Do you love articles about Queens food? Sign up for our brand new QNS Foodie Newsletter and receive food-related articles in your inbox every Friday morning.
Queens Taste 2016 was a tremendous celebration of food and this beautiful borough.
Held at the New York Hall of Science at 47-01 111th St. in Corona, the event brought together some 60 Queens eateries and watering holes that were cheerfully serving sample-sized portions of their signature dishes and beverages.
Organized for the 14th year in row by the Queens Economic Development Corporation and the Queens Tourism Council, it was clear from the very first bite that the quality of participating restaurants was very high.
The QNS eating team, in the name of good journalism, tried many dishes in order to provide you with the 10 best bites and beverages for you to try on your own at these Queens restaurants.
The dishes are listed in no particular order.
#1 Burger from F. Ottomanelli
60-15 Woodside Ave., Woodside
The bracket for hugely popular burgers in New York is really high, and so we didn’t expect a whole lot of surprises from F. Ottomaneli’s burgers. But, boy, were we wrong. F. Ottomaneli makes deliciously juicy, fresh burgers that smell like a fairy tale and melt like heaven in your mouth. We will definitely be going to Woodside for these delicious bites!
#2 Birkshire beer-braised bacon with stout onions on a mustard pretzel bun from Bareburger
42-38 Bell Blvd., Bayside
It wasn’t hard to see why Bareburger turned from a small, organic burger shop in Astoria to a widely popular and successful restaurant chain with locations in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ohio and soon in Washington, D.C. Their Birkshire beer-braised bacon on a pretzel bun was beautifully pleasurable experience for all senses!
#3 Shredded beef with plantains from Sabor de Cuba
37-03 31st Ave., Astoria
This Astoria-based Cuban eatery knows how to please a customer. Their shredded beef was juicy, soft, beautifully flavorful while sitting atop a plantain pancake. Extra points for delicious spicy sauces.
#4 Guacamole and chalupas from La Adelita
52-22 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside
God bless the hands of La Adelita, which make remarkable Mexican food. Stopping by at their stand was pure joy. Their chalupas were crispy and delicious, and that guacamole made us cry huge tears — of happiness, naturally.
#5 Seared tuna on edible spoon from Delish NY Catering
It’s always fun when you get to eat the spoon your appetizer sits on, and that was exactly the case with the tasting table of Delish NY Catering. Their seared tuna with sesame glaze was an exciting little bite, which made us want to have Delish NY cater our next event immediately!
#6 Deserts from Rudy’s Bakery Cafe
905 Seneca Ave., Ridgewood
Ridgewood-based Rudy’s bakery proved that they are a high class among the bakeries even in the borough-wide competition. We originally intended to just have one bite from this innocent-looking coffee cake, but it proved to be mission impossible. We could eat 200 hundred of them. The soft and well-balanced taste of coffee and cream is to die for.
#7 Layered crepe cake from Rose House Tea Room
Queens Crossing Mall, 1st Floor, 136-17 39th Ave., Flushing
This layered crepe cake sent us to desert heaven. Carefully crafted soft crepes were layered with sophisticated cream and strawberries. Rose House Tea Room makes cakes perfect for an English afternoon tea.
#8 Potato pierogi from Alobar
46-42 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City
Alobar, the winner of Michelin Bib Gourmand award three years in row, presented delicious, savory potato pierogi at Queens Taste. Crispy on the surface and melty and hot on the inside, Alobar’s pierogi fulfills every foodie’s wildest dreams.
#9 Drinks from Leaf Bar & Lounge
133-42 39th Ave., 10th Fl., Flushing
Leaf Bar & Lounge is a green oasis in downtown Flushing where they make botanically inspired cocktails. We tell you, we got quite inspired as well!
#10 Salty pastries from Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel
135-20 39th Ave., Flushing
Next time we’re flying from LaGuardia, we’ll be sure to stop by at Sheraton for these invigorating sweet and salty pastries, which combine cheese and raspberry.
#11 Cookies from 8bit Bakeshop
8Bit Bakeshop makes videogame-inspired pastry and cakes from a kitchen in Long Island City. Needless to say they were a hit among the nerds and geeks and everybody else who loves a good desert with a twist!
