Local Restaurant News

Apparently the new restaurant Rove — brought to us by the owners of the awesome Jack & Nellie's — has had a soft opening. I saw some shots of the interior on Instagram and the place looks really nice and comfy and the food looks at least pretty darn nice as well. Rove is located in the former Bonfire Grill location, on Austin Street near the corner of Ascan.

In other news, I'm told by a loyal reader that Danny Brown has already closed. It had announced it would be closing the end of the year. But this is what the restaurant has said:

Please Note

Due to a fire in the boiler room of our building over the weekend we are temporarily closed. We are doing our best to assess the damages in order to begin the restoration process so we can re-open for service. We are not currently accepting reservations until we have a clear time line for the projected repairs.

We will continue to update you via our website and social media as we receive more information.

Danny Brown Restaurant to Close

I never ate there myself, but heard some good things about it over the years....

Michelin-Starred Restaurant Danny Brown to Close

 The big quote:

He said Forest Hills could also be an option, if a better opportunity arose.
“This is our home, this is where we got started,” he said. “We’ve done so much work here in Forest Hills, if there is a good opportunity to stay here — sure, absolutely."

I'm left thinking, really? The rents are even too damn high on Metropolitan Avenue? Crazy shit...

Restaurant News

A new Thai restaurant, The Old Siam, is taking over the former Bann Thai location at 6912 Austin St. Reader Premie sent in this photo below and says "It looks like the inside is almost completely renovated. I don't know if it's the same owners because I absolutely loved Bann Thai but at least it's still Thai!!"

And Jennifer writes in that Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen, on Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills, was, for the fourth time, awarded a single Michelin star. As the Times reports in: Dining at a Star in Queens

When Michelin, the French publisher of travel books, issued its 2014 New York City dining guide this month, it gave stars to 58 restaurants in Manhattan, six in Brooklyn — and one in the entire borough of Queens. That Queens restaurant was the Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen, a cozy Continental on Metropolitan Avenue and 71st Drive in Forest Hills.

Vintage Forest Hills

From Wine Spectator: A Spanish Red at a Budget Price

"OK, I admit it. Sometimes (if not more often than not), I’m drawn to prices on a wine list before I even read the name of the wine. Such was the case in my neighborhood in Forest Hills in Queens, N.Y., at the local one-star Michelin restaurant (that’s right, we have Michelin stars in Queens), Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen."

Danny Brown Times Article

Here's something a little more pleasant for those of you who apparently detested my worst bagels post, in more ways than one judging by your remarks. :) ( I will keep the controversial post below for those of you brave enough to read it, digest it, and then reply... I also thought of another horrible bagel story which I will share soon.)

In any case, here's the more pleasant news: Danny Brown, owner of one of the best-reviewed restaurants here in Forest Hills, was featured in The Times this weekend:

FASHION & STYLE
Audrey Brand and Danny Brown
By JANE GORDON
Published: January 27, 2012
For Danny Brown and Audrey Brand, a restaurant in Queens became the focus that brought them together.