They've put up the new sign. I guess it should be opening pretty shortly. I, for one, am much more interested in their coffee and any other snacks they might have than their frozen yogurt. Not sure if they got the permission for outdoor seating, but that would be really nice, too.
Hope they capitalize on their excellent corner position. yes, some casual sidewalk seating would be a nice touch. With 4 or 5 new "food" openings recently it seems Forest Hills is making some noise and attracting business investors. Walking around today i noticed most places were at capacity.
ReplyDeleteOne sour note... anyone know why MoCA on restaurant row was closed by Health Dept ( notice dated 5/22 )? This is surprising. Also noticed they got a "B" rating from City.
On 5/22 MoCA was noted for the following violations:
ReplyDeleteViolation points: 49
Sanitary Violations
1) Cold food item held above 41º F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38 ºF) except during necessary preparation.
2) Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.
3) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
4) Live roaches present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
5) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
6) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
You can search restaurant health violations here - http://a816-restaurantinspection.nyc.gov/RestaurantInspection/SearchBrowse.do
Gross! I am not surprised though-had sushi once there and it was not very good. The fish did not taste fresh at all. Never went back.
ReplyDeleteOne sour note... anyone know why MoCA on restaurant row was closed by Health Dept ( notice dated 5/22 )? This is surprising. Also noticed they got a "B" rating from City.
ReplyDeletePlace was an overpriced restaurant. Not surprised in the least bit. Who would even go inside.
Means place will finally be free for something else. That is 2 restaurants now shut down by the Health Department. Common Space AND Moca in recent times.
Good riddance to both! Once these places get cleared out, better places will appear.
While these 2 restaurants were not unlicensed restaurants operating illegally, they were in violation of Health Department codes.
Someone thinks they can design and run a restaurant not up to code.
ReplyDeleteWhat boggles my mind is how MoCA was allowed to open in the first place and passed inspections by the City only now to get shut down by the Health Department.
With their comments about improper design of the restaurant, it seems weird how they even got approved to open in the first place.
Apparently Liangs also had issues and is still vacant. There seems to be issues with that building.
Yawn. Vanilla Sky will be closed by winter.
ReplyDeleteMoca is on the way out ... Place never looked busy.
ReplyDeleteHate the cheap looking signage at Vanilla Sky
If it rains every other weekend this summer, they will be hard pressed to stay afloat.
How is Mr Vinos Cucina doing?
The Vanilla Sky sign/logo looks like it was done by a 6 year old.
ReplyDeleteIf Moca and Liang had rodent problems, you know that the entire block has an infestation problem.
ReplyDeleteWhat an original name.....you know not much thought is going into this business...
ReplyDeleteHow much business do they think they will get from November - March...rent still has to be paid.
ReplyDeleteLet's give an establishment a chance to open before bashing it.
ReplyDeleteThe first Vanilla Sky opened in Asotria just over a year ago, and it seems to have pretty decent reviews overall on Yelp.
Do we have our fair share of yogurt places in Forest Hills? Yep. Perhaps Vanilla Sky will be the best of the bunch. If they're able to obtain the outdoor seating permit, they'll be the only Yogurt store in the neighborhood that has that option. From the photos on Yelp of the Astoria location, it looks like they put plenty of thought in to the decor. Could potentially be a very nice addition to the neighborhood.
I give this place 6 months, tops.
ReplyDeleteThe unappealing, aesthetically challenged signage sinks the place before it even opens. If you are willing to spend thousands on interior design but leave the logo and graphic design to your adorable 8 year old granddaughter, you're already in trouble and shows your lack of inexperience in running a successful food business.
ReplyDeleteVanilla Sky will have outside seating. I know this for a fact :)
ReplyDeleteI lived down the street from the Astoria one until I moved here in December. Their coffee was pretty good, haven't had their yogurt. My go to place here has been Red Mango since I didn't care for Yogo Monster (though my girlfriend and I prefer 16 Handles, the closest is at the Queens mall). I'm curious to see if Vanilla Sky is a decent alternative.
ReplyDeleteI wish it was Shake Shack, rather than yet another yogurt place opening on Austin! Maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteI think there's a very good chance Shake Shack is in Forest Hills' future judging by the other places that have opened here recently. I just had it last week in Manhattan. Just amazingly good.
DeleteWas at the SS in Westport. Nothing to write home about... and expensive!
ReplyDeleteWe all line up for it because we have nothing better to do with our time. :)
DeleteI consider myself a burger aficionado. Been a burger 'gal my entire life, and my big "cheat" meal is still a burger and fries.
ReplyDeleteIMO, Shake Shack burgers are highly over-rated. I'm not talking about "value", but simply in terms of taste. Very salty and simply nothing special IMO.
Was happy to see it not get passed round 2 in the EATER NY Burger Bracket - http://ny.eater.com/archives/2013/04/burger_bracket_final_round_minetta_tavern_vs_burger_joint.php
Been to most of the places listed here, although still need to try Brindle Room, Korzo and The Cheeseburger at Pork Slope.