Best of Astoria 2013 Winners

The time has come, Astorians for the final results to the Best of Astoria poll.  We love the enthusiasm  you’ve poured into the whole process, including selecting the nominees, the finalists and now the winners.  The list below truly reflects the best of the best through your lens, but don’t worry, we’ve added in a few “editor’s choice” mentions of our own as well.  You’ll find them in select categories.

A big congrats to all our winners, who come from all walks of life – from brand new establishments to permanent mainstays that have been in the neighborhood for years.  We’re delighted for this well deserved recognition these businesses have received, and we hope you continue to love and patronize them.  Kudos to all!

Favorite Astoria restaurant

Winner: Il Bambino (34-08 31st Ave.)
Runner Up: Vesta (21-02 30th Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: Vesta (21-02 30th Ave.)

Favorite kid friendly restaurant

Winner: Bareburger (23-01 31st Street & 33-21 31st Ave.)
Runner Up: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave.)

Favorite Greek restaurant

Winner: Taverna Kyclades (33-07 Ditmars Blvd.)
Runner Up: Agnanti (1906 Ditmars Blvd.)

Editor’s Choice: Zenon Taverna (34-10 31st Ave.)

Favorite Mexican restaurant

Winner: Mojave (22-36 31st St.)
Runner Up: Pachanga Patterson (33-17 31st Ave.)

Favorite vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurant

Winner: Bareburger (23-01 31st St. & 33-21 31st Ave.)
Runner Up: Seva (30-07 34th St.)

Editor’s Choice: Mezze Place (31-18 Broadway)

Best looking Astoria restaurant

Winner: Sugar Freak (36-18 30th Ave.)
Runner Up: Brick Cafe (30-95 33rd St.)

Favorite brunch

Winner: Sanford’s (30-13 Broadway)
Runner Up: Ovelia (34-01 30th Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: Vesta (21-02 30th Ave.)

Favorite outdoor dining

Winner: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave.)
Runner Up: Il Bambino (34-08 31st Ave.)

Favorite bar

Winner: Sweet Afton (30-09 34th St.)
Runner Up: The Sparrow Tavern (24-01 29th Street)

Favorite sports bar

Winner: McCann’s (36-15 Ditmars Blvd.)
Runner Up: Break Bar and Billiards (32-04 Broadway)

Favorite wine shop

Winner: Astoria Wine & Spirits (3412 Broadway)
Runner Up: Grand Wine & Liquor (3005 31st St.)

Editor’s Choice: Astoria Park Wine & Spirits (28-07 24th Ave.)

Favorite beer store

Winner: Astoria Bier & Cheese (34-14 Broadway)
Runner Up: EuroMarket (3042 31st St.)

Favorite coffee shop/cafe

Winner:  Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co. (36-14 30th Ave., 35-05 Broadway, 35-09 Ditmars Blvd)
Runner Up:  New York City Bagel & Coffee House (29-08 23rd Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: The Queens Kickshaw (40-17 Broadway)

Favorite natural foods store

Winner: Broadway Natural (30-11 Broadway)
Runner Up:  Fresh Start (29-13 23rd Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: Vitality & Health (46-03 Broadway)

Favorite healthy eats

Winner: Create (36-03 30th Ave.)
Runner Up:  Soho Cafe (22-15 31st St.)

Editor’s Choice: Mezze Place (31-18 Broadway)

Favorite grocery store

Winner: Key Foods (22-15 31st St.)
Runner Up:  Berry Fresh Farms (4326 Ditmars Blvd.)

Editor’s Choice: Bravo International Supermarket (34-12 34th Ave.)

Favorite bakery

Winner: Martha’s Country Bakery (3621 Ditmars Blvd.)
Runner Up: Parisi (3017 Broadway)

Editor’s Choice: La Guli (29-15 Ditmars Blvd.)

Favorite street food vendor

Winner: King Of Falafel & Shawarma (29-10 Broadway)
Runner Up: Wafels & Dinges (Ditmars & 31st.)

Favorite butcher

Winner: Butcher Bar (37-08 30th Ave.)
Runner Up: International Meats (36-12 30th Ave.)

Favorite produce market

Winner: United Brother’s Fruit Market (32-24 30th Ave.)
Runner Up: California Farmer’s Market (21-61 31st St.)

Favorite fishmonger

Winner: Ocean Fish Market (35-08 30th Ave.)
Runner Up: Best of the Sea (31-01 30th Ave.)

Favorite cocktail bar

Winner:  Sweet Afton (30-09 34th St.)
Runner Up:  The Astor Room (34-12 36th St.)

Favorite burger joint

Winner:  BareBurger (33-21 31st Ave. , 23-01 31st St.)
Runner Up:  5 Napkin Burger (35-01 31st St.)

Favorite sushi bar

Winner:  Watawa (33-10 Ditmars Blvd)
Runner Up:  JJ’s (37-05 31st Ave.)

Favorite ice cream/gelato shop

Winner:  16 Handles (37-07 30th Ave.)
Runner Up:  Vanilla Sky (33-18 Broadway)

Editor’s Choice: Malu (12-09 Jackson Ave.)

Favorite bagel store

Winner:  Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Co. (36-14 30th Ave., 35-05 Broadway, 35-09 Ditmars Blvd)
Runner Up:  New York City Bagel & Coffee House (29-08 23rd Ave.)

Favorite barbecue restaurant

Winner:  The Strand Smokehouse (25-27 Broadway)
Runner Up:  Butcher Bar (37-08 30th Ave.)

Favorite pizzeria

Winner: Basil Brick Oven Pizza (28-17 Astoria Blvd)
Runner Up: Sac’s Place (25-41 Broadway)

Best happy hour

Winner:  Sweet Afton (30-09 34th St.)
Runner Up: Rapture (34-27 28th Ave.)

Favorite boutique

Winner:  SITE (35-11 34th Ave.)
Runner Up:  Inside Astoria (28-07 Ditmars Blvd)

Favorite kid’s shop

Winner:  Raising Astoria (26-11 23rd Ave.)
Runner Up:  The Children’s Place (31-53 Steinway St.)

Favorite pet supplies store

Winner: The Jumping Bulldog (28-10 23rd Ave.)
Runner Up: Petland Discounts (30-28 Steinway St.)

Favorite street festival

Winner: 30th Avenue Festival (30th Ave. between Steinway St. and 29th St.)
Runner Up: St. Demetrios Fair (30-03 30th Dr.)

Favorite holiday market

Winner:  Astoria Market at Bohemian Hall (29-19 24th Ave.)
Runner Up: Sweet Afton Holiday Market (30-09 34th St.)

Favorite online business

Winner:  SITE (35-11 34th Ave.)
Runner Up: Little Soap Shop (22-07b 36th St.)

Favorite place to see art

Winner:  Museum of Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave.)
Runner Up: MOMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave.)

Favorite place to hear live music

Winner:  The Strand Smokehouse (25-27 Broadway)
Runner Up:  Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd)

Favorite place to see live theater

Winner:  Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) (30-44 Crescent St.)
Runner Up:  Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd)

Favorite place to see live comedy

Winner:  Laughing Devil (47-38 Vernon Blvd)
Runner Up:  The Creek & The Cave (10-93 Jackson Ave.)

Best open mic

Winner:  Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd)
Runner Up: Rest-Au-Rant (30-01 35th Ave.)

Favorite local nonprofit arts organization

Winner:  Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd)
Runner Up:  Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) (30-44 Crescent St.)

Favorite nail salon

Winner: Athena’s (31-11 30th Ave.)
Runner Up: Blossom (22-04 31st Street)

Editor’s Choice: Kiki Nails (3420 30th Ave.)

Favorite hair salon/stylist

Winner: SPAce (29-09 Ditmars Boulevard)
Runner Up: Gigi’s (34-17 30th Ave.)

Favorite massage

Winner: Rejuvenate (26-17 23rd Ave.)
Runner Up: Blossom (22-04 31st Street)

Favorite spa

Winner: Rejuvenate (26-17 23rd Ave.)
Runner Up: Blossom (22-04 31st Street)

Favorite yoga studio

Winner: Yoga Agora (33-02 Broadway)
Runner Up: The Yoga Room (38-01 35th Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: Anthea Yoga (34-01 45th St.)

Favorite cobbler

Winner: Jack’s Shoe Repair (25-40 Broadway)
Runner Up: Albert’s Shoe Repair (30-96 36th Street)

Favorite gym

Winner: Planet Fitness (30-33 Steinway)
Runner Up: NYSC (38-11 30th Ave.)

Favorite veterinarian

Winner: Astoria Vet Group (23-54 Steinway)
Runner Up: Steinway Court Vet (32-41 Steinway)

Favorite Outdoor Space

Winner: Astoria Park (21 Hoyt Ave.)
Runner Up: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave.)

Favorite local celebrity

Winner: Christopher Walken
Runner Up: Tony Bennett

Editor’s Choice: Tamara Reynolds

Favorite new arrival (2012)

Winner: Astoria Bier & Cheese (34-14 Broadway)
Runner Up: The Strand Smokehouse (25-27 Broadway)

Editor’s Choice: SingleCut Beersmiths (19-33 37th St.)

Favorite place for a first date

Winner: Sweet Afton (30-09 34th St.)
Runner Up: Il Bambino (34-08 31st Ave.)

Editor’s Choice: Rest-Au-Rant (30-01 35th Ave.)

Favorite street

Winner: 30th Avenue
Runner Up: Ditmars

Favorite train stop

Winner: Ditmars (23rd Ave/Ditmars Boulevard & 31st Street)
Runner Up: 30th Avenue (30th Avenue & 31st Street)

Best reason to live in Astoria

Winner: Everything!
Runner Up: The Food Scene

Favorite local blog

Winner: We Heart Astoria
Runner Up: Why Leave Astoria?!

Favorite best kept Astoria secret

Winner: Rest-Au-Rant (30-01 35th Ave.)
Runner Up: The Quays (45-02 30th Ave.)

Favorite park

Winner: Astoria Park (21 Hoyt Ave.)
Runner Up: Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Boulevard)

Favorite place to take a walk

Winner: Astoria Park (21 Hoyt Ave)
Runner Up: Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Boulevard)

Most memorable Astoria controversy

Winner: Trader Joe’s Coming to Astoria
Runner Up: Peter Vallone

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Winner! Best of Astoria 2013 | Bareburger May 6th, 2013

[…] Friendly Restaurant,” and “Best Kid Friendly Restaurant” by the readers at We Heart Astoria! Thanks so much for the […]

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