FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com july 28, 2016 • BUZZ • The Quens Courier 53 dining out BAWLER BURGERS Story + Image by Bradley Hawks Cocktails, beer cans and wine bottles (and cans) get a chance to shine, where the liquor license permits the team to get equally playful with libations. If you want to be taken back to college spring break quickly, try the King Coco slush—it’s like a grownup pina colada that employs scotch rather than rum. These icy blends are deceptively smooth and masterfully balanced. Despite their pleasing drinkability, these bad boys will knock you on your butt if taken for granted. TIP: A chilled slushy glass from a skillful mixologist should never be interpreted as a weak sip. And that’s the beauty of Flattopps. Part stoner bar, part diner, part arcade, part hip-hop tribute, the menu lends itself to an evening of perfect drinks with feelgood music, and a menu tailored to shareable nibbles and sensibly sized burgers. Chef Hernan has hit these dishes out of the park. A potato tostada is blanketed with Ecuadorian hot sauce, bacon, crema and marinated shrimp. Ghetto Blasters are actually miniature country fried chicken patties glistening with spicy pepperoni, pesto, mozzarella and pink sauce. Short rib sliders sing of sweet apricot and bok choy. Tater tots are upgraded to bite-size croquettes of Yukon gold spuds, house-made pastrami, cornichons, Gruyere and spicy Chinese mustard—collectively known as Pastrami Bombs. Droolinducing deep-fried orbs of sweet green plantain and seasoned beef take the moniker ‘Mofongo Bawlz.’ Beef fried rice is even dipped in the fryer. Thinner flattop grilled beef patties take the main stage, with all the outrageous toppings for which this team has become so affectionately beloved. The Schnook is crowned with a fried mozzarella and pepperoni patty, then blanketed with pink sauce. The Flying Guillotine marries the patty with the stuffing of a roasted duck and shrimp eggroll topped with a l’orange sauce. Of course there’s even a nod to the notorious rapper, Gucci Mane— his burger pimped out with Cap’n Crunch-crusted bacon and Gruyere on a raspberry jam-slathered piece of brioche French toast. Poultry and Brussels sprouts even get their turn with a mix of chicken and veggie burgers. There’s also a vegetarian lo mein burger, as well as two vegan-friendly options. After several years across the highway at Queens Comfort, it appears the team has mastered the game of delivering vibrant options that will please everyone. Slap on some curly fries or crinkle cuts to satiate those extra cravings, then grab a side of a l’orange for dunking. While the team is ironing out the menu and they remain in soft opening mode, this is still the best time to swing by and check them out. Cocktails and sandwiches rarely taste like this, and small plates that lend themselves to drunken noshing are rarely this superb. It’s an all-around relaxed, feel-good vibe that we suspect is going to catch on. Soon, Kyclades may not be the only Ditmars restaurant with patrons huddled outside waiting for a coveted table. View Over 200 Reviews at QNS.COM FLATTOPS 33-06 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria www.flattopps.com NEED A GETAWAY? Call For Free Brochure Scheduled Bus Trips All Year Round Over 300 Tours to Choose From Five Convenient Pick Ups in NYC 2016 Come See The USA & Canada With Us 718-238-2284 6812 3rd Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220 www.lmtours.net info@lmtours.net 888-238-2220 (outside NYC) • Penn Dutch Amish; Sight & Sound Theatres • Lobster & Crab Feasts; Casinos & Shows • Cape May; Philadelphia; Washington, DC • Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard; Newport • Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire • Niagara Falls & Toronto; The Finger Lakes • Agawa Canyon, MacKinac Island & Detroit • Polar Bear Express; Mount Rushmore, SD • West Virginia; Dallas, San Antonio & Houston 718-238-2284 6812 3rd Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11220 www.lmtours.net • info@lmtours.net YOUR PROMOTIONS SUPERMARKET SINCE 1995 CORPORATE & TEAM OUTFITTING H Staff Shirts H Giveaways H Family Reunions H School/Camps H Organizations/Events CUSTOM APPAREL H T-SHIRTS POPULAR BRAND WHITE TEE SCREEN PRINTED (1 COLOR) MIN. 144* ONLY $295 EACH *SAME DEAL: SWEATSHIRTS $495 EACH of the 2013 THE QUEENS (Screen Printed or Embroidered) QueensCourier.com CALL FOR FREE H CAPS/HATS H UNIFORMS H JACKETS H BACK PACKS H BAGS H TROPHIES CATALOG 866.701.3263 H 718.969.3144 WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS YOU NAME IT, WE GOT IT!!! (We can customize your art, logo, messages on anything!) Pens (All Types) Bags (Plastic/Paper) Calendars Water Bottles Awareness Bracelets Food Gifts Corporate Gifts Badges & Buttons Electronics Calculators Computer Accessories Eco Friendly Products Full Color Magnetic Business Cards 10 ¢ each Minimum 1,000 Your Business Card Their Refrigerator 866.701.3263 H 718.969.3144 www.PROMOTIONALEMPIRE.com
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