Astoria Rumors and News, Time Change Edition

We’ve got another edition of Rumors and News for you, so here we go!

Bud’s Ale House closes. We first heard about this via an email from someone truly in-the-know, so it’s true—Bud’s is closed. We’ve read tales of unfortunate choices in management, to a menu change that affected quality. They’ve also disabled the Facebook page, which contained somewhat of a “tell-all” about the demise of the place, but since this is the Internet, things spread and the message was reposted on Astorians.

Changes at the old D&F space. Walking along Broadway the other day, I noticed that there was a new DOB permit on the windows of the old D&F Deli space (35-13 Broadway), as well as plywood going up. Looking at the DOB record, the owner is “Pye Boat Noodle, Inc.” Perhaps more Thai food coming to town?

Adega Wine Shop is open. There’s been some excited chatter about the new Adega Wine Shop on Ditmars Blvd. Words like “classy” and “beautiful” are being tossed around—people are pretty psyched about it. Their bourbon, whisky, and rye selections seem to be creating quite a buzz. The owners plan to do regular tastings, too, so keep an eye out for that. They are located at 31-25 Ditmars.

New burger joint is coming to 31st Ave. We’re impressed by the continued growth on 31st Ave, and now we’ve learned that more burgers are coming to the Avenue. Through a WHA reader, we’ve learned that he old Brazilian spot Barraco Miniero (originally Chocolate Spoon, located at 37-03 31st Ave) has sold and will become a burger joint.

Changes at Black Rock Bar. This bar on the corner of 23rd Ave and 28th Street has been empty for some time now, but the other day the door was open and we saw that the place was totally gutted! Someone is definitely doing work in there. We have no idea what will go in there, but the DOB site doesn’t indicate any major changes, so good chance it will remain an “eating and drinking establishment.”

Old souvlaki/shish kabob place to turn into restaurant. Through a WHA tip, we’ve learned that a spot at 33-29 Astoria Blvd North is going to be a restaurant. It’s approximately 2,000 square feet and will have room for 132 people. Owners are associated with the Astoria Restaurant Group, Ltd., and names like Charlie Trantides (Central, Ammos Estiatorio) are also involved, at least according to the DOB. The Place of Assembly entry indicates it will be called Republic. Here’s a sign from its shish kabob times:

The bar is up, barstools are there, additional doors have been created, and lighting fixtures have gone in. This place is close to the 114th Precinct, too.

Attention, Coffee Nerds.  There’s a new specialty coffee house coming to the 36th and Ditmars area in the spring, rumored to have pour-over coffee, premium blends and other tasties for coffee aficionados.  We’re excited to have another high quality coffee house in the neighborhood!

Got any tips on openings and/or closings in the neighborhood? Send us an email! We’d love to print it on our site.

One Comment

Openings and Closings Around Astoria | Brownstoner Queens November 5th, 2013

[…] We Heart Astoria published a great roundup of openings, closings and changes around the neighborhood — here are a few highlights. Bud’s Ale House, pictured above, closed up shop on Steinway Street. We Heart Astoria hears that there were issues with management. Adega Wine Shop is open at 31-25 Ditmars Boulevard, off Crescent Street, and people are excited about the space as well as the bourbon, whisky and rye selections. A burger joint is moving to 37-03 31st Avenue, the space once housing Barraco Miniero. A restaurant — details unclear — is moving into 33-29 Astoria Boulevard North, a former souvlaki/shish kabob joint. Finally, We Heart Astoria expects a specialty coffee house to open up around 36th Street and Ditmars Boulevard this spring. […]

Reply