There’s lots beyond the menu at Fresca la Crepe, one of my favorite locations in Woodside. Ask Patty what’s unlisted today and you might be the envy of all other patrons. Here’s a crepe with the biscoff spread spekuloos and strawberries. On another day, get The Bomb, a daily off-menu special which has Nutella, white chocolate, bananas, strawberries, toasted almonds, and mascarpone. Yessssss 4 and a half yelp stars on 73 reviews with over 2/3 of the reviews as 5-stars CANNOT be wrong! Fresca la Crepe, 39-82 61st St, Woodside

There’s lots beyond the menu at Fresca la Crepe, one of my favorite locations in Woodside. Ask Patty what’s unlisted today and you might be the envy of all other patrons. Here’s a crepe with the biscoff spread spekuloos and strawberries. On another day, get The Bomb, a daily off-menu special which has Nutella, white chocolate, bananas, strawberries, toasted almonds, and mascarpone. Yessssss

4 and a half yelp stars on 73 reviews with over 2/3 of the reviews as 5-stars CANNOT be wrong!

Fresca la Crepe, 39-82 61st St, Woodside

Causa is a popular coastal dish in Peru, and Cevicheria El Rey in Jackson Heights serves up this fantastic seafood version—a tangy terrine of aji amarillo and citrus infused mashed potatoes stuffed with a blend of shellfish, topped with half a blue crab.  Be sure to order a pitcher of chicha morada, a traditional (non-alcoholic) peruvian beverage blend of purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, clove, and sugar.  A delicious, cool, Christmasy spiced punch, it allegedly reduces blood pressure, as well.  Cevicheria El Rey * 85-16 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights * (718) 606-9077

Causa is a popular coastal dish in Peru, and Cevicheria El Rey in Jackson Heights serves up this fantastic seafood version—a tangy terrine of aji amarillo and citrus infused mashed potatoes stuffed with a blend of shellfish, topped with half a blue crab.  Be sure to order a pitcher of chicha morada, a traditional (non-alcoholic) peruvian beverage blend of purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, clove, and sugar.  A delicious, cool, Christmasy spiced punch, it allegedly reduces blood pressure, as well.  Cevicheria El Rey * 85-16 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights * (718) 606-9077

View of the Garden School’s 78th Street entrance from Travers Park in Jackson Heights

View of the Garden School’s 78th Street entrance from Travers Park in Jackson Heights

It’s nice to be able to take a place you love and turn it into your whole world for just a little while. Photo taken at The Gantries in Long Island City.

It’s nice to be able to take a place you love and turn it into your whole world for just a little while. Photo taken at The Gantries in Long Island City.

The most expensive item on this table was $3.50 (the squash blossom quesadilla).  From fantastic tamales to enormous tacos, to the refreshing tamarind water and complimentary tortillas and salsa, it would be pretty tough to find higher quality Mexican (in a spacious, newly renovated dining room) much more affordable than at newly opened De Mole.  They have several veggie options, too, including a seitan burrito.  De Mole * 42-20 30th Ave, Astoria * 718-777-1655 * http://www.demolenyc.com

The most expensive item on this table was $3.50 (the squash blossom quesadilla).  From fantastic tamales to enormous tacos, to the refreshing tamarind water and complimentary tortillas and salsa, it would be pretty tough to find higher quality Mexican (in a spacious, newly renovated dining room) much more affordable than at newly opened De Mole.  They have several veggie options, too, including a seitan burrito.  De Mole * 42-20 30th Ave, Astoria * 718-777-1655 * http://www.demolenyc.com

The Melbourne Cricket Club is just one of several teams whose batsmen were knocking around the ball this past Sunday in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. No matter how many times I’ve watched these gents do their thing on the three fields near north side of Meadow Lake, I can’t make heads or tails of the game. Dig the uniforms though.

The Melbourne Cricket Club is just one of several teams whose batsmen were knocking around the ball this past Sunday in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. No matter how many times I’ve watched these gents do their thing on the three fields near north side of Meadow Lake, I can’t make heads or tails of the game. Dig the uniforms though.

What’s not to love about an imPRESSive sandwich?  Well, the guys at Press 195 have taken the panini to a whole new level, serving up a series of stuffed knishes.  Take your classic potato-filled pastry, and choose from fillings that include steak & fresh mozzarella, pastrami & sauerkraut, or the one pictured with homemade meatloaf, vermont cheddar, and brown gravy.  A cone of Belgian frites with specialty dips should accompany, of course.  Press 195 * 4011 Bell Blvd., Bayside * (718) 281-1950 * http://press195.com

What’s not to love about an imPRESSive sandwich?  Well, the guys at Press 195 have taken the panini to a whole new level, serving up a series of stuffed knishes.  Take your classic potato-filled pastry, and choose from fillings that include steak & fresh mozzarella, pastrami & sauerkraut, or the one pictured with homemade meatloaf, vermont cheddar, and brown gravy.  A cone of Belgian frites with specialty dips should accompany, of course.  Press 195 * 4011 Bell Blvd., Bayside * (718) 281-1950 * http://press195.com

Thyra, Thor and Merlin are among the playable characters in the Gauntlet classic-arcade kiosk at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria

Chinese apothecaries with their seemingly endless supply of ginseng and other stranger products are endlessly fascinating. Take this jar of dessicated seahorses I spotted in Flushing. When asked if it was food or medicine the lady behind the counter pointed to her throat.

Chinese apothecaries with their seemingly endless supply of ginseng and other stranger products are endlessly fascinating. Take this jar of dessicated seahorses I spotted in Flushing. When asked if it was food or medicine the lady behind the counter pointed to her throat.

I’ve always held a sense of pride when I tell people that Malcolm X lived not far from me. This very pretty house stands out on the block, with it’s seashell tiled accents, as a transport to a place with a warmer climate. Last week was Malcolm X’s birthday (May 19th) You can see his house at 23-11 97th St., East Elmhurst, Queens. There’s no plaque up, and there no tours. You might only get the sense that it’s near because the street is renamed Malcolm X Place. Read the bookSee the movie

I’ve always held a sense of pride when I tell people that Malcolm X lived not far from me. This very pretty house stands out on the block, with it’s seashell tiled accents, as a transport to a place with a warmer climate.

Last week was Malcolm X’s birthday (May 19th)

You can see his house at 23-11 97th St., East Elmhurst, Queens. There’s no plaque up, and there no tours. You might only get the sense that it’s near because the street is renamed Malcolm X Place.

Read the book
See the movie

You simply have to try the deliciously inventive brunch menu at Leng Thai, fusing Thai and Korean dishes with American brunch classics.  A prime example is the Pad Thai Kai Haw, a paper thin omelet stuffed with shrimp pad thai—best enjoyed in their outdoor backyard cafe.  Leng Thai * 33-09 Broadway, Astoria * (718) 956-7117 * http://lengthainewyork.com/

You simply have to try the deliciously inventive brunch menu at Leng Thai, fusing Thai and Korean dishes with American brunch classics.  A prime example is the Pad Thai Kai Haw, a paper thin omelet stuffed with shrimp pad thai—best enjoyed in their outdoor backyard cafe.  Leng Thai * 33-09 Broadway, Astoria * (718) 956-7117 * http://lengthainewyork.com/

What’s better than watching the Mets? Running around and exploring Citi Field. Okay, well maybe not but it is quite fun to discover what’s out there. Yes, that is a giant Mets piggy bank. Friggin awesome. Picture by JAE and game courtesy of Aspry. Citi Field, 12301 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, NY 11368

What’s better than watching the Mets? Running around and exploring Citi Field. Okay, well maybe not but it is quite fun to discover what’s out there. Yes, that is a giant Mets piggy bank. Friggin awesome.

Picture by JAE and game courtesy of Aspry.

Citi Field, 12301 Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing, NY 11368

Planning his attack on 21st Street…

Planning his attack on 21st Street…

Photo: freshly baked bread and neon lights at the threshold of Krystal’s Filipino Cafe & Bakery, a Filipino community fixture in Woodside, Queens

Photo: freshly baked bread and neon lights at the threshold of Krystal’s Filipino Cafe & Bakery, a Filipino community fixture in Woodside, Queens

Flickr / johnwon

Lovin’ me some breakfast for dinner!  Queens Comfort just introduced these buttermilk biscuits and maple cheddar sausage gravy with cayenne, sage, thyme, & rosemary. Queens Comfort, 40-09 30th Ave., Astoria; (718) 728-2350; www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com

Lovin’ me some breakfast for dinner!  Queens Comfort just introduced these buttermilk biscuits and maple cheddar sausage gravy with cayenne, sage, thyme, & rosemary. Queens Comfort, 40-09 30th Ave., Astoria; (718) 728-2350; www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com