Astoria, Long Island City
Aug 03, 2017

Astoria News and Rumors, Late Summer 2017 Edition

Our latest roundup of news and rumors here at We Heart Astoria.

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A number of tidbits have crossed our collective desks over the past few weeks—here’s what’s up.

Alterworks Studios, a new “communal artist studio space” will be opening up in the borderlands of Astoria and LIC. It’s spearheaded by RAR Bar owner Tina Stipanovic and will open next door to the restaurant. Keep up with their progress toward opening via Instagram and their website (both empty as of this writing, but we imagine not for long).

Mussels ‘N Sausages has closed (“Thank you for your patronage!”). Their website indicates they are going to reopen. 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

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Photo credit: Nicole P.

Rosamaria Gelateria opened up mid-July next to Othello Deli. They offer gelato, coffee, and other sweet things. 23-92 27th Street, Astoria

rosamaria-gelateria-astoria-queens

Photo credit: Rosamaria Gelateria

Chip NYC, the new fresh cookie place, is getting rave reviews on Yelp. Cookies are being compared to those at Levain, which is really saying something. 30-06 34th Street, Astoria

ICYMI: City Bike revealed the final map for the Astoria stations.

We were contacted by the folks at Lunera Modern Mexican, a new restaurant/bar on Steinway Street. “We have some great deals, an amazing menu that features Churrasco skirt steak and a Lechon Al Horno, which is a bone-in pork shank. To die for. We have a great margarita list, frozen drinks, bulldogs and a new Tequila program.” We’ve reached out to them for more information and hope to have that for you soon. 32-25 Steinway Street, Astoria

lunera-modern-mexican-cocktail-astoria-queens

Photo credit: Lunera Modern Mexican

The NYC Ferry’s Astoria station will be up and running by August 29. 3-10 Astoria Blvd, Astoria

La Vecina, a new arepa restaurant, is now open on Steinway Street. “La Vecina takes different tastes, cultures, and cuisines and fuses them together to make you feel at home. It’s a different take on the homemade arepa and a twist on some of your favorite classics that will leave your mouth watering.” Follow them on Facebook to keep up with their delicious looking arepas. 30-66 Steinway Street, Astoria

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Photo credit: La Vecina

The old Hell Gate Social space has new life. WHA tipster says, “it’s going to be a bar with a full food menu.” 12-21 Astoria Blvd, Astoria

The restaurant opening up the old Top Tomato space will be run by the Stout folks. Reddit reports a rumor that the current working name is “River Crest,” which may be a nod to the Rivercrest Sanitarium that used to be on the site of St. John’s Prep. 33-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

El Mero Mero, a new Mexican restaurant, has moved into the old Sol Deli location at the northeast corner of 36th Ave and 38th Street. From their website: “El Mero Mero (‘The One’) is a family-owned restaurant with a focus on ancestral recipes passed down through the years.” It gets the stamp of approval for Astoria’s own Kambri Crews (of QED): “A new favorite of ours for Mexican. The ceviche is incredible; so fresh & full of flavor. We’ve tried a few different types of tacos, all of which are delicious. Overall it’s a great meal for the price and perfect for a quick dinner before a movie. We’ll be going back again for sure.” It’s definitely a convenient choice, pre-movie going. 35-57 38th Street, Astoria

el-mero-mero-mexican-astoria-queensJPG

Masso closed and we read that Ed Cotton will open a restaurant there. More from LIC Talk:

WE have heard from a pretty good source that Top Chef Season 7 runner-up Ed Cotton will be opening a restaurant in the former Masso space on Vernon Boulevard. Cotton has worked under numerous famous chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Laurent Tourondel, and David Burke. More importantly, he’s lived in LIC since 2010. I don’t know if he’ll be maintaining the quaint Masso decor, but I’ve got to believe given his provenance that we’ll see a big upgrade to the food. Stay tuned…

They’re having their 500 ft hearing with the SLA next week. 47-25 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City

On top of that a couple more restaurants are moving into LIC, via Eater:

“Coming soon to Long Island City are three new restaurants: Top Chef Season 7 runner-up Ed Cotton is opening at 47-25 Vernon Boulevard; Argentinian restaurant R40 is headed to 47-16 Vernon Boulevard; and Williamsburg’s Black Star Bakery is expanding to 2-10 50th Avenue.”

Got additional news or tips? Leave us a comment!

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.

3 Comments

Kristy

New Italian gelato cafe opening at corner of 23rd Ave and 29th street – been vacant for more than 2 years and finally has tenants. Two friends from Milan opening it!

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Meg Cotner

This is great news! That used to be home to an accountant’s office for many years. I remember they had a gigantic office cat who would spend time there. Would love to speak with your friends from Milan about this – email us at weheartastoria [at] gmail.com if you can make it happen!

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Clarissa

Any word on what’s coming to the space at 28th Ave/21st St, next to the Renaissance?

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