Forest Hills Street Fair

(This is one of those rare collaborative Edge of the City posts that both David and Drake worked on. Interested in becoming a contributor to Edge of the City? Email us at edgeofthecity@gmail.com ) 

David: Some scenes from today's Forest Hills Festival along Austin Street.  The weather couldn't be more perfect for it!  It ran from 10am to 6pm.

Drake: I am actually more impressed by these local street fairs each time I go. They used to be pretty indistinguishable from any of the other fairs around the city, with the food mostly dominated by your Italian sausage vendors. But each time I go, there seems to be more of a local spin, with more and more Forest Hills restaurants setting up stalls. Today, for example, I stumbled upon Cabana's stall and decided to give one of their chicken empanadas a try. I started walking away, took a few bites, stopped in my tracks as the pleasures that come from experiencing a delicious piece of food for the first time washed over me -- and immediately headed right back to their stall. I ordered a couple more empanadas and some delicious rice and beans. 
Just from this experience alone, I'm adding Cabana to my list of local recommended restaurants! 

Cabana dishes out their empanadas and other delicacies. This was my pick for the best food at today's Fair. 

More Cabana, which is located on Restaurant Row (70th Road) in Forest Hills. 

No More Torturous Waiting for Burritos

The best Mexican restaurant, actually one of the best restaurants, period, in Forest Hills just entered the digital age, making life a hell of a lot more pleasant the next time you can't shake your craving for what are quite possibly the most delicious nachos in the world.

Now, if they'd only deliver, like every other restaurant in town. But one can't expect life to be too good to us all at once, can we?

Mojo Latin Fusion Coming Into Former Exo Cafe Spot on Austin

And we add another Latin fusion place to the mix, continuing the Forest Hills tradition of making sure we have plenty of each kind of ethnic cuisine to choose from.

Am I crazy to long for a Panera or other chain to pick up a quick, decent sandwich, salad or soup? We have La Boulangerie, which is awesome, but we could use a little more variety when it comes to fast-casual fare. 

Activity at Austin Street Corner

I'm just hearing the normal rumors and seeing the usual activity that makes me surmise there could be some big changes coming to the corner of 71st Road and Austin Street. Big sales, adjacent stores closing, rumors flying. Send your tips to edgeofthecity@gmail.com

What's Up With the Former New York & Company Site?

I walked by this space the other day and noticed the For Rent signs are down. I haven't checked in the past day or two but I assume that hasn't changed. Does anyone know what might be going in there eventually? I wouldn't mind a Panera Bread, Pret a Manger, or something along those lines. Perfect location and the space seems big enough for that kind of restaurant.
What would you like to see in that space?

Housing Works Opens on Austin Street in Forest Hills

FINALLY.... there's now a convenient place to donate all that stuff that's been taking up space in our closets. The new Housing Works Thrift Shop is now open at 71-54 Austin Street in Forest Hills. This will come as a welcomed relief to residents -- like myself  -- who don't own a car and yet have bags and bags of old things we've been looking to donate for years.

For those not familiar with this excellent organization, here is some information off their website:

"Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.
Housing Works pioneered the concept of social enterprise businesses whose profits assist in funding the mission of its parent not-for-profit organization. Housing Works operates several enterprise businesses including acclaimed Housing Works Thrift Shops and the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Together these businesses help provide crucial funding towards Housing Works mission in addition to providing employment opportunities to the community."

I snapped this photo of what you can bring over to donate, and below are photos from inside their new shop on Austin Street.

Red Pipe Undergoing Renovation

Another Barber Shop For Austin St.

Given the "Forest Hills Law of 3s", there should be a third opening on Austin St. soon :) This one is really close to the Hills Barbershop, which opened across the street about two years ago and has become a rather successful business judging by how crowded the place usually is.
I like the "TVs at Every Station" thing this one is doing. And not just TV's but 32-inch ones!  :)))

Natural is Growing Yet Again

I have been told that the Natural food store on Austin Street will be taking over the CTown space next door. This will be at least the second time Natural has expanded in recent years, after having taken over an ice cream shop that used to be at the corner. CTown will be closing this weekend.

Housing Works Thrift Shop Coming to Austin Street

Housing Works is coming to Austin Street, opening one of their shops right near Red Pipe Cafe! I think this is fantastic news for our neighborhood. I was complaining just the other day that there was no place for me to easily donate clothes in our neighborhood. Not to mention the respect and caliber of this organization. It is awesome that they have chosen Forest Hills for their next shop, with their other locations being in trendy neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Very exciting!

Urgent Care for Your Teeth Coming to Forest Hills

Dental365, opening on Austin St., is described on its website as providing: "convenient, affordable and exceptional dental care 365 days a year. Dental365 operates numerous, immaculately maintained dental offices throughout the metropolitan New York area." The website says it is open seven days a week, accepts walk-ins and offers affordable care and financing options.

Two Things We Could Use in Forest Hills

A Make Your Own Salad place. Yes, I'm still hoping one of these opens in Forest Hills. We've come close - I know a major chain was interested in Forest Hills several years back. But still no takers. With Shake Shack, Bareburger and other chains now open on Austin Street, it's obvious there's certainly enough of a demand for a different kind of fast-casual lunch or dinner option in Forest Hills. Why it hasn't happened yet? Who knows. For now, anyone craving the healthy ease and convenience of something like a Chopt or a Just Salad can swing by Natural, where they have a make-your-own salad station, albeit quite awkwardly set up amidst the checkout line.

An indie bookshop: My calls for an indie coffee place resulted in not one but two opening in FoHi, and right across from each other on Austin Street no less. Surely, we can do the same with an indie bookshop? Now that indie bookstores are experiencing a resurgence as consumers realize e-books just don't always cut it, the thousands of readers here in Forest Hills are left with either going to the library, ordering on Amazon, visiting the newly-opened Kew & Willow bookshop in Kew Gardens or venturing over to one of the remaining Barnes & Nobles in Manhattan or somewhere else. But there is simply nothing like having your own local bookshop in your community. It can become a haven for book lovers, hosting author readings and other related events. And how delightful is it to escape a hot summer day by wandering into your local bookstore, and feeling that refreshing AC cool you down as you meander through the aisles, stopping here and there to pick up a book and just escape from the daily grind?

   

Corner of Restaurant Row & Austin St.

The going-out-of-business signs caught my eye a couple of months ago and now things are really getting going: some big-time development going in at the corner of Austin Street and Restaurant Row. I know originally the yogurt place was supposed to be turned into some type of Mediterranean grill. Does anyone know if that is still what is happening? It sure would be one mammoth Mediterranean grill if so, since there are now two adjacent storefronts that are part of this development...

New Store Opening On Austin Street

A Pandora jewelry is coming to the spot formerly occupied by the Diva NY clothing store on Austin Street, next to GNC.

5 Burro Café Review

Location: 72-05 Austin Street Forest Hills, NYC

Hours: 12:00PM - 4:00AM — 7 Days a week

Hi, it’s Mark again, from mealswithmark.com , with another local restaurant review.  My partner and I have been cohabitating in Forest Hills for almost two years now and we are always looking out for and trying new restaurants to wow us with their food and ambiance.  We have had a lot of hits and misses in Forest Hills.  But surprisingly a lot of hits lately.  We both enjoy a good meal out every so often with amazing food, great ambiance, and incredible company. Our culinary escape took us to 5 Burro Café  on Austin Street in Forest Hills.

We have been wanting to try 5 Burro for quite some time.  Whenever we mention to people that we live in Forest Hills, everyone raves about 5 Burro and they are surprised we haven’t tried it.  They can’t stop talking about how great the food and the drinks are and how much fun they have when they go.

We have walked by on many occasions and after hearing how loud and seeing how packed they were, we said 'no thanks' and we kept walking and found some mediocre place to eat or just gave up and went home and I whipped something up.  Packed and extremely loud is a turn-off.  Before the Forest Hills faithful starts on their rants, see above. We have had more hits than misses lately. We have actually discovered and had some pretty amazing meals as of late in our neck of the woods. 

Since 5 Burro is always loud and packed at night we decided to check them out on a Saturday during lunch time. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and there was not a crowd of people outside and the noise level was at a bearable level. 

Upon entering the restaurant, it reminded me of our many trips to Mexico and eating at some of the local establishments. The décor and the feel of the restaurant definitely felt authentic. The restaurant was cute, quaint, and cozy, but definitely small in size, which explains why it is always so loud and packed when we walk by.  

When I go out for a meal I don’t want to have to wait 45 minutes to an hour to get a table and I want to be able to hear my dinner companion and be able to have a conversation without screaming.  A restaurant’s appearance is one of the things that weighs heavily with me when I pick a place when I eat out.  The food is the most important, but experience is as well.  So, my first impression of 5 Burro Café was a pleasant surprise, after walking by some many times and being turned off.

We started out our meal with frozen margaritas.  Before going to 5 Burro we read some reviews on Yelp, but I always make my own opinion of a place.  That’s what is great about a review, there can be many different views on the same place.  But, we chose the frozen margaritas after reading the reviews ahead of time. 5 Burro is known for their margaritas.  We went with the classic.  They were delicious but could have had a tad bit more tequila.  This drink definitely hit the spot on this warm Saturday afternoon.  It was $8, which was a great price for a 16oz. drink.  5 Burro also brings you out some fresh chips and salsa and it pairs well with their frozen margaritas.

For starters, we went with the Aguacate Relleno which was an Avocado stuffed with Shrimp and smothered with fresh veggies, spices, and 5 Burro Café’s homemade house dressing.  This dish was refreshing with a great, unique blend of spices and flavor.  You can go with a half order or a full order.  We went with the half order, which I am glad we did since I filled up on the free chips and salsa. 

Since when my partner and I go out to eat we share, we took awhile going through the menu and picking two choices.  We asked our server for recommendations and he seemed knowledgeable about his recommendations on the menu, but he didn’t talk excitedly about anything.  When I go out, I always ask the server their suggestion because you can really see their passion for the establishment that they work for and what they are excited about and that they think everyone should try.  I didn’t feel like he had a personal favorite or anything excited him.  Usually, I go with my server's recommendation, but not this time.  Don’t get me wrong the service as a whole was good. 

I went with the Ensalada Mexicana Con Carne.  This consisted of fresh mixed greens, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, steak, lime, avocado, and topped with original 5 Burro Dressing.  First the positives.  The steak was seasoned and cooked very well.  The veggies on the salad was crispy and fresh and the portion size was very large.  On the flip side, there were way too many onions, a little less would have balanced out the salad better.  The 5 Burro original dressing was very flavorful, but was a tad bit watery.  I like my dressing a little thicker so it sticks to my salad to give it that flavorful kick.  Overall a great steak salad, which most places don’t get right.

My partner went with the Fajitas De Salmon.  Grilled Salmon served with grilled onions, mixed peppers, rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and choice of flour or corn tortillas.  The salmon was flaky and cooked perfectly.  When all the ingredients wrapped together in the warm tortilla wrap, it was a delicious explosion of subtle flavors in your mouth.  Besides the salmon, the standout on this dish was the seasoned rice and the black beans with the crumbled cojito cheese on top.  Usually when both of us go out for Mexican food, the rice and bean sides are a second thought, but at 5 Burro, it complemented and paired so well with the fajitas and tasted delicious, so skipping it was not an option.

Due to the yummy frozen margaritas, the free chips and salsa, the appetizer, and our large portion meals, we had no room for dessert.  But it is worth mentioning, 5 Burro does offer Flan and Apple Chimichanga for dessert.  

  

I highly recommend 5 Burro Café. I recommend for the first time to try it during the day for lunch to avoid the crowds and noise.  But it is also a fun place to hang out with friends after work or on the weekends for some appetizers and so good drinks. Just keep in mind it gets packed and loud during peak hours.

Check out their menu at: http://5burrocafe.com/

Follow them on Social media and share your photos and your experience there!

https://twitter.com/5burrocafe

https://www.facebook.com/5BurroCafe/

https://www.instagram.com/5burrocafe/

Also check out my other local restaurant reviews:

http://edgeofthecityblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/restaurant-review-guantanamera.html

http://edgeofthecityblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/compadres-77-restaurant-review.html

https://mealswithmark.com/numero-28-pizzeria-review/