16 FEBRUARY 2 0 1 9
Vyasa Tewari and Jason Autar
Astoria couple Vyasa Tewari and Jason Autar started their first date
with a bottle of red wine at the Kickshaw and ended 12 hours later at
the Bel Aire Diner for a late-night snack.
“After we ate at Kickshaw, we left and I walked Jason to the train
since he had come to my neighborhood. When we got to to the train
station, he didn’t want to leave so he said he’d walk me home. On the
walk over we decided we wanted to continue the date,” Tewari said.
The lovebirds, who originally connected over their love for author Jhumpa
Lahiri on a dating app, decided to hit up Sweet Afton and indulge in Gingerbakers,
their favorite cocktail at the bar. They talked for hours but still
didn’t want to end the night there. From there they went to Bel Aire Diner
and wrapped up the night.
“When I saw Jason, I thought, ‘Wow, what a tall, handsome guy!’”
Tewari said.
“What I saw Vyasa, I thought, ‘Wow, she’s beautiful!’” Autar said.
Soon after they started dating, Autar moved into the neighborhood from
the Bronx.
“Astoria represents a small portion of NYC’s melting pot. The neighborhood
is multiculturally diverse, with various ethnicities well represented
which is evident in the various cuisines and restaurants that dot the cityscape
of Astoria,” Tewari said.
Tewari and Autar are engaged, and their wedding is set for July.
For Valentine’s Day, Tewari and Autar plan on grabbing Gingerbakers
at Sweet Afton and eating dinner at Telly’s Taverna. Sounds like
another lovely 12 hours to me.
FAVORITE LOCAL DATE SPOTS:
BOHEMIAN HALL AND BEER GARDEN
ASTORIA PARK
TELLY’S TAVERNA
WATAWA
OPA
SAN ARROY THAI KITCHEN
TU CASA
VALENTINE’S DAY
Photos courtesy of Vyasa Tewari