Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Now Open

Late-night desperate search for Doritos through Forest Hills' streets revealed that this snack food haven had opened its doors....



 

Monday, December 30, 2013

End of Year Open Poll

What is your favorite new business (restaurants, bars, stores, etc.) in Forest Hills?

Aston Windows Going Up

I noticed they have begun putting the windows/facade on the new condo on Queens Blvd., giving us a sneak peek of what the building will eventually look like...



Friday, December 27, 2013

Di Paola Turkey Farms at Forest Hills Green Market

My nose led me to Di Paola's stand at our Green Market last weekend...




Jackson Heights in 'Curbed Cup' Final Four

Hey, we have to support our fellow Queensites, don't we? While they get ready for final four voting, we should ponder if we'd like Forest Hills to be included in this one day? Yes? No? Who cares?

Curbed Cup 2nd Round Results: The Final Four, Revealed!


After the second round of Curbed's annual battle for neighborhood of the year, four contenders remain.



Christmas Eve on 70th Road and 108th

Thanks to Yovanna for sending in these nice pics...




Monday, December 23, 2013

Garcia's to Become Another Mexican Restaurant

The former Garcia's space, located at 70-09 Austin St., (third floor of the "Austin Street Mall"), will become the latest site of El Coyote, whose nearest restaurant is on Northern Blvd. in Jackson Heights. This small chain also has two other locations, in Monroe and Brookfield, Connecticut. The place has some pretty good reviews on Yelp. The food reviews seem to be very strong.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in this info this morning!


Sunday, December 22, 2013

Ann Taylor in Forest Hills Closing

The Ann Taylor, located at 71-09 Austin St., will be closing on Jan. 4th. Needless to say, this opens up a super location for another business smack in the center of Forest Hills' main shopping strip.

Thanks to @amandakohut for tweeting me the photo.


Young Hawk on 72nd Ave.

Thanks to Stewart for sending in this photo of a young hawk on 72nd Ave. between Queens Blvd. and Austin St.


Happy Holidays!


Thanks to Sasha for sending in this very nice holiday decorations pic. If you want your own posted, email it to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com


Two Fives


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Early Snows

The early snow this year has certainly gotten this blogger in the holiday mood, but forecasters are saying that any snow on the ground today will most likely be gone by the time Christmas rolls around. So enjoy that little bit of snow while it lasts!

Oh, and what's with you guys this year with those holiday decoration pics?? Last year I got a flood of them, this year, nada! What's up with that? There's still time! Send 'em to edgeofthecity@gmail.com.


Sunday, December 15, 2013

Forest Hills Greenmarket to Be Open Year-Round

They had been trying to get people to sign a petition over the past several weeks to extend our Greenmarket from ending Dec. 29th to going year-round.  Well, those at the market this morning were greeted by this sign:


By the way, today's a great day to be at the market. The news media successfully scared most people into thinking Armageddon was at hand with yesterday's light snow (this morning, there's virtually nothing on the ground), so, all that fresh produce is just your's for the pickin'! Much lighter crowds today, bright sunshine, temps in the 40's - it's like paradise out there! And, they're letting you taste eggnog french toast at the Greenmarket stall to boot! What's not to love?

One vendor told me he had to drive five hours to the market this morning through every type of hazardous weather - snow, sleet, ice, slush, you name it. You gotta hand it to these greenmarket vendors. They're a dedicated lot.

Friday, December 13, 2013

SATURDAY: Queens Boulevard Walk to Highlight Safety Proposals for Hazardous Corridor

For decades, Queens Boulevard has been notorious as one of the most dangerous speedways in the five boroughs. But this Saturday, the so-called “Boulevard of Death” will be the site of a leisurely — and safe — walk for area residents, as Transportation Alternatives’ Queens Activist Committee hosts the Queens Boulevard Winter Wander.

“Queens Boulevard is the most integral route through the borough, but it is simply not safe,” says Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The majority of New Yorkers who use it every day, transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists, are all at serious risk.”

T.A. advocates will begin Saturday’s event with a community discussion at New Life Fellowship Church in Elmhurst. They will outline the Zero on Queens Boulevard campaign, which calls for a redesign of the corridor to add pedestrian safety improvements, along with dedicated lanes for Select Bus Service (SBS), and protected bike lanes.

Pastor A. Redd Sevilla, Executive Director of the New Life Community Development Corporation says, “We, the people, benefit when we continually transform our neighborhoods to make room for pedestrian traffic and not just vehicular. I love walking to work because I see the faces of my neighbors and hear the voices of their greetings. I enjoy seeing the kids run as they are supposed and seeing neighbors gather in community. I hope and pray that none of these lives would have to be cut short because of poorly planned streets. Let us re-imagine and reshape Queens Boulevard to make it safer for the children, youth and families that walk and bike in its vicinity.”

After the meeting at New Life Fellowship Church, The Winter Wander continues with a group walk along the Boulevard toward Forest Hills. Local street safety advocates will discuss the history of the roadway and the dangers faced by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

Council Member Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens) says, “Safety on Queens Boulevard has come a long way over the past 20 years, but we still have more work to do.  I look forward to working with my colleagues, the community and Transportation Alternatives in order to ensure that Queens Boulevard is a safe place for all.”

Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) says, “Safety has improved with better stripping, medians and crosswalk countdowns that give pedestrians a little bit of extra time to start crossing the street before vehicles can drive from any direction. But more needs to be done. Pedestrian safety is a vitally important issue for my district and citywide. I have worked with the Department of Transportation to implement Neighborhood Slow Zones, Safe Routes to Schools projects and other pedestrian safety improvements. However, these improvements alone will not make our streets safer. Strict enforcement of traffic laws and pedestrian safety education for New Yorkers of all ages are absolutely essential to prevent future tragedies on our streets. I thank Transportation Alternatives for bringing attention to this important issue. "


About the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign
With more than 40 coalition partners and 2,000 petition signatures, the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign is poised to make major gains in early 2014.  Local residents, small business owners and community leaders are calling on area community boards to support a street redesign to save lives and strengthen the local economy.


WHAT:  Queens Boulevard Winter Wander

WHEN:  Saturday, December 14th,  1 pm- 3:30pm

WHERE: Walk kicks off at: New Life Fellowship Church, 8210 Queens Boulevard,
Elmhurst, NY 11373

WHO:  Transportation Alternatives and Concerned Queens Community Members,
Open to the Public

RSVP : bikenyc.org/event/5679

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Restaurant News

Santa Fe, the BBQ restaurant located on Restaurant Row (70th Road), has been closed the past couple of days. I haven't heard if this is permanent or not. If it is, that, of course, would open up an enormous space for a new restaurant.

Also, a reader sent these photos in to the blog's Facebook Page of Dirty Pierre's new "sequel" on Metropolitan Ave., which appears to be named Dirty Pierre South.


7-Eleven Close to Opening

The 7-Eleven looks close to opening (it is supposed to open next week sometime):





Monday, December 9, 2013

Queens Boulevard Winter Wander

Marching Toward a People-friendly Queens Boulevard
“Winter Wander” Rally and Walk to Highlight Safety Proposals for Hazardous Corridor

For decades, Queens Boulevard has been notorious as one of the most dangerous speedways in the five boroughs. But this weekend, the so-called “Boulevard of Death” will be the site of a leisurely — and safe — walk for area residents, as Transportation Alternatives’ Queens Activist Committee hosts the Queens Boulevard Winter Wander.

The event kicks off in Elmhurst with a community discussion about T.A.'s Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign, which advocates for pedestrian safety improvements along the corridor, including bike infrastructure and dedicated lanes for Select Bus Service (SBS). The Winter Wander continues with a group walk along the Boulevard toward Forest Hills. Local street safety advocates will discuss the history of the roadway and the dangers faced by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

About the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign

With more than 40 coalition partners and 2,000 petition signatures, the Zero on Queens Boulevard Campaign is poised to make major gains in early 2014. Local residents, small business owners and community leaders are calling on area community boards to support a street redesign to save lives and strengthen the local economy.

WHAT: Queens Boulevard Winter Wander

WHEN: Saturday, December 14th, 1 pm- 3:30pm

WHERE: Kicks off at: New Life Fellowship Church, 8210 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst

WHO: Transportation Alternatives and Concerned Queens Community Members,
Open to the Public

RSVP : bikenyc.org/event/5679

Local Holiday Scenes

Some local holiday scenes. Remember to start sending in pictures of your own holiday decorations, be they at work or home—including pics from outside or in the lobby of your buildings! Not only will I post 'em, but if I get enough I'll put the best up for a vote! Email them to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com

La Boulangerie

Martha's Country Bakery is all decked out

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church was putting up its Nativity scene facing Queens Blvd. this weekend.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Remembering Nelson Mandela


By donating to Mr Mandela’s organizations you will be helping to sustain a unique legacy that contributes to the making of a just society. 
For persons residing in South Africa and the rest of the world - Donate online
For persons residing in the UK and Europe - Donate online

Talk on Muslim/Jewish Relations at Forest Hills Jewish Center

In the wake of September 11, two of the most prominent Muslim and Jewish leaders in NYC forged an unlikely friendship. As the city reeled from the events of the day, many people reacted with anger and bitterness. Rabbi Marc Schneier and Imam Shamsi Ali instead made the courageous decision that they would bring their communities together to work for peace. 

On Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m.., Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali will discuss their new book, which grew out of their conversations, Sons of Abraham, at the Forest Hills Jewish Center in Queens. 

In their new book, Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali confront the differences between Muslims and Jews with great honesty, while also looking for the values that unite us.  They challenge both Jews and Muslims to step outside their comfort zones to find common ground. 

Tickets to this event, which also includes kosher desserts, are available through the Central Queens Y, at (718) 268-5011, ext. 151 or online at www.cqy.org/tickets.  Advance tickets are $15, with tickets at the door at $21. 

Rabbi Marc Schneier was born in NYC into a community wary of outsiders.  Son of a distinguished rabbinical dynasty, his passion for Israel made him suspicious of Muslims. Imam Shamsi Ali grew up in a small farming village in Indonesia and attended Muslim schools in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, where he was taught that Jews intended to destroy Islam and its practitioners. Despite such extraordinary differences, these two men become close friends, as well as passionate advocates for mutual understanding between the world’s most bitterly opposed religions. Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali confront such difficult questions as the legitimacy of both Israel and a Palestinian state, the idea of the chosen people, the meaning of jihad and shari’a. Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali do not agree on everything, but when they disagree, the manner in which they do so sets an example for this necessary dialogue. 

More information about this event is available at 718 268-5011, ext. 151, or online at www.cqy.org or at  (718) 268-5011 ext. 151, or pkurtz@cqy.org
                          

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Seeing Green


Greenmarket Update

One of the people who runs the Forest Hills Greenmarket told me Sunday that it's looking good that it will be extended from ending on December 29th to continuing through the winter, becoming year-round from now on. But as one reader said in an email to me, it's probably a good idea to get as many signatures on the petition about this. So, if you like our Greenmarket and would like to see it extended year-round, please stop by their information table this Sunday and ask to sign the petition. 

The Greenmarket worker also told me that the fact that a new vendor just started this past Sunday makes it look more likely that it will be continuing year-round. The new vendor is Garden of Eve, which sells organic produce. They were located in front of the Forest Hills Jewish Center this past Sunday (down where Bread Alone is usually located, for those of you who are Greenmarket regulars):





Tuesday, December 3, 2013

CNN Ponders What's News

Huh? Am I missing something? CNN covers the news? Um, since when? If that's what's considered news today we're seriously screwed as a nation..( I resisted using a much stronger word there because of my Uncle who apparently reads this blog out there in Los Angeles and doesn't like when I curse I hear).

Zucker plans massive change at CNN
Anyway, this is from a new website called 'Capital' about New York City politics. Worth checking out. But they're not off to a great start by the peculiar point of view they seem to hold in this particular story! When I read the headline I thought to myself, "Finally! He gets it! When we turn on CNN we want to watch the news! You know, like they used to do, when they had reporters and they went out into the world and like covered the news and shit?"

And then I read the article... crap....

Oh, and by the way, while I'm on the subject of TV, I'm still mighty pissed about this...(is 'pissed' a curse?)

New Restaurant Opens This Week

I've been told the new Restaurant Row (70th Road) restaurant The Grill opens this week, possibly Wednesday.


Most Improved Restaurant of the Year

Friends kept urging us to go back to Bonfire Grill on Austin St. We had stopped going there, oh, about a year after they opened. We had gone several times, but found the place just failed at some of the most basic dishes, like chicken sandwiches and the like. (You can tell, when I don't dig a restaurant or business, I don't blog about them at all.)

But, at our friends' urging, we gave it another shot recently and I'm really glad we did. The whole place seems to have changed. The menu is different. And the food—it's gone from a C to an A! So, I'm announcing our inaugural "Most Improved Restaurant of the Year Award." And am happy to give it to Bonfire Grill!

I'm really glad to see Bonfire having improved so much given that it was early in the recent wave of new restaurants that have come into our neighborhood. It was really disappointing to have to admit that it just wasn't that great in the months after it opened. It was one of those places that just looked so much better than the food was. I'm glad to see the food has caught up with the appearance! It's now a more than worthy challenger to Banter for best all-around casual restaurant in central FoHi.

Recommended:

Nachos - to die for, and enormous!
Salads (Grilled chicken is excellent)
Sandwiches

Bonfire's awesome new grilled chicken salad

Bonfire's grilled chicken sandwich - enormously improved!






Sunday, December 1, 2013

Twist And Smash'd Menu

Click for larger



Twist And Smash'd Review

I tried our newest burger place, Twist And Smash'd, located at 72-06 Austin St. in Forest Hills.

Overall, I was really happy with the food. The burger I had, a double Original Smash'd Angus beef burger ($9.25) was delicious as well as perfectly cooked. I really, really liked it. My only complaint, for the price the burger should be bigger. The same goes for the chicken burger I ordered ($5.50 for a single burger.) It was excellent but should have been bigger,

The place prides itself on its unique "Twisted Potatoes"—a stack of thin fried potato slices on a stick. Again, these were delicious. Each one (for $2.50) was nice and salty and somehow didn't leave you with that stuffed feeling you get from regular french fries.

The restaurant itself, which looked still slightly unfinished when I went this weekend, has a fun vibe with numerous tables spread throughout the space. They also say they will have outdoor seating in the back in the nicer weather.

Also, they will soon be rolling out home delivery.

I was thrilled to see that they got my take-out order exactly right, despite what was a pretty big crowd and the fact that they were obviously in that typical opening phase, where they're still working out the kinks. It took about 20 minutes for me to get the food, not terrible. The place could definitely use a second cashier! But the three different employees I spoke with were very courteous and helpful.

So how would I rate the burger? Against my gold standard for a fast food burger—Shake Shack—I'd give Shake Shack a perfect 10 and the Twist & Smash'd Original Double a 9. It was definitely up there in terms of quality and taste. I just wish it was a little bit bigger to make it fully worth the $9.25 I paid for the double size. Make the burger bigger, and it's easily a 10.

I have to admit I had my doubts about what is in essence a "mom and pop" burger place opening at a time when there are already several really great burger chains in the New York City area. But Twist & Smash'd appears to me to have what it takes to go head to head with the best of them. But they need to overcome that "mom and pop" stinginess and be much more generous with the size of the burgers, especially when asking for upwards of $9 bucks for a double burger. (Just to clarify, the single burgers are $5.50.)

But all in all, I'm thrilled to see central Forest Hills finally get a modern fast burger place. For whatever reason, the other well-known chains, so prevalent in other parts of the City, haven't yet opened on or near Austin. And it's their loss. As I said, the Twist & Smash'd location was extremely busy when I went there after being open a scant 24 hours. There's obviously a huge demand for this type of place here. Why the big guys haven't noticed is beyond me. Now, when they finally do open here, they'll have to play catch-up to Twist.

I'll post the entire Twist and Smash'd menu Sunday. There are plenty of other options that I look forward to trying, including salads, a Short Rib Burger, a Crab burger and even Chicken and Waffles. This is one inventive place and we're lucky to have it! (And I'm already craving another one of their burgers!)

They gave me my take out order in this cool tote bag. Nice touch!

Double Original Smash'd beef burger.

Chicken burger (single) had a nice charcoal taste.

Their unique Twisted Potatoes