Restaurants in Kew Gardens?

[Diana]

A friend is moving to Kew Gardens and I was looking for recommendations on good restaurants in that neighborhood - any cuisine is fair game. The only restaurant I've heard of is Mood - anyone try it?

[Lambretta76]

Austin Street Ale House used to be OK, and the Pakistani joint on the other side of Lefferts used to be quite good. (I never remeber its name.) Otherwise, it was ghost town. If they have a car - the wonders of Flushing and beyond are open to explore...

[Kerry]

I found the Pakistani place bland, although the owner is a very friendly host. I agree with your assessment of Kew Gardens as a ghost town... however, a few interesting businesses have opened up. One is the restaurant Mood, which may be inconsistent but definitely offers a higher-quality dining experience than anything else in the vicinity. Also, the Korean fish market has just started offering sushi which isn't bad at all. Yamasa soy sauce.

[Kullax24]

I live off of Metropolitan, and have discovered five gems:

1) Salerno's: Well-known since it was featured in the movie "Big Night" with Tony Shalhoub from 1996. This place hasn't changed its decorum since 1953 and it shows. Also, its four-course meal is so cheap ($29), you would think it reflects prices from the '50s! Anyway, home-made pasta sauce is chunky and filled with fresh basil and garlic. Dishes are enormous and should be shared family style. Not much of a wine list, but then again, there isn't really a mark-up (maybe 50%) either. It's located in south Kew Gardens/Richmond Hill off 118th St. Well worth the taxi cab ride from the subway station.

2) Spolini's: I haven't eaten there, but my roommate has (also a chowhound), and he says that the veal there is the best he's ever had. Valet service on the weekend coupled with a clientele that looks straight out of Goodfellas throws a good vibe. Place is always packed when I walk by. Located on Metropolitan.

3) Tu Casa/Incas: Peruvian chicken places. Best rotisserie chicken I've ever had. I believe Inca has better chicken, but the dipping sauce is better at Tu Casa, and chicken's cheaper there too. The meat melts off the bone, and the skin is sublime. Inca's on Queens Blvd., Tu Casa's on Lefferts Blvd. and Metropolitan Ave.

4) Dani's: Other people on the board have given the place a bad rap. I disagree. It's good pizza, with a slightly sweet sauce. Crust is a little thick than Nick's. Nick's is better, but definitely better pizza than most places in Manhattan, especially after coming back from the city.

[alice1derland]

Dani's is ok for a slice in a pinch, but we aren't crazy about the food there. Nick's is much better, but pricy.

We do like Tu Casa! I think i may have posted about it when we first ate there. I had takeout chicken from Inca's and found it to be just ok. It didn't inspire me to go back and it was pricy.

We love La Tavernetta in Glendale for Italian. It's just a quick hop off union turnpike at 88st. It's just a hole in the wall but everything we have had has always been delicious.

The new Thai place in FH is pretty good compared to what we've got.

[Chicago Mike]

La Tavernetta is brilliant Italian... very tasty and comfortable, price is right, near-complentary wine...

[hema]

ok Mood is SOOO inconsistent, and the last time I went they were RUDE beyond belief. And I have been a regular customer, so I was SHOCKED that they would be so rude. Anyway, I would not recommend the place. I think they are becoming obnoxious because they are one of the few restaurants in Kew Gardens now and really don't have much to risk.

ALthough the area is a bit desolate in terms of restaurants, its not so far from Forest Hills and Qns Blvd. Pinang in qns blvd is okay, also inconsistent, but they are nice and there are a few dishes that generally always turn out ok

Not so far from 5 BUrro in forest hills-delicious Mexican.

[pedro]

Dude, I agree. In Kew Gardens, MOOD would be the most elegant
looking but that bartender/owner is a horrific host.
Extremely Rude I agree. Went there once in sneakers, they
told me I had to reserve so I didn't eat. but place had empty
tables. thats scary almost illegal. Well, the bar drinks are
good, but there was a party, i bought 3 girls drinks, and the sa
same rood host, yelled "Yo" when I couldnt hear him due to a
rare party.

[haitian queen]

Yea I been to MOOd twice the first was for5 a fund raising event and the second i went with a girlfriend , and when it was time to pay the bill the waitress try to steal 10 off my credit card . But dummy didnt know that every time i use my credit card i get notified on my cell phone and it tell me howmuch is being charge . I couldnt believe it so from now on i will deff pay cash b/c they can steal from you and wouldnt know until later . never again going back .

[GoddessofFood]

Interesting.
So its not just me then who thought the owner can be rude.
I understand they are not stroller friendly due to space capacity, but you'd think an owner would be a little more accommodating if I am a repeat customer. The guy practically made this face like we just weren't welcomed. That left a very bad taste.

I agree about Dani's excellent pizza. My favorite, hands-down anywhere.

[Jim Leff]

Nick's is art, but Dani's is among the worst pizzerias in the city. But, hey, that's just my opinion, and vive la difference of le opinion (how's my French?), etc etc...

ciao

[Hannahas]

They're rude to the neighbors too

[Erica]

For a decent neighborhood Italian 'sauce house', there is Dani's Pizza & Restaurant. On Lefferts near Grenfell. It's a small place and not much to look at. I've never had their pizza, but they do mighty respectable baked dishes like eggplant parm & rollatine, ziti, etc. and have a decent wine list and [bottled] beer selection. Small dining room with 6 [or so] booths and some tables.

[josh L]

the food at dani's has been lousy for over twenty years. eat at your own risk.

Link: http://www.muckraked.com

[Erica]

I happen to enjoy the food I've eaten at Dani's, which is why I recommended the place. Why not do something useful, like chime in with a recommendation of your own?

[Lambretta76]

I've never had the food at Dani's, but the pizza was the best in the world when you were stumbling home at 2 AM and it was the only thing open. I also enjoyed it sober, but it's not in the running for the best in the city. Not too far away is Nick's, which is in Forest Hills. Fantastic 'za.

[josh L]

i grew up close to dani's and even as a child i found the pizza close to unedible. i've posted and written about pizza extensively on this board. the only decent pizza in the kew gardens/forest hills area is at nicks on ascan ave or patsy grimaldi's house if your tight with him.

Link: http://www.muckraked.com

[Erica]

Please re-read my original post and you will see that I said I never ate their pizza. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Chicago Mike]

There's very decent pizza at D'Aleo's on Jamaica just west of Woodhaven too... more of a straight walk-up pizzeria but I do like their slices and pies.

[John]

The good thing about Kew Gardens is its proximity to Forest Hills which has much more to offer in the way of restaurants.

A few in Kew Gardens : Spolini's (family style italian)& Austin Ale House (good brunch).

Down Metropolitan avenue to the back end of FH a bunch of restaurants have staked a claim. Dee's which besides a great brick oven pizza, offers good italian and mediterranean fare. There's also Sarabella, Luna Sur, and many more - see this google search:

http://local.google.com/local?sourcei...

for Mexican try 5 Burro's Cafe on Austin street off of Ascan.

There's a whole bunch of chain restaurant's on Austin Street beyond Continental Avenue (TGIF, Mardi Gras, Pizzeria Uno, etc)

[kuhllax24]

Has anybody tried that very tiny sushi place, which is right around the corner from the Union Tpke. subway? When there's the combination of small, Japanese and food, I think good, but I could be wrong.

[baconstrip]

It's Momoyama. And it's actually quite decent. And the guys are very friendly. I just get the basics - tuna, salmon, unagi rolls.

[Matt]

Never tried Mood. Agree with most everything i've read. The Kew is kind of desolate. Tu Casa is very good food as is Pakistani/Indian place on Austin. The Ale house has ok burgers, but the rest of menu aint cheap. Try the Columbian place (Springtime) on the Blvd. across from borough hall is decent and under $10. Not much to look at and at 7PM there usually isnt a great variety left. Finally, Dani's pizza is pretty bad.Their sauce is horrible. It's only acceptable at 2am when one is bombed. Nick's blows it away

[alice1derland]

Springtime is pretty bad for dinner. i think they cater to a lunch crowd more. we got take out for dinner once and the food was so bad we threw it away.

[Kerry]

I hate to say it, but that Pakistani place wasn't great the last time I went. I feel bad saying this though because the owner was so nice.

[Deb]

I agree with you but I didn't think the owner was nice. I went in there for lunch a few years ago and my food was really salty. When I commented, he got defensive.

[Tony]

I have been living in Kew Gardens for a couple of years now, these are my picks:

For pizza I like L'Angolo (which used to be Pete's I think) on the corner of 116th and Metropolitan. I love their eggplant pizza. That pizza place on Lefferts by LIRR is terrible. I've eaten there a couple of times and have never been satisfied. Once my wife ordered pasta primavera in the restaurant and she got spaghetti mixed with veggies from the frozen food section.

For Chinese take out I love Wing Luck next to L'Angolo on Metropolitan. They make good shrimp dumplings. The place near Spolini's, I think it's called Golden Chopsticks is terrible, very greasy.

Spolini's is very good, I've eaten there a few times. The penne ala vodka is great and the zuppa di clams in white wine were fantastic. I also like the berry tart for dessert. Everything is family style(each serving is for 2 or 3 people) and the menu is written on the wall. And the clientele does look straight out of goodfellas. The service is pretty professional. All in all, this is the best higher end type of dining experience in Kew Gardens proper.

Springtime on Queens blvd is not that good. Trust me, my wife is from Colombia and she hates that place. The best bet in the area is Dona Maria on the corner of Jamaica Ave and Woodhaven Blvd. They have good sancocho de gallina and bandeja paisa. Also there is another good colombian bakery down the road from there on 102 and Jamaica ave, try their bunuelos, pan de bono and empanadas.

I like Austins for sitting outside during the summer. They do a nice prime rib dinner special and they have a really good beer selection.

Tu Casa does have pretty good rotisserie chicken and I love their dipping sauces and tostones. I also like the salad with avacado slices. But another good deal on chicken is the greek guy at the union tpke subway station. You can get a whole chicken, a side of greek salad, a side of chicken rice, and 2 gyro breads for $10. And it's fun to watch them pull your chicken off the grill and wack it with the cleaver into about 10 pieces. Also, I've never spent more than about 2 minutes in there which is great when you've just finished work.

My favorite bagels come from the place next to the movie theatre on Lefferts. There is a new bagel shop opening on Metropolitan near Spolinis, we'll see which is better.

Speaking of the movie theatre, they play foriegn and independent films and on Tues and Thurs the tickets are $6.
I have not tried the Indo/Paki place on Austin.
I have not tried Mood either or the Hebrew place across the street from them but I think that is a catering hall.
Homestead on Lefferts is an interesting eastern europe deli, I like their cherry strudel and keilbasa.
The diner on Lefferts is so-so, instead I go to the flagship or spiros in briarwood on queens blvd.

[Jim Smith]

Tell me more about the "Greek chicken guy in the subway." What is the exact location? Is it literally in the subway station? What are the hours (open weekends)?

[Tony]

The greek chicken guy is on Kew Gardens Road right at the Q10 bus stop which is right outside of the subway entrance. He runs the place with the help of a latin american guy during the week, I think I've seen it open on the weekend but I'm not positive. The place is tiny, it seats about 6 people but he's got a huge charcoal grill and could turn out chicken for about 100. Half of the grill is used for cooking the raw chicken and the other half keeps the already cooked chicken warm. The chicken is lemony and charred. I've seen the rice come mixed with chicken or vegetables. The greek salad is simple but it makes a really good match. They also have spanokopita which I got once and thought it was just ok. Just say "whole chicken with rice and salad" and watch them wack it up with the cleaver; a well spent 10 spot.

[RM]

I've been to Mood and it was excellent. I highly recommend it. However, it is $$$$

[janie]

The garlic rolls at L'angolo are great, and you are right, that eggplant pizza is very nice with the ricotta swirls on top---the spinach mushroom looked nice, too..and with fresh mozzarella......cute little place--thanks for the tip! It's so close to where I am in Richmond Hill North...a good 2nd choice if I can't make it to Rosa's on Fresh Pond Rd........Checked out the few Kosher stores around there, nothing worth mentioning..will stick with Carmel on 108th for middle eastern groceries...and the Russian type groceries are much better in Rego Park than the couple on Metropolitan--but they seem to be catering to the Ashkenazi's in that area, not the Bukarian's in Rego Park and Forest Hills---

[queenseats]

Have to say I am a big fan of Dani's. When you want a decent meal on a budget they come through. The complimentary bread is always fresh and warm. Their linguine with white clam sauce is one of the best I've ever had.

Not too pleased with Austin Ale House lately. Ate there a couple nights ago and it was hot, smelled badly, and there was a roach on the wall next to our table.

Though a bit outside of Kew Gardens, Kyoto on Union Tpke and Parsons Blvd. is great. They serve Japanese and Thai -- the fish is always extremely fresh and the prices are reasonable for the quality.

[lukeydog]

danis is getting alot of free press...It is not a good place to eat by any stretch of the imagination. I have been in and out of the area the past 35 years. I go to McDonalds before Dani's that is how nasty I think it is.In the summer the dumpster up against the wall heading down the street reeks!!

Funny the one thing I used to stop in for always led me to an inedible slice of pizza..their beer..They have a great selection..Worht a stop for a cold one..Just don't stay long enough to eat..Austin Ale House is a great place to gamble but the food is really nothing special. This time of the year it is tough to even drop in because they are doing holiday parties and the OTB crowd makes the place packed....Spolini's is capable on any given night of being a meal to rememeber. Their white clam and veal spolini are both great dishes...Someone mentioned Salerno's which has experienced a renaissance of sorts..They were featured in Good fellas and the death scene in the Pink caddy was right in their parking lot...Prices are good and the service is excellent..There is also a great burger to be had at the irish Cottage in FH..i mentioned earlier Porto Finos on Ascan has a wonderful brunch and they are a nice spot to eat...

[jokur1853]

Cabana (Carribean Style) on 70th Road off Austin Street is terrific. It gets very crowded so I try to get there early. The food is always fresh and nicely presented. They have great desserts and a really good Mojito. Definitely my favorite. Another nice place is near the police station on Austin Street called Cami. It has its own bakery so desserts are pretty good.

[liznyny]

Cabana is my favorite restaurant in NY, period (I've been to all of them - in Forest Hills, at the Seaport, near Bloomies on Third and in Palm Beach, Florida). Ask for the salmon with fruit glaze over coconut rice - it's fantastic, and not on the menu (you have to be in the know).

I eat at Tu Casa, the chicken place, all the time. Good value, fresh and consistent good food. Nice owner.

Another great little place is Acquista Trattoria on Union Turnpike (near St. Johns) in Fresh Meadows. Worth the short ride over there (ten minutes). Great Italian food, low prices. My friends and I love going there. It's small, but really good. You can park right on the street and there are outdoor tables, too.

For pizza, I go to Paul Michaels Brick Oven Cafe in The CVS Shopping Plaza. Much better pizza than Dani's.

There's a brand new place in the Super Stop and Shop center on Union Turnpike, called Pizza Classica. Friends and I went there and really liked it. Plasma's everywhere for sports, nice menu - they even have Chocolate Pizza for dessert (really good). Until they get their liquor license, they are serving free wine. Good deal.

[KewGardens.com]

You should visit KewGardens.com and follow the link to restaurants, all the restaurants in Kew Gardens are listed on the site.