By Foodista of Joey in Astoria
The weekend before Thanksgiving is a good time to chill before all the big holiday get-togethers. Check out a fun, casual eatery, watch football or enjoy a party at the beer garden.
Have you been to Stamatis (29-09 23rd Ave, Astoria, 718-721-4507) yet? It's a long-time Greek food staple in the heart of Astoria and the food is legit. Recommendations include the tzatziki dip and the chicken souvlaki platter.
This Friday, check out Mezzo Mezzo (31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, 718-278-0444) for their 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. happy hour. They'll feature a signature free buffet, $4 draft beers and house wines, and $12 hookah.
Toast to freedom this Saturday (5 p.m.) at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave, Astoria, 718-274-4925), where they'll celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. Admission is free and they'll have $2 wine, vodka shots, Czech liquor, and $10 pitchers of Czech beer. Nazdravie!
Are you ready for some football? There are plenty of great places where you could catch the game but two in particular are Gleason's (33-08 Broadway, Astoria, 718-626-5393) -- where on Sunday they serve 25 cent wings, and the newly-opened Yolo (22-55 31st St, Astoria, 718-777-1177), which has a $11 weekend brunch special.
If you're in the mood for something low-key this weekend, visit 24 Wine Bar (25-19 24th Ave, Astoria, 347-777-6164). New things happening here include press coffee, vegan brownies, muffins, and free wifi. Brunch may be in the works soon so check back to find out more.
A tough one? Name the neighborhood, the view, the street, if you can.
If you were wondering about the previous unsolved photos, here's one answer and here's another.
Do you want to contribute a neighborhood photo to Where in Queens? Email me at queens.guide@about.com.
Images courtesy of City Ice Pavilion
Long Island City, grab your skates. There's a rink coming to a rooftop?
On this Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 21 and 22) the City Ice Pavilion skating rink opens up with a party and free skating. It's a rooftop rink - the only one in NYC -- that's covered an "air dome." Sounds like the real deal -- "NHL-sized" rink according to the press release -- with lessons, figure skating, and hockey. And it's so out of left field that it could actually be a blast.
The location is in the midst of warehouse and taxi land, close to LaGuardia CUNY and west of Sunnyside. There's nothing else to do in the immediate vicinity. Go to Sunnyside to eat afterwards.
City Ice Pavilion is at 47-32 32nd Place, Long Island City, NY 11101. That's a couple blocks from the 7 train - 33rd Street at Queens Boulevard, and close to Queensboro Bridge.
If you try out the rink, please let us know how it is. Ice skating is the best.
