BORO MARCH

MARCH FEBRUARY 2011 2011VOLVOL 1:4 1:3 RESTAURANTS // SHOPPING // GREEN LIVING // NIGHTLIFE // ART // CULTURE // ENTERTAINMENT // NUTRITION //

at in the A be st st o LI ria spo C an ts d

FREE

DI GR SC E OU AT NT S

BODY & SOUL ISSUE

NEW MARCH PROMOTIONS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS AND SUPPORTERS

Shop, eat and play locally and support our community. Enjoy the discounts below from some of Astoria and LIC’s best merchants.

Sign up for the BORO newsletter at BOROMAG.COM to receive additional exclusive BORO Insider promotions all month long.

Offers available through March 31, 2011. Limited to 1 use per reader. Merchant restrictions may apply.

10% OFF all wine purchases with this coupon.

1 FREE glass of wine or dessert with meal (redeemable Mon.-Thurs. Excludes Prix Fixe. Limited to select wines) with coupon.

CAFE VIA ESPRESSO 1 FREE dessert with your meal with this coupon.

1 FREE glass of wine or dessert with your meal with this coupon.

15 % off your order when dining in or taking out (excludes deliveries) with this coupon.

10% OFF your order with this coupon.

25% OFF any growler fill with this coupon.

1 FREE drink on Monday or Tuesday with this coupon.

FATTY’S 1 FREE glass of wine with lunch entrée with this coupon.

FREE drink with purchase of entree. Offer valid on Sunday - Thur.

1 FREE signature mojito with meal with the coupon.

3 classes, 30 days, $30. Try any 3 classes in 30 days for just $30! No obligation!!!

Open house: FREE classes all day! Saturday, March 19TH.

Receive 10% OFF with this coupon.

2 weeks of unlimited classes for only $30 with the coupon.

FREE Gym Pass with this coupon.

20% OFF complete pair of glasses with this coupon.

20% OFF all merchandise with this coupon.

Waive the application fee on your new lease when you bring BORO Magazine with you.

Receive 15% OFF with this coupon.

15% OFF all hourly legal fees with this coupon.

Present this coupon at the time of registration and receive a 20% discount for courses that cost $400 or more.

10% OFF any daycare package deal with this coupon.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear BORO Readers, We’ve almost made it through the winter – Spring is just three weeks away!

With that in mind, it’s time to emerge from our caves. No more hibernating!

Look back at those New Year resolutions, covered in frost. Let’s thaw them out.

Have you accomplished any of your goals? Now is the time to re-activate them if you’ve let them slip away. And don’t feel ashamed if you have – you’re not the only one. I need to hit the gym, stop shoving food in my mouth and start getting out more. All work and no play makes Julian a dull and doughy boy.

So with the beginning of spring around the corner, we’re giving you a few different ways to think about your Body and Soul. Maybe it’s time for a healthier life style, lowered stress and a cleaner diet. Perhaps it’s just about making a commitment to yourself to take care of you, understanding what you need and want and going after it.

So whether it’s hitting the gym, smartening up that diet or balancing your lifestyle with some playtime, this issue is all about the good things in life. But remember, all BORO can do is offer some insight and suggestions – it’s up you to you find the healthy balance that works for you!

Go get ‘em!

BOROMAG.COM 1

Photo by Ellen Wiewel. Submit your Astoria / LIC photos to photos@boromag.com Cover: Jesse Winter ‘nyc_090910‘ from theCompositeLandscape series. jessewinterprints.com

4 FOOD

Spreading the Health. Organic eating booms in Astoria & LIC

8 BODY & SOUL

Smaller Gym for a fitter you. A different workout experience.

6 CHEF PROFILE

Fatty’s Cafe. Contraband pleasures for the soul.

10 BODY & SOUL

Want Fabulous Hair? Astoria and LIC’s hair care experts tell you how to get it.

22 NIGHTLIFE

12 MARCH EVENT LISTINGS

24 ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC

St. Patty’s Hook-Up. Astoria & LIC authentic Irish pubs.

13 MAP IT DIRECTORY

Live Music in Astoria

14 MAP IT: ASTORIA & LIC MAP

26 ART

Local Artist Examines Self-Reflection by changing the Context

28 REAL ESTATE

The Yard. “Live. Play” in Long Island City.

Your Go-to Guide For Astoria and LIC’s best Shops, Food, Art, Nightlife and More.

18 BODY & SOUL

Boxing: Punch Up Your Workout.

20 GREEN LIVING

Art of Being Green. Materials for the Arts.

ADVERTISE IN BORO:

ads@boromag.com // 914.426.2939 // www.boromag.com/advertise

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER julian lesser // EDITOR john lee // COPY EDITOR norm elrod // CREATIVE DIRECTOR paul connolly ART DIRECTORS alt, philippe trinh // CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS alberto michieli, emma cason-pratt STAFF WRITERS daniel crown, jared killeen, christopher de la torre, rebecca mcnamara, suzanne sitelman, mickey z, bradley hawkes STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS javier ibañez, alex marshall, daniel pando // SALES AND MARKETING nadine auerbach WEBMASTER janmichael guzman EDITORIAL COORDINATOR sadee brathwaite *This magazine is made from FSC paper, printed with soy ink and 100% recyclable. Printed in LIC, New York. Please recycle after use.

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All materials Copyright © 2011 BORO / All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

BOROMAG.COM 3

SPREADING THE H Story Danie l Crow n // Photo Danie l Pando

Living in a country predominated by omnivores, alternative eating groups such as vegetarians and vegans have long bemoaned the difficulty of locating specialty shops and restaurants that fulfill their unique dietary needs.

But this hasn’t been the case in Astoria/Long Island City in recent years. In fact, local health food junkies often champion how easy it is to find specific, otherwise esoteric products in their own neighborhood.

Case in point: Ren LaDassor – a longtime Astoria resident who claims to have never taken a single bite of red meat in her life – points to her need for nutritional yeast, a flaky, cheese-like supplement consumed to make up for a lack in protein and B-complex vitamin intake. Before she moved to Astoria, LaDassor could only find it at various Whole Foods Market franchises. Now? “I know of three health food stores within a five block radius that have it,” she said.

The numbers seem to back her up. A quick Yelp! search for health food stores in the neighborhood turns up ten different merchants within five miles of each other.

According to Fred Bekmukhamedov, manager of Organics for All, this increase in quantity is a direct result of a recent cultural movement towards dietary pragmatism. He believes that people in Astoria/LIC 4 BOROMAG.COM

would rather spend their money on good food now than spend it on the deferred costs of an unhealthy lifestyle.

This forward thinking ideology, he says, stems from an unprecedented drive towards self-education. Instead of relying on an established franchise to draw out a roadmap to health, customers in the neighborhood are more willing to learn on their own and then work with local retailers to create what amounts to a symbiotic relationship.

“Whole Foods used to dominate this market,” Bekmukhamedov said. “But then people figured out that they could open smaller organic grocery stores that people would still be interested in.”

SPENDING MONEY ON GOOD FOOD NOW DEFERS HEALTH COSTS LATER According to Metin Mangut, co-owner and operator of the Food Cellar, people are not eating healthier foods because of a new abundance of organic markets; rather, it’s the other way around. Citing various examples of coverage in the mainstream media, Mangut says that organic eating and

AS TO RI A AN D LI C IN S OM BO NG TI EA C NI OR GA

HEALTH the desire for a healthy lifestyle have finally hit the mainstream. The country, and specifically New York City, is becoming a healthier place.

“People are becoming more and more health conscious,” he said. “They are learning about organic foods, they are learning about exercises [and] they are learning more about the differences between unnatural and organic products.”

Bekmukhamedov agreed. As evidence, he needed only to point across the street from his store. After working up a sweat at the neighboring yoga studio, entire classes often migrate across Steinway hankering for a freshly squeezed juice drink or an organic shake.

If this sort of communal activity is in any way indicative of the rapidly evolving mindset regarding food and healthy eating in the city, then the numbers beginning to trickle in from studies conducted around the rest of the country might prove even more fortuitous for retailers.

According to a 2010 survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association, more than 41% of American parents intentionally sought out organic food for their children last year. Similarly, more than 75% purchased some sort of organic product for consumption in their homes. And while studies such as this one are generally conducted by

organizations that stand to benefit from the advertising of such drastic shifts in the food market, the results nevertheless still seem to back up the consensus reached amongst many local retailers: the “fad” of healthy eating seems to have transitioned into something much more permanent. Bottom line: people do and should care about what they are eating.

“If something is made in a laboratory, this means that it does not exist naturally on Earth; if you put this stuff in your body, your body does not know how to react to it,” Mangut said.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EAT

NATURAL AND ORGANIC FOOD

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS BETTER FOR THEIR HEALTH

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43 FOOD CELLAR 19 ORGANICS FOR ALL

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FATTY’S CAFÉ

CONTRABAND PLEASURES FOR THE SOUL Story Bradley Hawks Creator of Amuse *Bouche (www.bradleyhawks.com)

If good food nourishes the body, then a truly special restaurant can feed the soul. Just a few blocks from Astoria Park, Fatty’s Café has been doing precisely that for nearly eight years, muddling its famous mojitos and vacation-inspired dishes with a cheerful room of eager eaters, many who know the staff and owners by name. “We don’t really advertise,” explained co-owner and Long Island native Suzanne Furboter (Furboter co-owns Fatty’s with husband Fernando Peña). “We like to be that place you stumble upon or hear about from a friend.”

“We’ll get rich later…” laughed Peña, who describes his background as, “baked in the U.S. with ingredients from the Dominican Republic.” While we perused the menu, Peña approached our table with a box of chocolate-dusted truffles: “You have to try one of these...my sister brought them from Paris, and they’re delicious!” These gestures of unexpected hospitality spark instant friendships; looking around, loyal regulars are just as abundant as the sighs of pleasure from diners digging into a tasty twist on shrimp-loaded mofongo or the cheese-stuffed-bacon-wrapped

From left: Chef Israel Mendoza with owners Suzanne Furboter and Fernando Pena Senveli. Photo by Daniel Pando.

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Contraband Chicken in a chocolaty mole barbecue sauce. “We run this place the way we run our lives,” said Peña, who loves to bring new ideas to the staff, who then collaborate to work out the recipes for the menu.

From Latin cubanos and huevos rancheros at brunch, to a Mex/Italian-fused pasta with chorizo, or the Happy Ending Chicken (“an Indian spin on General Tso’s”), the menu reads as a passport of the countries and flavors that have influenced the Fatty’s team.

The dining room, inspired by travels in the Caribbean and Mexico, feels like a human-sized tropical aquarium with soothing blue-washed walls and island baubles. During warm months, the patio with bamboo-thatched awnings seems to be direct from the Virgin Islands. The vacation vibe, genuine hospitality and downright delicious dishes harmonize for a whole new meaning to soul food. And far more than just eclectic comfort cuisine, Fatty’s serves up a feast for the spirit.

Contraband Chicken (1 serving)

Ingredients: 1 Chicken Breast Flattened 1 cup Pico de Gallo cup marinara sauce 6 -8 pieces bacon 2 slices cheddar cheese 2 slices monterrey cheese cup barbeque sauce cup mole sauce 1 yellow plantain Feta cheese Scallions 6 BOROMAG.COM

photo by Bradley Hawks

Method: Start with 1 flattened chicken breast, cut into 2 pieces. Stuff with pico de gallo, marinara and cheddar cheese.

Roll and wrap with bacon slices. Pan fry about 8 minutes. Use barbeque sauce and mole to finish in the oven for 4-5 minutes at 450 degrees. Take out and drench in the extra sauce, monterrey cheese, scallions, and sprinkle with feta cheese. Serve with fried yellow plantains (maduros).

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BODY + SOUL

SMALLER GYM FOR A FITTER YOU A DIFFERENT WORKOUT EXPERIENCE Story Suzanne Sitelman Photo Daniel Pando

Seek Fitness: Raymond Grijalvo teaching boot camp.

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Astoria and LIC are no strangers to the jumbo, multi-level, do-everything gym. In fact, with their wide selection of classes, rosters of skilled instructors and rows of sophisticated equipment, these facilities are a popular choice for those looking to meet their fitness goals. But a growing number of local residents are opting for something different: smaller, more specialized gyms that feature specific – and oftentimes unique – exercise programs.

We visited three of these local gyms, each of which focuses on different fitness techniques. These facilities included two brightly-lit, high-energy studios that concentrate on a variety of fast-paced cardio and strength training routines and a tranquil yoga studio comfortably situated in the living room of the owner’s home. Yet, despite aesthetic differences, one feature links all three locations together: the owners’ love for their discipline and a desire to share their passion with others.

PNT GROUP FITNESS & CYCLING

PNT is a one-room group fitness and cycling studio conveniently nestled in the center of LIC. Featuring a variety of cycling programs, ranging from beginner to intermediate levels, the studio is a place where clients, according to co-founder Paul Riner, are provided with “individualized, group fitness experiences – a place where trainers can work with each person oneon-one to make sure they are getting a focused experience.”

The gym – which limits classes to 15 participants – also offers Zumba, Kickboxing and Pilates courses.

WORKING ALONGSIDE OTHER GOAL ORIENTED INDIVIDUALS KEEPS YOU ON TRACK. “From fitness pros to eager beginners, this is a great place to find a group of people who really encourage you to do your best and succeed!” said Paul.

SEEK FITNESS

Raymond Grijalvo, co-founder and instructor at Seek Fitness, agrees with Paul’s philosophy about small gyms. Raymond’s studio specializes in three high-energy exercise programs that are geared at maximizing fat loss and toning muscles. The three programs include Zumba, Bootcamp (focused on total body strengthening) and Fusion (a combination of kickboxing and circuit training).

Instructor, Nicholas, sweating it out with his spin class at PNT

Raymond compares his gym to the bar from Cheers; it’s a place “where everyone knows your name.” Knowing clients personally allows instructors to better tailor sessions to fit each student’s unique requirements. Similarly, working alongside other goal-oriented individuals allows participants to encourage each other to stay on track. The end result, according to Raymond, is an experience that combines the benefits of a group session with that of a personal trainer.

HEART AND SOUL OF YOGA

No exercise style is better suited to an intimate setting than yoga. Vanessa Francis takes this concept to another level by placing her studio, Heart and Soul of Yoga, in her own home.

For Vanessa, yoga is more than a great workout; it’s an amazing way to achieve balance over the mind and body while centering one’s soul.

“Yoga offers a way for everybody to find out who they are and feel good about themselves and their body,” she explained.

Teaching a variety of yoga styles, Vanessa’s studio combines the comforts of home with the benefits of one-on-one training.

The studio also provides a perfect environment to escape city life, allowing you to retreat into a tranquil setting.

With classes that never exceed eight people, instructors adapt each session according to their students’ particular needs. That makes Vanessa’s studio the perfect place for participants of all levels – ranging from novices to more experienced individuals to those recovering from injuries – offering the personal touch necessary to help students maintain proper breathing and safe positioning.

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77 PNT Vanessa instructing class at Heart and Soul of Yoga

76 SEEK FITNESS 74 HEART AND SOUL OF YOGA

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BODY + SOUL

WANT

FABULOUS HAIR?

ASTORIA AND LIC’S HAIR CARE EXPERTS TELL YOU HOW TO GET IT Story Rebecca McNamara

Have you ever seen someone with perfectly silky, shiny hair (with a gel-free bounce) and wondered why you don’t have the same? Advice from magazines, blogs and even friends seem to leave us underwhelmed, so we went to the best source we could think of – Astoria and LIC’s hair care experts – to ask that all-important question: how should we take care of our hair?

• Give hair special care. “Hair, just like any other part of the body, needs certain amounts of nutrients – primarily amino acids – to be its healthiest and look and feel its best,” says Gigi Dzidzovic, owner of Gigi Salon and Styling Studio.

• Personalize your shampoo and conditioner. “Naturally curly and color-treated hair needs more moisture on a regular basis,” says Nycki Rivera of Primp & Tease. Unless you have oily hair, don’t wash daily, and never use very hot water.

• Moisturize. Rivera suggests using a leave-in conditioner, which adds moisture to hair and protects it from the heat of styling tools.

• Perform a deep conditioning treatment. Dzidzovic suggests everyone deep conditions once a month: “This is important for preparing the hair for any hair strengtheners and provides extra care that [you don’t always get] during a regular wash.”

• Repair severely dry/damaged hair. Sara Bogarin of Primp & Tease Salon recommends the Wear and Care line from Bumble and Bumble; The Quenching product for dry hair and the Mending line for severely damaged hair have both delivered awesome results: “We have seen both transform people’s hair. I have even experienced it myself!” Bumble and Bumble products available at Primp & Tease Salon.

If you’re an Aveda fan, Dzidzovic suggests the Aveda Damage Remedy line. The deep conditioning, intensive restructuring and leave-in conditioning treatments get right to work: “The results are noticeable right after the first treatment,” he says. Aveda products available at Gigi Salon.

• Don’t overdo styling. “The high heat and frequent use [of a curling or flat iron] can really damage hair,” Rivera says.

Blow dryers are better than hot irons, but if you MUST iron, turn down the temperature! Those with fine hair should especially keep their tools at the lower end of the heat spectrum.

Why bother with all of these steps? Rivera sums it up best: “It’s important to take care of our hair and keep it at its best because it’s the one thing we never take off!”

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71 GIGI SALON

10 BOROMAG.COM

72 PRIMP & TEASE SALON

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MARCH EVENTS ON GOING EVENTS

3/2-3/5 @ 8 PM (THEATER)

THE KNIGHT OF THE PESTLE The Secret Theatre

3/9, 3/16, 2/23, 3/30 9-11PM (FOOD/NIGHTLIFE)

718-392-0722 l 44-02 23rd St, LIC Cost: $18 general admission www.SecretTheatre.com

LIVE MUSIC: Original, Jazz, Folk, and Covers Brick 718-267-2735 l 30-95 33rd St, Astoria www.brickcafe.com

3/3 - 3/5 @ 8 PM (THEATER)

SECOND LANGUAGE The Chocolate Factory

General Admission: $15 718-482-7069 I 5-49 49th Ave, LIC www.ChocolateFactoryTheater.org

3/5 8 AM – 5 PM (EDUCATIONAL)

CONSTRUCTION SITE FIRE SAFETY MANAGER TRAINING TSC Training Academy $245 – Receive 10% OFF with ad coupon 718-389-2103 l 36-06 43rd Avenue, LIC www.Tscta.com

3/8 (FOOD)

3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/31 (FOOD) 3/13 1-2:30PM (SHOPS/CLASSES)

PINWHEEL MAKING WITH PLASTIC BOTTLES Creators’ Co-Op General Admission: $10 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Creators-Coop.com

3/14, 3/15, 3/16, 3/17 (Food)

SAINT PATRICKS DAY WITH SMUTTYNOSE MexiQ 718-626-0333 l 37-11 30th Ave, Astoria www.MexiqNy.com

FREE: FOOD TASTING PARTY with local LIC restaurants The View 877-LIC-7778 l 4630 Center Blvd, 3rd FL, LIC www.LivingTheView.com

3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26 5-7 PM (SHOPS)

FREE: SATURDAY FIGURE DRAWING WORKSHOP Creators’ Co-Op RSVP: Creatorscoop@gmail.com 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Creators-Coop.com

3/3. 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 & 3/31 @10PM (NIGHTLIFE)

FAT TUESDAY W/ ALBITA BREWERY MexiQ

SATURDAY PARTY

“The good Life” with DJ Love on the Run

718-626-0333 l 37-11 30th Ave, Astoria www.MexiqNy.com

El Ay Si

718-389-8781 l 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.Elaysi.com

3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 12 – 5 PM (SHOPS)

FREE: ASTORIA MARKET

718-274-4925 I 29-19 24th Ave, Astoria www.AstoriaMarket.com

3/17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Check out all the options at: BOROmag.com/Saint-Patricks-Day

3/10 5-9 PM (SHOPS)

FREE: SPRING FASHION EVENT FEATURING PETER VALCARCEL

At KrisTEES sponsored by BORO 718-204-5031 l 24-01 23rd Ave RSVP: kristeesny@gmail.com www.KristeesNy.com www.BOROmag.com/Sping-Fashion

3/19 (BODY AND SOUL)

3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 (NIGHTLIFE) Featuring Comics from NBC’s Last Comic Standing & Comedy Central

COMEDY SHOW Rest-au-Rant

3/22

An Evening with Stiller & Meara

3/24 6-10 PM

Admission: $20 public, $10 museum members 718-784-0077 I 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.MovingImage.us

Win a ticket by signing up for the BORO Newsletter. Details on page 21. www.BOROmag.com/Newsletter

3/12 @ 8 PM (MUSIC)

3/27 1 – 2:30 PM (SHOPS/ART)

@ Frank Sinatra School of the Arts General Admission: $20 917-460-4289 I 35-12 35th St, Astoria www.AstoriaMusic.org

General Admission: $10 RSVP: Creatorscoop@gmail.com 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Creators-Coop.com

ROMANTIC MASTERPIECES Astoria Symphony

718-545-9463 l 34-12 Broadway, Astoria www.AstoriaWines.com

718-932-2567 l 35th st @ Broadway, Astoria www.HeartAndSoulOfYoga.com

3/10 @ 7 PM (MUSEUM)

Museum of the Moving Image

FREE: WINE TASTING Astoria Wine and Spirits

FREE CLASSES ALL DAY! OPEN HOUSE Heart and Soul of Yoga

FIRST DAY OF SPRING WORLD WATER DAY

LIVE EVENT

3/4, 3/11, 3/17, 3/24 7-10 PM (NIGHTLIFE)

BORO LAUNCH PARTY AND FUNDRAISER

BOOK BINDING CLASS Creators’ Co-Op

718-729-9009 l 30-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.RarBarLic.com

3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31 9PM-12PM (MUSIC)

LIVE MUSIC FREE EVENT Rest-au-Rant

718-729-9009 l 30-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.RarBarLic.com

ALL TUES & THURS IN MARCH (BODY & SOUL)

TEACHER’S FREE TUESDAY AND THURSDAYS Seek Fitness 347-924-9004 l 27-18 23rd Ave, Astoria www.Seek-Fitness.com

3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27 @ 7PM (FOOD/NIGHTLIFE)

JAZZ NIGHTS W/ JAZZ MEDITERRANEO Pomme Café

718-545-4301 l 37-19 Broadway, Astoria www.PommeCafeNy.com

For a complete calendar of Astoria/LIC events visit: BOROmag.com/events Submit your event for FREE: Events@boromag.com 12

MAP IT DIRECTORY RESTAURANTS 1

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5 NAPKIN BURGER (C,2) (718) 433-2727 35-01 36th St, Astoria www.5napkinburger.com

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30 WATER’S EDGE (A,4)

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LINN (B,2) (718) 204-0060

32 YAJAI (B,2)

(718) 482-0033 401 44th Dr, LIC www.watersedgenyc.com

AVENUE CAFE (C,2) (718) 278-6967 35-27 30th Ave, Astoria www.avenuecafenyc.com

103 MANDUCATIS RUSTICA (A,4)

BAREBURGER (B,2) (718) 777-7011 33-21 31st Ave, Astoria www.bareburger.com BRICK CAFE (B,2) (718) 267-2735 30-95 33rd St, Astoria www.brickcafe.com

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

2913 Broadway, Astoria 20

www.linnrestaurant.com M. WELLS DINER (B,4) (718) 425-6917 21-17 49th Ave, LIC www.mwellsdiner.com

BAKERIES

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MEXIQ (C,2) (718) 626-0333 37-11 30th Ave, Astoria www.mexiqny.com ORNELLA TRATTORIA ITALIANA (B,1) (718) 777-9477 29-17 23rd Ave, Astoria www.ornellatrattoria.com

BROOKLYN BAGEL & COFFEE

34 COMPANY (C,2)

(718) 777-1121 36-14 30th Ave, Astoria www.bkbagel.com

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(C,1) 35-09 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

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(C,2) 36-14 30th Ave Astoria

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

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POMME CAFE (C,2) (718) 545-4301 37-19 Broadway, Astoria www.pommecafeny.com

38 CREAM BAKERY (A,2)

REST-AU-ANT (B,2) (718) 729-9009 30-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.rarbarlic.com

39 CRANKY’S CAFE (A,4)

SAGE GENERAL STORE (B,4) (718) 361-0707 24-20 Jackson Ave, LIC www.sagegeneralstore.com

40 PARISI BAKERY (B,2)

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(718) 545-3290 2409 Steinway St, Astoria www.cafeviaespressoastoria.com 26 SANFORDS RESTAURANT (B,2) (718) 932-9569 DIWINE (C,2) 30-13 Broadway (718) 777-1355 Astoria 41-15 31st Ave, Astoria www.sanfordsnyc.com www.diwineonline.com 27 SEVA (C,2) EL AY SI (A,4) (718) 626-4440 (718) 389-8781 30-07 34th St, Astoria 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.sevaindianrestaurant.com www.elaysi.com 28 SHI (A,4) FATTY’S (B,1) (347) 242-2450 (718) 267-7071 4720 Center Blvd, LIC 2501 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.eatdrinkshi.com www.fattyscafenyc.com 12 TIME CAFÉ (C,2) IL BAMBINO (C,2) (718) 606-0500 (718) 626-0087 44-18 Broadway, Astoria 34-08 Ave, Astoria www.timecafeny.com www.ilbambinonyc.com 29 VESTA (A,2) LA PAPA (B,2) (718) 545-5550 (718) 777-7879 2102 30th Ave, Astoria 2513 30th Ave, Astoria www.vestavino.com www.lapapaonline.com

(718) 278-1726 30-21 30th Ave, Astoria www.saiorganics.com

47 VITALITY AND HEALTH ORGANIC

MARKET (C,2) (718) 777-8477 46-03 Broadway, Astoria

SHOPPING

www.astor-bakeshop.com

MUNDO (B,2) (718) 777-2829 31-18 Broadway, Astoria www.mundoastoria.com

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46 SAI ORGANICS (B,2)

12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria

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

(718) 433-1334 30-50 Steinway St

ASTOR BAKE SHOP (A,2)

(718) 937-1932 46-3 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.manducatisrustica.com

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19 ORGANICS FOR ALL (C,2)

33 (718) 606-8439

BLEND (A,4) (718) 729-2800 47-04 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.blendlic.com

104 CAFÉ VIA ESPRESSO (C,1)

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

ALIADA (B,2) (718) 932-2240 2919 Broadway, Astoria

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

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37 COMMUNITEA (A,4)

(718) 729-7708 47-02 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.communitea.net (718) 545-3800 31-78 Steinway St, Astoria www.creambakeryny.com (347) 738-4921 48-19 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.crankyscafe.com (718) 728-5282 30-17 Broadway, Astoria www.parisibakeryastoria.com

48 BELIEF (B,1)

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

50 CREATORS CO-OP (B,1)

(917) 751-8177 26-16 23rd Ave, Astoria www.creators-coop.com

51 ETHEREAL (A,4) (718) 482-8884 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.etherealnyc.com 52 INSIDE ASTORIA (C,1)

(718) 956-4000 37-20 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

53 KrisTEES (B,1)

(718) 204-5031 2401 23rd Ave, Astoria www.kristeesny.com

54 LOVEDAY 31 (B,2)

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

55 SITE (C,2)

(718) 626-6030 32-90 36th St, Astoria www.shopsiteonline.com

41 SWEETLEAF (A,4)

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

FOOD / WINE

PETS

STORES

42 ASTORIA WINE AND SPIRITS (C,2)

59 CITY VET (A,4)

43 FOOD CELLAR (A,4)

59 LIC DOG HOUSE (A,4)

(718) 545-9463 3412 Broadway, Astoria www.astoriawines.com

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

44 FRESH START (B,1)

(718) 204-7868 29-13 23rd Ave, Astoria www.fsorganic.com

(718) 433-1334 45-44 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.cityvetnyc.com (718) 579-7204 45-44 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.licdoghouse.com

58 JUMPING BULLDOG: A BOUTIQUE

45 NATURAL FRONTIER MARKET (A,4)

(718) 937-9399 12-01 Jasckson Ave, LIC www.naturalfrontiermarket.net

continued on next page 16

FOR CATS AND DOGS (B,1) (718) 274-2510 28-10 23rd Ave, Astoria www.jumpingbulldog.com

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MAP IT DIRECTORY BEAUTY

FLORISTS 57

61

91

60

63

31

65

31

66

67

FLORESTA (A,4) (917) 612-4446 51-02 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.florestanyc.com/blog

71

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

SERVICES

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

MARK ANDERSON (B,1) Certified Public Accountant (646) 961-1866 24-58 Crescent St, Astoria www.markandersontaxes.com 73 MFTA (C,3) (718) 729-3001 33-00 Northern Blvd 3rd Fl, LIC www.mfta.org

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MPN LAW FIRM (C,2) (718) 777-0400 3403 Broadway, Ste. 200, Astoria 56 www.mpnfirm.com ONDEMAND PRINTING (C,4) (718) 392-0500 30-02 48th Ave, LIC www.ondemandprinting.com

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SAFETY SUPPLIES UNLIMITED (C,3) 76 (866) 787-2336 36-06 43rd Ave, LIC www.safetysuppliesunlimited.com SUPER NOVA TATTOOS (C,1) 77 (718) 274-5712 37-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.supernovatattoo.com TSC TRAINING ACADEMY (C,3) (718) 389-2103 36-06 43rd Ave, LIC www.tscta.com

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

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VIDEO EXPRESS (C,2) (718)626-0846 3408 30th Ave, Astoria

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EVENT SPACES 68

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

HOTELS 69

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

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82 BOHEMIAN HALL & BEER

96

5 POINTZ (B,4) (317) 219-2685 45-46 Davis St, LIC www.5ptz.com

97

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

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

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MOMA PS1 (B,4) (718) 784-2084 22-25 Jackson Ave, LIC www.ps1.org

85 DOMAINE WINE BAR (A,4)

99

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

87 HELL GATE SOCIAL (A,2)

100 NOGUCHI MUSEUM (A,2)

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

83 BREAK (B,2)

(718) 777-5400 3208 Broadway, Astoria www.break-ny.com

FITNESS ASTORIA SPORTS COMPLEX (C,2) (718) 729-7163 34-38 38th St, Astoria www.ascsports1.com HEART AND SOUL OF YOGA (C,2) (610) 585-8613

32-18 35th St, Basement, Astoria

www.heartandsoulofyoga.com K2 BOXING CLUB (C,3) (718) 361-5252 34-09 Queens Blvd, LIC www.k2boxing.com

NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB (C,2) (718) 932-1400 2856 Steinway St, Astoria www.nysc.com SEEK FITNESS (B,1) (347) 924-9004 27-18 23rd Ave, Astoria www.seek-fitness.com PNT FITNESS (A,4) (347) 396-5809 10-68 Jackson Ave, LIC www.pntfitness.com

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(718) 784-2350 50-04 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.domainewinebar.com (718) 204-8313 12-21 Astoria Blvd, Astoria www.hellgatesocial.com

88 L.I.C. BAR (A,4)

(718) 786-5400 45-58 Vernon Blvd, LIC www.longislandcitybar.com

89 MCCANN’S (C,2)

718-278-2621 36-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.mccannspubnyc.com

90 MIX CAFE AND LOUNGE (C,2)

(347) 642-4840 40-17 30th Ave, Astoria www.mixcafelounge.com

86 O’HANLON’S (B,1)

(718) 728-9619 2257 31st St, Astoria

YOGA AGORA (B,2) (718) 626-0680 33-02 Broadway, 2nd Fl, Astoria www.yogaagora.com 69 PENTHOUSE808 (A,3) (718) 289-6118 THE YOGA ROOM (C,2) 8-08 Queens Plaza South, LIC (718) 274-0255 www.penthouse808rooftop.com 38-01 35th Ave, Astoria www.the-yoga-room.com 93 PJ LEAHY’S (A,4) (718) 472-5131 THE YOGA ROOM (A,4) 5002 Vernon Blvd, LIC (718) 786-7962 10-14 47 Rd, LIC www.the-yoga-room.com 92 RAPTURE LOUNGE (C,2) (718) 626-8044 34-27 28th Ave, Astoria www.rapturelounge.com

SPAS

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

THE ARTS

NIGHTLIFE

94 STUDIO SQUARE BEER

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

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

101 SOCRATES SCULPTURE PARK

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

102 UNDERPENNY (A,4)

(917) 517-1492 10-13 50th Ave, LIC

REAL ESTATE 106 EASTCOAST (A,4)

(718) 606-9440 4720 Center Blvd, LIC www.eastcoastlic.com

107 MODERN SPACES (A,4)

(718) 784-1110 10-63 Jackson Ave, LIC www.modernspacesnyc.com

108 THE VIEW (A,4)

(877) 542-7778 4630 Center Blvd, LIC www.livingtheview.com

109 WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE

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

110 THE YARD (A,4)

718.786.1063 2-26 51st Ave, LIC

95 SWEET AFTON (C,2)

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

84 WALTZ ASTORIA (B,1)

(718) 956-8742 23-14 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria www.waltz-astoria.com

Want your business listed in our Map It Director y? Contact info@boromag.com to learn how.

BOROMAG.COM 17

BODY + SOUL

BOXING PUNCH UP YOUR WORKOUT Story Mickey Z. Photo Daniel Pando

The secret to loving exercise has a lot to do with finding the kind of workout you enjoy. Easier said than done.

Let’s say you’ve tried running and spinning. You’ve sampled every aerobics class offered and exhausted every possible version of the step machine. What else can you do to get a cardio fix that’ll keep you loving your gym time? Suggestion: Put up yer dukes.

“Boxing is a great way to enhance a workout program,” says Navin Nandalall, Fitness Service Manager at the Astoria New York Sports Club (NYSC). “I’ve been a boxer since my teen years, and I still use boxing techniques and principles in my own workout.”

Training like a fighter, explains Nandalall, is a great way to lose weight while building total body strength.

“Hitting the heavy bag or with a trainer using punch mitts will sculpt your upper body and mid-section,” he adds. “Incorporating a few boxing drills into your workout program will get results and make your gym time more efficient.”

To get started, Nandalall suggests a simple workout: “Go back and forth from body-weight squats – 20 reps per set – to punching the heavy bag for 20 seconds. This will get your heart rate up and allow your body to work at a higher rate, even at rest.”

Be warned: Training like a boxer can sometimes result in the insatiable desire to get in the ring. If so, head over to the K2 Boxing Club in LIC. The crew at K2 is always looking for “individuals with potential to become either amateur or pro boxers” and promises “full training and sponsorship” to those “willing to dedicate themselves and truly apply themselves” to the fields of boxing or Mixed Martial Arts. Is that you?

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NYSC boxing instructors throwing punches for 18 BOROMAG.COM BORO.

75 NYSC 56 K2 BOXING CLUB

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GREEN LIVING

ART OF BEING

GREEN

MTFA’s LIC warehouse formerly a Ford Motor Factory houses 662.6 tons of recycled material.

Story Jared Kileen

You might not know it, but on Northern Boulevard in Long Island City, in an enormous warehouse that once housed a Ford Motor factory, sit 662.6 tons of recycled material – all available for public consumption. It has been gathered and stored there by Materials for the Arts, a bighearted, city-funded organization that provides thousands of New York City’s arts and cultural organizations with supplies.

There is, of course, a literary precedent for what the MTFA does. Robin Hood, green-clad marauder of yore, also enacted good egalitarian deeds. But he used arrows to rob from the rich, while the people at MFTA simply solicit donations. They get fabric from J. Crew and Marc Jacobs, paper and glue from Paper Magic Group, office equipment from Pfizer, film and video gear from Damage Studios, stage props from Dance Project Sequence and Ready Set Inc.

The mission at MFTA is clear: take stuff from big companies who no longer need it and redistribute it to artists and educators who do. It’s a brilliant idea, both expansive and economical, and it has benefited both the New York arts community and the urban environment to no end.

Then, not only does MFTA turn around and donate all of it to struggling artists, filmmakers and under-funded community programs, they also invite NYC students to attend weekend classes and evening workshops where they can learn to create artwork from reusable materials.

Founded in 1978, the organization takes a preventative approach to environmentalism. As Harriet Taub, MFTA’s director of affairs says, “Our goal is to make sure people are not throwing stuff away.”

So this year, when you start your spring cleaning, think twice; instead of tossing your old coffee table or battered floor lamp on the street corner, consider donating it to a reuse group. After all, thrift is a virtue – it promotes a sense of community, closeness, accomplishment. Through thrift we waste less and do less harm to the physical world. This is good for both the body and the soul. So indulge yourself: donate to the MFTA and keep an eye on the results.

Toward this end, the MFTA works together with other “reuse groups,” including Goodwill and Housing Works, to educate companies, party planners and average New Yorkers about responsible methods of waste disposal. This spirit of cooperation has paid off: recently, when a Queens-based shipping company closed down, MFTA communicated with a handful of likeminded organizations, joined forces and managed to collect hundreds of pounds of office equipment before it was tossed in the trash. All of the equipment is now available to artists, students and others in need.

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91 MATERIAL FOR THE ARTS

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NIGHTLIFE

ST. PADDY’S HOOK-UP March 17th has become a day for everyone to be “Irish”, wear green and have ‘a great crack’ with friends at the local pub. Here’s our list of must-visit authentic Irish pubs in Astoria and LIC. Story Jared Killeen Photo Daniel Pando

P.J. LEAHY’S

Presiding over the corner of VernonJackson like the peak of Carrantuohill, P.J. Leahy’s is about as reliable an Irish pub as you’re likely to find. Inside, the interior is bannered with CelticAmerican icons: U.S. flags, Guinness promotions, bright-green shamrocks.

The bar mixes patriotism and good old-fashioned joviality to articulate the Irish joie de’vivre – at least to the extent that the Irish possess a joie de’vivre. Irishmen, after all, take their drinking seriously, and P.J. Leahy’s is the place to do it – especially on St. Paddy’s day, when the bar will be packed with LIC revelers.

O’HANLON’S

It’s hard to say what’s more charming about O’Hanlon’s: the fact that you can hear the Q train rattle overhead as you drink, or the inviting smiles of the spunky blond bartenders. The service at this Astoria pub is first-rate; not only do you get cheap beer, but whenever you buy three drinks, the fourth is free! If you’re hoping to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a glass of authentic Irish whisky, O’Hanlon’s is your best bet – they carry just about every brand you can think of (from Jameson to Bushmills). Verily there’s enough booze here to get all of Dublin slanted on their bar stools.

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93 P.J. LEAHY’S

86 O’HANLON’S

89 MCCANN’S

MCCANN’S

McCann’s is an emerald among Astoria’s Irish pubs. The interior resembles a leprechaun’s living room: viridian light bulbs, faux stone walls and green-felted pool tables give the space an undeniable charm. Over the bar are mounted too many TVs to count without using your fingers. Unsurprisingly, the good people at McCann’s know how to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint.

On St. Paddy’s day, the pub will offer green beer, special shots, a corned beef and cabbage buffet and lots of free T-shirts and beads. As always, you can upgrade your 16oz draught beer to 20oz for just an extra dollar.

But come early – the festivities start at 10 a.m. sharp! And if that’s too early for you, perhaps you’d better just stay home.

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ENTERTAINMENT

LIVE MUSIC IN ASTORIA

Danny Leonard rocking it out @ Waltz Astoria.

Story Rebecca McNamara Photo Daniel Pando

Music lovers in Astoria and Long Island City have it good: when iPod headphones or a DJ’s too-loud beats won’t cut it, live music is never more than a few minutes away.

“It’s a very up-and-coming kind of thing,” says Padro Gonzalez of the Waltz-Astoria, referring to the area’s burgeoning music scene.

When the Waltz opened about six years ago, Gonzalez – who books the venue’s talent – says it was one of only a few places in the area that showcased live music. Now, while it may still be one of the most popular musician hangouts, it’s just one of many options.

Tina Stipanovic-Nenadic, owner of Rest-au-Rant, which has a weekly music night with mostly local talent, has a similar reaction to the growing music scene. When she moved to the area twenty years ago, “it was a time when you came here for a nap and then went back to Manhattan.” Not so anymore.

“Interesting venues are opening up and are slowly beginning to offer more to the neighborhood,” she says.

So who are these talented folk? Gonzalez, for one, is completely overwhelmed when trying to pick just a few can’t-miss artists for BORO readers. Bryce Larsen, Matt Sucich, Benjamin Nathan, Daniel McKenzie, Danny Leonard (“One of the best acoustic guitar players I’ve ever heard,” he says), Pete O’Neill, Veronica Sanchez – his list goes on and on.

The diversity of these musicians is as impressive as their number. Whether you love jazz, rock, Greek, the ukulele or are itching to hear a new style, you’ll find it here.

“It’s priceless when customers come in not knowing what to expect,” says Stipanovic, who books mostly jazz but also some unique and unexpected groups, like Japanese Gypsy Rock. “[Customers] walk out satisfied because they were just exposed to something new and good.”

To see a full list of venues with live music nights—including swing at the Beer Garden, local singer/songwriters at Brick Café and Waltz-Astoria, Greek at Dino’s Restaurant and Ovelia, and many more—visit BOROmag.com/Live-Music-in-Astria-and-LIC 24

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84 WALTZ-ASTORIA

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REST-AU-RANT

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ART / FASHION

Plants paper and yarn. Susan Springer Anderson seeks hidden forms in common materials. “Fauxy,” 2010, flora foxtails, wire, pine branches and window screen.

“Baby Doll,” 2007, wire, tissue paper and cupcake liners. “Skin: .025,” 2011, wire, jute, string, sisal and yarn.

LOCAL ARTIST EXAMINES SELF-REFLECTION BY

CHANGING THE CONTEXT Story Suzanne Sitelman

Local artist Susan Springer Anderson works with a wide range of found or recycled supplies when crafting her unique art: sculptures consisting of a series of armature figures clothed in varied materials. These armatures – the metal framework around which a sculpture is built – are the skeleton of each piece, the support structure that holds the figure together while wax or clay is applied. And in Susan’s artwork, this wire skeleton is left exposed, creating an unexpected yet breathtaking affect.

The attire worn by Anderson’s unformed figures is constructed out of an assortment of unusual substances, including paper towels, vinyl tablecloth and coffee filters. These materials, once possessing an alternative function, are provided new meaning when placed on the sculptures.

“My goal is to look at things a little bit differently, to take the everyday objects around us and take a second look at them by having them placed in a different context,” said Anderson.

According to Anderson, clothing is a reflection of our souls.

What we wear demonstrates how we respond to this world and how we make choices. The metal figures are self-portraits, reflecting the artist’s changing values over time, how she viewed herself and those around her at different stages in her life. By presenting items in a slightly different context, the

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hope is to inspire viewers to see themselves in a different way and more closely examine who they are and what truly makes their lives meaningful.

Anderson is also exploring these same soulful themes in her next project, currently holding the working title, “Garment of Praise.” In this project, an armature figure will be dressed in an article of clothing fashioned out of Tyvek, an insulating substance used to cover houses during construction. The Tyvek will be covered with text that consists of a series of journal entries written by various individuals. These entries will serve as a record of joyful moments experienced throughout the year and will communicate the overall theme of “insulating” one’s self from the negative by concentrating on what is positive and beautiful.

See more of Susan’s art at: BOROmag.com/Susan-Springer or check out her art in person at krisTEES, 24-01 23rd Ave, through the month of March.

REAL ESTATE

THE YARD

“LIVE. PLAY” IN LONG ISLAND CITY Story Daniel Crown Photo Durakan Design

For years, real-estate agents have portrayed the symbiotic relationship between a neighborhood and its residents as the ideal way to lure a client into a new property. The more a person loves his or her home, the more it tends to love them back.

Both a real-estate mogul and a resident of Long Island City, Eric Benaim, president and co-founder of Modern Spaces, has taken this message to heart. Not only has he used his affection towards his home neighborhood to build a career for himself, but he has also helped introduce the area to a series of plush, fashionable luxury apartment buildings – the newest of which, The Yard, is scheduled to open its doors in March.

“I’m [Long Island City’s] biggest promoter,” Benaim said, laughing out loud at his exaggeration, however minute. “Let’s just say that I love it here.”

If Benaim speaks the truth, then Modern Spaces’ latest undertaking might as well serve as his most audacious love letter to date. Named after its location on 50th Avenue atop what used to be the yard space for the Long Island Railroad’s main powerhouse, The Yard is highlighted by two large outdoor common areas.

The first, a roof deck measuring in at a whopping 10,000 square feet, features all the amenities one might expect from a luxury deck in New York City: barbeque pits, lounge chairs and a breathtaking view.

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The residents lounge will provide a catering kitchen, screening area / art gallery, and exposure to an outdoor area with lounge seating and fire pit.

The second, a garden area located just outside the third floor, promises something completely different.

After passing through a state-of-the-art lounge area – itself decked out with a sizable kitchen and a screening room that will also double as an art gallery –residents of the Yard will stumble upon what amounts to a grown-up playground.

Amongst other curios, the garden area features a human sized chessboard, a seesaw and a series of swings, all of which are surrounded by pathways primed with plants, trees and sculptures.

In regards to living spaces, the building supports 83 units, including 16 two-bedroom and 12 studio apartments (the rest are single bedroom units). Completing the open-air motif, all of the apartments – with the exception of the studios – are connected to private outdoor spaces. The front lobby also features a prominent moss-covered wall.

According to Benaim, by harnessing the rejuvenating power of nature, Modern Spaces hopes to revitalize the youthful souls of its residents, whatever their true ages may be. “Our tagline is ‘Live.Play’,” he said. “[The Yard] is going to be extremely playful and fun, all at a price point that is one of the most reasonable in the neighborhood.”

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110 THE YARD

107 MODERN SPACES