BORO MAG by Julian Lesser

MAY 2016

VOL 5:18

QNS.COM

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CONTENTS

Dear western Queens,

With the blossoming of the cherry blossoms at Socrates Sculpture Park comes the beginning of warmer months, street festivals, food carts and adventures in city parks. This month, we also celebrate our moms—whether it’s our biological mom, or the strong women who lead us and nurture us. Dina Laura walks us through the way she commemorates the day with her mother, and I share a few dessert spots that remind me of home. Be sure to visit the LIC Flea and Food, purchase a ticket to take your mom to see APAC’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” or pick up a beer book to throw one back with her. As always, please share with us your own personal anecdotes, and send me any tips, comments, news or events to bhawks@boromag.com. Get outside. And give your mom a hug. Gratefully yours, Bradley Hawks

BRADLEY HAWKS editor-in-chief

Queens Beer Book

MY QUEEN(S) Mother

FEATURES 6 NIGHTLIFE + ENTERTAINMENT

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

10 THE ARTS

Nina Dobrev

DEPARTMENT 32 EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Mothers Day

38 THE ARTS

Liz Beard

45 FOOD + DRINK

18 EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Warique

50 FOOD + DRINK

Beer Book

20 NIGHTLIFE + ENTERTAINMENT

Peter Zachari

Dessert Spots

12 MAY 2016 EVENTS

Dating is Hard In NYC

25 BORO DEALS & DISCOUNTS PAGE

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26 MAP IT DIRECTORY

Your go-to guide for Astoria, LIC and Sunnyside’s best shops, food, art, nightlife and more

28 MAP IT: ASTORIA, LIC & SUN NYSIDE MAP

editoR-IN-CHIEF bradley hawks // art director jonathan rodriguez // graphic designerS stephen reina, nirmal singh staff writers bradley hawks, ben mims, daniel crown, lillian shaw, hayley bridgewater, brett jones, meaghan trainor, lizabeth nieves // staff photographers javier ibañez, daniel pando, bradley hawks, lizabeth nieves SALES REPRESENTATIVE graziella zerilli // online editorial coordinator bradley hawks // Published by joshua & victoria schneps All materials Copyright © 2015 BORO / All rights reserved. Opinions and claims made by advertisers are advertisers’ claims only. BORO Magazine accepts no responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. BORO Magazine reserves the right to publish any images without providing photo/image credit. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

4 | BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

TrusTed experTs Jackson HeigHTs office

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MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 5

NIGHTLIFE + ENTERTAINMENT

Patrick Halley

rimore, Billy Low in otk b lo S Lee

Stephen Mark

6 I BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Becca Andrews

Photos b y Terenc e O'Kane

or the last 15 years, Astoria Performing Arts Center, has often presented little-known musicals and introduced them to the Queens community with a fresh and exciting new perspective—garnering nine Innovative Theatre Awards and 36 nominations, and many happy audiences. This year, they are taking a grounded approach to a more familiar production, 2005 winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee,” to reveal the truth while letting the humor come from playing the stakes. The characters' humanity and vulnerability make them so relatable and real. The approach is supported by the design, as APAC is treating the space as environmentally site specific. A space that is already a gym will be transformed into the gymnasium for the bee for both audience and characters to inhabit together. Each member of a lovable, eclectic group of middle schoolers is eager to win the spelling bee. During the proceedings, led by our fearless leaders Rona and Vice Principal Panch,

we meet shy Olive, returning champ Chip, distractible Leaf, overachiever Marcy, activist Logainne, and self-assured William and his magic foot. Through spelling and hilarious song, the struggles and dreams of the participants are revealed and explored as we root for each one. With a tuneful score and lyrics by William Finn (“Falsettos,” “A New Brain”) and a heartfelt, funny book by Rachel Sheinkin, this show leaves us laughing as we are each able to see ourselves in the characters and remember a time when we too put everything on the line to win it all. “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee” is based on Rebecca Feldman’s improvisational play “C-RE-P-U-S-C-U-L-E” and was first workshopped at Barrington Stage Company in 2004. Directed by James Lapine and choreographed by Dan Knetchges, the original New York production opened in 2005 at Second Stage. The production transferred to Broadway where it ran at the Circle in the Square for almost three years, winning two Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Featured Actor. Since then the show has been performed across the country and all over the world. Performances will be offered May 5 to 28 at Good Shepherd United Methodist, located at the intersection of Crescent and 30th Road:

Thursdays at 8 p.m. Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Billy Lowri m Heslens Es ore, teve Emily Borro z, meo and Patrick Hal ley

Tickets are $18 and are now available online at www.apacny.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office a half-hour prior to performance. MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 7

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THE ARTS

Making a Dream a Reality Running a business can be a daunting task, especially right when you are getting started. Whether it’s a restaurant, a clothing line, a yoga studio or stationery supply, the one thing all contemporary businesses need is a viable web presence. How on earth do you go about launching your own website? Dreams Animation is a boutique advertising agency based in Astoria whose mission is to help small- and medium-sized business organizations to establish their brands and reach a higher level of visibility. Dreams Animation was created with an intention of fulfilling the needs of startup companies by providing premium services similar to the services provided by big advertising agencies to large corporations, but at affordable rates. "Our aim is to provide small and medium businesses with outstanding service at an affordable price point, so they can look as good as the big boys,” says founder Ricardo A. Diaz de la Vega. “We wish to tap their potential and help them make their mark online and offline.” Dreams Animation also specializes in online marketing campaigns, growth hacking, mobile application development, SEO, social media marketing, online reputation management, branding, graphic design services and much more. They have an impressive list of clients who give top ratings to the company for their growth. The vision of Dreams Animation is to offer state-of-the-art web solutions to businesses around the world. One of the latest online marketing solutions Dreams Animation has come up with is to take your business online in as little as seven days. You will obtain a professional website for your company that will be custom designed and developed for you by a Dreams Animation expert. Your website will be built using the latest technology using responsive 10 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

Creative Director Ricardo Diaz de la Vega and Operations Manager Nucha

coding that ensures availability of your site across all mobile devices like iPhones, Androids, Blackberries, tablets and iPads. Dreams animation will provide the domain name, hosting, ongoing support and website traffic report. We all know that there are multiple do-it-yourself websites with templates that are time-consuming for a business owner to learn how to use. Which is why Dreams Animation has come up with this simple and very useful service where they do everything for you for as little as $199/month. Dreams Animation's efficient and dedicated team of developers and designers work toward 100 percent customer

satisfaction and strive to develop a lasting bond with each of their clients. To top it off, Dreams Animation has a startup video production special that includes a video production service with staff, equipment, actors, creative planning, script writing and voiceover. The Dreams team can go your store or salon to record a professional video commercial for a flat fee of $4,500. Dreams Animation strives to provide top-notch business solutions that add value to their client’s company and maximize their performance.

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MAY EVENTS Wednesday, May 4th Event Title: Live music: Without George Time: 7:30pm Location: Passage Irish bar and kitchen 40-11 30th avenue, Astoria Phone: 917-832-6680 URL: www.passageastoria.com Thursday May 5th Event Title: Live music: Traditional Irish Music with Donie Ryan and Dave Fahey Time: 8pm Location: Passage Irish bar and kitchen 40-11 30th avenue, Astoria Phone: 917-832-6680 URL: www.passageastoria.com May 5 – May 28, 2016 Event Title: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Cost: Adults: $18 / Senior/Student: $15 Location: APAC Phone: 718-706-5750 Address: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd) Astoria, NY 11102 URL: http://www.apacny.org/showsand-events/current-season-2015-2016/ Sunday May 7th Event Title: Live music: Traditional Irish Seisun with Allen Gogarty Time: 5:30pm Location: Passage Irish bar and kitchen 40-11 30th avenue, Astoria Phone: 917-832-6680 URL: www.passageastoria.com Tuesday, May 10th Time: 8:30 PM Event Title: Stand-Ups Improvise TED Talks Cost: $5 tickets Location: Q.E.D. Phone: 347.451.3873 Address: 27-16 23rd Avenue Astoria, NY 11105 URL: www.StandUpTED.com May 12th, 2016 - May 21st, 2016 Time: 7:30pm Event Title: Passing Strange Cost: $10 Location: LPAC LaGuardia Performing Arts Studio Phone: (718) 482-5151 Address: 31-10 Thomson Ave. Long Island City, NY 11101 URL: http://www.lpac.nyc/event/ ef9f507ed8aa9c8b0e818aad026c71e7 12 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

May 13, 2016 Time: 10:00pm Event Title: Petey’s World Cost: $5 Location: The Creek and The Cave Phone: 646-944-9255 Address: 10-93 Jackson Avenue URL: http://creeklic.com/events/peteysworld-5-2016-05-13/ May 13th Thru May 22nd Event Title: Queens Beer Week Location: Visit our website for all participating business URL: http://www.queensbeerweek.com/ Saturday, May 14th Time: 7PM Event Title: Clip Show: A Sketch Show Cost: Free Admission Location: The Creek and the Cave Phone: (718) 706-8783 Address: 10-93 Jackson Ave Long Island City, NY 11101 URL: www.ClipShowSketchShow.com Saturday, May 14, 2016 Time: 7:30pm Event Title: Live Music - Colleen Raney in Concert Cost: Advance Tickets $22 ea. at www. nyirish.org $25 on the door Location: New York Irish Center Phone: 718-482-0909 Address: 10-40 Jackson Ave Queens, NY, 11101 URL: http://www.nyirish.org/ Friday, May 20, 2016 Time: 7:30pm Event Title: “Forget The Multiplex” May Movie Night - Older than Ireland (documentary) Cost: Suggested Donation Reg. $11ea. Seniors/Students/Unemployed $8ea Location: New York Irish Center Phone: 718-482-0909 Address: 10-40 Jackson Ave Queens, NY, 11101 URL: http://www.nyirish.org/ Saturday, May 21, 2016 Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm Event Title: Queens Council of the Arts The Astoria Choir - BRAHMS REQUIEM - Season Finale Cost: $15/$20 in advance online, $20/$25 at the door. Location: Redeemer Episcopal Church Address: Crescent St & 30th Rd Astoria

Find more events at www.BOROmag.com/Events URL: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/ calendar/2016/5/21/the-astoria-choirbrahms-requiem-season-finale Saturday, May 21, 2016 Time: 1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Event Title: Celebrate Astoria! International Cultural Festival Cost: Free Location: Astoria Park Phone: (718) 728-7820 Address: Great Lawn in Astoria Park Accessible Shore Boulevard between Hell Gate Bridge and the playground URL: http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/ astoria-park/events/2016/05/21/celebrateastoria-international-cultural-festival Sunday, May 22, 2016 Time: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Event Title: Street Fair and Celebration Cost: FREE Location: Kaufman Astoria Studios backlot (36 Street, between 34 & 35 Ave), Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35 Ave), and surrounding streets—at the heart of the Kaufman Arts District Phone: 718 777 6888 URL: http://www.movingimage.us/visit/ calendar/2016/05/22/detail/new-york-onlocation Other: Admission is also free to the Museum all day. May 24th 2016 Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm Event Title: Taste of Sunnyside Cost: $65 VIP / $35 General Advanced Tickets Only Location: Queens Boulevard and 46th Street, under the elevated 7 train Phone: (718) 606-1800 URL: http://www.sunnysideshines.org/ taste-sunnyside Thursday, May 26, 2016 Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm Event Title: Queens Council of the Arts 50th Anniversary Dance Party! Cost: Visit our Website for different purchasing offers Location: L.I.C Landing Phone: 347-505-3013 or development@ queenscouncilarts.org Address: 52-10 Center Boulevard Long Island City, NY 11101 URL: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/ calendar/qca-50th

ONGOING events every Monday @ 1pm - 2am All Night Happy Hour FREE RaR Bar - Rest-au-Rant 718-729-9009 30-01 35th Avenue (corner of 30th Street), LIC www.rarbarlic.com $5 wines, fries and artichoke hearts, $4 beer cans, $3 sliders and tacos, $2 off all drafts all night every Monday (1pm-7pm Tue-Fri) every Tuesday @ 10pm - 11 pm RaR Bar comedy Show FREE RaR Bar - Rest-au-Rant 718-729-9009 30-01 35th Avenue (corner of 30th Street), LIC www.rarbarlic.com Astoria’s longest running comedy show - come see for yourself why every Wednesday @ 4pm Wine Wednesdays 20%off every bottle of wine FREE RaR Bar - Rest-au-Rant 718-729-9009 30-01 35th Avenue (corner of 30th Street), LIC www.rarbarlic.com Every Thursday @ 7-10 PM Live Jazz Alobar 46-42 Vernon Blvd., LIC 718-752-6000 www.AlobarNYC.com

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EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Queens Beer Book

brings craft beer fans to boroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bars and breweries 18 I BOROMAG.COM I may 2016

eer drinkers of Queens, rejoice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the second annual Queens Beer Book, a book providing beer drinkers with free pints at 31 different beer halls, breweries, restaurants and beer shops in Queens, is now on sale on QNS.com. The Queens Beer Book, published jointly by QNS (parent company of BORO Magazine, LIC Magazine, The Queens Courier, Ridgewood Times and QNS.com) and Brokelyn.com, a popular lifestyle blog based in Brooklyn, which created the original Brooklyn Beer Book, is a bar guide and beer passport that brings craft beer fans to a selection of the best beer purveyors in Queens. The book, curated by Cat Wolinski, freelance journalist and beer writer based in Brooklyn with family ties in Queens, is intended to introduce New

York City locals to businesses in their area and support the burgeoning beer scene in Queens. Along with giving budget-friendly drinkers free brews in neighborhoods including Astoria, Bayside, Forest Hills, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Ridgewood and Woodside, the book is intended to encourage the craft beer-curious to discover new bars and breweries in their area, as well as to motivate Queens drinkers to get out and try new brews outside of their normal repertoire — many of which are brewed right here in Queens. “I’m very excited to be releasing our second annual Queens Beer Book,” said Wolinski, who is a regular contributor to Brokelyn, Civil Eats, Men’s Journal and Ale Street News, among other publications. “This book is a go-to guide to the many breweries, bars and beercentric eateries that are creating a craft beer community in Queens. Additionally, it’s a way for locals to discover the

Queens Beer Book Participating Locations • 60 Beans Kitchen & Coffee • Alobar • Astoria Bier & Cheese (Ditmars) • Beer Belly’s • Beer Closet • Bierleichen • Bierocracy • Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden • Bowery Bay • Bridge & Tunnel Brewery • The Courtyard Ale House • Diamond Dogs • Jagerhaus • John Brown Smokehouse • LIC Beer Project • The Local Bar • Maggie Mae’s • Max Bratwurst Und Bier • The Monk • The Other Place • Press 195 • Proof & Gauge (at Astoria Distilling Company) • The Queens Kickshaw • The Ridgewood Ale House • Rest-au-Rant (RaR Bar) • Rockaway Brewing • SingleCut Beersmiths • Snowdonia • The Standing Room • Unidentified Flying Chickens • Woodbines

incredible amount of beer styles that are being brewed in the borough, from straightforward pilsners to barrelaged, farmhouse-style ales.” Breweries participating the 2016 Queens Beer Book include Bridge & Tunnel Brewery of Ridgewood; LIC Beer Project and Rockaway Brewing of Long Island City; and SingleCut Beersmiths, the first brewery to open post-prohibition in Queens, located in Astoria. Beer halls and beer bars include Beer Belly’s (Bayside), Bierleichen (Ridgewood), Bierocracy (Long Island City), Bohemian Hall (Astoria) and Jagerhaus (Rego Park), with several res-

taurants and beer-purveying hybrids also making the roster. “This book provides 31 opportunities for those who appreciate beer as both a beverage and a community to encounter new business or new beers they might like and didn’t know about before,” said Wolinski, who has also curated and edited the similar Brooklyn Beer Book, by Brokelyn, since 2010. “At the same time, businesses are rewarded for supporting the craft beer and brewing community in Queens by having hundreds of new customers cross their thresholds.” The Queens Beer Book will be on sale on QNS.com, Brokelyn.com and at the LIC Flea. may 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 19

+ ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE

One Size Interview by Dina Laura

an an overweight gay man find love with the help of his drag queen roommate, a stripper-turned-evangelist, a lazy-eyed nymphomaniac and even the soulful presence of Afrodite? Such is the question posed by playwright Peter Zachari in his latest play, “One Love,” opening this month at Theater for the New City in NYC. A six-year resident of Astoria, Peter has penned a multitude of shows, several of which have won awards. His musical, “Parker & Dizzy’s Fabulous Journey to the End of the Rainbow,” starring Karen Lynn Gorney (“Saturday Night Fever”), Rodiney Santiago (“The A-List: New York”) and drag-personality Hedda Lettuce, premiered at The New York International Fringe Festival in 2011. He holds an MFA from the University of Florida and taught acting and directing at Salem State College for more than six years. I recently sat down with this versatile artist to ask him just how, exactly, he is able to do all the things he does. What inspired you to write this story? How much of yourself is in it? “One Love” is actually the very first play I ever wrote and the only play of mine that hasn’t been produced. I wrote it 15 years ago. When I was an auditioning actor, my oversized body led me to the most unflattering roles. One time just my stomach got an audition. Truly. “Lift up your shirt and show us how your stomach feels. Make it happy! Make it excited!” My physical “type” overshadowed my talent and I was the punch line of many a visual joke. I wanted more control over the 20 I BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

roles I played, and what overweight characters could say and be, so I started playwriting. My objective evolved past body size to give a voice to other voiceless members of society. I wanted to tell untold stories of unlikely heroes: outcasts, misfits. My characters challenge the

audience’s perceptions of gender, sexuality, beauty, politics and authenticity. So I’d like to think that a lot of me is in this, no pun intended. But then I also think there are pieces of me scattered throughout all my plays.

Does NOT Fit All a sexy stranger from Idaho enters his life does he have the courage to finally face those demons preventing him from finding happiness. I imagine this story appeals to just about everybody. You could probably poll a hundred people on the streets of New York from all walks of life and asked if they have been burned by love and the majority of them would say, “Definitely.” The theme is pretty universal. We just happen to tell it with an overweight gay man, a drag queen, a former-stripper-turned-Conservative, a lazy-eyed nymphomaniac and a mysterious woman named Afrodite.

What is the heart of your story about and who do you think it will most appeal to? Hunter is an overweight gay man who got burned by love in the past. The ghost of that relationship leaves him unable to find love even in his fantasies. Only when

You have partnered with Theater for the New City on four of your shows. How did that relationship come about? My collaborator Joey and I were walking around Manhattan trying to find a space to perform “Fat Asses: The Musical.” We randomly passed Theater for the New City and decided, "What the hell? Let's go in." We explained who we were and then Crystal Field, the executive director, turned the corner. I knew I had about 30 seconds to pitch the show. So I did, and she just paused, looked at us and said, "Well, you two look really interesting." When we walked out the door, we didn't even make it to the subway before we got a call. Crystal wanted to

present our show. And we've been there for four years in a row. We work with the whole TNC design staff. They're family. You are an actor, writer, director and teacher. What do you like about each, and is there one that you prefer and why? Writing is the most solitary and spiritual part. You are actually creating lives to present to the world so it really feels like giving birth. Directing brings the baby to life as you assist them to learn to walk, to talk and feel. Actors get to be the life of these characters and agree to temporarily lend their bodies and voices to these creations. And the teacher in me beams during rehearsal when any discovery is made by the artist. Ultimately you hope to create a piece of material that will ignite the passions of all artists involved, which in turn will make for a very enjoyable experience for the audience. In your last play "Under the Knife," which also debuted at Theater for the New City, you were the writer, director and one of the actors. What made you step back from acting in this piece? “Under the Knife” was a fantastic experience. We had a solid ensemble of top-notch actors so it was easy to inject myself into the craziness of that farce. But it is quite taxing. MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 21

+ ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLIFE

To direct from the stage, rather than off, is not impossible but it is hard to close your eyes as the writer and director when you are onstage as an actor. When you wear that many hats people will continue to turn to you should any problem arise. In 2011, I wrote, directed and acted in “Parker & Dizzy’s Fabulous Journey to the End of the Rainbow” for the New York International Fringe Festival. Hurricane Irene was approaching. When the first act ended I walked offstage, and was notified that our final show was canceled and that we needed to strike our show after the second act in order to get out before the storm hit. I literally had minutes during intermission to figure out how to get vans over to the theater and then still walk onstage for act two and perform as if none of that craziness existed. Needless to say, it’s much less stressful to wear a few less hats. How does it differ to direct your own work versus someone else's? Is one less stressful/ enjoyable than the other? It feels very natural for me to direct my own work because I have already visualized the production from a writer’s point of view. I actually watch the play in my mind and then transcribe it. Call it a kind of channeling if you will. I approach other playwrights’ works in a visually similar way. If you read the play carefully enough, you will start to hear the playwright’s heartbeat and pulse. Before you know it, you’re watching the play in your mind, and you begin to discover a blueprint for your own unique production. There’s no room for stress. Theater is live and everchanging. I live by the mantra, “It will be what it is meant to be.” You've written both musicals and plays. How are they different, and which do you like better? I love musicals because I get to work with my writing partner, Damon Maida, allowing the collaboration process to start much earlier, although I still hole myself up to write lyrics and book. There’s something magical 22 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

If someone asked you why they should come see your show, what would you say? Because my mother said so. And you don’t want to make Mother mad. OR you can come because you will see a play with a little comedy, a little drama, a little fantasy, an original musical number and a cavalcade of characters that will make you smile and think. about taking words and turning them into song. There is a very specific timing involved and every word becomes very important to the musicality. Writing musicals greatly helped me as a playwright. It really forces you to become very specific with word choice and intention. But I like writing EVERYTHING. Comedy, drama, musicals. You name it, I want to tackle it. Who are some actors and writers that inspire you? When I was blocking “One Love,” I just kept praying for the spirit of Mike Nichols for inspiration. Brilliant director. Woody Allen is an ultimate writer/director inspiration. Harvey Fierstein’s plays and inventiveness greatly influenced me, especially with this current play. Mel Brooks. George Lucas (as anyone who has seen my apartment can attest to.) The list of actors is endless. When I was an unemployed actor in the 90s and I was writing plays while temping on the job, I had an odd idea of writing to my favorite actors thanking them for inspiration. It started with Betty White. Then Whoopi. Robin Williams. Shirley MacLaine. Bob Hope. And they all wrote back! I have a wall of pictures in my kitchen and books of correspondence. Just from writing a letter of thanks. You can do a lot when you put thought to paper. I am attracted to anyone who dares to tell a story and does it in the most personal and daring way.

Is there somewhere you like to go in Astoria to write and be creative? Well, I have written every play or musical in the bedroom of my Astoria apartment. But I do get the most inspiration in the bathroom of the apartment. Not sure what that means. What would you like people to take away from this story? What do you hope they say as they walk out of the theater? I think people will walk away from “One Love” realizing that one person’s problem can affect a village of people. Hunter has the problem but it affects everyone around him in varying ways. Sometimes it’s even safe to keep the loveless around to make you feel better about your own problems. I hope people walk out of the theater saying, “Wow. That was some hell of a production! It had everything. Let’s get some pizza.” TO PURCHASE TICKETS: www.theaterforthenewcity.net PERFORMANCE DATES: May 5th-22nd, 2016 Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 3:00 p.m. PERFORMANCE LOCATION: Theater for the New City 155 First Avenue (btwn 9th and 10th Streets)

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MAP IT DIRECTORY RESTAURANTS

leng thai (b,2) 718-956-7117 33-09 Broadway, Astoria www.lengthainewyork.com

194

Sac’s Place Coal Oven Pizza (B,2) 718-204-5002 2541 Broadway, Astoria www.sacsplace.com

144

alobar restaurant (A,4) 347-752-6000 46-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.alobarnyc.com

163

Antika Pizzeria & Restaurant (c,2) 718-545-0555 36-08 30th Ave, Astoria www.antikapizzeria .com

129

AREPAS CAFE 718-937-3835 33-07 36th Ave (B,2) 2119 Broadway (B,1) www.arepascafe.com

Linn (B,2) 718-204-0060 2913 Broadway, Astoria www.linnrestaurant.com

125

Astor room (C,2) 718-255-1947 34-12 36th St, Astoria www.astorroom.com

LAS MARGARITAS Restaurant Lounge (C,2) 38-01 Broadway, Astoria 718-777-1707 www.lasmargaritasny.com

153

169

Maizal Restaurant (B,2) 718-406-9431 32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria www.maizalrestaurant.com

Snowdonia Pub (B,2) 34-55 32nd St, Astoria 347-730-5783 www.snowdoniapub.com

116

Malagueta Restaurant (B,2) 718-937-4821 25-35 36th Avenue, Astoria www.malaguetany.com

Sugar Freak (C,2) 718-726-5850 36-18 30th Ave, Astoria www.sugarfreak.com

123

Manducatis Rustica (A,4) 718-937-1312 46-3 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.manducatisrustica.com

Testaccio (a,4) 718-937-2900 47-30 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.testacciony.com

199

Tru Astoria 35-19 Ditmars Blvd. Astoria NY 11105 646-878-6000 www.truastoria.com

6 4

Bareburger (b,2) 718-777-7011 33-21 31st Ave, Astoria 718-204-7167 23-01 31 St, Astoria www.bareburger.com

170 18

118

The Barn Restaurant, Bar & Lounge (a,2) 718-728-0305 30-09 21st Street, Astoria www.thebarnastoria.com

105

Basil Brick Oven (B,1) 718-204-1205 28-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoria www.basilbrickoven.com

191

Bierocracy (718)361-9333 12-23 Jackson Avenue, LIC www.bierocracy.com Botana 718-361-6535 34-18 steinway street, Astoria www.thebotana.com Bread Box Cafe (A,4) 718-389-9700 4711 11th St, LIC www.breadboxcafelic.com

19 3

205 204 7 5 26 8 35

Lockwood Shop (C,2) 718-626-6030 32-15 33rd St, Astoria www.lockwoodshop.com

Loveday 31 (B,2) 718-728-4057 3306 31st Ave, Astoria www.loveday31.com

Ornella Trattoria Italiana (B,1) 718-777-9477 29-17 23rd Ave, Astoria www.ornellatrattoria.com Ovelia (B,2) 718-721-7217 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria www.ovelia-ny.com Penthouse 808 (A,3) 718-289-6118 8-08 Queens Plaza South, LIC www.penthouse808rooftop.com

162

PINK NORI (c,2) 718-685-2365 36-06 30th Ave, Astoria www.pinknori.com

109

Pita pan (c,2) 718-204-1633 37-15 30th Ave, Astoria www.pitapanny.com

Portalia Ristorante (b,2) 718-545-3500 35-03 Broadway, Astoria www.portalianyc.com

Flo Lounge Restaurant (C,2) 718-204-6096 37-20 30th Ave, Astoria www.flocafeny.com

183

Queens Kickshaw (c,2) 718-777-0913 40-17 Broadway, Astoria www.thequeenskickshaw.com RETRO PIZZA CAFE 41-02 Broadway, Astoria 347-612-4460 Fax: 347-813-4039

Rèst-âü-Ránt (B,2) 718-729-9009 30-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.rarbarlic.com

Il Bambino (C,2) 718-626-0087 34-08 31 Ave, Astoria www.ilbambinonyc.com

S Prime Steak House (c,2) 718-707-0660 35-16 36th St, Astoria www.sprimenyc.com

william hallet (c,2) 718-269-3443 36-10 30th Ave, Astoria www.williamhallet.com Winegasm Bar and Eatery (c,2) 718-932-3331 31-86 37th Rd, Astoria www.winegasmeatery.com Yajai (b,2) 718-956-9559 33-16 30th Ave, Astoria www.yajaithaifood.com

193

Sofia’s Consignment Shop (B,2) 718-775-8455 32-02 34th Ave, Astoria www.sofiasconsignment.com

201

Château le Woof 30-02 14th Street Astoria NY 11102 718-626- woof www.chateaulewoof.com

PETS

BAKERIES 115

60 bean coffee & tea (C,1) 347-987-3994 36-02 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

Astor Bake Shop (a,2) 718-606-8439 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria www.astor-bakeshop.com

34 138 139

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company 718-777-1121 35-09 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria (C,1) 36-14 30th Ave, Astoria (C,2) 35-05 Broadway, Astoria (C,2) www.bkbagel.com

189

IL Fornaio Bakery (B,2) 29-14 30th Ave, Astoria 718-267-0052

190

Ok café (B,1) 22-04 33rd St, Astoria 718-440-8789 www.okcafeastoria.com

Sweetleaf (A,4) 917-832-6726 10-93 Jackson Ave, LIC www.sweetleaflic.com

Queens Comfort (c,2) 718-728-2350 40-09 30th Ave, Astoria www.queenscomfort.com

Hibino LIC (A,4) 10-70 Jackson Ave, LIC 718-392-5190 www.hibino-lic.com

26 | BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

Belief (B,1) 718-721-4444 29-20b 23rd Ave, Astoria www.beliefnyc.com

LIC: living (A,4) 718-361-5650 535 51st Ave, LIC www.licliving.com

OFF THE HOOK (B,1) 718-721-2112 28-08 34th Street, Astoria (one block from 30th A) www.offthehookastoria.com

babyNOIR (B,1) 646-470-4728, 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoria www.babynoir.net

150

112

Inside Astoria (C,1) 718-956-4000 28-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

Butcher Bar (c,2) 718-606-8140 37-08 30th Ave, Astoria www.ButcherBar.com

SHOPS

108

Fatty’s (B,1) 718-267-7071 2501 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.fattyscafenyc.com

ASTORIA BOOKSHOP (b,2) 31-29 31st Street, Astoria 718- 278-2665 www.astoriabookshop.com

Victory Garden Café 2169 Steinway St. Astoria NY 11105 718-274-2087 www.victorysweetshop.com

Nosh Borough (B,1) 25-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoria 347-746-5542 noshborough.com

159

143

200

182

DUTCH KILLS CENTRAAL (B,3) 718-606-8651 38-40 29th St, Long Island City www.dutchkillscentraal.com

LGC Wine & Liquors (B,1) 718-726-1555 43-20A Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

Mezze Place (B,2) 718-777-2829 31-18 Broadway, Astoria www.mezzeplace.com

Burger Garage (B,3) 718-392-0424 25-36 Jackson Ave, LIC www.theburgergarage.com

DiWine (C,2) 718-777-1355 41-15 31st Ave, Astoria www.diwineonline.com

The Brass Owl (C,1) 347-848-0905 36-19 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.thebrassowl.com

Crescent Grill (B,3) 718-729-4040 38-40 Crescent Street, LIC www.crescentgrill.com

Grand Wine and Liquor (B,2) 718-728-2520 30-05 31st St, Astoria www.grandwl.com

186

202

187

Via Vai (B1) 31-09 23rd Ave, Astoria 347-612-4334 viavai-ny.com

201

Cavo (C,2) 718-721-1001 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria www.cavoastoria.com

Astoria wine and spirits (C,2) 718-545-9463 3412 Broadway, Astoria www.astoriawines.com

184

MONIKA’S CAFE BAR 718.204.5273 3290 36 Street, Astoria www.monikascafebar.com

MexiBBQ (c,2) 718-626-0333 37-11 30th Ave, Astoria www.mexiqny.com

Burger Club (b,2) 718-777-7788 32-02 30th Ave, Astoria www.burger-club.com

Astoria Park Wine and Spirits (b,1) 28-07 24th Ave, Astoria www.astoriaparkwineandspirits.com

WARIQUE 47-17 30th Avenue, Astoria 718-726-5555

Carioca Grill (B, 2) 718-606-1329 29-03 Broadway, Astoria

Vesta (a,2) 718-545-5550 2102 30th Ave, Astoria www.vestavino.com

148

Astoria Bier & Cheese (C,2) 718-545-5588 34-14 Broadway, Astoria

124

117

112

Skinny’s (a,4) 718-806-1068 47-05 Center Blvd, LIC

Mojave Restaurant (B,1) 718-545-4100 22-36 31st Street, Astoria www.mojaveny.com

Brick Cafe (B,2) 718-267-2735 30-95 33rd St, Astoria www.brickcafe.com

181

Vinte Vinosteria 718-278-8483 31-05 34th St, Astoria www.vitevinosteria.com

Café via espresso (C,1) 718-545-3290 2409 Steinway St, Astoria www.cafeviaespressoastoria.com

Sage General Store (b,4) 718-361-0707 24-20 Jackson Ave, LIC www.sagegeneralstore.com Shi (a,4) 347-242-2450 4720 Center Blvd, LIC www.eatdrinkshi.com

Michael’s Cafe (B,3) (located inside Four Points Sheraton) 347-536-3633 27-05 39th Ave, LIC www.michaelscafeny.com

Café Bar (C,2) 718-204-5273 32-90 36th St, Astoria www.cafebarastoria.com

MEET THE MEAT 23-92 21st Street Astoria, NY 11105 917.832.7984 www.meetthemeat.net

133

176

LIC Market (B,4) 718-361-0013 21-52 44th Dr, LIC www.licmarket.com

WINES & SPIRITS 36

FOOD SHOPS

121 75

City Vet (A,4) 718-433-1334 45-44 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.cityvetnyc.com LIC Veterinary Center (A,4) 718-383-8387 48-18 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.licvets.com Steinway Court Vet (c,2) 718-728-2822 32-41R Steinway St, Astoria www.steinwaycourtvet.com

FLORISTS 160

Off Broadway Florist (B,2) 3204 31st St, Astoria 718-728-2828 www.offbroadwayflorist.com

44 137

Floresta (A,4) 917-612-4446 51-02 Vernon Blvd, LIC 4-85 47th Rd, LIC www.florestanyc.com/blog

NYC FARM CHIC Flowers www.nycfarmchicflowers.com

130

Petals and Roots (B,2) 718-267-1700 31-27 31st St, Astoria www.petalsandroots.com

Food Cellar 718-606-1888 43-18 Crescent Street, LIC www.foodcellarandco.com

168

179

Project Earth (B,2) 35-53 32nd St, LIC 718-204-2161

Admiral lock and Key (C,2) 718-274-2491 37-17 Broadway, Astoria www.admirallockandkey.com

178

167

Yogurt La Crepe (B,1) 917-832-6930 29-02 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.yogurtlacrepe.com

Astoria 35 Laundry & Fine Dry Cleaning (B,2) 3505 34th St, Astoria 718-392-9692 Astoria35laundry.com

Food Cellar (A,4) 718-606-9786 4-85 47th Rd, LIC www.foodcellarandco.com

195

SERVICES

,1)

MAP IT DIRECTORY 119 177

129 207

114 77 173 161 90

Astoria Center of Israel 718-278-2680 27-35 Crescent Street, Astoria www.astoriacenter.org Astoria Cleaners (B,1) 28-19 Astoria Blvd, Astoria 718-545-0680 astoriacleaners.com

Crescent Apothecary (B,1) 718-777-1110 25-01 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.crescentapothecary.com

158

Dr. Panagiotis Pagonis, M.D. (b,2) 718-278-0300 30-16 30th Ave, Astoria www.drpagonismd.com

206

174 59

122

energea (C,2) 929-296-9314 34-13 38th Street, LIC EnergeaNYC.com FERRARI Driving School (c,2) 3232 Steinway Street 718-278-6679

The Learning Station Montessori Inc. (c,2) 347-523-0906 31-32 47th Street, Astoria www.thelearningstationmontessorischool. com Mathnasium (c,1) 718-726-6284 43-32 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.mathnasium.com/astoria

MPN Law Firm (C,2) 718-777-0400 3403 Broadway, Ste. 200, Astoria www.mpnfirm.com MY DOG NEEDS A WALK 23-12 29th St. Astoria NY 11105 347-323-4549 www.mydogneedsawalk.com QNS COLLECTIVE (c,3) 718-280-5122 36-27 36th Street, 2 floor, Astoria www.qnscollective.com RCN (A,3) Digital TV and High-Speed Internet Services 212-842-7981 33-16 Woodside Ave, LIC www.rcn.com/boromag Tuck-It-Away Storage (B, 3) 718-519-8282 37-19 Crescent Street, Astoria www.tuckitaway.com Vardiman Eyewear (c,2) 718-204-5037 34-18 Broadway, Astoria www.vardimaneyewear.com

175

Vespa Queens (b,3) 718-786-7772 37-43 Crescent Street, LIC www.vespaqueens.com Voice Music Studio (A,1) 23-11 21st Street Astoria, NY 11105 646-309-3429

EVENTS

38-01 35th Ave, Astoria (C,2) 718-786-7962 10-14 47th Rd, LIC (A,4) www.the-yoga-room.com

127

Tightan Gym 718-274-1606 31-21 31st St, Astoria www.tightan.com

LIC School of Ballet (B,3) 718-781-1169 44-02 23rd St, Studio 216, LIC www.licsb.com

199

Yoga Agora (B,2) 718-626-0680 33-02 Broadway, 2nd Fl, Astoria www.YogaAgora.com

Moma PS 1 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City 718) 784-2084 www.momaps1.org

Museum of the Moving Image (c,2) 718-784-0077 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.movingimage.us

Noguchi Museum (A,2) 718-204-7088 9-01 33rd Rd, Astoria www.noguchi.org

136

SPAS 151 81 188

HAPPY DaY NAIL SPA (B,2) 718-728-8886 31-35 31st St, Astoria Rejuvenate face and body (B,1) 718-626-4434 26-17 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Rejuvenatenyc.com Shade Organic Spa and Salon 36-05 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria 718-278-7892

195

European Wax Center LIC (A,4) 718-482-9299 4545 Center Blvd, LIC www.europeanwaxcenter.com

Baroque (C,1) 718-274-2777 19-44 Steinway Street, Astoria www.baroquenyc.com

Gigi Salon (c,2) 718 -777-7755 34-17 30th Ave, Astoria www.gigistylingstudio.com

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (B,1) 718-274-4925 2919 24th Ave, Astoria www.bohemianhall.com

Break (B,2) 718-777-5400 3204 Broadway, Astoria www.break-ny.com

Brick Bar (B,2) 718-267-2735 30-95 33rd St, Astoria www.brickcafe.com

197

The Brewery Bar & Kitchen 718-777-8007 49-18 30th ave, Astoria www.thebrewery.nyc

Domaine Wine Bar (A,4) 718-784-2350 50-04 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.domainewinebar.com

Dominies of Astoria (C,2) 718-706-6531 34-07 30th Ave, Astoria www.dominiesnyc.com

71 131

The Face & Body Shop 718-204-9390 40-21 23rd Ave, Astoria www.thefaceandbodyshop.com

Primp AND Tease SALON (a,4) 718-472-2001 5-02 50th Ave, LIC

RedkEn SALOON Salon (c,2) 718-956-3366 36-17 30th Ave, Astoria www.redkensalon.com

192

shade organic spa and salon (C,1) 36-05 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria 718-278-7892 shadebarspa.com

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 185

The Cotton Bride (B,3) 718-729-9878 F: 718-729-9740 39-13 23rd Street, LIC www.thecottonbride.com

FITNESS 58

Anthea Yoga & Healing Arts center (c,2) 718-606-0049 34-01 45th Street, Astoria www.antheacenter.com

154

Astoria Complex (c,2) 34-38 38th St, LIC 718-729-7163 www.ascsports1.com

120

CKO Kickboxing (C, 1) 347-669-0494 40-06 Astoria Blvd, Astoria www.ckoastoria.com

NIGHTLIFE/BARS

145 68 111

203

Katch Brewery & Grill (B,2) 718-777-2230 3119 Newtown Ave, Astoria, NY www.katchastoria.com THE STANDING ROOM (a,4) 718-433-4970 4738 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.standingroomlic.com Mosaic Craft Beer & Wine Bar (B,1) 718-728-0708 25-19 24th Ave, Astoria www.mosaicastoria.com Passage Irish bar and kitchen 917-832-6680 40-11 30th avenue, Astoria www.passageastoria.com

Club Fitness (b,2) 718-545-0004 31-11 Broadway, Astoria www.clubfitnessny.com

165

Crank Cycling Studio (a,4) 718-606-6309 4630 Center Blvd, LIC www.cranknyc.com

Studio Sq. Beer Garden (C,3) 718-383-1001 35-33 36th St, Astoria www.studiosquarenyc.com

CROSSFIT Dynamix Gym (C,1) 718-606-0381 36-05 20th Ave, Astoria www.dynamixgym.com

Sweet Afton (C,2) 718-777-2570 30-09 34th St, Astoria www.sweetaftonbar.com

NEXUS NYC (C,3) 718-204-2091 36-58 37th St, LIC www.nexusnyc.com

Tantra Lounge (b,2) 718-937-4574 35-50 31st St, Astoria www.tantraloungenyc.com

PNT Fitness (A,4) 347-396-5809 10-68 Jackson Ave, LIC www.pntfitness.com

166

Renaissance Event Hall (A,1) 718-274-4590 27-34 21st St, Astoria www.renaissanceeventhall.com

156

Four Points Sheraton (B,3) 718-786-8500 27-05 39th Ave, LIC, NY 11101

Super Nova Tattoos (c,1) 718-274-5712 38-01 23rd Ave, Astoria www.supernovatattoo.com

BEAUTY

FOUNDRY (a,3) 718-786-7776 42-38 9TH St, LIC www.thefoundry.info

134

FAT CAT Tattoo (B,2) 718-267-1326 31-32 31st Street, LIC www.fatcattattoos.com

113

Carl Clarke AesthetIques (B,2) 347-631-0922 32-12 Broadway, Astoria www.defineyourlook.com

HOTELS

Body Language Tattoo 347-808-0497 32-02 34th Ave, Astoria www.bltnyc.com

The Yoga Room 718-274-0255

164

Montessori Kids of LIC (B,3) 347-746-5542 5 Court Square, LIC mklic.com

157

e.c.g. debt settlement (B,1) 718-932-9300 29-15 Astoria Blvd, Astoria

Hero computer repair nyc 347-670-4376 Apple/Mac Computer Repair Specialist hero@iamhero.net | www.iamhero.net

TATTOO SHOPS 147

180

Z NYC Hotel (a,3) 212-319-7000 11-01 43rd Ave, LIC www.zhotelny.com

Bookkeeping & Payroll Services Sparklelink 3537 36th St., Astoria, NY 11106 (718) 812-9616

Gotham lasik 718-440-3131 30-80 21st street, Astoria www.gothamlasik.com

Ravel (a,3) 718-289-6101 8-08 Queens Plaza South, LIC www.ravelhotel.com

Blue Bird Child Care 347-832-0103 25-58 48th St, Astoria www.bluebirdchildcareastoria.com

198

196

www.fourpoints.com

142

The Rock Health & Fitness Club (B,1) 718-204-1400 22-15 31st Street Astoria, NY 11105 www.therockhealthandfitness.com Personalized Pilates (A,4) 347-563-3933 10-13 47th Avenue, 2nd floor LIC Sage Studios 347-927-2439 29-20 23rd Ave, 4th Floor, Astoria www.sagefit.com/astoria-home

149

QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (C,2) 347-505-3010 37-11 35th Ave, Astoria Entrance on 37th Street www.queenscouncilarts.org

146

RoGallery.com (C,3) 800-888-1063 or 718-937-0901 47-15 36th St, LIC - by appointment www.rogallery.com

110

SCULPTURECENTER (B,3) 718-361-1750 44-19 Purves St, LIC www.sculpure-center.org

Socrates Sculpture Park (A,2) 718-626-1533 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoria www.socratessculpturepark.org

Ten10 Studios (A,4) 917-449-9539 10-10 47th Rd, LIC www.ten10studios.com

112

the art house (c,2) 516-724-1562 31-06 35th St, Astoria www.gabrieleperici.com

SCULPTURE SPACE NYC (c,3) 47-21 35th Street, LIC 718-806-1709 /www.sculpturespacenyc.com/contact

The Secret Theatre (B,3) 718-392-0722 44-02 23rd St, LIC www.secrettheatre.com

105

Beaudoin Realty Group (A,4) 718-505-9220 21-52 44th Drive, LIC www.beaudoinrealtor.com

REAL ESTATE

128

Astoria fine arts dance (c,1) 718-247-0740 38-01 23rd Ave, Astoria www.asfa-dancestudio.com Astoria Performing Arts Center @The Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (c,2) 718-706-5750 30-44 Crescent Street (@30th Road) Astoria NY 11102 www.apacny.org Kaufman Astoria Studios (C,2) 718-706-5300 34-12 36th St, Astoria www.kaufmanastoria.com

douglas elliman (A,4) 917-386-6164 47-37 Vernon Blvd www.elliman.com

101 140 141

Modern Spaces 718-784-1110 10-63 Jackson Ave, LIC (a,4) 47-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC (a,4) 29-20 23rd Ave, Astoria (a,4) www.modernspacesnyc.com

103

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (c,2) 718-310-4303 3501 30th Ave, Astoria www.wfhm.com

172

Gotham Lasik 30-80 21st St, Astoria, NY 11102 (718) 440-3131 http://www.gothamlasik.com/

135

Mount Sinai Queens (B,2) 24 Emergency Care Primary Care & Specialty Physician 718-932-1000 25-10 30th Ave, LIC

104

QUONTIC BANK (B,2) 31-05 Broadway, Astoria 718- 215-4000 www.quonticbank.com

102

Sussex Bank (b,1) 28-21 Astoria Blvd., Astoria 347-472-1727 www.sussexbank.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

ART 100

Laguardia Performing Arts Center (C,3) 718-482-5151 31-10 Thomson Ave, LIC www.laguardiaperformingarts.org

BANKING

WANT YOUR BUSINESS LISTED IN OUR DIRECTORY? 718.224.5863 ext. 206

Email: ADS@BOROmag.com

MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 27

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30 | BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

SUNNYSIDE SHINES PRESENTS

Participating Businesses 43 Bar and Grill Arriba Arriba

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Manhattan Beer Distributors

Bliss 46 Bistro

Finback Brewery

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Green Valley Marketplace of Sunnyside

Nonna Gina Brick Oven Pizzeria

Claret Wine Bar Cooldown Juice Copper Kettle

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EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Mother

My Queen(s)

Story by Dina Laura

hen I think about Mother’s Day, I have to admit ... a part of me groans inside. Why do we need another “Hallmark Holiday” reminding us to celebrate our moms? If you are like me, and you think your mom is the greatest thing since puppies, shouldn’t EVERY day be Mother’s Day? But then I remember how chaotic life can get and as a writer/actor/server/dog walker, a day where I can catch my breath and devote myself to the wonders of my mom might just be exactly what the doctor ordered! And what better place to treat my mom like the royalty she is than in the borough where she went to high school? Sunday usually begins with a good cup of joe and the latest edition of “CBS Sunday Morning” (a weekly ritual for both of 32 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

us). But on Mother’s Day, I have an extra special treat for my mom: exquisite coffee made by the equally exquisite Natassa Contini, owner of Chateau Le Woof (3002 14th St., www.chateaulewoof.com), a cozy coffee shop and pet store. Coffee and dogs? Count us in! Open since September of 2015, this charming haven already has quite a following, due at least in part to La Colombe, a magnificent craft coffee whose high-end Workshop line can’t be found anywhere else in Queens. And yes, moms, there’s a specialty coffee “cocktail” on the menu for Mother’s Day, The Bumble Bee, a latte made with a double espresso shot, homemade vanilla and wildflower honey, which can be served hot or iced. Yum. While sipping our lattes, we’ll browse the wide variety of holistic pet products for sale, some of which are locally

sourced or available in Queens exclusively at this store. Chateau Le Woof also hosts various in-store events, including seminars on pet health/nutrition, private doggie birthday parties and an upcoming doggiethemed tattoo night! Puppy “happy hours” run Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 7 to 8 p.m., where canines (and their humans)

can mix and mingle. And check out the yummy craick (pronounced “crack”) brownies and Aunt Angel’s Oreo truffles, both made by local Astorians. Bringing locals together is owner Natassa’s focus: “The charm about Chateau Le Woof is that it’s a community. Everyone that comes in knows one another. It’s like the

local Cheers but with coffee instead!” After our wonderful wake-up call, we’ll journey to Bayside to a very special bookstore, Turn the Page ... Again! (3915A Bell Blvd., Bayside, www.turnthepageagain.com). Truth be told, my mom and I are both book junkies. My mom, however, is an Olympic reader, consuming

about three books a week, while divulging plot spoilers along the way (and then denying ever doing it). Discovering this gem is an absolute delight, and their extensive collection of used books are priced from $1 to $5. Turn the Page ... Again is operated by Transitional Services for New York (TSINY), and is an affirmative busiMAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 33

EXPLORE YOUR BORO

ness enterprise, helping people with emotional disabilities get re-acclimated to the workforce. Employees can stay up to a year, and a job developer works with them throughout to help them achieve their goals – whether it’s more education or job placement. The bookstore’s inventory is maintained exclusively through donations from other bookstores, the Queens Library or private donations. In fact, individuals donating books can get a voucher toward future purchases. Customers wanting a particular book can sign up for the “wish list,” and the bookstore will notify you when they find it. Buying a book at Turn the Page ... Again benefits a great cause as well as your soul. The trick is finding something my mom hasn’t read yet! Nothing like a good book to work up an appetite, so it’s time to take my mom to lunch in Sunnyside, at the Dog and Duck Pub (45-20 Skillman Ave., Sunnyside, www.thedogandduckny.com). Located on a picturesque, tree-lined street, both the exterior and interior of this establishment are warm and inviting. (What else would

The Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead 34 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

Turn The Page Again

you expect from an Irish pub?) The Dog and Duck features an eclectic menu that offers not only classics like bangers and mash and fish and chips, but pleasantly surprising dishes such as wild mushroom risotto, duck confit, and curried monkfish. That’s because owner/chef Padraigh Connolly, who graduated from the Westminster Culinary School in London, wanted

to design a menu that went beyond traditional pub fare. And for those looking for more drinking/entertainment options, the Dog and Duck has plenty to offer. The bar regularly features live music, happy hour specials Mondays through Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. and half-price bottles of wine on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 11 p.m. Personally, I’ll go straight for the Bloody Mary to accompany my meal and for my mom, it’s always champagne. The restaurant is serving a three-course prix-fixe Mother’s Day menu for $33 per person that kicks in at 1 p.m. and runs for the remainder of the day. (Note: the regular brunch menu is being offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. only.) Now it’s time to walk off our delicious meal, and what better way to do that than a stroll through history at the Lent-Riker-Smith Homestead (www.rikerhome. com)? Built around 1655, the house is the oldest private dwelling in New York City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The focal point of the house is truly its current resident,

Marion Duckworth Smith, who is only the third owner in the house’s 360-yearold history. Marion moved into the house in 1983 along with her late husband, Michael Smith, and has been restoring it ever since. She positively beams when discussing her home’s illustrious past and the treasure trove of items she has on display for her tours. A guided tour of this incredible home, enriched by Marion’s fascinating tales, is a MUST for any Queens resident. Besides the inside of the home, the outdoor area boasts beautiful plants and flowers throughout the property (there’s even a secret garden in the back complete with a key on the wall), a gingerbread house, and a cemetery with 132 marked graves (don’t miss the entrance gate with the name “Riker” on it). Marion’s husband took her to see the cemetery on their second date, which might seem ghoulish to some, but to Marion it was love: “This house has been waiting for me. I’m going to bring it back to life and it’s going to bring me back to life. And it did. It’s been wonderful ... My childhood dream was to have an old house that I could fix up and I’ve never regretted it.” Marion’s ultimate goal is to live out her days in the house and then donate it, where it can be open to the public forever as a park and a museum. Marion’s personally led tours are $25/person and are scheduled for Saturdays on June 4, 11, 18 and 25. RSVP by emailing info@ rikerhome.com. Private tours can also be arranged. This taste of history reminds me of a time when you had to do everything yourself, so why not stop by Optimistic Crafts (37-02 Astoria Blvd., Astoria, www.optimisticcrafts. blogspot.com), a DIY craft studio? Their

mission: to be a crafty oasis for sharing projects, project inspiration and how-to’s. Optimistic Crafts is the brainchild of Elisabeth Prescott, a woman who learned to crochet at the tender age of 5! The studio is open on Saturdays and by appointment on other days. Classes are available in knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing (all of which the very gifted Elisabeth can do), as well as private project consultations for a mere $15/hour. Crafters can bring in their own project to work on in the space on Saturdays for a suggested donation of $5 to $10/hour. The studio is also a mini shop, featuring carefully selected yarns, supplies

and “crafty” gift items. My mom was a big knitter back in the day, so maybe Elisabeth can teach me to “knit one, purl two.” A Mother’s Day special: the entire month of May, $5 only for 2-hour beginner knitting, crocheting or embroidery classes for joint mother and daughter attendees (check Facebook for scheduled Saturdays and/ or email optimisticcrafts@gmail.com for appointments on evenings and Sundays). Growing up, the baby grand piano in my living room stood testament to the role music played in my family’s life. And we weren’t just music players; we were music LISTENERS. And back then, it was all about spinning vinyl records on what my mom still lovingly refers to as a “Victrola” (a turntable for you younger folks). And there is a perfect place in Astoria to buy vinyl: Hi-Fi Records (23-19 Steinway St., www.hifi-records.com). Owner Javi MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 35

EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Velazquez is simply passionate about records, ever since his older sisters abandoned their Bob Dylan and Joan Baez albums and left them to him. The store has records from every era, past to present, including one of my favs—Blondie (“Parallel Lines” was my very first rock album). Besides mainstream music, Javi supports the local music scene wholeheartedly: “We wanted to have a local music hub where people could come together and exchange ideas, learn about music, promote and enrich these local bands and enrich their lives by knowing them.” Live, in-store performances have featured some of these very talented local indie artists such as The Gantry and Bria Monet. Every Sunday, Hi-Fi has a pop-up shop at Single Cut Brewery from noon to 5 p.m. with a live DJ complete with giveaways, raffles and albums for sale. You don’t own a turntable? That’s okay. Hi-Fi has audio equipment available too, to turn your home into (as Javi puts it) the “ultimate audio castle.” Now that we’ve gotten our music fix, mom and I are down for some more neighborhood shopping. I should mention that my “Queens mother” was actually born in the Bronx (sorry Queens peeps, she is still a devoted Yankees fan) but later moved to Queens and attended Jamaica High School. Nowadays she calls New Jersey home, but loves to visit me and always asks if we can “walk on the avenue” and by avenue, she means Ditmars Boulevard. My mom is the ultimate window shopper, and half the things she buys, she returns the next day (a retailer’s worst nightmare). Except, however, in the case of two exceptional stores: The Little Soap Shop (22-07b 36th St., www.thelittlesoapshop. net) and The Brass Owl (36-19 Ditmars Blvd., www.thebrassowl.com). Both are featuring excellent gifts for Mother’s Day. The Little Soap Shop has washcloth and soap sets for $15, as well as gift boxes with 36 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

The Dog & Duck

Hi-Fi

lotion, soap, lavender sachets and lip butter stick for $30. Custom-made baskets range from $40 to $75. All of these items are made from organic ingredients and are paraben free. (FYI, all soaps at this lovely shop are handmade, hand-cut and individually wrapped!) The Brass Owl has a pop-up shop the day before Mother’s Day from noon to 5 p.m. with three local artists, Single Girl Cookies and card artists Silly Reggie and Widy Cat. On Mother’s Day itself, The Brass Owl is giving 10 percent off all purchases for moms and a “candy bar” where you can create your own bag of complimentary sweets. Make sure

to pick up your very own “I Represent Queens” T-shirt that mom and I are sporting in our photo. (Don’t we look super cute?) FREE mimosas will be provided on both days. What a great place to end our day with a champagne toast – my mom’s

favorite. Bottoms up! What I love about all of these places is their commitment to bringing the community together, whether it’s through harnessing the multitude of local talent or hosting events that allow local residents to meet and get better acquainted. And that’s the best part of this Mother’s Day for me: exploring Queens with my beloved mom, and mixing with our people. My mom may have been born in the Bronx, but her heart (and mine) belong to Queens. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there, and make sure you say hello to us (or buy us a champagne) if you see us out and about!

Pisco bar · Michelin · Happy Hour!

New York Times recommended Happy hour 4 to 7 Monday to Friday www.wariquenyc.com

MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 37

THE ARTS 38 | BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

Liz Beard I first saw the astonishing work of Liz Beard at the LIC Arts Open last year. The honesty and humanity of her work was what initially grabbed me, and now I keep returning to her work to discover even more. BORO is honored to share a few of the pieces of this prolific artist, who is in residency at LICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grand Central Atelier. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bradley Hawks

MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 39

THE ARTS

“To be an artist is a lifetime of exploration. Unmasking timelessness on the canvas, discovering that which is beautiful, human and honest constantly motivates me. It is in the natural world—my ultimate example of design—where I find inspiration in depth of space, the sensation of temperature and texture, and the mystery of human experience. Every set of eyes has the gift of seeing the world uniquely. My art is a constant unfolding of how I understand and discern the world as I experience it.”

―Liz Beard www.lizbeard,com 40 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

The best interdisciplinary arts camp in queens

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MUSIC AND DANCE FROM AROUND THE WORLD PRESENTING

· Argentina Ǧ Ballet Los Pampas

· Bosnia Ǧ KUD Halaturko Organization · Croatia Ǧ Croatian Franciscan Fathers Youth Club · Ecuador Ǧ Ayazamana Cultural Center · Greece Ǧ Cretan Association · India Ǧ NYC Bhangra Dance · Ireland Ǧ McManus School of Irish Dance · Jamaica Ǧ The Braata Folk Singers · Korea Ǧ Korean Traditional Music and Dance Center

SATURDAY, MAY 21st, 2016 1:30 PM PM ASTORIA PARK Ǧ GREAT LAWN LAWN Shore Blvd. Between Ditmars and Astoria Park South

Balloons

Face Painting

This program is made possible by NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides, and in part , by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Bring a blanket or a chair

Rain Date: Sunday, May 22nd, 2016

www.centralastoria.nyc · 718.728.7820 · info@centralastoria.nyc

MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 43

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FOOD

+ DRINK

Anticuchos

TheFoodTemple Story by Bradley Hawks Images from Warique’s Facebook Page

In Quechua, the common ancestral language of the Andes Mountains, the word Warique (pronounced wah-REE-kay) means “food temple.” While the lofty moniker carries with it some undeniably high expectations, that is exactly what the Peruvian restaurant of the same name is aspiring to bring to Astoria at its newest incarnation at the corner of 30th Avenue and 41st Street. The location has seen the swift rise and fall of several businesses over the course of the past few years, such as an over-

priced French bistro, the ill-fated club known as Mix, the burger pop-up known as Zuzie’s, the panini chain called La Bottega, and most recently Stix, the Mediterranean skewer shop that transplanted from Manhattan. Warique is yet another Manhattan transfer, with roots on the Upper West Side, where it served celebrated Peruvian cuisine for nearly half a decade. With the rising cost of rent, however, the owners saw it fit to move to Astoria for a breath of fresh air. Though the corner spot certainly poses a challenge resting MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 45

FOOD & DRINK

just a block off the beaten path of the foot traffic of Steinway Street, history has proven that success on that block is certainly possible, if the juggernaut that is Queens Comfort is any indication. Will the worshipping place of seafood and ceviche be able to draw the crowds required to sustain the same success Warique enjoyed on Amsterdam Avenue? We certainly hope so. Warique is a place where everyone should feel welcome, from any ethnicity, background, or walk of life. Although you may find several familiar dishes on the impressive menu that blend homestyle recipes South America, if you’re game for trying something new, the waitstaff will lovingly offer suggestions for some of the house favorites. I wholeheartedly recommend starting off with a pisco sour, a traditional Peruvian cocktail mixed with brandy and egg whites. A bowl of the aguadito de pollo is a soup I will order every single time I need to warm my soul, a golden chicken broth

with fresh vegetables and tender grains of white rice and juicy pulled pieces of chicken brightened with fresh cilantro. The eponymous salad is a definite must-try, blending quinoa, corn, cranberries, cucumbers and plump cubes of avocado. It’s a perfect palate cleanser between courses, and certainly enough salad to share with two or three people ... or a light entree suitable for one. Perhaps it’s a little Midwest engrained in me for life, but something about cheese and potatoes really satisfies my comfort cravings. The papa a la huancaina was actually one of my favorite dishes of the entire meal, and an appetizer I will undoubtedly order again and again. Tender slices of boiled potatoes are blanketed with a creamy Peruvian cheese sauce of yellow peppers, garlic, melted queso blanco and evaporated milk, all garnished with sliced, hard-boiled egg. Another knockout dish was the Jalea, a heaping mound of delicately breaded and lightly fried seafood crowned with a vibrant salsa criolla. The presentation

will undoubtedly put any typical seafood platter to shame. As we cleared the table to make room for the signature rotisserie chicken, a colorful assortment of side dishes made their way to the table. Tostones were green plantains fried to an expert balance of crispy coating and tender, sweet insides. The maduros, sweet plantains, re-

Leche de Tigre

Tallarin Saltado

Picarones are Peruvian donuts

46 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

minded me of a Latin version of caramelized bananas. The tart and sweet plantains were soft and warm, with an outer coating that was so wonderfully crisped it almost resembled a brulée. Next, the rotisserie chicken was presented. Slathered with a basting of secret seasonings, the marinated chicken is then roasted to order. Whispers of paprika, garlic and cumin, along with the other secret components, result in a deliciously crispy skin exploding with flavor. Ceviche is offered in a variety of presentations, and there is even a Peruvianstyle pasta served with pesto. Kids and adults alike will enjoy a side of salchipapas (hot dogs and French fries). And no meal would be complete without a traditional slice of flan or tres leches. The best deal is arguably the lunch special available weekdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m., which offers a choice of one of 12 classic entrees with an appetizer or salad. Or $7.95 will get you a quarter rotisserie chicken with French fries or salad and rice and beans. Now, that sounds like a pretty decent reason to offer up some praise.

40-17 30th Ave. Astoria, NY 11103 718-726-5555 www.wariquenyc.com

Peruvian Roasted Chicken

Chicha Sour

Warique Salad

Fresh Ceviche

MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 47

open eVeRy saturday and sunday 11am-6pm

EvEry

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48 | BOROMAG.COM | MAY 2016

queens nyc

MAY 2016 | BOROMAG.COM | 49

+ DRINK FOOD

b 50 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016 APRIL 2016

Save the

best for last Story By Bradley Hawks

henever I think of my mom, one of the most immediate memories to surface is the smell of Christmas cookies baking in the kitchen. She would bake hundreds and give them away as gifts. Bon-bons, thumbprints, wedding cookies, chocolate crinkles, every cookie imaginable. My mother is one of the most phenomenal bakers I know, and if she takes the time to bake you something, you know she loves you. In college, she knew the preferred cookies of each

of my friends. When she visited on the weekends, Beth would get a box of oatmeal raisin and Dan would get snickerdoodles. I entered a 4-H project each year in the foods category for 10 years. When I was 5 years old, mom and I even entered a Pillsbury Bake Off—and won. So, in the month where we reflect on our mothers, I thought it would Mille crepes in green tea and coconut only be appropriate to visit a few of my favorite spots to get some sweet baked treats when my mom’s cooking isn’t quite as accessible from Indiana.

Tea + Café

Coconut Mille Crepe at Tea + Cafe

The team behind JJ’s Asian Fusion has recently opened a beautiful new teahouse across the street, called Tea + Café. The lovingly edited teas employ inventive ingredients, like the azuki matchapresso, almost like a frothy parfait of green tea, espresso and azuki beans. While the array of teas may be the initial draw, prepare to return for the desserts. The team is now preparing their own version of the Green Tea Mille Crepes, and the result is divine. Layer upon layer of paper-thin crepe stacked with green-tea-infused custard and a sprinkling of matcha powder. Or try their version also in coconut. You won’t regret it.

3710 31st Ave., Astoria, NY 11103 917-832-7445 MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 51

+ DRINK FOOD

photo by Angela Matua Sugarcube

Leli's

Sugarcube Pastry Chef Mauricio Santelice is making all the desserts in-house, ranging from fruit and liquorfilled bonbons to salted caramel popcorn cake, and a myriad of frozen confections, including lime and fresh basil sorbet, passion fruit and mandarin sorbet, and a chocolate valrhona gelato and lightly roasted pistachio gelato. Owner Peter Zaharatos utilizes a 3-D printer to create molds for his stunning chocolates, and geometry has never tasted so good.

10-16 50th Ave., Long Island City, NY 929-424-5616

Leli’s Bakery Leli’s took 30th Avenue by storm when it opened, satiating the sweet tooth cravings of Astoria’s grand avenue with everything from their delicious cupcakes to their seasonal pies, savory pastries, and mouthwatering array of cookies and steamy after-dinner drinks. They even offer their own version of the infamous cronut. But the thing that I have to order every single time is their exceptional take on the rainbow cookie, available in dark chocolate, milk chocolate and white chocolate. The moist almond cake layered with raspberry jam dipped in a casing of chocolate is the stuff dreams are made of.

35-14 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103 718-626-8090 52 I BOROMAG.COM I MAY 2016

Cannelle Yes, you can walk home (or dine in) with one of the most exquisite varieties of French pastries around, savoring mousses, tortes, tartes and brulees. But the namesake pastry at Cannelle remains one of the most quickly sold-out items, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise. The crisp, crunchy, caramel casing gives way to a soft custard-laced airy interior that will leave craving more.

5-11 47th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101 718-937-8500

Cannelle

MAY 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 53

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