Jackson Heights Life

Great, thanks, and thanks for reading comments and being open to feedback! Eggplant pizza was another dish that was well liked by our group, and also the desserts: pineapple upside down cake, strawberry shortcake, and the assorted cookies. I've been three times so far and do expect to be a frequent customer.

Service is very friendly and helpful, too. When our server was a bit overwhelmed or just forgot to bring a second drink that was requested, another employee noticed me looking around, jumped in to help, and brought the drink right away. (I want the wine with the food, not after I've finished, and that wasn't happening.) Much appreciated.

And as long as I am commenting and you are reading (at some point), please consider that some people really need food that is simpler and less highly spiced than is currently in fashion. I go to restaurants at times where almost every dish has jalapenos or chipotle or chilies or curry or something like that thrown in. For health reasons, I can't eat those things. Delicate stomach. And in this neighborhood especially, finding the kind of food I need in restaurants can be challenging. Which is only one reason I'm so happy you have finally arrived!

A nice grilled fish dish (like your swordfish) or roast chicken (with crispy skin if possible!) would be great to have on your menu permanently.  A meal-size salad with grilled chicken, salmon or shrimp is another thing I often order when dining out, and a great option for people who want lighter meals. Also--more vegetables as side dishes would be wonderful. Hope to see you again soon.

Dude, why so mean? Not necessary.

I am so happy about the Queensboro and the other local businesses. They are all working hard to create that beautiful and diverse neighborhood that is Jackson Heights.

As a data point, Dudley: my husband and I really like the pizza at Queensboro. It IS different from the bulk of pizza joints in the neighborhood, and I consider that a plus.

Now the world don't move to the beat of just one drum...

considering there are like 5 things on the menu

 

I like the pizza. Okay, moving on. Went back again with our son in tow, and the full menu available. Got the fish. Burst of flavor. Loved it.

Quote from: Dudley on July 02, 2018, 12:35:37 AM

Quote from: jo3boxer on June 30, 2018, 12:04:26 PM

considering there are like 5 things on the menu

 

Glad you picked up on the key point of that post and responded to constructive feedback in a professional manner.

I didn’t look for the queensboro to exist but now that it was open I was still open to trying it out. I would not go back unless the food improves. Why not get bread from Cannelle instead of using supermarket reject for the clam garlic bread? Why not figure out how to use an expensive brick oven you paid good money for so you can turn out better pizza? How could brick oven pizza not have a single blister? Why not figure out some pasta toppings that are more complementary in flavor? I know critical opinions of this place is in the minority on the boards but I’d love to return so hopefully you heed some of it. But then again I’m sure you’ll do well regardless. Starbucks has built a billion dollar coffee business on burnt coffee. There’s a market for food served at a comfortable setting and there’s a clear demand for that in JH. I don’t think it should detract from other perspectives though.

I was also disappointed.  I've been there twice.  The wait staff seemed to lack experience based on the little things, e.g., waitress took my drink order and forgot about it until I reminded her like 15/20 minutes later, waiter asked one person at the table for drink order and that person declined and the waiter did not ask others for their drink orders, nobody asks if everything is ok after serving food, etc.

Moreover, I ordered the steak and they sent two medium sized steaks that were significantly undercooked - I asked for them to be cooked medium.  I sent them back and when they returned the food, one of the steaks was medium and the other was so burnt it was not edible.  I mentioned it to the waiter and he saw exactly what happened.  I still paid full price for the really poorly cooked steak.  On another occasion, I had the burger and found it to be bland - almost as though there was no seasoning and even this was undercooked - I asked for medium.

My advise to the owners is to hire a chef that knows how to cook.  My guess is that the cook is not a trained cook.  The cook is probably a dishwasher who hustled his way to a cooking position.  As an aside, the pizza is mediocre. 

The best part of the restaurant is the beer selection and the ambiance, but I am afraid that if they do not replace the chef soon, people will stop going there.  There are so many options in the neighborhood that serve excellent food and the fact that the chef can't even cook a steak is a bad harbinger for the restaurant's future.

I think it's well worth remembering that the folks involved in the Queensboro made a big commitment to doing something different in the neighborhood--a thoughtful, inviting, large-scale venue with interesting cocktails and a fresh, ever-changing menu.  I've been about five times so far and it has always been packed with a diverse cross-section of people seeming to enjoy their time there.  The drinks are excellent and the food is good and, I'd say, improving as they work out the kinks of opening a large and busy venue.  The service is a work in progress, but friendly and accommodating, which is more than you can say about many places in the city.  Maybe it's just me, but when a place is new I like to give it the benefit of the doubt, and if there's something not to my liking I prefer to address that with the wait staff at the end of the meal (hoping that the comments make it back to the kitchen), rather than blasting them with a one-star Yelp review or scorching them in public fora.  In any case, I'll be back there in the future, and look forward to their long tenure in the neighborhood.