LIC or JH for dinner

[ebecker]

Turned 50 today, and would like to have a nice, quiet, delicious dinner with my partner and our 14-year-old son. I live on the Upper West Side (better to stay home and cook); my fave restaurants are in Brooklyn and Queens, and include Zabb, Spicy and Tasty, Kyclades, LIttle Pepper, Pepe's (New Haven--world's best pizza). Any suggestions? Any of my standards would do, but something new and wonderful and perhaps a tiny bit more upscale--or perhaps not--would be fun, too. Have made two recent trips--Mexico City and Andalusia--ate incredibly well--but for variety, would like anything besides Mexican or Spanish. School/work night for all, so low key is, well, key. Thank you!

[cassis]

Convivium! and happy birthday!

[ebecker]

Thank you, both. I've been wanting to try Tournesol for awhile, and Deshi Biryani sounds like my kind of place. I appreciate the recommendations.

[joekarten]

philoxenia in astoria. great greek. lovely room....

[jennsch]

I'll second Philoxenia. I went last Sunday and it's really good. It's casual but has a special meal feel to it. They do whole grilled fish really well -- and don't miss the haloumi. So. Good.

[danoots]

Dissent on Tournesol. Not a lot of this type of restaurants in Queens, so it gets some points there, but don't think it distinguishes itself from many of the other small French places in Manhattan.

[JFores]

Deshi Biryani? Not exactly upscale, but good South Asian in JH.

[Val55]

Then why not Tournesol. It's French, absolutely lovely and only one stop into Queens on the seven train. The snail appetizer is great. Happy Birthday.