10 Restaurants Near St. John's
Wednesday January 31, 2007
Headed out to a Red Storm game? Here are ten places for you to meet up with friends before the game for meals, snacks, and drinks in Fresh Meadows and Jamaica Estates.
The dining options near the St. John's campus have grown in the last couple years, along with shopping on the nearby stretch of Union Turnpike. The biggest change was the opening a couple years ago of the small mall at Union and Utopia Parkway that's anchored by Barnes and Nobles (and Cold Stone Creamery if you got a sweet tooth). Lesser known are the new restaurants and cafes that have joined the neighborhood faves on the nearby blocks. I'm especially impressed by high-end Italian at Vino Ristorante. Take a look.
Comments
May I suggest adding Benny’s Kosher Pizza to your list? Fast, fresh, reasonable, often innovative and always delicious, it’s been a favorite of our family for quite some time now.
Thanks, Malkah. Benny’s Kosher Pizza is 181-30 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, 718-969-1928, and also not too far away at 72-72 Main St, Kew Gardens Hills, 718-268-0791.
Sushi Zone a few doors down from Barnes & Noble is a good sushi place for eat in or take out. The place is small and bright with mod decor, a friendly staff, and tasty rolls.
Also, Jade King across from Cunningham park is a good place for Chinese-Japanese cuisine and it has a sushi bar. It’s a good place to go when you can’t decide on what to eat when you’re with a big group of people. It’s got gig round tables and a long menu with variety.
And don’t forget Fortuna, especially for traditional Chinese dim sum on the weekends without going all the way to Chinatown or Flushing.
you got it right about Kyoto Sushi, its fantastic for parties in their wood tatami tables. Their creative sushi and maki rolls are amazing such as the mini rainbow tar tars and the “dynamite”. Definitely worth a visit!
Try Sabatini’s — north side of Union Turnpike between Utopia and 177 St.
Great food, great service, valet parking.
To impress a date in a manhattan style setting visit PLUM Bar and Restaurant on the corner of 48th avenue and Bell Blvd, just a few minutes from the SJU campus.. Drinks are great and the food is outstanding. I love it..
Tuang Thong, Thai rest @178-19 Union Tpkhas opened since your last posting. Food and service worth the two visits; and I spent two weeks in Thailand.
I vouch for PLUM. Great food and drinks.
An honest review – from someone right in the hood.
Tuang Thong – food was just about average, at best. Still wish India Palace was still there – that was some good food.
Sabatini’s – pretentious and overpriced. Upwards $18 for many dishes. For ‘pizza and pasta’ – a bit steep in this area.
Fortuna – definitely real chinese, a grade above the standard take-out joints. One can find some real authentic dishes here, especially in the whole-fish dishes and porridges (congee). For the best take-out chinese, Peter’s Kitchen – no question about it. New management using 100% soybean oil.
Qdoba – Not directly within the Union Tpke. scope, this Fresh Meadows mexican-eatery is a fairly new franchise. Similar to Chipotle, but better with its fresh meats, grilled right there and the many selections for health-conscious eaters. Burritos are huge. Tacos, salad bowls, jambalaya – all great.
Acquista Trattoria – the best. My first few times here, I knew the food was exceptional but to be able to take my friends and family there – and hear repeated comments of “this is the best veal ever” or “this place is perfect” .. that sure proves it.
A friend, living in the city, makes her way all the way here, just for the Gnocci. I’ve tried everything – pizza, salmon, veal, squid, chicken and of course, good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs. All excellent.
Taste of Asia – Filipino food, represented poorly in taste, small portions and high prices. Also, tries to hard to cover other asian eats by throwing in random chinese or thai dishes on their menu. Better to do one thing right, then a little bit of everything below the par.
Manny’s Bake Shop – Filipino food, that real natives seem to be eating. Not all that cheap but some really good hearty eats. Great soups, and tender meat dishes. But the best reason to go – the bakery. All kinds of traditional Filipino breads and pastries at cheap prices. The thing with Filipino baked goods, is that it’s pretty much comprised of milk, sugar, butter – so most everything just tastes yummy. And of course, a great place to run in for your typical birthday cakes and cookies by the pound.
Thanks, S. Park! Great details. I’ve often peered into Manny’s, but will have to try it soon. I agree Taste of Asia isn’t worth it. Manny’s and Taste of Asia are both west of campus, near Parsons Blvd.
To tell you the truth the food in this area is terrible all the places you have listed has been closed down at one time or another for various reasons its so sad the fame diner is a health hazard the food is never what you order the staff itself is dirty, king yum lets face it the have more roaches than the law allowes, sabatino is the worst place for pizza its tasteless and the staff are college rejects vino was just reopened from the health dept closing the article should not be where to eat on union turnpike instead it should be where to recouperate!!