Best of Astoria 2015 – Judith’s Picks

Last week, Meg revealed her favorite Astoria spots she deems as her personal bests. With so many excellent things to choose from in Astoria, narrowing these down to just a few wasn’t an easy task but here goes my list:

Best Restaurant – Ovelia

Yes, Ovelia has become an Astoria staple, being in operation for the last 8 years, but I continue to love how it reinvents itself. Never satisfied with the same old, the Giannakas brothers never cease to sprinkle an element of surprise into their business. Whether rolling out their new brunch menu or a refurbished dinner offering and plenty of special events, it’s no wonder that Ovelia packs the house on any night of the week and especially on the weekends. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217

Best Pizzeria – Milkflower

With so many new pizza joints in the nabe, I continue to love Milkflower for its perfectly executed pies – from their chewy middle all the way to a blistery crust. Loving the simple margarita or the more fancy Brussels sprout pie, it’s nearly impossible to leave hungry or dissatisfied, especially if you have a little dose of their gelato to seal the deal. 34-12 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.204.1300

Best Mexican Restaurant – Tacuba

Although an Astoria newcomer, Tacuba has quickly proved to be a serious player on the Mexican food scene. Loving its festive ambiance and the beautifully composed food, especially the homemade guacamole and their crispy empanadas, it’s no wonder we chose it as our Best of party destination. 35-01 36th Street, Astoria. 718.486.2727

Best Place to Experience the Arts – Rest-au-Rant

A quaint wine bar on the corner of 35th Avenue and 30th Street, Rest-au-Rant may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a music venue. But that’s exactly what makes it so great – its unassuming nature and carefully curated line-up of local artists gives Astorians a leg up on its thriving music scene. I love the variety of genres you can experience in their intimate quarters, from jazz, soul, folk and even country, Rest-au-Rant has a way of pleasing any music fan. 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria. 718.729.9009

Best New Arrival 2014 – QNS Collective

Impressed from the very minute I stepped into QNS Collective’s clean and modern space, I continue to marvel at how smart and innovative co-founders, Argentina and David were to set it up. Used as a co-working space for Astoria’s rising freelancer and entrepreneurial community, you can walk into QNS Collective any day and expect to be inspired, meet other business owners and in general have a great place to get work done. 36-27 36th Street, LIC. 718.280.5122