BY SWEETINA KAKAR
Now that the summer heat is gone, but it’s still nice enough to sit outdoors, it’s a great time to dine or drink al fresco at one of these spots in Queens.
Austin Steak and Ale House
82-70 Austin Street, Kew Gardens, 718-849-3939
The pub-styled restaurant in the Kew Gardens neighborhood allows for a casual dining and lounging experience. Austin Steak and Ale House serves comfort foods along with a large selection of spirits and domestic and imported beer. The menu consists of variety of options for lunch or dinner, along with brunch only available on Sundays. The outdoor seating area, a patio and garden, features fresh plants, trees and table umbrellas. It offers private dining for events or large parties. The restaurant’s operation hours are Sunday and Monday 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Tuesday to Saturday 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, 718-274-4925
With long picnic tables, benches and outdoor grills under a large tent, this restaurant allows for a casual night out in the neighborhood of Astoria. Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden serves a homely outdoor and indoor environment along with a full course Czech dinner and grill menu and large selection of domestic and imported beer. They open their doors Monday through Thursday at 5 p.m., Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at noon. Their services are available until 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Cávo Café Lounge and Garden
42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria, 718-721-1001
A popular night scene in Astoria is also known for its Greek inspired dinner menu. With two rooms, a second floor and outdoor seating, Cávo Café accommodates most dinning preferences such as private parties, intimate dinners to eating at a party with a DJ. The restaurant has three large full bars located at both ends and outside. The large chandeliers, drapes hanging from the ceiling, fresh plants and dim lighting give the restaurant a classy yet cozy atmosphere. Thursday night Cávo offers free dinner for women and every evening from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. kids eat for free as well. The restaurant’s operation hours are Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Il Bacco
253-24 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, 718-224-7657
This authentic Italian restaurant in Little Neck offers 27 years of experience in Italian cuisine and hospitality. The restaurant is decorated with warm colors, dark wood, heavy drapes, mosaic tiles and chandeliers for a cozy yet sophisticated environment. The rooftop garden is inspired by a Tuscan-style villa accompanied by fresh plants and flowers. The restaurant is equipped with two full bars, one outdoors and another indoors, with a wide variety of red and white wines. The restaurant opens every day at 11:30 a.m.. except for Sunday at 1 p.m., and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Jade Eatery and Lounge
1 Station Square, Forest Hills, 718-793-2203
Jade Eatery and Lounge is located in the neighborhood of Forest Hills. With its tranquil décor, a waterfall, ponds, inspirational quotes on the walls and a large Buddha, Jade is a popular dining spot for authentic Indo-Asian cuisine. Its menu features a full sushi bar and dishes inspired from Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and Korea cuisines. Jade features an Aged Copper Lounge with a full bar, Private Moroccan-style Lounge for special events, a DJ and an art gallery with rotating exhibits. The restaurant has both outdoor and indoor seating from noon to 9 p.m. everyday, except Sundays, when it closes at 8 p.m.
LIC Bar
45-58 Vernon Boulevard., Long Island City, 718-786-5400
The 100-year-old bar, with its antique wood bar, tin ceilings, brick walls and outdoor area, is a casual and relaxing hangout in the very busy neighborhood of Long Island City. Adding to the mellow environment, acoustic bands perform live every Sunday evening. The full bar selections includes draft beers, single-malt scotch and mixed drinks. The garden is decorated with willow trees and heat lamps for chilly nights. LIC Bar is open for business Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Oasis Café and Bakery
196-30 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, 718-357-4843
Greek owned and inspired Oasis Café and Bakery serves more than bakery goods but breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, also inspired by Greek cuisine, in the Flushing area. The outdoor garden features a Greek design with trees, a wooden deck, a sculpted water fountain, and pebbled ground. With three sections to the café, customers can either quickly come in to pick up their bakery goods or decided to sit indoors or outdoors for the entire Oasis experience. The indoor décor consists of neon colored lights and wall art for a modern and Greek infusion. The café includes two full bars, one indoor and one outdoors. The hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day.
Omonia Café
32-20 Broadway, Astoria, 718-274-6650
Omonia Café, established more than 30 years ago and located in Astoria, has a modern fun atmosphere with its colorfully lit ceiling and bar, dim lighting, spacious floor design and intriguing art. The café is enclosed by windows during cooler weather, continuing with the spacious pattern. The windows are opened up for the warmer seasons. The café serves brunch, lunch and dinner with a wide variety of European-influenced food. It’s equipped with a full bar and bakery, and is opened from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. every day.
Penthouse808
8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, 718-289-6118
Penthouse808 is a rooftop located above Ravel Hotel in Long Island City, which overlooks the Midtown skyline and the Queensboro Bridge. Indoors or outdoors, there is a view of the skyline through its large windows. The restaurant includes a full bar and serves Pan Asian cuisine with a sushi bar for dinner. The restaurant offers private dining for events and large parties. On weekends, during after dining hours, the restaurant becomes a popular bar and lounge with a DJ. Dinning hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
Riverview
2-01 50th Avenue, Long Island City, 718-392-5000
With a warm yet classy interior, Riverview is one of Long Island City’s most popular dinner and drinks restaurants. The restaurant is a road apart from the river giving you the view of the Midtown skyline while seated either outdoors or indoors. Riverview serves from late morning brunches to late night after dinner drinks in their lounge area. Their menu includes pasta and salad dishes along with signature seafood appetizers and entrees, which they offer to deliver to the neighborhood of L.I.C. With it’s spacious interior set-up Riverview allows private parties while still being able to seat other reservations. The dining hall is open every morning at 11 a.m. and closes as late as 1 a.m. Friday and Saturdays. The lounge is open every night until 1 a.m., except for Friday and Saturday as it stays open for an hour later.
Water’s Edge
401 44th Drive, Long Island City, 718-482-0033
Just at the edge of Queens in Long Island City on the water, overlooking the Midtown skyline, is well known restaurant Water’s Edge. The off the ground restaurant has dinning seats on a second floor along with outdoor seating on its same floor terrace. The modern interior and large windows, allow you to embrace the city vibe, even across a river. The restaurant’s menu consists of pasta and salad to seafood along with sandwiches and meat entrees. Water’s Edge serves lunch, opening at noon, Monday through Friday, but serves dinner Monday through Saturday until 11 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.
