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."
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."
Thank you for posting this. My friend is constantly saying FoHi is the suburbs and I sent her this link and told her to read the last sentence in paragraph 4.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Well, tell your friend she can say FoHi is the suburbs as much as she likes, but she wouldn't be accurate. Long Island, which includes Nassau and Suffolk Counties, is the suburbs. It is not part of NYC, and — maybe until recently ; — didn't want to be associated with the city in any way, shape or form. Forest Hills, which is in the New York City Borough of Queens, is New York City and has been since like 1898. So there.
DeleteWow - good for them! Station house deserves this press. I really hope they set a standard for all of forest hills and bring people into the neighborhood. If things continue this way - start buying up real estate now....we are becoming the next park slope.
ReplyDeleteI'm not knocking station house, but all this press is obviously targeted and the work of a good public relations firm- generally press like this doesn't happen "naturally" and just requires some smart money behind it.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why all this big deal over Station House.
ReplyDeleteThe location is absolutely horrible. It is not next to the Forest Hills station entrance, but rather across the street located next to a horrible McDonalds.
WaMU actually had a horrible location when it was in business here and it is no wonder that location failed. Then turned into a low end mexican place.
I give Station House credit for choosing to go after the Forest Hills station theme because this is a commuter town and the exterior signage and the interior theme of the Bar actually do fit in well with the community unlike Marianella's.
First, kudos for Station House taking the time to publicize the business and stay on top of their Social Media execution. They're truly one of the first businesses in the neighborhood (at least in recent memory) to take such an aggressive marketing stance. Bottom line is, it's paying off for them. They've had a good crowd when I've been there/pass by.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's absolutely nothing wrong, or bad about Station House's location. Matter of fact, now that it's warmer it will only continue to benefit from post-work foot traffic from the LIRR.
As for being next to a McDonald's, Republic Noodle House in Union Square does just fine being next to a McDonald's. I'm certain there are half a dozen plus other restaurants/bars throughout the city that thrive being next to a McDonald's. The concept that the location is bad simply based on being next to a McDonald's is a bit of a stretch.
In regards to the WaMu branch going out of business. WaMu went bankrupt and was subsequently acquired by JP Morgan Chase. There's a huge Chase branch less than 2-blocks away and there was simply no need to keep the small branch open. I was a customer of that WaMu branch, and it was terrific, and actually quite busy.
Marianella's went out of business because it was just plain bad.
Maybe Station House can expand and take over the McDonald's space.
DeleteCouldn't have written a better reply if my life depended on it
DeleteThis doesn't surprise me one bit, and good for them if they have the smarts to aggressively market the place. The initial buzz and success of an establishment will greatly determine the longevity. I've been to Station House several times and have been recommending it to everyone. I've also had a chance to go to Bantar & the Flying Pig; without a doubt, Station House is the best of the lot.
ReplyDeletePutting ambiance aside for a moment, what is the appeal of station house over the other establishments? I haven't had a chance to check it out and curious to know what everyone likes about it. I went to Banter and found the food to be mediocre but its a pub so I should've had lower expectations. The beer was good though. Flying pig I heard the food isn't up to par. So is it the food that puts station house on top? Thanks!
Delete-D
Definitely, check out what I wrote about their chicken wings and pizza:
DeleteWings:
http://edgeofthecityblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/first-impressions-banter-station-house.html
and pizza, here:
http://edgeofthecityblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/station-house-pizza.html
Terrific vittles
@anon 11:02 - valid question, as you point out with Bantar, the food is mediocre, it's a pub and your expectation is lower. That is precisely why you will be very pleased with the Station House, they over deliver. Sure, the food is nothing special, its pub food at a reasonable price and has been prepared in a way you expect, or perhaps better. I found the staff to be far more professional and right from the get go; they were capable without the kinks most new places go through. Yes they had the advantage of creaming the staff from their other establishments, but so did the Flying Pig and that place has been a disaster compared to Bantar & the Station House.
DeleteWhile I can afford to pay for a bad meal and crappy service; it doesn't mean I will enjoy it or come back again. You get tremendous value at Station House and you will enjoy yourself. More importantly, you will go back with your friends and not be embarrassed by the experience.
We need a gay bar in FoHi.
ReplyDeleteGo to Jackson Heights, where there are plenty.
DeleteThanks to Station House, Banter, and Flying Pig, I can say to my smug Astoria friends, take that! I don't have to leave my nabe to go to a hip, happening place.
ReplyDeleteWent to Station House tonight... Sat at the Bar and wasn't Greeted for 5 Mins. Had to wave down the Bartender. Asked for menu's again after we had made our selection as to what we wanted we waited and waited until once again I had to say, "excuse me we'd like to order" ( need mind you, the bartender kept walking by us back and forth and back and forth).. The other person I was with sat there with an empty glass for most of the meal.. again with the bartenders making drinks right in front of us with the empty glass in front of them.... And once again I had to ask for another drink.. They seemed just as snotty / self assured as the people sitting beside us at the bar.
ReplyDeleteon a positive.. Food Portions are good... You get a lot for your money.. We did not like the pulled pork sandwich, nor the Forest hills Gardens falafel what ever it was.. both were not good but they weren't bad.. It needed some work that is for sure.. The Mac and Cheese was delish though.
I might be willing to give this place another try.. but it left a lot to be desired.
Next time try to sit at one of the many tables if you are planning to eat. The service at the tables the times I've been there has been top-notch. The waiter staff is extremely friendly and attentive.
DeleteThat's what I have heard but it should never be the case! I've worked in a bar and behind the bar and the rule of thumb was you treat every customer as you would want to be served! It's defiantly something they need to work on in my opinion!
DeleteBut I'm willing to try it again but defiantly at the table!
you definitely should be more defiant
DeleteStopped by recently. Not the same welcome feeling as the first few times I went. The new girl behind the bar is the absolute worst.
ReplyDeleteA girl like that can ruin the business. They better retrain here or fire her.
ReplyDelete"Girl"?
Delete