Eating and Drinking Your Way through Forest Hills, Queens

Forest Hills is a Queens destination for food. {credit}

Forest Hills is one of my favorite areas in all of Queens to visit.  An ethnically diverse locale, from the affluent to the working middle class, it’s the type of neighborhood that offers the best of both worlds— the highbrow shopping strip of Austin Street, and the charming grittiness of Queens Boulevard. As for the eats and drinks, the tree-lined, Central Queens neighborhood offers choice selections for the ferocious foodie. Here’s a list of some of the best restaurants in Forest Hills.  

Banter Irish Bar and Kitchen, 108-22 Queens Blvd. 
At Banter, you’ll get treated to the finest, traditional Irish fare, with a modern twist. From the Bubble and Squeak Dumplings (corned beef, cabbage, and carrots in fried dumplings with mustard  drizzle) to the Beef and Guinness Pie (sliced steak with carrots, potatoes and peas in a Guinness-infused gravy with a fresh pastry top), everything is topnotch deliciousness.  If you’re there for drinks and a game, try one of the 117 whiskeys, including every brand of Irish whiskey available in the United States, or a brew from the 20-tap and 19-bottle selection. Banter is a terrific place for brunch, and is family friendly. 

Looking for Irish whiskey? You’ve come to the right place at Banter. {credit}

Nick’s Pizza, 108-26 Ascan Ave  
I love great pizza, and Nick’s makes my NYC top ten list. Known for its thin-crust pizza pies, Nick’s has become a Forest Hills treasure since opening in 1993. What makes the pizza standout above the crowd is its savory sauce and flavorsome mozzarella. Though it doesn’t serve slices, you’ll have no trouble buzzing your way through a tasty pie or splitting it with friends (only worthy, close buds). Pies of note include the white variety with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, the white with mushrooms and the red with sausage and mushrooms. The salads are fantastic too.

Pizza with mushrooms and fresh basil (credit)

Dirty Pierre’s – 13 Station Square 
A bit divey in nature –– with paper table cloths you can doodle on with crayons while you wait for your food to be served –– Dirty Pierre’s boasts a phenomenal menu, highlighted by the beefy burgers and mouthwatering mussels. Other great options include the Italian and French steak sandwiches. For the specials, the Jerk Chicken, Pernil with salad and rice, Stuffed Pork and the Chipotle Pork Burrito are all surefire hits. The $5 pints of fruity sangria and a respectable selection of bottle suds complement a marvelous meal. However, there is a $15 per person dining room minimum. 

Eddie’s Sweet Shop – 105-29 Metropolitan Ave 
This could’ve been your father’s ice cream parlor, and quite possibly your grandfather’s as well, since it’s been on the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and 72nd Road for more than 100 years. Still displaying its old-fashioned décor and charm, with counter seating and an old-school candy section, it’s like taking a trip back in time. Eddie’s is the type of place that would make Mayberry proud, but you don’t need a time machine in order to enjoy Eddie’s creamy, homemade ice cream. It’s still pumping out tantalizing old favorites such as chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan, vanilla fudge, and coffee chip, topped with homemade whipped cream, which is simply unbelievable, til this day.

Hey, how can you go wrong here? You can’t if you’re a diehard sugarholic!

Keuka Kafe – 112-04 Queens Blvd
If you’re looking for an escape from the loud sports bar scene, then try Keuka Kafe. Named after Keuka (kyü-kə) Lake in the beautiful Finger Lakes region known for its wineries and now cheese, this non-pretentious establishment introduces wines from the Finger Lakes as well as the rest of the world.  As you down a glass a vino from the extensive wine list, indulge in one of the meat and cheese boards as you soak in the relaxed ambience. Then, nibble on a tasty starter such as the Grilled Chorizo on Bed of Baby Arugula & Bermuda Onions, served with homemade Riesling mustard; or the Grilled Watermelon Salad (grilled watermelon aside arugula, topped with slices of avocado and grilled shrimp). For the Yelpers, there’s a free glass of wine with an appetizer. 

Posted on February 26, 2014