Connolly’s Corner is rapidly becoming a landmark restaurant in western Queens, not just for its warm, old-sod atmosphere, but also for its new menu – American Classic with influences from Ireland, Italy, Germany and Thailand.
We were guided past the comfy bar, with a choice of 10 tap beers – two taps just for the Guinness stout – expertly drawn by the Irish bartender, by the way.
No sooner were we seated in a cozy booth, separated from our neighbors by smoked glass panels with etchings of Irish poets, than a basket of warm Irish soda bread appeared, then cold glasses of water and menus, brought by one of the friendly Colleens who serve there.
For appetizers, we had the crab cakes – three succulent cakes loaded with crab meat lightly herbed, with just enough breading to hold them together. They’re nestled on a bed of mixed greens with a sensational lemon oregano aioli.
The Cajun Dusted Shrimp and Corn Salsa come grilled to perfection; their contrast in tastes and textures will get your taste buds going.
Salad lovers will enjoy the Left Coast Salad, with apple, raisins, candied pecans and sun-dried cranberries highlighting the mixed greens and crumbled, mild goat cheese, in a wonderful roast shallot vinaigrette.
Their Grand Avenue Chicken is a pan-seared breast, topped with roasted red peppers, fresh spinach and sherry wine sauce, with mashed and fresh veggies – and it’s grand.
In the comfortably paneled dining room, the prints of seafaring men at work on their boats inspired us to order more seafood.
The “Seafood Fra Diavlo,” a generous helping of shrimps, mussels, clams and calamari over linguini, in a tomato sauce with a respectable bite, is zesty, but not overpowering.
More subtle but powerfully delicious, the Stuffed Filet of Flounder is moist, flaky and loaded with mushrooms, leeks, celery and breadcrumbs in a bright beurre blanc sauce; it comes with mashed potato and fresh veggies.
However, no trip to Connolly’s Corner could be complete without their signature BBQ ribs, billed as “The best in Queens.” These mahogany gems are plump with meat that really does fall off the bone, caressed in a perfectly balanced sauce, accompanied by home-made coleslaw and potato wedges.
You may not need the wet nap after licking your fingers – it’s that good.
Naturally, the classic pub favorites are there, the burgers, traditional Shepherd’s and Chicken Pot Pie, Pot Roast and real Irish Chicken Curry.
However, for us, it was time for dessert: the house dessert, vanilla bean ice cream in a puff pastry with raspberry sauce and crème anglaise, and a sinfully luxurious dark chocolate flourless cake, also with vanilla bean ice cream from Good Humor, that we enjoyed with excellent coffee and a choice of teas.
Connolly’s Corner is about five blocks north of the L.I.E. in Maspeth. Try it and it’ll be your corner spot.
Connolly’s Corner
71-17 Grand Avenue (at 72nd Street), Maspeth
Phone 718-565-7383
Fax 718-424-7178
Master, Visa, American Express
Dining:
Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Brunch:
Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Backyard garden; catering available.
Live music Friday and Saturday 10:30 p.m.
Q58, Q59 bus
Meters and Muni Meters until 7 p.m.
71-17 Grand Avenue
Maspeth, NY
