Guidebook for Queens & NYC
Food Scene
Quaint bills itself as a "casual New American Bistro." It offers reliably good food. Popular menu items are the Mac & Cheese, Angus Cheeseburger, and Grilled Salmons. Quaint is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
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Quaint
46-10 Skillman AveQuaint bills itself as a "casual New American Bistro." It offers reliably good food. Popular menu items are the Mac & Cheese, Angus Cheeseburger, and Grilled Salmons. Quaint is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
A neighborhood favorite, Aubergine is a great place for coffee, breakfast pastries, and afternoon salads and sandwiches. I'm fond of the 'Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Red Onion Bagel' for breakfast, and the 'Smoked Turkey & Brie Sandwich' for lunch or a simple dinner.
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Aubergine Cafe
49-22 Skillman AveA neighborhood favorite, Aubergine is a great place for coffee, breakfast pastries, and afternoon salads and sandwiches. I'm fond of the 'Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Red Onion Bagel' for breakfast, and the 'Smoked Turkey & Brie Sandwich' for lunch or a simple dinner.
Nearly every corner in New York has a pizzeria. This is my go-to, standard oven, pizza place. I would steer clear of their more eccentric toppings and go with one of the traditional choices — mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, etc. — or just stick to the classic plain slice. But that's just me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Spicy Pizza
43-22 43rd AveNearly every corner in New York has a pizzeria. This is my go-to, standard oven, pizza place. I would steer clear of their more eccentric toppings and go with one of the traditional choices — mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, etc. — or just stick to the classic plain slice. But that's just me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
For brick-oven pizza (a step above standard-oven pizza found on nearly every corner), this is the only neighborhood choice in the category. I'm fond of the "Vegana" (but hold the artichokes) pie.
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Sotto Le Stelle
4407 Queens BlvdFor brick-oven pizza (a step above standard-oven pizza found on nearly every corner), this is the only neighborhood choice in the category. I'm fond of the "Vegana" (but hold the artichokes) pie.
Lombardi's is the oldest of the brick-oven pizzerias in New York. Totonno's, John's Pizzeria, Patsy's, and Grimaldi's all spun off from Lombardi's. It's New York history and it's great pizza.
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Lombardi's
32 Spring StLombardi's is the oldest of the brick-oven pizzerias in New York. Totonno's, John's Pizzeria, Patsy's, and Grimaldi's all spun off from Lombardi's. It's New York history and it's great pizza.
If you're craving Mexican food in the Sunnyside/Woodside neighborhood, you go to de Mole. Enough said.
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de Mole
45-02 48th AveIf you're craving Mexican food in the Sunnyside/Woodside neighborhood, you go to de Mole. Enough said.
Chinese-Indian fusion cuisine. But what really makes Tangra a spectacular dining experience is its ballroom decor. Appetizers range from about $4–$9. Entrees, $10–$22. Tangra also offers lunch specials.
Tangra
39-23 Queens BoulevardChinese-Indian fusion cuisine. But what really makes Tangra a spectacular dining experience is its ballroom decor. Appetizers range from about $4–$9. Entrees, $10–$22. Tangra also offers lunch specials.
Our Friendly Neighborhood Starbucks. I'm not a coffee drinker, but if you have a Starbucks addiction, here it is.
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Starbucks
154 N 7th StOur Friendly Neighborhood Starbucks. I'm not a coffee drinker, but if you have a Starbucks addiction, here it is.
Grab your morning donut(s) and/or a cheaper coffee than Starbucks on the way to/from the 46th Street-Bliss subway station. Plus they have a Baskin Robbins inside for the occasional ice cream cone or sundae treat.
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Dunkin'
182 Bedford AveGrab your morning donut(s) and/or a cheaper coffee than Starbucks on the way to/from the 46th Street-Bliss subway station. Plus they have a Baskin Robbins inside for the occasional ice cream cone or sundae treat.
Tip: order a variety of appetizers and entrees that sound good, then share them among your table. Like Italian "family style", and more like Indian cuisine, that's how the Turkish dining experience flows.
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Turkish Grill
4203 Queens BlvdTip: order a variety of appetizers and entrees that sound good, then share them among your table. Like Italian "family style", and more like Indian cuisine, that's how the Turkish dining experience flows.
There's not many places that still make their own bagels in New York (most are mass produced and then distributed to various shops). Bagelsmith is one of my favorite places to get an authentic bagel! It's a small shop that gets very crowded later in the morning on weekends when the hipsters (and wannabe hipsters) finally wake up, so best to get there early.
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Bagelsmith Bedford
189 Bedford AveThere's not many places that still make their own bagels in New York (most are mass produced and then distributed to various shops). Bagelsmith is one of my favorite places to get an authentic bagel! It's a small shop that gets very crowded later in the morning on weekends when the hipsters (and wannabe hipsters) finally wake up, so best to get there early.
It you have money to splurge and are looking for an incredible NYC dining experience, this is the place. Incredible food, impeccable service, and wonderful views overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park.
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Per Se
10 Columbus CircleIt you have money to splurge and are looking for an incredible NYC dining experience, this is the place. Incredible food, impeccable service, and wonderful views overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park.
Convenient nearby café for grabbing a coffee, smoothie, and breakfast or lunch sandwich on the go. Prices are reasonable.
The Spot Café (43rd Ave.)
Convenient nearby café for grabbing a coffee, smoothie, and breakfast or lunch sandwich on the go. Prices are reasonable.
Small take-out restaurant offering delicious food packed with flavor. Popular menu items include sandwiches, papitas (Bolivian seasoned fries), and saltenas. The Chicken Chicha Loaded Papitas and Sandwich de Chola (Pork) are my favorites. Vegetarian options are available.
Bolivian Llama Party
Small take-out restaurant offering delicious food packed with flavor. Popular menu items include sandwiches, papitas (Bolivian seasoned fries), and saltenas. The Chicken Chicha Loaded Papitas and Sandwich de Chola (Pork) are my favorites. Vegetarian options are available.
A small neighborhood Indian restaurant with excellent reviews (including the Michelin Guide and New York Times). Their expansive menu offers all the popular Indian dishes and others to explore. Vegetable Samosa, Chicken Vindaloo, Garlic Naan, and Mango Lassi are among my favorites.
Most entrees are priced around US$20 and come with rice. I suggest ordering one per person and then sharing among the table.
Cardamom Indian Cuisine
43-45 43rd StA small neighborhood Indian restaurant with excellent reviews (including the Michelin Guide and New York Times). Their expansive menu offers all the popular Indian dishes and others to explore. Vegetable Samosa, Chicken Vindaloo, Garlic Naan, and Mango Lassi are among my favorites.
Most entrees are priced around US$20 and come with rice. I suggest ordering one per person and then sharing among the table.
A classic brick-oven pizzeria in the Coney Island neighborhood.
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Totonno's Pizzeria Napolitana
1524 Neptune AveA classic brick-oven pizzeria in the Coney Island neighborhood.
Drinks & Nightlife
For a Biergarten experience in Brooklyn's trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. Get there extra early whenever the World Cup finals are on (especially if Germany is still contending).
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Radegast Hall & Biergarten
113 N 3rd StFor a Biergarten experience in Brooklyn's trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. Get there extra early whenever the World Cup finals are on (especially if Germany is still contending).
Parks & Nature
I was in New York probably 25 years before I learned of Wave Hill. It's a gorgeous estate of buildings and gardens overlooking the Hudson River. Wonderful nature walks on the estate and adjoining neighborhood of Riverdale. Historically, the estate was leased by young Teddy Roosevelt's family from 1870–1871 and Mark Twain from 1901–1903. It's a journey to access, but Wave Hill is well worth the effort for anyone who wants to see a unique area of NYC (and the Bronx).
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Wave Hill
4900 Independence AveI was in New York probably 25 years before I learned of Wave Hill. It's a gorgeous estate of buildings and gardens overlooking the Hudson River. Wonderful nature walks on the estate and adjoining neighborhood of Riverdale. Historically, the estate was leased by young Teddy Roosevelt's family from 1870–1871 and Mark Twain from 1901–1903. It's a journey to access, but Wave Hill is well worth the effort for anyone who wants to see a unique area of NYC (and the Bronx).
Coney Island is a great retreat between late spring and early fall. It's a public beach that both New Yorkers and tourists love. There's the beach, amusement parks (Wonder Wheel, Cyclone Rollercoaster, Luna Park, etc.), arcades, the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball, etc.
TIP: Crowds start gathering on the beach around noon. So if you want to have a relaxing stroll along the beach with the waves wafting over your toes, get there early.
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Coney Island
Coney Island is a great retreat between late spring and early fall. It's a public beach that both New Yorkers and tourists love. There's the beach, amusement parks (Wonder Wheel, Cyclone Rollercoaster, Luna Park, etc.), arcades, the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball, etc.
TIP: Crowds start gathering on the beach around noon. So if you want to have a relaxing stroll along the beach with the waves wafting over your toes, get there early.
Located along the northeast side of Brooklyn's Prospect Park and next to the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers acres of beautifully landscaped vistas to walk upon.
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Bustani wa Brooklyn Botanic
990 Washington AveLocated along the northeast side of Brooklyn's Prospect Park and next to the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers acres of beautifully landscaped vistas to walk upon.
Arts & Culture
If you want to see art from antiquities to modern day, this is the museum you should go to. The museum is so big that you could literally spend a week exploring every section. I've been going there for over 30 years, and I still find surprises every time I visit (The Met's collection is so vast that they regularly move items around and in and out of display).
TIP: The Met is generally least busy during weekdays and when it first opens at 10 am. The grand stairs entry and the hallway is an experience. But to enter the museum quicker, go through the ground level side entrance to the left for "educational" groups.
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Jumba la Sanaa ya Metropolitan
1000 5th AveIf you want to see art from antiquities to modern day, this is the museum you should go to. The museum is so big that you could literally spend a week exploring every section. I've been going there for over 30 years, and I still find surprises every time I visit (The Met's collection is so vast that they regularly move items around and in and out of display).
TIP: The Met is generally least busy during weekdays and when it first opens at 10 am. The grand stairs entry and the hallway is an experience. But to enter the museum quicker, go through the ground level side entrance to the left for "educational" groups.
Known for both its impressive collection of Old Master artwork and the former Gilded Age mansion that houses it.
Highlights from the collection include: Titian's "Portrait of a Man in a Red Cap", Rembrandt's "Self-Portrait" from 1658, Vermeer's painting of a "Mistress and Maid", Holbein's portrait of "Sir Thomas More", and Ingres' portrait of the "Comtesse d'Haussonville."
End your visit meditating in the museum's Garden Court that features a fountain with "spitting" frogs to either side of the reflecting pool.
The Frick offers discounted admission on Wednesdays from 2–6 pm and on the first Friday of the month from 6–9 pm.
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Kusanyiko la Frick
1 E 70th StKnown for both its impressive collection of Old Master artwork and the former Gilded Age mansion that houses it.
Highlights from the collection include: Titian's "Portrait of a Man in a Red Cap", Rembrandt's "Self-Portrait" from 1658, Vermeer's painting of a "Mistress and Maid", Holbein's portrait of "Sir Thomas More", and Ingres' portrait of the "Comtesse d'Haussonville."
End your visit meditating in the museum's Garden Court that features a fountain with "spitting" frogs to either side of the reflecting pool.
The Frick offers discounted admission on Wednesdays from 2–6 pm and on the first Friday of the month from 6–9 pm.
Get same day discounted tickets (often 50% off) to a variety of Broadway shows. Best to get there before 10 am for matinees and by 3 pm for evening performances.
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TKTS Times Square
West 47th StreetGet same day discounted tickets (often 50% off) to a variety of Broadway shows. Best to get there before 10 am for matinees and by 3 pm for evening performances.
Besides the exquisite collection of medieval art, The Cloisters is worth visiting for Fort Tryon Park that surrounds it and the views the museum provides across the Hudson River to tree covered palisades (steep cliffs).
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The Met Cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin DrBesides the exquisite collection of medieval art, The Cloisters is worth visiting for Fort Tryon Park that surrounds it and the views the museum provides across the Hudson River to tree covered palisades (steep cliffs).
Get same day discounted tickets (often 50% off) to a variety of Broadway shows. Some believe the service at this booth is better than at the the Times Square flagship booth — notably the Lincoln Center booth will tell you the range of seats available.
TKTS Lincoln Center
61 W 62nd StGet same day discounted tickets (often 50% off) to a variety of Broadway shows. Some believe the service at this booth is better than at the the Times Square flagship booth — notably the Lincoln Center booth will tell you the range of seats available.
Essentials
This is the closest grocery store to my apartment. I use it for "everyday" shopping. It's really good for produce and fresh herbs.
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Food Universe Marketplace
538 W 138th StThis is the closest grocery store to my apartment. I use it for "everyday" shopping. It's really good for produce and fresh herbs.
A drugstore/pharmacy at the end of my block. Great for picking up a spare toothbrush, sunscreen, or anything else you may need during your trip.
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Walgreens
210 Union AveA drugstore/pharmacy at the end of my block. Great for picking up a spare toothbrush, sunscreen, or anything else you may need during your trip.
Sightseeing
Who's buried in Grant's tomb? Go find out for yourself at this National Memorial.
TIP: The site is open during limited hours (which fluctuate throughout the day), so check the schedule before planning your trip to this historic site.
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Kumbukumbu ya Kitaifa ya Jenerali Grant
Riverside DriveWho's buried in Grant's tomb? Go find out for yourself at this National Memorial.
TIP: The site is open during limited hours (which fluctuate throughout the day), so check the schedule before planning your trip to this historic site.
Entertainment & Activities
Closest movie theater to my apartment. Early birds get the discount tickets for first showings of the day. MoviePass works for everything except 3D and the RPX screen.
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Regal UA Kaufman Astoria & RPX
35-30 38th StClosest movie theater to my apartment. Early birds get the discount tickets for first showings of the day. MoviePass works for everything except 3D and the RPX screen.
I love this theater. Yes it's a multiplex, but each theater is themed to pay homage to bygone movie palaces in NYC. Great matinee movie prices. Plus it's close to Central Park.
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AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13
1998 BroadwayI love this theater. Yes it's a multiplex, but each theater is themed to pay homage to bygone movie palaces in NYC. Great matinee movie prices. Plus it's close to Central Park.