Best of Queens Old Faves 2008

Kabab Cafe is located in the heart of Little Cairo.

For over a decade the Kabab Café in Astoria has delighted hungry food lovers with mouth-watering Egyptian food at this unforgettable neighborhood stalwart.

Situated on Steinway St., in the heart of 'Little Cairo', Kabab café, run by the El Sayed brothers, Ali and Moustafa, make a point to prove that gourmet flavors can still be served up with vibrant passion at great prices.

The brothers have earned a deserved reputation as venerated culinary fanatics for their perfectly spiced, reasonably priced, high quality food. Probably the best thing on the menu, aside from not being able to go wrong with any kebabs-chicken, beef, lamb-is the traditionally-cooked, slow roasted lamb shank. The meat is expertly seasoned and marinated to perfection, creating an oozing, falling-off-the-bone-delicious, meat eating experience.

Kabab Café also offers delicious, fresh salads, unsurpassed humus and amazing semolina honey cake For more information, call (718) 728-9858.

"The TV and movies studios in western Queens are a favorite of mine. Kaufman Astoria Studios and Silvercup Studios, at which such TV shows as The Sopranos, Sex & the City, and Sesame Street, and movies as Scent of a Woman, Moonstruck, and The Manchurian Candidate were filmed. These studios with such a storied history continue to flourish today, earning western Queens the nickname of "Hollywood East." I have worked hard to ensure that western Queens remains a prime locale to film, securing its reputation as a cultural hub and bringing revenue and jobs to our district," said Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D- Astoria.)

Maspeth sports fans enjoy catching a game at O’Neil’s.

Pooor Freddie's Tire Center, located at 128-10 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica. Yes, that is a third O in poor and the owners of the establishment, the Dill family, have resided in Queens since they were poor.

The tire center has been servicing the community for more than 30 years. It is your one stop shop to anything car related, but a flat tire is their specialty. Their motto, "We love to fix flats.


Cunningham Park in Bayside one of the largest parks in Queens and has been a favorite for quite some time. It was assembled in 1928 to 1944 and was occupied by the Dutch and British until the American Revolution. Annual events include The Big Apple Circus, the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. It is located near Francis Lewis Blvd. and Union Turnpike. For more information, visit ww.nycgovparks.org/parks/cunninghampark.


Parkside Restaurant in Corona - the perennially booked Queens classic - is still a favorite spot for traditional Italian-American cuisine. Classic old-world styling and world-class service meet Queens prices at this old favorite. "The atmosphere is nice, the owner is just a gentleman, perfect host, and the prices are within reach of an average family," State Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Glendale) said. The restaurant is located at 107-01 Corona Ave. For more information, call (718) 271-9871.


The Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park has quite a history. Its 47 acres of land have been around since 1697 and is now open year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. The museum aims to educate the public about Queen's agricultural and horticultural past and present.

The museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. For more information, call (718) 347-3276 or visit www.queensfarm.org.


State Senator Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) named Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing an "Old Favorite."

"For nearly two decades they have consistently offered a variety of entertainment and programs that appeal to all ages and tastes," Maltese said. "With Jeff Rosenstock as the architect and planner of the QTP, there is always something new and interesting, including the Legislative Revue, which my wife Constance and I have enjoyed participating in with my fellow elected officials to help raise money for the theatre."

For more information, call (718) 760-0064 or visit www.queenstheatre.org.

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was first designed in 1939.

Another old favorite for borough denizens is the lush and welcoming Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Situated on 1,255 acres right in the middle of the borough, the park has been a great outdoors destination for anyone in need of fresh air and inspiration since it first opened in 1939.

Within the park are several of the borough's most famed cultural institutions. These include The Queens Museum of Art, The Queens Theater in the Park and the Queens Hall of Science.

First constructed in 1939 as the site of the worlds fair, the park hosted the event again 25 years later in 1964.

Not only is the park perfect to stroll, run or bike around, it also is a great cultural destination. With the US Open tennis tournament held at the Billie Jean Tennis Center and Shea Stadium within walking distance, Flushing Meadows Park is a standard favorite destination for Queens residents.

The park also just received a $66.3 million aquatic center, including an Olympic-sized indoor pool and an NHL regulation-sized skating rink. The facility, utilized by schools, leagues and community members of all ages, is the largest recreation complex in any New York City park, at 110,000 square feet.

AMC Loews Cineplex Fresh Meadows 7 - Located along the Long Island Expressway, AMC Loews Cineplex Fresh Meadows 7 began as Century Theatres in 1949 as an enormous auditorium and has since transformed into a seven-screen multiplex. The theater is located at 190-02 Horace Harding Blvd. For more information, call (718) 454-6800 or visit www.amctheatres.com.

Maspeth sports fans enjoy catching a game at O’Neil’s.

O'Neill's Restaurant is the ultimate spot for Maspeth sports fans. Grab a pizza or a steak to go with your OTB ticket and keep your fingers crossed. "George O'Neill is a gentleman personified," State Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Glendale) said. "The steaks are excellent." O'Neill's is located at 64-21 53 Dr. For more information, call (718) 672-9696.

Although Ralph's Famous Italian Ices has three locations in Queens, the Floral Park stop has been a neighborhood icon for years. Open seasonally during the summer, this ice cream and Italian ice establishment has long been appreciated as a corner-side destination to cool down and hang out. With moderate prices and the type of atmosphere that appeals to any age, this Ralph's location is sure to remain a neighborhood summertime favorite. Ralph's is located at 264-21 Union Tpke. For more information, call (718) 343-8724.

The owners of Zum Stammtisch take a seat in their German-Bavarian dining room.

German food at its most authentic is served at Zum Stammtisch.

A neighborhood staple, Zum Stammtisch Restaurant in Glendale is the best place for a real European experience without leaving the borough. A German-Bavarian restaurant that receives rave reviews from patrons and food critics alike, this moderately upscale establishment is the perfect departure from your everyday eatery. The combination of the most authentic German cuisine this side of the Atlantic with the restaurant's extensive beer and wine selection has kept patrons coming back for decades. The restaurant is located at 69-46 Myrtle Ave. For more information, call (718) 386-3014 or visit www.zumstammtisch.com.


The Black Spectrum Theater in Jamaica. A staple in the community is closing on its 40th year in Queens. Its prominence is so evident that Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis saw fit to leave their voices reverberating in the theater. The star couple welcomed callers to the theaters answering machine. The theater has provided a forum for actors with big dreams to do their thang. The theater is located at 1107 Merrick Blvd. For more information, call (718) 723-1800 or visit www.blackspectrum.com.

The Music Zoo in Little Neck is operated by Queens native Tommy Colletti, The Music Zoo opened in 1993 and has been known to cater to Little Neck residents with vintage guitars, amplifiers and other musical needs. The Music Zoo also offers private lessons band instrument rentals for a reasonable price. It is located at 55-03 Northern Blvd. For more information, call (718) 631-9292 or visit www.themusiczoo.com.


According to Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Astoria) Maspeth Town Hall located at 53-37 72nd St. is a Queens Old Favorite.

"This historic building, which has provided service to the community since 1897 as a school, a recreation center and a police precinct, was revitalized and restored 25 years ago as a community center for Maspeth residents of all ages. Its current programs include activities for mothers and pre-schoolers, after-school programs for kids and teens, activities and services for aduults, famililes and seniors and as a meeting place for community organizations." For more information, call (718) 335 - 6049 or visit www.maspethtownhall.org.

Jacob Riis boardwalk.

Jacob Riis Park, named after the Danish-American journalist, photographer and populist is also one of the best public beaches in the entire country.


Cara Mia Restaurant in Queens Village has been around for over 30 years, serving up authentic Italian cuisine. With affordable prices, loyal customers have been lining up at the family restaurant for Cara Mia's Veal Parmigiana or the Portobello Raviolli. Also, their dessert menu is a must, especially the Tiramisu cake. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekdays, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, 1 to 9 p.m. on Sundays and is closed on Mondays. Cara Mia is located at 220-20 Hillside Ave. For more information, call (718) 740-9119 or visit www.caramiarestaurant.com.

Surfers come to sun at Rockaway Beach.

You don't need to leave the City to catch waves. The City's only surf spot is the borough's own Rockaway Beach. Bring your board and take a short hop on the A train to the recently designated "surf only" stretch between Beach 88th and 90th Streets.


Among the great attributes of living in any of New York's five boroughs, and Queens specifically is that anywhere you go, you are surrounded by water. A plethora of bays, inlets, rivers and streams ubiquitously line the landscape of the metropolitan area and Queens is home to the best beaches in the city.

The Rockaway peninsula juts out into the ocean like a sharp blade filled with sand and surf. For people cooped up in the city during the hot, humid summer months, the public beach at Riis Park offers cheap fun and outdoors amenities for beach lovers.

Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside has performances all year round.

The Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside has been a neighborhood icon since it opened its doors over 30 years ago. The theatre is the first and only bilingual Hispanic theatre in Queens, and describes its mission as a commitment to "celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of Spanish and Latin American culture with unique productions of plays, musicals an dance." The theatre alternates performances in English and Spanish during the week so that the entire community can share in and appreciate the Hispanic culture come to life on stage each night. The Thalia Theatre is located at 41-17 Greenpoint Ave. For more information call (718) 729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.


Gloria Black, deceased member of Community Board 12. Black was a sturdy member of the Southeast Queens community for decades. Her service to said community spanned the landscape of 30 years. Black died in March, after being elected in January to reprise her reoccurring role as chairwoman of Community Board 12.

"That woman was a workaholic," Adjoa Esinam Gzifa, the new chairwoman said. "She took care of business."

Donovan’s Pub has some of the borough’s best burgers.

Long known as a neighborhood favorite, Donovan's Pub has a reputation for being the go-to place for an old-time Irish pub experience in Queens. Renowned by its loyal clientele for serving the best burgers in Queens, this pub-located just off the No. 7 line in Woodside-is the perfect destination to grab dinner and drinks before a night out on the town. Locals say that the beer is inexpensive and the service is impeccable. Check out this bar and restaurant, whose quaint interior and family friendly atmosphere ensures it will remain a neighborhood favorite for years to come. Donovan's Pub is located at 57-24 Roosevelt. Ave. For more information, call (718) 429-9339.