Astoria, Restaurants
Jan 20, 2016

Astoria News and Rumors – Food, Food, and More Food

Welcome to the first news and rumors post of 2016. We’ve been watching the chatter about the neighborhood and thought we’d update you on what’s what, all in one place. One (…)

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Welcome to the first news and rumors post of 2016. We’ve been watching the chatter about the neighborhood and thought we’d update you on what’s what, all in one place.

One of the most anticipated additions to the neighborhood is the brick-and-mortar location of King of Falafel. His restaurant at 30-15 Broadway is really coming along and he expects to open on Saturday, January 30. Particularly distinctive about his storefront is the faux truck busting out of the building.

king-of-falafel-restaurant-truck-front-astoria-queens

Photo credit: King of Falafel

We understand that the truck will remain, though probably not in its original spot, because of the construction on the C-Town property. Follow Freddy’s progress and check out the pics on his Facebook page or the page of the new restaurant, KOF Restaurant.

Back in October, we told you about District Môt, a new Vietnamese restaurant opening up on Broadway. Their sign went up at the end of last year.

district-mot-sign-vietnamese-astoria-queens

Photo credit: District Mot

Their Facebook page finally has some content, including this sweet shot of the restaurant’s interior, complete with beautiful geometric woodwork.

district-mot-interior-astoria-queens

Photo credit: District Mot

They are currently dealing with the city’s requisite inspections but they hope to be open by end of the month or start of February.

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Front Toward Enemy in its early days

DNAinfo reported that a new bar/pub/restaurant called Passage Irish Whiskey Bar and Kitchen (wow, that’s a long name). It’s in the old Front Toward Enemy space (40-11 30th Avenue) and two Queens restauranteurs are opening it; they are behind Cuckoo’s Nest in Sunnyside and Banter in Forest Hills. I’ve admired various Instagram pics of Banter’s brunch, so I hope they put something equally as interesting together at Passage. There’s a blank website and a blank Facebook page right now, but that’s about it.

last-stop-cafe-astoria-queens

Photo credit: Yelp

Now this is a legit rumor—at least part of it. Last Stop (22-35 31st Street) is dunzo. The rumor part is that an organic bakery is opening up in that spot. A new business called New Horizon Cafe was registered last summer at the same address as Last Stop, too. DOB records indicate paperwork was filed for minor renovations but it was disapproved. We’ll keep an eye on it and pass on any info we get on the place. As an aside: Last Stop was one of the places I wandered into during the week-long blackout in 2006. Friends and I ate dinner there, then headed home, and the skies finally opened and the rain came, cooling everything down. Not long after that we got power. As they say, “good times” (not).

create-ditmars-astoria-queens

Photo credit: Yelp

The much anticipated Ditmars location of Create is open (29-21 Ditmars Blvd). We’ve been reading mixed reviews, but are looking forward to checking it out ourselves. We’ll report back.

As a reminder, the good folks at Vite Vinosteria are opening up a little bar in the old Oyster Cafe space on Broadway (25-07 Broadway). Last night we tasted a few things they are thinking of serving over there, including this super tasty potato and octopus dish.

potatoes-octopus-vite-vinosteria-astoria-queens

Look for more about our experience (and nicer photos!) at Vite soon.

Finally, the Ditmars location of Caffe Bene is closed. We’re not surprised—while the space was nice, there’s much better places to get coffee in the area (e.g. 60 Beans, OK Cafe).

Have you spotted any changes in your neck of the woods? Shoot us an email with the details!

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.

2 Comments

Samanda Rivera

Any scoop on whats happening at the Front Toward Enemy location on 30th ave next to Queens Comfort? It was a great spot!

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Deeb

“DNAinfo reported that a new bar/pub/restaurant called Passage Irish Whiskey Bar and Kitchen (wow, that’s a long name). It’s in the old Front Toward Enemy space (40-11 30th Avenue)” –This Very Article

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