Travels With Carole

Come along with me and share the excitement as I explore the world researching freelance articles. These blog posts offer short chunks of travel that you can digest quickly as well as plenty of photos so you get the picture. You'll have some fun, make discoveries, and pick up great ideas and information for your own vacations. Think of me as your canary in the coal mine. For even more travel inspiration, visit my BERKELEY AND BEYOND website at http://www.berkeleyandbeyond.com.

Showing posts with label U.S.-NYC-Queens-other areas. Show all posts

August 9, 2017

NYC--Queens--Astoria: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden; restaurant review

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

29-19 24th Ave./31st St., Astoria, (718) 274-4925. 17 M-F from 5pm, Sat-Sun from noon. No reservations. No pets.

New York’s oldest and biggest beer garden, this wildly popular spot has been in business more than 100 years. When Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden originally opened in 1910, it was a place for Czech and Slovak immigrants to socialize.

exterior of Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, New York

It took me a long time to finally get here, and I was delighted that it fills my beer garden fantasies. With more than 100 picnic tables and plenty of sun-sheltering umbrellas, it can serve up to 1,600 people at a time.

overview of beer garden at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
in Astoria, Queens, New York

Through the years the menu has changed. Currently it offers the traditional--bratwurst, schnitzels, fried Muenster cheese--as well as the trendy--a veggie burger, vegan and gluten-free gazpacho, vegetarian crostini. I personally favor the big pretzel, potato pancakes, and pierogis. As you might expect, the beer selection is vast, but you can’t go wrong with Pilsner Urquell.

menu selections at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, New York

Live music is scheduled regularly, and a raised dance floor encourages getting down.

dance floor at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, New York

The adjacent Bohemian Hall offers interior space for use in inclement weather, but in good weather it is empty.

interior at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, New York

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December 8, 2016

NYC--Queens--Corona/Flushing: New York Hall of Science/nysci + GingerBread Lane; things to do

New York Hall of Science/nysci

47-01 111th St., in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, (718) 699-0005. M-F 9:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10-6. $15, 62+ $12, 2-17 $12, students $12; free Sun 10-11am and F 2-5 pm; parking $10. Restaurant.

Founded during the 1964-65 World’s Fair, the energetic New York Hall of Science/nysci science museum aimed at children has become New York’s center for hands-on, interactive science. You’ll find more than 450 exhibits here, plus demonstrations and workshops galore. Adults seem to really enjoy the radar gun that measures how fast you can throw a baseball, while toddlers love Preschool Place--it provides great fun for under 5s. The innovative outdoor Science Playground (seasonal) is a don’t miss, and 3-D movies provide a nice break (both have separate admission). When you leave, consider a stop at the park’s Rocket Park Mini Golf (seasonal), kiddie amusement park, or zoo (separate admission).

exterior of New York Hall of Science/nysci in Corona/Flushing, Queens, NYC

Preschool Place at New York Hall of Science/nysci
in Corona/Flushing, Queens, NYC

GingerBread Lane

The seasonal GingerBread Lane event is included with admission. Both children and adults get excited when they see this gigantic gingerbread village. Situated on a protected glassed-in ledge around the edge of a bright circular room, it consists of all kinds of buildings and roads. It takes chef Jon Lovitch a year to design and build it. He uses only edible ingredients--candy, icing, gingerbread dough--and it weighs more than 1½ tons. All structures are dismantled and given away at the close of the exhibition. Related workshops are scheduled.

GingerBread Lane at New York Hall of Science/nysci
in Corona/Flushing, Queens, NYC

(If you find yourself stuck at home on a snowy winter day, make playdough and construct your own little village.)

We like tying in a visit here with a meal at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal.

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June 8, 2016

NYC--Queens--Corona: Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal; restaurant review

Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal

104-05 47th Ave., Corona, (718) 699-2434. L-D daily (M-W closes at 7pm); $$.

Colorful and cheery, this Mexican restaurant uses only fresh, non-genetically modified 100% corn products, and the healthy menu items inspired by family recipes are made with no preservatives or additives. Though most ingredients at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal are purchased from local businesses committed to sustainability, the masa (corn dough) is prepared in the traditional ancient way and with the addition of kosher-certified practices at the Rovey Seed Farm Company in Illinois. Menu highlights include guacamole and nachos (both are especially tasty), tamales, shrimp tacos, and build-your-own tacos. Vegetarian options are also available. The kids meal consists of a quesadilla with crema and lettuce. A large machine in the back is operated after hours to make tortillas both for this restaurant and many others.

You might want to plan in a visit to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which is just three blocks away. Among the many activities there are the New York Hall of Science and the Queens Zoo.

booth at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal in Corona, Queens, New York

cocktail at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal in Corona, Queens, New York

enchilada plate at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal in Corona, Queens, New York

tortilla machine at Tortilleria & Taqueria Nixtamal in Corona, Queens, New York

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March 9, 2016

NYC--Queens--Long Island City: Sweetleaf Coffee; restaurant review

Sweetleaf Coffee

10-93 Jackson Ave.

Looking and feeling like it could be in the Village, this cozy coffeehouse is actually in Queens. Pick a pastry—perhaps a savory pepper-pear scone or an oversize cookie—to enjoy with your drink. Everything at Sweetleaf Coffee is prepared in an onsite kitchen that you can observe through windows. I sipped a thick and dark hot chocolate, while my companion enjoyed a sweet and creamy Vietnamese-style iced Voodoo Child coffee. Music featured the Talking Heads and edgy tunes from the ‘60s.

Opened only in 2008, this tiny spot is the original Sweetleaf cafe—there are now three—and it has actually tripled in size since opening. Situated with an atmospheric 19th-century building, it features original walls and a tin ceiling. Though small, seating areas include overstuffed chairs by the sunny front windows, a designated laptop room, and a record room in the back where you can man a turntable and choose from several hundred old-time records.

order counter at Sweetleaf Coffee In Long Island City, Queens, NY

bakery kitchen at Sweetleaf Coffee In Long Island City, Queens, NY

coffee and at Sweetleaf Coffee In Long Island City, Queens, NY

contented customer at Sweetleaf Coffee In Long Island City, Queens, NY

decorations at Sweetleaf Coffee In Long Island City, Queens, NY

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August 26, 2015

NYC--Queens--Woodside: SriPraPhai; restaurant review

SriPraPhai

6413 39th Ave., in Woodside, (718) 899-9599. L-D Thur-Tu. Cash only.

In a no-frills atmosphere, this popular Thai restaurant features two dining rooms plus outdoor seating. The SriPraPhai menu is extensive. Among the many items on the special vegetarian menu, are:

exterior of SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

crispy Chinese watercress salad at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

drunken noodles at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

Pad Prik King with green beans at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

Penang curry at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

black beans in coconut milk at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

mango sticky rice at SriPraPhai in Woodside, Queens, NYC

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October 31, 2014

NYC--Queens--Flushing: New World Food Court; restaurant review

New World Food Court

136-20 Roosevelt Ave., basement level, in New World Mall, (718) 353-0551. Cash only in some places.

New World Food Court in Flushing, Queens, New York

This amazing and inexpensive food court has everything Asian. I recommend that you walk around the New World Food Court's perimeter and check out the various stalls before you decide. It is a huge, noisy open space and is both exciting and overwhelming. I saw someone hand-pulling noodles and the biggest bowl of noodles ever.

T Baar in New World Food Court in Flushing, Queens, New York

Unfortunately, I had just eaten before my visit so I had room only for a coconut milk boba tea at T Baar.

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October 29, 2014

NYC--Queens--Flushing: Happy Buddha; restaurant review

Happy Buddha

135-37 37th Ave., Flushing, (718) 358-0079. L-D daily; $.

With a simple, clean interior, and an all-vegetarian and kosher menu, pleasant Happy Buddha pleases with an amazing dim sum menu and extensive general menu. We tried almost half the dim sum offerings, and there wasn’t a dud in the bunch. Our list included: