert for $40 a head).” Queens in particular has 13 restaurants on the list, including Alobar (which also made our LIC for Brooklynites), Salt & Fat in Sunnyside, and Uncle Zhou, a terrific Henanese (Chinese) restaurant in Elmhurst (get the hand shaved noodle soups). All the restaurants make delicious food, so check out the list, then check them out for a meal.
The Moon Festival is this weekend
In Chinese culture, the Moon Festival is very important. This is a time for families to gather, eat a big meal, and enjoy time with each other. On Sunday, September 30 in downtown Flushing, there will be Moon Festival celebration, including a concert, parade, and fireworks. Kids can fly kites in Kissena Corridor Park from 2-6pm. The Queens Botanical Garden will be celebrating with arts and crafts for children, then music and dance performances from the New York Chinese Cultural Center.
From 5-6pm the Moon Festival parade will march the length of Main Street between 40th Road and Elder Ave (GMAP). Fireworks will be at 8pm.
Apparently, visitors and hungry hipsters, you’ll be able to sleep in Rockapulco, too
We learned that there is a very good chance that there will be a boutique hotel out in the Rockaways before not too long. It would be located at the building that housed the defunct Tap & Grill, a local spot that was at 97-20 Rockaway Beach Boulevard (GMAP). According to the Rockawayist folks, the building is boarded up and no one’s home. Cayuga Capital – are a private real estate investment firm that focuses primarily on Brooklyn – purchased the property in 2012. It will be very interesting to see what happens in that part of NYC.
And here’s a retro shot of Rockaway Beach
Thanks to Queens County Market for posting this cool retro image of Rockaway Beach, on Facebook.
Where to buy wine? We got some tips from twitter
This morning for our QueensNYC Question of the Day we asked, “Where do you like to buy wine?” We got some great answers. Here are some of our favorites.
Our friends over at Brooklyn Exposed are putting on what looks to be a really fun party, and we wanted to let you know about it, plus we’ve got a special deal for QueensNYC readers.
The event is Brooklyn Shaken & Stirred, and it is a “walk-around drink-tasting event” where guests can taste Brooklyn’s best specialty cocktails, artisanal spirits, craft beers, and boutique wines. (more…)
Here in NY, wine stores are everywhere. In other places like California, you often will buy it in the supermarket with your bread and eggs. Here, especially in NYC, people find a wine store and stick with it. That said, we’re always interested to learn about new (to us) wine shops. So what is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or via twitter at @queensnycity!
It was nice to see the Wall Street Journal give some love to Grand Wine & Liquor in Astoria. It’s one of the most popular wine shops in the neighborhood, and word of mouth gets it a lot of business. They have a huge selection, but as the article points out, there are “no tasting notes, store commentary or critics’ scores attached to any wines” unlike at most of the other shops in town. It can be a little confusing at times. (more…)
