Earlier this month, chef Michael Psilakis expanded his Greek hit MP Taverna to Astoria. The chef recently told the Times that he wanted to open in the neighborhood because, "It’s the center of Greek culture in New York.” The menu includes mezze, salads, burgers, and a number of lightly-prepared proteins, as well as things like a mixed grill plate and "Greek paella." The space has a tavern room downstairs with a long bar, plus a more formal upstairs dining room with plenty of tables for large parties.

Astoria just got a fun new gastropub by the name of The Shady Lady. The menu includes quirky pub grub like "carbonara" mac and cheese, baked potato soup, pork wellington, and meatloaf meatballs. To drink, the bar offers> a small list of original cocktails, plus beer and wine (carafes are just $35). So far, the bloggers and Yelpers have lots of good things to say about the food and the vibe here.

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This year-old Long Island City restaurant specializes in dishes from the Chiapas region of Mexico. Standout dishes include the fresh chorizo tacos, the chicken & avocado enchiladas, and the pork shank smothered in earthy mole sauce. And if you just want chips, guac, and margaritas, the space features a long bar up front that's perfect for cocktail sipping and snacking.