boro magazine february 2013

ASTORIA // LIC // SUNNYSIDE CREATE // CULTIVATE // INSPIRE

FEBR

UARY

201

3

VOL

3:3

Date Spots: Th e Stomach

Is Th e Way To Th e Heart,

pg. 6

Where To Get Your Queens

Caff eine Fix,

pg. 20

Pick Th e Perfect Flowers,

pg. 24

Nurture Your Inner

Book Worm,

pg. 26

at the b

est sp

ots

in Astoria

, LIC

,

Sunnysi

deGREA

T

DISCOUNTS

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2 | BOROMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2013MANHATTAN

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FEBRUARY 2013 | BOROMAG.COM | 3

Be local and enjoy the below offers from some of Astoria and LIC’s best merchants. Offers available through February 28, 2013. Bring BORO or coupon below to redeem discount.

Limited to 1 use per reader. Merchant restrictions may apply.

BORO DEALS & DISCOUNTS

1 FREE DRINK and comedy show with meal

on Tuesday nights 9PM-Closing.

ONE FREE CLASS for new clients only.

Use promo code LICFREE

1 FREE SIGNATURE COCKTAIL with your meal.

WINEGASM1 FREE GLASS OF WINE with your meal. 20% OFF dinner entrees. 10% OFF when you spend $100 or more.

10% OFF your purchase. Excluding bottled

beer and on premise food consumption.

$15 OFF your next visit, mention this ad. $79.99 for Digital TV + TiVo + High

Speed Internet. OR $34.99 for High Speed

Internet.

20% OFF Valentine’s Day Special on orders

placed before 2/12. Coupon Code BOROVAL

$59.99 reduced monthly rate and one-time

setup fee of $29.99. Th e 1st 100 customers

receive free gloves and T-shirt!!

15% off your group dinner bill $60+.

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$10 OFF haircuts and color. 15% OFF entire purchase. 15% OFF your entire purchase.

10% OFF any wine purchase. 1 FREE glass of house wine with your meal.

Currently selling packages for [email protected]

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www.BOROmag.com/advertise

ADVERTISE IN BORO

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4 | BOROMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2013

All materials Copyright © 2013 BORO / All rights reserved. Opinions and claims made by advertisers are advertisers’ claims only. BORO Magazineaccepts no responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. BORO Magazine reserves the right to publish any images without providing photo/imagecredit. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF matthew taylor // CREATIVE DIRECTOR emma cason-pratt // EDITOR john lee // ART DIRECTOR philippe trinhCOPY EDITOR norm elrod // GRAPHIC DESIGNERS emma cason-pratt, matt starch // STAFF WRITERS bradley hawks, ben mims, daniel crown, lillian shaw, matthew taylor, brett jones, meaghan trainor // STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS javier ibañez, daniel pando, bradley hawksWEBMASTER janmichael guzman // ONLINE EDITORIAL COORDINATOR matthew taylor // CREATED AND PUBLISHED BY BORO Magazine

ADVERTISE IN [email protected] // 718.866.8089www.BOROmag.com/advertise

BORO HOURS: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM

*This magazine is made from FSC® certified paper, printed with soy ink and 100% recyclable. Please recycle after use.

6 FOOD Date Spots: If the stomach is the way to the heart…

20 EXPLORE YOUR BORO Where to get your Queens caff eine fi x

24 PICK THE PERFECT FLOWERS Bouquet suggestions for a special Valentine’s Day.

26 EXPLORE YOUR BORO Lit love to nurture your inner book worm.

30 WHY WE+YOU LOVE QUEENS What do you love most about living in Western Queens?

12 FEBRUARY 2013 EVENTS15 MAP IT DIRECTORY Your Go-to Guide For Astoria, LIC and Sunnyside’s best shops,

food, art, nightlife and More.

16 MAP IT: ASTORIA, LIC & SUNNYSIDE MAP32 DISCOUNTS & PROMO PAGE Exclusive savings, discounts and freebies for the month of

February in Astoria, LIC and Sunnyside.

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

REMEMBER TO TAG YOUR QUEENS INSTAGRAM PICS WITH #BOROMAG AND LOOK FOR YOUR PHOTOS IN ONE OF OUR FUTURE ISSUES!

/ BOROmag @BOROmag

Dear Western Queens,

I would like to thank everyone who has welcomed me so kindly into my new role as Editor-in-Chief. I am very excited for the future of BORO and BOROmag.com, and will constantly be looking for ways to evolve as a fun and inspirational neighborhood guide. I feel fortunate to be working with a tightly knit and talented staff , focusing on the neighborhood we love.

Speaking of love, that’s the theme of the February issue! We feature some prime date spots for those of you with a Valentine, but we also look at love in the broader sense: the borough’s passion for literature, the stories behind two local fl ower shops, and BORO fans who are enamored with their neighborhood. If you’re interested in having your voice or art featured in an upcoming issue or online, be sure to Like us on Facebook so you can see how to participate.

I hope this issue keeps you warm and fuzzy through these cold February days!MATTHEW TAYLOReditor-in-chief

6RomanticDate Spots 24Pick the

Perfect Flowers

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Monolithic meatballs in a sweet tomato sauce at

Manducatis Rustica

Burrata with oven-baked focaccia at Manducatis Rustica

Story + Photos BRADLEY HAWKS

DATE SPOTSIf the stomach is the way to the heart…

Finding that just right Valentine’s Day restaurant calls for more than just a stellar kitchen; it begs the perfect ambiance, elevated air of intimacy, and perhaps even something that strays from the usual routine. With that in mind, read on for 10 local, unique, and romantic suggestions, where Cupid has exquisitely skewered everything from setting to menu to service – and in some cases, actual hearts.

Manducatis Rustica46-35 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City718-937-1312 | www.manducatisrustica.com

“Did you know that asparagus can signifi cantly impact orgasm?” coyly smiles Gianna Cerbone of Manducatis Rustica in Long Island City. Part chef and owner, part unoffi cial social mayor of the neighborhood, part writer and part local celebrity, Cerbone plans to serve a “very special Valentine’s Day menu full of aphrodisiacs.” Cerbone is also known as “Mamma Gianna” for the way she deliciously delivers wit, wisdom and some of the best gelato in the city – unconventional fl avors evoke “the last sip of a glass of chocolate milk” or a “citrus-kissed sea breeze.” Be prepared to blush while she boldly explains the menu and the benefi ts of certain ingredients to stamina and libido. Th e Valentine’s menu will not be offi cially revealed until just a few days prior (depending on what is crisp and fresh in the local market). Th ose with less lusty appetites will fi nd equal pleasure in Cerbone’s pasta and pizza specials, which include monolithic meatballs in a sweet tomato sauce.


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Thymari’s caramelized peach with lime whipped yogurt cream and thyme.

Ham, swiss, & egg on buckwheat crepe at

Cafe Triskell

Cafe Triskell’s lemon-sugar crepe with a shot glass of mixed berry compote

Café Triskell33-04 36th Ave, Astoria | 718-472-0612

www.cafetriskell.com

Th ere’s nothing quite like pancakes for dinner, especially when those pancakes are Café Triskell’s tissue-paper-thin buckwheat crepes, painstakingly prepared in the culinary tradition of Brittany in France. Triskell is one of those inconspicuous thin windows between more prominent buildings—you can stroll by a hundred times without taking notice. But once you pass through the tiny doorway, you’re transported to a secluded and rustic French café with one cook, one server, and just a handful of tables – and your impression of 36th Ave. will never be the same. Daily specials are scribed on a chalkboard and the café’s Facebook page (Tip: Th e pot pie is unrivaled in comfort, and order anything with bay scallops). Chef Phillippe Fallait, a pastry chef by training, showcases both savory and sweet crepes on the permanent menu. Dessert here is a must, along with a giant mug of cider. Th e lemon and sugar crepe is sublime, and a plain crepe with a shot glass of Fallait’s signature banana fudge jam will leave your lips sweet for a French after-dinner kiss.

Thymari32-07 34th Ave, Astoria | 718-204-2880

www.thymari.com

A love aff air with Astoria’s food scene would be incomplete without an appreciation of the neighborhood’s rich Greek tradition, an ethnic imprint visible in the names of the local parks and some of the longest-thriving restaurants. Bringing classic Greek tradition into a contemporary light comes Th ymari, meaning “thyme,” which runs wild in the Greek countryside. Settle into a casual, pillow-backed seat in the front café, or at a table in the dramatically lit back dining room, where over 20 Greek wines are beautifully displayed climbing a staircase to the ceiling. Feta saganaki is elevated here, encrusted in sesame seeds with a ribbon of wild berry compote. Named after a goddess of the sea, the Th alassinon orzo is studded with thyme-kissed medallions of shrimp and mussels in a rich tomato reduction. Finish the evening with a sweet wine, a baklava martini, or a stemless glass of amaretto and walnut sauce-capped panna cotta.


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Stove45-17 28th Ave, Astoria | 718-956-0372www.stoveastoria.com

One of Astoria’s best-kept secrets is Stove, where Irish-born Chef-Owner Declan Cass serves Great Britain-inspired dishes – the fi sh ‘n chips are a textbook rendition – alongside inventive New American cuisine, ultimately off ering something for everyone. Th e narrow, fl ickering-sconce-lit restaurant is just enough off the beaten path to feel secluded and special, yet within walking distance of Steinway’s thoroughfare and just one block from the 46th St stop on the Q18. Th anks to a recent revamp of the menu, Stove classics like the grilled Angus shell steak with creamy peppercorn and honey-glazed fi ve-spiced ribs are now joined by a mesquite BBQ butter pork loin haystacked with frizzled onions and a trout almondine with beurre noisette. Th e Downton Abbey set will want to stick around for proper English desserts like a sherry trifl e or homemade apple pie blanketed with a sweet ribbon of crème anglaise.

Irish-born Chef-Owner Declan Cass serves Great Britain-inspired dishes

Pan-fried trout almondine with beurre noisette

Beet salad at Stove

Baked salmon tornado with sundried tomato, spinach, ver jus, and

whipped mashed potatoes.

Honey fi ve-spiced ribs with ginger, cabbage, and carrot salad

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DiWine41-15 31st Ave, Astoria | 718-777-1355www.diwineonline.com

From drape-partitioned booths and pillow-harnessed banquettes to a wine guillotine, DiWine is always a sexy destination and off ers a $55 3-course prix fi xe for V-Day. Pair morsels from the brick oven – a new lobster pizza with sherry cream and asparagus steals the show – with a selection of over 20 wines ($8 for a glass; $32 per any bottle).

LIC Market21-52 44th Dr, Long Island City | 718-361-0013www.licmarket.com

For those hearts seeking a market-driven, seasonal, and locally sourced meal in a charmingly provincial dining room that unfolds just beyond a quaint mini-country store, there is no need to search further than LIC Market. Th e menu evolves daily and features everything from shredded brisket to spaghetti with rabbit ragout and dandelion greens, with truffl es frequently headlining in various forms.

Café Henri10-10 50th Ave, Long Island City | 718-383-9315

Seek solace from the town square where Vernon and Jackson merge just beyond the front doors of Café Henri, one of Long Island City’s sweet, window-lit French cafés. From herb-spruced croque madame to classic coq au vin to croissant pudding laced with ribbons of Callebaut chocolate, the service and food here is deliciously French, sans the pretense.

Tufi no Pizzeria Napoletana36-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria | 718-278-4800www.tufinopizzeria.com

Th is is the pizzeria that love built, the wood-fi red oven named for pizzaiolo Stephen Menna’s wife (and co-owner) Maria. Tufi no turns out sensational Neapolitan pies in a variety of unique topping combinations – one has pistachios, another is sweetened with honey picante, for example – but be certain to share some of the dolcetti fritti (or “fried treats”) to start.

Biang!41-10 Main St, Flushing | 718-888-7713www.biang-nyc.com

Couples craving a little spice and adventure should take the 7 train to Flushing for a Western Chinese dinner at Biang! From their famous hand-stretched noodles (the restaurant’s name mimics the slap against the cutting board) to cumin-kissed skewers of chicken hearts and even a “spicy and tingly lamb face salad,” this place is the real deal – and super-aff ordable.

Bear Restaurant12-14 31st Ave, Long Island City | 917-396-4939www.bearnyc.com

For that guaranteed wow factor, book a reservation for the Chef ’s tasting menu at Bear. At Long Island City’s nouveau European restaurant, Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky has crafted a breathtaking menu, where each memorable bite is as beautiful as it is delicious. Less ambitious diners can build a meal of small bites that are equally spectacular.

Tufi no Pizzeria

NapoletanaLIC Market

Café Henri Biang! Bear

DiWine

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2/15 9PM-11:30PM (FOOD+DRINK)VALENTINE’S DAY DINNERSEE MENU | The Queens Kickshaw718-777-0913 | 40-17 Broadway, Astoriawww.thequeenskickshaw.com

2/15 @ 1:30PM (EDUCATION)RESUME WORKSHOPFREE | Queens Library, LIC Branch718-752-3700 | 37-44 21st St, LICwww.queenslibrary.org

2/15 9PM-11:30PM (MUSIC)SAN FAUSTINO DAY & LIVE MUSIC: THE TIPSY OXCARTFREE | The Queens Kickshaw718-777-0913 | 40-17 Broadway, Astoriawww.thequeenskickshaw.com

2/15 @ 10:30PM (NIGHTLIFE + ENTERTAINMENT)F&*@! VALENTINE’S DAY!$30 | Laughing Devil Comedy Club347-91-DEVIL | 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.laughingdevil.com

2/15 @ 8PM (MUSIC)AMY RIVARD - CLASSIC JAZZFREE | Thymari718-204-2880 | 32-07 34th Ave, Astoriawww.thymari.com

2/16 11AM-12PM & 12:30PM-1:30PM (FOOD+DRINK)‘BABY LOVES SALSA’ PERFORMS AT BRUNCH-SPECIAL KIDS’ MENU!FREE | Skinny’s Cantina718-806-1068 | 47-05 Center Blvd, LICwww.skinnyscantina.com

2/17 6PM-8PM (MUSIC)COSI FAN TUTTE: MOZART’S COMIC OPERA$10 | Church Of The Redeemer30-14 Crescent St, Astoriawww.redeemerconcerts.org

2/21 4PM-5PM (ARTS+CRAFTS)KIDS’ CROCHET CLASS-AGES 8+$20 | babyNOIR646-470-4728 | 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.babynoir.net

2/21 7PM-CLOSE (FOOD+DRINK)$5 PINT NIGHT FEATURING TOMMYKNOCKER OAK AGED BUTT HEAD BOCK$5 PINTS | 5 Napkin Burger212-433-2727 | 35-01 36th St, Astoriawww.5napkinburger.com

2/21 @ 8PM (DANCE)VALERIE GREEN/DANCE ENTROPY PRESENTS “SKIMMING THE SURFACE”$15 ADVANCE/$20 DOOR | Green Space37-24 24th St, LIC www.danceentropy.org

2/22 @ 6:30PM (BODY+SOUL)WORKOUT & WINE$22/CLASS | PNT Fitness10-68 Jackson Ave 2nd Floor, LICwww.pntfitness.com

2/9 @ 9PM (NIGHTLIFE+ENTERTAINMENT)GOODBYE HORSES DRAG PARTY-$250 CASH PRIZE FOR BEST COSTUMESFREE | Skinny’s Cantina718-806-1068 | 47-05 Center Blvd, LICwww.skinnyscantina.com

2/9 @ 10:30PM (THEATRE)QUEER NOT COOL: A GAY-FRIENDLY VARIETY SHOW$10 | The Secret Theatre718-392-0722 | 44-02 23rd St, LICwww.secrettheatre.com

2/10 12PM-6PM (ART)ASTORIA MARKET’S PRE-VALENTINE’S DAY SHOPPING EVENTFREE | Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden29-19 24th Ave, Astoriawww.astoriamarket.com

2/10 5PM-7PM (ART)INTERNATIONAL PAINTING IIFREE | Jeffrey Leder Gallery917-767-1734 | 21-37 45th Rd, LICwww.jeffreyledergallery.com

2/13 6PM-8PM (FOOD+DRINK)FOOD LOVERS’ GUIDE TO QUEENS FOOD PARTYFREE | SITE NYC718-626-6030 | 35-11 34th Ave, Astoriawww.sitenyc.com

2/13 6PM-10PM (SHOPPING)QUEEN OF HEARTS POP UP MARKETFREE | Veslo917-658-3065 | 32-11 Broadway, Astoriawww.designforyou.biz

2/14 5PM-12AM (FOOD+DRINK)VALENTINE’S DINNER W/LIVE MUSIC: DEEANNE GORMAN’S CABARETSEE WEBSITE FOR V-DAY MENU | Rest-Au-Rant718-729-9009 | 30-01 35th Ave, LICwww.rarbarlic.com

2/14 5:30PM-9PM (FOOD+DRINK)3-COURSE VALENTINE’S DAY PRIX FIX W/COMPLIMENTARY CHAMPAGNE$24.95/PERSON | Astor Bake Shop718-606-8439 | 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoriawww.astor-bakeshop.com

2/14 6:45PM-9:30PM (BODY+SOUL)CYCLE VIRGIN, SINGLES SWEAT SHOP, & COUPLES CYCLE PARTY$22/CLASS | PNT Fitness10-68 Jackson Ave 2nd Floor, LICwww.pntfitness.com

2/14 7PM-11PM (FOOD+DRINK)$5 PINT NIGHT: SAM ADAMS CHERRY CHOCOLATE BOCK$5 PINTS | 5 Napkin Burger212-433-2727 | 35-01 36th St, Astoriawww.5napkinburger.com

2/1 9PM-11:30PM (MUSIC)LIVE MUSIC: TANGO MEDITERRANEOFREE | The Queens Kickshaw718-777-0913 | 40-17 Broadway, Astoriawww.thequeenskickshaw.com

2/4 4PM-12AM (FOOD+DRINK)BEER & BACON ALL-NIGHT HAPPY HOURFREE | Rest-Au-Rant718-729-9009 | 30-01 35th Ave, LICwww.rarbarlic.com

2/7 7PM-9PM (SHOPPING)SHOP FOR YOUR SWEETHEART WITH SWEETS & CHAMPAGNEFREE | LIC Living718-361-5650 | 5-35 51st Ave, LIC www.licliving.com

2/7 9PM-12AM (MUSIC)LIVE MUSIC: MARC DAINES’ MINI VANFREE | Rest-Au-Rant718-729-9009 | 30-01 35th Ave, LICwww.rarbarlic.com

2/8 6PM-8:30PM (FOOD+DRINK)SPIRITS & COCKTAIL TASTINGFREE | Astoria Park Wine & Spirits718-606-1142 | 28-07 24th Ave, Astoriawww.astoriaparkwineandspirits.com

2/8 @ 8PM (THEATER)“GONE TOMORO”: A NEW MUSICALFREE-EMAIL [email protected] | Astoria Performing Arts Center718-706-5750 | 30-44 Crescent St, Astoriawww.apacny.org

2/8 @ 8PM (MUSIC)ACOUSTIC SPOTLIGHT WITH JAMES BONDYFREE | Thymari718-204-2880 | 32-07 34th Ave, Astoriawww.thymari.com

2/8 9PM-11:30PM (MUSIC)LIVE MUSIC: HOMESICK HOUND DOGSFREE | The Queens Kickshaw718-777-0913 | 40-17 Broadway, Astoriawww.thequeenskickshaw.com

2/9 11AM-1PM & 3PM-5PM (ART)ARTIST IN RESIDENCE-PAUL DISCOE FREE W/ADMISSION | The Noguchi Museum718-204-7088 | 32-37 Vernon Blvd, Astoriawww.noguchi.org

2/9 1PM-3PM (FAMILY)FIRST ANNIVERSARY FESTIVALFREE | babyNOIR646-470-4728 | 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.babynoir.net

2/9 @ 8PM & 10:30PM (NIGHTLIFE+ENTERTAINMENT)COLLIN MOULTON PERFORMS$20 | Laughing Devil Comedy Club347-91-DEVIL | 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.laughingdevil.com

FEBRUARY EVENTS

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TUESDAYS @ 10:30AM (FAMILY)WEEKLY RHYTHM & STORY TIMEFREE | babyNOIR646-470-4728 | 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.babynoir.net

TUESDAYS 9PM-11PM (NIGHTLIFE+ENTERTAINMENT)WHINE+CHEESE COMEDY SHOWFREE | Rest-Au-Rant718-729-9009 | 30-01 35th Ave, LICwww.rarbarlic.com

FRIDAYS @ 10PM (THEATER)IMPROVIUS MAXIMUS$10 | The Secret Theatre718-392-0722 | 44-02 23rd St, LICwww.secrettheatre.com

2/24 3PM-5PM (FAMILY)FAMILY PURIM CELEBRATION$5/PERSON | Astoria Center of Israel718-278-2680 | 27-35 Crescent St, Astoriawww.astoriacenter.org

2/28 6:30PM-9:30PM (EVENT PLANNING)WOW THE BRIDE SHOWFREE | Renaissance Event Hall718-274-4590 | 27-34 21st St, LICwww.wowthebride.eventbrite.com

2/28 7PM-9PM (SHOPPING)SPRING PREVIEWFREE | LIC Living718-361-5650 | 5-35 51st Ave, LIC www.licliving.com

2/28 7PM-11PM (FOOD+DRINK)$5 PINT NIGHT: SAM ADAMS GRUMPY MONK$5 PINTS | 5 Napkin Burger212-433-2727 | 35-01 36th St, Astoriawww.5napkinburger.com

ONGOING2/2-2/24, WEEKENDS (FILM)L.A. REBELLION: CREATING A NEW BLACK CINEMAFREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION | Museum Of The Moving Image718-777-6888 | 36-01 35th Ave, Astoriawww.movingimage.us

MONDAYS 9PM-11PM (NIGHTLIFE+ENTERTAINMENT)MUSIC MONDAYSFREE | Sweet Afton718-777-2570 | 30-09 34th St, Astoriawww.sweetaftonbar.com

2/22 @ 8PM (MUSIC)AMY RIVARD - CLASSIC JAZZFREE | Thymari718-204-2880 | 32-07 34th Ave, Astoriawww.thymari.com

2/22 @ 8PM & 10:30PM (NIGHTLIFE+ENTERTAINMENT)CARMEN LYNCH & THE STARS OF SHE-DEVILS$20 | Laughing Devil Comedy Club347-91-DEVIL | 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.laughingdevil.com

2/22 9PM-11:30PM (MUSIC)LIVE MUSIC: SIX DEADLY VENOMSFREE | The Queens Kickshaw718-777-0913 | 40-17 Broadway, Astoriawww.thequeenskickshaw.com

2/23 @ 3PM (MOVIE)SCREENING OF PUI CHAN: KUNG FU PIONEERFREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION | Museum Of The Moving Image718-777-6888 | 36-01 35th Ave, Astoriawww.movingimage.us

Find more February events at www.BOROmag.com/Events

FEBRUARY EVENTS

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FEBRUARY 2013 | BOROMAG.COM | 15Continued on page 18Continued on page 18

MANDUCATIS RUSTICA (A,4)(718) 937-131246-3 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.manducatisrustica.com

MEXIBBQ (C,2)(718) 626-033337-11 30th Ave, Astoriawww.mexiqny.com

MEZZE PLACE (B,2)(718) 777-282931-18 Broadway, Astoriawww.mezzeplace.com

ORNELLA TRATTORIA ITALIANA (B,1)(718) 777-947729-17 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.ornellatrattoria.com

OVELIA (B,2)(718) 721-721734-01 30th Ave, Astoriawww.ovelia-ny.com

PENTHOUSE808 (A,3)(718) 289-61188-08 Queens Plaza South, LICwww.penthouse808rooftop.com

PITA PAN (C,2)(718) 204-163337-15 30th Ave, Astoria www.pitapanny.com

PORTALIA RISTORANTE (B,2)(718) 545-350035-03 Broadway, Astoriawww.portalianyc.com

QUEENS COMFORT (C,2)718-728-235040-09 30th Ave, Astoriawww.queenscomfort.com

QUEENS KICKSHAW (C,2)(718) 777-091340-17 Broadway, Astoria www.thequeenskickshaw.com

RÈST-ÂÜ-RÁNT (B,2)(718) 729-900930-01 35th Ave, Astoriawww.rarbarlic.com

S PRIME STEAK HOUSE (C,2)(718) 707-066035-16 36th St, Astoriawww.sprimenyc.com

SAGE GENERAL STORE (B,4)(718) 361-070724-20 Jackson Ave, LICwww.sagegeneralstore.com

SHI (A,4)(347) 242-24504720 Center Blvd, LICwww.eatdrinkshi.com

SKINNY’S (A,4)718-806-106847-05 Center Blvd, LIC

STOVE RESTAURANT AND BAR (C, 1)(718) 956-037245-17 28th Ave, Astoriawww.stoveastoria.com

SUGAR FREAK (C,2)(718) 726-585036-18 30th Ave, Astoriawww.sugarfreak.com

THYMARI (B,2)(718) 204-228032-07 34th Ave, Astoriawww.thymari.com

VESTA (A,2)(718) 545-5550 2102 30th Ave, Astoria www.vestavino.com

WILLIAM HALLET (C,2)(718) 269-344336-10 30th Ave, Astoriawww.williamhallet.com

WINEGASM BAR AND EATERY (C,2)(718) 932-333131-86 37th Rd, Astoria www.winegasmeatery.com

YAJAI (B,2)(718) 956-955933-16 30th Ave, Astoria www.yajaithaifood.com

BAKERIESASTOR BAKE SHOP (A,2) (718) 606-8439 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria www.astor-bakeshop.com

BROOKLYN BAGEL & COFFEE COMPANY (C,2)(718) 777-112136-14 30th Ave, Astoriawww.bkbagel.com(C,1) 35-09 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria(C,2) 35-05 Broadway, Astoria

MALU (A,4)(718) 729-625812-09 Jackson Ave, LICwww.amomandpopshop.com

SWEETLEAF (A,4)(917) 832-672610-93 Jackson Ave, LICwww.sweetleafl ic.com

FOOD SHOPSASTORIA BIER & CHEESE (C,2)(718) 545-558834-14 Broadway, Astoria

ASTORIA PARK WINE AND SPIRITS (B,1)28-07 24th Ave, Astoriawww.astoriaparkwineandspirits.com

ASTORIA WINE AND SPIRITS (C,2)(718) 545-94633412 Broadway, Astoriawww.astoriawines.com

FOOD CELLAR (A,4)(718) 606-97864-85 47th Rd., LICwww.foodcellarandco.com

SHOPSAPOLLO GALLERY (C,2)(718) 786-759034-10 36th Ave, Astoria

BELIEF (B,1)(718) 721-4444 29-20b 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.beliefnyc.com

BABYNOIR (B,1)(646) 470-472826-16 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.babynoir.net

RESTAURANTSALEWIFE (A,4)(718) 937-74945-14 51st Ave, LICwww.alewifequeens.com

ALIADA (B,2)(718) 932-224029-19 Broadway, Astoria

ASTOR ROOM (C,2)(718) 255-194734-12 36th St, Astoriawww.astorroom.com

BAREBURGER (B,2)(718) 777-701133-21 31st Ave, Astoria(718) 204-716723-01 31 St, Astoriawww.bareburger.com

BASIL BRICK OVEN (B,1)(718) 204-120528-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoriawww.basilbrickoven.com

BEAR (A,2)(917) 396-493912-14 31st Ave, Astoriawww.bearnyc.com

BRICK CAFE (B,2)(718) 267-2735 30-95 33rd St, Astoriawww.brickcafe.com

BREAD BOX CAFE (A,4)(718) 389-97004711 11th St, LICwww.breadboxcafelic.com

BURGER CLUB (B,2)(718) 777-778832-02 30th Ave, Astoriawww.burger-club.com

BURGER GARAGE (B,3)(718) 392-042425-36 Jackson Ave, LICwww.theburgergarage.com

BUTCHER BAR (C,2)(718) 606-814037-08 30th Ave, Astoriawww.ButcherBar.com

CAVO (C,2) (718) 721-100142-18 31st Ave, Astoriawww.cavoastoria.com

CAFÉ BAR (C,2)(718) 204-527332-90 36th St, Astoriawww.cafebarastoria.com

CAFÉ VIA ESPRESSO (C,1)(718) 545-32902409 Steinway St, Astoriawww.cafeviaespressoastoria.com

CARIOCA GRILL (B, 2)(718) 606-132929-03 Broadway, Astoria

DIWINE (C,2)(718) 777-135541-15 31st Ave, Astoria www.diwineonline.com

EL AY SI (A,4)(718) 389-878147-38 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.elaysi.com

FATTY’S (B,1)(718) 267-70712501 Ditmars Blvd, Astoriawww.fattyscafenyc.com

IL BAMBINO (C,2)(718) 626-008734-08 31 Ave, Astoria www.ilbambinonyc.com

LENG THAI (B,2)(718) 956-7117 33-09 Broadway, Astoriawww.lengthainewyork.com

LIC MARKET (B,4)(718) 361-0013 21-52 44th Dr, LICwww.licmarket.com

LINN (B,2) (718) 204-00602913 Broadway, Astoria www.linnrestaurant.com

LOCALE (B,2)(718) 729-908033-02 34th Ave, LICwww.localeastoria.com

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INSIDE ASTORIA (C,1) (718) 956-4000 28-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

KRISTEES (B,1)(718) 204-5031 2401 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.kristeesny.com

LIC: LIVING (A,4)(718) 361-5650535 51st Ave. LICwww.licliving.com

LOVEDAY 31 (B,2) (718) 728-4057 3306 31st Ave, Astoria www.loveday31.com

SITE (C,2)(718) 626-603035-11 34th Ave, Astoriawww.sitenyc.com

PETSCITY VET (A,4)(718) 433-133445-44 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.cityvetnyc.com

STEINWAY COURT VET (C,2)(718) 728-282232-14R Steinway, Astoriawww.steinwaycourtvet.com

FLORISTSFLORESTA (A,4) (917) 612-4446 51-02 Vernon Blvd, LIC 4-85 47th Rd, LIC www.fl orestanyc.com/blog

NYC FARM CHIC FLOWERSwww.nycfarmchicfl owers.com

PETALS AND ROOTS (B,2)(718) 267- 170031-27 31st St, Astoriawww.petalsandroots.com

MAP IT DIRECTORY

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THE ART HOUSE (C,2)(516) 724-156231-06 35th St, Astoriawww.gabrieleperici.com

ASTORIA FINE ARTS DANCE (C,1)(718) 247-074038-01 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.asfa-dancestudio.com

CARNEGIE HALL(212) 247-780057th St and 7th Ave, NYwww.carnegiehall.org

FLUSHING TOWN HALL(718) 463-7700 x 222 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing www.fl ushingtownhall.org

KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS (C,2)(718) 706-5300 34-12 36th St, Astoria www.kaufmanastoria.com

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (C,3)(718) 482-5151 31-10 Thomson Ave, LICwww.laguardiaperformingarts.org

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE (C,2)(718) 784-0077 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.movingimage.us

NOGUCHI MUSEUM (A,2)(718) 204-7088 9-01 33rd Rd, Astoria www.noguchi.org

REISSTUDIOS (A,3)“An international community ofestablished and emerging artists”(718) 570-366343-01 22nd St, LICwww.ReisStudios.com

SCULPTURECENTER (B,3)(718) 361-175044-19 Purves St, LICwww.sculpure-center.org

THE SECRET THEATRE (B,3)(718) 392-07224402 23rd St, LICwww.secrettheatre.com

SERVICES

ARK LOCKSMITH 24/7 SERVICE (C,2)(718) 932-LOCK (5625)30-10 37th st, Astoria www.Astorialocksmith.com

ASTORIA CENTER OF ISRAEL(718) 278-268027-35 Crescent Street, Astoriawww.astoriacenter.org

DR. PANAGIOTIS PAGONIS, M.D. (B,2)(718) 278-030030-16 30th Ave, Astoriawww.drpagonismd.com

HERO COMPUTER REPAIR NYCApple/Mac Computer Repair [email protected] | www.iamhero.net

MPN LAW FIRM (C,2)(718) 777-04003403 Broadway, Ste. 200, Astoriawww.mpnfi rm.com

RCN (A,3)Digital TV and High-Speed Internet Services33-16 Woodside Ave, LIC(212) 842-7981www.rcn.com/boromag

VARDIMAN EYEWEAR (C,2)(718) 204-503734-18 Broadway, Astoria www.vardimaneyewear.com

VIDEO EXPRESS (C,2)(718)626-08463408 30th Ave, Astoria

EVENTSFOUNDRY (A,3)(718) 786-777642-38 9TH St, LICwww.thefoundry.info

THE RENAISSANCE EVENT HALL (A,1)(718) 274-459027-34 21st St, Astoriawww.renaissanceofastoria.com

HOTELSRAVEL (A,3)(718) 289-6101 8-08 Queens Plaza South, LICwww.ravelhotel.com

Z NYC HOTEL (A,3)(212) 319-7000 11-01 43rd Ave, LICwww.zhotelny.com

TATTOO SHOPSSUPER NOVA TATTOOS (C,1)(718) 274-5712 38-01 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.supernovatattoo.com

BEAUTYGIGI SALON (C,2)(718) 777-7755 34-17 30th Ave, Astoria www.gigistylingstudio.com

PRIMP AND TEASE SALON (A,4)(718) 472-2001 5-02 50th Ave, LIC

REDKEN SALOON (C,2)(718) 956-336636-17 30th Ave, Astoriawww.redkensaloon.com

FITNESSANTHEA YOGA&HEALING ARTS CENTER (C,2)(718) 606-004934-01 45th Street, Astoriawww.antheacenter.com

CKO KICKBOXING (C, 1)(347) 669-049440-06 Astoria Blvd, Astoriawww.ckoastoria.com

CLUB FITNESS (B,2)(718) 545-000431-11 Broadway, Astoriawww.clubfi tnessny.com

CROSSFIT DYNAMIX GYM (C,1)(718) 606-038136-05 20th Ave, Astoriawww.dynamixgym.com

SEEK FITNESS (B,1)(347) 924-900427-18 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.seek-fi tness.com

PNT FITNESS (A,4)(347) 396-580910-68 Jackson Ave, LICwww.pntfi tness.com

TIGHTAN GYM(718) 274-160631-21 31st St, Astoriawww.tightan.com

YOGA AGORA (B,2)(718) 626-068033-02 Broadway, 2nd Fl, Astoriawww.YogaAgora.com

THE YOGA ROOM (C,2)(718) 274-025538-01 35th Ave, Astoria (718) 786-7962 (A,4)10-14 47th Rd, LICwww.the-yoga-room.com

SPASREJUVENATE FACE AND BODY (B,1)(718) 626-4434 26-17 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Rejuvenatenyc.com

NIGHTLIFE / BARSBOHEMIAN HALL & BEER GARDEN (B,1) (718) 274-49252919 24th Ave, Astoria www.bohemianhall.com

BREAK (B,2)(718) 777-54003204 Broadway, Astoriawww.break-ny.com

BRICK BAR (B,2)(718) 267-2735 30-95 33rd St, Astoriawww.brickcafe.com

DOMAINE WINE BAR (A,4)(718) 784-235050-04 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.domainewinebar.com

LAUGHING DEVIL (A,4)(347) 913-38454738 Vernon Blvd, LICwww.laughingdevil.com MOSAIC CAFE AND LOUNGE (B,1)(718) 728-0708 25-19 24th Ave, Astoriawww.mosaicnyc.net

RAVEN HEAD PUBLIC HOUSE (C,2)(718) 777-75653804 Broadway, Astoria www.ravenheadpublichouse.com

STUDIO SQ. BEER GARDEN (C,3)(718) 383-100135-33 36th St, Astoria www.studiosquarenyc.com

SWEET AFTON (C,2)(718) 777-257030-09 34th St, Astoria www.sweetaftonbar.com

TANTRA LOUNGE (B,2)(718) 937-457435-50 31st St, Astoria www.Tantraloungenyc.com

ART5 POINTZ (B,4)(317) 219-268545-46 Davis St, LICwww.5ptz.com

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK (A,2) (718) 626-1533 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoriawww.socratessculpturepark.org

TEN10 STUDIOS (A,4) (917) 449-953910-10 47th Rd, LICwww.ten10studios.com

UNDERPENNY (A,4) (917) 517-149210-13 50th Ave, LIC

REAL ESTATEBEAUDOIN REALTY GROUP (A,4)(718) 505-922021-54 45th Ave, LICwww.beaudoinrealtor.com

MODERN SPACES (A,4)(718) 784-1110 10-63 Jackson Ave, LIC 47-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC29-20 23rd Ave, Astoriawww.modernspacesnyc.com

WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE (C,2) (718) 310-43033501 30th Ave, Astoriawww.wfhm.com

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GET YOUR BUSINESS LISTED!

Want your business listed in our directory?Call: (718) 866-8089

Email: [email protected]

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Story DANIEL CROWN

Th ere was a time, not too many years ago, when gourmet coff eehouses were considered far too bohemian for

the blue-collar sensibility of Western Queens. Oh, how times have changed. Not only are coff eehouses now

ubiquitous in our neighborhood, but they’re also helping redefi ne the centuries-old café business. Here’s a list

of just a few that are drawing citywide accolades for their trailblazing eff orts:

SWEETLEAF 10-93 JACKSON AVENUE, LIC | 917-832-6726WWW.SWEETLEAFLIC.COM

It’s a testimony to the quality of SweetLeaf ’s coff ee that its accolades are too numerous to list in a few paragraphs. Th e praise the NYC media has heaped upon the coff ee house in recent years reads like a novel-length love letter. In 2010, Th e New York Times named SweetLeaf one of the city’s top 30 coff ee bars. Soon after, Time Out New York placed them on a similar list, while Th e New York Daily News deemed their cappuccino the best in Queens. More important than its panoply of acclaim – SweetLeaf makes a fi ne cup of coff ee. One of the best in NYC.

THE QUEENS KICKSHAW40-17 BROADWAY, ASTORIA | 718-777-0913WWW.THEQUEENSKICKSHAW.COM

Th ere’s an old adage in the New York City restaurant scene: “Successful businesses do one thing and do it well.” Don’t tell that to Th e Queens Kickshaw. Th e Kickshaw began as a coff ee purist’s haven in 2010. In 2011, they added micro-brewed beer. A year and a half later, they’re equally renowned for their gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches. Such versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed. Citing the Kickshaw’s diverse menu, the Village Voice recently named the café the best coff ee house in NYC.

QUEENSCOFFEE FIX


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TRIPLE SHOT WORLD ATLAS CAFE

27-06 QUEENS PLAZA SOUTH, LIC | 646-872-4085

Th e new Queens Plaza is a sight to behold. Th anks in large part to an infl ux of huge corporate and governmental jobs, what was once an industrial ghost town is now drawing comparisons to the busiest sectors of Manhattan. With the increase in foot traffi c, it was inevitable that a line of small cafes and eateries would soon follow. Lucky for those working in the area, the Triple Shot World Atlas transcends proximal convenience. Th eir scientifi c approach to brewing coff ee has turned more than a few heads in recent months, as has the revolving menu of gourmet soups.

AGNANTI CAFE 19-23 DITMARS BLVD, ASTORIA | 718-606-1391

For years, the Agnanti Restaurant on Ditmars Boulevard has provided one of the most diverse, most aff ordable Mediterranean menus in all of Western Queens. Th eir new cafe, which opened last summer, is well on its way to becoming just as essential. Besides off ering a small but great list of light breakfast and lunch options, they also sell an arsenal of wickedly strong eastern European beverages. Th e Greek iced-coff ee – known in Greece as a “frappe” –packs enough punch to send even the most acclimated coff ee nerd into a frenetic, hyperactive tizzy.

COMMUNITEA 47-02 VERNON BLVD, LIC | 718-729-7708WWW.COMMUNITEA.NET

Widely known by Gossip Girl fans as “the place where Vanessa works,” Communitea off ers customers much more than a chance to reenact scenes from their favorite post-millennial teen drama. Communitea conducts an Afternoon Tea Service every day between 3-6 p.m. Th e meal features a three-tiered serving platter, including a choice of any one of 40 teapots from around the world, a home-baked scone and a dessert of the day. Th ey also off er a wide array of gourmet coff ees, espressos, mochas and lattes – all of which can be enjoyed amid lots of table space and free Wi-Fi.

BROOKLYN BAGEL & COFFEE CO.

35-05 BROADWAY, ASTORIA | 718-204-014135-09 DITMARS, ASTORIA | 718-932-828036-14 30TH AVE, ASTORIA | 718-777-1121WWW.BKBAGEL.COM

In NYC, bagels and coff ee go hand-in-hand. Few do the combination better than Brooklyn Bagel. Since its fi rst location opened in Astoria 10 years ago, Brooklyn Bagel has been the source for a quick and high-quality commuter’s breakfast on route to the N and Q trains. Not that they’re resting on their laurels. Th is year they added a killer Sumatra roast coff ee – a traditional Indonesian blend that dates back to the days of the 18th-century Dutch East India Company.


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Brighten Th e DayWITH A

BOUQUETStory MEAGHAN TRAINOR

Petals & Roots

Whether you’re looking to say “be mine,” or just “thanks for being you,” there’s never a bad time to brighten someone’s day with a bouquet. Two of Western Queens’ most cutting-edge fl ower shops gave us their recommendations for letting all of your favorite people know how much they mean to you this Valentine’s Day.

PETALS & ROOTS 31-27 31ST ST., ASTORIA | 718.267.1700

PETALSANDROOTSNY.COM

“He’s so detail-oriented – I love him!” Alex Avdoulos recalls gushing to her mom about her now-husband, Peter Avdoulos, during their courtship.

Th eir families were from the same area of Greece, and Peter remembers pining for Alex as a 14-year-old “scrawny little geek” when they both spent a summer there. A decade later, they met up for a friendly outing on a whim, and “it was love at fi rst sight,” she says.

He counters: “I was an awkward mess.” But Alex was particularly wooed by the care that he put into home repairs, and by the fact that he was the fi rst guy to buy her fl owers – a bouquet she remembers vividly. A few years later they married, and in December they became co-owners of Petals & Roots.

Th e “Roots” of the name refers to the fact that both of their parents worked in the fl ower industry. (“Petals” also has special signifi cance – can you fi gure it out?)

While their fi rst-generation immigrant parents saw it as a business, for Alex and Peter it’s a lifestyle, a perspective he describes as “our luxury because of what our parents did [for us].” Seeing their two-and-a-half year old son Lucas in the shop gives Peter, who grew up in Astoria, the sense of things coming full circle.

Th e pair of perfectionists wanted to give Petals & Roots a polished look in order to instill confi dence in their customers, aiming for a boutique feel without being intimidating or overpriced. Th e understated elegance of the showroom allows the carefully selected arrangements to speak for themselves. “We love traditional elements, but we’re young and enjoy the contemporary twist,” says Alex, who studied art. Th ey riff off one another’s ideas, and aren’t afraid to be playful with colors and textures. And their trust in each other’s taste and work ethic is instrumental to their success.

“Sometimes we belabor things,” says Peter. “I wouldn’t say obsessive…” “I would say obsessive,” Alex cuts in. Peter settles on “constructive compulsive disorder.”

Th e diff erence? “We enjoy it.” 24 | BOROMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2013

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fLorEsta

FLORESTA 51-02 VERNON BLVD., LIC | 347.642.8108FLORESTNYC.COM

Juan Carlo Bermudez didn’t pick the ideal time to try his hand at the family business (his grandfather was an orchid grower, his father a fl ower exporter). Th e recession had just begun, and though he knew luxury goods would be a tougher sell in a weak economy, Bermudez wasn’t deterred. And when his window displays for a now-defunct clothing boutique started generating buzz, he began searching for a space where his business could fl ourish.

By March 2010, he had transformed the “cubby hole” he found into a vibrant oasis, brimming with plant life and smelling like heaven. “Flowers are like wine, like meat; there are diff erent levels of quality,” he says. “I use A+.”

He ensures his blooms are super-fresh by ordering them directly from the farms that grow them and makes sure they stay hydrated at all points of the process; he even guarantees the fl owers you bring home from fLorEsta will stay in “perfect condition” for at least a week. He also sets himself apart from the pack with unique fl owers and fi llers. He has a few pet plant peeves, namely carnations and baby’s breath. “Th ey are not allowed to be here,” he says, adding, “they need a green card.”

But Bermudez isn’t content to rest on his laurels. He also sells organic candles at his studio, provides arrangements for local restaurants and is a fi xture at the LIC supermarket Food Cellar. And he’s looking to expand further in the near future, so stay tuned. “I’m not afraid to do something diff erent,” he says. “I’m a fl orist for happiness.”

V-DAY FLOWERS CHEAT SHEETRecommended by... PETALS & ROOTS FLORESTAFOR ROMANTIC LOVE

Red roses: “Red roses are timeless and recognized as the symbol of love and passion.”

Assorted red roses, freedom

roses, black magic and baccara roses,

dark berries: “Red represents love and beauty.”

FOR PLATONIC LOVE

Mango calla lilies: “Mango Callas are perfect for that friend who appreciates the non-traditional.”

Circus roses, blue hydrangea, green

hydrangea, green cabbage, orange

spray roses, crespidia, yellow spray

roses: “A range of fl owers, and the color yellow, represent enthusiasm and gladness.”

FOR FAMILIAL LOVE

Hydrangea, tulips, peonies,

roses and lilies: “A delicate arrangement of pastel hues reminds us to think of mom.”

Pink antique hydrangea, amnesia

roses, pink calla lilies, purple

lisianthus, blue curiosa roses:

“Light colors represent admiration and gratitude.”


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Story MATTHEW TAYLOR

QUEENS LOVES TO READ

NYC is arguably America’s literary hub. Classic works and contemporary novels alike use the city as their setting.

Streets teem with aspiring and accomplished poets, playwrights and novelists. And annual events – whether it’s the

Brooklyn Book Festival or community readings in local cafes – ensure the written word stays very much relevant and

vibrant. It’s no diff erent in Western Queens, often praised for its arts scene. Th is month, BORO delivers the scoop on

everything you need to know when it comes to stories and poems in Queens.


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Café Marlene

Newtown Literary Journal

www.newtownliterary.org

Th e inaugural issue of this semi-annual literary journal focusing on Queens-based writing came out in Fall 2012. Th e launch party, hosted by Boundless Tales, was standing room only – a testament to the appreciation for a lit journal by and for our borough.

Tim Fredrick, editor of Newtown Literary, says that the idea for the journal began when he was meeting up with other local writers seeking

a community. He discovered “how much good writing is coming out of Queens but isn’t associated with…the borough.” Fredrick wanted a journal to provide “a permanent record that could extend beyond one night [readings] and beyond the boundaries of the borough.”

As the fi rst issue illustrated, writers in Queens are as diverse as the borough itself. As Fredrick says, “Th ere is no Queens ‘aesthetic’ when it comes to the writing and poetry. It varies as much as the people here vary.”

To order your copy of Newtown Literary’s fi rst issue (available in both print and electronic formats) visit newtownliterary.org. And if you want to see your own work in the May 2013 issue, the submission deadline is February 28 (see guidelines on the website).

Oh, Bernice! Reading Series at Café Marlene41-11 49th St, Sunnyside | www.ohbernice.com

Th e Oh, Bernice! Reading Series evolved from the 12-person writers’ collective of the same name. In January 2012, the group, which workshops its members’ writing monthly, began to host readings in the basement of Café Marlene on the third Saturday of each month.

Tyler Rivenbark, series organizer and resident playwright, says, “Oh, Bernice! is built on the idea of cross genre collaboration. We have poets, non-fi ction and fi ction prose, humor, music [and] plays.”

Readings have featured Grammy Award winners, Guggenheim fellows, Obie Award nominees, and more. Overall, Oh, Bernice! challenges the stereotypical notions of what a literary event looks like. According to Rivenbark, “We’re still new and experimenting with what’s possible within the quarters of a reading series.” Catch the next reading on Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 PM!

Waltz-Astoria

Boundless Tales Reading Series at Waltz-Astoria

23-14 Ditmars Blvd, Astoriawww.boundlesstales.blogspot.com

Boundless Tales hosts a reading on the third Th ursday of every month – February 21 at 8 PM this time around – at Waltz-Astoria, a coff ee/wine bar and favorite local hangout for creative types. Aida Zilelian, a short story writer and novelist who started Boundless Tales in September 2011, sees the series as an alternative to the majority of NYC readings, which “more often than not exclusively cater to established writers.” Th ese monthly gatherings instead off er a venue and engaged audience for “emerging writers or writers who are underrepresented.”

As with many less mainstream readings, the works you hear at Boundless Tales are incredibly diverse and unique, ranging from fi ction/nonfi ction to poetry and plays. Interested in sharing your own work? Head to boundlesstales.blogspot.com for submission guidelines.


104398_CS5.5.indd 27 1/30/13 8:49 AM


The Astoria Bookshopwww.astoriabookshop.com

Th e Astoria Bookshop has yet to fi nalize a location and open its doors, but Lexi Beach and Connie Rourke, the entrepreneurs and passionate readers behind the shop, have already generated signifi cant buzz in the neighborhood. While some of this can be attributed to predictable excitement about a much-needed independent bookstore in Astoria, the work that Beach and Rourke have done to demonstrate their commitment to the literary community in our neighborhood plays an even more signifi cant role.

Th e Astoria Bookshop has hosted two of its own author events, featuring successful writers from the borough at local businesses SITE and Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Th is emphasis on cultivating spaces and events for readers and writers is, according to Beach, “as much a part of our store philosophy as it is a part of our business plan.” Th e shop will host events such as children’s story hours, author readings, book club meetings, and writer’s groups.

Beach and Rourke are optimistic about opening a bookshop in Astoria. Beach says they have seen “good evidence that residents are supportive of these small business ventures, [and] the community’s response has been wonderful and enthusiastic.”

Both women share a lifelong love for reading, thanks in large part to their families. Rourke says, “I get a lot of joy out of suggesting titles in every genre, especially paranormal fi ction, romance, and even a few of the classics I read in high school.”

Four of The Astoria Bookshop’s February recommendations – in the theme of love – to tide you over until their store opens.

For more books and news, visit www.astoriabookshop.com.

Hikikomori and the Rental SisterBy Jeff Backhaus

Queens resident Jeff Backhaus’s fi rst novel is a wistful story about two people trying to fi nd their way in the world after personal tragedies. In the process, they fi nd each other, but it’s not a traditional romance in

any way. It’s lovely, sad, and strangely sweet.

A Tale of Two CitiesBy Charles Dickens

Th e rejuvenating love between father and daughter. Th e tender love between a newly wed husband and wife. Th e unrequited love of a would-be suitor. Th e fanatical, blood thirsty love of country. It doesn’t matter what type of love story you’re searching for – this book has it all.

The Geometry of PastaBy Caz Hildebrand and

Jacob Kenedy

Th is unusual cookbook is comprised solely of recipes for pasta dishes, organized by noodle type. Th e idea is that certain shapes and sauces are made for each other –

think linguine with clams, baked ziti or the less common campanelle with mackerel, tomato and rosemary.

Written on the BodyBy Jeanette Winterson

Th e set-up of this love story would feel like a gimmick if Winterson weren’t such a brilliant writer. Th e novel is told in the fi rst person, and the gender of the narrator is never revealed. It’s a fable of romance, sex, jealousy and tragedy – all the elements of the best kind of human drama.

Lexi Beach co-owner of The Astoria Bookshop

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LOVE QUEENSStory MATTHEW TAYLOR

W e often hear from our readers how much they

love living in Western Queens – maybe it’s a

kind word from someone perusing BORO at a favorite

restaurant or while waiting for the train, or perhaps it’s a

comment on a Facebook post. Th is month, we dug a little

deeper to ask readers a simple question: “What do you love

most about living in Western Queens?”

Leith McMenamin, Student: Long Island City is my favorite neighborhood in New York City. I love it because I can get my favorite coff ee at Sweetleaf and a delicious mimosa-heavy

brunch at Dominies Hoek. Th e cultural diversity here means that we have some of the most interesting restaurants in the city. Luckily, Gantry Plaza State Park is pretty enough that I want to work off all that delicious food!

Heather Park, Director Digital Media NARS

Cosmetics: Th ere’s still this incredible quality of realness about Astoria that I cherish. It’s old and new worlds living together; an incredible

diversity of cultures, countries and cuisines that co-exist in an authentic, harmonious community. Also, people here are pleasant and polite, not pretentious – a refreshing rarity.

Ran Craycraft, Founder and Blogger at

whyleaveastoria.com: Th is place has a way of consuming you – in a good way. Astoria was my seventh city as an adult and even though I wasn’t

a familiar face on the block, the neighborhood instantly gave me a chance. I love that Astoria has an open-door policy and we constantly evolve as a community, every day becoming an even better place to live.

Emma Cason-Pratt,

Graphic Designer: Queens has a good mix of the old and new. Old families, who have raised generations here, foster a sense of safety and community that you just don’t get in the other

boroughs. New restaurants, shops and nightlife make Queens a destination for those who want Manhattan-quality for an aff ordable price. Plus, it’s a quick ride into the city or to the airport.

Jean McClean, Bookkeeper: I love Western Queens for the diversity of restaurants. Where else can you have Italian, Mexican, sushi, Indian or any other type of ethnic food you can think of, all within walking distance or a short bus/subway ride away?

Christine Haber,

Local Queens Artist: I’ve been living in Astoria for the past fi fteen years. I love it here so much that I started silk screening the I HEART ASTORIA t-shirts. I also

work locally at Sweet Afton. Living and working in Astoria is so great because of the people and community. Astoria has so much to off er, you never have to leave.

Megan Siefert,

Hair Stylist: I love the restaurants, old and new. Th e way restaurants challenge themselves and reinvent food is exciting and so convenient! Th e vintage shops

and Steinway Street shopping makes it enjoyable to go shopping and not be bombarded with crowds. Astoria Park challenges me to get fi t and stay healthy while the pool gives me a chance to cool off and relax over the hot summers. Every day I have the pleasure of walking through Sunnyside Gardens to get to work.

WHY YOULO

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boro magazine february 2013

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