Ithaca restaurants

I know the OP said Ithaca, but I would have to say that Hazelnut Kitchen is close and worth the trip . . . http://www.hazelnutkitchen.com/ It's my favorite in the Ithaca area and a must go every time I'm around.

Perkalator in New York State (exc. New York City)

Top 5 Restaurants to try in Queens?

Here's my top 5:

Katsuno (Japanese) - Forest Hills
Ihawan (Filipino) - Jackson Heights
Sriprapahi (Thai) - Woodside
M Wells Diner (French Canadian) - LIC
Tournesol (French) - LIC

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Ihawan
40-06 70th St, Queens, NY 11377

SriPraPhai
64-13 39th Ave, Queens, NY 11377

Tournesol
50-12 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11101

Katsuno
103-01 Metropolitan Ave, Queens, NY 11375

M. Wells Diner
21-17 49th Ave, Queens, NY 11101

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Best Sam Gyup Sal in NY (Flushing) - Tong Sam Gyup Gui Restaurant (w/ pics)

Fantastic blog, by the way!

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Ihawan in LIC Rocks

I have not posted in Chowhound in quite a while, but I read the title of this thread and was compelled to respond. They need to change two letters in the title, the "R" and the "O" for an "S" and a "U"----Ihawan in LIC SUCKS--and then it would be more accurate and correct. I went there a few weeks ago for Sunday lunch, it was almost empty, the staff seemed so untinterested in the customers, and the food was nowhere near as good as the original.

I was initially hopeful for the Ihawan extension, as I love the one in Woodside. But this iteration was made for the young daughter of the owners of the original and her/it's naivety really shows (Sripraphai in Williston Park, on the other hand, is a successful venture for the son of the owners of the original in Sripraphai).

The first impression I got was seeing the awning sign saying "Asian Grill and Sushi Bar." WTF!!!!!! It's like those places that say Chinese Food and Sushi, they might as well post a sign saying "Proceed with Caution" or "Abandon Hope All Ye that Enter Here." I think we all have our misgivings about pan-Asian places that try to satisfy all tastes but inevitably end up making mediocire food at best--add Ihawan LIC to the list.

We had the pleasure of sitting up front close to the entrance/bar/host station and got to hear beauiful nuggets of connversations between the young manager and her staff. I hate it when service employees carry on their personal converstaions within earshot of customers. It is unwelcomed and uprofessional. If I wanted to hear inane drivel, I would've just turned on the tv and watched the "Zoe Project." Oh I forgot (serious sarcasm here), that's what the young lady manager was watching at the bar while eating her lunch and saying to her staff that her dream job was to be a fashion stylist (to the oung lady---if you are reading this, please pursue your dream as the restaurant business is apprarently not for you).

On to the food - - not good at all. We ordered kare-kare, ox-tail stew in peanut sauce, and the dish was served cool and only had 2 thin pieces of oxtail. The peanut sauce was horrible as the peanut butter was probably added right before being served and didn't have time to marinate through the stew. We also had the tapas, which is fried cured pork and it was tough and overly sugared. The barbecue, which Ihawan is known for, was ok, but not on par with the original.

As I said earlier, Ihawan LIC SUCKS!!! We skipped desssert and headed straight to Cafe Henri to get our taste buds and expectations back in into sorts.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

The New KFC - Korean Fried Chicken

I did that, but i just realized I sorted by date rather than relevance . My bad. Thanks for your reply.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

The New KFC - Korean Fried Chicken

I've many a good thing about Korean fried chicken, who can help me on my quest to find the best KFC in Queens?

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Cupcakes in Queens?

Thanks, I will check out Sage. I need these for a holiday party, so much better than a ckae or a bottle of wine in my opinion. I like Cupcake Cafe so Martha's maybe out. Aubergine is probably my favorite coffee shop in Queens. What a shame no othe really good coffee shops in the borough.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Cupcakes in Queens?

I am big fan of the Cupcake Cafe on 39th Street, but hate the schlp to Manhattan. Are there any good cupcakes in Queens?

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Taste of Asia: Filipino Restaurant

I've been there twice and the place blows. The food is not that good and the service is downright awful. As far as the atmosphere/decor, it's not surreal, it's just bad taste. For more authentic and better Filipino food in the area, just go down Parsons Blvd towards Hillside, there's a grocery store with a turo-turo (cafeteria style) restaurant in a little strip mall by the Dunkin Donuts. I thing the place is called Nayong Filipino Store.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Best diner in Queens?

Bel-Aire blows, went there last month during the "rennovation." The place was a sty and both food and service stunk. Sanford Diner on Braodway off 31st Street doesn't disappoint. The problem with the Georgia Diner is the same problem with the Queens Center Mall, way too many Queens people, very Queens people. Don't get me wrong, I grew up in Queens and love the borough, but everybody and their mother goes to the Georgia Diner. It maybe a bit chainy, but I like Pop Diner on Queens Boulevard too. I'm dating myself, but I used to go there all the time when it was the Sage Diner, always prefered the Sage over Georgia, disco fries and all.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

best of queens for outer-borough rookie?

I'm a big fan of Lil Bistro 33 in Astoria (on 21st and Ditmars) and you've got to get a good old fashion slice of grandma's sicilian pizza at Alba's in Briarwood (on Queens Blvd and Main Street or F traing to Brairwood-Van Wyck), their sausgae roll is awesome too.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

River Cafe, Brooklyn...any opinions?!

Gotta say, I went to River Cafe and Water's Edge (Queens counter-part) and thought the food better was better at Water's Edge. Views just as spectacular, setting a little more elegnt at river Cafe, I felt like I was at a wedding caterer at Water's Edge. What's nice about the Water's Edge is the ferry from 34th Street.

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Turducken to go?

A Turducken is great, but it takes some stuffing and cooking skill. There was a NY Times article in 2002 that listed butchers that de-boned the birds. Although I must say that I lived in New Orleans for a few years and the best holiday treat is a deep fried turkey. Pretty easy to do if you have a back yard, a big galvanized pot, a large syringe, a burner, and a few gallons of peanut oil, or you can go to Brooklyn and pick on up at Jive Turkey.

http://www.thejiveturkey.com/

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs

Where to Eat in Jamaica, Queens?

I work close to there off Hillside Avenue and the best place I found is call Punto Rojo. It's a Columbian joint that serves tasy food, huge portions and is very modern compared to other neighborhood places (i.e., plasma tvs on walls, clean and has a city vibe). Get a combination platter, Cosmopolitana @ $11 (pork loins, steak, avocado, rice and beans, & ripe plantain) or Metropolitano $13.50 (skirt steak, chicken breast, fried pork skin, salad w/ avocoado, fried cassava, rice & beans), and you have lunchj and dinner with the left overs. Also, there are healthier alternatives like soup, salad and sandwiches. But don't forget the pastries on the way out.

147-16 Hillside Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11435
718-657-1660 (they deliver!)

Perkalator in Outer Boroughs