I'm Hungry! Best Food Delivery in Queens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the New York Tri-State area has been hit with another snowstorm. Uggg. Well, what can you do. It's winter time in New York.  The temperature is in the low teens, the snow is high and slippery, the wind chill is blistering and frigid. It's a total headache. After a long day of travels, you're finally home, hungry and not in the mood for pizza or Chinese food. So what is one to do? Well I have complied a list of the Best Food Delivery restaurants in the five boroughs. Now, I have not ordered from all these establishments myself. However, the fabulous people on Yelp.com and UrbanSpoon.com have provided some excellent useful reviews.  When we can't go to the best, we want the best to come us! So happy ordering and bon appétit! 

Queens 

1.  Henricas Restaurant   - Caribbean/ Chinese - Rosedale

I ordered food from this restaurant for first time today and it was De-Lish! I learned of Henricas from a review on Yelp and I am glad I listened. I ordered from the lunch menu and the food arrived in 30 minutes as stated by the phone operator. I was timing it. lol.  I ordered the Jerk Chicken Pasta Alfredo and Brown Stewed Salmon.

The Jerk Chicken Pasta was truly a sensational ride of flavor. It had just the right amount of jerk spices. The sauce was rich and creamy with a great mix of chicken, pasta and crunchy bell peppers. The Brown Stewed Salmon was ok. However, its counterparts of rice and peas with mixed vegetable were very delightful. Both meals were generous portions and came with complementary slices of Red Velvet cake. I was quite surprised and excited when the cake slid out of the bag. The cake was light and moist with a fluffy cream cheese frosting. It was simply superb!

I truly enjoyed the food and look forward to ordering from Henricas in the future.

Jerk Chicken Pasta Alfredo

Brown Stewed Salmon

Red Velvet cake

 

2. Tandoori Hut - Indian Food - Ozone Park

Lauren L :

" One of my fav delivery spots in the restaurant wasteland that is Richmond Hill/Ozone Park.

Their chicken tikka masala is the best in the area: sharable portion of chicken in a puddle of super delicious sauce. I also love their aloo gobi and szechaun cauliflower (Indian/Chinese fusion is awesome!)

Service is wonderful, the owner is kind and attentive, I definitely order from here at least once a week."  Read more 

 

3. Village Grill - Greek American, Richmond Hill

Kevin C:

"Solid local Greek place in FH. Delivery is usually fast and the food is yummy.  But eating the food fresh out of the kitchen at the restaurant is so much better. They really use fresh, quality ingredients and you can tell from the first bite. Also, their service is very very friendly and efficient."  Read more

 

4. Bella Caracas Cafe - Venezuelan, Middle Village **This place is Delicious!**

 J.B:

"So happy that Middle Village finally has a Latin restaurant option!  Overall, great service and excellent food!  I would eat here again or order delivery without a doubt!

We had the special for the night, the Carne Salteado, and two arepas: the Vuelvo a la Vida (seafood mix) and the Falcon (Venezuelan cheese, avocado, sweet plantain).  Everything was great - the Falcon is outstanding.  We also tried the Tostoncitos as an appetizer which came with a delicious sauce and the Coconut Milkshake.

The flan is made on the premises and is delicious as well! " Read more

 

5.  CJ's Cafe - Sandwiches,   Fresh Meadows

Sue S:

"This is by far one of the best sandwich places I ever ate from. I never went in their restaurant but I ordered numerous times from seamless. Delivery is on point and the sandwiches are wrapped neatly and the prices are actually a bit high for me. But I think it's worth it. They make delicious spreads for their sandwiches and they have different types of breads to choose from. This place is also like a convenience store you can buy snacks if you want. I ordered from their breakfast menu and its great. I ordered chicken fingers, cheese fries, and sweet potato fries for my daughter. But one of the few things I think their not good at making is the sweet potato fries but everything else is great. I love their smoothies also!!!! I'm so grateful that they are one of the choices I have on seamless."

Amazing frozen vanilla latte! Obsessed! & really great pressed turkey, cheddar, bacon, cranberry spread sandwich. Tried the recommended chicken avocado sandwich but it was just alright. Tasty hearty soups as well! Try the Italian wedding soup (hard to find!)" Read more

6. Sushi Akio   - Japanese, Sushi Bar - Forest Hills

Maxine S:

"SO GOOD!! This review is based solely on their food.  I've ordered delivery from here twice but I've never actually been to the restaurant.

The ginger salad, miso soup, gyoza and rolls are delicious.  Everything is so fresh.  You can actually taste the difference because of the freshness.

I need to actually go by and dine in sometime soon. 100% recommended for delicious sushi." Read more

   

7.  Seoul Fusion Eatery  - Koren, Astoria 

Kim L:

"It's a relief to finally see a Korean place in Astoria. The place is run by a kind family, and dishes made by none other than grandma. Some of the staff doesn't speak Korean, but grandma and definitely son does. So don't fret, the food is made by Korean people!

I lived in Korea for 3 years so my standards of Korean food are high. Some of the dishes are good (i.e. the odeng soup), but some are just whatever (the kimbap). My biggest pet peeve is that none of the dishes were made with sesame leaf (a staple in Korean food). Also, the food is good, but not FANTASTIC, meaning there needs to be an extra kick of gochujang or something added. However, if you're just looking for a local Korean fix, the eatery is good enough.

The kimchi is pretty on point. Even in Korea, cheap restaurants won't serve kimchi like this place.

Delivery is a plus too, as very few Korean places will deliver."

 

 8. Mister Chicken To Go  - Fried Chicken,  Woodside

J.E:

"Wow I'm very impressed. I ordered here for delivery last week and it was great. I had low expectations but when the food arrived it was amazing. I got chicken fingers deliciously seasoned and tender. I had fried chicken as well it was still crispy when I ate it which is hard to find when you order for delivery. The Mac and cheese and roasted beets again very impressed and I'm rarely impressed with restaurant Mac and cheese. I will order again! Love it!" Read more

9. Burger Club   -  Burgers, Astoria

"I've partaken in Burger Club's offerings twice (once delivery and once in the restaurant), and I've been a fan both times. I'll definitely be back / ordering again!

FOOD: their burgers are simply TASTY. Cooked well, with a quality bun, and they do all the toppings (or specialty burgers) really well. They cater to your requests, and the outcome is an awesome burger. If you're like me and good with a plain old fashioned cheeseburger, the base burger starts at $7.75 and then whatever additional charge for the cheese of your choice. Me likey. Also, the house fries are delicious. What really got me about Burger Club, and convinced me to come in, was that when I ordered from Seamless, it was both fast and the bun was not at all soggy (as often happens with delivery). Color me impressed.

SERVICE: as I said, the delivery was fast, and the service we received on Tuesday night was great. Server was nice and attentive, and they didn't seem to mind while I waited for about 20 minutes for the person I was meeting to show up (train delays).

Overall, definitely a place I could see myself becoming a regular at. Backward sign and all.Read more

10.  New Shanghai Restaurant  -  Chinese, Japanese - Kew Gardens

Eva C:

"Funny thing is I've never been to the place, don't know where it is BUT my boyfriend and I ordered from New Shanghai 2-3 times a week !!! We typically order their Sushi Regular, Sushi Deluxe, Chicken Katsu dinner or eel rolls and combos.... ALL of them are very good.  I guess we consistently order from here because of their service and quick delivery.  The lady answering the phone is super nice and already knows what i want just by calling in !" Read more



Next Brooklyn....

 

 

Bourbon Street Bayside

 BAYSIDE VILLAGE, QUEENS 

 

 My roaming adventures this week lead me to  Bourbon Street restaurant in Bayside, Queens.  

As I drove down Bell Blvd I happened to notice Mardi Gras masks and a large sign that read "Bourbon Street." I said, this looks interesting I better investigate. Now, having resided and fallen in love with Louisiana, I had to authenticate this Cajun cuisine. When I walked through the door I was greeted with a warm smile from the hostess who lead me to my seat. The interior was charming and the ambiance was casual and relaxed.  There is a full bar and large televisions excellent for watching sports.  Away from the bar were quiet dinning areas. The walls held colorful vibrant paintings of jazz musicians, Mardi Gras masks and swanky scenes of New Orleans.  Each table setting included colorful  Mardi Gras beads. The archway has an enchanting French style gate that provided a nice French Quarter “N’Awlins touch.

Now on to the food.  The bread basket came with an array of breads including honey wheat, white roll, corn bread and everything flat bread. The basket was accompanied with a sweet homemade pecan butter. It was a wonderful complement to the breads.  I also had the opportunity to taste a fresh batch of apple cinnamon butter, a holiday specialty for the season. My waitress Kim, who was quite delightful provided some marvelous suggestions to acquaint me with the menu.

 

The water came in the charming bottle

Everything Flat Bread

My meal commenced with BBQ Shrimp. Now this was no average bbq shrimp I have ever tasted. This dish was comprised of plump jumbo shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices in a secret cream sauce served with garlic bread.  The cream sauce was buttery, rich and creamy. It had the right balance of spice with a hint of barbeque. The shrimp was seasoned to perfection and the garlic bread was fluffy with a light crunch. I tell you this reporter had a superb time sopping up each drop of the delicious cream sauce.

BBQ Shrimp with French Bread

Next Kim recommended Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese. This hearty dish was prepared with spicy, crispy buffalo breaded chicken cutlets served on top of a mountain of penne pasta swimming in homemade buffalo butter cheese sauce topped off with large crumbles of blue cheese. D-Lish is all I could say as the flavor fusions exploded in my mouth.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

My meal concluded with a grand slice of homemade apple crumbled pie served with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and a heavenly scoop of vanilla ice- cream.

Homemade Apple Crumbled Pie

Other scrumptious menu items include Pulled Pork Nachos, Almond Crusted Coconut Catfish, Seafood Gumbo,  Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya and so much more. Bourbon Street offers daily dinner specials and live music. Other specials include Thursday night $1 sliders,  Monday - Friday 2 for 1 appetizers and $3.50 Apple Martinis and Cosmos. Upcoming holiday events include Brunch with Santa on Sunday, December 15 at 11:30am and Ugly Sweater Party, Wednesday, December 19th at 8:30pm. I'm looking forward to the Ugly sweater affair. Bourbon Street also serves gluten free and vegetarian dishes.

Overall, I had a delightful time. I would have enjoyed hearing some jazz and dixieland music splashed in between the sports report on television. Nevertheless, a girl can't have it all. I miss the southern comforts of Louisiana daily, however, Bourbon Street brought this reporter a little taste of home. The price was moderate, the service was great and the was food fantastic. So if you're roaming through the Bayside, Queens area and you're looking for a new food adventure, check out  Bourbon Street, where their motto is  Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez....Let the Good Time Roll!

Bourbon Street is located 4012 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY.  http://bourbonstreetny.com/index.html

FEATURE: New Euro - Soul Restaurant Opens in Rosedale, Queens

ROSEDALE, QUEENS, NY

As I roamed around this past weekend looking for new and interesting things to report, I stumbled upon a new eatery in Rosedale, Queens called Pa-Nash Restaurant & Lounge.  This rare jewel serves what the owners call Euro Soul food which is a fusion of Mediterranean, Moroccan and Caribbean Soul food. Sounds delicious I know. I strolled in and was blown away by the beautiful Moroccan inspired decor. Highlights of the luxurious interior included dazzling chandlers dripping with clear glass drops that sparkled in the light, tall soft cushioned silver seats, and a illuminating bar stocked with the finest top shelf drinks. The upscale furnishings provides a Manhattan chic with local comfort.

I was introduced to manger Mel Renci who gave me the grand tour. On our walk down to the lounge area he explained that Pa-Nash is a family owned business. The owners, who wish to remain anonymous are from Ocho Rios, Jamaica W.I. Renci said the owners wanted to provided the Queens community with a new food sensation. The restaurant opened Tuesday, November 18th. The restaurant is currently in its introductory stage. Renci stated the grand opening is scheduled to happen during the Christmas holiday. An official date has not yet been announced.

The lounge area, called the Euro Soul Lounge, located on the lower level is truly striking. Here I really saw the Mediterranean Moroccan style come together. The furniture included wall to wall leather seats coated in rich warm colors of yellow, red and chocolate, complemented with beautifully beaded pillows. There were mosaic textured walls that added visual depth. Overall, a really vibrant charming space. The Euro Soul Lounge also provides weekly live entertainment. The music varies from Classic R&B, Smooth Jazz and Reggae. The entertainment is presented by JT Mac Productions.

Now, on to the food which was quite delicious. The menu featured many interesting combinations of food.  Renci recommended I try the Three Cheese Penne Mac & Cheese Roll. He said if I tried nothing else on the menu I must have that dish. So I did. The Three Cheese Penne Mac & Cheese Roll is a signature appetizer. It is made with asiago, white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. I found it very clever that someone thought of the idea to put mac and cheese in an egg roll. It had a delightful crunchy texture with a creamy cheese filling.

Three Cheese Penne Mac & Cheese Roll

Next I tried the Fig Glazed Chicken Wings served with Hot Chile Sauce presented on a bed of spinach. The meat on the tender wings practically melted off the bone filling my mouth with a bust of sweet spicy flavor.  The meal was complemented by the signature Pa-Nash Coconut Martini.

Fig Glazed Chicken Wings

Coconut Martini

Other delightful delectable include Grilled Pomegranate Glazed Jumbo Shrimp, Toasted Coconut & Almond Crusted Salmon over Buttered Cabbage, Pistachio Crumbled Lamb Chops with Rosemary Syrup and Israeli Cous-Cous plus many more. The specialty drinks include Fresh Pineapple Mojito, Lemon Drop Martini and Orange Mint Tea.

Pa - Nash is located at 144-14 243rd Street in Rosedale, Queens.  The restaurant is opened Tuesday to Thursday 5pm - 10pm, Friday -Sat 5pm - 12pm and Sunday 11am - 8pm. Live music can be enjoyed Thursday - Saturday 9pm -1pm and Sunday 4pm - 7pm.

So, if your looking for a restaurant with great food, elegant flair, friendly service, amazing live music and local comfort, Pa- Nash is for you. Pa-Nash Restaurant & Lounge where their motto is life with a bit of Pa-Nash! 

'Catching Fire' at AMC Fresh Meadows

FRESH MEADOWS, QUEENS 

This past Friday, November 22, 2013, I went to see 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' at the Fresh Meadows AMC theater in Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY. The theater is the most comfortable theater I have every set foot in. Early this year the theater underwent renovations. The updates include soft, snug, large and reclining leather seats. The seats comfortably recline almost into a laying down position. With such homey accommodations, one could fall into a sweet sleep. There you do not have to contend with the problem of limited leg room. Each screening room seats 75 so you do not have to worry about the room being overcrowd.

Another fantastic attribute is the arm rest of the chairs can be lifted to create a wonderful relaxed love seat. Also, you have the options of purchasing your seat in advance; which is strongly recommended. The theater is in close proximity of Queens College and Saint Johns University as well as a few high schools. So there is always a grand crowd; especially on the weekends.  The atmosphere is so comfortable, you will feel as if you are in your own private home theater. There is ample space to bring a blanket (which many people do), lean back and truly enjoy the show. 

 In addition to the seating, the sound and visual quality is sensational. The movie screen seems to flow from wall to wall. This allows you to really get lost in the movie. The fountain drink machines are also another hot feature. The machines are equipped with a touch screen. There is a plethora of drinks to choose from. You can also mix and match to create your own unique flavor. Most importantly, I found the staff to be friendly and very helpful. From the theater attendants to concession cashiers, everyone offered a pleasant smile.  Overall, your experience at AMC Fresh Meadows should pleasurable and most enjoyable. Happy movie viewing!

Graffiti Haven 5Pointz Will Be Demolished

courtesy of gawker.com

Long Island City, Queens, NY
 

My heart is heavy. I just caught wind of the news that the beloved graffiti mecca 5Pointz will be demolished by year end. I turned on my laptop to find an explosion of this information on Facebook. I tell you as an artist I am truly devastated and deeply saddened to hear this horrible news.

5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burnin'  was an American outdoor art exhibit space in Long Island City in Queens, New York. It was considered to be the world's premiere "graffiti mecca," where aerosol artists from around the globe painted colorful pieces on the walls of a 200,000 square-foot factory building. I had the pleasure of walking the complex in it's entirely two years ago. My friend Perry, a graffiti artist and intern there at the time, gave me the grand tour.  The building was a spectacle of awe-inspiring art work. I mean, the concepts behind each piece was truly amazing. The building was a grand colorful fixture of the L.I.C skyline, dazzling and inspiring the eyes on the 7 train line. For the past 20 years, graffiti artists have been allowed to use the building as a canvas. 5Pointz has been featured in various movies and music videos with the most recent appearance in the film Now You See Me. 

The building will be demolished to make way for luxury condos.  The $400 million redevelopment project will include a new public park, over 50,000 square feet of retail space and a 250 space public parking garage. The Daily News reports the redevelopment plan - spearheaded by the owners of the site Jerry Wolkoff and his son David was approved overwhelming by City Council in October.

courtesy of Daily News

TimeOut New York reported on November 19, 2013 that the 5Pointz building was painted white overnight by the owner.  The owner stated that the whitewashing was not done maliciously.
He said the overnight paint job was done in an effort to avoid confrontation. According to the CBS New York Wolkoff said, “I can just picture the building coming down one piece at a time. It would be torture for me and it would torture for them. It’s like a Band-Aid, I just felt, one shot.”

courtesy of Daily News

 I understand and support what he did. Can you imagine the deep internal pain felt by the artist to witness their hard work being demolished by a wrecking ball. Each brick that was covered with a precise art piece just knocked down and thrown away like garbage. To even write this statement hurts my heart.

I know money needs to be made in life. However, why does money always have to trump the beautiful and the necessaries like art houses, hospitals, schools. 5Pointz fan Christopher Calderhead said. “It’s the death of a real cultural institution in the city and there doesn’t seem to be any room for this kind of art anymore.” (excerpt from CBS New York). I agree with him.

Long Island City is a growing area that is becoming more attractive and trendier each year. L.I.C is notable for its rapid and ongoing gentrification, its waterfront parks and thriving communities. With ample public transportation, the 59 street bridge and the Queens midtown tunnel in close proximity and Manhattan a hop stop away, I suppose it was time to jump on the money train and take the building into a profitable future.

Well, best of luck to the owners. To all the artists around the world who contributed to the majestic 5Pointz I say thank you for your magnificent works. It was a phenomenal ride while it lasted.

courtesy of Daily News