Long Island City restaurants developed quickly on Vernon Boulevard with the real estate boom in the 2000s. A few new greats have quickly joined the handful that has previously sustained the neighborhood.
Photo (c) Meg CotnerNestled on Long Island City's main strip on Vernon Boulevard is Tournesol, a small and welcoming French bistro, doing its part to bring a little of France to this side of the East River. Great steak and frites? Sure. Seafood beignets? Even better. Tournesol pulls off the "local spot" vibe and is high-end without getting pretentious. (Tournesol, 50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101 - 718-472-4355)
Photo (c) John RolekeLounge 47 is a stylish local hangout with a creative menu of modern and international takes on comfort food (try deviled eggs with wasabi) and bar food. Decorated in vintage '70s style, it's hip but not too-cool-for-school, and not a sports bar. Lounge 47 serves one of Queens' best burgers, and the outdoor garden seating makes it the ideal summer evening hangout. (Lounge 47, 47-10 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY - 718-937-2044)
Photo (c) John RolekeHarry's at Water Taxi Beach serves a delicious burger. It's even tastier because your toes are in the sand, and you're looking at the Manhattan skyline. The Water Taxi Beach opens each summer starting Memorial Day Weekend. The good food makes it that much easier to laze away a day at this East River beach. (Water Taxi Beach, 2 Borden Ave, Long Island City, NY)
The Creek LIC
The Creek LIC is a chill Mexican grill with a full bar, pool room, and spacious outdoor patio and lounge. Their kitchen dishes out tasty Tex-Mex, with made-to-order tacos and burritos and plenty of vegetarian options, like the delicious tofu and grilled spinach burrito. For a light snack, I recommend the flautas—grilled chicken and cheddar-jack cheese wrapped in a golden flour tortilla and served with a side of sour cream. (Creek & Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY - 718-706-8783)Water's Edge
Can't mesmerize your date with conversation? Then you need the view at Water's Edge to keep you both company. Service is either great or chaotic, but you two won't care as long as you gawk out the window over dinner or drinks. The view of the Manhattan skyline is superb. You can even catch a free boat ride courtesy of Water's Edge, delivering you from the east side of Manhattan to the restaurant's dock. (Water's Edge, The East River at 44th Dr, Long Island City, NY - 718-482-0033)La Vuelta
La Vuelta serves authentic pan-Latin American specialties in a cozy, romantic setting. The restaurant's exposed brick walls are covered with artwork by local Long Island City artists, and there's seating in a beautiful backyard garden. For starters, try the coconut-breaded shrimp with green tomatillo sauce, or share the picadillo platter, an assortment of tapas that include tamarind chorizo, chicken chicharron, delicious empanadas, and fried calamari. For the main course, choose from an array of fresh meat and seafood dishes, such as Argentine skirt steak or the mouthwatering plank-roasted tilapia with pepper escabeche and roasted beets. (La Vuelta 10-43 44th Dr, Long Island City, NY - 718-361-1858)
