Long Island City hosts not-so-new Romanian ‘Ion’s Corner Cafe’
Ion’s Corner Cafe, 36-01 Vernon Blvd
If you’ve been biking down the not-so-new bike lanes on Vernon Blvd, perhaps you’ve noticed a not-so-new Romanian restaurant called Ion’s Corner Cafe on Vernon Blvd @ 36th Ave, right across the street from the pink bridge that goes to that little island between Queens & Manhattan. It’s been mentioned a few times in the liQcity comments, and a great not-so-new blog about happenings in Queens, local718, has a fantastic and detailed review of Ion’s Cafe.
“The mushroom stew with polenta is a vegan dish of country fare prepared in generous proportions. This main course contains savory mushrooms in a tomato and olive oil base with mountains of polenta and sour-cream on the side. Aside from a decent vegan menu, they also offer fish, chicken, pork and steak entrees like grilled pork tenderloin sauteed in port-wine sauce and grilled chicken with peasant potatoes. You will want to save room for dessert of papanasi- cheese filled donuts with jam or the salami de biscuiti- a chocolate cake like sweet. Curiously- this treat is cut into three round slices, with bits of nuts and white cake, looking oddly similar to slices of chocolate salami- if there was such a thing.
Service is exceptionally friendly and attentive. Ion’s Cafe has a full bar, extensive pris-fix ($14) brunch menu and free wi-fi. Delivery is available only in immediate surrounding areas. Ambiance is pleasant and immaculate- not overly trendy but slightly refined. This cafe sits at the mouth of the Roosevelt Island Bridge – making it a destination for islanders as well as Astoria and Dutchkills LIC residents.”
No. 1, that place is nearly 2 miles from the Vernon-Jackson station. It might be a 15- to 20-minute walk from Queens Plaza, but it’s closer to a 40-minute walk from the heart of Hunters Point.
It’s at least a 25, maybe 30, minute walk from Queens Plaza.
But good for them, hopefully the Roosevelt Island people keep them afloat. Lord knows RI barely has any restaurant options.
There is a bus that stops right there. The 102 or 103, I think.
I always run by there and thought it looked like a pretty cool place. I might venture out there sometime soon.
it says…Although not entirely convenient by subway- from N/W 36th ave and F 21st it’s about 10-15 minute walk, you can get there by bus- Q102 & 103 and easily by biking it or hailing a cab
#2 and 3. I guess it depends on how vigorously you walk. It’s exactly 1.5 miles away. Wikipedia says the average person walks 3 mph. So that’s 1/2 hr. As #1 I stand corrected. The food and experience is nonetheless worth the healthy walk.
i wonder how fast the average new yorker walks though…
It’s been documented that New Yorkers do everything 5x faster.
There is no way you can walk from the V-J station to that restaurant in just 30 minutes. Run maybe, not walk.
It takes me 15 minutes to jog from 48th Ave & Center Blvd (Gantry Park) to the bridge that connects Roosvelt Island and LIC (appx. 1.5 miles). Hope that helps to determain how long the walk would be.
Who cares about how far it is from Vernon-Jackson? I’m sick of that area’s hegemony over Long Island City. This place is highly convenient for Ravenswood residents, obvs.
Anyone been to that pub on Greenpoint Ave in Blissville? I walked by the other day and it looks a lot better than any of the Irish pubs in Hunters Point.
Also, has anyone been to Bulgara yet?
Also the new espresso bar on 23rd Street looks ready to open soon.
And Tozt Cafe is the best new bodega around.
There’s no such area as Blissville unless you’re stuck in 1920.
Agreed, Tozt is nice, but overpriced.
Drove by the palce a few times and it looks nice.
Being Romanian myself, I think the biggest mistake was namign the place “ION’s”
Ion is same as John in Romanian, but for most Americans … well, it sounds like a science experiment.
Will give it a shot one of these days … have yet to be dissapointed in Romanian food in NYC.
Stopped by last night and it is by far the best Romanian food I’ve had in NY. And I had them all.
Great ambiance, super friendly service and the food presentation was lightyears ahead of the more “ethnic” Romanian restaurants.
I sure hope they make it location wise, as right now it seems its the only thing that could possibly work against them. Were they in a “busier’ area, this would be a goldmine!
How are the pricess?
The prices are very reasonable for the portions you end up getting.
Alcohol wise, there is only wine and beer, no hard liqour.
I highly reccomend any type of white wine with Romanian dishes.
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It’s a great little place with some unique items and a very friendly staff. Definitely worth the 15 to 20 minute walk.