46 I BOROMAG.COM I JUNE 2016 EXPLORE YOUR BORO Ovelia 34-01 30th Ave. ovelia-ny.com Tradition effortlessly juxtaposes with the contemporary in both culinary approach and ambiance at Ovelia Psistaria. Outside, the café appears no glaringly different from the handful of others nearby. Patrons sip frappes along Astoria’s Grand Avenue while noshing on such classics as a decadently creamy version of an onion-studded, garlicky hummus with tender pita points, arguably some of the finest in this Greco-centric neighborhood. Inside, reality slowly breaks, giving way to creativity and invention. Start with the sesame-crusted feta and end with an ice cream sundae made with saffron and mastica. Pachanga Patterson 33-17 31st Ave. www.pa changapa tterson.com The dishes are fresh, light, bright and simply transcendent. On shelves overhead, beautiful handcarved and painted wooden figurines of what look like fantastical insects seem to clap in approval. In the back garden, guests sip on margaritas and dip fresh fried tortillas into a myriad of salsas and dips, before exploring the astonishing menu created by Chef Peyton Powell. This is true, genuine Mexican at its very best. Petals & Rots 31-27 31st St. www.petalsandrootsny.com Tiny peach puffs look like pieces of live coral, and small bits of bark are scattered among some of the coolest plants I’ve ever seen. Lavender air plants, spikes of little white striped plants, moss, and tiny succulents fill the terrarium. “You see how the moisture is gathered in the bottom of the terrarium?” asks coowner Alex Avdoulos. “Well, just take a small spray bottle, and mist the whole thing once a week. As long as the moisture looks like this, it will be fine.” This place is growing simply the most breathtaking arrangements around with the finest service available.
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