Page 21 - 2020 Best of Queens - Hospitality & Dining

T Jamaica
his longtime middle-class neigh- borhood suffered from crime, dis- investment, a declining population,
and dropping property values in the late 20th century, but it’s showing signs of a come- back and possible future boom. Construc- tion of hotels, restaurants, and apartment buildings is joined by revived commercial activity on Jamaica Avenue. The population includes many immigrants from the Caribbean, Central America, and Southeast Asia, but the base is African-American.
Get there: The Jamaica Center: Parsons/ Archer station is where the E, J, and Z trains meet various bus lines. The Jamaica stop on the LIRR is nearby and connects to both midtown Manhattan and Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. Jamaica Station also serves the AirTrain to and from nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Get culture: The Black Spectrum Theatre Company presents plays relating to the African Diaspora with an emphasis on the African-American and Caribbean-American experiences. Its 325-seat theater is located within Roy Wilkins Park.
Address: 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard; www.blackspectrum.com.
Get culture: The Jamaica Performing Arts Center is a multifunctional, state-of-the-art, 400-seat theater that hosts everything from concerts to fashion shows to galas.
Address: 153-10 Jamaica Ave; www.jcal.org.
Get culture: Resorts World Casino New York City is the first and only gaming and entertainment destination in the five bor- oughs with more than 6,500 games on three separate levels, including slots, video poker, roulette and electronic table games. The ven- ue also features world-class entertainment and fine dining.
Address: 110-00 Rockaway Blvd; www.rwnewyork.com.
Kew Gardens
AUSTIN'S ALE HOUSE
Pub Fare
$$
82-70 Austin Street
718.849.3939
austinsteakandalehouse.com
Steaks, burgers and other American comfort food served in a pub setting with a patio and TVs.
DANI'S HOUSE OF PIZZA
Pizza
$$
81-28 Lefferts Blvd
718.846.2849 | danishouseofpizza.com
Pizza topped with a special sweet sauce, plus Italian classics served in a homey, bi-level space.
SPOLINI
Southern Italian
$$
116-25 Metropolitan Ave
718.805.5852 | spolinismenu.com
Comfy space serving single and family-style portions and pizzas.
TU CASA
Peruvian
$$
119-05 Metropolitan Ave
718.441.6363 | tucasarestaurant.com
Rotisserie chicken, Peruvian/Latin dishes and sangria in a festive-casual space with sidewalk seating.
Kew Gardens Hills
GRILL POINT
Middle Eastern/Kosher
$$
69-54 Main St
718.261.7077
Kosher Middle Eastern specialties in pitas and platters.
MAIN BAHKTAR HALAL KABAB
Afghan
$$
6729 Main St
718.793.4535
Afghan restaurant offering a selection of classic dishes and kebabs.
Laurelton
A LIVE KITCHEN
Vegan
$$
227-16 Merrick Blvd
718.470.2587
Vegan comfort food and juice bar. Top-seller is the Rasta Pasta!
JAMAICA BREEZE RESTAURANT
Caribbean
$$
232-02 Merrick Blvd
347.894.8049
Made to order delicious Jamaican jerk chick- en, Jamaican oxtail, Jamaican curry goat and many other island favorites. These dishes are served with a choice of rice and peas, white rice or plantains and steamed vegetables.
Little Neck
KEBAB HOUSE
Turkish/Kebabs
$$
255-05 Northern Blvd
718.225.5318
Unassuming, lively find, purveying popular Turkish dishes, including kofta kebabs
and dolmas.
LA BARAKA
French/African
$$
255-09 Northern Blvd
718.428.1461 | labarakarest.com
Tunisian-accented French fare and lunch buffet draw fans to this family-run spot in a homey setting.
LIMA 33
Peruvian
$$
254-04 Northern Blvd
718.225.4949
Familiar Peruvian dishes are on the menu at this cozy venue with a convivial atmosphere.
LITTLE DUMPLING
Shanghai/Taiwanese
$$
252-20 Northern Blvd
718.225.1178 | littledumplinglittleneck.com
Chinese kitchen dispensing soup dumplings, noodles and other traditional Shanghai and Taiwanese fare.
Jamaica, JFK Airport
PARIS CAFE BY JEAN-GEORGES AT TWA HOTEL
Classic American
$$
Terminal 5, 6 Central Terminal Area
212.806.9000 | twahotel.com/paris-cafe
Destination fare by legendary chef Jean Georges Vongerichten in the new TWA Hotel.
Paris Cafe by Jean-Georges at TWA Hotel
www.queenschamber.org 19
PARIS CAFE BY JEAN-GEORGES AT TWA HOTEL © YELP