Steinway Then and Now

I first moved to Astoria when I graduated college in 2000. My very first apartment was on 42nd St. and 25th Ave. Some of my most-frequented spots on Steinway Street were Alex Deli, where I'd get a chicken parmesan sandwich for a late night snack; and the more than 30-year-old Italian-owned establishment, Caffe Borbone, where I'd get a great cup of espresso made with hot milk for $2. It is better than Starbucks, and the place is still always packed at all times of day with middle-aged men chatting about soccer, and who knows what else?

However, there are a gems that no longer exist, such as the homestyle Thai restaurant I loved, which is now a Middle Eastern restaurant called El Karnak Luxor; a Peruvian restaurant called Anzuelo Fino, which is now an Arabic hookah lounge called Firdos; and my all-time favorite place, La Kueva, which relocated to Sunnyside back in 2005, is now a gogo bar called Sports XXO Bar.

There are many Middle Eastern bars and restaurants on the block that come and go on this strip of Steinway between Astoria Blvd. and 30th Ave, but one mainstay of this neighborhood is Mombar. It is known by its colorful mosaic exterior and mysterious eye that substitutes a name over the door. I've been trying to try the food there for years, which I hear is a little expensive but worth it, but it seems to be playing hard-to-get with me, as the mystifying decorated door is always closed whenever I pass by. As I obstinately struggled with the door recently, some guy walking by shouted, "Try after 7 p.m. It's really good!"

Palestinian-owned, Duzan, on Steinway, near the corner of Astoria Blvd., opened up a year and a half ago, and serves in my opinion the best falafel sandwich. You can choose from many fillings for the fluffy homemade pita, and it is served with fries and a soda, for $6.50.

A new hot spot arrived on Steinway and 30th Ave. in September of 2010 that took the place of the home of my favorite Arrabiata sauce, as the location used to be an Italian restaurant. Today, Tu Casa
(meaning "your house" in Spanish), serves mixed traditional Latino fare, and certainly makes one feel welcome. Now that I tried its Tacu Tacu Sunday brunch special, I want it to be my new home away from home. Its pristine interior is more spacious than it looks from the outside, and it is tastefully decorated and perfect for a group brunch or quiet dinner date. The friendly waiter said to look out for the following starting this March: "Mariachi Night" on Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with $5 margaritas all night; "Ladies Night" on Thursdays with free sangria for ladies from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; "Open Mic and Karaoke Night" on Fridays featuring $5 mojitos all night; and "Jazz Night" on Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., with wine specials and wine tastings coming in the very near future.

Within the past decade, there have been many additions and subtractions from Steinway, but one thing is for certain: It is never boring. The next time you find yourself in an exotic mood, go exploring here, and let me know what other treasures you find.

(Published in Why Leave Astoria)