The Hottest Restaurants in Queens Right Now, December 2014

by Devra Ferst Dec 7, 2014, 1:36pm EST

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by Devra Ferst Dec 7, 2014, 1:36pm EST

It's time to update the Queens Heatmap, a guide to new restaurants and recently-reviewed establishments in the mighty borough of Queens. Here are the places that the critics, bloggers, and restaurant obsessives are buzzing about right now. Check it out:

Added 05/05/2013: MP Taverna, The Shady Lady, Lao Cheng Du.
Added 06/08/2013: Bunker, Mamak House, Forno Pizzeria & Trattoria.
Added 07/13/2013: Milkflower, the Rockaways concessions, Thai Rock, Grill 43.
Added 08/04/2013: Sayra's Wine Bar, Crescent Grill, Mar's.
Added 09/08/2013: Snowdonia, Tamashii Ramen, Woodbines, Pata Paplean.
Added: 10/06/2013: Dutch Kills Centraal, Mezze Place, Papa's Kitchen.
Added: 11/10/2013: Venturo Osteria, Crazy Crab 888, Houdini.
Added: 12/08/2013: M. Wells Steakhouse, Mu Ramen, The Food Box.
Added: 01/04/2013: El Bombon, New York Dog House, Blend on the Water
Added 02/09/2014: The Little Lamb, Arunee Thai, Marani, Pink Nori
Added 03/09/2014: Front Toward Enemy, Maizal Astoria, Dhaulagiri Kitchen
Added 03/09/2014: Hibino, EIM Khao Mun Kai, The Bao Shoppe.
Added 05/04/2014: Mapo Korean BBQ, Fatty's, Dish
Added 06/08/2014: Rippers, Pye Boat Noodles, Rockaway Taco, Khao Man Gai NY.
Added 07/03/2014: Pastes Kiko's, Arepa Lady, Spicy Lanka
Added 08/08/2014: Bella Puebla, Khao Kang, Tommy Thai
Added 09/05/2014: Grandma's Dim Sum, L'inizio, Saw Shack
Added 10/05/2014: Kitchen 79, Dumpling Galaxy, Tacuba
Added 11/09/2014: El Coyote, Paet Rio, The Bonnie

Added 12/06/2015: Mu Ramen, End of the Century Bar, Gakyizompe

Mu Ramen

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Joshua and Heidy Smookler's first brick and mortar ramen-ya changes its menu daily, but expect stellar and creative renditions of ramen, plus foie gras-stuffed wings, and possibly quite a few truffles. [Courtesy of Mu Ramen]

1209 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101

(917) 868-8903

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Gakyizompe Restaurant

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The menu at this Robert Sietsema recommended spot "offers not only standard Tibetan fare, but Nepalese and Bhutanese dishes." Try the mutton thali, several curries, and vegetarian momo. Many of the dishes come in at a cool $6. [Paul Crispin Quitoriano]

47-11 47th Ave, Sunnyside, NY

End of the Century Bar

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Ian Present, Sofia Present, and Valentin Gonzalez, vets of Pegu Club, PKNY, and Maison Premiere are hoping to bring the cocktail revolution to Queens with this new tiki bar/cocktail lounge. [Google Street View]

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104-08 Metropolitan Avenue, Flushing, NY 11375

718-544-1624

Paet Rio

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Phimploy Likitsansook, the woman behind Wondee Siam in Hell's Kitchen, opened this Thai restaurant in August. In a recent review, Ligaya Mishan notes that much of the menu here is the spicier food found on the "secret menu" at Wondee. Favorites include the khua kling (a dry pork belly curry), the khao soi (noodles in coconut broth), and the miang kha-na (a salad of Chinese broccoli leaves, pork, peanuts, and chilies). [Facebook]

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81-10 Broadway, Queens, NY 11373

(917) 832-6672

The Bonnie

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The team behind several popular local spots, including Sweet Afton and the Penrose just opened this restaurant/cocktail bar. The menu includes pub fare like fried pickles, seafood pie, and a burger. [Facebook]

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29-12 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

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El Coyote

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This Mexican mini-chain with locations in Jackson Heights and Connecticut just opened its newest outpost in Forest Hills. The menu is mostly standard American Mexican fare like fajitas and chimichangas, plus larger meat entrees like mole poblano chicken and cochinita pibil (pork slow-cooked in banana leaves). There's also one novelty cocktail: the lime boat margarita, which is a regular margarita with an extra shot of tequila floating in half a hollowed out lime. [Facebook]