This Is Queensborough Aug. 2022

QUEENSBOROUGHISTHIS AUGUST 2022 . VOLUME 18 . ISSUE 8 BUSINESS NEWS from delicious dishes of QUEENS PG. 5

2 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 QUEENS REGO PARK 97-07 63rd Rd Rego Park, NY, 11374 MANHATTAN COLUMBUS CIRCLE 315 West 57th St. #407 New York, NY, 10019 WEST VILLAGE 7 Christopher Street New York, NY, 10014 LONG ISLAND LAKE SUCCESS 3003 New Hyde Park Rd. #312 New Hyde Park, NY, 11042 PLAINVIEW 100 Manetto Hill Rd. #103 Plainview, NY, 11803 Dr. Fred De Lucia DPM, FACFAS, FACPM Medical Staff Dr. Joseph Alencherry DPM, FACFAS, FACPM Dr. Jacqueline Prevete DPM, FACFAS, FACPM Dr. Anuj Gogna DPM, AACFAS Dr. Jeremy Britto DPM, AACFAS Dr. Daniel Orozco DPM, AACFAS Dr. Pooja Shah DPM, AACFAS Dr. Jack Levenson DPM, AACFAS Dr. Michael Mazer DPM, AACFAS WESTCHESTER 465 Columbus Ave. #140 Valhalla, NY, 10595 FOR APPOINTMENTS, CALL: 866-FAASNY1 (322-7691) info@faasny www.faasny.com facebook.com/faasny Call Cheryl at 718.990.2027 for a quote “ModernEventSJUwww.stjohns.edu/conference-servicestoday!ConferenceServicesSpacesCarneseccaArenaFixedAreaSeating:5,453Perfectfor:Graduation,Performance,ExpoMarillacAuditoriumFixedAreaSeating:604Perfectfor:Lecture,Conference,Performance,WorkshopMarillacTerraceCapacity:492Perfectfor:NetworkingEvent,CocktailParty,BusinessExpoSpecialPricingforQCCMembers!Spaces,EasyParking,Attentive,CaringHosts”

cuisines of queens

During the month of August numerous in dividuals cast their cares aways and take a much-needed vacation away from the city. An opportunity to relax and unwind for mo ment. They might book travel overseas for a chance to tap into the lifestyles and customs of those outside of our community. We ask ourselves, what’s more diverse than Queens County with representation from over 100 countries with 138 plus different languages spoken? Not to mention the vast majority of cuisines, which enable your tastebuds to be transported to lands thou sands of miles away. Queens Chamber is proud to present a special edition of our magazine devoted specifical ly to one of our most precious commodities, restaurants. Whether it’s a Mom-and-Pop shop, Chefs who pour love into every dish, a neighborhood staple or a brand-new estab lishment, we’ve got them all covered in this Itissue.goes without saying the restaurant industry was devastated when the COVID pandem ic struck our community and nation back in March 2020. Unfortunately, we had to bid farewell to some that were not able to sus tain their operations despite their best efforts. However, thanks in part to numerous strate gies including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and the” Open Restaurants” plan, which in troduced what we now know as outdoor din ing thousands were able to keep their doors open as they pivoted to alternative modes of Newoperation.Yorkers are resilient by nature, that’s who we are. The past 29 months has proven the resilience of our restaurant industry. In case you haven’t ventured out into the neighborhoods of Queens lately to explore these cuisines nestled throughout, you’re missing out. They’re naturally as diverse as they Here’scome.the list of cuisines awaiting your ex ploration: all continents of Africa, Canadian, Mexican, Fusion, South American, Central American, Caribbean, Central Asian, East Asian, South/Southeast Asian, Indonesian, Chinese, Northeast/South/West/East Indi an, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Central/ Eastern European, and Oceanic. Throughout the pages of this issue, you’ll be introduced to numerous individuals and establishments all who are passionate about what they do on a daily basis. Many of whom we hope you’ll support and visit over the coming days, weeks, months and years. As President/CEO and Board Chair we’re honored to serve in our roles. More specially because it contributes to the sustainability of this beloved industry known as our restau Withrants. all this just a short drive or train ride away, we ask you “Why travel overseas when you can travel around the borough to experi ence the customs and lifestyles of the world?”

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 3 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | MESSAGE

On behalf of Queens Chamber, thank you for your continued support of our organization and most of all our ethnically diverse restau rant Rememberindustry.Queens STRONG!

MESSAGE FROM THOMAS J. GRECH, PRESIDENT & CEO AND HOWARD GRAF, CHAIRPERSON HOWARD GRAF, CHAIRPERSON THOMAS J. GRECH, PRESIDENT

Eat AT THE WORLD’S TABLE

QUEENSBOROUGH

Entire Contents Copyright 2021 by Queensborough. All letters sent to the QUEENSBOROUGH should be brief and are subject to condensation. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Name withheld on request. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of the QUEENSBOROUGH. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to the QUEENSBOROUGH within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. BQE Media assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold the QUEENSBOROUGH and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement

THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | EDITORIAL

Take a culinary journey through Queens and engage in a sensory experience unsurpassed by any urban foodscape. We invite you to celebrate, commune and connect at the na tion’s most ethnically diverse table where a globally renowned and inspiring world of de licious dishes awaits. Along the famous food pathways of Queens you will simultaneous ly be swept up and grounded in a bounty of cultural exchange, eating your way through the authentic stories of family, history, and tradition. It is here, this top culinary destina tion, where community comes alive – all at our very diverse doorstep. And if food is the proxy for cultural exchange and placemaking, then restaurants are the sites for community health. Just as you can experience cuisine from every corner of the globe on just a few train stops, you can also engage in a traveling study of the constant creation of adaptable systems of resource ex change taking place, enhancing overall com munity vitality. Just ask the local experts who guide tourists and New Yorkers alike through these culinary curiosities and they will share with you the deep knowledge of cultural tra ditions and strong family networks that give foreign-born and native New Yorkers alike a social space for food design and for rich livelihood. There is a vitality, a heart, and a depth to the delicious dishes of Queens. The search for these delicious dishes, the consumption of culture and community through food, the production of “cuisine” in restaurants, home kitchens, and hawker centers – all can be found in the overlapping food scene that comprises the cuisine of our borough. We are able to see food not only as a matter of personal taste, but as a perpetual emotional and social force within a life. En claves of cultural ties build a food-forward landscape based in passion, commitment, and a desire to share diverse flavors, the shape of food and meals, the makers and the eaters, as a communion reaching across our differ Uponences. a food-forward cityscape, building upon the food writers who generously high light the depth and diversity of this food-lov er’s dream, we at the Queens Chamber of Commerce take a celebratory look at the dedicated restaurateurs and chefs providing us with delectable recipes, from the sensory to the sentimental. We hope you enjoy this very small slice of what the families, restau rateurs, and food entrepreneurs in Queens have to offer, both to our palates and to our communities. Seek them out and taste the de licious dishes that come from the heart, the hand, and the history of Queens.

By: Laura Licona

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 President’s Message 4 Eat at the World’s Table 5-12 Delicious Dishes of Queens 13 Queens Restaurants 16 Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza and Kitchen 17 The “Magic” is in the Recipe: Aigner Chocolates 19 Jef & Laura’s Podcast 20 The Healing Power of Art Festival of Cinema NYC 22 Glimpse Social SpotOn 24 Lidl at Queens Place Mall H-Mart’s New Location 25 It’s In Queens 26 Partners & Affiliates 28 New Members 30 Major Corporate Members

Produced by BQE MEDIA 45-23 47th Street, 2nd Floor, Woodside 11377 • 718.426.7200 Send articles & photos to: queensboroughmagazine@queensledger.com

ISTHIS PUBLISHER Walter H. Sanchez MANAGING EDITOR Daniel Offner MARKETING DIRECTOR John Sanchez Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140 • Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1131

4 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022

Makina Café brings brightness and energy to our food scene with a dynamic team and menu. Owner Eden Egziabher brought the first Ethiopian/Eritrean food truck to NYC five years ago, serving an iconic, easy-to-eat menu that includes chicken tibs, (marinated with berbere, onions, garlic, parsley, and spiced oil), miser (spicy whole red lentil stew), and ater (split pea stew), among other Ethiopian/ Eritrean delights. Five years later, Egziabher is doing what she does best, again, by bringing her unique dishes to a brick-and-mortar cafe in Sunnyside, Queens, slated to open in the fall. The café will feature an elevated version of the food truck menu with some of the familiar food truck options. Egziabher plans to source her coffee from women in Ethiopia and has recruited a female architectural and design team to make that happen. Makina Cafe has a following, and the residents of Sunnyside are looking forward to the brick-and-mortar location where Egziabher will bring yet another cultural experience with an extensive coffee selection and a well-thought-out cocktail menu. Egziabher, in an interview with SunnySide Post, expressed her interest in digging deeper into the neighborhood to contribute to Sunnyside and Queens. The food trucks will remain in operation.

Our Restaurant Issue highlights the passionate

delicious dishes of QUEENS Queens borough restaurateurs thriving and delicious food restaurant scene,

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 5 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | QUEENS CHEFS & RESTAURANTS

and entrepreneurs who work every day to ensure a

from their heart and hands to you. We thank them, we support them, and we proudly present them here for everyone to try their delicious dishes! MAKINA CAFE // EDEN EGZIABHER 36-47 30th St., Long Island City, NY 11106 makinacafenyc.com

and

Originally from St. Lucia, founder of Bevo’s Kitchen, Gracia Clary-Leonce, is a positive presence with a winning smile. Gracia is passionate about the fresh ingredients and flavors of her culture and likes to remind us to eat healthy “Because you are what you eat.” Bevo’s Kitchen is a family-owned and oper ated catering space that has been in business for 45 years and has everything one needs to support a healthy lifestyle. Bevo’s offers meal prep programs and natural products made without preservatives. The menu includes jerk pepper tofu, bow tie butternut squash mac & cheese, Caribbean roti bowls, doubles, and exotic beverages made from fruits native to the Caribbean, but also has a wide range of other healthful products such as granola, and spiced pumpkin butter, among other jarred goodies. Gracia has a degree in biology which helps her to create dishes that are good for you. Bevo’s Kitchen frequently partici pates in events such as the New York Vegan Festival in Manhattan, the New Jersey Vegan Fair, and, most recently, Long Island’s Second Annual Juneteenth Cultural Festival with a range of Caribbean dishes. Bevo’s Kitchen has several seasonal summer stands at various markets across Long Island. You can find Bevo’s Kitchen Products at the Farmer’s Market in Oyster Bay, Babylon, Long Beach, Roslyn, and Valley Stream. Bevo’s Kitchen will also be at the Atlantic Antic Festival in Brooklyn this October.

BEVO’S KITCHEN // GRACIA CLARY-LEONCE 135-45 Belknap St., Springfield

6 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 TASTE BUDS MATTER, LLC // CHEF DAVIS 89-31 161st St., Jamaica, NY 11432 tastebudsmatterllc.com

American born with Native American and South African heritage, Chef Davis, often better known as Chef Littlebit, is a private chef, caterer, youth and community advocate, holistic food educator, and the founder of Taste Buds Matter LLC. Taste Buds Matter specializes in creating foodbased workshops and programs for the community to develop healthy lifestyle habits through eating, which Chef Davis believes is an instru mental step toward connecting with the inner self. Chef Davis doesn’t let anything get in the way of continuously exploring her curiosity. Lately, she is excited about permaculture. Davis has partnered with students in Kenya and Cameroon through virtual workshops where she teaches what she knows about healthy eating, and they, in turn, teach her about their local plants and vegetables. Chef Davis has a small garden of her own, teaches workshops, is available for events, and promotes healthy eating as a lifestyle choice. Taste Buds Matter offers a wide variety of meal prep programs, services, and demonstrations. Chef Davis got her first catering event in 2015 with NYC’s League of Women Voters. She hasn’t stopped expanding, learning, and educating the youth about healthy living as it coincides with agriculture, storytelling, community, self-care, and human ity. Chef Davis is a dynamic traveling private chef with a wide selection of options for food services. Gardens, NY

11413 bevoskitchen.com

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Take inspiration from the incredible family behind La Comadre Taqueria in Woodhaven, a staple for authentic homemade Mexican food. This family-owned and operated restaurant has been in busi ness for thirteen years, and each family member plays a crucial role in the restaurant’s daily operation. Originally from Puebla, Mexico, a region known for its deep culinary traditions, the family takes pride in their homemade tortillas and mole recipe Carolina makes alongside her mother in the taqueria’s kitchen. The family eats their meals at the taqueria daily; it is their home and their kitchen where they eat as a family. The daily menu ranges from tacos, tortas, mush room quesadillas, Mexican beverages, jamaica or tamarindo agua fresca, and sopes. Sopes are a traditional street snack; one order comes with three small dish-shaped tortillas with toppings. La Co madre serves breakfast as well. Desayunos options include, eggs any style, huevos en salsa verde, and pancakes acompanados con huevo. The taqueria was originally a traditional Mexican bakery. The family pivoted after the pandemic and dug deep into their culinary roots from Puebla, Mexico, to offer something new to the neighborhood. If you’re in the neighborhood, be sure to peek at the menu, window décor, and interior design done by the family’s youngest, Angelica.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG

LA COMADRE TAQUERIA // RAMIREZ FAMILY 75-10A Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421

lacomadretaqueria.com

NICK’S BISTRO // ALFRED VITSENTZOS AND MARIO SALVVAS 104-20 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375 nicksbistro.com Take a look at Nick’s Bistro, the Greek/Mediterranean force in Forest Hills, and you’ll find a family oriented, quintessential neighborhood restaurant and bar on a corner with a beautiful outdoor space. Seated at Metropolitan and 72nd Avenues in Forest Hills, this family style restaurant is loyal to their community, and adapted to the neighborhood’s request for a Greek-American restaurant with a flair. Nick’s Bistro kept its employees on staff during the pandemic and donated thousands of meals to frontline workers at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, and Jamaica Hospital. The owners, Alfred and Mario, have known each other since they were four. As the chef, Mario learned everything he knew from working at their restaurant when he was younger. Mario’s uncles are typically the first ones in the kitchen daily, with the same vigor and love they put into the restaurant they owned and op erated for thirty-five years in Astoria. Mario takes pride in using fresh ingredi ents and constantly strives to improve the menu. The menu has something for everyone - a beet salad, Greek-style mussels, filet mignon Philly cheese steak press sandwich, plant-based gyro, fresh fish, pasta, and a wide selection of authentic Greek side dishes. Specialty cocktails, desserts, and coffee are also available, so join the family and dine inside or in the charming outdoor dining area!

The Coffee Shack at AMDA, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, a private conservatory for the performing arts located in New York City, is pow ered by Cooking with Corey, an independently owned and operated meal ser vice company. Cooking with Corey was founded by a husband-and-wife team, Brandi and Corey Covington. Brandi has a background in education, and Co rey has spent most of his life cooking. This chef/husband and wife team says love is the main ingredient in every mouthwatering item they serve.

Elvis Tominovic brought Selo Restaurant to Astoria, a stylish and unique fusion spot with homecooked meals just like nonna used to make. The inspiration behind Selo, which means vil lage, was inspired by Elvis’s wife Suzana during the pandemic. Selo was born out of a nostalgia for gathering, with the cen tral belief that life should be focused on good energy and fun. Selo serves Croatian, Serbian, Balkan cuisine with a modern twist and has live music, a full bar, and a warm and inviting atmosphere that brings families together. Elvis, from Croatia, and his wife Suzana, from Serbia, created a unique dining experience highlighting Serbian and Croatian specialties, with elements of Greek, Italian, Turkish and Hungarian cuisine. One of the most popular items on the menu is the house schnitzel, which looks a lot like a big hot dog; it’s a sausage of minced meat dipped in a roasted pepper spread that is mouthwatering. You can also try Gurmanska (ground meat with cheese, ba con, and onion), Karadordjeva (rolled and fried schnitzel with Balkan-style clotted cream), and Cevapi (Balkan sausages with ajvar and onion). Selo’s is a family affair – Elvis and Suzana’s mothers (and Elvis’s sister-in-law Sanja) help run the restau rant and cook a lot of the amazing dishes.

8 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 COOKING WITH COREY // COREY AND BRANDI COVINGTON 36-46 37th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101 cookingwithcorey.com

Creamy herb and chicken with cauliflower mash, rasta pasta, scrambled tofu, spinach, and potatoes are just a few items on their meal prep plan, and catering op tions are extensive. The catering options range from continental and French breakfast to mac and cheese and sliders. Both born and raised in Queens, Brandi and Corey credit their staff for their hard work, especially through the pandemic. Brandi spoke of their team with sincere gratitude, “There are so many moving parts to this business, and our staff has been incredible.” Visit the website and social media for Cooking With Corey events, catering options, meal prep programs, and cooking workshops.

SELO RESTAURANT // ELVIS AND SUZANA TOMINOVIC 3305 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 selonyc.com

Nana’s Love operates out of Essential Kitchen, the first shared commer cial kitchen space in South Queens. Essential Kitchen is also an Incubator and Business Suite created for local culinary professionals, small foodbased businesses, and community-based organizations. Catanya credits Essential Kitchen for helping her grow her business and for the ongoing Catanyaguidance.Gilliam can also be found at the Laurelton Farmers Market this summer.

RICAS PUPUSAS & MAS // VARGAS FAMILY 47-55 47th St., Woodside, NY 11377 ricaspupusas.us

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NANA’S LOVE, LLC // CATANYA GILLIAM

At Ricas Pupusas & Mas, be prepared to use your hands to eat your pupusas the way it’s done in El Salvador. Irma Var gas shared her journey from a makeshift pupuseria in front of her church to her very own storefront with the New York Times Critic’s Pick . Ricas Pupusas & Mas is a family-owned and operated business. Mrs. Vargas works tirelessly in her kitchen while her daughters tend to the front-ofthe-house duties. The menu has several options for pupusa fillings, with a base of beans and cheese. Among other menu items, quesadillas, tamales, tacos, and dessert are also available, and let’s not forget the beverages, Salvadoran horchata, smoothies, and natural juices. The decor of Ricas Pupusas & Mas is quaint and charming. When you approach the counter to order or settle your bill, you’re most likely being tended to by one of Irma’s daughters. If you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of Irma in and out of her kitchen, observing her customers and taking pride in the massive endeavor of being a small business owner. Catanya Gilliam is passionate about international cuisine, and the em panada happens to be the perfect form for her to express herself. The dough is like a blank page to Catanya, beckoning to be filled with what ever inspires her. The choices are infinite, making her empanadas her signature menu item. Empanadas range from Catanya’s Chicken and Potato, Jay’s Spicy Veggie, Maryjane’s Lump Crabmeat & Lobster, and Grandad’s Garlicky Spinach. The menu has several other filling options as well as empanada packages. Assorted trays of empanadas are available with a 24 to 48-hour notice. Nana’s Love also offers a variety of savory dishes from Southern, Latin, and Caribbean for your catering needs.

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nanaslovecatering.com

ALTHEA’S TROPICAL DELIGHTS

bleuroyalecakes.com

ALTHEA CASIMIR-MAGLOIRE 143-76 229th St, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

altheastropicaldelights.com Althea Georgiana Casimir-Magloire, migrated over 30 years ago to New York City from the beautiful Caribbean island of Dom inica. Althea’s professional background as an accountant and entrepreneur, combined with her passion for baking and desire to help her island recover from a devastating hurricane, resulted in the launch of a one-of-a-kind brand. Althea’s fundraiser for Dominica’s recovery inspired her to launch a business, one she’s genuinely passionate about and one that could help both her New York and Caribbean communities. As a member of the Board of Directors of Birch Family Services, Althea also helps people with developmental disabilities lead fulfilling lives. Althea’s central specialty is the rum cake. Celebrated throughout the Caribbean, rum cakes are a homemade treat for many households. Now any one can enjoy them year-round and in alcoholic and nonalcoholic forms. Gluten-free and sugar-free options are also available. Fla vors range from mango pepper rum cake, coconut pineapple rum cake, sorrel rum or fruit cake, and Caribbean fruit cake, among other exotic tropical fruit fusions. Althea’s Tropical Delight also offers something savory with meal prep options; one can order the rasta pasta with jerk wings, escovitch fish, curried chickpeas and potatoes, and brown stew chicken. Catering options are also available.

Hilda is the baker, while Sashari runs the storefront and handles customer service. Bleu Royale Cakes specializes in baked goods, custom cakes for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, and much more. They make deliveries to all five boroughs, and if you stop by Bleu Royale, you can order a fresh cup of coffee, cook ies, cupcakes, muffins, pastries, and cake slices! The sisters recent ly opened a second shop, Royale Sweets and Supplies, on Rockaway Blvd. Royale Sweet and Supplies is the place for cake decorating supplies, ready-to-go cakes, sweets, and much more.

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The story behind Bleu Royale Cakes is of sisters Sashari and Hilda Melendez. Like so many other baking stories, this one, too, began at home. Hilda had been baking professionally from home for over five years. After Sashari graduated from college, the two joined forces to open a bakery. Their Tres Leches cake jars are one of their most popular items, among other Puerto Rican desserts. Sashari and Hilda use all-natural ingredients sourced directly from the Island of Puerto Rico. Their baked goods are authentic; they travel to the island for guava, local vanilla, and other ingredients that make their cakes and pastries authentic.

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BLEU ROYALE CAKES // SASHARI AND HILDA MELENDEZ 94-10 80th St., Ozone Park, NY 11416

saborrestaurantbakerynyc.com

The wide selection of baked goods includes Pan de Bono (Colombian style bread), Pan de Queso (Colombian style bread w/ cheese), Arepa de Choclo (sweet corn cake), and Arepas de Choclo con Queso (sweet corn cake with cheese). Breakfast menu choices feature traditional dishes, Arepa Rellena Con Huevos Pericos y Queso (stuffed corn cake with Colombian-style eggs), and much more. Indulge in lunch and dinner options from the menu or steam table.

Sabor Restaurant & Bakery is a Colombian and Domini can restaurant and bakery offering both sit-down and to-go service in College Point, Queens. Sabor has a unique style to their service; they have regular menus and a steam table that displays different foods daily. Upon walking into the restau rant, you are welcomed by the friendly staff and enchanted by the smell of the steam table displaying home-cooked-style meals. The baked goods are also displayed. Sabor Restaurant & Bakery uses fresh ingredients daily, and pastries are baked fresh each day.

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SingleCut BeerSmith was founded in 2012 by music-obsessed brew er Rich Buceta, who wanted a place for people to experience hops and vinyl side by side. The name derives from the luthier term when a guitar is made with a lower cutaway. SingleCut offers a wide variety of beers, ranging from stouts to white lagers to pale ales and IPAs; something for everyone. Whether your preference is from the tap or straight out of the can, you won’t be disappointed. If by chance you’re interested in a fun relaxing activity SingleCut is your go-to place. Trivia nights, mixtape Bingo, and tastings are all available to satisfy our recreational taste buds. Their new cans are stamped metal on the front which provides a little bit of texture as you grab a cold one - distinct details all designed for a more pleasurable experience. Dan Bronson has been the GM at SingleCut for the past 7 years and says “Getting to see this borough’s incredible hospi tality and nightlife industry flourish has been one of the highlights of my career! Here’s to a fantastic bounceback year for all Queens businesses and summer full of celebrating the Queens community.” SingleCut Beer Smith is physically located at 19-33 37th Street in Astoria, Queens, via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SingleCutBeer. Visit their website www.singlecut.com to learn more about their beers, events, tap rooms, and other exciting information.

SABOR RESTAURANT & BAKERY // CRISTIANA FRANCO 1520 College Point Blvd, Queens, NY 11356

SINGLECUT BEERSMITH // DAN BRONSON 19-33 37th St, Astoria, NY, 11105 singlecut.com

Juliana Rivera of Rosedale launched the organic juice business after she fell ill in 2015 and had to be rushed to the emergency room with a ruptured gallbladder. “I was not taking care of myself,” Rivera said. “I was not eating the right food.” It was then that she knew she had to make a major lifestyle change and embarked on her own journey to heal herself. While recovering from surgery, she took the time to study nutrition and began juicing as a means to remove the toxins from her body. Her method worked and a year later she launched the brand from her kitch en counter. Her fresh juices are made using only organic ingredients from locally sourced farms on Long Island and are always made fresh on the day of delivery because they are not pasteurized—having only a 5-7 day shelf life—and preserved using only lemon and ginger. Her juices can also be shipped nationwide, in which case, they are made fresh and then flash frozen to keep them cool, but not rock solid. Rivera says her best seller is her spicy lemonade, a cleanse drink she created from childhood memories of her grandfather’s garden while growing up on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Her other best-sellers include her all-green vegan, merry berry, and morning blast juices. None of the juices contain any added sugar or sweeteners but are made sweet naturally using fresh fruit ingredients such as mangos, berries, apples, and bananas. They can be ordered online, both wholesale and retail, and delivered anywhere within the Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau Coun ty communities. Rivera also said that they are working to expand their products to include veggie wraps, salads, black bean tacos, and superfood booster shots. Cleanse packages can be shipped anywhere in the country and range from 1-Day, 3-Day, and 5-Day regiments. To learn more about Rivera and her organic juices, visit madefreshorganic.com or follow @officialmadefreshorganic on Instagram.

PA’ SU MADRE // ROBERTO ROJAS 86-14 37th Ave., Queens NY, 11372 Pasumadre.com From its roots in Puebla, Mexico during the ‘70s, to its future in Queens, New York, the Chipotlan hot sauce that fills the bottles of Pa’ Su Madre is a family tradition that lives through many generations. Roberto Rojas, the man behind the Long Island City-based hot sauce company, emigrat ed to NYC in 1987. With no money and nowhere to go, Rojas was home less for two months, sleeping on a bench inside Grand Central Station in Manhattan. But his hard working attitude got Rojas to where he is now with Pa’ Su Madre, which he founded in 2014 with the help of who he calls his “partner, friend, lover, and wife,” JazmínVigoya. “I’ve always been passionate about food,” Rojas said. “Back in my country, I used to be my mother’s helper in the kitchen and learned from her.” Today, Pa’ SuMadre proudly offers 27 flavors of hot sauce—including strawberry, mango, pineapple and peach—as well as salsa, mole, and chips. Rojas said that the chips are a recent addition to the company, and that they are “totally different from any chips you already know,” due to the fact that they’re made with real ingredients and no powders, flavors, or excessive amounts of salt. Pa’ SuMadre’s products are available online at pasu madre.com for purchase, as well as in local grocery stores in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. “In life, it’s important to enjoy what you do, and this is what I love to do: hot sauce. That’s my passion,” Rojas said in a documentary about his life created by Michael Cimpher. “I wake up making hot sauce. Go to bed making hot sauce. That’s what I do 24 hours,” he continued. “I keep doing it because I believe in my dream.”

12 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 MADEFRESH ORGANICS // JULIANA RIVERA 14521 243rd St, Rosedale, NY 11422 www.madefreshorganic.com

GREGORY’S 26 CORNER TAVERNA gregoryscornertaverna.net

Charming and rustic taverna, described by MICHELIN GUIDE as “old-time Greek retreat.”

LINDA AZOGUENITA BAKERY & RESTAURANT @Linda-Azoguenita-Bakery-Restaurant Authentic Ecuadorian restaurant and bakery. TRIANGOLO RESTAURANT triangolonyc.com Intimate Italian eatery offering oven-baked pizzas and house-made pasta in a historic building.

KUNST COFFEE HAUS kunstcoffeehaus.com Ambassador of artisanal coffee in Bayside. ONE STATION PLAZA kunstcoffeehaus.com

PAPAZZIO papazzio.com “Bayside’s treasure“ and “Bayside’s best-kept secret,” serving a unique fusion of northern and southern Italian cuisine. PRESS 195 press195.com A lengthy menu of pressed sandwiches and salads with craft beer and Belgian fries with seasonal outdoor backyard..

CORONAELGAUCHITO elgauchitonyc.com/#popup Find a little piece of Argentina in New York.

LOUKOUMI TAVERNA loukoumiastoria.com Off the beaten path, Greek restaurant with a large backyard patio.

SWEET AFTON sweetaftonbar.com Located in the heart of Astoria, Sweet Afton is the neighborhood destination for specialty cocktails, craft beers, and comfort food. SEVA INDIAN CUISINE sevaindianrestaurant.com Astoria’s most popular Indian restau rant consistently garners attention as the best Indian restaurant by locals.

TRATTORIA L’INCONTRO trattorialincontro.com Using only use the freshest, prime ingredients and the highest level of quality and service.

BKNY THAI bknythai.com

TELLY’S TAVERNA tellystaverna.com

Seafood experts, this taverna is considered among many as the most famous Greek spot in Astoria.

EMPANADAS CAFE empanadascafe.com Small, buzzy Latin American caf6, boasting empanadas with a unique array of savory and sweet fittings.

ASTORIA BIER AND CHEESE astoriabierandcheese.com A craft beer bar, cheese shop, gourmet sandwich shop, and specialty grocery all in one.

COLLEGE POINT CP GRILL cpgrillny.com Hidden Gem in College Point with full bar, a cozy dining area & outdoor patio. DOU DOU KITCHEN doudoukitchen.com Amazingly delicious Chinese food. GRANDMA’S DIM SUM grandmasfoodny.com Healthy, fresh, and natural Chinese dishes to satisfy the modern customer’s tastes and needs.

Classic Thai fare in a spacious dining room with refined, temporary decor & a circular bar.

LEO’S LATTICINI singleplatform.com/leos-latticini/ Historic Italian deli serving up subs, sandwiches & high-quality mozzarella since 1920.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 13 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | QUEENS RESTAURANTS

Unpretentious bar with an ample beer garden offering a full range of drinks & classic American grub

Greek seafood restaurant described by Forbes as “DestinationGreek Dining.”

SHANGHAI YOU GARDEN yougardenxiaolongbao.com Laid-back Chinese restaurant offering Shanghai specialties like dim sum, plus Peking Duck.

TAVERNA KYCLADES tavernakyclades.com

BELLEROSELUIGISRESTAURANT luigisnewhydepark.com Neighborhood Italian restaurant serv ing up house-made pastas and woodfired pizzas in a cozy setting. MY NUTRITION PLACE @mynutritionplace718 Smoothie and juice bar, protein donuts, special events, and more!

Long-running Greek taverna known for fresh-grilled fish served in spa cious quarters with a garden.

CHRISTOS STEAK HOUSE christossteakhouse.com

BAYSIDE AVLI THE LITTLE GREEK TAVERN avligreek.com/tavern Compact eatery offering Greek dishes & sandwiches, plus soups & sides in a casual ambiance BCD TOFU HOUSE bcdtofuhouse.com Korean restaurant serving classic fare such as soft-tofu soup,bibimbap and bulgogi.

BOURBON STREET bourbonstreetny.com Cajun & Southern-accented grub, plus Sunday brunch served in a lively spot with TVs & a rooftop bar. EREWAN THAI erawanthaibayside.com Besides the basic exotic dishes on the menu, the restaurant also offers many high quality items off of the regular menu including premium aged steaks.

INDIANNAMASTERESTAURANT namasteglenoaks.com Relaxed Indian restaurant serving classic dishes, plus a lunch buffet & ice cream. USHA FOODS INC ushafoods.com No-frills shop offering vegetarian Indian snacks, sweets and fast- food options in a casual dining space.

BAD HABITS badhabitsnyc.com A Dominican sushi experience! THE BONNIE thebonnie.com Best bar in Astoria for creative cocktails, local beer, comfort food, live music, private events, and late-night food.

Locally and nationally celebrated American steakhouse with a Mediterranean flair.

LITTLE PEPPER littlepepperrestaurant This family-owned business serves Sichuan dishes with a kick, and some Cantonese options.

ANASSAASTORIATAVERNA astoria.anassataverna.com

Queens restaurants by neighborhood Neighborhood Restaurant and Dining Guide - This extensive list of over 200 restaurants around Queens is but a TASTE of what the borough has to offer. Discover a cool, new hotspot, visit an old treasure, or uncover a hidden gem among the list of who we work with, including staff picks and chamber members. Visit any of these incredible spots and look for another list highlighting even more!

FOREST HILLS ALBERTO albertorestaurant.com

14 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 PARK SIDE RESTAURANT parksiderestaurantny.com An Italian Landmark located in the heart of Corona, Queens, Park Side Restaurant is truly a fine food destination that is worth the trip. RINCON CRIOLLO rincon-criotlo.com

CIPOLLINA GOURMET ITALIAN MARKET @CipollinaForestHills Gourmet market serving sandwiches, sweets, panini, and Italian favorites.

Il POETA ilpoetanyc.com

EAST ELMHURST BISTRO ELOISE bistroeloise.com A unique cuisine with a twist of modern favorites made to revolution ize the way you think about PLAKA ptakagrillnyc.com/8256 This simple locale features Mediterranean dishes such as moussaka, souvlaki & grilled squid.

Longtime Italian fixture for home style classics & fine wines served in a romantic, high-end setting. CABANA cabanarestaurant.com Lively restaurant and bar serving Nuevo Latino fare and cocktails in a Miami vibe.

Modern counter-serve Vietnamese sandwich specialist also selling bubble tea and milkshakes. KHAO NOM @khaonomny c Thai food and dessert, voted most authentic Thai in Queens byEater. KITCHEN 79 kitchen79nyc.com Thai restaurant with dishes from both northern and southern Thailand, including noodles and curries. LA FUSTA lafustarestaurant.com Family-owned and run for three generations, it is the oldest Argentine restaurant in NYC. LAHI lahinewyork.com Serving classic Filipino staples, breakfast, sizzling plates, meat skewers, soups, stews, and desserts.

PAMIR KABAB HOUSE & GRILL restaurantji.com/ny/flushing/pamir-kabab-house-and-grill-/Afghan,MiddleEastern,Hala

Restaurant with dine-in, takeout, and delivery options.

Authentic South Indian fare served cafeteria-style in the brightly lit basement of a Hindu temple.

SKY CAFE facebook.com/Skycafenyc Compact Indonesian eatery with a casual vibe offering noodle & rice dishes, plus soup.

PARTEA NYC partea-nyc.com A unique culinary experience capturing that vivacious Taiwanese night market experience into each of their one-of-a-kind brick and mortar concept stores.

Family-owned Italian restaurant serving traditional fare in a homey, white-tablecloth setting. KISSFISH kissfishnyc.com Serving fresh, made-to-order poké bowls, sushi wraps and hand rolls.

ELMHURST AYADA www.ayadanyc.com

GREY CAFE greycafeny.com Fair-trade organic-coffee café with light bites.

TEMPLE CANTEEN nyganeshtemptecanteen.com

FOREST HILLS STATION HOUSE fhstationhouse.com

Gastropub offering craft brews and lots of whiskey options, plus an upscale bar menu and weekend brunch.

FLUSHING THE ATTIC OYSTER & COCKTAIL BAR theattic136.com

PHILLY PRETZEL FACTORY Counter-serve@phillypretzelfactory.comchainforPhiladelphia-stylesoftpretzels&dips.

Tableside grilling is the highlight at this buzzy Korean spot known for its kalbi & numerous sides.

MAPO BBO mapokoreanbbqny.com

Speakeasy restaurant & bar specializing in oysters & cocktails. BODAI VEGETARIAN bodaivegetarian.com

Popular neighborhood-casual offering traditional Afghan meals.

JANG DOK DAE jangdokdaeny.com

HIMALAYAN YAK himatayanyak.net Casual Himalayan eatery serving up momos & other dishes from Nepal, Tibet, India & Bhutan. JOJU jojuny.com

GYU KAKU JAPANESE BBQ gyu-kaku.com/flushing Japanese BBQ in Queens with more than 700 Locations worldwide.

DIRTY PIERRE’S @dirtypierres Opened since 1995 and rated best burger in Queens. EL COYOTE elcoyoteforesthills.com

Thai restaurant serving poached chicken and sides in a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere.

Longtime resident staple offering thin-crust pizza, calzones and baked pastas.

El Coyote Restaurant chain was started in 1998, with the goal of sharing au thentic Mexican taste with elaborate and flavorful dishes.

CAFE ARZU Cozy stop for kosher Uzbek fare and a large kebab selection.

Sit-down Cantonese eatery showcases a dim sum menu with numerous vegetarian & kosher options.

OCEANIC BOIL oceanicboil.com Unpretentious nook with bare-bones decor showcasing seafood boils, plates & Cajun menu items.

WHITE NOISE COFFEE whitenoisecoffeeco.com Chic, funky craft coffee shop & cafe offering light fare in an artsy space with seating & Wi-Fi.

DOUGLASTON ILTOSCANO RISTORANTE iltoscanony.com

SZECHUAN HOUSE The oldest Szechuan restaurant in the area, since 1985. TAVERN 157 tavern157.com A unique, modern Tapas restaurant and lounge featuring gourmet meals, complete with a full beer and wine bar.

Upscale destination serving Northern Italian cuisine and fine wines in an elegant, old-world setting. MIZUMI mizumibuffet.com Contemporary Asian buffet with a generous selection for a set price, including sushi.

LILLIAN’S PIZZA lillianpizzeriamenu.com Known for the classic cheese pizza, and Italian specialties. MISFITS NUTRITION A fun and healthy spot where the com munity can come to help with their fitness and weight loss/gain goals. Serving protein shakes and energy teas

WHITE BEAR thrillist.com/venues/white-bear-baixiong Known for exceptional dumplings. Infatuation recommends the plate of wontons with hot sauce (no.6).

QUEENS BULLY queensbully.com Spacious hangout serving American BBQ, dishes with global flavors and cocktails. RED PIPE CAFE redpipescafe.com Comfy haunt offering espresso drinks and teas, plus vegan/vegetarian fare, including sandwiches and pastries.

Family-run spot serving Cuban classics like lechon asado (roasted suckling pig) since 1976.

Fresh, healthy, and delicious healing Korean foods.

A family-own restaurant serving authentic Thai cuisine since 2008 EIM KHAO MUN KAI facebook.com/EIM-Khao-Mun-Kai-Elmhurst-708980312469993/

JOE’S STEAM RICE ROLL @steamriceroll Fast-food restaurant specializing in Cantonese rice noodle dish inside mini-mall space. KABUL KABAB kabulkababhouse.com

LUCIA PIZZA luciapizzany.com

SPRING SHABU SHABU springshabu.com Meats, seafood, noodles & veggies are cooked in tableside hot pots at this stylish Japanese outfit.

Quality healthy Greek food accessible to everyone for an affordable price at a fast pace. KIN’D kindthai.com

PRIMA PASTA AND CAFE primapastacafe.com Version of Italian classics served in a family-friendly environment.

Humble restaurant featuring a variety of South Indian vegetarian dishes in a laidback atmosphere.

Low-key Peruvian restaurant dishing up classics, including ceviche, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Salvadorian restaurant rated best pupusas in Jamaica, Queens.

Neighborhood Italian restaurant serving up house-made pastas and wood-fired pizza in a cozy setting. SANTOOR INDIAN santoorgrill.com

KEW GARDENS AUSTIN’S ALE HOUSE austinsteakandaIehouse.com

ZUM STAMMTISCH zumstammtisch.com

MAIN BAHKTAR HALAL KABAB mainbakhtar.com

BE IN GOOD HEALTH facebook.com/beingoodhealthllc/ Fantastic assortment of smoothies and juices with a food menu.

JACKSON HEIGHTS ADDICTIVE WINE AND TAPAS BAR addictivewinebar.com Top-rated by Travel & Leisure, this inti mate locale with brick-and-wood accents offers Spanish tapas and wine.

JAMAICA BREEZE Jamaican jerk chicken, Jamaican oxtail, Jamaican curry goat and many other island favorites, served buffet style. LITTLE NECK KEBAB HOUSE kebabhouserestaurant1 Unassuming. lively find, purveying popular Turkish dishes, including kofta kebabs and dolmas.

LA BARAKA labarakarest.com French restaurant, one of the first in the 1970s to introduce couscous, the signa ture dish of North African cuisine

EL COMAL Pupuseria elcomalpupuseria.com

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Authentic cuisine from Portugal and Spain since, serving the neighborhood since 1981.

Family-owned Salvadoran restaurant known for pupusas.

URUBAMBA urubambany.com

FARINE BAKING COMPANY farinebakingcompany.com Rated the best burgers, fries and fried chicken in Glen Oaks.

SAMUDRA VEGETARIAN samudrarestaurant.com

HALALBEE’S halalbeesburgers.com

GRILL POINT grillpoint.nyc Glatt Kosher grill restaurant serving Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine.

GLEN OAKS LUIGI’S luigisnewhydepark.com

THE QUEENSBORO thequeensboro.com Serves locally-brewed beer and coffee from Native Roasters, sources ingre dients from local businesses, and the Jackson Heights Farmers Market.

An authentic Italian menu straight out of southern Italy. NEW PARK PIZZA newparkpizza.com Same family proudly serving the community the same great pizza for over 60 years!

Intimate eatery offering a mix of Spanish and American dishes, plus beer wine and sangria. JUICY KING CRAB EXPRESS An authentic cajun-style seafood restaurant.

Bright & contemporary spot for traditional Thai dishes, with lunch specials & vegetarian options.

BK LOBSTER bklobster.com Fresh, top-quality lobster in a cool, refreshing atmosphere.

LIMA 33 Restaurant facebook.com/Lima-33-Restaurant Delicious Peruvian food in a modern atmosphere LITTLE DUMPLING littledumplinglittleneck.com/ Home of the best soup dumpling & homestyle Shanghai & Taiwanese cui sine in the area.

CRUS- Z FAMILY (FAMILY CRUZ) @The-Crus-Z-Family Serving delicious and specially seasoned carnitas to traditional tortas, and tostadas.

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AMDO KITCHEN FOOD TRUCK ngatso.com/amdo-momo-1 Food truck rated the best and most authentic for momodumplings. AREPA LADY @areperiaarepalady Brick-and-mortar outpost of a popular food cart known for turning out South American cornmeal cakes. BIRRIA-LANDIA qrusamenu.com/birrialandia Straightforward food truck dishing up a small menu of tacos, soup, tostadas & quesadillas.

GLENDALE FINBACK BREWERY finbackbrewery.com

HOLLIS ELENA’S 43 www.elena43.com

DANI’S HOUSE OF PIZZA danishouseofpizza.com Founded in 1959 by Ramiz Dani, Dani’s House of Pizza has been a Kew Gardens landmark for 61 years.

MOJITOS RESTAURANT mojitosrestaurantbar.com A Latin fusion restaurant. offering the best flavors of different regions of the Latin culture MR. CANGREJO mistercangrejo.com Serves traditional dishes from the pacific coast like piangua, tollo, Buenaventura’s native fish soup, and the trendy seafood casserole. PIO PIO piopio.shop Famous for delicious Peruvian style rotisserie chicken with garlic sauce “to die for.”

Comfort food locale serving Halal menu of grass-fed beef burgers, cage-free chicken, milk shakes, and sides.

FRESH MEADOWS BAKHTER HALAL KABOBS @bakhtarhalalkabab Quick counter-serve for halal Afghan entrees, kebabs, gyros and sandwiches with seating. EONS GREEK FOOD eonsgreek.com

HOWARD BEACH BRUNO RISTORANTE ITALIANO bruno-ristorante.com

O LAVRADOR olavradorrestaurant.com

THE DOOR thedoorrestaurant.nyc Elegant Jamaican restaurant turning out jerk chicken, oxtail, escovitch and other Jamaican specialties. Caters for all occasions. PARIS CAFE twahotel.com/food-drink/paris-cafe Destination fare by legendary chef Jean Georges Vongerichten in the new TWA Hotel.

German beer hall with classic fare and frosty steins delivered by waitresses in Alpine costumes.

Eatery dispensing Portuguese fare & drinks in a warm, intimate space with frequent live music.

Local Kew Garden’s Steak and Ale House A Staple in the Community over 25 Years.

LHASA FAST FOOD lhasafastfoodny.com Serves delicious, hearty Tibetan food, spicy soups, hand pulled noodles, and momos.

JAMAICA A CHURRASQUEIRA restaurantji.com/ny/jamaica/a-churrasqueira

Afghan restaurant offering a selection of classic dishes and kebabs. TU CASA tucasarestaurant.com Family run Peruvian restaurant with several locations, established and supported by the community since 2004.

Upscale setting for Northern and Southern Indian specialties, plus a lunch buffet and full bar.

VETRO BY RUSSO’S vetronyc.com Voted the #1 Best Restaurant in the Tri-State Area by OpenTable, #4 for Best Service, and #5 for Ambiance.

LAURELTON A LIVE KITCHEN a-live-kitchen.business.site Vegan comfort food and juice bar. Dine-in or take-out.

NURIAAS RESTAURANT

Brews small batch artisanal draft beers. Distributes to bars in the greater NYC area.

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16 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHTS

One of the reasons I decided to take on the challenge of my “A Slice of Queens” monthly column is because Queens pizza rarely, if ever, makes the list of “The Best Pizza in New York City.” It irks me that Staten Island pizza is mentioned more often than Queens pizza. I have sampled pizza all around the world from Naples—where it originated—to Sydney, Australia, London, and Bogota, Colombia. This column gets the word out. Queens Pizza can compete with pizza from any where. Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza & Kitchen is a prime example of this. Dee’s pizza has been serving Forest Hills proudly since 1993. I would describe Dee’s as an Italian Restaurant with an American twist. The irony for me is that I have eaten there many times and had never tried their Thepizza.idea of my Dee’s review was launched back in early March of this year at the Queens Center for Progress “food night” event held at Terrace on the Park. As soon as I entered, I made a beeline to the Aigner Chocolates (my favorite) booth and decided to have dessert first. The owners of Aigner are friends and clients, Mark Libertini and Rachel Kellner. Mark’s background is as a pastry chef, and he knows and appreciates good food. I mentioned this column to him, and he said, “Wait until my wife Rachel gets here, she can introduce you, she is best friends with Dee’s wife Eileen.”

Just a few blocks down from Dee’s on Met ropolitan Avenue, Mark and Rachel (who has a social worker background) took over Aigner Chocolates from the Aigner family in 2015. This is when Rachel and Eileen struck up a friendship. Together, they have given back to the community as the co-found ers of Metro Village of Forest Hills. This organization, founded in 2020, organized a successful “Community Day,” closing off six blocks of Metropolitan Avenue, with 30 local businesses participating. They are also responsible for the beautiful holiday lights on Metropolitan Avenue. Growing up in Forest Hills, Dee Arabian has been in the restaurant industry since he was a 14-year-old boy. He learned every aspect of the restaurant industry from working at his family’s Greek-Armenian restaurant. He worked his way up from busboy to waiter to bartender to manager. Restaurants are in his blood, as both of his grandfathers owned restaurants; one opened a pizzeria across from Bloomingdales, and the other was the chef at a prominent restaurant in Athens, Greece. Dee reminisced about a restaurant he used to visit in Montreal called “Pizza Mella.” That experience inspired him to open a restaurant in Forest Hills. He wanted Dee’s to be casu al and to focus on pizza. French cuisine con tinued to influence him through his culinary training at The French Culinary Institute in SoHo. There, he trained under three of the most renowned chefs of the time: Jacques Pepin, Andre Soltner of Lutece, and Alain Sailhac of Le Cirque.

I could feel Dee’s passion for pizza when we spoke. He said, “pizza is like a canvas with endless options. It’s exciting!” Most pizzerias “dust the bench”—which is an industry term for dusting the bottom surface with flour. The reason for this is so the crust doesn’t stick to the peel, also known as the paddle. It also adds a little char to the bottom of the crust as it burns.

By: Robert Intelisano

When I asked Dee how his pizza is different, he said, “we dust the bench with semoli na which helps the dough’s crispiness and creates air pockets and airflow which causes heat bubbles.” Semolina is like grainy sand and is a healthier alternative to flour. If you

Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza & Kitchen

RACHEL KELLNER AND MARK LIBERTINI If you’re ever in need of a good pick-me-up, some positive ener gy, a sweet treat with a side of heal-the-world vibes, drop in for artisanal chocolate and a conversation with chocolate shop own ers Mark and Rachel on a just-as-sweet corner in Forest Hills. When I say it was a treat to drop by the shop, I mean this in the way that chocolate, as life, can be the experience you need when you didn’t even know what you wanted. Greeted with the invit ing smiles of family, it’s clear that chocolate equals community leadership in this neck of Queens. “Our chocolate empowers the community,” simply stated on their Facebook page (check out their Instagram where they have quite a following), translates into informal business alliances, focus groups, bringing back the holiday lights, and all sorts of stories of spreading joy and cohe sion throughout the neighborhood. Standing at a work bench in a candy kitchen that has been there for over 92 years I won dered, what does “impact” look like when you’re a small busi ness owner and community leader? It looks like giving away chocolate when that feels right, spreading good fortune and paying it forward when you are doing well, creating a “metro village” to support all of the other business owners around you, bringing in foot traffic and young interns to provide opportuni ties for others – it looks like being the kind of business-owners who want to make enough money to give back – “to heal the world in some way through chocolate.” Their business model is solid and sound, focused and practical. They are excellent at making connections that benefit the group and care more about innovation and kindness than simply profit. They have Mark’s

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 17 AIGNER CHOCOLATES 103-02 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375 aignerchocolates.com

The “Magic”

is in Recipethe

By: Laura Licona

unique and trending visionary and creative genius, and Rachel’s positive, nurturing leadership and humanitarian business sav vy. Oh, and did I mention the Austrian chocolate is a heavenly, creamy-smooth delight, both antique and modern at the same time? Yeah. It’s a recipe for joy and Wonka-style “magic.”

Family-owned business since 1970 serves Italian recipes from several generations of the DeCiantis family of Broccostella, Italy.

CANTINA 33 Instagram.com/cantina33nyc Traditional Peruvian cuisine with a modern twist, full bar, great cocktails, beer, and wine.

SPOLINI’S Spolinismenu.com Authentic Southern Style Italian Restaurant.

Vibrant, Greek-inspired dishes shine in an all-white, minimalist dining room at MoMa PS1.

18 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 CONTINUED FROM PG. 15

Owned and operated by the Barnes Fam ily since 1959, London Lennie’s is the premier seafood restaurant in Queens.

FLYING FOX TAVERN instagram.com/flyingfoxtavern/?hl=en

LITTLE CHEF LITTLE CAFÉ littlecheflittlecafe.com

NUR THAI nurthai.com

LTAUHA instagram.com/ltauha_restaurant Upscale restaurant featuring classic American meals, cocktails & brunch in calm, understated digs.

LONG ISLAND CITY ADDA INDIAN CANTEEN www.addanyc.com Neighborhood restaurant focuses on regional Indian home cooking.

BUNGALOW BAR bungalowbarny.com

ROSA’S PIZZA Corner Pizzeria serves pizza, heroes, wings, and Italian parmigiana dishes. SPICE KITCHEN spicekitchenmaspeth.com

FIFTH HAMMERCOMPANYBREWING fifthhammerbrewing.com Brewery and Taproom in Long Island City, open 7 days a week.

BLEND ON THE WATER blendonthewater.com

QUEENS VILLAGE CARA MIA caramiarestaurant.com

Specialty coffee roasting and wholesale business with a roasting facility in Maspeth.

Kosher Uzbek restaurant serves hearty Uzbek eats, meat kebabs, grandma-style stews, samsas, and lagman, a Bukharian specialty. MARANI maraninyc com

The largest ice cream production facility in New York City with a mission to share joy, one scoop at a time.

Health-conscious cafe serves coffee, smoothies, salads, and bowls.

RICHMOND HILL ALFIE’S PIZZA facebook.com/Alfies-Pizza Family-owned neighborhood Sicilian pizza joint, famous for their original style pizza with the sauce on top of the cheese.

Horror themed family tavern serving lamb-based Shepherd’s Pie to a gooey French Onion Soup, and a couple of slightly bizarre but welcome vegan-ized updates.

JOHN BROWN BBQ Counter-servicejohnbrownbbq.netBBQspot serving Kansas City-style meats along with sides, salads. beer and wine.

Known for pizza, and other Italian standards, plus a family-style dinner menu, and desserts.

THE LOCAL PRESS thelocalpressnyc.com Modern American Bistro serves Mexican and Asian-inspired plates.

Modern restaurant & lounge featuring cocktails, gourmet Latin-inspired eats & expansive water views.

Caribbean and Latin fusion cuisine from the heart, inspired by the dynamic cultural backgrounds of the chef and his team.

TASTE OF SAMARKAND tasteofsamarkand.com Kosher Uzbek restaurant upholds Uzbek food traditions, and is considered an oasis in Queens.

O’NEILLS oneittsmaspeth.com Family owned and operated for 87 years. O’NEILL’S first opened its doors as a restaurant on December 5, 1933, the day Prohibition ended. PATRIZIA’S OF MASPETH patriziasofmaspeth.com

RIDGEWOOD BRIDGE AND TUNNEL BREWERY bridgeandtunnetbrewery.com Family-owned micro-brewery and taproom with nearly 15 unique beers and ciders on tap. Sells beer by the pint, flight, and 16oz cans to take home.

ASTORIA SEAFOOD astoriaseafoodnyc.com Family-owned, counter-serve, BYOB seafood market with create-your-own eats in busy, old-school digs.

CREAM RIDGEWOOD creamridgewood.com

Low-key eatery with warm decor, serv ing familiar Indian and Nepalese fare.

Casual waterfront restaurant and bar offering a raw bar, American mains, a deck and live music

THE BEAST NEXT DOOR Thebeastnextdoor.com Friendly local cocktail bar with artisanal flair. TOURNESOL tournesolnyc.com French eatery serving traditional bistro fare and regional wine in an intimate space.

BIG ALICE BREWING bigalicebrewing Big Alice Brewing is a licensed New York State farm brewery dedicated to crafting innovative, locally sourced beer.

Canadian chef Hugue Dufour offers his avant-garde take on a steakhouse at this funky LIC chop-shop touting a Michelin rating. MINA’S NYC minas.nyc

CURRY ROTI BOX curryrotibox.com This is a family-run restaurant serving authentic and homey Guyanese and Trinidadian food.

MIDDLE VILLAGE LONDON LENNIES londonlennies.com

Julia’s is an all-day café featuring weekend brunch, full bar, natural wines and craft beer.

A cornerstone Nepalese restaurant in the Ridgewood community serving momos, wings, and skewers. Sit indoors or out doors, in the charming backyard space.

OZONE PARK DON PEPPE donpeppenyc.com A destination for family-style Italian dining since 1942.

Corner bakery and cafe serving locally roasted coffee, sandwiches and an array of cakes and pastries.

MASPETH FOR FIVE COFFEE ROASTERS forfivecoffee.com

REGO PARK CHEBURECHNAYA cheburechnaya-queens.com

CLASSIC DINER theclassicdiner.com Serves breakfast and classic homestyle entrees along with their Neptune Masterpiece seafood dinners and a unique line of burgers.

EVIL TWIN BREWING NYC eviltwin.nyc

SWEETLEAF COFFEE & COCKTAIL BAR sweetleafcoffee.com A local fixture among the new, glittering skyscrapers of the Long Island City waterfront.

Glatt Kosher Georgian restaurant offers family style meals and a farm to table menu in a modern setting.

ACADEMY OF COFFEE PROJECT NY coffeeprojectny.com/cafe-locations Project aims to improve the quality of life for every person in the coffee supply chain, from producers to consumers.

Small nanobrewery and taproom with 20 rotating taps, frozen cocktails, natural wines, NYS ciders, and much more.

Crafts world-class beers, coffee, and cocktails, and regularly hosts live performances and events. WHILE IN KATHMANDU whileinkathmanduny.com

SULTAN’S DINE Sultansdineny Halal restaurant rated best biryani. Dine-in, take-out and catering options available.

JULIA’S juliasridgewood.com

NORMA’S CORNER SHOPPE normascornershoppe.com

This Thai restaurant serves modern interpretations of classic Thai cuisine and is known for quality, and unique preparation.

QUEENS BREWERY queensbrewery.com

M. WELLS magasinwells.com

ROCKAWAYS AMPLE HILLS CREAMERY amplehills.com

Dawa’s offers authentic, nomadic Himalayan and New American cuisine in a warm and relaxing setting.

Warm and cozy spot with a menu featuring the best of Mexican fusion and comfort food. MIS TIERRAS COLOMBIANAS mistierrascolombianaswoodside.com

THE CLINTON ian-Restaurant/The-Clinton-Restaurantfacebook.com/pages/category/Ital

PHILOMENA’S philomenasqueens.com Neighborhood pizza place, owned by a dough wizard, Dave Acocella, a long time Sunnyside resident. RINCON MELANIA rinconmelanianyc.com

WOODHAVEN BRISAS DEL MAR 2 facebook.com/BrisasdelmarNY Seafood restaurant with Latin American specialties. Friendly, attentive, service with an adjacent fish market.

Family-owned Paraguayan restaurant. The food is inspired by their indige nous roots and many of the dishes have Guarani names, the national language of Paraguay.

A cultural event space, restaurant, and bar devoted to promoting the love of surfing, conserving the environment, and supporting its local neighborhood.

Family-owned Ecuadorian restaurant with roots in the Canari tribe, the restau rant’s menu is a culinary treat.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 19

Turkish restaurant focuses on healthy flavors of the Mediterranean with an innovative twist on authentic family recipes.

Longtime pizza parlor doling out pies, pasta & other Italian classics in a modest setting.

WHIT’5 END whitsendnyc.com

QUEENS BEST - THE PODCAST, hosted by Laura Licona and Jef Gross, officially launched their first episode in early June. Tune in and listen as these two dish on the ethnically diverse restaurant scene of Queens. In addition, they’re sharing nuggets of information about Queens Chamber and the tremendous work this organiza tion does on behalf of the business community. The first episode is streaming now on: Podbean App, Amazon Music/Audible, and iHeartRadio to name a few. Don’t miss out. Tune in today!!

FREDERICK’S SOUL HOLE instagram.com/frederickssoulhole Soul food restaurant rated best in the area for beef rib tips, baked mac and cheese, and greens.

Homey Filipino restaurant with live music. Food is described by journalists as messy happiness.

LA FLOR orderlaflor.com

Cozy storefront option for creative pizza & seasonal New American-Italian specials with BYOB ROCKAWAY BREWING rockawaybrewco.com

WHITESTONE CONCETTINA RESTAURANT concettinarestaurant.com

Family-owned restaurant and bar open since 1985, serving up Continental and Northern Italian cuisine.

Authentic Italian food in the heart of Whitestone, Queens.

The Babich family celebrates three generations of serving the Whitestone community with a homemade Italian experience.

Warehouse space adorned with funky decor and picnic tables, serving its own brews in pints and growlers with tight bites.

ELEGANTE elegantepizzeriarestaurant.com

WOODSIDE BOLIVIAN LLAMA PARTY blp.nyc Family-owned Bolivian restaurant has been recognized for its innovative take on Bolivian cuisine by the NY Times, Eater, Gothamist, CNN, and TimeOut.

SOLE LUNA solelunanyc.com Italian restaurant and café owned by a restaurateur from Milan, and his wife. Co-owed with restaurateurs from Puglia, Italy.

CASA DEL CHEF Instagram.com/casadelchef Snug bistro serving locally sourced New American cuisine and wine in a country-style setting.

DAWA’S dawasnyc.com

Features some of the most unique Hima layan & Nepalese cuisine in Woodside.

THAI ROCK thairock.us Family-owned upscale Thai restaurant and live music establishment. UMA’S umasrockaway.com

KUSINA PINOY BISTRO kusinapinoybistrony.com

Relaxed Colombian joint serving traditional fare, such as seafood and empanadas, plus beer and coffee.

SIK GAEK sikgaekwoodside.com A widely praised Korean BBQ and seafood restaurant.

Authentic Jamaican Jerk & Southern BBQ from the very essence of the southern and Caribbean culture of the community.

SUNNYSIDE I LOVE PARAGUAY ilovepy.com

SOUK EL SHATER instagram.com/soukelshater Family-owned and operated count er-serve nook offering Middle Eastern sandwiches with halal meat, plus baked goods and groceries.

ST. ALBANS THE SMOKEHOUSE facebook.com/thesmokehousequeens

KATHMANDU FUSION KITCHEN facebook.com/Kathmandufusionkitchen

Local counter-service spot for take-out on the way to the beach. Vegan options available.

ROSEDALE PA-NASH EUROSOUL panashnyc.com

ROCKAWAY BEACH SURF CLUB rockawaybeachsurfclub.com

SOFRA MEDITERRANEAN GRILL soframediterraneangrillmenu.com

ERIN’S ISLE erinsisleny.com

A Caribbean, Mediterranean, & Soul Food Fusion Catering company

EMBAJADA facebook.com/embajadarestaurant Popular Dominican spot with good food and lively nightlife. NEIR’S TAVERN neirstavern.com Among the oldest and most historic bars in the country, it is one of the few bars that have been in the same location for its entire history.

Modern and lively restaurant focuses on Uzbek food, known for kebabs, dump lings, salads, and rice-based dishes.

CUISINE BY CLAUDETTE cuisinebyclaudette.nyc

20 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 The Healing Power of ART

Tibetan Buddhism may not be for everyone. We don’t have to share the same passion for the arts. Creativity may not come easily for everyone. Healing can be experienced through the subtle joy or ecstasy that stems from creating a piece of art— the arrangement on a plate—a journal entry. This may seem un derwhelming to some, but it seems like we’re creating change through a new way of living. I’ve understood Queens as the most diverse neighborhood in the United States. Still, it wasn’t until I learned about the unique ways the Tibetan and Himalayan communities in Queens came together during a time of crisis that I began to grasp how little I knew about my borough. I thank the Rubin Museum for their response to a society in dire need of addressing the medical and mental health crises, for the tools to live with compassion for ourselves and each other. By: Rona Davis FESTIVAL OF CINEMA NYC returns for its 6th year, as a live in-person 10-day event, August 5 - August 14. Taking place at the Regal UA Midway theater and the Queens Library in Forest Hills, Queens, FOC NYC will showcase 124 of the best independent films from more than 25 countries. Over 90 filmmakers anticipated to be in attendance. The premiere rich film festival includes 12 world premieres, 7 North American premieres, and 13 East Coast premieres. Screenings of shortand feature length films in all genres include documentaries, dramas, come dies, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, children, family and more.

Healing Practices: Stories from Himalayan Americans opened on March 18, 2022 at the Rubin Museum, and will be on view until January 16, 2023 with free admissions every Friday. Tickets are required and timed to avoid crowding. A plethora of resources to incorporate well-being into our daily routines are available on the museum’s website. In the Healing Practices Issue of the Rubin Museum’s Magazine, Spiral , two members of the advisory group who played an instrumental part in the collaboration of the current exhibit are featured. The advisory group comprises artists, medical professionals, spiritual leaders, activists, educators, and art therapists. In the interview, Dr. Kunga Wangdue and Pema Dorjee, a registered nurse and the current president of the Tibetan Nurses Association, share their firsthand experiences. They discuss how they responded to the Himalayan and Tibetan communities in Queens during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they incor porate compassion into their daily routine of caring for others. Both practitioners drew parallels between art and compassion and art as healing, and they inspired me to consider the rele vance of art in our current societal crisis. What can we learn from ancient practices that relied on art to heal, and why is there a prevalent need to support the arts? How can art strengthen our communities? Organizations are growing in support of the arts within our communities. One of several examples is Queens Rising. This initiative emerged from the Arts Advisory Board of Kupfer berg Center at Queens College with a mission to give exposure to underrepresented artists, as well as to serve as a hub that connects artists, venues, and businesses and promotes the bor oughs of Queens and beyond. Other organizations like Citizen Racecar help brands create compelling content to inspire new interactions. We are all racing to put art, creativity, and inspira tion back on the plate of our daily lives.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 21 STEPHEN D. HANS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. | 718.275.6700 30-30 NORTHERN BLVD. SUITE 401, LONG ISLAND CITY 11101 WWW.HANSASSOCIATES.COM The little things add up to big rewards. 1 A $1.00 deposit is required to open account, plus check printing charges if any. Like what you get with Perks Checking. • No minimum balance1 and no monthly service fees • Local discounts and nationwide retailer deals • Cell phone and identity theft protection • Roadside assistance... and so much more! maspethfederal.com Download the MFS Perks Mobile app from the App Store or Google Play to get started.

Known for its rapid innovation and personalized support, SpotOn offers an end-to-end software and payment platform to streamline operations, improve the customer experience, and increase profit. From seamless and efficient point-ofsale systems to integrated management solutions built for the fast-growing enterprise, SpotOn builds technology that “works the way you work”, and backs it up with a 24/7 team of experts who make sure it always does—with fairness, flexibility, and a personal touch. SpotOn has 2,000 employees, including one of the strongest product and technology teams in the combined software & payments industry. “We built a software, payment, service and support model from the ground up to help restaurants be more successful,” said Kevin Bryla, Head of Customer Experience at SpotOn. “Being ranked by restaurateurs as the best platform is incred ibly motivating for us to stay focused on delivering for our Tocustomer.”prepare their restaurant and bar clients for success, SpotOn provides an unparalleled level of service to ensure they feel supported throughout the customer journey and make the best use of their software integrations. Throughout the onboard ing and activation phases, SpotOn empowers clients with indepth training and procedures including in-person and live, online training, webinars, and an extensive portfolio of docu mentation and videos. Throughout the partnership, support is available 24/7 with real-time phone support, automated help desk and email assistance, and an archive of product-specific FAQs, forums, and articles. This award comes on the heels of SpotOn’s latest client-fo cused initiatives, including “Points of Profit,” a roadmap for operators to protect profit margin from the effects of inflation and labor challenges, and recent partnership with MarginEdge to integrate inventory management to help clients improve their bottom line. TOP PERFORMER IN BAR AND RESTAURANT POS, CUSTOMER LOYALTY, ONLINE ORDERING SOFTWARE SpotOn

AND

NAMED

22 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | NEWS

LEADING RESTAURANT

DOWNLOAD APP TO SUPPORT QUEENS LOCAL BUSINESSES

GLIMPSE SOCIAL

I used to work for Linke dIn, and I believed in that platform; it does a lot of good. However, it is primarily focused on big business. I therefore created Glimpse Social, a free app for businesses and users, to safely con nect our communities and help get feet in the door of minority-owned, un derserved, and indepen dent businesses, of which Queens celebrates many. Queens, one of the most ethnically diverse coun ties in the US, is one of my favorite areas in New York City; I love the close-knit neighborhoods boasting multi culturalism and inclusivity. It’s heart-breaking to see the over 1000 restaurants that were not able to keep their doors open due to the COVID pandemic. Glimpse Social can help Queens re cuperate by bridging the gap between independent businesses, residents, and people passing through hoping to discover a cool new hotspot. Whether you’re looking for somewhere new to try out for dinner or the best deal on a haircut, you do not have to follow the crowds and visit the same big-name corporation, you can flip on Glimpse Social to explore the neighborhood, find something new, and support those businesses currently strug gling to gain visibility. You can even follow your favorites so you never miss out on what’s going on. Each business gets a pin on the interactive Glimpse Social map, color-coded depending on category. Users download the app, browse, and click on the surrounding pins, from restaurants, cafes, beauty salons, gyms or even grocery stores to view exclusive content posted by the businesses. This content could be a simple advert, a photo of what’s going on that day or even a short video introducing the team, promoting an event, or offering special deals.

SpotOn is one of the fastest-growing software and payment companies with comprehensive, cloud-based technology for businesses of all types and sizes, has been recognized as a top performer in Customer Loyalty, Online Ordering, Bar POS, and Restaurant POS Software products by Capterra, a Gartner company and free online service that helps organizations find the right software solutions for their operations.

Contact: Melinda Reyes SpotOn Account Executive 718-506-4224 • www.spoton.commreyes@spoton.com FROM BRAZIL PLANS TO OPEN FIRST QUEENS LOCATION IN ELMHURST

International Realty announced that the store signed a long term lease, and is es timated to open in the first quarter of 2024.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 23

Short for the phrase “Han Ah Reum,” which loosely translates to “an arm full of grocer ies,” H-Mart opened its first location in the nearby Woodside community back in 1982. Since then, what began as a small corner

H-Mart, the country’s largest Asian super market chain, celebrated the grand opening of its newest location at 142-41 Roosevelt Ave. in Flushing this past week. People were lined up outside the door early Thursday, waiting for the opportunity to shop at the supermar ket franchise’s newest Queens location. The 17,300 square-foot site was original ly home to a Key Food supermarket, which closed in 2010 after serving the community for decades. It was later replaced by New H-Mart opens new location in Flushing

(Photo: Lidl)

By: Daniel doffner@queensledger.comOffner

Lidl has been celebrated for its shopping ex perience by prominent publications in the past, including Food & Wine Magazine and USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards. The company offers a leading wages and benefits package, including healthcare for all full and part-time employees, regardless of number of hours worked per week. “Lidl is well-known for its good-paying jobs, affordable prices, and its diverse, healthy, and high-quality food offerings, so we are very excited that the company will be opening a second store here in Queens,” Queens Bor ough President Donovan Richards Jr. said. “Lidl’s Astoria location has been a big hit with shoppers, and we are looking forward to the same kind of success as the company branches into Elmhurst in service of central Queens families.”

Construction for the new Lidl location is esti mated to begin by the end of this year.

Local Queens leaders were pleased with the news that Lidl would become closer to home for many residents, and praised the benefits that the development has to offer to the com “Onmunity.behalf of the oldest and largest business association in Queens, it is my pleasure to congratulate Madison International Realty on adding this globally-recognized company to their tenant roster, and Lidl on opening a sec ond location in the ‘World’s Borough,’” Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce said. “This supermarket will seek to create quality job opportunities and provide an affordable place to buy groceries for residents of Elm hurst and the surrounding neighborhoods. We look forward to celebrating the opening in 2024 and shopping at the Queens Place Mall Lidl for years to come.”

York Mart, a similar Asian food market that closed last year, leaving a portion of the Flushing community without a local super “It’smarket.great to have the H-Mart here serving the community, occupying space in a vacant building that was quickly becoming a neigh borhood eyesore,” City Councilwoman San dra Ung said in her weekly newsletter. “Judg ing from the line of shoppers eager to get in at 10 a.m. and the long line still waiting to get in at 6 p.m., people are excited.”

TheH-Martinterior of Lidl’s Harlem location.

Queens Place Mall (Photo: Madison International Realty Based in Arlington, Virginia, Lidl operates more than 170 stores on the East Coast, with 25 in New York state. Queens Place is part of a 2.5 million-squarefoot, 15-property New York City retail port folio that Madison acquired from Forest City Realty Trust. The real estate private equity firm acquired a 49 percent stake in Queens Place in 2011 and purchased the remaining 51 percent in 2018.

CONTINUED ON PG. 30

LIDL TO REPLACE DSW AT QUEENS PLACE MALL SLATED TO OPEN EARLY 2024

The well-loved grocery store will soon open up a brand new location inside the basement of Queens Place Mall, replacing DSW— whose lease will expire this August. The location is conveniently accessible via the Q58 and Q60 buses, as well as the M and R Madisontrains.

Residents of Elmhurst and its surrounding neighborhoods will no longer have to trek to Astoria to visit a Lidllocation.

By: Queens Ledger news@queensledger.comStaff

Aug. 27 • 11am Fourth Annual Caribbean Carnival O’Donohue Park, vicinity of Beach 17th Street and Seagirt Boulevard, Far Rockaway An outdoor celebration of West Indian culture, art, cuisine, and history.

Aug. 28 • 4pm Bang on a Can Noguchi Museum 9-01 33rd Rd., LIC Celebrating a twelfth season of collaboration, Bang on a Can and The Noguchi Museum present a monthly concert series in the garden and galleries from June through September. In Au gust, Canadian virtuoso Jessica Moss performs solo with violin, voice, and pedal boards.

24 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | EVENTS It’s In Queens WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS, ALL THE BELOW EVENTS ARE OUTDOORS. IN OTHER WORDS, IT’S AUGUST! AND AS TO BE EXPECTED, THE BOROUGH’S DIVERSITY SHINES THROUGH AS THE OPTIONS INCLUDE MUSIC, MEDITATIONS,KAYAKING,JAPANESE ART, ORCHIDS, AND DANCE. PLEASE READ ON. By: Rob MacKay Director, Public Relations, Marketing & Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation Aug. 2, Aug. 30 • 7pm S unset Meditation Socrates Sculpture Park 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC Weekly sessions for all experi ence levels. Practices include mindful breathing and walking, gentle optional stretching, and loving-kindness meditation. Aug. 5, Aug. 14 Festival of Cinema NYC Two Forest Hills locations: Regal UA Midway 108-22 Queens Blvd. Queens Library Branch 108-19 71st Ave. More than 120 independent films screen during this sixth annual festival. This year’s line up consists of 38 blocks in such genres as Comedy, Documenta ry, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Hor ror, Sci-fi, and Thriller. Plus, at least 90 filmmakers are expected to participate in Q&A sessions Aug. 5 • 11am Free First Friday Noguchi Museum 9-01 33rd Rd., LIC On the first Friday of every month, admission is free. How ever, visits must be scheduled in advance due to COVID. Aug. 6 • 11am Rock The Bells Festival Forest Hills Stadium One Tennis Pl. Forest Hills Gardens Queens native LL Cool J is an organizer and one of several bigname performers in this concert, which is considered to be a love letter to Hip Hop. Other heavy hitters are Ice Cube, Roxanne Shanté, Lil’ Kim, Cam’ron, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Jadakiss, and Scarface. Aug. 6 • 11am Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup + Kayak Paddle Dubos Point Beach 65th Street and Decosta Avenue, Arverne RISE Rockaway organizes this stewardship event and provides a limited number of kayaks. Aug. 10 • 7PM Monthly Jazz Jam Flushing Town Hall 137-35 Northern Blvd. On the second Wednesday of the month, musicians hone skills and jam with peers. The house band is led by saxophonist Carol Sudhalter. Don’t play? Don’t worry! Listen! Aug. 12, Aug. 14 Taiwan: A World of Orchids Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St., Flushing This ninth annual exhibition is presented via a partnership with the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in New York. Consider more than 750 pots of orchids, crafts, yo-yo tricks, Chinese cal ligraphy, and a tea ceremony. Aug. 14 • 5PM Hyuna Park Cultural Lab LIC 5-25 46th Ave., LIC Award-winning jazz pianist Hyuna Park’s musical universe is deeply connected to NYC’s jazz tradition while also embracing her Korean and clas sical roots. She gives an outdoor concert with Midtown Manhat tan views in the background. Aug. 18 • 7PM Zac Brown Band Citi Field 41 Seaver Way, Flushing This popular Country group performs with special guests Cody Johnson and the Robert Randolph Band. Aug. 20, Aug. 21 • 1pm Let’s Get Free Flushing Meadows Corona Park, vicinity of the Unisphere Missy Elliott, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Ozuna, Wizkid, Beenie Man, Flatbush Zomies, Bomba Estéreo, and other big names in Hip Hop, Brazilian Carnival, and Afro punk perform. Aug. 21 • 1pm Fantastic Asian Omelets Flushing Town Hall 137-35 Northern Blvd. Learn, cook, and taste various Asian omelets during this annual summer workshop with Dr. Hs ing-Lih Chou, Dr. Yi-Nian Lee, and the students from Overseas Chinese University of Taiwan. Experience omelets from Thai land, China, Japan, Taiwan, Ko rea, and Vietnam—each with its own unique flavors and cooking techniques.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 25 love live WHEREYOU 166-07 Hillside Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 718.291.3331 • application@zararealty.com Luxury Apartments in Jamaica, Queens LETS JAMAICABEAUTIFYTOGETHERZARA'SPHILANTHROPY Involvement on community boards richmond hill hs computer lab Voices of Jamaica features communityFundraisingevents © 2022 Ridgewood Savings Bank | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender Products, services, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. EXPERIENCE BETTER BUSINESS BANKING. Visit ridgewoodbank.com or scan to meet our team and learn how Ridgewood empowers small business. Ridgewood delivers expert guidance and the right solutions to help your business grow. CHECKING Enjoy free coin exchange, overdraft protection for qualified accounts, and more. SAVINGS Grow your reserves with great rates while maintaining access and connectivity. LEASE SECURITY ACCOUNTS Get everything you need to handle tenant security deposits with ease. MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS Earn more on higher balances and keep your business moving forward. I was looking for a community-based, personal bank that could cater to my business needs” Dahkia Thompson-Graham Owner | upcakesuppliesshopUpcake

Executive Director: John flushing646.783.8985john@flushingchamber.nycChoechamber.nycQUICKGLANCE:Founded in 2014 and repre senting over 200 businesses.

York City with low-cost loans, access to business training & technical assistance, and one-on-one Accompanycounseling. Capital has disbursed over $34 mil lion in loans and assisted over 10,000 immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in New York City since its founding as Business Center for New Americans (BCNA) in 1997, as well as provid ed workshops and one-on-one advice on busi ness management and marketing to over 10,000 businesses.

GATEWAY

GREATER FLUSHING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 39-01 Main Street, Suite 511, Flushing NY 11354

GREATER DEVELOPMENTWOODHAVENCORPORATIONWOODHAVEN BID 82ND STREET PARTNERSHIP 37-06 82nd Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

26 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022

BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER NETWORK (BOC, INC.) 85 S. Oxford Street #2 Brooklyn, NY 11217

Executive Director: Leslie Ramos QUICK82ndstreet.org718.335.9421GLANCE: Budget of $224,000 with more than 200 businesses under its umbrella. The dis trict is on 82nd Street from 37th Avenue to Baxter Avenue. The board meets quarterly with the annu al meeting in June.

ACCOMPANY CAPITAL (FORMERLY BCNA) 78-27 37 Ave., Ste. 1 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Business Development: Tshering Gurung QUICKtgurung@accompanycapital.org347.730.6468GLANCE:Accompany

Capital is an award-winning Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) micro lender that pro vides small and micro business owners in New

BAYSIDE VILLAGE BID 213-33 39th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES

CHHAYA CDC 37-43 77th Street, #2 Jackson Heights, NY 11372

CHINATOWN (CHINATOWNMANAGEMENTDISTRICTASSOCIATIONPARTNERSHIP) 217 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Suite 9 New York, NY QUICKchinatownpartnership.org10038GLANCE:Chinatown Partnership, led by Wellington Chen, was formed in 2006 as new start-up from grounds up to bring residents, business owners and community groups together to rebuild Chinatown following 9/11, and to preserve the neighborhood’s unique culture while ensuring its vitality in the future through strategic Withpositioning.thehighly popular Weekend Walks street festive series, Mid-Autumn Festival, One Day in NYC, annual Beautification/Earth Day, East West Parade with Little Italy, Double Valentine’s Day to promote the softer side of Chinatown and the Jewelry District and all the cafes, eateries in the area. Explore Chinatown marketing initiative, Lunar Stages outdoor film screenings, and Taste of Chinatown street events, Chinatown Partnership helps promote the area as a special destination to live, work, and visit. HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 751123, Forest Hills, NY 11375

QUICKchhayacdc.org718.478.3848GLANCE: Core to our strategy is organizing and advocating for systemic changes that remove the barriers to well-being, housing stability, and economic mobility for our communities. For over 20 years, Chhaya has served tens of thousands of individuals and led the charge on key policy issues for immigrants, such as basement legalization, language access, tenants’ rights, and more.

GREATER DEVELOPMENTJAMAICACORPORATION 90-04 161st Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 President: Hope Knight QUICKgjdc.org718.291.0282GLANCE: Founded in 1967, the group has 75 members. GJDC’s work expands econom ic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable met ropolitan growth.

FOREST

President: Leslie Brown QUICKFHChamber@aol.comFHChamber11375@gmail.com718.268.6565GLANCE:Re-formed in 1995, the group has over 225 members. Chamber meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. at the West Side Tennis Club, 1 Tennis Place, in Forest Hills. JFK QUICKGatewayJFK.orginfo@GatewayJFK.org516.730.3400GLANCE:GatewayJFK is a public-pri vate partnership providing neighborhood services, improvements and advocacy for the District’s off-airport cargo community and all who live, work or visit the area. A vital link in the global supply chain, GatewayJFK is a distinct and unique NYC neighborhood of major economic signifi cance to the region, the nation, and the world.

QUICKaafederation.orgGLANCE: The Asian American Federation’s mission is to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness and organizational development. Established in 1989, the Federation is a panAsian non-profit organization representing a network of community service agencies in the Northeast. These agencies work in the fields of health & human services, education, economic development, civic participation, and social justice.

Executive Director: Christine Siletti

QUICKinfo@baysidevillagebid.com718.423.2434GLANCE:Budget of $218,000 and over 350 members. Founded in 2007, the BID includes commercial property owners and residents on Bell Boulevard between 35th Avenue and Northern Boulevard, as well as a block east and west on 41st Avenue.

QUICKbocnet.org718.624.9115GLANCE: Business Outreach Center Network’s mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, with a focus on low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, and thereby create genuinely brighter futures. At the heart of our mission is the belief that whatever their differences, people and communities share a common goal: to achieve economic stability and growth. Working in partnership with culturally diverse individuals and organizations in support of this shared goal is the hallmark of BOC.

ASIAN AMERICAN FEDERATION 120 Wall Street, 9th Fl., New York, NY 10005

BAYSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 41-16 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361

President: Ed Probst Vice President: Judith Limpert in 1997, the Bayside Business Association services all of Bayside business to address issues and concerns those businesses have with regards to running their businesses.

QUICKbaysideba.cominfo@baysideba.com718.229.2277GLANCE:Founded

@JamCenterBIDjamaica.nyc718.526.2422

MASPETH INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (MIBA) BOC: 96-11 40th Road, Corona, NY 11368 Coordinator: Quincy Ely-Cate QUICKmibanyc.orgqelycate@bocnet.org718.205.3773GLANCE: Covering roughly 600 busi nesses with 30 active members, the Maspeth Industrial Business Association provides a col lective voice in advocating the needs and inter ests of industrial and manufacturing business es in Maspeth. They help companies in the Maspeth Industrial District in developing work force, accessing tax credits, obtaining financing, navigating government regulations and, in some cases, finding real estate.

JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 300687, Jamaica, NY 11430

ROCKAWAY DEVELOPMENT & REVITALIZATION CORPORATION 1920 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

President: Kevin Alexander QUICKwww.rdrc.org718.327.5300GLANCE: Founded in 1978, the Rockaway Development & Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) was established to promote the revital ization of the Rockaway’s economic base and neighborhoods by creating long-standing partner ships with city and state agencies.

MASPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. Box 780265, Maspeth, NY 11378

MYRTLE AVENUE BID 62-14 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385

MURRAY HILL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NY P.O. Box 1897 New York, NY 10156 QUICKmurrayhillnyc.org212.886.5867GLANCE: Murray Hill is a unique residential neighborhood in midtown Manhattan. While there is no formal boundary for the neighborhood, the area served by The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association and its sister organization the Manhattan East Community Association (MECA) extends from Fifth Avenue eastward to the East River and from 42nd Street down to 26th Street (encompassing the 10016 postal code).

President: David Daraio QUICKmaspethchamberofcommerce.org718.335.1300GLANCE:Foundedin 1953, they have 120 members and a budget of $115,000.

Executive Director: Ted Renz QUICK718.366.3806GLANCE: Budget of $500,000 with over 300 retail and service businesses under its pur view. Board meetings are held four times a year with the annual meeting in June. The district includes Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood between Fresh Pond Road and Wyckoff Avenue. Program support is provided by the Ridgewood LDC.

QUICKlongislandcityqueens.com718.786.5300GLANCE:Founded

QUEENS DEVELOPMENTECONOMICCORPORATION 12-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 309 Kew Gardens, NY 11424

ROCKAWAY EAST MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (REMA4US) 1032 Beach 20th Street Far Rockaway, NY 11691

LONG ISLAND CITY PARTNERSHIP in 1979, the Long Island City Partnership advocates for economic development that benefits LIC’s industrial, com mercial, cultural and residential sectors. The goal is to attract new businesses to the neighborhood, retain those already here, welcome new residents and visitors, and promote a vibrant and authentic mixed-use community. The LIC Partnership oper ates the LIC Business Improvement District and the LIC Industrial Business Zone.

Executive Director: Clorinda Antonucci President: Al DePhillips Vice President: Joseph QUICKjfkairportchamberofcommerce.orgJFKCoCExec@gmail.comMorraGLANCE:Foundedin1978, the group has over 200 members. The chamber was chartered in 1978 by a group of business people in and around JFK Airport. It is the only airport in the nation to have its own Chamber of Commerce. The cham ber seeks to create an environment in which mem bers of the business community can work together to enhance the growth, well being and economic development of the airport community and its avi ation industry.

Executive Director: Jennifer Furioli (Twitter) @jamcenterbid (Instagram) @Jamaica Center BID (Facebook) QUICK GLANCE: Founded in 1979, the Jamaica Center BID serves over 400 businesses on Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Boulevard and 169th Street. With a budget of over $1 million, the BID’s goal is to promote and maintain Downtown Jamaica as a thriving business hub and an enjoy able destination to shop, work, live and visit.

MIDDLE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 79-47 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY President:11379 Salvatore Crifasi QUICKSal@Crifasi.com718.894.8700GLANCE: Budget of $8,000 with 35 busi nesses under its umbrella. Formed in 1929. MVCC meets annually and focuses on the Metropolitan Avenue shopping district between 69 and 80th streets. The mission is to improve the area and assist local businesses if they have any concerns or needs.

QUICKrema4us.orgGLANCE: REMA 4 US, Inc. seeks to engage in economic development and revitaliza tion in the Rockaway Peninsula. To strengthen our community revitalization programs and communi ty development efforts in the Rockaway Peninsula REMA works alongside businesses, civic groups, government agencies, and non-profit organiza tions. REMA works to inform the public about opportunities that exist to strengthen the commu

Executive Director: Seth Bornstein QUICKqueensny.org718.263.0546GLANCE: Budget of $1.5 million and a resource for over 2,000 businesses in the borough of Queens. Register online for upcoming virtual events, including: ROCKAWAY BUSINESS ALLIANCE QUICKinfo@rockawaybusinessalliance.orgGLANCE:Budgetof$40,000 and a resource for over 200 businesses. The Rockaway Business Alliance was founded in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy. RBA’s vision is to create busi ness corridors that are clean, safe, and welcoming, with shopping, dining, attractions, and engage ment for the local community and the visitors drawn to Rockaway’s beaches and open spaces.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 27 QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES 84-01 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven NY 11421 QUICKwoodhavenbid.comgwdcbid@hotmail.com718.805.0202GLANCE:Budget of $257,000 with more than 350 businesses under its umbrella on Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. They are providing free benches for store owners along Jamaica Avenue. They also provide 2.5 and 5 per cent home improvement loans. JAMAICA CENTER BID 161-10 Jamaica Avenue, Suite 419 Jamaica, NY 11432

QUICKsutphinblvdbid@verizon.net718.291.2110GLANCE:TheBID

was founded in 2004 and represents 134 businesses, 56 properties and 39 property owners along Sutphin Boulevard between Hillside Avenue and 94th Avenue in Jamaica. NEW MEMBERS Fusion Recovery 130 Central Avenue Lawrence, NY https://www.fusionrecovery.com11599Contact:MitchellBaumanmitch@fusionrecovery.com Ing Groups 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 2100 New York, NY andprojectsstronghaveenergy,projects.OurContact:https://www.inggroups.com10022SamuelIngsam@inggroups.comgroupisalwaysinterestedinnewandexcitingWhetheritisrealestatedevelopment,technologyorconsumerbusiness.Wetheabilitytofinanceinvestmentswithgrowthpotential.Especiallyinterestingarewherewecanleveragebothourexpertiserelationships. The Sandhu Group 15 Taft Avenue Inwood, NY 11096 Contact: Tejpal Singh tj.sandhugroup@gmail.com Triumvirate Environmental 42-14 19th Avenue Astoria, NY https://www.triumvirate.com11105 Contact: Alicia Aniello aaniello@triumvirate.com Passionate about customer service and dedicated to safety, we have been providing environmental services to world-renowned companies for more than 30 years. Antonio Guadagnino -CPA 1945 75th Street East Elmhurst, NY 11370 Contact: Antonio MrTotoG@AOL.COMGuadagnino Complete Safety Services 4142 24th Street, Suite 1403 Long Island City, NY Contact:https://www.completesafetyny.com11101info@completesafetyny.com Devjee Inc. 115 Beach 62nd Street, Unit #B Arverne, NY Contact:https://www.devjee.com11692KathirvelKumararajakraja@devjee.com Empanada On The Rise 102-12 163rd Road Howard Beach, NY 11414 Equitable Advisors 1000 Woodbury Road, Suite 300 Woodbury, NY https://www.equitable.com/equitable-advisors11797Contact:XavierMattonexavier.mattone@equitablecom Festive Brand USA 12-07 Astoria Blvd Astoria, NY 11102 Contact: Padma festiveusany@gmail.comBhandari Fogo de Chao 92-50 59th Avenue Elmhurst, NY https://www.fogo.com11373 Contact: Desiree Maneri Dmaneri@fogo.com J & M Corporate Painter Inc. 3652 Lee Blvd, Suite 733 Jefferson Valley, NY Arinimaureen@jmcorporatepainter.comhttps://www.jmcorporatepainter.net10535Contact:Maureen MEJ Wealth Advisors LLC 13-07 209th Street Bayside, NY https://www.mejwealthadvisors.com11360Contact:MarkJohnsonmark@mejwealthadvisors.com Pig Beach BBQ 35-37 36th Street Astoria, NY https://www.pigbeachncy.com11106Contact:AndrewBrennanandrew@pigbeachnyc.com Structure Point LLC 146-17 182nd Street Springfield Garden, NY 11413 Contact: sp@structurepointbuilders.com The Salvation Army 45-18 Broadway Long Island City, NY alexander.vargas@use.salvationarmy.orghttps://www.salvationarmy.org11103Contact:AlexanderVargas MAJORCORPORATECORPORATE

with more than 250 businesses under its umbrella. The

28 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS

a

STEINWAY ASTORIA PARTNERSHIP BID 25-69 38th Street, Suite 1C, Astoria 11103 Executive Director: Marie Torniali QUICKsteinwaystreet.orginfo@steinwaystreet.nyc718.728.7820GLANCE:Founded in 1991, the BID has over 300 members. The Steinway Street Business Improvement District encompasses all 300 busi ness located on Steinway Street from 28th Avenue to 35th Avenue. National chain stores such as Victoria’s Secrets, The Gap, Benetton, and Express are side by side with local family-owned shops.

SUTPHIN BOULEVARD BID 89-00 Sutphin Boulevard, Suite 204C Jamaica, NY 11435 Executive Director: Glen Greenridge

of

SUNNYSIDE SHINES 45-56 43rd Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104 Executive Director: Jaime-Faye Beam sunnysideshines.orgdirector@sunnysideshines.org718.606.1800 GLANCE: The BID has budget approximately $480,000 mission of Sunnyside Shines

QUICK

SUNNYSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO Box 4399, Sunnyside, NY 11104 President: Vanessa Ceballos QUICKsunnyside-chamber.org718.729.4688GLANCE:With an annual budget of $55,000, the chamber is an organization built around assisting and helping local business and pro fessionals by providing resources to increase busi ness, safety and historical preservation throughout the neighborhood.

QUEENS CHAMBER PARTNERS & AFFILIATES nity, and to create a welcoming and safe environ ment to help expand economic opportunity in the Rockaway Peninsula.

is to invigorate and enrich the economic life of the neighborhood by creating a safe and dynamic commercial district.

William LouisJosephDominickBlakeCiampaFarberD.Laurino

ImmediateThomasAssociateMichelleAssociateYuTreasurerStoddartSecretaryJ.SantucciPastChair

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 29 COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP Kenneth J. Buettner Stephanie Baldwin Chad E. Callahan Sal StevenDavidCrifasiDiraioDeClara Richard Dzwlewicz Charles Everett, Jr. Joseph R. Ficalora Tamara RaymondHowardGavrielofGrafIrrera Kenneth Koenig Lorraine Chambers Lewis Bert PatriciaCarlMeredithLurchMarshallMattoneMezeul Melinda Murray-Nyack Maria NashStephenOdysseusPreussRoe Jeffrey Rosenstock Juan Santiago Thomas Santucci Mark Scheinberg Sher HenryTerriMichelleSparanoStoddartThomsonWan Mark DanielPatrickWeprinYuZausner BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORPORATE MEMBERS Howard SecretaryNashTreasurerPatriciaViceRichardChairpersonGrafDzwlewiczChairMezeulRoe

Patrick

J. Grech President & CEO Joanne M. Persad Chief of BusinessNeilFinancialAlejandraOperationsEspejoControllerWagnerServiceProgram Manager Brendan Leavy Business Development Manager Jacqueline Donado Strategic Program Coordinator Jef ManagerGrossof DevelopmentCommittee

Thomas

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE STAFF SENIORCOUNCILADVISORY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT& Adrienne Whaley Queens Underground Black & Brown Film Festivals queensunderground718@gmail.com Kelsey Brow Kings Manor Museum director@kingsmanor.org BANKING & LAW Paul Harrison Chase paul.harrison@chase.com Jackie Harounian Wisselman, Harounian & Associates jackie@lawjaw.com COMMUNICATIONS Jake Oliver Anat Gerstein jake@anatgerstein.com Henry Ramos Dedline AV henry@dedlineav.com HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS Bert Lurch E Central Medical Management bertl@ecmmgt.com Prabhleen S. Virk Citrin Cooperman pvirk@citrincooperman.com ENERGY Marshall Haimson E-Capital Development marshall@e-capitaldevelopment.com Jay Solly Sol Strategies jaypsolly@gmail.com ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION Bill Staniford Rentigo bill@staniford.com Deepti Sharma Food To Eat deepti@foodtoeat.com FAMILY-OWNEDBUSINESSES Chad Callahan Plaza College cec4@plazacollege.edu Michael Shoule JW Hampton mikes@jwhampton.com FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY Jim Quent Statewide Public Affairs jquent@statewidepublicaffairs.com Vincent Gentile Vassilaros & Sons Coffee vincent@vassilaroscoffee.com MANUFACTURING Lina DeLaCruz Control Electropolishing Corp. lina@controlpublishing.com Azra Khalfan-Kermali Plaques by Azra azra@azra.com NOT FOR PROFIT Larry Grubler Transitional Services of NY lgrubler@tsiny.org Wendy Phaff Gennaro Queens Center for Progress wphaff@queenscp.com REAL ESTATE Martin Cottingham Avison Young martin.cottingham@avisonyoung.com Kevin Louie RIPCO klouie@ripcony.com Michael Wang Project Queens michael@projectqueens.com TECHNOLOGY Sean C. O’Rourke Combs & Company sorourke@combsandco.com Fred Canone fc1281@gmail.com TRANSPORTATION Marlon Taylor NY & Atlantic Railway mtaylor@anacostia.com Phil Jones LIME philip@li.me Vincent L. Petraro, Esq. George Rozansky Gerard Thornton 365 Data Centers A&L Cesspool Services Corp AboveAARP All Pressure Cleaning Abrams Fensterman Ads Engineers, DPC AmnaAerotermConstruction Corp Antun’s of Queens Village Aora ApprovedDevelopmentGeneral Contracting ARKInc., Development LLC Aurora Contractors, Inc. Balkan Sewer and Water Main BankServiceof BedRockAmericaRealEstate Partners, BerkshireLLC HathawayHomeservices Laffey International Realty BJ’s Wholesale Club Blumenfeld Development Group, CapitalLtd. One Bank Carben Construction Inc. Carter Milchman and Frank CDS-MestelCBRE Construction Center for Automotive Education and CeriniTrainingandAssociates, LLP. Champion Elevator Corp. Ciampa Organization Cine Magic LIC Studios, LLC Cipico Construction, Inc. CLEARCitizensRxSecure, Inc. Combs & Company Complete Supply Cord Meyer Development LLC Cornell Tech CPowerCort Energy Management Crann Integrated Solutions Crescent Properties, Inc Cross County Savings Bank Crown Castle Crystal Window & Door Systems, DedlineLtd AV Direct Clean Service Solutions East Coast Energy Group Eastern American Technologies EDGE AUTO INC Emigrant Mortgage Company Enterprise Fleet Management EOS Electrical Corp EW Howell Construction Group First Central Savings Bank FLUID MECHANIC’S CORP Forest Hills Financial Group, Inc. Gatsons Electric, Inc. Gil-Bar Industries, Inc. GOLDEN AGE HOME CARE INC goPuff Graf & Lewent Architects Greater NY Automobiles Dealers HealthyHE2PD,HANAC,AssociationInc.Inc.Corner Pharmacy Heatherwood Communities Himmel + Meringoff Properties HNY Ferry, LLC Hydro Quebec IKEA INDA,QueensAssociation of Nonwoven Fabric Industry INF Associates, LLC Innovo Property Group JInstacartStrategies, Inc J.W. Hampton Jr. & Co., Inc. James E Fitzgerald Jason Office Products JGM Construction Development Kasirer KaufmanConsultingAstoriaStudios, Inc. Knights Collision Experts Inc. Krispy Kreme Laffey Real Estate Levine Builders Littler Mendelson, P.C. Lyons Mortgage Services, Inc. M & T MadisonBankInternational Realty Madison Realty Capital McBride Consulting & Business Mega Contracting Group LLC Mesirow MetropolitanFinancialTaxicab Board of MolloyTrade MountMondialCollegeAutomotiveSinaiHospital of Queens Mr. T Carting Corp. My Benefit Advisor, LLC NewNBCUniversalYork+Atlantic Railway New York Crystal Cleaning New York Islanders Hockey Club New York Life Insurance Com Newpany York State Energy Coalition, Inc. Nonprofit Sector Strategies, PBC Northwell Health Nuvo PatrickOwareco,OnegroupSolutionsLLCB.Jenkins & Associates PGA Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Popular Bank Priority 1 Security LLC ProCleanings Co QSIDE Federal Credit Union Queens R.A.M.S.CollegeMechanical Inc. Red Eye Group LLC REDI Group, LLC Reef TargetSUNationSullivangies,StructuralSterlingStarbucksStandardSt.St.SquadSpectrumSolveSoloSLSignatureSecuritechSamaritanSafetyRXRRipcoRelatedREILTechnologyCapitalRetailCorporationInvestmentSalesRealtyFacilityServicesDaytopVillageGroup,Inc.BankGreenRealtyCorp.Energy&Electrical,Inc.TogetherLLCReachSecurityInc.FrancisPreparatorySchoolJohn’sUniversityGroupCorporationRiskEngineeringTechnoloP.C.EngineeringLLCSolarSystems TGI Office Automation The Center for Musculoskeletal TheDisordersFirstNational Bank of Long TLCIslandVirtual Resiliency Total Fire TransmissionProtectionDevelopers, Inc. TSC Traning Academy, LLC Ultrasound Solutions Corp. United Airlines United Construction & Develop ment Group Corp United Public Adjusters & Ap praisers, Inc. USTA National Tennis Center, Inc. Valley National Bank Vassilaros & Sons Coffee Vista LIC Hotel, Best Western Premier Collection W & M Fire Protection Services W. SCULLY, CPA, P.C. Waste Management of New York WatchLLC Guard 24/7 White Coffee Corp Wisselman, Harounian & Associ ates, P.C. York College - CUNY QUEENS CHAMBER BOARD

Jeff Levine

Joseph M. Mattone, Sr QUEENSBOROUGH (ISSN0033-6068 is published 12 times a year for $12.50 annual ly by the Queens Chamber of Commerce of the borough of Queens. 75-20 Astoria Blvd, Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Chamber of Commerce 75-20 Astoria Blvd., Suite 140, East Elmhurst NY 11370-1131.

30 THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH AUGUST 2022 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH | Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza & Kitchen CONTINUED FROM PG. 16 look at their 12-inch pies, you can see what he means and how evenly cooked the pies are. There is another unique thing they do— however, Dee said it was a secret! Dee’s only uses quality ingredients. Their mozzarella is sourced locally in Brooklyn. They use San Marzano tomatoes, handmilled olive oil, and salt. They do not use sugar or any kind of tomato paste. I arrived at Dee’s on a Tuesday night just before their 5 p.m. opening. Immediately, I was greeted by Andrew Arabian, the manag er, and Dee’s son. Andrew is following in his father’s footsteps as he too worked his way up to manager in the family business. He was also a Division I golfer with the University of Delaware golf team. I chose to sit in the back of the restaurant, closest to their new oven. A beautiful oven, it is a hybrid of wood-fired and gas. One of the advantages of this type of oven is that it automatically rotates the pies, which helps them cook more evenly. Also, they ignite by gas and burn less wood, which creates tasty flavors and is better for the environment.

H-Mart CONTINUED

Secondly, we tried the “Forest Hills,” con sisting of burrata, prosciutto de Parma, and arugula with a balsamic reduction. This unique pie was Mark’s and my favorite. We then had their “Classico Original” and a concept pie fourth, which was not on the menu called, “The Pesto.” This delicious pie included pesto, burrata, bacon, onions, and butternut squash. They rotate their menu seasonally, so hopefully “The Pesto” will be served in the fall.

Nestled on Metropolitan Avenue and 74th Avenue, the recently remodeled Dee’s seats 75 in a spacious setting with a Manhattan feel. They offer six cocktail options, 11 wines, and six beer choices. There is free neighborhood parking and 2-hour metered parking from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. right in front of the restaurant, about 100 feet east of Ascan Avenue. Give Dee’s a try, you will be glad you did. Email me at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us to share your favorite Queens pizzeria and slice. grocery store has grown to include more than 97 locations nationwide. “Our new home is an extension of our Flush ing stores, located on Roosevelt Avenue where loyal shoppers can enjoy Asian food, culture, drinks as well as the freshest pro duce, meat, seafood, and a variety of other Asian groceries at your one-stop-shop for everything Asian and more,” the company states on its Instagram page. “We would like to thank NY residents for all your love and support in making this happen.” FROM PG. 23

Rachel and Mark arrived a few minutes later and it was game on. As you can see, we tried four delicious pies. First was the “truffle delight,” a heavenly white pie with mush rooms, and bechamel (a butter and flour mixture also known as “Roux”) mixed with milk and seasoning. Dee’s French culinary influence came shining through on this pie.

QUEENSCHAMBER.ORG 31 MAJOR CORPORATE MEMBERS

We hope you are enjoying the newly designed, expanded Queensborough, the monthly publication of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. We, the Chamber, direct and approve all content deciding what stories are covered in each issue, editing all copy and forwarding information that is contained in the publication. BQE Media produces it for the Chamber. We look forward to continuing to highlight the outstanding business persons, services and activities that make our borough unique. We welcome all your letters, manuscripts, etc. Please send all materials to the Queens Chamber of Commerce at 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Suite 140, Jackson Heights, NY 11370 or call 718.898.8500 for more information. We reserve the right to edit for space limitations. Your support of the magazine is critical to its success. We encourage you to include Queensborough in your advertising plans. To place your ad, please call BQE Media at 718.426.7200.

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