Some claim that this mural is in Rego Park, but I side with those who place it in Forest Hills…read more The Ramones were a Forest Hills band, after all. Based on a 1975 photograph, the mural is the work of a West Village artist, Ori Carino. It marks a spot dubbed "the birthplace of punk," where the four founding members of the group liked to hang out in their youth. Despite having lived in Forest Hills for a decade, I was unaware of the artwork's existence until I stumbled across it a few weeks ago. It is in the alleyway that connects 66th Avenue to 66th Road.

Actually Jamie M. Clearwater, FL, this is Rego Park. I…read moregrew up here and, not only is Thorny Croft (formerly) and now Fanwood Estates, Rego Park but across the street, The Howard Apartments are also Rego Park. Everyone refers to Rego Park as Forest Hills. People like Leslie West, Waddy Wachtel, Ronnie Earl, etc., really lived in Rego Park and not Forest Hills but since we all went to the same schools we all referred to the entire neighborhood as Forest Hills. Anyway, this is just a ramp now that leads to a locked gate where no can access. When we were growing up there wee no locks and gates and we played stickball, touch football, ringolevio, punchball, handball, etc., and others, like the Ramones, Leslie West, etc., would hang out on the ramp ... lots of activity but now, all locked up, pretty sad!

I attended the Underground Open Mic tonight to both listen to and perform some original music. This…read moreparticular open mic is a favorite of mine as it is actually where I got my start in the local open mic scene, back in fall of 2022. Located in the basement stage room of Bar Freda, this open mic breaks the mold with their epic lighting, phenomenal sound system, very talented sound guy & engaging hosts. Every Monday, from 8pm about midnight, you can enjoy free performances by incredibly talented musicians and poets from all over the world. Some are local New Yorkers, some are transplants, and others are visitors. Tonight there was a wonderful poet from London, a super talented guitarist and singer from LA, and everything in between. Everyone was phenomenal! The creators, I am Adam-Meagan (aka Not Holden Caulfield) and Colleen (aka Sunbeam Colleen), have really created something very special here. This is such a welcoming open mic with an incredibly receptive and supportive crowd. If someone forgets their lyrics or stumbles in a performance, the audience immediately begins cheering their on, which 99% helps get the performer's moral backup and gets them back into their flow state. If you ever want to experience some phenomenal local arts or even perform yourself, you definitely have to check them out!

Really surprised I haven't heard of this restaurant which has been open for over 20+ years! We…read moredecided to have dinner here and it was the best decision ever. The service was amazing! The host and waiters were all so super sweet! We ordered appetizers, mains, desserts and mocktails. The complimentary bread and butter were so good! The mocktails were one of the best I've ever had. The food portions are massive and worth the price! The tiramisu was the best tiramisu I've had. Definitely coming back here again!

We had a small bday dinner here. Nothing fancy but food was good as was the staff…read more I brought my own cake and they came out with neon signs and sang happy bday. So cute!

After much anticipation, I finally made the time to check out Gmocchi Bella on a very cold…read more February night.. We placed an order online on their site to pick up. When we arrived, they said they hadn't received the order, citing an issue with their system. They told us it would take about 15 minutes. Unfortunately it really took about 35 minutes for the food to be ready. The wait time was definitely underwhelming. However they made up for it by giving us a free slice of tiramisu cake. When we got home, we were both surprised by just how much gnocchi they give. We both ordered the Senza Vodka. Other than the red pepper flakes on top, the sauce was really flavorless. I did like the gnocchi itself. The side Caesar salad was also very bland. My wife really enjoyed the food, so they made it worth it. But I tnink she'll have to order from here on her own moving forward, .

I believe in taste first, always. That's a given. The lack of seating, the plastic cutlery, none of…read morethat would matter even one bit if the food was great. So was it? Cacio e pepe with meatballs- rich, creamy, not salty as I feared based on some other reviews. Decent depth of flavor, ricotta was cool as the other elements were warm to hot, providing some temperature play. Meatballs were flavorful, but one of them seemed a bit overdone/dry. Senzu vodka with shrimp - spicy, salty, still creamy, obviously. Shrimp was a bit on the saltier side. A more straightforward flavor, I guess? Gnocchi itself - fell apart in the mouth, not very chewy like the mass-produced stuff. Haven't had much of it, but the last gnocchi I had was from Crown Shy so it feels pretty unfair to compare. I wasn't totally wowed by the texture. I'm not entirely sure what Gnocchi is supposed to taste like. Overall, it was decent. I'm not chomping at the bit to go back, but I'm not against it. It's just that in a crowded street of heavy-hitting spots to eat, I'm not sure how well this competes with them. I feel a little guilty giving this a 3. There's quite a bit to like. For one, despite looking small, the gnocchi is rich and heavy and I actually didn't feel the urge to finish all of it because of how sated I was. If you want to fill yourself on some gnocchi (you don't even need the protein, honestly) this is a great place to do so. The presentation is as good as it could be given its limitations of being in a plastic bowl. That said, my mom and brother really loved this, so we'll be heading back again.

Our first time, we tried the meatballs, because my husband it's crazy about meatballs. The…read moremeatballs were delicious. We also ordered chicken franchise, and the steak everything was fresh and delicious. Cozy restaurant and great service. We definitely have to go back.

This restaurant is absolutely amazing. The appetizers and the main course the drinks and the…read moredessert absolutely a 10. Our serve Lawrence super attentive and the crew working with him amazing. The ambience gives that really homey feeling. It's like the neighborhood staple. Cheers to the chef and staff. Absolutely delicious. Appetizers 10 Service 8 Main course10 The octopus was absolutely cooked to perfection

I miss it. I lived here for a couple of years, off 75th and Queens Blvd. I rented the master room…read morein a 3 bedroom apartment with a couple of other revolving roommates. Even though it had its drawbacks, it was an overwhelmingly positive experience. I was able to live and breathe life in NY. And, yes, lots of eating and drinking was had. Things to do: 4/5 Safety: 4/5 Cleanliness: 3/5 SUMMARY -- It's mostly filled with residential neighborhoods. Queens Blvd is the main drag. The commercial heart of Forest Hills is a mile-long stretch of Austin Street between Yellowstone Boulevard and Ascan Avenue. It's served by the E, ​F, ​M, and ​R trains. The local 75th Avenue stop (with E and ​F trains), was the stop I most used. Mostly in the news until 1978 with Forest Hills Stadium having hosted the U.S. Open (then closed and moved to Flushing Meadows, 3 miles to the north). CLOSE BY -- Manhattan (40 mins by train, longer due to traffic by car); Citi Field in Flushing (where the Mets play; 10 mins by car, 30 mins by train); Jones Beach (35 mins by car). PEOPLE -- Where I lived, a lot of Russians and Jews, but a great mix of all ethnicities...one of the best things about NY. RESTAURANTS -- Most of the better one's are on either Queens Blvd Austin. I fancied Cabana (Cuban), Portofino (Italian), The Family (Italian, closed 2016), Mardi Gras (Cajun, closed 2011), Just Like Mother's (Polish, closed 2014). But there's tons of others worth Yelp mentioning: Forest Hills Station House, Nick's, Bareburger, Deasura, Jack & Nellie's, Memories of Shanghai, Mito Asian Fusion, and Xin Taste Hand Pull Noodle to name a few. MARKETS -- Everyone's talking about Sakura Ya & Cipollina Gourmet, and I'm certain I'd love them too. But, my local place was a Key Food with a great selection of meats, dairy, breads, and jar/can goods. BAGELS -- There's many bagel places, and generally, there all good. But my favorite, a flat bagel from Hot Bialys & Bagels on Queens. Basically, a larger thinner bagel, yes, smushed. That means, better toasted and more schmear.

I've been coming to this quaint little chocolate shop in Forest Hills for a few years now. I can…read moretell you that this is the BEST chocolate that I've ever had. Good lord, it's delicious!! Very easy to get via several buses that stop on and around Metropolitan Avenue. Every time I've come here I've always been warmly greeted and offered a free chocolate. They give you a choice between dark, milk and white. They have so many different kinds of items. Not just chocolate. Candy, hot/cold drinks, ice cream, etc. Some of the items are pretty pricey. Like the boxes of chocolate, but believe me, it is worth EVERY cent. They do have a shelf of discounted chocolate items. Its the last shelf in the back on the right-hand side. It'll have previous holiday chocolates for half price. Last week I got a chocolate flag for only $4.25. It was still fresh and delicious. Their stuff is so good that even just a simple milk chocolate Valentines heart on a stick is satisfying delicious. They have chocolate covered Oreo's and Twinkies. Everything is handmade and you can tell! Don't forget to sign up for their rewards. You get 1 point for every dollar you spend. Once you reach 250 points, you get a $25 gift card. If you pay in cash your order will come out to less as well. I look forward to my next visit. The friendly service and dynamite chocolate will always keep me coming back!

CHOCOLATE GALORE!!…read more This chocolate confectionery business somewhat has an old school aesthetic appeal. Quaint. Upon entering the scent is delightfully sweet chocolate permeates all senses and awakens the spirit. Sometimes chocolate can heal broken hearts. However, I believe the most powerful source of healing is genuine love. There are lollypops, hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream, bars, truffles, caramels, cordials, solid milk and dark chocolate shaped hearts and red liquorice. Sports theme and shaped chocolate are also available. I have entered a chocolate party. Aigner must have good mold to make their creations and certainly made on site. Samples are distributed. Customer service is welcoming and attentive. Gift boxes are available and purchases are issued in a nice gift quality paper bag industry standard $0.05 with a post card description of their business and company history. I was browsing their selection and my eyes are surely bigger than my stomach and wallet. Business cards are available for keepsake. Aigner is easily accessible via MTA NYC Transit buses Q53 SBS/ Q52 SBS and then Q54 on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens, NYC. Foiled Hearts $14.95 This product is nostalgia brew. It reminded me of Valentine's Day, every year growing up being educated in NYC Board Of Education public elementary school and one year of public junior high school where every student receive two (2) red foiled heart shaped milk chocolate which was a privilege. As a kid, it was a sweet treat and the highlight of the year. Oh, goodie goodie gosh! I found this same exact product at Aigner which reminded me idyllic, wistful times of what was. Rum Cordial $12.95 Small balls center filled rum covered in chocolate was a happy ending for a celebratory day. Nota Bene: There is a 2.05% surcharge fee for credit/debit payment transactions. This time I did absorbed this annoying fee. The sales associate did not inform me of this fee upon payment, ergo four stars. I would return again and again.

Before today, my review would've likely been glowing. The artwork in that's been associated with…read morethem in NYC is almost always spectacular and a welcome addition to the city-scape. Unfortunately I found out recently that they're actually quite shady and manipulative. They don't actually create or curate the art in Little Italy - they pretend to support it, plaster it on their social media, and try to profit from it. At the expense of the actual artists that create the art they're showcasing. They've gotten into legal action with artists over marketing rights for the art that they claim to "support", but essentially want to mooch off of and shake down for $$$. A lot of the gorgeous art, such as the Audrey Hepburn picture on Mulberry St, are examples that they claim to be big endorsers of - but have actually fought the artists over, to win sole rights to commercializing posters etc. They've tried to destroy murals & privately commissioned public art without consent or notification to the artists themselves. Again, mostly for the chance to bring in new art and profit from online sales of merchandise / picture rights. And they're more than happy to block/ban/remove you from any of their social media if you even think of leaving a vaguely negative comment (even a politely-worded one). A word to the wise: good, wholesome, community-minded organizations NEVER block or throttle people into silence because they might disagree with them. And they NEVER treat artists like they're disposable sources of income. This organization does not represent Little Italy in the slightest. Be very, very careful if you're ever asked to work with them. Better yet, stay clear of them altogether.

The L. I. S. A. Project NYC…read more I'm not sure about the politics of what's behind this organization. There appears to be some controversy in the Yelp Reviews. I'm just a huge fan of graffiti. I love the color it adds to the city. I love the smile it puts on my face. I like the happy feeling I get inside when I see it. I also like the legal authorization of the activity. For many years it was an offense to express yourself and your artistic talent in this manner. I'm glad Little Italy has embraced this organization and the art they promote. Please Visit Little Italy and keep your eyes open for the murals. They are here, there, and everywhere! I'm posting photos I've taken in the past couple years. I hope you enjoy. I can't wait to return!