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Messages - zubloop

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Forest Hills
« on: January 12, 2016, 02:10:53 PM »
I know the rents are high. But it's quite silly -- I'm being kind -- to imply that only people who read English would use a bookstore. Have you ever been to Libreria Barco de Papel on 80th Street? Have you ever been to Buenos Aires? It is without a doubt one of the most vibrant bookstore cities in the world, better than New York, London, Paris. 

An indie molded like Astoria Bookshop or Greenlight that curated a selection of new and classic books in multiple languages could do quite well, I think. Titles from contemporary big (genre and literary) authors in Mexico and South America, India, China, mixed with all the English-language stuff you see everywhere else could attract book buyers from all over Queens, and could also serve as a hub for readings and book groups for authors and readers of all languages. There could even be a nice cafe, like at Housing Works.

Tell you what: if I win Powerball tomorrow night, I'll give it a shot!





 

2
Restaurants & Food / Re: Zabb Sake Bar/Izakaya
« on: August 10, 2015, 03:46:51 PM »
Finally made it here the other night. We were a party of four and explored quite a bit of the menu. Quite simply, there is not another menu remotely similar to this one in the neighborhood. The mentai pasta with creamy cod roe sauce and nori was really fantastic. All the fried items were done perfectly -- the chicken gizzards had a great dose of black pepper. I really dug the two different takes on grilled mackerel. We had takoyaki and wasabi marinated octopus. The sushi, admittedly not traditional, tasted fresh and good. Even the desserts, which often aren't my thing, were great.

If you're looking for something local and different, go to this place. 

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Restaurants & Food / Re: Coming Soon: Swim Two Birds
« on: July 31, 2015, 09:33:32 AM »
I like the Flann O'Brien reference, Stew. Will you have Guinness on tap? Hopefully you don't get TOO meta with the menu.

Best of luck shepherding your vision into existence -- seems like an exciting and necessary addition to the neighborhood!

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: Airplane Noise (Part 2)
« on: July 18, 2015, 01:38:23 PM »
Re: fumes: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101005-planes-pollution-deaths-science-environment/

This is from 2010, but it is a good overview of the environmental impact from plane emissions. If there is any good news for Jackson Heights, it is that the most damage, according to this study, is not in areas closest to the airports.

Between this and the noise, even more reason to lodge complaints.

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: Why do you leave the neighborhood?
« on: January 30, 2015, 01:33:22 PM »
In terms of live music, La Terraza is really and truly amazing. I'm pretty sure there is something on every night and the bar supports a community of musicians in the same way the late great Zebulon in Williamsburg did. It's really a local gem. 

But yes, the neighborhood could use a pool -- I use the Y in LIC -- and a quality burger. I'd be thrilled with a chain like Bare Burger or Shake Shack.

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: Boutique store - yay or nay?
« on: December 01, 2014, 02:44:31 PM »
I believe that the Northern Boulevard outpost is the wholesale arm of the operation, supplying the SoHo retail outlet and restaurant accounts, etc. I don't think the retail sales are a big part of the revenue stream there, which makes the Saturday spread they put out that much more special. It's something that is done for the neighbors and anyone else who knows about it. I first learned of it about ten years ago through a restaurant owner when living in Astoria and was thrilled to move within walking distance a few years later.

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: more vacancies on 37th avenue
« on: November 21, 2014, 03:49:38 PM »
The bodega was actually on 82nd Street, between Rite Aid and a salon. I think it lasted for about seven months. 

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: more vacancies on 37th avenue
« on: November 21, 2014, 02:02:00 PM »
The bodega on 82nd Street was destined to fail from the start. It was like every other bodega in the neighborhood, but without beer, or ice for that matter. Considering all the foot traffic on that block a business should thrive in that space. What I do think would work there is a store stocking items like Lemon Farm carries -- a good mix of everyday staples but also some specialty items, and good beer. There doesn't need to be produce, but some good bread, cheese, cured meats, etc. 

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Restaurants & Food / Re: Day of the Dead bakery items
« on: November 01, 2014, 02:15:07 PM »
I'm pretty sure Hot Bread Kitchen had some last week at the Greenmarket, so you might want to check again tomorrow.

10
Neighborhood Chat / Re: Tourism agency tells NYers to visit JH
« on: October 24, 2014, 01:18:55 PM »
This is great -- and the posters are nice throwback designs -- but the ad agency probably should have consulted someone more familiar with the neighborhood. The first slide features La Portena, which, of course, was shuttered due to the fire (a crying shame as it was one of my favorites).

Excellent to see Terraza getting some exposure!

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Neighborhood Chat / Re: What would you like to see open in JH?
« on: April 25, 2014, 04:31:49 PM »
I've said it here before, but if you are looking for a great bar with good local craft beer, just go to Terraza 7. They have several different beers from SingleCut Beersmiths -- brewed in Astoria. Plus, the live music is almost always excellent and the crowd is friendly. One the best joints in the neighborhood!

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Restaurants & Food / Re: Central Cafe?
« on: March 12, 2014, 04:10:15 PM »
Yeah, logo aside, the exterior looks great. I caught a glimpse of the interior yesterday and it looks like any other deli, though there was still lots of work going on. Before the place closed for renovations I talked to one of the employees who told me that it would reopen as a "Manhattan deli." I guess we'll all know what that means once it opens . . .

13
Restaurants & Food / Re: Jimmy1Deli 8007 37th Ave
« on: January 10, 2014, 10:06:14 AM »
Hi Jimmy1Deli,

I've only walked into the store to check it out, and I will try your falafel soon. The neighborhood lacks a quality Middle Eastern eatery so you might want to consider a menu with more Middle Eastern items, as opposed to standard NYC deli sandwiches along with random items like lottery tickets and toilet paper. The neighborhood already has plenty of places like this.

Just a thought -- it's great that you've made it a point to post here, and you seem open to suggestions.

I really am looking forward to trying your falafel, and the shawarma once the machines are up and running!

14
Neighborhood Chat / Terraza 7's Updated Beer Selection
« on: December 06, 2013, 02:02:52 PM »
The other night, paid a visit to Terraza for the first time in months and was very happy to discover that they've installed new, and more, taps. Not only that, they are carrying at least two different brews from Astoria's SingleCut Beersmiths -- I had a really nice hoppy IPA.

I've long been a fan of this place, though I never drank beer there because they never cleaned the lines and had a boring selection.

Terraza is a great neighborhood joint with live music most every night, and now with good beer on tap it qualifies as a great bar by any standard. 

15
Neighborhood Chat / Re: What's happening in the Western Queens Health of 82nd St and 37th Ave?
« on: December 06, 2013, 01:17:47 PM »
I spoke with one of the guys working on the space -- the Rite Aid on the corner of 83rd is sprawling out into this space, at least that's what I was told.

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