Eating and Drinking Your Way Through Astoria, Queens

Upscale Trattoria L’Incontro has brought mouthwatering Italian dishes to Astoria since 1999. {credit}

Astoria happens to be one of my favorite New York City nabes to grab a drink and a tasty bite. Though this section of Queens is primarily Greek, the area also has a rich, eclectic mix of other nationalities such as Italians, Asians, South Americans, Eastern and Central Europeans, and Middle Eastern people who call it home. As for its fare, Astoria’s melting pot population is represented well, with a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy. From great Greek places to iconic Italian spots, to Japanese gems to Middle Eastern marvels, Astoria will never disappoint as a food and drink destination.

To help you narrow your choices, we’ve come up with an amazing list sure to appease any appetite.

Watawa Sushi, 33-10 Ditmars Blvd
Watawa has been described as the type of sushi place that offers a little bit of Manhattan right in Astoria—sans the steep prices. That has a lot to do with its beautiful décor, highlighted by the reflecting pond with roses and an Asian statue adoring it, which helps create a relaxed yet hip ambiance. 

To me, while a trendy appearance is nice, the mark of a first-rate sushi place starts with the freshness of the product, and this Ditmars Boulevard establishment always serves food that tastes remarkably fresh.

For starters, try the seaweed salad, the fried calamari, dumplings or miso soup.  Follow it up with a choice selection of rolls, including the Dynamite roll, Pauline roll, Park Avenue roll, Irene roll and New York roll, paired with a stiff glass of Saketini.

If you’re not in the mood for sushi or sashimi, there’s always one of my favorite standbys: Chicken Teriyaki, which, by the way, is excellent.

Choose from a selection of remarkably fresh rolls at Watawa Sushi. {credit}

Taverna Kyclades, 3307 Ditmars Blvd
With an abundance of Greek restaurants in the area, choosing which one to patronize may be a challenge for most people, but not for me as I absolutely love Taverna Kyclades. The Queens favorite has been serving authentic homemade Greek and Mediterranean food for as long as I can remember and is always packed to the gills, even after 10 p.m. 

It must be good if people are willing to brave long waits and a somewhat crowded dining area, right?  In fact, this is the type of Greek eatery that the late Telly Savalas (TV’s Kojak) would dine at if he were alive today. 

Why not? {credit}

If you love fish, you’re in luck. Taverna Kyclades is a seafood lover’s paradise, offering out-of-this-world plates such as the succulent grilled octopus and delectable grilled red snapper. As for me, I love the peasant salad, a relatively basic salad topped with two huge slabs of feta cheese, but the taste is fit for royalty. I can’t get enough of the lemon potatoes, Greek sausage and Greek souvlaki, which are all downright dish-breaking delicious, as well.

Taverna Kyclades is the place for seafood dishes like grilled octopus. {credit}

Christos Steak House, 4108 23rd Ave
If you’re looking for a change-of-pace type of place to indulge on a hardy steak or luscious lamb chop, Christos more than fits the bill as an American steakhouse with a distinctive Greek flair. Christos first opened its doors in 1990 and has been serving prime cuts of meat and fresh fish since. You’ll also find Greek favorites like Sagnaki (pan fried Vlahotyri cheese), and Lamb Cigar wrapped in filo dough and smothered in roasted pepper yogurt sauce.

Steak and shrimp for the land and sea lover. {credit}

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden,  29-19 24th Ave
Bohemian is an old-world Central European (Czech Republic and Slovak) bar with a huge outdoor beer garden that’s great for weekend day drinking or a nighttime suds fest. Whether you go in the midst of summer or during autumn’s Oktoberfest, you’ll surely enjoy one of the largest outdoor bars in the city.

Bohemian features some of the best Czech and craft beers available on tap such as the sparkling, smooth Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen, a German beer mixed with grapefruit juice, and the Pilsner Urquell, a fine Czech brew. Plus you won’t go hungry with eats like the bratwurst, mushroom and potato pierogies, and classic beef goulash, served with Czech- style dumplings,  in addition to other typical bar food. 

The beer heaven also holds an event called Quiet Clubbing or Silent Party nights in which you’re outfitted with a pair of headphones while a number of different DJs spin music in a crazy, cool atmosphere, (without disturbing the neighbors or innocent passersby, of course.) The next one is scheduled for Friday, November 7. 

Day drink at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, one of the largest outdoor bars in the city.  {credit}

Trattoria L’incontro, 21-76 31 Street 
Trattoria L’Incontro is the brainchild of Chef Rocco Sacramone, who opened the upscale, picturesque Italian gem in 1999.  Ever since then, the restaurant has been drawing rave reviews from locals and Astoria visitors alike.

A word of advice if you’re considering ordering from the daily specials: You must ask the waiter to slow down while rattling off the slew of options; trust me on this one. 

If you’re a little overwhelmed by the litany of choices, stick with the menu’s selections as just about everything on it is perfectly crafted and tastes absolutely superb. From the portobello mushroom appetizer and Pollo Quattro Funghi (chicken in a four mushroom sauce: porcini, oyster, portobello and button), to the Tagliarini L’Incontro (fresh spaghetti with asparagus and peas wrapped in prosciutto), you won’t be disenchanted. And if you love creatures from the sea, then you’ll go gaga for the Whole-Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass. Mangiare Felice.

You’ll find the Tagliarini L’Incontro and Mediterranean Sea Bass simply delicious. {credit}

Posted on 10/16/2014