Quantcast

Nino’s AQ in Astoria launches Positano pop-up for summer

Nino's AQ Positano
Photo courtesy of Nino’s AQ

Astoria’s family-owned and operated Italian restaurant Nino’s AQ has refreshed its outdoor dining space this summer, bringing the Amalfi Coast village of Positano to Queens.

Partnering with Malfy Gin, Nino’s AQ has added seasonal dishes and cocktails in addition to transforming its outdoor dining space into a lemony, Italian oasis.

Nino's AQ Positano
Photo courtesy of Nino’s AQ

The pop-up will also have live music programs each weekend throughout the summer. The outdoor dining patio will have 16 picnic tables and cabanas. The famous Amalfi citruses have been incorporated throughout the space, with yellow tables, Malfy umbrellas, lemon landscaping reminiscent of the lemon trees and trellises native to the area in Italy and festive staff uniforms.

“We’re excited to bring the Amalfi Coast to Queens with this fun refresh of our outdoor dining patio for the summer,” Nino’s AQ co-owner Michael Vendome said. “With the full experience, including the décor, drinks and food, you’ll forget for a moment that you’re in New York City and not on vacation in southern Italy.”

Nino's AQ Positano
Photo courtesy of Nino’s AQ

The restaurant’s menu, developed by executive chef and co-owner Franco Vendome, has expanded to include several handmade pastas including southern Italian classics such as clams mafaldine, black squid ink frutti di mare and spaghetti alla nerano. Additionally, a plethora of gluten-free pasta and wood-fired pizzas will be available.

A special cocktail menu for the Positano pop-up was also put together by Michael Vendome and his team, in conjunction with Malfy Gin. The menu consists of Amalfi spritz, a refreshing spritz for summer; limoncello martini, a citrusy sweet sip; la signora, a fruity and floral aperitif and negroni bianco, an Italian twist on the classic cocktail.

Nino's AQ Positano
Photo courtesy of Nino’s AQ

Nino’s AQ has also partnered with Ciao and Cello for a new twist on the traditional paint and sip. Guests will be able to learn how to make authentic homemade limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur produced mainly around the Amalfi Coast, throughout the month of August. The two-hour guided experience will include a signature cocktail made with limoncello, served with delicious Italian bites. Additionally, participants will be able to customize their own glass bottle of the liqueur and take it home at the end.

Michael and Franco Vendome are second-generation restaurateurs who have operated and owned restaurants since getting their start at their family’s first Nino’s restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, Nino’s 46. They opened Nino’s AQ in 2018 and opened Nino’s Beach in Port Washington last spring.

Nino’s AQ can be found at 35-01 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria and is open for dinner during the week from 5 to 11 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight on weekends.

For more information and to make a reservation at Nino’s AQ, visit ninosaq.com or call them at 718-777-0010.