Posts by Merissa Principe
Black-Owned Restaurants to Support in 2022
Putting the Soul in Soul Food When it comes to Astoria, this melting pot of a community is known as one of the most diverse boroughs in all of NYC. As we kick off Black History Month this February, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite Black-owned businesses that go above and beyond, not…
Read MoreFall In Love With Famous Food
A MICHELIN GUIDE Nothing says romantic like a seven-course meal. While Manhattan gets a lot of publicity when it comes to celebrity chefs, Michelin Star and Bib Guide awarded restaurants are popping up all over Queens as of lately. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, these are the best critically acclaimed restaurants in Queens, perfect for…
Read MoreRing in the New Year, the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is one of the most important celebrations observed in China. Located in the northeast neighborhood of Queens, Flushing is said to be one of the fastest-growing Asian-dominated communities of the world, beyond the continent itself. In fact, it’s bigger than the concentrated community of Chinatown in Manhattan. So…
Read More7 Soul-Warming Soups For Cold Winter Months
Chase Away The Chill With these Seven Soups Seeking refuge from subzero temps? Nothing comforts you on a cold winter’s day quite like a warm bowl of soup. Whether it’s pho, chicken noodle, or soup dumplings you seek, these seven bowls of steaming soup are not only flavorful—they’re unique! District Pho at District Saigon For…
Read MoreYour Guide To New Year’s Eve Happenings
Toast the New Year Let the countdown begin! Kiss 2021 goodbye and say hello to the New Year. While 2021 proved to be a glimmer of hope in a post-pandemic world, welcoming the new year couldn’t come soon enough. With a new year, comes new beginnings. What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than…
Read More6 Must-have Bottles Of Wine For The Holidays
Wine Shopping Made Easy One of the best gifts to give (and receive) during the holidays would, of course, be a bottle of wine. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to make a selection. Do you go with red or white wine? Once you decide on that, which variety do…
Read MoreThe Best Christmas Cocktails Around Town
Drink and Be Merry The houses are strewn in lights, the smell of fir trees envelope the air, and it seems you can’t walk into a store without hearing a holiday jingle or two. You know what that means: It’s officially Christmas time in the neighborhood. One of the best ways to get into the…
Read MoreMeet Roosevelt Island’s First Cocktail Bar
The Panorama Room Situated in the middle of the East River lies Roosevelt Island. An island that was once the home to penitentiaries, insane asylums, and a small-pox hospital. These days, the ever-growing residential island is filled with green parks, shops, and restaurants. Upon the recent opening of the Graduate Hotel came a brand-new swanky…
Read MoreA Neighborhood Staple Turns 15
Ovelia Psistaria “Ovelia is the ancient Greek term describing the ritual of cooking lamb over an open flame,” explains brothers and co-owners Chris and Peter Giannakas. This year marks the 15th anniversary since the family-owned restaurant opened its doors in 2006, making waves in the neighborhood for serving contemporary Greek cuisine. Peter explains that his…
Read MoreThe Best Events to Check Out This December Around the Borough
It’s A Winter Wonderland Out There The weather outside might be frightful, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Queens this December. From an immersive holiday lights festival at the Queens County Farm to holiday shopping markets featuring locally made goods in Astoria to indoor ice skating and hockey in Flushing, here’s…
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