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Recently, this pretty article from USA Today (.pdf) on The Best of Queens was published, listing some of the best in Queens. While we agree with a number of the choices, we have some differences of opinion. So, we thought we’d put together our own list. There are five categories – restaurants, attractions, shopping, nightlife, and hidden gems – with three items per category. Here we go!

Restaurants

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Image source:  Danny Brown Wine Bar

Danny Brown Kitchen & Wine Bar. At this writing, Danny Brown is the only restaurant in Queens to have a Michelin star, which is a big deal. They really do deserve it – everything we’ve tasted there has been excellent. They have dishes that stay on the menu over time (a burger, chicken under a brick), but they do a lot of seasonal cooking, too. Their cheese and charcuterie plates are really good, too. Their wine selection is fabulous, too. So grab a table or sit at the bar – it’s a great experience no matter what. 104-02 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375 (GMAP)

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Vesta Trattoria. This restaurant in the western reaches of Astoria has gained a huge following and is one of the most popular eating establishments in Astoria. Like Danny Brown above, they keep a number of things on the menu year round (the hangover pizza and the lasagna come to mind), but they also work with the seasons, sourcing their vegetables from local grower Brooklyn Grange. They even have Long Island wines on tap! 21-02 30th Ave., Astoria, NY 11102 (GMAP)

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Image source: goodiesfirst on Flickr – crispy watercress salad

SriPraPhai. This Thai restaurant in Woodside is regarded as the best Thai restaurant in all of NYC. That’s because everything is fresh and really authentic. When you sit down at the table, they’ll hand you a menu that looks like a thick book, but don’t be startled – we’ve got some suggestions for you. Great things to start with are the fried watercress salad or the green papaya salad, and the penang curry is truly amazing – no one else in the city makes it quite like that. Wash it down with a cold, sweet, and creamy Thai iced tea, and you’re golden. 64-13 39th Ave., Woodside, NY 11377 (GMAP)

Attractions

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Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Originally a bit of swampland, it was filled in for purposes of the NY World’s Fair, and now is the largest park in Queens. It’s an amazing green space with lots of grassy area and walking paths. It’s also home to some great attractions, including the Queens Museum of Art, the US Tennis Center (where the US Open is played), the NY Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, Citi Field and the popular symbol of Queens, the Unisphere. A Major League Soccer stadium – complete with a new team  – will likely be built in the park, too. GMAP

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The exhibition, “The Art of Rise of the Guardians,” is on view at Museum of the Moving Image in New York, November 10, 2012, through March 3, 2013. Image courtesy of Museum of the Moving Image.

Museum of the Moving Image. We are big fans of MOMI (also starting to be known as MMI) and think it has amazing value to offer to the community. There’s a permanent exhibit of old movie cameras, props, and costumes, some interactive exhibits on sound and editing, as well as a number of traveling exhibits that make their way there over the year. They also screen hundreds of films each year, and show a number of previews, too. Additionally, there’s a little cafe and bookstore. It is really worth checking out if you haven’t already. And membership is a steal – $75 for a single membership. With movie tickets costing $12 and up, going to see a half dozen movies in a year as a member pretty much pays for itself. Additionally, there is great food in the neighborhood, too. 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, NY 11106 (GMAP)

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Image source: Queens Botanical Garden

Queens Botanical Garden. This green oasis in Flushing – currently adjacent to Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s east side – was originally developed as part of the 1939 NY World’s Fair. When the 1964 NY World’s Fair was under construction, it was moved to its current location. It has a variety of plants – flowers, bushes, and trees – visible from the walking paths, and the garden is a great place for birding, too. There is a moder visitor center, too. During the months of November through the end of March, admission is free. 43-50 Main St., Flushing, NY 11355 (GMAP)

Shopping

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SITE. Mackenzi Farquer’s shop in south Astoria is one of the most popular and well-regarded shopping spots in western Queens. People come from miles around to shop for artisan jewelry, custom lamp shades, kids toys, kitchen supplies, and more. Her Queens pillows are extremely popular, too, as are the “I Heart Astoria” t-shirts. 35-11 34th Ave., Astoria, NY 11106 (GMAP)

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Image source: Harris Graber

Parrot Market. With locations in Astoria, Sunnyside, and Ridgewood, Parrot Market has proven itself to be a wonderful source for European gourmet foods. It’s a terrific source for nuts and dried fruit, as well as various meats and cheeses from places like Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. They make delicious homemade cheese, spinach, and zucchin pies, too. Their olive bar is excellent, and they sell the biggest and tastiest medjool dates around. A great selection of Milka Bars can also be had here. 31-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 (GMAP); 45-15 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside, NY 11104 (GMAP); 58-22 Myrtle Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385 (GMAP)

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The Little Soap Shop. Proprietress Vivian Dritsas makes all natural soaps, lotions, body butters, and scrubs that will make your skin sing. There is no artificial anything, and the soaps are formulated to be gentle to your skin. She also makes soy candles in varying sizes; soy candles do not emit the same levels of pollution as (petroleum-based) paraffin candles, so the air quality in your house will be better. 22-07 36th St., Astoria, NY 11105 (GMAP)

Nightlife

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Image source: Break Bar & Billiards

Break Bar and Billiards. This popular spot on Broadway in Astoria is one of the most enjoyable places around to play a game of pool, as well as ping pong, darts, foosball, and air hockey. They have a huge bar, lots of TVs and plenty of beer on tap, along with American comfort food. So if you are looking for a fun space to hang with a small or large crowd, Break is a terrific option. 32-04b Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 (GMAP)

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The Laughing Devil. This is LIC’s first dedicated comedy club and has helped to raise the reputation of LIC as a center for stand up comedy. Some of the comedy greats have stopped by here – Louis CK, Jerry Seinfeld, and SNL’s Cheryl Oteri will be performing there New Years Eve. Along with comedy stars, they do an open mic and teach comedy classes. They even have a few taps for tasty brews, signature cocktails, and a short but nom-tastic food menu. 47-38 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101 (GMAP)

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Image source: Terraza 7

Terraza 7. We love Terraza 7 for live music – here, you’ll hear lots of folk and Latin jazz, and the proprietors self-describe themselves as a “hub for art, political expression, music and for your favorite mixed drink.” One cool thing about the space is that the stage is upstairs, but the bottom of it is made from a metal grate, so the music filters downstairs easily, where you can hang out and enjoy one of their many Pisco-oriented drinks. 40-19 Gleane Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373 (GMAP

Hidden Gems

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Image source: Buttercup Bake Shop

Buttercup Bake Shop. Did you know that Manhattan’s Buttercup Bake Shop has a sister location in LIC? It’s a bit hidden (it’s not even listed on their website, it’s that much of a secret), with limited hours (Tuesday-Friday, 12:00-3:30pm), but if you can make it there, it is so worth it. This is not an outlet or a seconds shop associated with Buttercup Bake Shop, the progeny of Magnolia Bakery, but a second location where the goods are baked and prepared. Everything is a little bit cheaper here compared to the Manhattan location, too. The cupcakes are lovely, the banana pudding rich and creamy, and they also have a different cake on special each day they are open –  Amaretto Bundt Cake, Tuesday; Chocolate Sour Cream Cake, Wednesday; Apple Walnut Cake, Thursday; and Carrot Cake, Friday. [excerpted from LIC for Brooklynites41-21 28th St, Long Island City, NY 11101; (212) 350-4144 (GMAP)

Rego Smoked Fish. Tucked away in a semi-industrial area of Middle Village, this tiny shop sells delicious smoked fish. Until relatively recently, they used to smoke the fish on the premises, but now it’s done in Brooklyn at Service Smoked Fish, who has been around at least as long as Rego Smoked Fish. This location is only open on Sundays from 8-noon. Classic fish options like whole whitefish, sable, nova, salty lox, kippered salmon, and pickled herring are all available and quite delicious. Staff is friendly and happy to help you find just what you are looking for. 69-80 75th St., Middle Village, NY 11379 (GMAP)

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Image source: NYC Parks

Bowne Park. In north Flushing lies Bowne Park, a real gem of an urban green space. The property used to be the location of the summer home of Walter Bowne (1770-1846), who served the state as Mayor of NYC and as a State Senator. The house was damaged in a fire and was beyond repair, so they demolished it and created this park. There’s plenty of grass, trees, walkways lined with benches, a parkhouse that also serves as a nursery, and a pond that is home to families of turtles. It is truly an urban oasis. 29 Ave., 32 Ave. bet. 155 St. and 159 St., Flushing, NY, 11354 (GMAP)


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. I’m curious, why no mention of Queens Center Mall in the shopping section? It might be glaringly obvious and for that reason maybe not listable but having grown up and lived in queens my whole life, this was always and still is the place to go for back to school shopping, shoe shopping, morning glory cutesy stuff, etc. There’s something for everyone there.