The BOAST: Best of Astoria survey (warm weather edition) has been extended until Friday, July 10 at 8pm. Here’s the link. Take it and share it!
Welcome to BOAST: Best of Astoria & LIC, the essential guide to the best things to eat, drink, do and see in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens.
4th of July fireworks come early in Astoria
The NYC fireworks on July 4th will be over the East River this year, but if you want to get in on the action early, there will be fireworks over Astoria Park this Tuesday night. The festivities start at 7:30pm with a performance from the West Point Band, followed by fireworks around 9pm. So get over to the Astoria Park Great Lawn, bring a blanket, a picnic, and enjoy the sky light up!
New BOAST survey is LIVE!
Hello, and happy (almost) summer.
We wanted to let you know that the next BOAST: Best of Astoria survey (warm weather edition) is now live on the web! Here is the link:
http://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/LBWyWcme
Some categories are the same as last time, and there are some new ones as well. The survey will be live until Friday, July 3 at 5pm, so please take it soon. Even if you skip some categories, go ahead and fill out the ones you do know, and it would be great if you could do short write-ups for your choices (1-2 sentences). You may see your writing on the site!
We are trying to reach as many people as possible, so please share the survey.
As a refresher, you can check out the current winners in the EAT category, the DRINK category, and the DO & SEE category.
And once more, you can click here for the survey.
We’re looking forward to seeing the results!
Here’s where to party in NY this summer
The New York Times just published an article about where to party in New York this summer. There is a section dedicated to Astoria, with shout-outs to Sekend Sun, The Albatross, The Bonnie, and Sanfords. Check ’em out, and enjoy this warm weather!
Warm Up at MoMA PS1
It’s June, and this is the month that the Warm Up 2015 series starts at MoMA PS1. Starting Saturday, June 27 at noon, and happening every Saturday until September 5, there is a huge concert/jam/party that goes on all day. From its website: “A New York summer staple now in its 18th year, MoMA PS1’s highly anticipated Warm Up outdoor music series continues its tradition of introducing audiences to the best in experimental live music, sound, and DJs—both local and international—across a range of genres.” Tickets are $18 in advance, and $20 at the door, but if you live in a zip code 11101–11109, you get in free. Score one for LIC and Astoria residents. You can get more info about the Warm Up 2015 series on the MoMA PS1 Facebook page, and on our HAPPENING page.
Additionally, there are some excellent exhibits at the museum, including Wael Shawky: Cabaret Crusades, which is on view until August 31. Videos featuring beautifully-made marionettes recount the history of The Crusades from an Arab perspective. Check out a picture from the exhibit below.
Warm Weather Means Bohemian Beer Garden
Even if people haven’t been to Astoria, they probably have heard of the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. It’s NYC’s oldest beer garden, and it attracts huge crowds every weekend in the summer. Because really, what’s better than being outside and throwing back a few with a couple hundred of your closest pals? There are a couple events coming up this weekend to start off the summer season.
Interested by the new phenomenon of Quiet Clubbing? Starting this Friday at 10pm, and happening every other Friday for the rest of the summer, you can see what it’s all about. Choose between three channels of live DJ sets, and get your groove on. $5 online at quietevents.com, or $10 at the door.
On Saturday and Sunday starting at noon is the Czech and Slovak Festival, which will feature live entertainment and authentic Czech and Slovak cuisine. And of course good beer. Cheers!
The Cheesemonger Invitational coming soon to LIC
The Cheesemonger Invitational (CMI) is coming to LIC on June 27! Last year’s event, reviewed by First We Feast, looks amazing. More info and tickets here.
Sweet Afton was just written up in the New Yorker
Kudos to the Sweet Afton, BOAST winner for Bar with Best Atmosphere, for being written up in the May 18 issue of the New Yorker in the Bar Tab section. Here’s the article. Their beers on draught are excellent (the Allegash White is especially tasty), as are their signature cocktails. If you feel like snacking, they are famous for their fried pickles and mac & cheese. They also have live Bluegrass/Folk/Jazz every Monday night at 9pm. You can find out more information on our HAPPENING page, and on their website as well.
Our 5 Favorite Warm Weather Drinks (non-alcoholic)
Ginger Organic – Around the corner from Grand Cafe (they share the same owner), this fairly new, spacious juice shop is a breath of fresh air. It is open, spacious, and has delicious fresh pressed juices and smoothies along with a daily stocked to-go section of healthy snacks and meals. They also offer 1-, 3- and 5-day cleanses that can be picked up in store or delivered right to your door. If you’re feeling more indulgent, they even make cocktails using their juices and all organic ingredients.
Fusion Juice Bar – This newcomer on 37th st and 31st ave was recently opened by a fitness enthusiast who wanted to share what he learned with the rest of Astoria. With freshly-made smoothies running the gamut from post-workout protein boost to all berries, this place can fulfill any juice lover’s cravings.
Caffe Bene – With two locations, one on Ditmars and one on Broadway/Steinway, no matter where you live in Astoria you can walk here. Both are spacious and comfortable, and boast drinks ranging from iced coffee bubble tea to strawberry lattes. What makes it even more inviting are the books lining the back walls for your reading pleasure while your enjoy your drink and perhaps a snack as well.
Tapioca Story – For those who love bubble tea, this tiny shop on 30th Ave is always able to satisfy the craving. They are very generous with their boba, and offer a wide variety of tea/smoothie flavors from the traditional black milk tea or taro to a pineapple smoothie. Try the lychee tea with boba for a tart twist!
Astoria Coffee afogatto – While all the drinks at this always busy coffee shop are amazing, the oft overlooked afternoon treat is their affogato. Pick one of 4 amazing Ice and Vice flavors (the milk with chocolate ganache pairs quite well), and enjoy your coffee and ice cream combo while cooling off during a sunny day.
Bonus! A must do at least once in the summertime. Go to any Greek restaurant or cafe, order a Greek coffee or latte semi-sweet with a pastry, and wile away the afternoon people watching in true Grecian style.
There’s always something happening at Mundo
Mundo is technically in Long Island City, but since it was voted a BOAST winner for Best Vegetarian food, they are certainly on our radar. First, the food and cocktails, which have an international and Latin vibe, are both excellent, and are certainly worth checking out. Second, there is almost always something going on at Mundo besides the food and drink. There are Flamenco and Tango shows, live music many nights of the week, and other events, such as screenings. This Thursday the 14th at 7pm is the opening reception for the art show The Mundo We Live In. Many of the artists will be attending, and there will be live music, and DJ sets later on in the night. You can find out more about this event on our HAPPENING page, and on their website, at mundonewyork.com.
