yumPhotograph by: Nancy Huang Photo from: MexiBBQ.comcravePhoto by: Garrett Ziegler delishshare Photograph by: Max Falkowitz 51
Dining Spotlighton: MUNDOMysterious, adventurous, and decadent...are three words used to describeMundo, an eclectic world cuisine restaurant at the Paper Factory Hotel in Astoria.The owners, Miles Christian & Kayvon had a dream 7 years ago to open arestaurant that would embrace and celebrate the diversity of the area. We satdown with them to hear more about their restaurant and the changes they haveseen in their neighborhood over the last several years.Q:How would you according to food we particularly about thedescribe your restaurant grew up with, such as first year in business asin four words? Empanadas or Ottoman a restaurant. Would you dumplings. We are called say it was as challengingA: Journey at the table. Mundo, and the idea is as you expected?Q:Tell us a little bit about to reveal the beauty of A: We started fromthe inspiration for yourplace and how you settled world culture through ground zero, so we reallyon your menu. food, drinks and events. had no expectations. ItA:We are a very united was hard since we had tocore team, we’ve worked Q:Describe what kind of even wash dishes by handtogether for over seven experience someone can in the beginning. But weyears, so we have a expect to have at Mundo?pretty clear idea ofwhat kind of experience A: If you come to Mundo, were always positive andwe want to offer. Also,we are from all around you will have a unique rose from the ashes manythe world, so our menuincorporates dishes from experience. You may times, with hard workmany different countriesand we have a direct end up engaging with and an amazing andinfluence on our menu, the owners, tasting our dedicated team. eclectic food and specials or enjoying a spectacular Q: What about the show while dining. community? What made you decide to open a Q:We’ve heard restaurant here? some horror stories,52
A: We all lived in Astoria A: Yes very supportive. small businesses succeedand felt at home here. Always. over the years, and getWe love the diversity of stronger. Everyone wantsthe area -- it fits the Q: What do you love to visit Astoria now.Mundo concept perfectly. most about Astoria? People from Manhattan,No matter where you Long Island, New Jersey.are from, you will feel at A: The neighborhoodhome here. vibe. The diversity of the Q: What are you favoriteWe are big on engaging culture. The parks and food shops in the area?community. As a matter activities. Anywhere you wouldof fact, Mundo has always recommend for making abeen a place where people Q: Anything you don’t like? special meal at home?connect. Our host andowner of Mundo, Willy, A: The disconnection A: As people ofdoes an amazing job at with Brooklyn, Mundo, we love all theweaving community, a transportation-wise. international food stores.lot of people joke about And we love organic foodhim being the consul of Q: Have you seen a lot of that is available throughAstoria. changes in the area since health food stores. you’ve been in business?Q: Did you find people Anything really good? Bad?to be supportive? A: Yes many things. The evolution of this neighborhood has been very positive. We’ve seen so many local 53
Dining DIRECTORY Il Bambino Winegasm www.ilbambinonyc.com www.winegasmeatery.com 34-08 31st Avenue 31-86 37th Street Astoria, NY 11106 Astoria, NY 11103 718 626 0087 718 932 3331 Bareburger Aliada www.bareburger.com www.aliada-restaurant.com 33-21 31st Avenue 2919 Broadway Astoria, NY 11103 Astoria, NY 11106 718 777 7011 718 932 2240 Brick Café MexiBBQ www.brickcafe.com www.mexiqny.com 30-95 33rd Street 37-11 30th Avenue Astoria, NY 11102 Astoria, NY 11103 718 267 2735 718 626 0333 Wattawa Sushi Shi 33-10 Ditmars Boulevard www.eatdrinkshi.com Astoria, NY 11105 4720 Center Boulevard 718 545 9596 Queens, NY 11109 347 242 245054
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NIGHTLIFEThe Best Part of the Day is the NightOnce associated with biergartens, Astoria and Long Island Citynow offer a variety of drinking options even worth making the tripfrom Manhattan for. And while there is still a significant craft andbrewing scene, there are also nightclubs for late night dancingand specialty bars offering 24 different types of bourbons. Thenightlife scene has something for everyone. 57
Astoria after darkAstoria and Long Island City have a happening nightlife andthere are several great spots to choose from. Whether you’relooking to go dancing or sip cocktails from a rooftop, wepicked the best nightlife venues in the area.Astoria and Long cocktails or beers. bottomless Mimosas,Island City has an Looking for an upscale Bellini’s and Bloodyever-growing nightlife night out? Penthouse Mary’s if you are morescene that offers 808 is located at the of a scenic day drinker.everything from the top of the Ravel Hotel, Another upscale,expected beer garden to Long Island City’s first intimate spot Winegasmthe more eclectic and luxury boutique hotel. Eatery is perfect forupscale lounge. This The views of the New a calmer, perhapsthriving neighborhood York City skyline are romantic evening. Thein Queens is easy of spectacular and the wine comes from allaccess with a subway cocktails and crowd over the world and ifride of 20 minutes from are perfect if you are it starts to go to yourTimes Square Most in the mood to get head, we recommenddrinking spots also offer dressed up and out of ordering from theirdelicious food options, the house. Penthouse Mediterranean tapasa good thing after 808 also has a weekend menu.you’ve consumed a few brunch known for its58
Heading into more casualterritory, MexiBBQ kitchenand Draught introducesthe east coast to a mix ofbarbecue cuisine with aMexican accent all washeddown with a choice of dozensof artisanal style beers thatvary according to the seasons.Perfect place to hit for asporting event or laid backnight out.If you want to go old school,Bohemian Hall and BeerGarden is an authenticCzech beer garden featuringshared picnic tables. Thisspot also happens to be theperfect cheap eats, with platesof sausage to fill you up.Bohemian Hall is open yearround (the garden is tentedand heated in the winter) butfor the best experience werecommended trying it out ona warm day. 59
Nightlife DIRECTORY Penthouse808 Icon www.penthouse808rooftop.com 31-84 33rd Street 8-08 Queens Plaza S Astoria, NY 1110 Long Island City, NY 11101 347 808 7592 718 289 6118 DiWine Cavo www.Diwineonline.com www.cavoastoria.com 41-15 31st Avenue 42-18 31st Avenue Astoria, NY 11103 Astoria, NY 11103 718 777 1355 718 721 1001 Mundo Z Hotel Rooftop Bar www.mundonewyork.com www.zhotelny.com 37-06 36th Street 11-01 43rd Avenue The Paper Factory Hotel Long Island City, NY 11101 Long Island City, NY 11101 212 319 700060
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ART & CULTURECulture Vision: Astoria and Long IslandCity are on the forefront of the arts scene An entire district has been recently named for the arts and culture Astoria has to offer while Long Island City has been home to such institutions as the Museum of the Moving Image and the Noguchi Museum for quite some time. With MoMa PS1’s regularly scheduled weekend events you can make an entire weekend immersed in the area’s culture and arts. 63
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Art and CultureLong Island City and Astoria have steadily been building an impressiveart scene that has become not only a big attraction to visitors, butalso a foundation for community residents who are culturally minded.We highlighted three of the many cultural hot spots in the area worthchecking out.MUSEUM OF MOVING IMAGEThe name of this museum speaks for itself as the institution is dedicated to all thingsmoving image. They feature exhibitions, education programs and display film-relatedartifacts. For a complete schedule and to find out more about upcoming programmingand events at the Musuem of Moving Image, go to www.movingimage.com.THE NOGUCHI MUSEUMFrom pop culture to serenity, Queens has it all. The Noguchi Museum is only 12minutes by car from The Museum of Moving Image, but once inside you will feeltransported to another world. Dedicated to the work and legacy of Isamu Noguchi,the serene and intimate space and beautiful sculpture garden not only celebrate theartist but also offer an oasis from the hectic city. And to top it off, admission is free. Formore information on The Noguchi Museum go to:www.noguchi.org.MOMA PS1MOMA PS1 is one of the oldest and largest contemporary nonprofit institutionsin the country. MOMA PS1 has built a reputation on supporting emerging artistsand presenting some of the most experimental art in the city. From performance artand music to mass-scale installations, you can expect to have a unique experiencewhenever you go. Throughout the summer, MOMA PS 1 hosts Warm Up, an outdoormusic series, “introducing audiences to the best in experimental live music, soundand DJs” from across the globe. Check out the weekly lineup at www.momaps.1/warmup . Admission is $18 in advance; $20 day-of. 65
Art & Culture DIRECTORY Theater Development Fund’s The Astor Room Costume Collection www.astorroom.com www.tdf.org 34-12 36th Street 34-12 36th Street #1 Astoria, NY 11106 Astoria, NY 11106 718 255 1947 212 989 5855 Museum of the Moving Image The Garden at Studio Square www.movingimage.us NYC 36-01 35th Avenue 35-33 36th Street Astoria, NY 11106 Astoria, NY 11106 718 784 0077 718 383 1001 Noguchi Museum Frank Sinatra School of the www.noguchi.org Arts 9-01 33rd Road 35-12 35th Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 Astoria, NY 11106 718 204 7088 718 361 9920 Kaufman Astoria Studios Queens Council on the Arts www.kaufmanastoria.org www.queenscouncilarts.org 34-12 36th Street 37-11 35th Avenue Astoria, NY 11106 Astoria, NY 11101 718 706 5300 347 505 301066
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THE BEST SITES TO USE FOR HOUSE HUNTING #1 #2 #368
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23-37 31st Road, Astoria, New York 11106THE NEWEST PREMIER BOUTIQUE CONDOS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF ASTORIA23-37 31st Road JENNIFER ROUSEAstoria, New York 11106 LICENSED ASSOCIATE REAL ESTATE BROKER Phone 917.816.7018
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