Friday, June 28, 2013

Some Reader Contributions

A few photos I wanted to post earlier this week from readers before all the news broke about the Stadium Concerts...

Liran noticed that the frozen yogurt competition in town seems to be heating up with special deals now to be had (especially now that we have, how many? four places in just a few blocks battling for the hearts and minds of the froyo-lovers of FoHi?)...


And Manny was nice enough to send in these photos of the Willow Lake Trail last Sunday:




Thanks for sending them in guys. The photos and news everyone sends in really adds so much to this blog. Keep 'em coming to edgeofthecity@gmail.com. Have a great Friday!

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Brunching at Banter

The fare from a recent Sunday brunch at Banter. Pictured below are a simple omelette and their Irish breakfast. I really enjoyed it, as with all the times I've been to this new place. I especially liked the service - exceedingly friendly.




Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Village Voice Station House Article Says it All...

Doesn't it really capture the essence of our 'hood? Great article!

Forest Hills Station House Now Serving Beer and Whiskey in Queens
"After all, if someone tells you their grandmother lives in Queens, odds are Forest Hills is where she's raising hell--and she's doing it all before 10 p.m."
Ok, so maybe it's a little dated now that we have music concerts here! 

Wings Almost Ready to Fly

As Buffalo Wild Wings rushes to complete its new Forest Hills location I noticed they seem to have dedicated the street level portion to a separate entrance just for take-out. Now I could be wrong, and they're just advertising their tasty take-out capability on the doors below. But given how that space is set up, I am thinking it's a dedicated take-out space, kinda like what Junior's Times Square does. (Awesome place btw, if you haven't gone.) Every once in a while along comes a restaurant in FoHi that seems to really get it. And BWW is definitely off to a good start. Because if New Yorkers like one thing, it's take out! BWW's massive space makes it easier for them to do this, but boy how I wish some of our really excellent local restaurants would do the same. Isn't it annoying when you go to pick some food up at a restaurant and you feel like a pariah being forced to go stand in a corner while everyone's dining around you?


Monday, June 24, 2013

Mumford & Sons to Play Forest Hills August 28th !

I bet it's been a long time since most of the old-timers reading this blog have read a headline like that! But yes, apparently the folks at the West Side Tennis Club have been hard at work restoring the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium and The New York Times is reporting this morning:

At 90, a Queens Stadium Is Poised for a Comeback

"Club officials and a promoter have an agreement to hold 19 concerts over the next three years....
A new entrance will be created away from residential blocks, and there will be a curfew of about 10 p.m., Mr. Luba said, adding that for the August show all tickets would be general admission and would cost $70. He hopes to attract 16,500 people."
Mr. Luba, who scouts and prepares unconventional concert sites for the band, said he took the members of Mumford & Sons on a tour of the stadium, “and they just fell in love with it."
Now I just need to score me some tickets! Here's a link to info on how to get tickets:

US TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: THE FULL ENGLISH TOUR & RESCHEDULED DATE



Sunday, June 23, 2013

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Willow Lake Trail

Thanks to Penny for sending in this pic (see her recent comment for more info about her Willow Lake Journey)...


Happy Summer!

Happy First Day of Summer! And what better way to kick it off than with a nice Margarita? I saw you can now enjoy one with your tasty Mexican fare at our neighborhood Chipotle...



Thursday, June 20, 2013

More Coverage of The Aston

This time, from the Brownstoner Blog: Art Deco Condo Rising in Forest Hills

Our Cups Runneth Over

Given that we find ourselves in a Yogurt Glut of perhaps Biblical proportions, what with the recent opening of Red Mango and Vanilla Sky, perhaps it comes as no surprise that all this yogurt activity is having ripple effects on the shops that originally staked a claim to the yogurt hungry of Forest Hills.

I noticed over the weekend that Oko has put up a sign advertising "New Management."
And Yogo Monster in the Austin Street Mall has also made some changes... 
Yogo Monster has switched to the ever-popular "self-serve" format a la 16 Handles and Red Mango, etc.

One thing 'The Monster' has going for it is outdoor seating.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Hills Are Alive...

.... with the sound of music...


Glenn Paul Manion, a member of The Squeaky Clean Band, regaled Forest Hills Farmer's Market goers with some folksy tunes this past Sunday.

And I noticed this at The Flying Pig:


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

And it Has a Name: Introducing The Aston

.... as DNAInfo.com reports:

Luxury Art Deco Condo Rises in Forest Hills

The units will cost between $600,000 and $750,000...


"A new luxury condo complex under construction in Forest Hills will feature Art Deco architecture, green construction and a rooftop garden for residents, its architect said."

Buffalo Wild Wings Signs

A portion of 71st Continental Ave. was transformed yesterday into 'Buffalo Wild Wings Land' as our newest restaurant chain unveiled its signage, visible from the space shuttle by the way. (Kidding about that last part, but they do seem a bit, how can I put it, loud?)





Monday, June 17, 2013

Long Island Railroad Train Derailment Photos

My friend was on the train that derailed in the East River tunnel tonight. He said it took them like 3 hours to get him and the other passengers off the train. All the while they were trapped in the packed car in the tunnel without air conditioning.



Gothamist Covers Station House

From Gothamist:

Deep Fried Snickers And Craft Beer At Forest Hills Station House

"The elevated pub grub menu has some inventive takes on classic bar food."

Parking Pains

Thanks to @CoreyNYC for the heads up about a slew of parking problems for local residents. I'll just repeat what he's tweeting me below:

No parking signs just went up this morn: 72nd Dr bet QN & 112. Ppl will get towed

Also on:
both 112 & 113 between 72 Rd & 72 Dr
Also 72 dr bet 112 & QB


And Yet More Station House Press

This time, from Star magazine's so-called Hot Sheet. Take it or leave it, but I'm just passing it along...


Iranian Election

By the way folks, this is what happens when you have a President of the United States who has a, what's it called again, oh yeah, a BRAIN!

President-Elect of Iran Talks of Easing Tensions With U.S.
Speaking on Monday for the first time since his election victory, Hassan Rowhani called Iran’s nonexistent ties with the United States a “wound” that must be healed.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

My Dream Mayor

By the way, you wanna know who I think would be the perfect mayor of NYC? This guy...


I know, wrong state and all. But one can dream... Makes me almost want to pick up and move across the Hudson. Those guys are so lucky...

Forbes: NYC Subway WiFi, A Rare Triple #Fail

Amen! This column says it all. Why is this so hard? Maddening!!
NYC Subway WiFi, A Rare Triple #Fail

West Side Tennis Club Carnival Flyer

Well, probably not a conspiracy against the masses, but just an oversight? Here's the flyer. Oh, and it's not free after all for the general public, just club members. Oh well, sorry about that...


West Side Tennis Club Free Carnival

Was amused to see a flyer on the window of a local business for a huge celebration event at the West Side Tennis Club on Sunday, June 30th, a free carnival open to the public. Sounds like a lot of fun for all. The amused part comes because you'd think in 2013 an organization like the WSTC just might have the notion to email information about this event to the major bloggers in the neighborhood. Nope... When they finally do maybe Forest Hills will have joined the 21st Century along with most of the rest of the City!

By the way, I searched the internets for a copy of the flyer and couldn't find it anywhere. My iPhone ran out of juice when I saw it, otherwise I'd put a photo up. If anyone knows anything more about this event, or has a copy of the flyer, please email it to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com.

Come on guys! Finding information about a major event open to the public shouldn't be this hard for the local blog in the year 2013!

Where to Catch Live Music in Forest Hills

Along with The Flying Pig, here's some other venues to catch some live music in Forest Hills ( thanks to Anne-Marie for the info.! ):

Banter: Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday early evening

Jack & Nellie's: Live jazz during weekend brunches

Know of other places with live music in Forest Hills? Write them in below or email them to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com



Budding Local Filmmakers

A reader sent in a link to this short film shot by two young residents of Forest Hills. As she explains:

"This video was made by two 13 year olds who are big fans of Assassins Creed and who have spent all their lives in Forest Hills. It's their turf, main terrain, home field. Anyway, Forest Hills never looked so dangerous!"

So grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy. Personally, I think we may have found our next Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams: Epic Assassin's Creed Journey

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Weiner Returns Home for a Visit

Anthony Weiner was campaigning in Forest Hills this morning at the corner of Austin and 71st Continental Ave.


Thursday, June 13, 2013

Live Music This Weekend




The Funky Godmothers will be playing at The Flying Pig this Saturday night at 11 p.m.

Local Events

A reader recently suggested I should update the blog's Events page. Happy to oblige.  Now I just need some to post there. Anyone got anything planned they want Fo Hi'ers and wannabe Fo' Hi'ers to attend?

 Email them to me at edgeofthecity@gmail.com

Relaxing with a Brew

Savoring a brew (Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat from Louisiana's Abita Brewing), courtesy of Forest Hills' new gastropub Banter.




Saturday Night in Forest Hills

9p.m. June 8, 2013
Corner of Austin St. and 70th Road, Forest Hills

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

More National Press for Station House

This time, from Men's Fitness magazine:
Where To Drink: Forest Hills Station House
"With an impressive gastropub menu and an array of craft beers on tap, this new Queens, New York hotspot offers everything you could want in a hip local hangout."

Monday, June 10, 2013

Station House: "New York's Latest Must-Visit Establishment"

Whoa! Thanks to Kristen over at Queens Mamas for alerting me to this! And a big congrats to Station House!

From Radar Online:
Start Spreadin’ The News: The Station House Is New York’s Latest Must-Visit Establishment
New York’s the gold standard of bars and restaurants in the country, and The Station House in Forest Hills is the latest must-visit when in the area, with a unique atmosphere and variety of special whiskeys and beers that’s second-to-none.

Vanilla Sky's Opening Day

Here are some photos from yesterday's opening of Vanilla Sky, Forest Hills' new cafe/frozen yogurt place at the corner of Austin St. and 70th Road (Restaurant Row). I have to admit I'm not much of a frozen yogurt connoisseur and don't get very excited about it (see my Tweets), but I liked their's—the flavors I tried tasted more like regular ice cream and less like yogurt. And the place is really really nice. Very modern and sleek, with great touches. I especially liked the fact that they also sell other things like sandwiches, coffee and smoothies (see their menu below). So, Forest Hills has more than just another frozen yogurt shop in Vanilla Sky. We have a full-blown cafe that's really cool and fun, and with outdoor seating to boot.


A great summery touch - enjoy your fro-yo and other treats in their "green" outdoor seating area


Loved their cool-looking furniture. Very modern.

They had a variety of gourmet sandwiches, sodas and waters.