Butcher Juice Bar and Hookah Cafe, 49-16 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City
We got wind of a hookah bar opening above the Butcher Deli at 49-16 Vernon Blvd (corner of 50th St next to the parking lot) a while back, and didn’t hear anything again until recently, when signs have emerged announcing the Butcher Juice Bar & Hookah Cafe.
Sage General Store, 24-20 Jackson Ave, Court Square, LIC (718) 361-0707
This fall really boosted Long Island City’s supply of food. Just a quick recap of what’s opened since August: foodcellar, SHI, Duane Reade, Manducatis Rustica, and Sage General Store. Not to mention what’s in the works: MetFoods, Sushi Siam. Though it’s not very new, let’s throw Ion’s Corner Romanian Cafe into the mix as well, since it’s new to us. And Ihawan’s with us in spirit.
Marathon runners make their way down Vernon Blvd this past weekend, LIC
Holy Linkage! Well, we’re playing a bit of catch up, and as usual lots of activity in Long Island City.
The Queensbridge Theatre Cafe is progressing in its development in the little village of Ravenswood, just north of the Queensboro Bridge. Gothamist interviewed one of the owners about the dying nightscene in the LES and the consequent decision to open a venue in LIC, which is currently scheduled to pop in February 09.
Sushi Siam, Vernon Blvd @ 48th Ave, LIC
The new Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant that’s been brewing at the corner of 48th Ave & Vernon (the old 5SL sales office) has some signage action. Sushi Siam will soft open sometime in the middle of November. According to the new owners, the restaurant will feature a full Thai menu, along with Sushi and traditional Japanese offerings.
The storefront right next door is also undergoing a transformation into a dentist’s office. Actually, that whole block on Vernon »
Long Island City Halloween Events
There’s lots of Halloween activity going on tonight in Long Island City:
2:00 - 6:00pm Subdivision Boutique is hosting games and a trunk show. 48-18 Vernon Blvd
5:00 p Kids Parade down Vernon Blvd starting at Tournesol 50-12 Vernon Blvd
6:30 p (sharp) A Scary Witch tells a story at Manducatis Rustica, with apple cider and treats 46-35 Vernon Blvd
8:00 pm Lounge 47 is hosting a pumpkin carving party 47-10 Vernon Blvd
Radiant Movement Yoga and Pilates Studio at the Arris Lofts is hosting a Halloween Movement Feast tonight from 6-9pm, RSVP required.
If there are any other happenings tonight or this weekend for Halloween, feel free to post in the comments.
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 »
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 »
LIC Corner Deli is no more. Vernon Blvd, Hunters Point, LIC
In case you were wondering what happened to the LIC Corner Deli »
Sprint/Nextel opening on Jackson Ave between Vernon Blvd & 50th Ave, LIC
Fall marks the arrival of many things. In Long Island City, it seems to be wireless stores like Verizon which opened at the Echelon on Jackson Ave, and now Sprint/Nextel, which is opening up between Vernon Blvd & 50th St at the bottom of a brand spanking new Fedders building. woohoo.
Elliman brokers take in the Manhattan skyline at dusk, Powerhouse Condos
Yes, it’s a well known fact that LIC is a real estate haven these days, what with all the condo development… Suits and brokers have been a fixture around here for years now, and despite the troubled and confusing times of the NYC real estate market, LIC hasn’t even felt a hiccup, if this weekend’s broker extravaganga is any evidence.
Duane Reade opens Friday, corner of 5th St & 47th Rd, LIC
Queens West sprouts another soft opening this Friday, courtesy of Duane Reade, at the corner of 47th Rd & 5th St. (You can’t miss it. It’s shiny.) And this is no ordinary Duane Reade, mind you. It’s the LX model. Cosmetics counter, fancier appearance, etc. According to the store’s rep, more “high-end”.
Mainco building on 51st Ave to host MetFoods, Vernon/Jackson, LIC
Yes, the rumors about MetFoods coming to the old Mainco elevator building on 51st Ave between Vernon & 5th St are true »
Casa Vizcaya - circa Aug 2008, Hunters Point, Long Island City
Last we checked into Casa Vizcaya, they were having some trouble regarding damage to a neighbor’s home. Work on the new dev was shut down for a couple months, and we checked in with the sales office and the neighbor for an update on where things are.
Casa Vizcaya has 4 units left for sale, all 1-2BRs with 1000+SF of space. Looks like the sales office on Vernon is being transitioned by Corcoran for another new condo project further down Vernon in Astoria/LIC, called the Orient.
SHI, New fine dining Chinese fusion restaurant, Queens West, LIC
The long awaited SHI is on its way to a soft opening a bit later this month… which will inevitably lead to the hard opening - no pix yet, but Queens Wester’s are about to get some fine dining in the mix.
UPDATE: SHI is currently open for take-out only:
Hello all,
First, I’d like to thank everyone in LIC for making us feel welcome and really showing us their support and encouragement. There is a sense of community here that we don’t see in the city. We can’t wait to add to the character of LIC.
After much delay, we’re finally ready to open our doors! (The Take-Out side at least anyways.) Perhaps another week for the dining room to follow. So please stop by and say “Hi” starting after 5:00 pm.
Thanks, ShiBrothers
SHI
4720 Center Blvd
Reservations: 347-242-2450
Take Out: 347-242-2448
Website: www.shilic.com
MENU
1) Tomorrow, Saturday, August 16 at 7pm, there will be a gathering at McReilly’s to show support and discuss a possible fund raising effort. The Daily News will be writing a story and a staff photographer will be there. There are also some people interested in organizing a fund raiser to assist with whatever their next move will be. The talk at the moment is they want to “just get through this month” and then regroup to focus on finding a new space. All are invited.
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