It is always better to ask a local. In finding the best restaurants under the “International Express” train, Queens Art Express decided to hit up the host venues for their picks of the finest eats in Queens. Make a day of it, and choose from these wide array of under the 7 restaurants.

LONG ISLAND CITY

(Local Project, Sculpture Center, Socrates Sculpture Park, Noguchi Museum, Dean Project, Dorsky Gallery Curatorial Programs, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, Green Space/Dance Entropy)

Bella Via
47-46 Vernon Blvd.
LIC 718 361-7510

http://www.bellaviarestaurant.com/

Jackson Avenue Steak House
12-23 Jackson Ave.
LIC 718 784 1412

http://www.jacksonsteakhouse.com/

La Vuelta
104-43 44th Dr.
LIC 718 361-1858

http://www.lavueltabistro.com/

LIC Bar
45-58 Vernon Blvd.
LIC 718 7865400

http://www.longislandcitybar.com/

Tournesol
50-12 Vernon Blvd., Queens, NY 11101
nr. 50th St.

http://tournesolnyc.com/

SUNNYSIDE

(Thalia Spanish Theatre, LaGuardia Performing Arts Center)

Ariyoshi Japanese Restaurant
(201) 643-7976
41-13 Quenns Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104
www.ariyoshiny.com

Sidetracks Restaurant & Lounge
(347) 537-3582
45-08 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104
www.sidetracksny.com

ARRIBA ARRIBA
40-15 QUEENS BLVD SUNNYSIDE, NY 11104 – (718) 349-5999

http://www.arribarriba.com/sunnyside/index.html

Turkish Grill
4203 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY
(718) 392-3838

Aubergine Cafe
49-22 Skillman Ave
Woodside 718-899-1735

http://www.auberginecafe.com/mainhome.aspx

Black Lamb Pub
43-22 Greenpoint Ave
Sunnyside 718-752-9020

http://www.irishemigrant.com/ie/pubs.asp?pub=518

Bliss St Station Irish Pub
47-20 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside 718-729-0778

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bliss-street-station-restaurant-sunnyside

Claret Wine Bar
46-02 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside 718-937-7411

http://www.claretwinebar.com/

Dazie’s Italian
39-41 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside 718-786-7013

http://www.daziesrestaurant.com/reviews.html

De Mole
45-02 48th Ave
Sunnyside 718-392-2161

http://www.yelp.com/biz/de-mole-woodside

Mario’s Italian
43-04 47th Ave.
Sunnyside 718-729-0834

http://www.yelp.com/biz/marios-sunnyside

Pete’s Grill Diner
39-14 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside 718-937-2220

http://www.yelp.com/biz/petes-grill-sunnyside

Quaint Bistro
46-10 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside 917-779-9220

http://www.quaintnyc.com/

WOODSIDE (Topaz Arts, Y Gallery)

Sripraphai Thai Restaurant
64-13 39th Avenue
www.Sripraphairestaurant.com

La Flor
Roosevelt Ave at 53rd Street

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-flor-bakery-and-cafe-woodside

Sapori D’Ischia Italian Restaurant
55-15 37th Avenue

http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/sapori-dischia/

Cafescape Cafe
59-02 Woodside Avenue (at 59th St)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafescape-woodside

JACKSON HEIGHTS (Y Gallery, Langston Hughes Library)

Jackson Heights is the Restaurant Capital of Queens; these are just a sampling of the best:

Armondo’s
74-27 37th Avenue
718-429-8552

http://armondositalianrestaurant.com/

This is the kind of genuine neighborhood restaurant that can be taken for granted but really is quite good. Armondo’s has been owned and run by Jerry Crisci for 33 years, as a recent review in the Queens Chronicle noted, and most nights he’s still on hand to greet newcomers and steady customers alike with warmth. Your webmaster particularly likes the fish dishes and the mozzarella/asparagas appetizer, and the list of specials always includes appealing dishes. There’s a nice glassed-in wall of tables, and they also did a lovely job with a recent update of the rest of the space.

La Cabaña Argentina
86-07 Northern Boulevard
718-426-5977

http://www.chow.com/places/22186

In addition to the requisite excellent steaks, this very pleasant, peaceful restaurant also specializes in wood-oven pizza. The Village Voice declared one pizza, “La Cabaña” (a pie topped with goat cheese and skirt steak), “unspeakably delicious.” Your webmaster and wife enjoy sharing the terrific house salad and perfectly cooked (al dente) broccoli.

Inti Raymi
86-14 37th Avenue
718-424-1938

http://www.yelp.com/biz/inti-raymi-jackson-heights

Alexis Arieff, on her Queens Eats site, raves about Inti Raymi’s ceviches: “I would happily make a meal of one of the generous platters of lime-marinated fish, especially the delectable ceviche mixto ($11.75), with slices of fresh trout, squid, octopus, and shrimp,” Alexis notes. “The dish is amazing, simply adorned with cilantro and the traditional accoutrements of yam, large-kernel corn known as choclo, fried corn kernels, potato, and a strong shot of lime and fish juice in a little ceramic cup. Apparently you’re supposed to toss back the shot, but I found it made an excellent dipping sauce for the choclo.”She adds that Inti Raymi has “a warm, cozy dining room” and is “a great place to kick back and enjoy a meal with friends.” Stews and grilled seafood dishes are also available. For dessert, alfajores, little square cookies filled with dolce de leche, “are excellent accompanied by the café con leche.”

La Nueva Restaurant
85-02 37th Avenue
718-505-3800

http://www.chow.com/places/19626

Tipster Susan writes: “I’m a Jackson Heights native, and I happen to live up the block from the new La Nueva restaurant. It’s a beautiful addition to my block of over 18 years, with lovely decor. They have a fantastic paella dish that costs about $30 and feeds two or more, plus leftovers. By the glass, their wine is more than affordable. Plus the staff is friendly.” A couple of other sample dishes: grilled fillet of sole with rice and green plantain, jumbo shrimp with garlic sauce, and breaded pork loin.

Pio Pio
84-13 Northern Boulevard
718-426-1010

http://www.piopionyc.com/

Addictive Peruvian chicken with a patented special sauce. Yeah, you could get the seafood platter, but basically the choice comes down to: whole chicken or half, and sides of rice and beans or salad? These folks are brilliant. And they must be quite wealthy. The space is big but rarely less than bustling, filled with a huge variety of people. It’s nicely designed, with a back garden space.

Uncle Peter’s
83-15 Northern Boulevard
718-651-8600

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/3/42311/restaurant/New-York/Jackson-Heights/Uncle-Peters-Bar-and-Grill-Queens

Traditional style meat, fish, and pasta in a fun, enjoyably otherworldly atmosphere. Very nice people, led by Ernesto, the owner. A good place to go for a meal of, for instance, salad, monkfish, and a glass of wine. They serve a super-creamy vanilla ice cream and play a wild version of “Happy Birthday” on request.

FLUSHING

(Crossing Art, Queens Botanical Garden ,Flushing Town Hall, Queens Museum of Art)

Here are two recommendations for great restaurants in the same building as Crossing Art!!!!! Come to the Curator tours/Artist Talk then go dine on the second floor of the same building! So convenient.

Mulan Restaurant
Queens Crossing 136-17 39th Ave. Flushing, NY 2nd Floor
(718) 88-MULAN (886-8526)
www.mulan-restaurant.com
Mulan is the first high-end Asian contemporary restaurant in Queens. Located on the 2nd floor of Queens Crossing, it provides a fine dining experience to any customer looking for exceptional Asian cuisine in an exquisite ambiance, complemented with high-quality service. Also, its multifunctional private rooms make it an ideal place for family gatherings and corporate parties.
Restaurant Hours:
Monday – Sunday
11AM – 10:30PM

Ah Rhee Soo
Queens Crossing 136-17 39th Ave. Flushing, NY 2nd Floor
(718) 713-0308, (718) 713-0307
Ah Rhee Soo is an elegant Korean Japanese restaurant catered to an international audience. Yet, you still will find savory traditional Korean and Japanese cuisine and the quality service that traditional restaurant-goers have come to love. Entrees range from Korean ginseng BBQ to Japanese sushi and sashimi; drinks range from a full, top-shelf bar to afternoon refreshments and coffee. Private VIP rooms and karaoke are available for business meetings, birthday parties and various occasions.
Restaurant Hours:
Monday – Sunday
11AM – 12AM
Bar Hours:
5PM – 2AM