Astoria, Long Island City, Restaurants
May 22, 2018

Openings, Closings, and Rumors – Almost Memorial Day Edition

Lots of news for a Tuesday.

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By Atomox, Previously published: Flickr, CC BY-SA 3.0

It’s time to round up all the tidbits that have crossed our collective desks and share them with you. Some things may be familiar to you already, but we’re interested in sharing with the entire class.

Pachanga Patterson: Closed

We heard that local Mexican joint, Pachanga Patterson, had closed as of Monday 5/12. I remember when they first opened, their approach was fresh and exciting, but over the years, Astorians reported that the food was inconsistent; Perhaps it was time to just give up the ghost. With Pachanga’s shuttering, the closing of Venturo in Sunnyside in the spring of 2017, the only place left in the restaurant group is Vesta, which is still going strong. 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria

NYC Dog House: Closed/On A Break

NYC Dog House‘s closing happened in early April, but it’s not so straightforward as your average closing—their social media postings used phrases like, “take a time-out” and “we are definitely planning to continue as soon possible.” So, they may very well return. The Dog House served up tasty, indulgent hot dogs, cocktails, and other delights. We liked their offerings and hope they can re-open in Astoria again soon. (Previous NYC Dog House coverage) 37-06 30th Avenue, Astoria

The GAP on Steinway: Closed Temporarily

UPDATE 5/23/18: WHA commenter Megan Rogers has updated intel: “In regards to the GAP on Steinway being closed, I was in there last week and asked what was going on—apparently they are renovating and will open back up as the GAP Factory store instead.”

The Queens Gazette posted about The Gap on Steinway closing on their Facebook page, and the resulting comments thread is pretty dour. But what can you say when a global brand pulls one of their stores out of a robust community with plenty of disposable income? We’ll be curious to see what arrives in its place. 31-48 Steinway Street, Astoria

Gleason’s: Closed

Gleason’s, a popular Broadway bar, closed in March, around St. Patrick’s Day, and there have been reports of construction going on in there. The space is definitely changing into something else, and that brings us to…

3308 Eats & Drinks (in place of Gleason’s): Opening Soon

We noticed 3308 Eats & Drinks is moving into what was Gleason’s and have reached out for more information. Their website does have some details, including the name of their chef, Frank Maldonado, “Executive Chef at Sazón and Sofrito restaurants for three years after which he opened Sol y Sombra, a gastro bar on the Upper West Side.” From what I can tell from the menu, it lands in the broad category of comfort food, pulling from various global cuisines. Hopefully they’ll add more details to the website and get rid of that pesky Lorem Ipsum filler. 33-08 Broadway, Astoria

NYC Bagel Coffee House (30th Avenue): Open

Their social media proclaimed NYC Bagel Coffee House are open as of yesterday. Expect much of the same that you’ll see at their other locations, including various sizes of bagels, a large variety of schmears, pastries, coffee, and more. 33-10 30th Avenue, Astoria

2 Dive 4: Opening Summer 2018

We’ve been in touch with new restaurant 2 Dive 4 and here is a handful of details about what to expect:

“Projected opening end of June/beginning of July 2018. Chef Felix Castro will create a small tapas aquatic menu, with influences of Asian ingredients. Focus is on drinks and mixology. The owner is Julie Christoffersen with partner Ismael Tirado Jr., who will be the general manager, formally a commercial diver.

“The space will have an industrial vibe, with slight reference to commercial diving. It’s a grassroots effort, built from the ground up with their bare hands; very people focused. There will be two floors: the main floor will focus on eating and drinking, with the upstairs being an intimate space for 25 people for drinking, special events, meeting space, and it will also be used for live music, movie screenings, and comedy shows.”

33-10 36th Ave, Astoria/LIC

Gossip Coffee: Closed Temporarily

Gossip Coffee (winner of Best coffee shop/cafe in this year’s Best of Astoriaposted on social about their temporary closure:

“Hello fellow Gossipers!

This Sunday, the 13th will be our last day open for May! We will be updating our food and beverage program for the next few weeks and will reopen mid-June.
A LOT MORE GOSSIP coming your way!
Thank you for your support and Thank you in advance for your patience till we reopen

Keep Gossiping!”

We’ve also heard that the main guy behind the biz, Scottish Francis, has left. 37-04 30th Avenue, Astoria

Donut/Cafe from Queens Comfort: Rumor

Over on Craigslist, this was posted last week: “Seeking experienced Full-time Pastry Chef to manage kitchen of Donut/Cafe Concept. Job would start mid/late june with plans to open early/mid july.”

Looks like a new project expansion for the Donut Diva—perhaps she’ll be setting up shop in the old Queen Comfort space (rumors have been circulating). Location unknown

Have we missed anything? Shoot us an email or leave us a comment.

This post has been edited.

About Meg Cotner

Meg Cotner was trained as a harpsichordist and now works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of "Food Lovers' Guide to Queens," and is a skilled and avid home cook, baker, and preserver.

12 Comments

Maggie

Any word or update on the “Fresko” the frozen yogurt spot on 30th? They’ve had a sign up saying they were renovating but it’s looking pretty desolate…I loved that place!

Reply
Mary

MP taverna was closed 2 days this last week, including yesterday. Chop chop I guess is closed for good? Both are on ditmars.

Reply
Wynne

Sad to hear about Gleason’s – I loved that place! I was told they were simply redoing the floors and it would take a couple of weeks. That was in March. Earlier this month, they said three weeks, so clearly they’re running late. I wish they’d simply stated the truth: that Gleason’s was closing. :(

Reply
Frankie

There is a new brick oven pizza restaurant in the works on 24th Ave. and 29th St., across from the beer green and Sparrow. The name posted outside is Macoletta.

Reply
Megan Rogers

Hi! In regards to the GAP on Steinway being closed, I was in there last week and asked what was going on – apparently they are renovating and will open back up as the GAP Factory store instead.

Figured I would share the news :)

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