Long Island City through the lens; bakery dreams come true on Vernon
Cakes and tarts at Manducatis Rustica, 46-35 Vernon Blvd, LIC (718) 937-1312
For the Long Island City residents who hunger for a local bakery, you might want to stop by Manducatis Rustica and check out the handmade desserts. Someone else has. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about the handmade gelato. There have been rumblings about a fresh pasta bar for lunch, but you didn’t hear that here.
The rest of today’s linkage speaks for itself. There seems to be lots of people running around LIC with a camera these days. Which is nice.
Review of Manducatis Rustica [AstoriaNYC]
Review of Water Taxi & Waterfront Crabhouse [cracksinsidewalks]
LIC too expensive for ballet storage [QueensCrap]
Nice Shots of the PepsiCola sign [FadingAd]
Some more random shots of LIC [Sidewalk photography]
What’s up at the Repetti Gallery [PennDesignMFA]
I think they are supposed to be moving the sign… no?
And why would people want to get rid of it? It’s so iconic.
They are moving the sign north by a few blocks. That will be its permanent home.
As I recall, we used to called the Schwartz Chemical smokestacks, the Hackett Building, and the old Vernon Boulevard bridge iconic too. A hell of a lot of good that did them.
As long as there are rapacious, narrow-minded, former suburbanite Republicans in LIC, the rest of the neighborhood’s icons at risk
What is so iconic about a corporate logo? Have our standard dropped so low as as society that we accept that as an icon?
It isn’t merely a corporate logo. The sign is in many ways a monument to LIC’s past history as an industrial engine in the region. It is also quite beautiful.
During a QW Task Force meeting about 16, 17 or so years ago, an actively involved community resident made an innocent comment, something like: “What’s going to happen to that ugly Pepsi sign?” Well some corporate pepsi reps were at the meeting, and having not been to the site, or even knowing of the sign, decided to use it as a bargaining chip in property sale negotiations. Everyone involved in the project (it seemed), including the QW Task Force and the city, did not want the sign to remain, and avoided any mention of it. It had never been in any of the plans for demolition, or construction. Well, because of that off the cuff mention, the sign is here to stay.
So, whatever your perspective and opinion concerning the Pepsi sign is; you can either thank or curse that lady. She moved out west, sometime after Citylights was completed.
Charlie.
coments #6 and #7 can both be argued, i think a great compromise would be to replace the pepsi sign with “LIC” in the same script, little bit of the old, mixed in with the new LIC, it is changing, that can’t be stopped.
It seems that the bar is always high in LIC for old elements, buildings, etc. to “prove” they are valuable, they aren’t ugly, they are feasible, whatever. Rarely does one question the worth of ugly new structures or properties. For instance, I think Water Taxi Beach is a hideously ugly property. But I accept that it has become a part of the fabric of the neighborhood. I just wish that others could also view the older relics of the neighborhood in the same light. Ever since the smokestacks came down, I still find myself looking where they were and feeling like we lost something. Many thought they were ugly, but to me they represented my neighborhood.
Very interesting viewpoint #10. When the World Trade Towers were designed, as they were going up, and after they were completed, they received a lot of flack. Many called them ugly, and out of place, amid the designs of the much older and more “beautiful” buildings. Well, they eventually became accepted, as icons of what NYC is, and of American strength and prosperity.
Now look at how they are viewed, not only from their place in American history, but as to their design as well.
I never thought they were either ugly or beautiful to look at, but they were impressive.
I have since found the beauty of their design.
Charlie.
My understanding was that Pepsi demanded that the sign remain as part of any land sale from the get-go. The story was that the President of Pepsi could see the sign from his apartment in Manhattan and insisted that it stay. I heard this from the lawyer who negotiated the deal with Pepsi so I’d give it more credence than the other story.
#12 you are 100% correct. Pepsi sold the land with the condition that the sign remain and the sign is not lankmarked like many people believe.
Yes, you are correct that Pepsi demanded the the sign remain, as a part of the deal.
Wow, the story I told was the one I’ve always heard. I never heard anyone ever say anything even close to the story from #12. I wasn’t at those public meetings. Maybe we could find some people who were. I really don’t trust lawyers to tell a straight story. Is there anyone who was at that meeting? I think Terry & Brian from the Army/Navy shop, were there.
I remember that lady. Her name is/was Edie. She tended to the community garden for years.
Charlie.
So has anyone tried the cake?
Yes - It is true that keeping the sign was part of the deal that Pepsi originally made with QW. It had nothing to do with what Edie may have said or may not have said at a long ago meeting. I find it hard to believe that she would have made that statement since she was in favor of anything that could be considered “iconic” in Hunters Point!
That sign is iconic to me for a very different reason. Back in the day when I was a neophite Manhattanite and traveled to Europe frequently for the “rag” business, that sign glowing across the river as my cab sped down the drive was a sign to me that I ws almost home - and chomping at the bit for an American hamburger at Joe Allens at 73rd & third! Long time ago when I was a very young “me”. Little did I know that one day I would be living on the backside of that sign with a “718″ area code!
# 16, did you live here during that time? Were you involved, and were you at any of those meetings? She was a very community involved person. I’d still like to hear from those who were around and involved at the time.
Charlie.
But what about the cake?
Yes charlie - I was around and yes I was involved and yes I was at those meetings and yes I do remember quite clearly that the keeping of the sign was a deal made with Pepsi and yes I do doubt that it had anything to do with any statement made by Edie. I know Edie quite well - and yes she was very community minded and did not want to let go of things that were “iconic” to Hunters Point.
To get back on track - and to lapse into my Pennsylvania vernacular - “The cake is won derful good”.
Enough of the talk about 100 year old City Lights residents. Who cares what they think.
Hi # 19. So the story that has been going around, may not be true then? Did she actually say that? If it is false, then I wonder how it got started? Might we know each other? With all this anonymous posting, you never know who’s who, with rare exceptions.
No one cares what you think, #21.
Charlie.
Everyone thinks that you are a ahole Charlie. What’s your point?
Your post #21, proves, and for all to see, exactly what kind of person you truly are. No one said anything to you, about you, or in referrence to you, but the first words you post on this thread are insulting ones. Why is that? then you lower yourself to namecalling. You just don’t learn do you?
Everyone sees you for who you really are. Like I said, no one cares what you think.
Charlie.
#21 - None of the references in these posts refer to Citylights residents. The commenters are not Citylights residents. Just what in hell are you talking about - or are you just tryin g to agitate and butt in to be a smarta$$?
Hi charlie - Of course you know me! And we both know how rumors become reality in people’s minds in this gossip driven hood. It’s like playin g that childhood game where everone sits in a circle and the first person whispers something to the next person and it goes round the circle from peson to person and ends up being a completely different story when related to the last person in the circle.
#25 - Charlie lives in Citylights doesn’t he. Either way, as usual he is embarassing himself. Yet again. It seems like he gets in fights with everyone on this site. It would be appreciated if he could keep his bullying tactics back on queenswest and curbed. There is no room for that garbage here.
#27 aka #21- FYI -Charlie does not live in Citylights and neither do I. We were having a very civil discussion until you came along And how did you come to the conclusion that noone should care about opinions expressed by Citylights residents? Isn’t this a blog that is open for discussion by one and all - or are we no longer living in a democracy?
Hi 26/28. I gotcha. Yep, you’re right about rumors. I wonder how that one got started. I heard it a few times amongst various community members, during varous community meetings some years ago, but it hasn’t crossed my mind since, until this thread.
Good, now I can put that story into the LIC urban myths file. Thanks.
Don’t pay any mind to #27/21. He’s incapable of understanding that he has nothing positive to contribute, so he insults people. He dishes it out, but cries when someone does it to him.
We and others can keep good conversations and comments going.
Charlie.
Wow. This guy charlie is a bag of hot air
Not Charlie.
From my previous post: “He’s incapable of understanding that he has nothing positive to contribute, so he insults people. He dishes it out, but cries when someone does it to him.”
I think that says it all.
Charlie.
What Charlie and the others are saying is dead on. This guy has big problems. He thinks he is a bigshot. In the real world he is nothing. He is unbelievably so caught up in his own self that he is lost in his own shit.
Btw Charlie - I heard some people telling a story like the one you were when I was sitting in shady park a few years ago. It sounded convincing to me at the time. I guess some stories sound so real they can become almost like a truth. Iam glad that was cleared up.
Liqcity, can’t you limit people from not posting, say, more than 3 times on a single topic? If people want to have private discussions or arguments, can’t they just email each other?
#33 - Agreed and well said.
I agree in principle and theory, but when you have anonymous posting and with any given one of these guys pretending to be many different people, it wouldn’t work. With that kind of posting restriction, threads like the CUNY and the toxic dust/air ones, would never have much back and forth exchange. I’m not sure, but the only control they might be able to put into place would be registration and thread locking. E-mailing each other wouldn’t work, because it’s the public forum that these guys crave and need, to do their insulting.
They should have put ground rules against personal attacks into place, from the beginning. Jake (of queenswest.com) had that problem with kids and others, until he laid down ground rules. He ultimately realized that to end it, he would have to introduce registration with the ability to ban, and finally, the ability to lock threads from further posting.
You will occasionally hear these guys knocking and putting down queenswest.com. That’s because they can’t do all the childish things they want to over there, and get away with it. If they don’t like something , they insult it. Just look at #21 on this thread. Out of the blue and for no reason at all, he insults those who are posting comments that he doesn’t like. That is how they work. Their goal is to introduce unwarranted controversy and infighting, for their own sick pleasures.
Like I’ve said previously, debates and disagreements are not lovefests, but I am never out to attack or insult anyone, or to even instigate such actions. No one else should either. You can vehemently discuss and debate, but do it respectfully. Disagree away. You don’t have to even be particularly polite; just be civil about it. I will defend myself however, and others too, and I will give those guys a taste of their own medicine; without mercy.
It’s liQcity’s website, and therefore it’s their responsibility to police it. In fact, no one else can. All we can do is put our verbal foot up the asses of these guys, or remain quiet. If your choice is to remain quiet, whether you are personally insulted or attacked or not; that’s fine. Just don’t get on the cases of those who choose to speak up. Ive been reading and posting on queenswest.com for virtually the full ten years of its existence. I’ve never even been warned, concerning personal attack and insult behavior. That should tell you about my intentions, my posting history, and where I stand on such matters.
Charlie.
No thanks Charlie we don’t need another Queenswest.com. That site sucks.
My point exactly, everyone
Charlie.
Yep. Charlie. Its that no else wants this site turning into your personal blog or another queenswest.com. Count me in that group as well.
You have no idea what I meant by that. Like I said, you’re not very smart.
Charlie.
It’s sad for all of us who read this blog that a post about cake has to degenerate into a personal tirade between a few people. Guys, the rest of us don’t care, OK? Take it outside the bar and keep it between yourselves. How bout trading each other’s email addresses so you can spend the next five years trying to convince each other that…whatever.
Yes - As I posted before - “the cake is wonderful good”. Now does anyone care to discuss thecakes and pastries? Alas, I fear that even an innocent discussion about cake will turn into an accusatory diatribe by those who are hellbent on making this blog their personal bitter sound stage full of hate and signifying nothing.
Just had the croissants filled with custard yesterday and they were great. The gelato is always a crowd pleaser.
#’s 40 & 41; Haven’t you been paying attention? Read my post # 35. It explains everything. #40, I addressed the e-mail thing.
# 40, If you don’t care, then why are you commenting? As long as those jerks are out there doing what they do best; I’ll keep it up. Like I said previously, if you’re going to remain quiet concerning their bs, then keep quiet about those defending themselves. And #40, it’s not just about a cake posting that turns out this way, it’s potentially any one and every one, that will go south because of these guys. I and another were discussing the Pepsi sign, then the moron jumped in and turned it this way.
#41, this thread isn’t just about cake, but about the Pepsi sign and other things. If you’re going to comment, make sure that you know what you’re talking about. You are equating things that I say with hate, and saying that my comments (in defense of myself) say nothing. These are comments which I could easily take as an attack on me, but in this case, I’ll choose not to because I think that you just used poor choices in wording. In addition, your comments do not address the problem.
Charlie.
Charlie - Don’t get paranoid on me. I was not in any way, shape or form directing my comment at you. I’m the one who was having a very civil conversation re: the Pepsi Sign. That was when whomever this person is or whomever they are decided to enter and start throwing insults at you, me, QueensWest and Citylights.
Yes, the Pepsi Sign was included in the sub-title of this thread. I was just trying to point out that if people decided to discuss the merits of the pictured desserts, someone is sure to enter in and twist it so that they can open up the “hate” agenda.
Charlie, you come off as a sanctimonious, know-it-all, old fart. Lighten up. You’re not always right, you know. And honestly, when I see your loooooooooooong overwrought posts, I automatically skip to the next one. Have a drink, smoke a joint, whatever, but would you just chill???
Is the restaurant open in the morning????
My apologies, # 44. With those morons like #45, pretending to be so many people, and with anonymous posting, it’s hard to tell who’s who, and who’s referring to whom.
Charlie.
Charlie, its been said before. No disrespect, but when you say things like “As long as those jerks are out there doing what they do best; I’ll keep it up.” That makes you one of the jerks. It take a bigger man to ignore these losers. Don’t sink to their level.
Anyone know the hours of operation?
Open early for a shot of espresso at the bar and a yummy pastry.
Yet another thread where Charlie out does himself …
Very good point # 48. A view from another angle. You are absolutely right.
Charlie.
They open at 11:00 Am on the weekends, which is a little late for me since my kid has me up since 7:00 Am. It would be nice to be able to get my coffee and croissant first thing in the morning but I am sure the owners like to rest as well.
#53,
Why does everything have to relate to ‘breeders?’ Move to Park Slope, LIC ain’t for you.
Well - like I said even an innocent comment about cake becomes a platform for somenone to twist it into an opening for ridiculous commentary which is bound to follow. Look around you #53 - Hunters point is full of couples with younguns’.
53, Oh, please. Please keep your screaming rugrats at home and give the rest of us a little peace and quiet at Manducati’s.
I meant to say - “look around you #54″. Now I can add #56 to the mix. Why don’t you pick up your breakfast,hop in a boat and row out to the middle of the East River where you can sit in solitude and reflect on what an a$$holeyou are! Oops - there comes a kayak and there’s a child in it -oh horrors- Is there nowhere for an a$$hole to go????
57, I have nothing against kids. What I can’t stand, however, are self-centered parents who insist on taking loud young children or babies into places for adults. I guarantee you that Manducati’s does not want their place turned into a romper room for parents who can’t just stay at home at 7AM with their kids. Trust me, I’m not the a$$hole here. I think it’s you who have your head so far up yours you’ve never noticed what a nuisance you are to the rest of us.
Ah - #58 - Me thinks that you presume too much! Not only do you presume to make guarantees about what Manducatis wants, you also presume that everyone who posts here considers me a nuisance. You don’t even know me nor do you know whether I have ever posted here in the past.
#58 I find it hard to believe that Manducatis would be opposed to kids in their establishment since the owner brings her own two children to the restaurant. As for me wanting to purchase my breakfast at 7 or 8am on a weekend, I would think that that would be ideal for you. Since who in their right mind will wake up that early on a weekend to get coffee and a croissant unless they have to be up by that time. I guess you must have me mistaken for someone else because my kid is actually pretty well behaved and I have actually been complemented by some of the local restaurant staff.
I think you might want to consider your own advice and move out of LIC because the kids are coming. Maybe Florida might be a more appropriate setting for you.
60, you’re right. Practically all the children I see today in restaurants frequented mainly by adults are extremely quiet and well behaved. And their considerate, attentive parents do an amazing job of keeping them under control. How did I ever think otherwise?
#61 I could only speak for my kid. However, I do notice that most kids do behave well but there is always the one that does not and the parents seem oblivious to the fact. I guess that could be said for any group of people. For example adults that speak or laugh very loud, talk on cell phones, talk down to the staff or talk with their mouth full while seating in a restaurant. All these type of behaviors could be annoying but I put up with it because life is too short to let them upset me and enjoy my food.
to the anti-kids idiots, the 3 times i’ve been to maducatis, the owners kids have been there having dinner in the kitchen and out. just because someone would like an espresso at 7:00am because he/she wakes up that early because of kids, doesnt make a person that has kids self centers…you guys are pathetic. btw- was there recently, there was me and my girl and another couple. for all this ranting, you would thinkt he place would be packed. WHERE IS THE LIC LOVE…THIS PLACE IS SERIOUSLY GOOD!
lic is a bedroom community it seems like…hope that changes…and you know what, more kids will do that.
btw- sage general store is fvcking amazing…like a home cooked meal for two, about $20 bucks…sweet. chalk one up for the arris folks, lucky!
LIC is a bedroom community and it is a shame.
Can I go for lunch? Or is it just pastries?
We went to Manducatis rustica on saturday night for dinner. The place was empty and we still stood there waiting for someone to notice us for about 5 minutes (there were four of us) We were told the main dining room was hosting a private party and were seated at the smallest table in the cafe area while some man sat all alone at a huge table. We were then ignored, not even given water, for a good 15 minutes when the waitress came over and told us about the menu, pizza and then one veal dish, one chicken dish, one pasta. All with mushrooms. Then she left. After still being ignored after that (still no water!) we decided to take our business elsewhere. I understand they may have been preoccupied by their private party that hadn’t yet begun, but if that’s the case they should have simply turned us away. Instead they decided to seat us and ignore us to the point that no one in my party plans to ever patronize their shop again. Best of luck, but I’m not holding my breath.
It’s a (happy) miracle to me that the Pepsi sign has managed to survive. I seem to remember a vocal group on QW.com not too long ago expressing their hopes to be rid of the sign. Can we assume that most people now accept, or even love, the sign?