76 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 20, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
dining out
Astoria eatery expands
its popular drag brunch
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@qns.com
@jenna_bagcal
For the past year and a half, Brian
Martinez has been running his successful
drag brunch at Fresco’s Cantina in
Astoria.
Back in January 2018, the restaurateur
wanted to bring the drag shows he attended
in Manhattan to his patrons in Queens.
But what started out as a four-week trial
to drum up business eventually turned
into a staple event, which sells out every
Sunday according to Martinez.
Although Fresco’s Cantina at 12-14
31st Ave. has established a reputation for
“authentic and modern Mexican cuisine,”
the eatery is renowned for having the only
drag brunch in Queens.
“Th e show is a variety show, the queens
do all types of musical numbers and
joke on each other. Th ere’s news and political
mentions. Th ey do cartwheels and
stuff on the fl oor. Th ey’re really good at
reading people’s vibe,” he said.
In honor of NYC Pride 2019, which
marks the 50th anniversary of the
Stonewall Uprising, Martinez has been
off ering patrons a second seating to the
popular noon show. Th ose interested can
now attend the show at 3 p.m. every
Sunday.
“I feel bad telling people we’re sold out,”
said Martinez, who added that they seat
55 patrons per brunch.
As a member of the LGBT community,
Martinez said that he makes sure to
promote events that uplift his community.
Every Sunday during Pride Month,
Fresco’s will be welcoming drag queens
like Juicy Lu and Hibiscus, who Martinez
said have performed at Fresco’s in the
past.
On Th ursday, June 13, Martinez will
introduce the fi rst Noche in Mumbai
event, which translates to “Nights in
Mumbai” in English. Th e night includes
a special Bollywood performance by
Sundari the Indian Goddess and henna
designs by Bharati Kemraj. Guests will
also be treated to happy hour all night
long and an “Indo-Caribbean” menu
which includes Fresco’s famous Pollo
Mumbai taco.
Starting on June 20, the restaurant will
begin hosting drag bingo on Th ursdays.
Th e balls start rolling at 7 p.m. and players
have the opportunity to win a cash jackpot
aft er four rounds of gameplay. Th ere
will be a drag show between each round
and patrons can purchase $7 mojitos,
margaritas or mules.
For Martinez, hosting LGBT-positive
events is important to him, especially
during Pride Month. He shared that
he wants patrons to feel welcomed and
accepted when they dine at his restaurant.
“Being prideful and showing people
we’re here means a lot,” he said.
For more information on Fresco’s
Cantina, visit their website at frescoscantina.
com or fi nd them on Facebook @
frescoscantina.
Photo courtesy of Brian Martinez
ARE YOU
ONE OF THE
BEST?
WE KNOW YOU’RE
NODDING YES.
BEST OF THE BORO ��������
��������������������������������������������������������������
BESTOF.QNS.COM��
(718) 224-5863
Adrian& Rocky’s CATERING
“FOR THE VERY BEST IN BUFFET STYLE CATERING”
CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS
BARTENDING & WAITRESS SERVICE AVAILABLE!
Call 718.845.5525
������������������������������������������������������������������������������
SERVING QUEENS
FOR OVER 20 YEARS
����������������������������������������
����������������������������
����������������
������������������������������������
����������������
����������������������������
��������������������������
������������������������������
��������������������
��������������������������
��������������������������
EXPERIENCE “The Original”
Planning a Party?
Our Specialties
or Fax 718.845.5643
VISIT US AT WWW.ADRIANSCATERERS.COM
EMAIL ADRIANS1@VERIZON.NET
������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
/BESTOF.QNS.COM
link
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
/WWW.ADRIANSCATERERS.COM
link
link
