Despite the grim weather forecast, Taste of LIC a sunny success.
Chocolate Factory Theater’s 4th Annual Taste of LIC, Gantry Park, LIC
Yesterday’s dreary forecast of ongoing thunderstorms and pouring rain did not impact the big tent event at Gantry Plaza State Park for the Chocolate Factory Theater‘s 4th annual fundraiser and Long Island City celebration, the Taste of LIC, which was jam-packed with more than 800 patrons and attendees.
Most of Hunters Point restaurants, bars, and cafés were on hand, displaying a broad range of local flavor, including a few outliers from Astoria/LIC. Local businesses also donated products & services to a silent auction, which was fervently and quietly bubbling right up until the ending bell.
Many thanks to Sheila Lewandowski, of Chocolate Factory Theater, who relentlessly and tirelessly organized this amazing display of community spirit. It was so great to see so many LIC businesses under one roof, all tasting each others’ offerings and co-mingling. For future reference, it was also an excellent local networking event, since the large draw includes many local community leaders, politicians, media outlets, real estate developers, and a large swath of residents. Photos and a video of the 2009 Taste of LIC coming soon from liQcity.
It was great!
Well at taste of LIC we had a chance to taste Testatico’s fare. Fig was nice….but the penne pasta was absolutely nothing to write home about. Like from a lunch room. So much for something different.
The best tables in my opinion were BANY (tons and tons of stuff), SAGE (best tomato basil soup ever, and very dessert heavy) and Manducati’s which is just always excellent. Oh also, Cafe Henri had an absolutely amazing sampling of cheeses. With fresh berries.
I agree that Testatico was a disappointment. The fig was fine, but not anything mind blowing and lunchroom pasta is the best way to describe the penne. It’s not different, just more of the same, which is not bad but seems unwise. Except they seem to be promoting their whole rooftop bar thing. Which I wonder how will fly on Vernon Blvd.
So you’re all ready going to write off Testatico’s food just because you had some reheated pasta? I mean, please.
I am really bummed I missed this event, but it was very pricey. I’m going to have to dole out my LIC food money slowly.
I’m glad it went to a good cause, though.
A tasting event like this is supposed to showcase the best of what you got. And people it’s Testaccio, not Testatico. Get it right. Queenswest has this discussion in progress, and people have mixed feelings about it already. http://www.queenswest.com/neighborhood/discussion/346874106/conversation_view?b_start:int=0&-C=
This is not the west village or other established neighborhood that can absorb any business (even redundant) as long as it’s good. In LIC that is definitely not the case. It’s a small community and it is a huge afront to Masso, BellaVia, Manettas, Manducatis for Eric and his father to open Testaccio. Eric claims to be a community broker, but intentionally brought in a business to compete with already established local businesses. Anyone who thinks they didn’t do that on purpose and they’re just landlords trying to make a buck, is fooled.
7, that’s absurd. Since when is it a broker’s job to play protectionist? I love a few of the restaurants you mention. But it would be foolish to suggest that they somehow deserve special treatment simply because they’ve been here longer. The more competition, the better — whether they are Italian restaurants, Finnish, Tasmanian, it doesn’t matter.
Sometimes I’m really glad I don’t live near Vernon. Oh, the controversies…
#8 if you promote yourself as a ‘community broker’ which modernspaces does, then yes, you do take on that responsibility. And ERic and his father own the building and also are invested in the restaurant. He’s not just acting as a broker in this case. He intentionally brought them here. Of course its a free country. IT’s just not community oriented. Don’t call yourself a ‘community broker’ then.
Well, lets hope the new competition encourages Masso to serve better food, Maducatis to lower it prices, and Bella Via to serve more consistent pizzas.
wait a minute…what rooftop bar? At Testaccio?
I think that Testaccio was fantastic and different.
The other new restaurant opening next to Ethereal is latin fusion, another somewhat over-represented cuisine in the neighborhood. Were they at Taste of LIC? If so, were they any good?
I consider myself a foodie (pretentious as that may sound), but every now and again, I do go to places for the ambiance, not the food. So if this new Testaccio place is beautiful and fun, it will be somewhat different for the neighborhood.
Who doesn’t love choices in places to go or eat?
Sound like the person with the axe to grind against Testaccio is a competing restaurant.
Hello number 7, this is Eric, nor i or any of my family own Testaccio, just to make it clear. Yes my father owns the building, and he is only the landlord, nothing more. As for my responsibility in who i bring in the neighborhood, yes i do care who i bring here, we had everyone interested in the space from a pub to probably three grocery stores, to a few asian restaurants and even several banks. We did not want a pub in the space, as for the grocery stores i told them that they would not survive and would not be able to compete with Foodcellar. The same thing with the asian restaurants. We also had a beauty salon, but i thought that Spa Desilva was going to be across the street at the time and told them they wouldnt work. When the Testaccio came along, they brought us there concept which is totally different from everything here. Yes there serving Italian food, but so what, i was at Arthur Avenue the other day, theres like a million italian restaurants all next door to eachother and all packed. Would it be so bad if LIC turned into a little italy kind of thing? this is an italian neighorhood.
The People from Testaccio are putting there heart and soul in the place, and really believe in this neighborhood, i think that says something… As for how it will effect other italian restaurants in the nieghborhood, i think it will have a positive impact, one day you might want to go to a great classic family style restaurant so youll hit up Manducattis, the next you might want to check out a restaurant that specializes in Brick oven Pizza, so youll hit up Bella Via or Rustica, or maybe you want that great neighborhood place so youll go to Cassino…. Just like in every other neighborhood, Astoria has like a million greek restaurants, flushing has asian, so whats wrong with having several different varieties of the same cuisine.
But, Eric, even with our new bldngs., Flushing and Astoria are much larger geographically and in population than Hunters Point. And from what you’ve said, Testaccio will also have brick oven pizza and judging by Borgo Antico’s website nothing too much different in the way of cuisine from what we already have. If the food is good and the atmosphere is enjoyable, people will go there. But please, stop touting Testaccio as something “dramatically” different!
Thanks, Eric, for explaining the rationale. I would LOVE it if LIC became another little Italy! That would be wonderful.
Why is nobody talking about the excellent food at Blend?
I also loved that Shi actually provided quality sashimi, Cafe Henri’s raspberry crepes, and Blend’s sopas. The zucchini soup at Testaccio was good, but the chickpea crouton was just ok. Their presentation was definitely a cut above. Also, the clams on the half shell from Greek Captain were a welcome surprise!!
Oh, and ditto #11. :)
We can go on and on about this forever, but what is done is done. I don’t think Eric is being truthful and that is my opinion. I don’t understand how Testaccio will get a liquor license or if they did how? Blend and Siam (across from Bella Via) have been waiting over a year. Rules seem to get thrown out the window I guess in some cases. But rumor has it that there is a special Community Board Meeting against the liquor license for Testaccio. Let’s see how all this plays out. What drama!!
Anyone who pours their heart and soul into their restaurant in OUR neghborhood deserves our support…when does Testaccio open?
I loved the Taste of LIC last night. This community should go out more and talk to each other instead of posting.
Let’s see if they actually pour the heart and soul into our neighborhood and not just their money. Its definitely two complete different things. Most of the restaurants we are talking about are neighborhood people or people that do actually care about our neighborhoods and our kids. Lets be patient and see.
#18 I agree with you.
#19 Where are the people? Are you ever around during the day on Vernon or Jackson. When I walk with my baby there is hardly anyone around. How are all these restaurants going to survive. The “tower” people are not around during the day and forget about the weekends. Even at night, how many times do you eat out, anywhere, not just LIC? I don’t go out alot. You are talking about huge neighborhoods you can’t compare them to ours. Its a broker’s dream.
There are lots of buildings going up and lots of spaces to rent and to buy in this neighborhood and this community is growing just as large as Flushing and Astoria. Also, I’m sure if the restaurant is good, people from Manhattan will be coming to LIC and trying not only Testaccio but all the other restaurants in LIC . So, it’s a very good thing.
Why all this criticizing Testaccio, why don’t we just wait until it opens and then people can criticize and judge!!!
Maybe the new place in the poseur’s building will have a $15 Martini. Right now the priciest I know of is at Lounge 47 for $11. Not that it isn’t better gin than, say, Dutch Kills, and it’s a bigger pour, although I think everyone has studied the math in sort of a compulsive entrepreneurial “depth,” I mean the business-plan version of nickel-and-diming, whereby the house always wins. Anyway, it really doesn’t matter–I can buy my own bottle and just walk past any of these places, but I’ll remember all the outfits that supported the Chocolate Factory, one of the best things in the neighborhood, an original risk-taking performance venue. That’s what it’s all about, I thought, or am I missing something?
A lot of people here are awfully bitter. Its a really sad display of how unhappy their lives must be. How empty is your life if you have nothing better to do be anonymously complain about a resturant that hasn’t even opened yet.
Who is behind these complaints? What is your dog in this fight? Are you organizing for another Blend type fight? That is my suspicion. The comments here sound very similar to that. The food isn’t good. Who will go? I don’t see how they will stay in business… blah blah blah. It makes me so angry that people will stop at nothing to be so protectionist.
Also Eric, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
#26- do restaurants in other areas survive from lunch? No, probably not. All of the people that have moved into LIC have to eat dinner and I guess that they’re doing a lot of takeout/delivery/restaurants. I am sometimes around during the day and when I am, I don’t see people walking around on the streets- but I do see tons of commercial vehicles. Workers have to eat. I know that my colleagues that work in our LIC office (down on Vernon) patronize the LIC restaurants regularly for lunch. In fact, they are thrilled when I let them know about new places in the area – especially off the beaten path- because they don’t usually go off Vernon.
I’d like to know what restauranteurs have to say.
I think it is great that the Testaccio owners are putting effort and capital into LIC, and building out what will hopefully be a beautiful space, but the fact that the food will be Italian fare is frustrating. The area already has multiple Italian places but lacks other types of food that people would like to have. It is frustrating that these people are making a dumb business decision that will result in a restaurant that is not adding to the neighborhood as well as it could be.
I love how everyone on this thread fancies themselves some kind of restaurant market expert, opining breathlessly about the prospects of a place that hasn’t even boiled a handful of pasta yet! Jeez, what the hell?
There is at least an very good chance that if the place serves cracking food, has a good atmosphere and great service, it will do fantastically well. That’s how it works. There are countless neighborhoods around the city and country where there are clusters of similar ethnic restaurants, each serving a slightly different demographic or regional cuisine. These places end of becoming destinations for many people outside their locales in their own right.
I can’t help believe that the most vociferous opponents of the new restaurant must be either (1) a competing Italian restaurant with a similar customer base nearby (not Cassino or Junior’s) or (2) residents in the building or next door who are dreading the noise and smells. They should really come clean and ID themselves. While some other people might be hoping for a Vietnamese place or something else, I doubt they would be so passionate as to post so fervently on this thread.
Exactly #34.
Someone with an axe to grind is posting furiously in this thread. You can see them all over!
Having an axe to grind is not the same thing as expressing frustration. I agree with the backlash against the new Italian restaurant because I know the back story. It seems others do as well. The owners and landlords do not have benevolent intentions. And yes, they want to put a rooftop bar on Vernon Blvd that is open until 4am. Enjoy that one, NIMBY’s.
So the issue is essentially the noise from a bar on the roof and has nothing to do with another Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. Fine — you have a legitimate beef. I certainly wouldn’t want to live near an outdoor bar area and I doubt many others here would either. Frankly, I can’t imagine getting a permit for such a use will be easy. Another case for Joe Connolly.
Oh great here we go again! I wish people would be honest about their intentions and feelings. Instead they concoct this BS story about too many Italian restaurants and about their food being bad. Have the balls to say what is on your mind. Everything is code words and innuendo. This area is zoned commercial. If you live in an area zoned as commercial you have to know that there is the possibility that a commercial establishment might open. I said this before, but the open minded people of this community need to organize as a check on those who would love nothing more than to shut down every new store, stop every new building. There are a handful of people really making a concerted effort to hold this neighborhood back and I find that offensive.
I agree with 38, but to a point. It is a mixed-use neighborhood, so that means everyone needs to get along. The zoning doesn’t give license to a business to do whatever the hell it wants. I happen to think that a rooftop bar in an area tightly surrounded by people’s homes is probably going a little too far. Unless they do something to mitigate noise impacts, allowing a restaurant to do this is a poor precedent for our neighborhood.
Why must it always be about setting a precedent? When you say it may set a precedent it implies that there are waves of businesses looking to swoop in and set up discos, and nightclubs and prostitution rings on Vernon Blvd. Why can’t it about one restaurateur trying to live his version of the american dream while at the same time providing jobs in the community, rehabbing an unused space and creating another dining option for those that live in the area? In the end that’s all it really is. what is so dangerous about that?
Why does there have to be an ulterior motive? Maybe we want to get excited about new places adding to our community and feel let down that this is going to be ANOTHER Italian place instead of something different that we don’t have yet.
By the way, LIC is not an Italian neighborhood. Howard Beach, Bensonhurst, Middle Village, parts of the Bronx and Staten Island are Italian neighborhoods. LIC? No way.
40, whoa, whoa. Hang on , fella. You completely distorted what I said (I’m 39) to make your point. To reel you back in, we’re talking about a rooftop bar in a mixed-use area. Again, in the interest of being a good neighbor, the restaurant should make sure it isn’t going to be a nuisance to those surrounding it. Seems pretty reasonable to me, and it is in keeping with the city’s environmental laws. If the residents abutting it are going to be suffering noise impacts, the restaurant should mitigate those impacts, maybe even supplying the affected residents with AC units or double-glazed windows (also a city practice for developments causing noise impacts).
41, keep your chin up. I was disappointed I didn’t get a chopper bike when I was nine. You’ll get over it.
42, you’re only partly right. For years, LIC was mainly an Italian neighborhood, with a sizable Irish population as well. Most oldtimers in the ‘hood still fall in those groups, and many landlords too.
Dear Eric B,
There: adverb, in or at that place —often used interjectionally
Their: adjective. f or relating to them or themselves especially as possessors, agents, or objects of an action
They’re: contraction, they are
Sorry to be the “grammar police” but come on, this is usage I learned in Kindergarden.
Further, I have no ulterior motives here – I find it an idiotic and stupid business plan to shove yet another brick oven pizza/Italian American restaurant into this neighborhood.
i went, thought it was a great event. everyone is an expert on this board, hilarious, go open your own restaurant. i thought Testaccio put out a good effort. the fig was interesting, the pasta, good, but nothing special, looking forward to check them out when they open. i love manducati’s and masso’s sangria. whoever thought it was expensive is retarded, $50? i got more than that in drinks. and it raised $$$ having gone to all the tastes, it keeps getting bigger and better. i think that is a good sign of things to come, regardless of the continuous broker babble.
Okay, so its a stupid business plan in your opinion. Fine. If you are right it will fail and something else will come along and replace it eventually. Either way what is it to you? Why are you so invested in something that has zero impact on your life?
Because they own another Italian place in the area and don’t want the competition.
Because it does impact the neighborhood where we all live.
I’m personally disappointed that there is going to be another Italian restaurant, I don’t live on the block, or Vernon for that matter but I am concerned about having Vernon turned into an entire restaurant row were rents are overly inflated and push out other viable tenants that could provide other neighborhood needs such as hardware store, bookstore, bakery fish or meet market. Because of the liqueur….landlords get more rent. That is the bottom line. I feel for everyone that has lived here their whole lives having their quality of life challenged by a realtor marketed vision of what LIC should be. The truth is the are hyping what has not become. I feel we need a strong process to determine the intentions of new restaurateurs and bar owners sloely to preserve quality of life. I’m invested only because I know it could be in “my backyard”. Not because I’m anti people or development, nor anti capitalist or any of that nonsense that I’ll be acussed of.
What is the “back story” behind Testaccio? I seem to be missing something…
I am one of those neighbors who lives very close to Testaccio and I am concerned about the idea of a rooftop bar that is open until 4am. I have children. Nevertheless, I am happy to wait and see how it all plays out. I support new busineses in the area. I support the neighborhood in general.
I don’t know whether or not they are planning a rooftop bar –rumors run rampant in this neighborhood! But if they are, it will have to go through the gauntlet of the neighborhood and CB2 –I really can’t imagine a rooftop bar sitting there in between low rise residential apartment bldngs….It will never fly. If Blend, a quiet dinner place, had difficulty with the neighborhood, I don’t see the board giving approval for a potential “party palace”.
#48, you are the poster child of everthing that is wrong with LIC today. I’ll leave it at that.
They are definitely promoting a terrace with manhattan view. Where would that be?
See website — http://www.testacciony.com/
#51, there is also a back story to why Blend had so much trouble – has nothing to do with a rooftop bar at the new Italian place. Blend’s liquor license was challenged by an adjacent neighbor. That’s why they had so much trouble. Very specific situation. The Italian place getting approval for liquor license with plans to do a rooftop bar only needs an adjacent property owner to challenge it. That’s not going to happen.
Just wait. You think this is an issue now? You have no idea what’s coming. The people of LIC have very little say in what happens here. It’s all ugly politics and wheeling and dealing behind the curtain. You will see some restaurants get liquor licenses and others not. Hopefully the public will ask the questions why, and LIC’s dark dirty secrets will get unearthed. It’s all about power, ownership, and getting paid off. It’s not about what will best serve the LIC community.
48, who died and made you ruler of Hunter’s Point?
51, what did you find so “wrong” with 48? It seems to me that unless businesses are allowed to do whatever the heck they want, regardless of the impacts they would have on others, you would be opposed. It’s no wonder you left “it at that,” because your position is ridiculous. What’s wrong with businesses working with their neighbors? I don’t get your attitude at all.
YES, Testaccio will be having a rooftop bar but will be closing it up at a certain time. Not 4 a.m. The community would never allow that. None of you even know the facts??? What’s wrong with everyone? Get your facts straight before posting all this false info!!!
SECOND – Testaccio will be a Roman Cuisine Restaurant. Roman Theme. It’s not just another ITALIAN restaurant. The owners want to bring in different type of food and to make it accomodating for everyone, they would like to put in a wood burning brick oven especially for families with children. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! If anything, they will be attracting more and more people to LIC!!!
Let the restaurant open and then COMMENT!!!
Some people just have nothing better to do!!!
Sorry I’m 53 and that was a response to 50 not 51.
#56, aka Eric. How does a wood-burning brick oven have anything to do with ‘familiies, especially with children’?
BRINGING ITALIAN FOOD TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT BRING SOMETHING DIFFERENT. Saying it in all caps doesn’t change that fact. Just be honest that you’re opening up yet another brick-oven pizza joint bringing more of the same. Which sucks for the restaurants who just survived one of the worst winters economically and instead of benefiting, are now up against a community broker who is using his position to stack Vernon with competition, because he has vendettas against other businesses.
What we really need on Vernon, and I never thought I would say this, is ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE. Nestseekers does nothing for the hood, and ModernSpaces is dominating and dictating the new business entry, especially on Vernon and they are doing a shitty job. But there is no one else. We need some competition for the brokers, see how you like that Eric. It’s something DIFFERENT, right?
They are putting in an oven especially for women and children? Yikes.
I second the motion that we need another real estate office. I had some dealings with Modern Spaces and was not impressed.
# 59 Some people need to grow up #59
Wow, why can’t people just be excited, instead of being soooo critical!!!??? You haven’t even seen the opening of Testaccio and your already judging? I think it’s a great thing to expand and add something new to the neighborhoood everyone is going to be unique for their own thing, people needs to stop worrying! I heard Testaccio is not the typical italian restaurant and that it will be specializing in Roman cuisine……is Roman cuisine any other restuarant’s specialty in the area??????????????????? I don’t believe so.
The atmosphere will be very different as well! Just wait and see!
So – #56 – Are togas the required attire? Will there be corinthian pillars – perhaps an amphitheatre where we throw dissenters to the lions? What the h… is a “Roman Theme”? Besides, we already have several brick oven pizza places that the children can enjoy. At Manducatis Rustica, they even hold events for children. Stop with the hype —If they have good food, the people will eat there. From what I have been led to understand, they are patterning themselves after Borgo Antico which is located in a townhouse full of “rustic charm” complete with fireplace and Italian village atmosphere. The reviews use the words “Tuscan”, “rustic”, “country village”, “homey” and “casual” frequently in their write-ups.
The person complaining about another Italian restaurant driving rents so high a “hardware store, bookstore, bakery or fish store” can’t afford the space are so full of it. There are a million empty storefronts to open those types of places, but they’d close in a few weeks. How wants those?!? NYC is a city where people eat out. A lot. They don’t sit around preparing meals and no one, and I repeat no one, wants a hardware store. There’s one already by C-Town and no one goes there! It’s been for sale for years.
So many people here don’t understand how a business works. If it provides something that people want it does well, i.e. Italian restaurants, and it is replicated. If it doesn’t, the hardware store near C-Town, it just sits there or goes up for sale or goes out of business. It’s a miracle that store even exists and now people keep saying they want another one.
Hi number 58, this is Eric i did not write number 56 and do not post anonymousely, as i have nothing to hide… I have no vendettas with any business, i love them all, i think each and every one of our businesses are great, and i have recommended each and everyone of them. Anyone who really knows me, knows that I want every business to succeed here.
This is borderline insanity. Roman cuisine is figs on a spoon with goat cheese and pine nuts and penne so bland my 9-year old could do better. ? Please. Roman cuisine is a mix of other Italian regional cuisines. If you opened a Tuscan place it would still be more of the same as far as LIC is concerned. It’ll probably be very nice and all, but it is not something different. And I’m also confused about the children inspiring the brick oven. Makes no sense.
Oh yeah real mature #64 Togas and Pillars?? How old are you?
#67 – Then don’t go the restaurant when it opens.
Well said Eric
Are you people that bored that all you have to do is sit on an internet website and criticize other people and businesses????????????????????????
Yes #71, we are.
Ancient Roman Cuisine?
Vomitoriums all around!
What does Tuscan have to do with Roman? They aren’t even the same region of Italy.
I disagree with 65. If a hardware cum housewares store opened (like Surprise Surprise), I think that would do very well. Unless a trustafarian with money to burn opens a bookshop, I doubt that would be very successful. Fish store? I don’t know. A fish and chip place? Yes.
It would be better for your anonymous posting Eric, if you can overcome your spelling errors. It gives you away every time. You don’t have command of correct grammar. There vs Their, and Your vs You’re. Grammah police should throw you in the slammah.
‘your’ does not equal ‘you’re’
#67 – You are so right – I have repeatedly pointed out that Rome has a polyglot of cuisine from many different regions –much like NY, it is a melding pot. True – thin crust brick oven pizza is mostly from the more central to northern regions –I have had it in both Rome and Florence. …but this hype about Roman cuisine and “Roman Theme” is driving me nuts! My comments re: togas, etc were meant as a joke as to what one might consider a “Roman theme” for a costume party or perhaps a Cecil DeMille movie!
I’d like a hardware store…. as long as they served sushi.
We should all just wait and see what Testaccio will be about when it opens. Enough of all this b/s.
No. #48 is right! We need more places on Vernon that cater to the community. For example I can’t find an icehouse to buy ice for my ice box. Many times my food goes bad after all my ice melts. There are no blacksmiths anywhere. I have to go to Astoria to get new horseshoes. And we also need a good general store and a fur trapper.
OK seriously?? WHo has an icebox anymore???? And horseshoes?? Come on people….and a GENERAL STORE? THis is new york…a CITY not a small town in the south
Hi #74 – I’m #64 –Exactly! That’s why I pointed out Borgo Antico which is built on the charms of Tuscany, and Eric informed us in his post on outerb that these owners came out of that restaurant and would be imparting that type of ambience to the neighborhood. Over the years, I have traveled Italy from Milan to the tip of the boot, and I don’t want to be fooled by soundbites about Italian cuisine –Like I said, if they have really good food, people will eat there —-just don’t keep giving us all the hype about how “different” it is –because it ain’t.
It will be different to LIC
Hey #44- aka the grammar police- the correct spelling is kindergarten.
One thing for certain its a lot different than a vacant storefront. I’m sure the people employeed there will also notice a difference in the wallets and their families will notice the food on the table.
No it won’t Eric. You are the only person saying that. And you know what? So what if it’s not different. It would be more honest if you just said it was going to be Italian that will blow everyone else out of the water. That’s what a new restaurant should project anyway. It’s competition. But it’s not different.
blah blah blah
All nonsense. liQcity is probably having a mind-blowing orgasm with all these page views. Women can have multiple orgasms, you know.
I shake my head with some of these comments. LIC is not some area that has an abundance of different types of restaurants and now we are adding on. We have a few different types of restaurants, Italian being the most prevalent, and we are lacking in certain types that many people would like to see. Which is why it is annoying that this new place we are getting is just piling on to what we already have, and missing the opportunity for something new.
This whole “It will be “Roman” so it will be different thing is just silly. It is another Italian place.
It’s not JUST another Italian Place! You all are talking too much crap! You don’t even have the slightest clue!
Who the f——- cares how they describe it?
It’s someplace new to eat, you lonely old bitties!
Now that Modern Spaces doesn’t have advertisement on this blog…..(anybody else notice that?) will it become the Eric agenda blog?
Yes! Lets fill up vacant spaces on Vernon with more half vacant restaurants who can only provide more of the same and at higher prices, I want an ice house for Dutch kills and for my beaver pelts.
All of these posts are the work of one person who has a hard on for this place even before the doors open.
I would think this would be the Eric agenda blog if modern spaces still had advertising. I wonder if there is some kind of rift.
That store by C-Town is so NOT a hardware store.
What’s wrong with your people????????????????? Don’t you love Roman brick-oven pizza????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Sorry, that was just a lame attempt at a joke.
I will admit that I was disheartened when I saw that we’d have another Italian restaurant, and so were many of the people I talked to about it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Italian food, and I love Italian food in LIC, and I’ll give it a chance.
That being said, I’d still rather a butcher, a hardware store (yes, a hardware store! I miss the one on 21st st believe it or not), or a real (non fusion) asian restaurant. (Tuk Tuk, IMHO, is the only real one in the ‘hood. And another thing, one meaning for the word “Shi” in Japanese is “death.” I can’t bring myself to go there. Maybe I’m superstitious, maybe I’m just annoyed that they didn’t think that through. )
True, even though I live and work near Vernon…”who am I to say?”… and I have no control over these things. But I’m glad to have this outlet here. Maybe someone out there is paying attention. Maybe one of these other available spaces will be taken by someone who’s really done some homework. Though, I have my doubts that a hardware store or a butcher could afford the rent on Vernon, it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
I think this whole blog has turned into BS. Whoever is writing about what Testaccio is going to be has to have some “inside information.” But make up your minds. Its supposed to be an “upscale” Italian restaurant. So by this comment it means it is not competing with Bella Via or Manducattis or Manettas. They aren’t considered upscale. Then they say they are going to put in a brick oven for “women and children”. Make up your minds! Never mind Eric posting here, I am sure Testaccio is on this site as well. And anything, I really don’t think that any of the restaurants care about Testaccio one way or another. The other night at the tasting I saw the people from Bella Via and Manetta’s talking to the owners of Testaccio. Very friendly. Let’s see what happens. We are all entitled to our opinions, personally I think they should skip the pizza thing and concentrate on a “Roman” restaurant. Maybe it will become another Cavo.
Does anyone know if there was a Community Board meeting last night about Testaccio or was that another rumor?
Hey #97– In this case, “Shi” is in Chinese, one of the most common words in the language, almost akin to “is”– “Shi” is the name of the owner (he just named it after himself), so outside of being a different language than Japanese, he’s also coming at it from an entirely different context.
Interesting. I didn’t know that. I figured the name was coming from a Chinese standpoint, but since they served Japanese food too, that’s where I made the connection. Seen in this light, it’s a little different. Thanks for the info!
er, donno if that last post really made sense. “Seen in this light” was referring to the fact that it was the guys name…
it would be really neat if testaccio would have a $15 appetizer to shut everyone up. I’m all for new restaurants. Please enuff with the damn sushi and thai….it’s soooo circa 95.
i thought this was about the Chocolate Factory Benefit-
how did you all go so far of course?
I know…such negativity makes a girl sad-
it was such a great night!
so what’s up with Brazil Coffee House?
Just goes to show you that some people have nothing better to do.
107, as opposed to you? I LIKE seeing lots of comments on the threads. It shows people are interested in developments going on in the neighborhood.
New posting, pls….we need to turn the page!
So what did u think of the Raw bar in Greek Captain???? I thought the cold octopus salad was to die for….
For a sampling of rooftop bar insanity go to eater.com and watch video re: Cooper Square Hotel.
Loved the raw bar! Amazing.
Have other people gone to Iwahan? Can you give your impressions? QW.com has some pretty damning reviews, and I was wondering if anyone else has anything to add.
Well at least it feels like there are more than 10 people posting.
Can we have taste of LIC back at East Coast 2 next year? I know some folks are daunted by the loss of intimacy from when it was held in the chocolate factory, but I don’t know if you will be able to turn the tides on that one. Why didn’t East Coast sign on again this year? Or was it just to difficult to deal with management? I know that contributors were disappointed by the lack of attention brought to the silent auction, and it’s ending so early. (even though it is called a silent auction) The weather was a factor but it was still quite the event…….and I hope Brian and Sheila get a chance to live and breath after all the effort. I must concur with the consensus about the Roman place’s pasta. Pretty lunch room. It was nice to see Food Cellar there, the Rose that Pascal served was divine! The mushroom goat cheese that Cafe Henri served was superlative! MMMMMmmmmmm.
I live in LIC myself and I’m sorry to say that I think anybody downing Testaccio is ignorant and close-minded…you all must really be miserable in your own lives to try to put down others from following their dreams and really putting their heart and soul into a project….
a LITTLE taste at the festival DOES NOT predict what the WHOLE menu will look like and taste like….again I reiterate ignorant because you don’t know what the AMBIANCE OR SERVICE will be like as well. Some of you have made comments about the roof top bar? What about Water Taxi Beach in LIC that has a roof top bar AND music…open on Sunday’s as well…isn’t Sunday supposed to be a quiet, peaceful, family day? I don’t see anybody complaining about THAT place..?? Other Italian restaurants threatened maybe? I think so…..
I am definitely one to embrace anything new and am excited to see what Testaccio will be like…Lets give Testaccio the benefit of the doubt in their claim to be DIFFERENT…because we DON’t KNOW if it will be or not…and we all know any haters always end up biting their tounges…they may just be the ones to end up LOVING Testaccio and having dinner there the MOST…. we shall see
115, are you kidding me? People do nothing but complain about WTB and its “savages”! If I were you, I wouldn’t equate what you are trying to do at the restaurant with LIC’s Notorious Vomit Pot.
I think you confuse some honest critiques 9be glad you heard it anonymously before you open!) with a full-bore assault on Testaccio. Of course people will cut them slack when they are open. If they are any good, they will do well. There is no question of that. RELAX.
This is just a theory, but I know last years taste of LIC at Eastcoast caused some damage. As memory serves, they set the tent up the night before and there was a terrible storm that night and the tent blew off the roofdeck, taking 2 lampposts with it and causing some damage to cars below. Also, a lot of the tenants, myself included, were upset that they closed the gym for most of the day. They probably didn’t want to chance it this year. I thought the tent by the water was nice.
As for Testaccio, I was giving a tour by one of the owners the other day. They have a lot of construction left, but you get the general idea of what they are going for. I was VERY impressed and can say that from what I saw, there isn’t another restaurant like this in the area. You can eat on the main floor, loft, rooftop, or downstairs in the chef’s table. The kitchen will also be on display and you can see the chef working. If you don’t like the idea of this restaurant coming to the area, then please don’t go, I won’t have to wait for you to finish eating before I get a seat.
#115 – When did WTB get transported to a “rooftop”?
I don’t own the place #116…… of course people will cut them some slack if they are any good and end up doing well….I think people should stick to “honest critique” AFTER the place opens is all I’m saying, because until then, they’re JUST OPINIONS, as I stated MINE…..and I AM RELAXED…
I think 115 heard that there were roofies at WTB.
119, not to beat a dead horse, but people criticized some of the food the restaurant served. They weren’t just throwing out idle opinions. Instead of going apoplectic over the criticism of the food, they should welcome it and think about adjusting the recipe.
Hey #115 Gee whiz it’s just an opinion. I’m glad your a positive person. I am too. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to say something is wonderful when I feel it isn’t. Taste of LIC it’s a tasting, a chance to come out and show your stuff. No one is putting destroying the “Roman place” down, it’s just an impression about the taste of pasta they served based on individual taste buds, and experience. That opinion seems to be echoed by a few on this thread. And a debate about whether they will be different from Manducati’s regular or Rustica, or Waterfront Crab House or Juinors or Di Gianni’s or Masso or Cassino or San Remo or Bella Via or Manetta’s. Why so defensive and testy? The restaurant you are championing (which is a great quality I might add) will open despite a little commentary that could actually be taken as constructive criticism. To call folks ignorant and close minded and haters because they have an opinion might be I dare say be construed as not positive and slightly intolerant.
I wouldn’t call you ignorant, or small minded or a hater for championing that you are positive and adore the place before it’s open????
#121 – The pasta was made for many many people at this event. It’s not the same when it’s served in a restaurant.
#122 My comments were not soley based on the tasting on Tuesday which I can say myself was NOT the greatest pasta I’ve ever had…but on comments from this post…which in MY opinion, some people REALLY wrote ignorant comments with too much negativity….sorry to offend anyone, but that’s what I thought….
#123 – A good chef knows how and what type of dish to prepare for a crowd that will reflect the quality and technique of his style of cuisine.
I’ve actually been to the restaurant where the chef used to work and I think the chef is outstanding.
I think he was trying to show that the type of pasta he made was a roman type of pasta.
126, oh, please! Roman pasta? What the hell is that? Man, you guys are so damn defensive! Listen to your future customers. They are your best critics. That’s your first lesson in running a new restaurant!
Really? I loved the pasta on Tuesday…that’s just me. I guess we got mixed opinions..hopefully the menu will have a great variety and there will be a favorite for everyone on there….fingers crossed!
#126 needs to relax a little…who’s being defensive?
Oh yeah sure you guys are the best critics? A bunch of negative people who sit on a rediculous website all day who THINK they know things…..
Oh yeah sure you guys are the best critics? A bunch of negative people who sit on a rediculous website all day who THINK they know things…..
I think you should all put your key boards to rest and wait and see whats to come….THEN you can put your inputs! Good or bad!!!
Some people need to stop being so childish.
130, correction: negative people who sit on a ridiculous website all day and then EAT in neighborhood restaurants at night.
Don’t be such a Pasta Nazi — I mean, Roman Pasta Nazi.
I agree with 132! : ) We ALL have too much time on our hands…just let it be
First time ever, we’re cutting a thread. Sorry, but it must be done. Don’t worry, the Vernon Blvd saga is epic. It’ll be here as long as we are. But for now, let’s turn the page.
Cheers – liQcity
I will say, I was delightfully surprised at how fun it was. Food was actually more than decent, and it was possible to get a buzz on. Nice time.