FEBRUARY 2 0 1 8 I BOROMAG.COM 51
opposite the L-shaped bar, leading back
into the dining room.
The outdoor area of its predecessor
has been brought back with a retractable
dome glass ceiling, making it accessible
for all seasons. A colorful, graffiti-esque
border stripes the stone wall of the garden,
acting as a teaser to the full mural that
graces the stairs leading to the Gatsbyinspired
second-floor lounge.
Hand-painted by A Visual Bliss, whose
work can be seen on garage doors and
buildings all around town, the mural adds
vibrancy to the leather-bound look while
paying tribute to the history and cultures
of Queens.
While it may seem in contrast to the rich
1920s, Prohibition era-inspired decor of
the lounge, the idea for the use of lively,
animated colors has historical significance.
“Speakeasies were loud,” Bobby explained.
“People were dancing. It was
completely different from how we portray
it now.”
This lively ambiance leads in to a carefully
curated menu, pulling flavors and inspirations
from around the world and putting
them into the approachable, Americanstyle
dishes we all know and love.
As a first course, the Cottage Pie Empanadas
were a perfect portion, bringing the
savory meat pies of Scottish roots to the
style of Mexican street food. Stuffed with
ground lamb and beef, peas and carrots,
the empanadas were simple, crispy and
delicious. A demi-glace served on the side
added the perfect hint of sweetness to
Photos courtesy of The Astorian Photos courtesy of The Astorian
Photos via Instagram/@astoriannyc