Bricktown Bagels - 51-06 Vernon Blvd, 718.361.2428

As you all know, we in LIC are still waiting for a grocery store. (Note to self: Call Rockrose…is the proposed Amish Market coming anytime soon?) In the meantime, Hunters Point has been delivered its first bagel cafe, Bricktown Bagels. Presently, there are a few delicatessens on Vernon that sell bagels, but those aren’t really bagels a self-respecting NYC neighborhood can be proud of.

Bricktown Bagels, which opened this past fall to a warm reception, is a bona fide NYC bagel shop, offering a spacious interior, comfy couches for lounging, nice tables, and free Wi-Fi. Add to that mix, an abundance of sandwiches, pastries, deli nibblers, and sliced meat. All the bagels are boiled and baked in the old school NYC tradition right on site, and the freshness is extremely self-evident. Bricktown offers the standard options of bagels, including bialys (of course) and whole wheat versions of popular bagel types.

More bagel scoop »

Ihawan at 10-07 50th Ave - Opening Soon

This morning I walked by the new restaurant on 50th Ave between Vernon & Jackson, right next to the sales office for ten63 Jackson. The signs are up now, and another new restaurant is about to emerge on the Vernon scene - Ihawan, Asian Grill and Sushi. Any relation to the Ihawan in Woodside? Seems likely. Supposedly we are getting a Japanese restaurant in another Vernon location, so stay tuned for updates on the Asian Invasion of Vernon. Invade away! It’s way better to have food than another brokerage or development sales office.

Also on the street »

BANY Ten57 open on Jackson Ave

Here’s a few updates on the emerging restaurant scene in Hunters Point; the ASIAN INVASION marches on!

What’s open now: BANY Ten57 is open for business and the queenswest.com message board has some community reviews. Word on the street so far is ho hum.

On the Horizon: Thanks to multiple tipsters, liQcity has learned of a new restaurant opening at Rockrose, 4720 Center Blvd, called SHI, slated to open May 2008. Straight from the owners:

“Spearheaded by a pair of brothers who have been providing the United Nations and its community with quality Chinese food for the past 18 years, SHI will mix old-world, Asian tradition with modern stylings, both in food and décor. It will occupy the 4,100-square-foot space in the ground floor of the East Coast 6 building and include a bar, lounge, sushi bar, outdoor seating and VIP area, punctuated by an upscale design and spectacular views of Manhattan. SHI will feature contemporary cuisine that will borrow heavily from traditional recipes, plus the bar will showcase specialty drinks with an Asian flair. We look forward to becoming a part of the LIC community!”

New restaurant Shi opening at Rockrose, Queenswest, Long Island City

Looks like Vernonites are expanding their business empires these days… and why wouldn’t they?

1) The Brasil Coffee house has an offshoot called Fast & Delicious around their corner of 49th Ave. Rather interesting Brazilian menu actually: rotisserie meats, steak, rice & beans, pita sandwiches, salads, and empenadas/croquettes.

2) Last week we spotted this seemingly new sign above the Butcher Deli on Vernon @ 50th Ave. A juice and hookah bar called The Butcher Cafe. Interesting combo. Well…many stranger concepts have succeeded in NYC so it’s fair to say anything has a chance around here. (Or does it?)