BESTOF.QNS.COM • WINNER’S GUIDE • BEST OF THE BORO 2017 63
BEST CATERING
HALL
RUSSO’S ON THE BAY
162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY
11414 - (718) 843-5055
www.russosonthebay.com
It’s all in the family at Russo’s on the Bay.
The famed catering hall, which first opened in
Howard Beach in 1987, has since made a name
for itself for its exemplary service, exquisite
cuisine and detail to attention fit for the grandest
of events. At Russo’s on the Bay, they understand
that the most memorable of occasions calls for an
unbeatable standard in catering. Therefore, the
team at Russo’s – guided by senior management
with more than 200 years of combined
experience – is all about making your dreams
come true. Complete with three rooms – the
Renaissance Room, the Tivoli Room and the
Crystal Lounge – and a team of chefs as trusted
as the Russo family themselves --Russo’s on the
Bay has something for everyone with something
to celebrate. And that’s what makes it the best
catering hall in Queens.
BEST CHAIN
RESTAURANT
BAREBURGER
www.bareburger.com
It takes something special for a chain restaurant
to stand out as an overwhelming favorite in
one borough. But, thanks to Bareburger, the
choice was easy. Voted best chain restaurant
in all of Queens, this organic-oriented burger
joint, founded in 2009, serves up all natural,
free-range meats at almost 50 worldwide (that’s
right, there’s one in Germany). With locations
in Forest Hills, Astoria, Bayside and beyond it’s
easy to see why Bareburger is the best.
BEST CHINESE
RESTAURANT
LITTLE DUMPLING
252-20 Northern Blvd, Little Neck, NY
11362 - (718) 225-1178
www.littledumplingny.com
There’s nothing little about the dumplings at
Little Dumpling. On the contrary, actually.
This Taiwanese and Shanghainese restaurant
in Little Neck is known for more than just its
out-of-this-world soup dumplings, beef noodles
and hot pots. The restaurant, known also for its
quaint and cozy ambiance, is lauded as the best
Chinese restaurant in the borough. Serving up
traditional dim sum dishes like steamed pork
soup buns and spring rolls, as well as delectable
meat dishes like twice-cooked pork and
fan-favorites like chicken and broccoli, Little
Dumpling does it all. And they do it best.
BEST COFFEE SHOP
DUNKIN DONUTS (BAYSIDE)
40-08 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
718-224-7013
www.dunkindonuts.com
Sometimes it’s the classics that make a lasting
impression. Dunkin Donuts of Bayside racked up
your votes for Best Coffee Shop in the borough.
First opened in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1950,
Dunkin’ Donuts currently sells 52 varieties of
donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages
as well as an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches
and other baked goods in more than 11,300 shops
worldwide. The world’s leading baked goods and
coffee chain, Dunkin Donuts currently serves
more than three million customers a day.
BEST COFFEE SHOP
FOR GETTING
WORK DONE
SWEETLEAF
10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY
11101 - (917) 832-6726
www.sweetleafcoffee.com
Lauded by The New York Times as “one of
the most civilized things in Long Island City,”
Sweetleaf serves as a home away from home –
and an office away from office – for a number
of Queens residents. Since its opening in 2008,
the Jackson Avenue bar has had one simple
goal: to be the best espresso bar possible and to
keep getting better. It must be doing something
right since this sweet little coffee shop was voted
best coffee shop for getting work done. At first
a 300-square-foot shop, the original Sweetleaf
was expanded to triple its size in 2010 and has
since become a comfortable work station for
natives and newcomers alike. According to
its owners, “it’s where old world charm meets
state-of-the- art machinery to create something
special and unique.” And Queens agrees.
BEST CUSTOMER
SERVICE
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 631-0377
www.baysidetequila.com
This festive and flavorful Mexican restaurant, at
home on Bell Boulevard, takes the top prize not
just for its unbeatable margaritas and mojitos
but also, and perhaps most importantly, for its
quality customer service. Tequila Sunrise has
a knack for making its patrons feel at home,
even if they’re far from it. And they do so with a
smile, and a salted margarita.
BEST DELICATESSEN
CHERRY VALLEY DELI
12-29 150th Street Whitestone, NY, 11357
(718) 767-1937
www.cherryvalleydeli.net
Everyone has a go-to late-night deli. For
Queens, Chery Valley is that and then some.
Opened by four brothers over three decades
ago, Chery Valley Deli – famous for its 200-
plus signature sandwiches, such as the Corona,
the Beast or the Chicken Sandwich – knows its
stuff. The long-standing, 24-hour deli, at home
in Whitestone since 1979, boasts an impressive
menu of heroes, wraps, rolls and appetizers (as
well as catering options) that make it a clearcut
winner for best delicatessen in the borough
BEST DINER
TERRACE DINER
21297 26th Ave, Bayside, NY 11360 -
(718) 224-4434
www.terracedinerbayside.com
This long-standing diner is deep-rooted in
its hometown of Bayside. Famous for its
deliciously affordable breakfast, lunch and
dinner options, Terrace Diner has been serving
up excellence for years. A Bayside landmark
at home on 26th Avenue, Terrace Diner has
everything you could expect from a traditional
diner, and more (including everyone’s
favorite, brunch). Voted best diner in the
borough, Terrace Diner boats an exceptional
menu full of items like the fan-favorite bacon
cheeseburger and traditional two eggs with
bacon, all of which are guaranteed to keep
Queens coming back for seconds (and thirds,
and fourths).
BEST FAMILY STYLE
RESTAURANT
PARK SIDE RESTAURANT
107-01 Corona Ave, Corona, NY 11368 -
(718) 271-9871
www.parksiderestaurantny.com
An Italian restaurant deep-rooted in Corona
for a quarter of a century, Park Side Restaurant
is lauded not only for its atmosphere, but
also for being the best family style restaurant
in the borough. Its menu boasts hearty
portions of everyone’s favorite Italian fare,
from lobster risotto to penne alla vodka and
family-sized appetizers like the “Colossal Crab
Meat Cocktail.” The restaurant may promise
to be worth the trip, but according to Queens
residents, it’s also worth your penny when
dining with a crowd.
BEST FRENCH
RESTAURANT
APERITIF BISTRO BAYSIDE
213-41 39th Ave, Bayside, NY 11361 -
(718) 215-6470
www.aperitifbayside.com
It’s a little taste of Europe in Bayside. Aperitif
Bistro Bayside is hands down the best French
restaurant in the borough. Serving up brunch,
lunch and dinner with, of course, a hearty
selection of wines and spirits, Aperitif truly
stands out amongst many other restaurants
in the borough, and at a price that won’t send
you running for the door. Its menu boasts an
impressive variety of traditional dishes with a
little international spin, such as the well-loved
sesame crusted tuna or pistachio crusted rack of
lamb. With other menu items like a fan-favorite
French onion soup, mussels and even classic
salads, Aperitif truly offers something for
everyone.
BEST FUSION
SHI
47-20 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY
11109 – (347) 242-2448
www.eatdrinkshi.com
Shi, located in the heart of Long Island City,
crushes the competition when it comes to best
fusion food in the borough. This upscale (and
high-rise) Pan-Asian eatery, at home on Center
Boulevard, serves up traditional Asian cuisine
with a twist, alongside breathtaking views of
the Manhattan skyline. Shi’s eclectic menu
serves Japanese style, Vietnamese style, Chinese
style, and a full sushi bar as well. The sleek
restaurant-turned-lounge features full-length
bay windows, as well as a full bar and lounge,
making it the perfect spot to dine and drink, be
it with family, friends or a loved one.
BEST GERMAN
RESTAURANT
JAGERHAUS GASTROPUB
& BIERGARTEN
15-16 149th St, Flushing, NY 11357 -
(718) 767-3486
www.jagerhausnyc.com
It should be no surprise that Jägerhaus
Gastropub & Biergarten, a little slice of Europe
in Whitestone reigns supreme when it comes
to authentic German cuisine. Patrons can
schmooze over plates of exciting international
fare, from fan-favorites like the Giant Bavarian
Pretzel (paired with beer cheese, spicy mustard
and sweet mustard) and the Highland Potato
Cake (served with apple sauce and rosemary
cream) to the Hungarian Goulash and, of
course, some good old fashioned Wurst.
Complete with outdoor and indoor seating
and a staff as renowned as its food, Jägerhaus
is perfect for lunch, dinner and brunch on
Sunday’s or just a good old night of cheers-ing
with friends and family.
BEST GLUTEN-FREE
BAREBURGER
www.bareburger.com
This organic-oriented chain burger joint,
founded in 2009, serves up all-natural, freerange
meats at almost 50 worldwide (that’s
right, there’s one in Germany). With locations
in Forest Hills, Astoria, Bayside and beyond it’s
easy to see why Bareburger is the best at what
it does – and that includes an extensive glutenfree
menu, making it a friendly restaurant for all
hungry eaters of Queens.
BEST GREEK
RESTAURANT
KALAMAKI GR
29-06 172nd St, Flushing, NY 11358 -
(718) 939-1616
www.kalamakigr.com
A number of Queens residents will go as far as
to claim this Flushing restaurant’s gyros are
even better than the real deal from Greece.
Kalamaki GR, at home on 172nd Street since
2014, describes itself as a simple, contemporary
eatery serving up traditional Greek specialties,
many with a twist. With everything made
fresh daily, this fan-favorite Greek restaurant
serves up everything from skewers to beef and
chicken bifteki, kebabs and donner to hummus
and salads and spanakopita, among other
Grecian delicacies (all of which you can also
get delivered or catered). Its customer service
is also top notch, according to loyal patrons,
making it the clear cut winner for best Greek
restaurant in the borough.
BEST HEALTHY
EATERY
THE THIRSTY KOALA
35-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 -
(718) 626-5430
www.thethirstykoala.com
This Australian-inspired Astoria eatery reigns
supreme when it comes to healthy eating. This
restaurant, at home on Ditmars Boulevard,
boasts a menu of mainly gluten-free and veggie
options, all of which showcase local, natural
and organic products. Its small goods are
chemical-free, from local artisans who cure
and smoke their meats naturally. The eatery
– previously voted the number one Australian
restaurant in all five boroughs – also makes its
own goat and farmers’ cheeses using organic
milk. It’s something different, for sure, but it’s
definitely something delicious. And they’ve got
the accolades to prove it.
BEST INDIAN
RESTAURANT
KURRY QULTURE
36-05 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103 - (718)
674-1212
www.kurryqulture.com
A seasonal Indian restaurant at home in the
heart of Astoria, Kurry Qulture truly transports
its patrons to another place. Its menu –
complete with traditional and modernized
Indian fare and an extensive cocktail list to
match – blends fresh Indian and local produce
within the confines of its chic, modern space.
Kurry Qulture brings to Queens the nostalgia
of the “tandoor oven,” or the clay oven, which
is a traditional staple in household kitchens
across the Indian subcontinent. Kurry
Qulture’s tandoor oven delivers unparalleled
flavor in breads and meats, refining the
culinary experience of “authentic” Indian
cuisine. Plus, it does brunch. What more could
you ask for from an unbeatable Queens eatery?
Its authenticity and critically-acclaimed
ambiance make it a clear cut winner for best
Indian restaurant in the borough.
BEST ITALIAN
RESTAURANT
TRATTORIA 35
213-15 35th Ave, Bayside, NY 11361 -
(718) 352-3800
www.trattoria35.com
Step into Trattoria 35 and you might as well be
transported to Italy itself. A traditional “oldstyle”
Italian restaurant in the heart of Bayside,
Trattoria 35 boasts both exceptional food
and friendly service, all of which is matched
by an unbeatable ambiance that makes you
feel equal parts right at home and far from it.
Trattoria 35’s owners have personally selected
some of their favorite Northern Italian cuisine
and paired it with a wine selection that will
augment any dinner choice. Open seven days
a week (with the added perk of valet parking),
the eatery prides itself on serving Italian
classics with a contemporary flare, making it
an easy pick for the best Italian restaurant in
the borough. From mouthwatering pastas to
flavorful entrees and unbeatable brick oven
pizzas, Trattoria 35 does it all, and they do it
the best. Queens says so.
RESTAURANTS