grilled-branzino-mp-taverna

Image source: MP Taverna

The NY Times recently published an article on new Fall restaurant openings around the city, with a long list of places in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Queens has a small – and impressive – footprint on the list, and the entry that really caught our eye is for MP Taverna, a grand Greek restaurant that will settle in the old Mezzo-Mezzo space at 31-29 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria (GMAP). It should open in October, according to the Times. We’ve been seeing plywood up for months, and are looking forward to seeing a real restaurant back in that space.

We had first heard about MP Taverna coming to Astoria back in Fall of 2011 during some chit chat on a local message board. Eater further confirmed it earlier this year. To get an idea as to what Michael Psiliakis’ work is all about, this Q&A with him explains a lot. Furthermore, here is the MP Taverna menu for the original location in Roslyn. The restaurant has gotten raves from many out on Long Island, and we’re can’t wait to try it ourselves

The Times also highlighted the M. Wells Dinette, which opened yesterday, and the upcoming M. Wells Steakhouse located near Court Square (43-13 Crescent Street – GMAP). Apparently the steakhouse will “feature European cuts, often on the bone, with classic sauce.” In the words of owner Sarah Obraitis, “It will take time to get open because we’re dealing with raw space, a former auto body shop.” This reminds us of another raw, industrial space that was turned into something amazing – The Noguchi Museum (it is housed in a former printmaking plant and gas station).

Look for the steakhouse to open later this winter.

Chefs Try New Terrain, Like the Upper East Side [NYT]
Michael Psilakis to Open MP Taverna in Astoria [Eater]
Mezze Mezze on Ditmars becoming a Michael Psilakis restaurant? [astorians.com]


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. I’m curious about the upcoming dining experience at MP Taverna in Astoria. I’ve been to the one in Roslyn twice and not overly impressed. The service is so quick that I never have had a chance to relax, think about my food and really enjoy the experience. I hope they fix that in the Astoria location, so people can actually leisurely eat their food.