BORO MAG

VOL 7:10 OCTOBER 2017

BOROMAG.COM

OUR HAUNTED

Photo courtesy of Raphael Gonzalez. Instagram: @zurbaran1

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CONTENTS Put down your costumes, candy and jacko’-lanterns for a moment: it’s time for a more spine-chilling aspect of Halloween.

We dug up western Queens’ gruesome ghost stories and spooky tales — it turns out that our neighborhood has quite a few (page 16). Next time you picnic near the Hell Gate Bridge or grab a cocktail at The Astor Room, you’ll be able to impress your friends with one of these local legends.

This month, we’re also highlighting some of the many places you can find live music (page 32), as well as readers’ music-themed Instagram photos (page 10).

KATRINA MEDOFF Plus, we’ve got a few recently opened spots editor-in-chief in Astoria where you can try new food: frozen treats at Gelato & Co. (page 22), Hawaiian poke at PokeWave (page 38) and Mexican fare at Fresco’s Cantina (page 50).

If you’d like to share any news with us, email katrina@boromag.com.

You can also connect with us on Instagram (@boromagazine), Facebook (facebook.com/boromag) and Twitter (@BOROMAG).

Wishing you a happy Halloween, Katrina Medoff

GET THE SCOOP

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6 QUEENS JEANS

Street style in Astoria

8 IT'S HAMMER TIME New brewery in LIC

10 MUSIC TO OUR EARS

BORO readers’ music photos

16 OUR HAUNTED HISTORY

Western Queens ghost stories

22 GET THE SCOOP

Gelato & Co. opens in Astoria

32 QUEENS IN TUNE

Live music in your neighborhood

HANGING LOOSE ON A FRESH, NEW ‘WAVE’

38 HANGING LOOSE ON A FRESH, NEW ‘WAVE’

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PokeWave is new to Broadway

44 BINGE WATCH THIS SERIES Comedic web series about social media

DEPARTMENTS 12 OCTOBER 2017 EVENTS 25 BORO DEALS & DISCOUNTS

Exclusive savings, discounts and freebies for the month of October

in Astoria, LIC and Sunnyside

26 MAP IT DIRECTORY

50 THE TACO THE TOWN

28 MAP IT: WESTERN QUEENS

54 LIC FLEA & FOOD

Your go-to guide for the best shops, food, art, nightlife and more in western Queens

Mexican food at Fresco's Cantina

Final weeks at the Flea

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katrina Medoff // ART DIRECTOR Mickhail Kurov WRITERS Danielle Brody, Ruthie Darling, Nahirovy Figueroa, Colin Holmes, Katrina Medoff, Estelle Pyper PHOTOGRAPHERS Ruthie Darling, Daniel Stor, Marie Torio SALES REPRESENTATIVE Graziella Zerilli // PUBLISHED BY Joshua and 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.

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STREET STYLE

QUEENS JEANS

BY RUTHIE DARLING @RUTHIEDARLING

s the summer comes to a close, we enter that perfect New York season, autumn.

Every fashionista knows that fall is the absolute best time to showcase your personal style: Warm enough that you are not encumbered by a coat, but crisp enough that you can dig out your favorite boots.

Not only are iced coffees replaced by pumpkin lattes, but the entire city seems to become covered in a crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.

This month, the streets of Astoria showcased one delicious style story. That story was denim. From skinnies to dungarees, two-tone jeans to cropped pants, denim was the look of the stylish Astorian this month.

A

McKayla was on her way to her job in Manhattan and I was struck by her suede boots and matching crop top, perfectly framing those wide-leg jeans.

Ronyurys lives in Astoria, but is originally from the Bronx. Those two-tone denim pants are such a perfect fall update to the usual jeans we all throw on. Classic with a twist.

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Skye was visiting Astoria from Florida with her mom. “We needed to escape Hurricane Irma, so we decided to have a New York adventure.”

I loved the ‘90s feel of her outfit, with the ripped jeans and leather choker.

Janessa just quit her job on a whim. “It must have been the solar eclipse!” she told me.

Retirement seemed to suit her, though, as she looked fresh and fallready in her mustard sweater and jeans combo.

Zeni loves living in Astoria: “Everything you want is here!” She looked comfy and stylish in her dungarees, accessorized with festival beads.

I'm not sure who she is, but I need her bag — the perfect complement to any denim ensemble!

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Photo

FOOD + DRINK

Photo courtesy of Fifth Harmony Brewing Company

It’s Hammer Time

BY ANGELA MATUA @ANGELAMATUA

Though it’s been a long journey for the founders of Fifth Hammer Brewing Company, the duo is finally opening their brewery to the public in early October.

Chris Cuzme and David Scharfstein started searching for the perfect spot to operate their 15-barrel brewery in 2015 and two years later are finally ready to welcome beer lovers into their brewery and taproom at 10-28 46th Ave. in Long Island City.

“As long a road and as frustrating as these hurdles have been, they were probably good and important for us to do this right,” Cuzme said.

Cuzme began home brewing in 2001, served as the president of the New York City Home Brewers Guild and worked at breweries in Massachusetts and New York before deciding to partner up with Scharfstein to create their own concoctions.

They decided to open Fifth Hammer in Long Island City not only because of the tight-knit community of young people but also the growing number of breweries in the area. Although they may compete with each other, Cuzme said,

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all the brewers are friends and share ingredients like hops and yeast.

“We love the community here and it’s just a great place with lots of young professionals,” Scharfstein said.

Patrons will be able to order a variety of beers including an IPA, Farmhouse Ale, Stout, rye IPA aged in bourbon barrels, a pilsner, kettle sour blended with fruits and a New England IPA. “I’m an adventurous drinker and therefore an adventurous brewer,” Cuzme said.

The duo will “slowly roll into” serving food but will not cook anything on site. Instead, they will highlight local vendors and invite food trucks to serve their goods in front of the brewery. Patrons will be able to snack on nuts, cheese, crackers and pickles and will also be encouraged to order out.

Cuzme and Scharfstein said they are also proud of the brewery’s interior and the 2,000-square-foot taproom.

“The taproom is very important to us,” Cuzme said. “We want a place to celebrate life and community and individuality of people in here.”

Cuzme’s piano makes an appearance at the brewery along with a bar made of New York blue stone and a variety of vintage hammers, some of which act as tap handles.

The name for the brewery comes from a folk tale that explains how Pythagoras discovered the mathematical relationships between music notes.

After walking into a blacksmith shop, Pythagoras heard five hammers, four of which were making harmonious sounds.

The fifth one was discordant.

The owners said the story represented their “unconventional story.”

“We didn’t grow up wanting to be brewers,” Cuzme said. “It just ended up this way.”

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I N S TA I M A G E S

MUSIC

TO OUR EARS

@ clintonbphotography

W @ despina_dancenyc

estern Queens is alive with the sound of live music, and you love to capture it on camera. Local bands liven up our restaurants and bars, and many local residents also play music regularly, from guitar hobbyists to professional pianists.

We asked our readers to tag us (@boromagazine) in their Instagram pics of music in the area. You sent us everything from a photo of a young child playing a rainbow xylophone to a shot of a clarinetist performing under the 7 train in Sunnyside.

Take a look at some of our favorite photos.

@ tjdumser

@ sandrasferia

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By KATRINA MEDOFF KATRINA@BOROMAG.COM @KATRINAMEDOFF @KATYA_M22

OCTOBER 2017

@ soosiesawyer

@ gbsjukejoint

@ mehtagoesfoto

@ trezposure

@ bripchin

@ desolate_nyc

NEXT THEME: FAMILY

In honor of Thanksgiving, we’re going to feature photos of family in Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside in the next issue of BORO. Take a picture of a family dinner; capture your nieces and nephews playing in the park; set up a sibling snapshot; or send us a selfie with your grandmother — anything to do with the month’s theme. Tag @boromagazine in your Instagram photos for a chance to be featured. @ bobduvet @ barre3lic

@ codymccarthy @ shourjya.mookerjee

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OCTOBER EVENTS Find more events at www.BOROmag.com/Events SATURDAY, OCT. 14 Event Title: Sunnyside Post Mile Time: 8 a.m. to noon Location: Skillman Ave., Sunnyside URL: raceroster.com/ events/2017/13858/3rd-annualsunnyside-post-mile SATURDAY, OCT. 14 Event Title: Free Community Day of Fitness Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: Cosmic Fit Club Phone: 347-670-0019 Address: 21-36 44th Rd., LIC URL: cosmicfitclub.com SATURDAY, OCT. 14 Event Title: Queens Food Day Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Socrates Sculpture Park Phone: 718-956-1819 Address: 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria URL: socratessculpturepark.org SATURDAY, OCT. 14 - SUNDAY, OCT. 15 Event Title: Second Annual Queens Beer Festival Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: LIC Flea & Food Phone: 718-224-5863 ext. 235 Address: 5-25 46th Ave., LIC URL: licflea.com SATURDAY, OCT. 14 Event Title: SkowheganPerforms Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Socrates Sculpture Park Phone: 718-956-1819 Address: 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria URL: socratessculpturepark.org

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SATURDAY, OCT. 14 Event Title: Astoria Bar Crawl: Save the Boobies Time: 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Location: Multiple (Broadway Station, Gleasons, Raven’s Head Public House, The Local, Blackbirds, Irish Rover) Phone: 631-793-6238 Address: Varies URL: give.bcrfcure.org/ fundraise?fcid=1052781 SUNDAY, OCT. 15 Event Title: Board Game Meet Up Time: Noon to 5 p.m.

Location: Q.E.D. Phone: 347-451-3873 Address: 27-16 23rd Ave., Astoria URL: qedastoria.com SUNDAY, OCT. 15 Event Title: Creative Writing Workshop Time: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Astoria Bookshop Phone: 718-278-2665 Address: 31-29 31st St., Astoria URL: astoriabookshop.com WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 Event Title: Go Ricki! Comedy Show Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Q.E.D. Phone: 347-451-3873 Address: 27-16 23rd Ave., Astoria URL: qedastoria.com THURSDAY, OCT. 19 Event Title: Boundless Tales: A Series for Emerging Writers Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Location: The Local Phone: 347-738-5251 Address: 13-02 44 Ave., LIC URL: newtownliterary.org

OCTOBER 2017

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 Event Title: Socrates Farmers Market Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Socrates Sculpture Park Phone: 718-956-1819 Address: 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria URL: socratessculpturepark.org SATURDAY, OCT. 21 Event Title: Smiling Hogshead Ranch 2nd Annual Harvest Festival Time: Noon to 7 p.m.

Location: Smiling Hogshead Ranch Phone: 347-509-4464 Address: 25-30 Skillman Ave., LIC URL: smilinghogsheadranch.org SATURDAY, OCT. 21 Event Title: Feminist Book Club Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Astoria Bookshop Phone: 718-278-2665 Address: 31-29 31st St., Astoria URL: astoriabookshop.com SATURDAY, OCT. 21 Event Title: The American Film Institute: Celebrating 50 Years Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Museum of the Moving Image, Redstone Theater Phone: 718-777-6800 Address: 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria URL: movingimage.us SUNDAY, OCT. 22 Event Title: YA Book Club Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Astoria Bookshop Phone: 718-278-2665 Address: 31-29 31st St., Astoria URL: astoriabookshop.com

FRIDAY, OCT. 27 Event Title: Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere Watch Party Time: 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Location: Q.E.D. Phone: 347-451-3873 Address: 27-16 23rd Ave., Astoria URL: qedastoria.com SATURDAY, OCT. 28 Event Title: Family Painting Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon Location: The Paint Place Phone: 929-522-0086 Address: 31-21 31st St., Astoria URL: thepaintplaceny.com SATURDAY, OCT. 28 Event Title: Halloween Harvest Festival Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Socrates Sculpture Park Phone: 718-956-1819 Address: 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria URL: socratessculpturepark.org SUNDAY, OCT. 29 Event Title: Q.E.D.’s 2nd Ever Media Swap Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Q.E.D. Phone: 347-451-3873 Address: 27-16 23rd Ave., Astoria URL: qedastoria.com SUNDAY, OCT. 29 Event Title: Bookshop Book Club Time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Astoria Bookshop Phone: 718-278-2665 Address: 31-29 31st St., Astoria URL: astoriabookshop.com

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HALLOWEEN

Our Haunted History

Spooky spots, dark tales and hidden history in western Queens

You know Astoria for its modern townhouses and building complexes, its vast cultural diversity, the bike lanes and, of course, the sprawling waterside Astoria Park, but you may not know its past, with large plantations, complex relationships and deathly waters.

There are rumors and ghost stories in every city, and Astoria is no exception. Bob Singleton, executive director of the Greater Astoria Historical Society, said most of the time, “the truth is more fascinating than fiction.”

In the spirit of Halloween, we dug up some haunted stories, rumors and spooky spots that are rooted in fact.

By DANIELLE BRODY @DLB1022

The Hallett family

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Photo via Shutterstock

Mitch Waxman, of the Newtown Pentacle, said when he first moved to the East Astoria neighborhood at 44th Street between 35th Avenue and Broadway, he asked his favorite conversation starter, “Have you ever seen a ghost?” Several of his neighbors said yes, and he realized they were all describing the same ghost, a pregnant, Colonial-era woman in a white dress.

One of Waxman’s neighbors, a lifelong resident, said that his mother remembers feeling the ghost’s protective presence in the room when he and his brother were sick in bed as young children.

Another neighbor, a doctor, had a spookier experience. He reported seeing the ghost in the middle of the night in his bedroom. She came toward the foot of the bed, and then he felt his feet tingle and shake uncontrollably. She disappeared through his mirror.

The ghost traces back to the true, documented story of the Hallett family.

William Hallett moved to Astoria in mid17th century for safety with his new wife, Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feake Hallett, the niece and daughter-in-law of prominent John Winthrop, Massachusetts Bay Colony’s first governor.

She had divorced her second husband on the grounds of insanity. However, it turned

out that insanity was not a legal excuse for separation, according to Marie Carter, an Astoria resident and a tour guide with Boroughs of the Dead who leads the tour Haunting Histories and Legends of Astoria.

Elizabeth Hallett was technically guilty of polygamy, which was punishable by hanging where the couple lived in Connecticut, Carter said. The pair fled to Astoria, where they bought land from Peter Stuyvesant and developed a large estate.

Two generations later, William Hallett III upset his slaves by forbidding them

to go to church on Sundays. In 1708, two of their slaves viciously butchered Hallett III’s entire family one night with an axe, including his pregnant wife and five children. The attackers, who committed Queens’ first capital murder, were executed just as brutally. The female slave was hung at the stake, and the male slave was hung in gibbets, where he was reported to have hallucinations of riding a horse as he bled, according to Carter.

People believe Hallett’s wife is the “White Lady” still haunting the area.

To sailors who experienced the body of water to the west of Astoria Park prior to the 19th century, the Hell Gate waters were true to their name.

“Hell Gate was the most dangerous part of New York’s Harbor,” Singleton said. An average of a thousand ships were damaged or sunk in Hell Gate each year during the 1850s, according to Carter. This was due to whirlpools in the water which made the waters treacherous.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blasted the underwater rocks to alleviate the problem in 1885.

The worst accident in Hell Gate was General Slocum's disaster in 1904, the deadliest tragedy in New York City’s history up until 9/11. A steamboat carrying residents from Little Germany on the Lower East Side to a picnic in Long Island caught fire soon after disembarking on the East River, killing more than 1,000 people, mostly women and children.

In the chaotic, fiery scene, people jumped off into the dangerous waters to try to save themselves. The life preservers,

made with cork, had turned to dust over time, and were ineffective in saving lives. Passengers burned on the moving boat and rescue ships caught fire. Bodies landed on the Astoria shoreline until the boat made it to North Brother Island, a small island between the Bronx and Rikers Island that housed a quarantine hospital, where it burned.

Singleton said he spoke with a relative of a postman who was working that day. The postman threw his mail bag down, running to the Astoria Park shoreline to save people. He said he couldn’t walk along the beach to the water without stepping on a body.

Carter said the local legend is that when the train stops at midnight in the middle of the Hell Gate Bridge, which was completed in 1917, it is letting off the ghosts of the souls who died there.

For more about the dark history of Hell Gate, the Greater Astoria Historical Society is hosting a tour along the Astoria waterfront on Oct. 28 at noon. Singleton said participants are encouraged to dress in costume. Learn more here: https://www.astorialic.org/events.php?id=1255.

Photo courtesy of Raphael Gonzalez. Instagram: @zurbaran1

y

Hell Gate

Photo via Instagram/@thenightshooter

Photo via Instagram/@and_it_was_so

Photo via Shutterstock

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HALLOWEEN

Photos: Peter Aaron/Esto. Courtesy of Museum of Moving Image.

Museum of the Moving Image According to local legend, the Museum of the Moving Image is haunted by loud voices, murmurs in air vents and an AfricanAmerican woman in a white dress who likes to stand by the security desk in the lobby after hours, Carter said.

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Next door at the Astor Room, the ghost of Rudy Valentino, a beloved movie star who died at 31 in 1926, is rumored to make appearances, according to Carter. She said that Valentino has been seen sipping martinis at the bar, but she has never sighted him herself.

It is true that Valentino’s life and death attract the paranormal. Carter said that

Photo via Instagram/@makarmusic

The Astor Room

Photo courtesy of Boroughs of the Dead

Marie Carter at The Astor Room, where famous actor Rudolph Valentino’s ghost has been spotted.

Valentino had his palm read and the fortune teller warned him he would have a short life. She added that his second wife, Natacha Rambova, was very spiritual and claimed to communicate with Valentino after his death.

Valentino, who filmed movies at what is now known as the Kaufman Astoria Studios, is rumored to haunt Astoria and places he lived and worked in Los Angeles.

Dutch Kills apartment

Photo via Instagram/@nast.i

According to "The Big Book of New York Ghost Stories" by Cheri Revai, Long Island City used to be home to a notoriously haunted Dutch Kills apartment.

In 1874, the affluent Daley family moved into a tenement on Jackson Avenue. The landlord warned them that the tenement contained spirits, but the family insisted they weren’t afraid.

One night, the couple heard moaning sounds from outside. When Mr. Daley went to the hall to find them, the sounds moved to the kitchen, then the parlor, and he searched the entire house to find their origin. Realizing that he couldn’t find it, he went back to bed.

As soon as he did, he heard a loud noise, and saw that their kitchenware had fallen out of the cupboards, lying broken on the floor.

One of their young sons suffered convulsions from his fear that night and never recovered. The next night, the family heard cries of “Murder! Murder,” through the house. They eventually left the apartment, claiming the sounds kept them from sleeping. Their son died soon after they moved out. Carter said the haunted apartment no longer exists.

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HALLOWEEN

Also in Long Island City, there are rumors that Roxy Studios, which closed a few years ago on 28-39 Review Ave., was haunted. According to a 2008 New York Post story, when former owner Keith Angeleno died of a brain tumor in 1980, he had his ashes spread on the roof. After, employees reported hearing music playing in empty rooms, clocks falling and footsteps in the crawl space.

A former employee said there were supposedly two ghosts at the studio: an old owner and a man who overdosed in the studio in the ‘70s. He said a coworker and a bandmate both had stories of see-

A photo from Roxy Studios in 2012.

ing someone they knew come into the studio, then disappear, when they were not actually there.

Today, the studio is Otter House Studios, a rehearsal and recording space

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OCTOBER 2017

Photo via Instagram/@izzyfontaine

A photo from Roxy Studios in 2013.

Photo via Instagram/@derrockdj

Photo via Facebook/Roxy Studios

Roxy Studios

that opened in March 2016. The place had been gutted, so it doesn’t look like it did when it was Roxy Studio, but the haunting still persists, according to owner Andrew Kambanis.

“You’ll hear the chains from [the first owner’s] pants when he walks around. Late at night, you’ll hear random chains,” Kambanis said. “It’s not consistent; it’s at random moments when you least expect it.

“When you’re practicing alone, you hear a drum beat in the background,” he continued. “I’ve heard the same thing from people who have stayed over at the studios with me.”

The haunting seems to occur late at night.

“It does get weird at night, I’m not going to lie, when I stay over,” Kambanis said.

His engineer has heard the ghost as well, Kambanis said.

“If I’m away for the weekend and he’s there, he’ll hear a presence in the room when he’s mixing. When he’s working on a band’s tracks, he’ll feel something standing over him. It’s a strong feeling at night.”

The Lent-RikerSmith Homestead Marion Duckworth Smith lives in the oldest private dwelling in New York City.

Duckworth Smith made it her life’s work to restore what was once East Elmhurst’s abandoned “haunted” house into a wellpreserved trove of history on 19th Road.

The Dutch Colonial home, built in about 1654, is in the only surviving farmhouse from the 12-house Riker estate, which once also encompassed Rikers Island and the land where LaGuardia airport now stands. Smith said the cemetery in the backyard, where 132 Riker descendents are buried, probably saved the house from being torn down after all these years.

Duckworth Smith said that everyone asks her if the house is haunted. While she doesn’t believe that there are any ghosts in her home, she joked that perhaps she is being haunted by the history of her property.

“I’m the one who should be haunted,” she said. “I live with [the graves of] 132 of the Riker descendants [in my backyard]!”

The house, which Duckworth Smith’s late husband Michael bought in 1973 from the Riker-Riker Homestead Estate, isn’t haunted per se, but she continues to be haunted by the past. She has gotten to know the Riker family through their neat ledger books she found in the attic, and by meeting descendants from across the country and Canada on tours, at their historical society and through letters. One day, the missing “K” from the word “Riker” on the cemetery gate came in the mail in a brown envelope, dirt and all, from a Riker who had visited the cemetery when it was abandoned.

The graveyard in the back of the house, facing the entrance to Riker’s Island, has

rows of stone and clay tombs. Some of the oldest are hand-etched, and others have faded inscriptions. The oldest tomb marks a Riker descendent who died in the Revolutionary War at Valley Forge.

Smith can recite her favorite inscription on the grave of Deborah Riker, who died in 1818: “Weep not my friends all dear, I am not dead but sleeping here; The debt is paid, the grave you see, Prepare for death and follow me.”

One spooky spot in the house is the library, which Duckworth Smith said is colder than all the other rooms. She suspects something “unpleasant” happened there.

The tavern has a charred door and ceiling from when a tenant in the ‘50s, Mrs. Forcey, set the house on fire so no one else could have it.

Duckworth Smith said the home, as all Dutch Colonial homes, had secret tunnels to hide from Native American attacks. One day a man who grew up in the area came back, claiming that Mrs. Forcey showed him a tunnel in the basement, but by then it had been cemented over by a previous owner and he couldn’t find it.

Duckworth Smith has also put her own touch on the house, which is now filled with antiques and collectibles from Coney Island, Broadway theaters, World War I, the nearby Steinway Mansion and more.

She even brought her own family into the cemetery. There, she showed me a neat circle of stones with the plots of her late brother, mother and husband. There is an empty spot for her.

“I’ll be right there so I can haunt anyone who tries to destroy my work,” Duckworth Smith said. “I never intend to leave. Dead or alive, I’m here to stay.”

Duckworth Smith offers group and private tours of the home. For more, visit rikerhome.com.

Photos by Mary Bloom OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

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FOOD + DRINK

Get the

SCOOP

Gelato & Co. opens in Astoria

By KATRINA MEDOFF KATRINA@BOROMAG.COM @KATRINAMEDOFF @KATYA_M22

You can now get authentic Italian gelato in Astoria — and we really do mean authentic.

A new gelato spot was opened during Labor Day Weekend by Italian Francesco D’Ambrosio, who moved to Astoria four years ago, and his five business partners in Italy, some of whom come from families who have been making gelato in Sicily for generations.

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OCTOBER 2017

Gelato & Co. (2902 23rd Ave., Astoria) uses these family recipes for its gelato, and a staff member even came over from Italy to teach the employees how to make the dessert.

The gelato is made fresh in the gelateria every day using all Italian ingredients, except for the milk. The equipment is from Italy, too, and D’Ambrosio said that it was the best of the best: it’s “the Ferrari of gelato machines.”

Gelato & Co. also offers high-quality coffee, espresso, gelato with coffee and hot chocolate, and starting next month, it will begin selling something that’s “quite new in the United States”: Italian gelato cake, which D’Ambrosio said is different from ice cream cake.

D’Ambrosio said he has been dreaming of opening a gelateria for 20 years, and it was important to bring his own cultural tradition to his new home here in Queens.

“I think it is important that we keep from Italy the tradition of making gelato and put it here in this store in Astoria,” he said.

“That’s the most important thing for us.”

The community has been “very, very warm” so far, D’Ambrosio said. “What I really love about Astoria is the melting pot of different cultures. There is a big Italian community, a big Greek community, a lot of different communities from Europe, but I can tell you that all of the neighbors, [including] the American people who were born and raised here, are very warm.”

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FOOD + DRINK

Photos: Daniel Stor/BORO

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OCTOBER 2017

“Everybody here loves our gelato,” he added. “We’re very excited about this.”

Astoria was the right place to open an artisanal gelateria because the neighborhood is growing very fast, D’Ambrosio said, and because there’s a great mix of families with kids and young professionals who are looking for good food.

Plus, while it’s easy to find good, authentic gelato in Manhattan and Brooklyn, D’Ambrosio realized that western Queens was lacking an artisanal gelateria.

“Our goal was to open a gelateria offering gelato that’s even better than in the city,” D’Ambrosio said.

Plus, Manhattan is full of tourists who come and go; D’Ambrosio wanted his business to become a local staple that residents return to again and again.

“We say that we are serving happiness,” he said. “We’ve seen that in the two weeks that we’ve been open: people are happy when they try our gelato.”

BORO DEALS & DISCOUNTS Be local and enjoy the below offers from some of Astoria and LIC’s best merchants.

Offers available through OCTOBER 2017. Bring BORO or coupon below to redeem discount.

Limited to 1 use per reader. Merchant restrictions may apply.

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NOMAD CYVLES Going Out of Busines SUPER SALE

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Mention the ad get a free dessert with a purchase of a full main course (does not include pocket pita sandwich).

20 PERCENT OFF ONE ARTWORK PURCHASE

(not including any framing/shipping costs) limit one per customer.

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HAIR MAKE UP NAILS.

10-17 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.786.1880 10% OFF WITH THIS AD ASTORIA DOG WALKING 20% OFF FIRST WEEK OF SERVICE WWW.NYCPETNANNY.COM

Enjoy fun, creative workshops every weekend as part of Writers Work Fall Camp.

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20% OFF EACH SEAT The Paint Place NYC Premier Paint and Sip studio

31-21 31st St. Astoria www.thepaintplaceny.com 929-522-0086

ADVERTISE IN BORO ads@BOROmag.com 718.224.5863 www.BOROmag.com/advertise OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

25

MAP IT DIRECTORY RESTAURANTS

6 205 204

ASTOR ROOM (C,2) 718-255-1947 34-12 36th St., Astoria www.astorroom.com BIEROCRACY 718-361-9333 12-23 Jackson Ave., LIC www.bierocracy.com BOTANA 718-361-6535 34-18 Steinway St., Astoria www.thebotana.com

7

BREAD BOX CAFE (A,4) 718-389-9700 4711 11th St., LIC www.breadboxcafelic.com

5

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

8 35

176 11 159

12 231 12

BURGER GARAGE (B,3) 718-392-0424 25-36 Jackson Ave., LIC www.theburgergarage.com BUTCHER BAR (C,2) 718-606-8140 37-08 30th Ave., Astoria www.ButcherBar.com CRESCENT GRILL (B,3) 718-729-4040 38-40 Crescent St., LIC www.crescentgrill.com DIWINE (C,2) 718-777-1355 41-15 31st Ave., Astoria www.diwineonline.com DUTCH KILLS CENTRAAL (B,3) 718-606-8651 38-40 29th St., Long Island City www.dutchkillscentraal.com FLO LOUNGE RESTAURANT (C,2) 718-204-6096 37-20 30th Ave., Astoria FRESCO'S CANTINA 12-14 31st Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 347-808-7338 www.frescoscantina.com

181

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

112

IL BAMBINO (C,2) 718-626-0087 34-08 31 Ave., Astoria www.ilbambinonyc.com JUUZ.ME Handcrafted Cocktail Bar 718-606-1391 19-23 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.juuz.me

19

13 125 220

133

148 235

182

213 150

20 45 61 22 74 74 183 24

194 28 55

MURASAKI 718-482-7088 46-44 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.murasakinyc.com

14

ZENON TAVERNA 718-956-0133 34-10 31st Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 www.zenontaverna.com

NOSH BOROUGH (B,1) 347-746-5542 25-17 Astoria Blvd., Astoria noshborough.com NUMBER 5 718-361-6930 35-43 37th St., Astoria www.no5nyc.com OFF THE HOOK (B,1) 718-721-2112 28-08 34th St., Astoria (one block from 30th A) www.offthehookastoria.com ORNELLA TRATTORIA ITALIANA (B,1) 718-777-9477 29-17 23rd Ave., Astoria www.ornellatrattoria.com ORO RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 718-729-1801 41-17 Crescent Street, LIC www.orolicrestaurant.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

RETRO PIZZA CAFE 347-612-4460 Fax: 347-813-4039 41-02 Broadway, Astoria RÈST-ÂÜ-RÁNT (B,2) 718-729-9009 30-01 35th Ave., Astoria www.rarbarlic.com SAC’S PLACE COAL OVEN PIZZA (B,2) 718-204-5002 2541 Broadway, Astoria www.sacsplace.com SHI (A,4) 347-242-2450 4720 Center Blvd., LIC www.eatdrinkshi.com SKINNY’S (A,4) 718-806-1068 47-05 Center Blvd., LIC

THE BONNIE 718-274-2105 29-12 23rd Ave. Astoria www.thebonnie.com

219

THE LAST WORD 31-30 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.tlwastoria.com

170

MALAGUETA RESTAURANT (B,2) 718-937-4821 25-35 36th Ave., Astoria www.malaguetany.com

229

18

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

T-SWIRlL CREPE 917-832-6815 36-16 30th Ave, Astoria www.t-swirlcrepe.com

POKE WAVE 917-868-1084 35-07 Broadway, Astoria

MEET THE MEAT 23-92 21st St., Astoria 917-832-7984 www.meetthemeat.net

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

184

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

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

200

VICTORY GARDEN CAFÉ 718-274-2087 2169 Steinway St., Astoria www.victorysweetshop.com

29

26

115 33

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) 718-267-0052 29-14 30th Ave., Astoria

190

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

37

SWEETLEAF (A,4) 917-832-6726 10-93 Jackson Ave., LIC

234

PINK CANARY DESSERTS 718-729-1819 13-11 Jackson Ave., Long Island City www.pinkcanarydesserts.com

FOOD SHOPS 39

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

195

FOOD CELLAR 718-606-1888 43-18 Crescent St., LIC www.foodcellarandco.com

211

MET FRESH AND ORGANIC SUPERMARKET Located in the heart of Astoria on 34-14 Steinway St.

167

YOGURT LA CREPE (B,1) 917-832-6930 29-02 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.yogurtlacrepe.com

36 27

ASTORIA PARK WINE AND SPIRITS (B,1) 28-07 24th Ave., Astoria www.astoriaparkwineandspirits.com

38

ASTORIA WINE AND SPIRITS (C,2) 718-545-9463 3412 Broadway, Astoria www.astoriawines.com

187

GRAND WINE AND LIQUOR (B,2) 718-728-2520 30-05 31st St., Astoria www.grandwl.com

SHOPS 143

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

228

56

CITY VET (A,4) 718-433-1334 45-44 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.cityvetnyc.com

223

121

224

218 40

NYC PET NANNY 25-74 36 St. Astoria NY 646-298-5301 www.nycpetnanny.com

230

NYC PET SERVICES 31-21 31St. Astoria, NY 11106 718-350-1635 www.nycpetservices.org

233

POOCHES SPORT & SPA 718-391-0800 47-31 Center Blvd.

Long Island City, NY www.poochesspa.com

206

75

STEINWAY COURT VET (C,2) 718-728-2822 32-41R Steinway St., Astoria www.steinwaycourtvet.com

174

196 95

180 57

FLORISTS 59

160

OFF BROADWAY FLORIST (B,2) 718-728-2828 3204 31st St., Astoria

44 137

FLORESTA (A,4) 917-612-4446 51-02 Vernon Blvd., LIC 4-85 47th Rd., LIC

122

47

NYC FARM CHIC FLOWERS

62

130

PETALS AND ROOTS (B,2) 718-267-1700 31-27 31st St., Astoria www.petalsandroots.com

175

SERVICES

157

168

ADMIRAL LOCK AND KEY (C,2) 718-274-2491 37-17 Broadway, Astoria www.admirallockandkey.com

178

ASTORIA 35 LAUNDRY & FINE DRY CLEANING (B,2) 718-392-9692 3505 34th St., Astoria Astoria35laundry.com

119

ASTORIA CENTER OF ISRAEL 718-278-2680 27-35 Crescent St., Astoria www.astoriacenter.org

65

177

ASTORIA CLEANERS (B,1) 718-545-0680 28-19 Astoria Blvd., Astoria astoriacleaners.com

45

209

AVENUE CHEMISTS PHARMACY 718-545-1010 45-01 30th Ave., Astoria BLUE BIRD CHILD CARE 347-832-0103 25-58 48th St., Astoria www.bluebirdchildcareastoria.com

207

49

INSIDE ASTORIA (C,1) 718-956-4000 28-07 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria

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

LIC VETERINARY CENTER (A,4) 718-383-8387 48-18 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.licvets.com MY DOG NEEDS A WALK 347-323-4549 23-12 29th St., Astoria www. mydogneedsawalk.com

THE BRASS OWL (C,1) 347-848-0905 36-19 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.thebrassowl.com

52

198

54

186

WILLIAM HALLET (C,2) 718-269-3443 36-10 30th Ave., Astoria www.williamhallet.com

90

201

129

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

161

NOMAD CYCLE LLC 718-786-5600 36-58 37th St. Astoria www.nomadcycle.com

PETS

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

50

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

CHÂTEAU LE WOOF 718-626-WOOF 30-02 14th St., Astoria www.chateaulewoof.com

21

VITE VINOSTERIA 718-278-8483 31-05 34th St., Astoria www.vitevinosteria.com

OCTOBER 2017

51

WINES & SPIRITS ASTORIA BIER & CHEESE (C,2) 718-545-5588 34-14 Broadway, Astoria

TRU ASTORIA 35-19 Ditmars Blvd. Astoria 646-878-6000 www.truastoria.com

31

124

BAKERIES 60 BEAN COFFEE & TEA (C,1) 347-987-3994 36-02 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria

QUEENS COMFORT (C,2) 718-728-2350 40-09 30th Ave., Astoria www.queenscomfort.com

216

199

3

32

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

MAIZAL RESTAURANT (B,2) 718-406-9431 32-07 34th Ave., Astoria www.maizalrestaurant.com

WINEGASM BAR AND EATERY (C,2) 718-932-3331 31-86 37th Rd., Astoria www.winegasmeatery.com

MOJAVE RESTAURANT (B,1) 718-545-4100 22-36 31st St., Astoria www.mojaveny.com

227

MAIELLA 4610 Center Blvd., Long Island City 718-606-1770 www.maiellalic.com

108

YAJAI (B,2) 718-956-9559 33-16 30th Ave., Astoria www.yajaithaifood.com

LENG THAI (B,2) 718-956-7117 33-09 Broadway, Astoria www.lengthainewyork.com

169

191

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

114 77

236

BOOKKEEPING & PAYROLL SERVICES SPARKLELINK 718-812-9616 3537 36th St., Astoria CRESCENT APOTHECARY (B,1) 718-777-1110 25-01 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.crescentapothecary.com DR. PANAGIOTIS PAGONIS, M.D. (B,2) 718-278-0300 30-16 30th Ave., Astoria www.drpagonismd.com GREATER ASTORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Quinn Building, 4th Floor 35-20 Broadway, Astoria www.astorialic.org

64

134 66 17

147

K

161 90 198 56 223 224

ENERGEA (C,2) 929-296-9314 34-13 38th St., LIC EnergeaNYC.com FERRARI DRIVING SCHOOL (C,2) 718-278-6679 3232 Steinway St. GOTHAM LASIK 718-440-3131 30-80 21st St., Astoria www.gothamlasik.com HERO COMPUTER REPAIR NYC 347-670-4376 Apple/Mac Computer Repair Specialist hero@iamhero.net | www.iamhero.net SAVIGNANO accountants & advisors 718-707-0955 47-46 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.savignano-cpa.com 718-707-0295 41-18 Crescent St., LIC www.savignano-cpa.com

196

THE LEARNING STATION MONTESSORI INC. (C,2) 347-523-0906 31-32 47th St., Astoria www.thelearningstationmontessorischool.com

95

MATHNASIUM (C,1) 718-726-6284 43-32 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.mathnasium.com/astoria

180

MONTESSORI KIDS OF LIC (B,3) 347-746-5542 5 Court Square, LIC mklic.com

57

MPN LAW FIRM (C,2) 718-777-0400 3403 Broadway, Ste. 200, Astoria

206

MY DOG NEEDS A WALK 347-323-4549 23-12 29th St., Astoria www.mydogneedsawalk.com

174

QNS COLLECTIVE (C,3) 718-280-5122

158 67

59

122

SUPER NOVA TATTOOS (C,1) 718-274-5712 38-01 23rd Ave., Astoria www.supernovatattoo.com

BEAUTY

195

EUROPEAN WAX CENTER LIC (A,4) 718-482-9299 4545 Center Blvd., LIC www.europeanwaxcenter.com

188

17

RAVEL (A,3) 718-289-6101 8-08 Queens Plaza South, LIC www.ravelhotel.com Z NYC HOTEL (A,3) 212-319-7000 11-01 43rd Ave., LIC www.zhotelny.com

TATTOO SHOPS

147

BODY LANGUAGE TATTOO 347-808-0497 32-02 34th Ave., Astoria www.bltnyc.com

215

Q.E.D. 347-451-3873 27-16 23rd Ave., Astoria www.Qedastoria.com

110

226

LUXY LADY 718-786-1880 10-17 Jackson Ave., LIC www.luxyladysalon.com

BOHEMIAN HALL & BEER GARDEN (B,1) 718-274-4925 2919 24th Ave., Astoria www.bohemianhall.com

83

97

72

PRIMP AND TEASE SALON (A,4) 718-472-2001 5-02 50th Ave., LIC

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

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

84

98

46

REDKEN SALOON SALON (C,2) 718-956-3366 36-17 30th Ave., Astoria www.redkensalon.com

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

SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK (A,2) 718-626-1533 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Astoria www.socratessculpturepark.org

197

SHADE ORGANIC SPA AND SALON (C,1) 718-278-7892 36-05 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria shadebarspa.com

112

192

THE BREWERY BAR & KITCHEN 718-777-8007 49-18 30th Ave., Astoria www.thebrewery.nyc

TEN10 STUDIOS (A,4) 917-449-9539 10-10 47th Rd., LIC www.ten10studios.com

85

217

212

STUDIO NOVA 718-392-4962 37-01 36th Ave., Astoria www.studionovanyc.com

DOMAINE WINE BAR (A,4) 718-784-2350 50-04 Vernon Blvd., LIC www.domainewinebar.com

THE ART HOUSE (C,2) 516-724-1562 31-06 35th St., Astoria www.gabrieleperici.com

86

DOMINIES OF ASTORIA (C,2) 718-706-6531 34-07 30th Ave., Astoria www.dominiesnyc.com

THE PAINT PLACE (NYC Painting Classes & Parties) 31-21 31st St Astoria, NY 11106 929-522-0086 www.thepaintplaceny.com

99

145

KATCH BREWERY & GRILL (B,2) 718-777-2230 3119 Newtown Ave., Astoria www.katchastoria.com

SCULPTURE SPACE NYC (C,3) 718-806-1709 47-21 35th St., LIC www.sculpturespacenyc.com

96

222

LOCKED -ESCAPE ROOM NYC 718-274-9700 22-56 31st St., Astoria www.escapelocked.com

THE SECRET THEATRE (B,3) 718-392-0722 44-02 23rd St., LIC www.secrettheatre.com

111

MOSAIC CRAFT BEER & WINE BAR (B,1) 718-728-0708 25-19 24th Ave., Astoria www.mosaicastoria.com

203

PASSAGE IRISH BAR AND KITCHEN 917-832-6680 40-11 30th Ave., Astoria www.passageastoria.com

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 185

THE COTTON BRIDE (B,3) 718-729-9878 Fax: 718-729-9740 39-13 23rd St., LIC www.thecottonbride.com

FITNESS

42

CLUB FITNESS (B,2) 718-545-0004 31-11 Broadway, Astoria

88

STUDIO SQ. BEER GARDEN (C,3) 718-383-1001 35-33 36th St., Astoria www.studiosquarenyc.com

165

CRANK CYCLING STUDIO (A,4) 718-606-6309 4630 Center Blvd., LIC www.cranknyc.com

89

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

76

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

214

THE BEAST NEXT DOOR CAFÉ & BAR 718-482-7507 42-51 27th Ave., LIC www.thebeastnextdoorcafebar.com

100 128

EVENTS

66

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

82

VOICE MUSIC STUDIO (A,1) 646-309-3429 23-11 21st St., Astoria

HOTELS

149

131

157

FOUR POINTS SHERATON (B,3) 718-786-8500 27-05 39th Ave., LIC, www.fourpoints.com

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

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

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

134

94

146

120

TEALICIOUS 718-278-8579 38-01 23rd Ave., Astoria www.tealiciouscatering.com

NIGHTLIFE/BARS

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE (C,2) 718-784-0077 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria www.movingimage.us

THE FACE & BODY SHOP 718-204-9390 40-21 23rd Ave., Astoria www.thefaceandbodyshop.com

175

45

SHADE ORGANIC SPA AND SALON 718-278-7892 36-05 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria

93

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

154

RENAISSANCE EVENT HALL (A,1) 718-274-4590 27-34 21st St., Astoria www.renaissanceeventhall.com

REJUVENATE FACE AND BODY (B,1) 718-626-4434 26-17 23rd Ave., Astoria www.Rejuvenatenyc.com

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

43

71

VESPA QUEENS (B,3) 718-786-7772 37-43 Crescent St., LIC www.vespaqueens.com

65

HAPPY DAY NAIL SPA (B,2) 718-728-8886 31-35 31st St., Astoria

199

GIGI SALON (C,2) 718 -777-7755 34-17 30th Ave., Astoria www.gigistylingstudio.com

ASTORIA COMPLEX (C,2) 718-729-7163 34-38 38th St., LIC www.ascsports1.com

FOUNDRY (A,3) 718-786-7776 42-38 Ninth St., LIC www.thefoundry.info

151

164

TUCK-IT-AWAY STORAGE (B, 3) 718-519-8282 37-19 Crescent St., Astoria www.tuckitaway.com

64

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

SPAS 81

VARDIMAN EYEWEAR (C,2) 718-204-5037 34-18 Broadway, Astoria www.vardimaneyewear.com

62

73

CARL CLARKE AESTHETIQUES (B,2) 347-631-0922 32-12 Broadway, 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

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

166

THE ROCK HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB (B,1) 718-204-1400 22-15 31st St., Astoria

156

PERSONALIZED PILATES (A,4) 347-563-3933

142

SAGE STUDIOS 347-927-2439 29-20 23rd Ave., 4th Floor, Astoria

80

THE YOGA ROOM 718-274-0255 38-01 35th Ave., Astoria (C,2) 718-786-7962 10-14 47th Rd., LIC (A,4) www.the-yoga-room.com

225

WORKOUT FACTORY 5-25 47th Ave. LIC

79

PILATESWORKS 10-91A Jackson Ave., LIC

232

UNLIMITED BODY NY 27-18 23RD Avenue Astoria, NY 917-650-4369

REAL ESTATE 217 105 30

113 127

BEAUDOIN REALTY GROUP (A,4) 718-505-9220 78-27 37th Ave. #5, Jackson Heights www.beaudoinrealtor.com DOUGLAS ELLIMAN (A,4) 917-386-6164 47-37 Vernon Blvd. www.elliman.com

101 140 136 141 103

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

ASTORIA FINE ARTS DANCE (C,1) 718-247-0740 38-01 23rd Ave., Astoria www.asfa-dancestudio.com

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ASTORIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER @THE GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (C,2) 718-706-5750 30-44 Crescent St. (@30th Road), Astoria www.apacny.org

GOTHAM LASIK 718-440-3131 30-80 21st St., Astoria http://www.gothamlasik.com/

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KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS (C,2) 718-706-5300 34-12 36th St., Astoria www.kaufmanastoria.com

MOUNT SINAI QUEENS (B,2) 24 Emergency Care Primary Care & Specialty Physician 718-932-1000 25-10 30th Ave., LIC

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AMORELLI REALTY 718-204-2828 3601 30th Ave., Astoria www.amorellirealty.com

LAGUARDIA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (C,3) 718-482-5151 31-10 Thomson Ave., LIC www.laguardiaperformingarts.org LIC SCHOOL OF BALLET (B,3) 718-781-1169 44-02 23rd St., Studio 216, LIC www.licsb.com

WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE (C,2) 718-310-4303 3501 30th Ave., Astoria www.wfhm.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

STEINWAY FAMILY DENTAL CENTER 718-728-3314 32-50 Steinway St.,Astoria www.alldentalneeds.com

BANKING

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

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SUSSEX BANK (B,1) 347-472-1727 28-21 Astoria Blvd., Astoria www.sussexbank.com

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EXPLORE YOUR BORO

QUEENS IN TUNE I

By NAHIROVY FIGUEROVA

@NAHIROV

f you think you have to travel to Manhattan or Brooklyn to catch some live tunes, you’re wrong.

Queens has plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants that showcase everything from jazz bands to local bluegrass music to Moldovan folk songs.

Here, we’re featuring just a couple of spots in Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside where you can listen to live music while you eat, drink and catch up with friends. Don’t be afraid to explore outside of this list, too; there are tons of places where you can find chill music to accompany your brunch or a local band to introduce you to unique songs.

Photo via Instagram/@cwazytom67. Performer: @amyrivard

The Astor Room 718-255-1947 ASTORROOM.COM

With an exterior resembling the Parthenon and an interior resembling an antique subway, The Astor Room (35-11 35th Ave) is sure to provide the perfect ambience for a memorable night out. The musical performances add the perfect touch to the spacious place — not to mention the creative selection of cocktails served at the bar. And the party isn’t just limited to the weekends; you can enjoy live music every day of the week. From jazz to folk to swanky alternative rock, you’re guaranteed to feel like you’re part of the culture.

The Bonnie If you’re a fan of the cozy brick and wood scene, this is the place for you. The Bonnie (29-12 23rd Ave.) features music that will transport you back to the music fests you attended over the summer. There’s live music on Thursdays starting at 8 p.m. Next up is All Types of Kinds, described as “local grown infections indie rock with a hint of hip-hop,” on Oct. 12, and Ol’ Time Glory, described as “classic booze-swillin’ country and rockabilly,” on Oct. 19. Enjoy their pretty (and tasty) cocktails with food that is served until 1 a.m.

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OCTOBER 2017

Photo via thebonnie.com/Credit: Pat Merino

718-274-2105 THEBONNIE.COM

The Letlove Inn 718-777-5683 LETLOVEINN.COM

Photo via Instagram/@joesgarage_astoria

If you love a vintage feel, The Letlove Inn (27-20 23rd Ave.) is the perfect place to spend an evening. With cocktail names that transport you back to Colonial times like “The Juliette” and “Mutiny,” their musical acts only add to the royal environment, featuring engraved white polished ceilings and their Victorian-era feathered ceiling lamps. There’s the Adam Platt Trio on Monday nights at 8 p.m.; Subtonic Three on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m.; and DJs every Friday and Saturday night, according to their website.

Joe’s Garage Bar Photo via Instagram/@theletloveinn

718-606-0061 FACEBOOK.COM/JOESGARAGEASTORIA The owner of Joe’s Garage Bar (45-01 23rd Ave.) collects hot rods and owns a car shop on 23rd Avenue, so he when he opened up his bar, he gave it a car theme. There’s an open mic every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. where you can listen to local bands. Over the weekend, there’s usually some live classic rock, rock ‘n’ roll, blues rock or alternative music, according to general manager Rebecca Freehill.

Photo via thebonnie.com/Credit: Pat Merino

Photo via Facebook/The 2nd Avenue Mountain Boys

The Strand Smokehouse

718-440-3231 THESTRANDSMOKEHOUSE.COM A place of pure American spirits, The Strand Smokehouse (25-27 Broadway) is known for its loud and rambunctious setting, especially on the weekends.

On Sundays, there’s live bluegrass music by Astoria band The 2nd Avenue Mountain Boys from 2 to 5 p.m. But you can go down there just about any day and be served a large plate of smoked ribs and cornbread with a jar of moonshine on the side.

OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

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718-728-1834 DOMINIESNY.COM/ ASTORIA Dominie’s (34-07 30th Ave.) is an iconic Astoria spot, with its bright blue exterior and dark pink-peach walls. There’s live music every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to midnight, featuring Trample Man and other weekly guests, according to the bar’s website. And you won’t go hungry; there’s a fine selection of pizzas in addition to beer and cocktails.

Photo via dominiesny.com

EXPLORE YOUR BORO

Dominie’s

Boon

by Moldova 347-531-0275 BOONBYMOLDOVA.COM

34

OCTOBER 2017

Photo by Angela Matua

Boon (43-45 40th St., Sunnyside) is a classical European dream. From the delicate dishes to the culturally infused live music, you’ll begin to believe you’re in Moldova. Bite into a Romanianstyle doughnut with apricot jam while being serenaded by authentic folk music.

Check Boon’s website for more info on when you can find folk music, but weekend nights are a good bet.

The Shillelagh Tavern 718-728-9028 SHILLELAGHTAVERN.COM

Photo via Facebook/The Shillelagh Tavern

Photo via dominiesny.com

Jam out in The Shillelagh Tavern (47-22 30th Ave.), a great spot for local bands, where satisfied audiences and high-energy live acts are the priority. From lighthearted rock to heavy metal, the energy in the performances is always high. This tavern is for sure the spot to kick back and rock out. “Nearly every day of the week you'll be able to hear local talented artists cranking out covers and original tunes,” according to the tavern’s website.

The Dog and Duck 718-406-9048 THEDOGANDDUCKNY.COM

Photo via Instagram/@sorayagoesoutside

Photo by Angela Matua

Located within the heart of Sunnyside, The Dog and Duck (45-20 Skillman Ave.) is a chill bar that offers food and good music. Here, you’ll find soothing acoustic music by talented musicians with great voices.

The back section is the coziest, where the walls are lined with rustic couch booths, big enough for you and a couple of pals to dine while you take in the tunes.

OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

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GRAND REOPENING

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37

FOOD + DRINK

Hanging Loose on

a Fresh, New ‘Wave’

BY COLIN HOLMES

HOLMESSLICE88

The diversity of this city leads us as individuals to feel empowered to freely, honestly and passionately celebrate the rich cultures that make us who we are. That mentality is what has brought a whole new culinary adventure to the streets of Astoria in the form of PokeWave, a healthy hotspot that’s changing the way we approach the casual, grab-andgo style of dining.

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OCTOBER 2017

Born in Gramercy, brothers Chris and Jonathan “JT” Tsang spent the majority of their lives in Flushing, Queens. Hitting the workforce at a young age, they’ve been exposed to the ins and outs of the restaurant business through the many hats they’ve worn.

“Everything that we picked up was just from growing up in restaurants,” explained Chris Tsang, the elder of the two.

It is through this hands-on exposure that the brotherly duo built up their confidence to share with the community the inspiring richness of their Polynesian culture.

More than just a sandy hotspot, the islands of Hawaii have a way of life unlike anything you’d find here on the East Coast. Enriched by a fusion of cultures from its floating neighbors, Hawaii acts as the northernmost tip of Polynesia — one of three areas that make up the diverse islands of Oceania. Now, thanks to the Tsang brothers, we mainlanders can experience a taste of what this group of islands has to offer without the burden of a pricey plane ticket.

As an essential dietary staple, poke is to a Hawaii native as a bodega egg and cheese is to a New Yorker: quick, deli-

cious and seemingly everywhere. Traditionally served as an appetizer, classic poke refers to marinated raw fish, typically ahi tuna, and can be found just about anywhere in Hawaii: gas stations, delis, you name it.

The poke bowl is somewhat of a newer concept, taking this delicious snack to the next level as a well-rounded, satiating meal. The poke bowl, which has already taken the West Coast by storm, consists of poke typically accompanied by scallions, vegetables and onions, tossed with soy sauce and garnished with sesame.

At PokeWave, the classic poke bowl is modernized to accommodate the everchanging palates of a diverse community, giving a build-your-own option to those looking to add a personalized touch.

From eel and chicken to shrimp and tofu, the options are truly endless for any diner.

As much of a picky eater as I can be, I succumbed to the idea of adventuring outside of my comfort zones the moment I saw what the Tsang brothers were offering.

They started me off with a classic of theirs titled Big Island, which is the closest representation the eatery offers to the original poke bowl. Accented with fresh

OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

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A R T S + E N T E R TA I N M E N T

cilantro and sliced avocado, the salty, savory soy sauce merged the veggie flavors expertly with the lightly seasoned tuna.

The meal was perfectly rounded with a side of the Spam Bam onigiri, a delicious snack of Spam, scallions and eel sauce sandwiched between rice and tightly wound by hand in a crunchy seaweed wrap.

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OCTOBER 2017

While this was more than enough for a hearty meal, JT and Chris Tsang excitedly took it to the next level, creating a personalized bowl based on my likes and dislikes.

Catered just for me, the vast medley of vegetables including cucumber and bell pepper were tossed in a citrus ponzu sauce. The bowl was led by shrimp and something new to my dining vocabulary: unagi, or eel.

All hesitations were put aside, for it was plain to see that I was in good hands. And sure enough, with a flavoring and texture reminiscent of freshly roasted chicken, the unagi proved to be my favorite part of the meal. As with before, the bowl was perfectly paired with onigiri, this time featuring the savoriness of salmon sashimi, the sweetness of fresh cucumber, and the kick of a spicy mayo.

“Nobody wants a rice bowl anymore,” said JT Tsang, in reference to their menu.

“You have to mix it up a bit and give the customers something worth coming for.”

And something worth coming for is exactly what you’ll get, proven by the success of their first location in Flushing.

While keeping the simple takeout style of their original place on Roosevelt Avenue,

Photos: Marie Torio/BORO

the Tsang brothers found their expansive new Astoria restaurant to be as much of a want as it was a necessity.

“Customers came from all different parts: Long Island, Astoria, Whitestone.

People even came from Westchester,” Chris Tsang explained. The Flushing space, with small countertops and a handful of seats, wasn’t enough to accommodate diners on the hunt for something fresh and new.

“We didn’t want to be in the city,” he added, “but we wanted to be somewhere that would remind us of the city. The diversity [of Astoria] is what brought us here.”

They wanted to cater to health-conscious Astorians, and their drive to provide something uniquely flavorful to the often bland world of dieting has set their menu apart from the common salad bar.

“When [people] feel good about themselves, we feel good about ourselves,” JT Tsang explained. “It’s what we are here for.”

And with an open-kitchen concept, diners are seeing just what they’re getting when treating themselves to a unique and healthy meal.

Chris Tsang designed the open, airy eatery in a way that pays homage to the luxurious, beachy feel of the Hawaiian islands. With wooden paneling reminiscent of driftwood, accentuated by white tiled walls, guests are made to feel as if they’re escaping the waves for a quick bite.

“We wanted to make it really feel like when you came in, you were in Hawaii,” JT Tsang said.

The giant, authentic surfboards mounted on the wall act as the menus and ingredient lists while paying tribute to the wave-riders of the islands. Each board was found and purchased out on the

beachfronts of the Far Rockaways, creating a fusion between the shores of Hawaii and the coasts of Queens. Given their lifelong connections to the area, the Tsang brothers wanted nothing more than to support the local business market that they are now a part of.

With all the excited buzz heard up and down Broadway of this new and noteworthy culinary experience, it will undoubtedly become a one-of-a-kind neighborhood staple. It’s a place to celebrate a diversely delicious culture that is finally getting its due.

PokeWave is located at 35-07 Broadway, between 35th and 36th streets. PokeWave is also available for delivery through their website at www.pokewaveny.com.

OCTOBER 2017 I BOROMAG.COM

41

The Paint Place

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43-25 HUNTER STREET | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 | 718.606.6677 | HAYDENLIC.COM

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A R T S + E N T E R TA I N M E N T

BINGE WATCH THIS SERIES

By KATRINA MEDOFF

katrina@boromag.com @KATRINAMEDOFF @KATYA_M22

T

here’s no way around it: TV shows and movies these days can’t ignore the presence of smartphones and social media in our lives. But the new web series “Keep Me Posted,” which premiered on Sept. 15, goes beyond just including text messages and Instagram in the background. Instead, it really hones in on our phones’ everpresent influence on our lives, through the eyes of three twenty-something friends in the city.

One of the producers of the threeepisode series, Caitlin Morris, has been an Astoria resident for more than three years. She and her two producing partners make up the nonprofit Pitch Her Productions, which aims to promote women in film.

Morris was initially drawn to the web series because she had previously worked with director, writer and executive producer Hillary Nussbaum, and the subject matter of the series sealed the deal.

“To me, there’s something about ‘Keep Me Posted’ that’s undeniably relevant, and the comedy is in the truth of what the characters do and how the characters use technology,” Morris said.

For example, in the first episode, one character, a writer, goes to a coffee shop and takes photo after photo of her coffee and

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notebook on a table, trying to get the perfect shot for Instagram. “The Writing Life, Day 1. #livingthedream #amwriting,” she posts, before even sitting down to do any work.

Another character has just moved in with her fiancé, and it’s not going so smoothly. But when her friend texts her to ask how it’s been, she responds with a bunch of heart emojis.

At the packed premiere screening of the web series in Manhattan on Sept. 12, the audience really responded to these relatable moments.

“I found that during the screening, it was really interesting that most of the biggest laughs were from these circumstantial things that would happen, like a character would either respond in a certain way or post something that totally belied how they were emotionally dealing with something, and people really respond to that because we all do that,” Morris said.

“That is part of our culture now.”

The fact that women played key roles in front of and behind the camera aligned perfectly with the mission of Pitch Her Productions.

“There are three female leads, which was an immediate draw, but then there are three female leads who are dealing with life — not sitcom life in the sense that it’s all happy and shiny, but real kind of like gritty, unfortunate realities of growing

Caitlin Morris

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A R T S + E N T E R TA I N M E N T Photos courtesy of Caitlin Morris and Hillary Nussbaum

older and living in New York and trying to pursue your dreams, with the added obstacle of, ‘How do I engage with this smartphone in my hand as a way to prove to my friends that I’m fine?’” Morris said.

“Walking that fine line to me was the juicy part and the thing that was like, ‘Yes — I can get behind this.’”

To tell this story, the “Keep Me Posted” team had to create a certain look and feel on screen, partly through the text, email and social media notifications and other graphics that pop up throughout each episode, and partly through the sets where they filmed.

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Production designer Kristen Robinson, who has been a Sunnyside resident since 2013, was in charge of designing and implementing the visuals for the series, meaning that she dealt with “something as small as what a salad looks like on a plate to arranging furniture or taking a location that’s a bar and turning it into a restaurant,” she explained.

Robinson primarily works as a theater set designer, and she said that her work on this web series was more hands-on than her theater work.

“It was a lot more visual research and then finding the right objects and

dressing that would fit in our world in our budget,” Robinson said.

She works in a studio in Long Island City, and she loves how many artists are in her building and in the community as a whole.

“What’s so great about having my studio and my apartment this close to each other is that it really makes me feel connected to the community here,” she said. “I get up and walk to my studio space every day and it’s just nice to get a sense of who’s out there.”

You can watch all three 20-minute episodes of “Keep Me Posted” on its website, keepmepostedseries.com.

2017

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FOOD +DRINK

THE TACO THE TOWN

BY ESTELLE PYPER @ESTIE_PYPER

@ESTIEPYPER

Strolling down 31st Avenue in western Astoria, you’d be pleasantly surprised to come across a charming Mexican restaurant at the end of the block. But Fresco’s Cantina is hard to miss. The Spanish music swelling from the interior can be heard from the next block over, coaxing you closer. And once you’re in front, there’s no turning back, for the warm staff and the smell of fresh tacos will make you want to stay forever.

This is owner and creator Brian Martinez’s goal. He wants every customer to feel like they’re entering a friend’s casa for dinner. Every detail, from the dresser that sits next to the host stand and the mirrors on the walls, to the friendliness of the wait-staff, work toward this concept.

Located on 12-14 31st Ave., Fresco’s Cantina has been open a little over three months, but it already boasts long lines during happy hour (Monday through Friday, 3 to 8 p.m.), despite its residential location.

The joint welcomes a steady flow of neighborhood regulars who are delighted to have a watering hole in their backyard — especially one open seven days a week.

This neighborhood gem was discovered somewhat by accident. Martinez was searching for a second location for his successful Bronx Latin-fusion restaurant, Travesia. When he saw this narrow space on 31st, he fell in love, but knew it wasn’t quite right for Travesia.

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“I knew that from the moment I saw it,” Martinez recalled. “But I love the space.

I like the area. I liked the fact that there weren’t any restaurants around here, so I wanted to be that local neighborhood restaurant. It’s a good area: up-and-coming. I had been playing with the Fresco’s Cantina concept in my head for almost a year. I was like, I think it’ll work perfectly for Fresco’s Cantina — it’s cozy, it’s very friendly.”

And with some work, that’s exactly what it is now. The interior is warm and brightly colored, with recognizable home elements scattered throughout like in an “I Spy” book — all designed by Martinez himself. There is a garage door that remains lifted overhead to create an open-air feel. The atmosphere is fun, but not tacky, which Martinez was sure to avoid.

“That’s why you don’t have skulls all over the place,” he explained. “You don’t have the flowers or whatever. It’s like a nice, cozy home, like a hacienda, almost like my

house — you’re here in my house. You’re having dinner in my home.”

The name itself harks back to Martinez’s personal life. He was known as “El Fresco” by most everyone at his alma mater, Le Moyne College — a name given by his fraternity brothers for his ability to dish out a witty comeback for anything.

Martinez, 35, is no stranger to the food industry. His first job at 14 was at McDonald’s. Since then, he’s made quite the name for himself. After majoring in business and working for a spell in airline catering and sales, Martinez opened Travesia, then a barbershop in the Bronx (The Bronx Barbershop), and now Fresco’s Cantina. He even has a coffee shop in the works.

“Started from the bottom, now we’re here!” he said, laughing. “It’s something I’ve always liked. I’m an overall businessman. I’m not going to open a restaurant

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FOOD + DRINK

Photos courtesy of Fresco’s Cantina

because I know how to cook; I open a restaurant because I have a passion for it, because I like the business and I see potential money in it.”

Even though he doesn’t cook himself, Martinez crafted the menu, influenced by his Latin-American background. His mother came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic two months pregnant with Martinez, and he spent every summer there as a kid.

He labels the fare “Mexican reinvented”: a fusion of traditional Mexican mixed with Asian, Indian and other Latin American influences.

“I like to offer my customers stuff I like,” Martinez said, chuckling at the simplicity.

“If I like it, I’m sure they’re going to love it.”

His favorite is the Cozumel taco: beerbattered mahi mahi in a soft taco with honey jalapeño coleslaw. It was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, complete with the crispy finish of the fish.

The Cubana al pastor taco was packed with tender pulled pork, topped with a sweet, fresh pineapple marmalade.

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Photos courtesy of Fresco’s Cantina

But my personal favorite was the pastelon, made with cooked sweet plantain. It was sweet, but not too sweet, and unlike anything I've tried in my life.

These tacos have a combination of flavors I would never think to put together, but the taste combos somehow work in a magical way. I wolfed down the plate in about two minutes and didn't feel one ounce of regret. Martinez certainly is right when he says they're "different." The unique fare is 100 percent worth your time.

There is also a full bar, but they specialize in killer margaritas, made with fresh ingredients and flavors, with no artificial syrups or additives.

“It’s a lot of work,” Martinez said, reflecting on his empire. “It’s very rewarding.

I meet people on a day-to-day basis. I have pretty good, successful restaurants.

Customers love our food, they love the service, so that makes it all worthwhile.

It’s been challenging. I work seven days a week, but it’s rewarding nonetheless because I’m doing it for myself. Do it because you have the passion for it; don’t do it for the money.”

So what’s next for a man always on the move? Brunch! Fresco’s Cantina opens for brunch starting Oct. 8. It sounds like they will have a to-die-for churro-French toast, so you’d best make those reservations now.

Photos via Instagram/@frescoscantina

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Final two weekends at the Flea

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he fall season is in full effect and so is the LIC Flea & Food market.

For your shopping, eating and drinking pleasure, the Flea has a carefully curated mix of vintage and global food and drink.

Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29 are the final two weekends before the Flea closes for the season, so make sure to stop by this month!

Every season, the LIC Flea has an amazing array of choices for you to choose from.

This season is no different. Fan favorite JoJo Bites offers the best street food Filipino style. Chef Jojo is known as the Cooking Diva from Manila to New York. Her grilled eggplant with garlic rice and mango salad will have you coming back for more.

If you’re looking for something sweet and exciting, Cryo Cream has just the thing. Their innovative cryogenic creations transform your classic iced favorites into smoking frozen art. The edible showpieces (which include uniquely flavored ice creams and iced coffees) are made from start to finish right before your eyes with a special scientific ingredient: liquid nitrogen. The smokin’ preparation and final frozen presentation will be sure to leave you mesmerized.

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A new face this season is Dorothy B & Co. This is the candle LOVERS company!

Made for those with fabulous taste, seeking a deliciously scented candle and inspirational quotes. She offers 100 percent organic soy candles, made with American soy wax and pure cotton wicks for clean burning. With scents like mango passion and blackberry sage and quotes such as “Focused and Fabulous,” “Goal Digger” and “Good Vibes,” you will definitely find the one for you.

If you’re looking for artisanal goods, Potter Aguero has pottery that is handmade, unique and stunning! Shop mugs and bowls made with fierce passion by Peter, potter extraordinaire!

If it seems like it couldn’t possibly get any better, it does. LIC Flea has an amazing beer garden along the waterfront with local craft beers and incredible views.

There’s plenty of space for you to relax and enjoy the weekend!

You can get all information about LIC Flea & Food at licflea.com. LIC Flea & Food is located at 5-25 46th Ave., just a block from the famous Pepsi-Cola sign at the corner of 46th Avenue and Fifth Street. It’s open every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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9/29/17 11:23 AM