Guide to Queens Restaurant Week

Much has been said that Queens is the next Brooklyn — but there’s still been considerably less attention paid to its diverse dining scene.  So what better time to experience the borough’s best eats than during Queens’ own Restaurant Week, held from October 13th through the 31st this year?  Over 100 area establishments plan to participate in the promotion, offering three-course dinners for only $28, and lunch for a mere $14 — and we’ve rounded up six great spots that are totally worth the trip!

Astor Room
Address: 34-12 36th Street
Phone: (718) 255-1947
This glam supper club, situated in the former headquarters of Paramount’s landmark Kaufman-Astoria Studios, serves a swinging Jazz brunch on Sundays, as well as a contemporary Continental dinner menu. Expect dishes, such as Flat Bread topped with spicy tomato sauce and shrimp, a classic Wedge Salad with Maytag blue cheese and lime-marinated onions, and Grouper paired with bitter greens raviolini and lemongrass consommé.

Dutch Kills Centraal
Address: 3840 29th Street
Phone: (718) 606-8651
Located in Queens’ nexus of hip — Long Island City — this game changing local gastropub offers an awesome lineup of craft beers, and seriously appealing comfort food.  We’re talking extra decadent Mac n’ Cheese with smoked gouda, cheddar and gruyere, an Organic Arugula Salad strewn with fresh pear and candied pecans, and a Hop-Rubbed Hangar Steak, crusted with peppercorns and served with sweet potato fries.

Patsy’s
Address: 21-64 Utopia Parkway
Phone: (718) 224-0200
In case you didn’t know it, this seminal Manhattan pizza parlor has an outpost in Queens.  Which means, you won’t have to wait nearly as long for a seat, in order to taste one of their famous wood-fired pies, accompanied by homey Italian specialties such as Pasta Fagioli, Rigatoni Bolognese, and garlicky Baked Clams.

SingleCut Beersmiths
Address: 19-33 37th St
Phone: (718) 606-0788
Not only does this Astoria microbrewery turn out some of the borough’s best suds, but they also serve crave-worthy bites in their taproom.  Try the rustic Meat Pies, like “Over the Moon” Steak and Mushroom or the “King & I” Thai Chicken Curry, tasty sides, such as BBQ Brisket Baked Beans or Bacon & Blue Cheese Slaw, and of course, one of their house-brewed beers, including the flagship 19-33 Lager (the number signifies the year that Prohibition ended!)

Taqueria Coatzingo
Address: 7605 Roosevelt Ave
Phone: (718) 424-1977
Queens is well known for its many, highly authentic Mexican restaurants, and this spacious Jackson Heights taqueria is one of the best.  You’d have to try awfully hard to spend a lot of money here (Tacos sell for $2 each, and the most expensive menu items top out at $15), so imagine what you’ll get during Restaurant Week!  We’re thinking Chorizo-topped Huaraches, Carne Asada-stuffed Tacos, spicy Shrimp (or Octopus) Cocktail, and much, much more!

Zenon Taverna
Address: 34-10 31st Ave
Phone: (718) 956-0133
Astoria is synonymous with Greek food, so making a pilgrimage to Zenon Taverna during Restaurant Week is a no brainer.  A favorite of Cypriot expats since 1988, you won’t want to miss their string of signature dishes, such as Grilled Haloumi (a sheep and goat’s milk cheese,) Saganaki (baked goat cheese flambéed with brandy,) Sheftalia (herbaceous pork meatballs,) and tender, Char-Grilled Octopus, laked with good olive oil and vinegar.