Ben Warren and the lovely Gina came to Astoria tonight for their guided tour. (And, no, I didn’t have to be in my Gray Line uniform for this one.) They’re thinking of moving out here and they wanted to check the place out. I foolishly forgot my camera, but I’ll do my best to summarize.
Gina had her car which she drove through the midtown tunnel. First mistake right there. When you’ve got the car and there’s no traffic situation, always take the Queenboro Bridge. It’s free. We tore outta Ditmars and made our first stop at the one, the only Beer Garden at Bohemian Hall. This much reviewed place is certainly worth all the ink it gets. It also makes for a good opener to show people around Astoria. It swiftly says, “No — we’re not in Manhattan anymore. And this fact has both its pros and its cons.” You could never have a place this size in Manhattan and even though you may have to walk a few minutes longer to get somewhere, it can often be worth it.
We then drove down Crescent Blvd (it has a few nice buildings and churches; I’ll readily agree that architecture is not a selling point for Queens) and made a right on Broadway. There’s the Socrates Sculpture Park. And the Costco right next door.
We then drove back across Broadway to look at the restaurants and coffee places, eventually heading down to Tupelo’s. See, Ben’s been living in the East Village for, like, 20 years or so. So moving away will be a big shock to the system. Tupelo’s is the only East Village bar I know of in Queens. Oddly enough, the bartender there, much to everyone’s surprise, once slept with Ben’s ex-girlfriend — when they were still dating!! It was many years ago, so what could’ve ended in fisticuffs wound up being very gentlemanly. (Ben even left a nice tip!) Also, they’re planning to start showing films there, so it looks like Ultrachrist! may have a Queens public screening!
After this we drove by my beloved American Museum of the Moving Image as well as the Kaufman Astoria Studios. . .which is always fun as it affords me an opportunity to say “Now you know how to get, how to get to Sesame Street.” (Sesame Street shoots there.)
We then drove to the roof of the Regal Kaufman Astoria Cinema. . .mostly to check out the view of midtown from there.
We then head up Steinway St., which was well described as pretty much like 14th St., darted across the way to Astoria Park. Alas, it was too dark to check out the pool.
I left them to try the lemon potatoes, stuffed sole and gigantic dill-enriched lima beans at the Taverna Kyklades, the greatest Greek restaurant in New York City.
I pointed their car in the direction of home, via the Lefkos Piergos (greek for White Castle. . .but not the White Castle you are thinking of) to pick up some chocolate mice.
