quentinC's Profile
Fresh fish in Jackson Heights?
agreed, they had really pristine mackerel the other day. Not a huge selection, but what is there is good. We stock up at the farmer's market (now it's always fish dinner on Sunday)
New Years Eve in Barcelona - dining suggestions?
No no-- I am still following it avidly! Thanks for all the great info--- We are oddly also going to be in Barcelona for New Year's Eve.
A pseudo hipster moving to Jackson Heights
I have now lived in Jackson Heights 2 of my 20 plus years in NY-- still lots to discover --- walk up 37th avenue into the upper 80's you'll find some really nice columbian, paraguayan and other mid/south american bakery/cafes that are actually quite nice to sit in with a cafe con leche and do some work-- these are the real deal, and certainly won't break the bank. No wifi I am sure, but like the rest of Jackson Heights, very open (tho a little spanish goes a long way) to any and all...
BEST SEAFOOD/GREEK/ITALIAN IN QUEENS?
Skip the hype and go to Loukoumi-- The staff is wonderful the fish is ALWAYS top notch, and its a fun atmosphere. I have been following this family since they had a restaurant called Ploes on Broadway. Always really busy on the weekends. Just ask the waitstaff what fish they have that day.
Loukoumi is on Ditmars near 46th Street
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Loukoumi
45-07 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
Fresh Sardines?
Astoria, 30th avenue in the mid 30's and also on 33rd street just north of northern blvd-- I am sorry I don't have any exact addresses, but both these locations in Queens cater to the Greek population there and nearly always have both atlantic sardines as well as imported ones from time to time
Fish markets in Queens
Oh and the fish this week included Cod, monkfish, swordfish, lobsters hake flounder sea bass blue fish clams mussels bay scallops and sea scallops- I know I sound like a shill, but I really want these guys to be successful year round so I can get their fish for myself every week!
Fish markets in Queens
Ok here's the scoop on the Jackson Heights market-- it will run YEAR ROUND! There will be a break at christmas and new years, and the market will start up again January 9th-- some of the vendors won't be back till spring (when they actually have something to sell!) but fish and meat and some other will continue.
Fish markets in Queens
I will double check this weekend- but there were signs last weekend saying year round- a very recent development
Fish markets in Queens
I don't know the name of their company/boat- I'll get it this weekend- The market is every Sunday from 8-3pm on 34th avenue and 78-79th street- I think they are taking a brief break around x mas time but will be back the first week of January--
Fish markets in Queens
The Jackson Heights Farmers Market will go year round- and the fish guys from Montauk promise to be there-- go support them! I miss Marino's in Astoria, but I also have gotten good fish from the other large fish market on 30th ave in the 30's- There is also a Greek fish market around 36th Avenue and 33rd street that has a lot of whole fish at good prices.
Burrata Cheese in Queens, NY ?
Yes I meant EITHER Buon Italia (I have seen it for sale there) OR Eataly (haven't been yet). thanks for the clarification....
Burrata Cheese in Queens, NY ?
You'll never get great burrata here (in my opinion...)- it's a fresh cheese- very much like a fresh mozzerella- best eaten the DAY it's made. The kinds the guys in Astoria have are good, they are imported and usually only a few days old-- you'll see them wrapped in fake green "leaves" if it is soft, pliant when you touch it, it's good. Ask the guys at Sorriso's when the burrata came in- they will (mostly) tell you the truth. I would bet you could get very good quality in Manhattan at Murray's and the like. Maybe the new "Eataly" the store in Chelsea Market?
Burrata Cheese in Queens, NY ?
yes, Astoria is the place to go-- Sorriso's on 30th ave and 44th street often has it (But you should make sure it's quite fresh) Tony and Dave's, also on 30th ave (in the 30's) also carries it occasionally- usually on the weekend. Yes it is to die for-- have it with some good imported Prosciutto.
anyone been to Bromo Satay House in Elmhurst?
We went yesterday for lunch. We ordered Satay (of course), rujak, and a mie dish to try as well as a few drinks. The beef satay was tasty, I really liked the peanut sauce, as well as the slivers of raw chilies and shallots on top- it tasted very much like what I remember having when I visited Java, right down to the gristly cut of beef used (a turn off to my dining companion) The yellow coconut rice (.50 extra) that comes on the side is excellent. - The rujak salad was decent, if a bit muddy, and the fruit was not as varied as I would have liked. The mie dish was disappointing-- I cannot remember the name, but it was in a broth that tasted suspiciously canned or boullion flavored- the sauce on the side was appropriately hot and funky with shrimp paste, jaggery and spice, but did not come together to me. We haven't been to Upi Jaya or Asli (we keep getting distracted by all the great thai places nearby), I would be curious how this place compares-- The Ayam goreng on another table looked fantastic, I would go to try that- and the satay was very good. The service is very sweet (if a little slow) and the place is quiet and comfortable. It was filled with indonesians when we went.
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Upi Jaya
76-04 Woodside Ave, Queens, NY 11373
Bromo Satay House
83-25 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373
Greek food outside
My fave Greek place hands down is Loukoumi on Ditmars Blvd near 49th street-- they have a nice backyard to sit in to boot.
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Loukoumi
45-07 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
ISO: Great Dinner tonight in Elmhurst
I vote for Taste Good- the food is great, and the people working there are very nice-- you might want to check Chao Thai as we just discovered this place-- we are loving trying all the Thai in Elmhurst.
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Chao Thai
85-03 Whitney Ave, Queens, NY 11373
Taste Good
82-18 45th Ave, Queens, NY 11373
Amalfi area- Where not to miss??
I just received Slowfood 2010 in anticipation of our trip this summer, and was curious to read about Acqua Pazza- but it is is no longer in the guide. Just FYI....
Landing at JAX at 9am and driving north. Breakfast ideas?
Thanks for all this info--- We DIDNT find breakfast as we stayed on 95 on the way north, but when we returned we took 17 south instead from Savannah to Brunswick and found many little places to stop-- we had boiled shrimp and Brunswick stew (no squirrel, alas) in a place on a river about 15 miles north of the big bridge to Brunswick( Mud river?? I can't recall the name now...)-- We recommend taking 17 (as we will do if we take this route again) 4-5 bbq places and several small simple joints along the way
Landing at JAX at 9am and driving north. Breakfast ideas?
Thanks for your message. I'm still holding out hope that someone has managed to salvage a little individuality along I-95!
Where to go to cook, shop and eat for a week?
Thanks for all the great responses. We have spent time in Naples and the surrounding region. I was tempted to go back, as i love it, but we wanted to see another part of the country. Pluse we are coming from NYC, and like to go where our ears ring from silence, and Naples doesn't count for that. I am going to check out Rodi Garganico as well as Puglia!
Amalfi area- Where not to miss??
I am afraid we were too.... I speak enough italian to understand that others were getting the same size bills... it was the ONLY place this has ever happened to me, we just thought it was the price-- i would love to know what other's experience has been. Have you been there, Jen? BTW I am an avid follower of your well informed writing.
Amalfi area- Where not to miss??
We stumbled upon Aqua Pazza-- we had a fritto misto a pasta with colatura to share and a small fish with clams and an excellent bottle of local wine-- the bill came to 350 euros- there was no menu, and we didn't ask prices-- I don't regret a moment of it, but it was more than the 90 euros we spent at other places- including Il Convento. The fish and quality was high and most definitely local at both places.
Amalfi area- Where not to miss??
It's definitely not touristy (well all Italian tourists when we were there...)-- but it IS high priced- but we felt the food at Il Convento was equally good- sit outside to eat, but definitely check out the interior of the restaurant
Amalfi area- Where not to miss??
We spent about 10 days there last summer-- Definitely go to Il Convento for lunch in Cetara- try the pasta with Colatura (the specialty of the town) and there is a great place (also for lunch) called Bar Mare down at the beach in Praiano. We rented a place so we blissfully cooked dinner most nights. We went to Aqua Pazza as well- it was good but beware of sticker shock! Everyone who ate there the day we were there were most impressed by the bill!
Where to go to cook, shop and eat for a week?
Wow this sounds great-- Puglia and Le Marche are two areas we have not had the pleasure of exploring yet. Anyone with some thoughts on Le marche? I haven't found much to entice me to a particular seaside town in the region, besides so fun restos. But the inland towns near Ascoli Piceno sound very nice...I am going to dig into Puglia now as well...
Where to go to cook, shop and eat for a week?
My partner and I will be in Europe for work for most of July and are looking to finish it off by renting an apartment or house for a week in Italy. We love to cook, and a great market town trumps all, but something near a coast would be ideal. Last year we stayed in Praiano for a week and had a great time. This year we will be coming from Urbino in Le Marche, but are happy to travel anywhere. Can anyone suggest any small towns or regions good for a week's worth of cooking and shopping and eating that are a bit off the beaten track?
Dessert spots in L.I.C.?
Manducati Rustica has gelato and some home made desserts and their coffee is quite good. There is a caffe area up front, I am sure they'd be happy to accommodate you for Dessert
The Meat Hook--Williamsburg
I now buy almost all meat from them or Marlow and Daughters. I eat less meat because of it, but I value what I do eat. Anytime (or everytime!) I buy something from them I am taken aback at the price a bit, I get home, make what I've bought and think "it was worth the price"-- I also then make sure to use EVERY bit of what I've bought, making stock, rendering lard, etc. It works out to my advantage-- meat's now becoming a specialty item for me
Diner / Marlow & Sons review (w/ pics) - wow, excellent american food in brooklyn and probably one of the best meals ive had in NYC
not only has miss williamsburg long closed, but the whole diner was gutted and now they park trucks there,,, sad
Food re: airport transfer
Take a 7 minute cab ride to Astoria and eat great Greek food at Loukoumi (Ditmars and 46th Street). I can't recommend anything between the airports.
