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Went a couple weeks ago (for drinks with co-workers then dinner with wife and daughter) and liked it more than I expected to. I have a perhaps unfair bias against menus like theirs, as they sort of strike me as indicative of the kind of place that would get killed if it tried to open up in various Brooklyn neighborhoods that do this sort of thing frequently and better, but instead we enjoyed ourselves plenty at Alobar. The room is comfortable, and the food was pretty rewarding. Highlights included an over-the-top Mushroom Toast (duck egg did the trick) and silky pumpkin risotto.
I go to a restaurant like Testaccio down the street, and it just makes me want to either go to Manhattan or over to Piccola Venezia in Astoria. But Alobar feels like a really nice addition to the neighborhood. Not a destination joint for those from far away, but a nice choice if you happen to be in the neighborhood. We'll be back.
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Alobar
46-42 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11101›2 Replies-
re: MarcInSunnysideGardens
Testaccio is a disappointment. You hit the nail on the head when you say that there are restaurants in Queens that would get killed [in Brooklyn] because they do it better there. Queens Comfort is a perfect example. It's OK but it's no Egg. M. Wells was the shining jewel of Queens and I'm dying for them to reopen.
Anyway, regarding Alobar, it aims high and is fairly competent, but for instance, their charcuterie platter, I've had better at Artisanal and Franny's. The one at LIC Market is ever so slightly better. I went on their opening week and I expect them to work out some kinks in the kitchen regarding flavors, acidity level, etc, will report back.
As of now, it's not really a destination restaurant. Tournesol is a better choice.
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Tournesol
50-12 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11101Testaccio
47-30 Vernon Blvd., Queens, NY 11101LIC Market
21-52 44th Dr, Queens, NY 11101Queens Comfort
40-09 30th Ave, Queens, NY 11103Alobar
46-42 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11101-
re: Pookipichu
I had the Alobar charcuterie plate and thought it was ok, not great. Nice value charcuterie plate at Roberta's in Bushwick. Ya know, I'm inclined to give Alobar a bit of a break--Franny's may be overpriced and cramped (moving can only be an upgrade), but the food is pretty great. Alobar certainly can be worthy without being compared to some of the best around. I hope the community can nurture an Alobar, even if it doesn't leave either of us delirious like M. Wells did.
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