What I See.....
by Anatole Rahman,
Long Island City: Residents of the Queens
neighborhood of Long Island City are increasingly
demanding more imagination and finesse from their
Asian fusion restaurants, according to many internet
blogs and neighborhood sentiment. As a result,
competition is high among those restaurants that fall
under that category.
A survey of three restaurants reveals the
sentiment toward Asian fusion restaurants in Long
Island City. One restaurant, Teriyaki Tokyo Sandwich,
was defeated by competition in June of 2007. The
Japanese food and sandwich shop operated for three
years in Long Island City, located down the block from
a back entrance to a large office building.
Originally located on 25-14 44th Rd, a
walk down the small and relatively desolate block
reveals a run-down storefront with only an old menu on
the window to indicate any sign of the restaurant that
used to be located there.
"We used to get a lot of office workers,
we had a busy lunch," said Jae Kim, former owner of
Teriyaki Tokyo Sandwich. He added that it did not help
that "the office building has a cafeteria. It's
closest to us."
One of the higher-profile Asian fusion
restaurants in Long Island City is BANY, and acronym
for "Best Asian of New York." Located on 10-57 Jackson
Ave, next to the Chase bank, the restaurant has been
thriving, even though it has only been open for just
six months. With a menu that leans more towards
Japanese cuisine, focusing on traditional sushi rolls
and sushi entrees, the restaurant is drawing diners
seeking a more authentic Asian experience.
According to caterer and assistant manager
Wei Lu, the focus on Japanese cuisine is helping the
restaurant survive. "People really enjoy the sushi,
and are surprised with the other Asian and Western
influences," Lu said. Lu has also been responsible for
building a bridge with the younger population of Long
Island City, starting with catering events for the
Japanese club at LaGuardia Community College.
However, the most interesting Asian fusion
restaurant in Long Island City may also be the
smallest in the neighborhood. Located on 21-52 44th
Drive, a relatively quiet block a little distance from
the 7-train entrance, Magic BLT has been slowly
drawing attention to itself in the vicinity.
Advertising a "most unique Italian-Asian
sandwich," Magic BLT offers a selection of sandwiches
and dishes, cleverly blending Italian and Asian
influences and offering them at very affordable
prices. The most expensive dish is a "Dumplavoli"
� vegetable dumplings served with cheese
ravioli � that costs $8.95.
According to Stefano Magaddino, who owns
the restaurant with this wife Huihui Jiang, "nothing
is deep fried, and it's all very healthy. All our
ingredients are fresh; we prepare them every morning."
The Magic BLT sandwich itself has been
gaining some fame on its own. A ciabatta roll with
three kinds of bacon, house aioli, lettuce and tomato,
it was commented on by three random passers-by a block
away. "I had it for lunch yesterday, and I'm going
back in a few days," said Miguel, a nearby pedestrian.
A similar experiment near BANY revealed only one
former patron.
When asked about the gentrifying areas of
Long Island City, Magaddino said that he is an
optimist. "I embrace change," Magaddino said.
by Anatole Rahman,
Long Island City: Residents of the Queens
neighborhood of Long Island City are increasingly
demanding more imagination and finesse from their
Asian fusion restaurants, according to many internet
blogs and neighborhood sentiment. As a result,
competition is high among those restaurants that fall
under that category.
A survey of three restaurants reveals the
sentiment toward Asian fusion restaurants in Long
Island City. One restaurant, Teriyaki Tokyo Sandwich,
was defeated by competition in June of 2007. The
Japanese food and sandwich shop operated for three
years in Long Island City, located down the block from
a back entrance to a large office building.
Originally located on 25-14 44th Rd, a
walk down the small and relatively desolate block
reveals a run-down storefront with only an old menu on
the window to indicate any sign of the restaurant that
used to be located there.
"We used to get a lot of office workers,
we had a busy lunch," said Jae Kim, former owner of
Teriyaki Tokyo Sandwich. He added that it did not help
that "the office building has a cafeteria. It's
closest to us."
One of the higher-profile Asian fusion
restaurants in Long Island City is BANY, and acronym
for "Best Asian of New York." Located on 10-57 Jackson
Ave, next to the Chase bank, the restaurant has been
thriving, even though it has only been open for just
six months. With a menu that leans more towards
Japanese cuisine, focusing on traditional sushi rolls
and sushi entrees, the restaurant is drawing diners
seeking a more authentic Asian experience.
According to caterer and assistant manager
Wei Lu, the focus on Japanese cuisine is helping the
restaurant survive. "People really enjoy the sushi,
and are surprised with the other Asian and Western
influences," Lu said. Lu has also been responsible for
building a bridge with the younger population of Long
Island City, starting with catering events for the
Japanese club at LaGuardia Community College.
However, the most interesting Asian fusion
restaurant in Long Island City may also be the
smallest in the neighborhood. Located on 21-52 44th
Drive, a relatively quiet block a little distance from
the 7-train entrance, Magic BLT has been slowly
drawing attention to itself in the vicinity.
Advertising a "most unique Italian-Asian
sandwich," Magic BLT offers a selection of sandwiches
and dishes, cleverly blending Italian and Asian
influences and offering them at very affordable
prices. The most expensive dish is a "Dumplavoli"
� vegetable dumplings served with cheese
ravioli � that costs $8.95.
According to Stefano Magaddino, who owns
the restaurant with this wife Huihui Jiang, "nothing
is deep fried, and it's all very healthy. All our
ingredients are fresh; we prepare them every morning."
The Magic BLT sandwich itself has been
gaining some fame on its own. A ciabatta roll with
three kinds of bacon, house aioli, lettuce and tomato,
it was commented on by three random passers-by a block
away. "I had it for lunch yesterday, and I'm going
back in a few days," said Miguel, a nearby pedestrian.
A similar experiment near BANY revealed only one
former patron.
When asked about the gentrifying areas of
Long Island City, Magaddino said that he is an
optimist. "I embrace change," Magaddino said.
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| The New York Optimist |
