NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Sompong Thai, restaurant review

Sompong Thai  

37-09 83rd St., (718) 899-8424.  L-D daily. 

Featuring a lovely decor with natural wood walls and atmospheric decor, tiny Sompong Thai (it has only 6 tables) is perfect for a quiet meal.  Lunch specials are a great deal and include soup or salad and a spring roll.  We shared sautéed tofu with basil sauce and Drunken Noodle--sautéed flat rice noodles with mixed vegetables and a special sauce.  The portions were generous enough that when a friend saw us and stopped in, we had enough left to let her have a mini-lunch, too.  And to help us get through the day, we each ordered a regular Thai ice tea, though, if you really need a bigger jolt, a large version is also available.  I hear the lychee and coconut juices are also delicious. 

interior of Sompong Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

Thai iced tea at Sompong Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

spring roll at Sompong Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

lunch specials at Sompong Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

 
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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Arunee Thai; restaurant review

Arunee Thai  

78-23 37th Ave., (718) 205-5559. 

Dressed in weathered wood and colorful fabrics, this new kid on the block presents a fresh food face in the neighborhood for Thai cuisine.  Standard lunch specials at Arnee Thai are available as well as a lunch box (sort of like a big bento box), which includes smaller portions but more variety.  The unusual Mussamun curry with coconut milk, avocado, onions, roasted peanuts, and zucchini is a popular dish, but don’t miss the tasty pra ram rong soang (broccoli with peanut sauce), pad see eiw (flat rice noodles with egg and broccoli), pad kra praow (spicy basil with chili and garlic), tom yum soup (with lemongrass and mushrooms), and Panang curry (with coconut milk, basil, and string beans).  For many items you can choose either a meat or vegetarian tofu option.  Cocktails are on the menu along with my preferred fresh coconut juice or Thai iced tea in a trendy Mason jar, and they are the perfect accompaniment.  

interior of Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

salad and Thai iced tea at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

tom yum soup at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

pra ram rong soang (broccoli with peanut sauce) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

pad see eiw (flat rice noodles) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

pad kra praow (spicy basil with chili and garlic) at Arunee Thai
in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

Panang curry with tofu at Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

 
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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Pio Pio; restaurant review

Pio Pio 2  

84-02 Northern Blvd., (718) 426-4900.  $$$. 

This well-known, popular spot for Peruvian cuisine has many locations around New York City.  Here, Pio Pio 2 operates in an airplane-hangar-size room.  Well, not quite, but it is BIG.  Sangria is reputedly very good, especially the white version, but I favor the Pisco sour cocktail.  Many large groups come here, and ordering family-style is encouraged.  A good choice is the Matador Combo, which has been known to feed a family of four--it includes a whole rotisserie chicken, salchipapa (hot dogs on top of french fries), avocado salad, saffron rice, red beans, and tostones.  Camarones Cuzco features shrimp in a creamy aji amarillo sauce.  Paella, filet mignon, and several ceviches are also options.  Aji verde green sauce is complimentary and seems to go with everything.  

fruit bowl at bar at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

bartender at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

interior at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

Pisco sour at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

papa a la huancaina at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

chupe de camarones at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

saffron rice and red beans at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

Camarones Cuzco at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

ceviche at Pio Pio 2 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

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images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: el Rico Tinto Bakery; restaurant review

el Rico Tinto Bakery  

76-07 37th Ave., (718) 424-1324. 

The simple el Rico Tinto Bakery cafe produces particularly good breakfasts.  Portions are large, and presentations are pretty.  The menu includes a flaky croissant with eggs, hot cakes with strawberry sauce and coffee whipped cream, French toast, chilaquiles, an assortment of omelettes—even eggs Benedict—and pastry cases are filled with tempting items.  Custom-made fresh fruit juices are also available.  Lunch and dinner are heavy with Mexican items—burritos, tacos, flautas—as well as empanadas, pastas, fish, and steak.

interior of el Rico Tinto Bakery in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

cookies at el Rico Tinto Bakery in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

  

hot cakes with strawberry sauce at el Rico Tinto Bakery in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Phayul Restaurant; restaurant review

Phayul Restaurant  

37-65 74th St., 2nd floor, (718) 424-1869. L-D daily; $. No reservations.

 Located up a steep stairwell, past a beauty shop that does “Himalayan Eyebrow Threading,” this tiny Tibetan restaurant would be easily missed if you weren’t aware it is there. There isn’t usually a wait for one of the few tables at Phayul Restaurant, and I like that they are by windows. I was brought here by someone who raved about the momos, which are good and made even better with the addition of the house-made hot sauce available on the table, but it turns out that I thought the noodles were the prize dish. I also liked the spicy fried potatoes and the mango lassi, though Tibetan butter tea was also an option. We ordered all vegetarian, but many other meat-oriented dishes are also available.

dining room at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

kitchen at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

vegetable momos at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

fried noodles at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

spicy fried potatoes at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

seasonal greens at Phayul Restaurant in Jackson Heights, NY

 


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Rajbhog; restaurant review

Rajbhog  

72-27 37th Ave., (718) 458-8512.

Rajbhog Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY

This simple spot specializes in gourmet vegetarian-vegan-Jain-kosher dishes and serves up a delicious lunch buffet that is served from behind the counter.

buffet at Rajbhog Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY

At Rajbhog you select several items, which are spooned into individual serving dishes, and then take them on a tray to a table.  Sharing allows tasting many items.  A tasty spiced mango lassi is available, and an exotic Bombay-style vegetable burger is also an option.  My favorites were the samosa and an eggplant dish.  A selection of sweets are available and included with some meal packages.

sweets case at Rajbhog Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
updated 7-7-15

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Afghan Kebab & Grill (CLOSED); restaurant review

Afghan Kebab & Grill  

CLOSED 74-16 37th Ave., (718) 507-8800. 

Though at Afghan Kebab & Grill meat eaters will find a delicious array of items that includes kebabs and more galore, I dined with vegetarians and discovered some delicious options.  The vegetarian sambosa filled with mashed potatoes is a tasty starter and is sometimes available in a version stuffed with spinach or pumpkin.

vegetarian dishes at Afghan Kebab & Grill in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

Vegetarian main dish choices include spinach, eggplant, and roasted cauliflower and are served with a plate of seasoned rice.  A so-so salad and bread are included.  Several toppings spice things up—my favorites were the cilantro and yogurt sauces, but I wasn’t crazy about the all-purpose mayonnaise sauce.  A guava lassi is available, and though delicious, tastes surprisingly similar to the mango version.

interior of Afghan Kebab & Grill in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC

The atmosphere is cozy and comfortable and there was enough room to keep my infant granddaughter’s stroller next to our table.



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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: Cannelle Patisserie; restaurant review

Cannelle Patisserie  

75-59 31st Ave., in Waldbaum’s mall in East Elmhurst neighborhood, (718) 565-6200.  M-Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 7am-6pm.

Cannelle Patisserie in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

This classic French bakery is an unexpected find in a small shopping center.  Among the best items at Cannelle Patisserie are a chocolate macaron with coffee-flavored filling, an apple Danish, and an almond croissant (oddly, it is sliced in half, then apparently slathered with filling, and then the top is replaced).

baby in beret and tutu, ready to hit the road for Cannelle Patisserie

The passion-guava Danish, hazelnut crisp, pineapple cake, and kiwi tart are also very good.  Do get a few of the refined creations to take home for dessert—perhaps a Black Forest cake or a traditional Gateau Breton.  I am pleased I had the foresight to secure a salami and provolone cheese on a baguette with brown mustard for my flight the next day.

pastries at Cannelle Patisserie in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York

I was surprised, though, that they didn’t have cafe au lait on the menu and needed to be coached through preparing one.




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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

NYC--Queens--Jackson Heights: La Casa de los Antojitos; restaurant review

La Casa de los Antojitos  

81-08 37th Ave., Jackson Heights, (718) 779-2949. 

This bakery packs ‘em in with delicious pastries—don’t miss the guava stuffed bun and the spinach empanadas--housemade soups and meats, sandwiches, tamales, fresh-squeezed juices, milkshakes and ice cream (yummy papaya and pineapple as well as intriguing sour sop), and flan.  Take-out grilled Peruvian-style chicken with plantains is also quite popular at La Casa de los Antojitos.  Counter service keeps prices low.

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image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers