The Paper Vo. 4 by We Heart Astoria

The Paper

Summer Gift Guide

Greetings from Queens

a quarterly guide to astoria, queens

Summer Lookbook

volume 04 | august 2017

32-07 30th ave, astoria, new york 11102

e @eatsaltandbon

www.saltandbone.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Contents

We’re writing this note at the beautiful Boro Hotel, where we’re lounging on the rooftop, drinking champagne, and watching the sunset over the Queensboro Bridge. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day. We just wrapped the photo shoot for our “Summer Lookbook” (page 18) with a group of fabulous female business models. These ladies are bosses in their businesses AND they’re helping us show off some great summer looks from local retailers. If you want to up your summer fashion game, do it locally! Do you need inspiration for local summer fun? We’ve got you covered with our “Summer Checklist” (page 12), featuring 20+ ideas from festivals to fairs. If you aren’t planning on heading out of town, let us help you make Queens your staycation destination. “Greetings from Queens” (page 5) features local day trips for the adventurous explorers among you. Don’t forget to share your summer fun with us on Instagram using the hashtag #whasummer2017. If you enjoy lacing up for a run, we’ve asked some local runners to share their treks through Astoria and Queens in“Runner’s Delight” (page 9). Sweat it out while you see some new places, including some spots to reward yourself for good physical exercise behavior. Are you heading out to the park, the beach, or the pool? Let us help you fill your summer go-bag with locally sourced items from our “Summer Gift Guide” (page 15). Finally, it’s starting to get hot, so we’re going to help you cool down with our “What’s Hot, What’s Not” index (page 22). Don’t forget to share how you’re using The Paper using the hashtag #thepaperbywha. You can find us all over the place @weheartastoria. We’d love to hear from you, give us a shout out at weheartastoria@gmail.com! We’ll see you in the fall, Mackenzi & Emily

Greetings from Queens

Runner’s Delight

12.

Summer Checklist

Summer Gift Guide

18.

15.

Summer Lookbook

What’s Hot What’s Not

22.

the Editors

Contributors FOUNDERS Mackenzi Farquer Emily Rios WRITERS Meg Cotner Lindsay Goyette DESIGN Kristen Long COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Marielle Solan BUSINESSES

16 Handles 60 Beans Coffee Astoria Coffee Bier & Cheese Chela y Garnacha Château le Woof Flattopps Fusion Juice Bar Greenbay Marketplace Halsey’s Gaijin Katch Astoria Kaufman Astoria Studios Lockwood Style Loveday 31 Mar’s Mom’s Kitchen & Bar Off the Hook OK Café Okidoki Pink Nori PokéWave Salsa in Queens Salt & Bone Smokehouse Sweet Afton The Astoria Bookshop The Astor Room The Brass Owl The Ditty The Geekery The Queens Kickshaw The Standing Room The Stonework Wine Stop NYC

on the cover Marielle Solan is a lifestyle photographer who specializes in weddings, families, music/ theater, and food. She grew up in Delaware but has called LIC, Queens, home since 2006. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The New York Observer, LPV Magazine, The New York Post, Brooklyn Vegan, and Adbusters. She is currently a regular photo contributor to the company I Heart NY; you can view her work at www.mariellesolan.com.

More on page 18 AS TO N RI OW A & IN SU LI N C, N YS ID E!

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GREETINGS FROM QUEENS

G R E E T I N G S

b y

M e g

F R O M

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Summer is the season for vacations, but what if you only have a day to spend out and about? We’ve got you covered. Here are some outings that have been on our minds, perfect for that short-term sabbatical.

E AT Y O U R WAY THROUGH FLUSHING Flushing is a short trip on the subway but can feel worlds away; it’s one of New York City’s official Chinatowns and the neighborhood is home to a diverse immigrant population, the majority of which are from East, Southeast, and South Asian countries. And they’ve brought their own food culture with them, which means delicious times can be had by anyone who encounters it. Take the 7 train to its terminus at Main Street. Exit the the northwest stairwell and stop in at New Flushing Bakery (135-45 Roosevelt Ave.) for their sweet, creamy Portuguese egg tarts; they make the best ones in town. Head one block south on Main Street and enter the New World Mall (136-20 Roosevelt Ave.), billed as the largest indoor mall in NYC. It has a fantastic food court in the basement with as many as 32 vendors offering all sorts of delicacies, including noodles, dumplings, stir fries, Korean barbecue, bubble tea, smoothies, shave ice, and more. You could spend hours in here eating and drinking, so pace yourself. Exit the mall and walk another block south; veer left onto Kissena Blvd. and continue until you come to Holly Ave., then turn left on Bowne St., where you’ll find the The Hindu Temple Society Of North America (45-57 Bowne Street), AKA the Ganesh Temple (it’s about a ten minute walk). Pass through the ornate corridor on its southern end and go downstairs to the canteen, which serves delicious South Indian food. Next door is the Dosa Hutt (45-63 Bowne St.), home to flavorful South Indian dishes in modest digs. Both serve light, crispy dosas wrapped around vegetarian fillings; the samosa chaat is also a major winner. To get back to the subway, take Bowne St. back toward Roosevelt Ave., and if you have any room left in your belly, now is a great time to take out those Portuguese egg tarts and munch on them while you walk. Before you descend into the subway, though, pop in at solid K-Beauty shop Nature Republic (40-23 Main Street) and stock up on piles of nourishing sheet masks. 5

GREETINGS FROM QUEENS

B E A C H DAY I N T H E R O C K AWAY S A trip to the beach is a must during hot NYC summers—it’s a chance to relax, spend time in the sunshine, swim and splash in the Atlantic, and visit the food vendors along the shore. Seriously, there’s a lot of good stuff out there. To get there, take the A train to Broad Channel and transfer to the Rockaway Park Shuttle going to Rockaway ParkBeach 116th Street; you can also take the Q52/Q53 bus (it leaves from the Woodside/61st Street stop on the 7 train), bike, or even drive. Things to hit up? Check out the Riis Park Beach Bazaar, conveniently located right at Jacob Riis Park (157 Rockaway Beach Blvd.), and best accessed by car, but you can transfer to the Q35 and Q22 from the Beach 116th stop. Tasty treats include Chick’nCone, a waffle cone filled with freshly fried chicken nuggets and hot sauce; Ample Hills Creamery ice cream, and Fletcher’s barbecue, Coney Shack’s tacos, chicken shawarma at Samesa, icy La Newyorkina paletas—the list goes on. Further east visit classic Rockaway vendors like Tacoway Beach, Rippers, and Caracas Arepas Bar. Of course, a lot of your time can be spent lounging on the beach and playing in the ocean, but you can also take a surf lesson with NY Surf School (surfing is allowed between Beach 67th and Beach 69th streets and between Beach 87th and Beach 92nd streets), meander along the boardwalk, explore nearby Fort Tilden, or do a little shopping. On your way to or from the Rockaways, consider checking out the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (about a mile from the Broad Channel stop), where you can meander along the trails and perhaps even catch sight of an osprey or two.

SEE THE WORLD (+ MORE) IN F L US H I N G M E A D OW S PAR K We have a gem of a park here in Queens: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the fourth largest park in NYC and home to the Queens Museum, structures and relics from two World’s Fairs, a plethora of soccer fields, a zoo, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Theatre, a popular aquatic center, Citi Field, and more. It’s easy to get there, just take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point, and this fantastic green space and its amenities are your oyster. Walk a little ways to behold the sight of the mighty steel Unisphere, created for the 1964 World’s Fair; it is the largest globe of the earth in existence, and it never fails to thrill a viewer. At its base is a large circular reflecting pool and 96 jet fountains; when it’s hot out it’s the perfect spot for wading in its chilly waters. In August, the biggest event by far in Queens, if not NYC, is the U.S. Open, one of four yearly Grand Slam tennis matches, and this year it goes from Monday August 28 to Sunday September 10. It brings players and spectators from around the world; it is a very big deal. One of our favorite parts of the Open, though, is the four-day Qualifying Tournament from Tuesday August 22 to Friday August 25. These matches are totally free and you can spend the day watching players competing to advance to official slots during the regular Open.

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ASTORIA'S Real Estate Market Is HOT! Ready... Set... SELL! Looking For A New Pad? LOOKING TO BUY? RENTING AN APARTMENT?

CARMELA VLACICH (M) 917.882.4238 WWW.CARMELAVLACICH.COM 7

GREETINGS FROM QUEENS

COUNTRY IN THE CITY: THE QUEENS COUNTY FA R M M U S E U M Queens is home to one of the city’s true gems, the Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Pkwy), a bucolic 47-acre plot that has served as the longest continuously farmed site in the state of New York. Now that’s saying something. It started its life in 1697 and is still going strong. It’s a wonderful place to visit for the day, and is a particularly fun place for kids (and kids at heart). Make time to check out the historic farm buildings, implements, and animals, among other things, and be sure to get some food to feed the goats. In the summertime they operate a farm stand that features seasonal produce grown right there on the farm; shop there 11am–3pm Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 11am–5pm on Saturday and Sunday. On weekends they offer guided tours of the historic Adriance farmhouse; seasonal hayrides are an additional weekend treat in good weather from April through October. The easiest way to get there by car but you can get there via subway and bus. More information can be found at queensfarm.org.

RUNNER’S DELIGHT

R UN NER'S D DE EL L II G GH HT T MEGAN’S FAVORITE RUN ROUTE TOTAL DISTANCE: 6 MILES RUN ROUTE NOTES :

•  Start near Steinway St. and 23rd Ave. •  If you want to add extra miles to your run, go east toward the airport. Or make a sharp left and head west toward the river. I always hit my stride at 20th Ave. as I pass the Power Plant. •  This is always the toughest part because it’s consistently uphill early in the run, but it’s rewarded shortly after the push with a downhill rush to the park! •  Down in the park I stay as close to the river as I can because it’s so beautiful, and I usually want to snap a picture of the Triboro Bridge, especially at sunrise or sunset. •  At Astoria Blvd. I’ll finally turn left and head back east toward the top of Astoria Park. •  I am always happy to loop this a couple of times if I need miles. A great place to stretch after doing a loop is Juuz.Me on Ditmars and 21st St. because they have the MOST delicious smoothies that are great Post run fuel! •  If you’re crunched for time, you can head back up Ditmars, pushing through back up to Steinway, with a stop at The Corner Spot right on the corner of Steinway and 23rd for an iced coffee and a Nutella croissant! RUNNER PRO BIO: Megan Magee began running seven

years ago as a simple and inexpensive way to get exercise back into her life. Not only did she get that exercise, she also discovered a love of running. She ran in her first race in 2013—Philadelphia’s Broad Street Run, ten miles!— and completed the New York Marathon in 2016. To Megan, running is freeing, meditative, and FUN! 9

RUNNER’S DELIGHT

DAN’S FAVORITE RUN ROUTE TOTAL DISTANCE: 5 MILES RUN ROUTE NOTES: •  21st has a plethora of gems! At 21st and Broadway, check out The Bel Aire Diner, they actually have a pretty sweet brunch menu. •  Up on Astoria Blvd., check out City Sliquors, which would win “Best Liquor Store Name” if such an award existed. •  Continue north on 21st past Astoria Park and hang a right (due east) on 20th Ave. until you hit Steinway St., hang another right (due south). •  When you pass Astoria Blvd., to your left is CKO Astoria, which I will shamelessly plug as the best gym in town! Continue south until back at 34th Ave., making up the roughly 5 miles (4.90 miles). •  Or, stop a bit early at Broadway and 35th St. for some froyo at Vanilla Sky, you deserve it! RUNNER PRO BIO: Dan is a researcher by day, Astoria CKO kickboxer by night, who has lived in the neighborhood for 11 years. When he isn’t running/ biking around the neighborhood, he enjoys ordering a ridiculous amount of food via Seamless while watching something WWE-related. Speaking of WWE, he’s been to three WrestleMania events.

ZARA’S FAVORITE RUN ROUTE TOTAL DISTANCE: 8 MILE RUN ROUTE NOTES: • One of the best parts of Astoria is being so close to Citi Field and Flushing Meadows. After running through neighborhoods and NYC construction, you’ll eventually find yourself below the big orange and blue scaffolds of Citi Field. • The run is fairly flat and easy. Just watch for construction at the junction of Astoria Blvd. and the Grand Central Parkway (GCP). And always wait your turn at the light. • Starting in Astoria, head east into Woodside and continue through Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and eventually grace the edges of Flushing. • After crossing the footbridge over the GCP, do a victory lap around the stadium (+1 mile). • Return via Astoria Blvd., running past the Queens classic Buccaneer Diner and the facade of the Fair Theatre, and watch all the livery cars get hosed down early in the morning. • When you feel the breeze of jets landing at LaGuardia you’ll hit the 10k mark, crossing into Ditmars. • Here, you can extend your run to the park, grab some eggs at the Neptune Diner, or stop by the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden for a pint. It’s well deserved. RUNNER PRO BIO: Zara DeLuca is a lifelong New Yorker and eight-year resident of Astoria. Her favorite color is yellow. In addition to running and watching the Mets, she can be found downing pints at SingleCut and walking her beagle Scout through the neighborhood.

WHAT'S RUNNER'S HOT WHAT'S DELIGHT NOT

beer, cocktails, love

[all night happy hour] monday [geeks who drink]

trivia every monday at 8pm

[$10 burger & beer]

every tuesday: 5pm to 11pm

[wine down wednesday]

$6 glasses / $25 bottles all night $2 oﬀ any food item: 5pm to 11pm

[industry night]

every thursday: 20% oﬀ aer 8pm for service industry professionals

[$20 prix ﬁxe menu] every friday [live music] every sunday: 7pm to 9pm

[happy hour daily 5 to 8pm]

32-11 broadway in astoria, queens 11

34-04 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11106 diamondogsnyc@gmail.com 929-522-0061

SUMMER CHECKLIST

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Can you believe it, summer is almost over! But don’t fret, there’s still time to get your summer on. Here’s our list of must-do things before the dog days are over and done.

Attend the U.S. Open, including the Qualifying Matches

These matches from Tuesday August 22 to Friday August 25 are a great way to get in some Grand Slam tennis for free. The regular U.S. Open is from Monday August 28 to Sunday September 10 and is one of the biggest sporting occasions in the world, right here in Queens at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. usopen.org

Hit up Astoria’s Summer Street Fairs

Get yourself to the last of the summer street fairs— the 31st Street Astoria Festival on Sunday August 13; Steinway Street Festival on Sunday August 20; and the Labor Day Festival (30th Avenue) on Monday September 4. Don’t let the season end without ingesting your requisite Mozzarepa! Full street fair listings are at bit.ly/AstoriaStreetFairs.

Drink all the brews at the LIC Flea’s International Beer & Food Festival

(5-25 46th Avenue) hosts the first International Beer & Food Festival in Queens on Saturday August 12 and Sunday August 13. Tickets include international food, too. licflea.com

Dance with joy during Warm Up at MoMA PS1 in August

Fantastic music and dance invade the courtyard of MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Avenue) each summer Saturday from noon to 9pm. Here’s what you can expect in August:

Eat the world at the Queens Night Market

Saturdays in August (5, 12, and 19) bring us the Queens Night Market, presenting the best in global food by makers in the borough. Eat dumplings, noodles, takoyaki, latkes, lumpia, roast corn, and much, much more. Live performances, too. Take it all in at from 6pm to midnight at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park queensnightmarket.com

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. SUMMER CHECKLIST

Watch ’em go at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

On the weekend of August 12 and 13, witness the 27th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at the lake in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Watch the paddlers go at it, while nearby enjoy music and dance performances, martial arts, and savor East Asian cuisine. hkdbf-ny.org

Have a beer and ćevapi with a view of the river at Anable Basin

Anable Basin, an almost hidden treasure on the LIC waterfront (4-40 44th Drive), has one of the best riverfront views. And it’s even better enjoyed with a beer and a plate of mouthwatering ćevapi! anablebasin.com

See the much awaited Jim Henson Exhibit at MOMI

The permanent Jim Henson Exhibition opens July 22 at the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Avenue). Devoted to the work of creative master Jim Henson, it will showcase famous muppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, and iconic costumes, and screen film and television clips by the master himself. See it early, see it often. movingimage.us

Try all the iced coffees

There’s a lot of great iced coffee action in Astoria and LIC. Try some of our favorites: OK Cafe’s iced Magic 8 Ball (22-04 33rd St.); iced lattes at The Coffee Pot (28-19 23rd Ave.); cold brew on tap at The Queens Kickshaw (40-17 Broadway); and the iced Rocket Fuel at Sweetleaf (10-93 Jackson Ave.). Bonus tea: the exceptional Taro Milk Tea at Tea & Milk (32-02 34th Avenue).

Catch the last of the summer flicks at Cinema LIC

Outdoor movie series Cinema LIC takes place at waterfront at Hunters Point South Park on Fridays at sunset. The final two screenings are The Graduate (August 4) and Finding Dory (August 18). cinemalic.com

Try an icy Cholado, too

Originating in Colombia, the cholado is the perfect summer treat. It starts with shaved ice, then tangy maracuyá (passion fruit) and mora (raspberry) syrups, fresh chopped fruit, sweet lechera (sweetened condensed milk) and coconut flakes. You can get them year-round, but they’re best in summer when it all blends together quicker (thanks, heat) into a fruity, sweet, tart, creamy delight. Our favorite places to get them include Pecas Y Mas in Sunnyside (44-20 Greenpoint Ave.) and Las Americas Bakery in Elmhurst (93-04 37th Ave.).

SUMMER CHECKLIST

13. 12. 15. 14. 17 . 16. Walk across the 36th Avenue bridge and do a loop around Roosevelt Island

The 3.5–4 mile loop around the island provides wonderful views of the surrounding area, perfect for a warm evening’s walk. Be on the lookout for the Tom Otterness sculptures in the water just off shore, and Four Freedoms Park—complete with a sculpture of a giant FDR head—on the island’s southern tip is also worth a visit (don’t forget to gawk at the abandoned and decrepit Renwick Smallpox Hospital not far from the entrance to Four Freedoms).

Get and iced tea with lemon ice at La Guli

This is the perfect refresher for a hot summer’s day. The good folks at La Guli Pastry Shop (29-15 Ditmars Blvd.) will put a scoop of their tart lemon ice into a glass of unsweetened iced tea. And if Italian ices aren’t your bag, their housemade gelato will do you good (we love the La Guli Chocolate flavor in particular).

Have a picnic on the Great Lawn at Astoria Park

Hear Alsarah & the Nubatones at the Noguchi Museum

On Sunday August 13 from 3 to 4pm the Noguchi Museum (9-01 33rd Road) presents the stunning stylings of Alsarah and her band, a Sudanese-born singer, songwriter, and ethnomusicologist currently based in Brooklyn. This is part of the Noguchi’s summer concert series with Bang on a Can, and takes place in the Museum’s outdoor sculpture garden. noguchi.org

You’ll find picnickers of all ages hanging out here on a warm summer day, waterfront views to the east, the majestic Hell Gate Bridge to the north. Why not pick up some treats and join them?

Attend a screening at the Newtown Road Backyard Film Festival

Play a round of Bocce on the newly refurbished Bocce court in Astoria Park

Bring your balls for a good time! The bocce court went under a major overhaul this past year and is a truly lovely place to spend an afternoon. It’s located next to Shore Blvd. between the Hell Gate Bridge and Charybdis Playground.

Frank Zagottis’ annual outdoor film fest, the Newtown Road Backyard Film Festival, starts up in late July—keep tabs on it at bit.ly/NBFF2017.

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See Rhinoceros in Astoria Park

Head to the Greenmarkets for peaches and tomatoes

It’s that time of year for the best local peaches and tomatoes! Finally. Consider stopping in at the Ditmars Youthmarket (22-55 Steinway St.) on Saturdays, 8am–3pm; Sunnyside Greenmarket (42nd St. & Skillman Ave.) on Saturdays, 8am–3pm; or the Jackson Heights Greenmarket (34th Ave. between 78th & 77th) on Sundays, 8am–3pm, to get your fill.

The Rhinoceros Collective will present the New York regional premier of a new adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece, Rhinoceros, and there will be HUGE PUPPETS involved. Performances will be free in Astoria Park at 4pm on Saturdays (July 29, August 5, 12, and 19). This fantastic and unusual theater extravaganza is not to be missed. rhinocollective.org

Enjoy a Mister Softee Cone

Because why not? It wouldn’t be summer in NYC without one.

Summer Bag GIFT GUIDE

Essentials B y L i n d s ay G oy e t t e

Heading to the beach? Planning a picnic day at the park? Be prepared (and arrive in style) with these essentials from some of our favorite shops! Support the community by shopping local, and don’t forget to show us the love on social media. What do you always have in your Summer Bag?

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1.Strawberries and Blueberries taste better at the beach or on a picnic blanket. They make a perfect companion to your cheese and wine! Assorted Fruits, Greenbay Marketplace (3206 Broadway) 2. The perfect combination of classy and a little badass Forty Ounce Rosé 15.99, Wine Stop NYC (30-8 Broadway) 3. Stay hydrated while replenishing your body with any of these delicious, colorful juices from Fusion Juice Fresh Pressed Juice $8, Fusion Juice Bar (3093 38th St., 34-2 36th Ave.) 4. If you’re searching for something a little deeper than the typical beach read, grab Roxane’s highly anticipated Hunger from our beloved local bookstore. Hunger by Roxane Gay, $25.99, The Astoria Bookshop (31-29 31st St.) 5. Bando Lemon Cooler Bag, retails for $38.95 at Lockwood (32-15 33rd Street) 6. Engage in a little friendly competition with portable card games from The Geekery Assorted Card Games,

GIFT GUIDE

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10. The Geekery (42-11 Broadway) 7. The cutest summer sandals at the park, guaranteed Ipanema flip flops $20–45, The Brass Owl (36-19 Ditmars Blvd.) 8. Don’t forget your pups! If your furry friend enjoys days out in the sun, be sure to pack essentials like water bowls and snacks to keep them hydrated and happy. Beco Travel Bowls $9–13, Château le Woof (30-2 14th St., Long Island City) 9. We’ve never met a cheese here we didn’t like. Grab a few chunks and split with friends Assorted cheeses available, Bier & Cheese (34-14 Broadway, 35-11 Ditmars Blvd.) 10. When your summer hair gets out of control, tie it back in one of these fun bandannas. Madder Root Dyed Keep Your Chin Up Bandanna, $25 Indigo Dyed Good Luck Bandanna, $25 11. Don’t get stuck outside without a bottle opener. Bikini Babe Handmade Solid Nickel Bottle Opener, $74, The Stonework (37-6 Ditmars Blvd.)

SUMMER L

Lockwood Style (33-02 Broadway) Owner, Mackenzi Farquer @lockwoodstyle

Loveday 31 (3306 31st Ave.) Owner, Ivona Bilicic @lovedayqueen

ASTORIA SINGLES CLUB

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marielle Solan | LOCATION: Boro Hotel

The Brass Owl (36-19 Ditmars Blvd.) Owner, Nicole Panettieri @thebrassowl

SUMMER LOOKBOOK

ALEX AVDOULOS Florist, Petals & Roots @petalsandroots

BO CONNOR Chef, The Pomeroy @thepomeroynyc

“I love running my business in Astoria because of the awesome community and people that live here. Our customers have become a part of The Pomeroy family.”

“We love giving Astoria a place for on-trend bouquets of unusual flowers, wedding centerpieces, and offering public workshops at our curated space on 31st Street.”

ELENI GRACIANO Educator Raising Astoria

“Families come to us to meet new people, and for children to get a head start in early learning. We are so lucky to work and live in one of the most culturally diverse, and dynamic neighborhoods in New York.”

SUMMER LOOKBOOK

THEKLA MANOLOUDIS Educator Raising Astoria

TINA STIPANOVIC Chef, R’A’R Bar @tinasrarbar

NINA BAJAZET

Hairstylist, Studio Nova @artbynina “Astoria was a perfect neighborhood to open up Studio Nova. [It] has such a young, fun, hip, and diverse crowd, coming to work everyday is far from boring.”

“Owning my business has been one of the most maddening, exhausting, and definitely most rewarding things I’ve ever done. But my customers over the past ten years have made every challenge worth it.”

ABOUT THE VENUE: Boro Hotel is a contemporary hotel located in a residential and commercial Queens neighborhood. Featuring an industrial design, modern comforts coalesce in 108 guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, floor-to-ceiling windows, Italian linens, and holistic amenities.

WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

w h a t ' s

h o t

By Lindsay Goyette Summer is in full swing, Astoria. Some people LOVE the heat, while others are already getting excited for things to cool down. Whether you’re hoping to add a little more fire to your summer, or all about that chill, we’ve got something in the neighborhood for you to enjoy!

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1. Spicy Mimosa from Off The Hook - Complement your seafood spread with a spicy version of a brunch staple. 2. Four Spicy Seasons from Pink Nori - Proof that your typical Spicy Tuna Roll could use an upgrade. 3. Intrincadas from Chela Y Garnacha - One of the best items on the menu at our beloved Chela Y Garnacha, the sauce on these will sneak up on you with its heat! 4. Smoke cocktail from The Standing Room - Have a few of these fiery drinks, and you’ll forget that you laugh embarrassingly loud at comedy clubs. 5. Spicy Fried Pickles from Sweet Afton - With fried pickles this spicy, you’ll HAVE to order another beer. 6. Really F’ing Hot Wings from Katch - So hot, you just might have to sign a waiver. 7. Omakase tasting menu at Gaijin - When the thought of a hot meal makes you sweat, let the chef at Gaijin be your guide for a tasting of the freshest sushi in the neighborhood. 8. Sausage from Salt & Bone - Not too spicy, but still bringing that smoky goodness.

WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

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9. Poke Bowl from PokéWave - The poke craze is HOT, but these bowls bring chill island vibes. 10. Shrimp Ceviche from Two Lizards - A cold appetizer with just the right amount of spice. 11. Gluten free brownie and ice cream from OK Café - No gluten, no problem. Ice cream and chocolate combine for the perfect summer treat. 12. Astoria Coffee Iced coffee - What Astoria runs on. 13. Frosé from The Queens Kickshaw - There’s a reason your Insta feed is filled with # FroséAllDay. These drinks are to die for. 14. Pancakes with strawberry gelato at The Astor Room - You gotta love gelato as an appropriate breakfast food! 15. 60 Beans Cold Brew - Pair it with a baked treat, and you’ve got a solid way to start your day. 16. Oysters and cocktails at Mar’s - Go ahead, you deserve it.