All good things come to an end As many of you know, this Newyorkavore is leaving the Big Apple for Beantown. Yep. I’m heading back to my hometown of Boston as of tomorrow (hurricane permitting). I really can’t think of a more fitting venue to have enjoyed my last big fabulous New York meal than the very soon-to-shutter legend in its own time M. Wells in Queens. It has all the trappings of a covetable New York restaurant experience: a glowing Times review, just a handful of sought-after seats, a line of eager foodies waiting anxiously around the block, fun waitstaff, and of course, innovative, magical, beautiful food that makes you feel amazing and special just for eating it. So what if we had to wait outside without any guarantee of getting in, or that they ran out of seats and we had to stand and eat, or that it was out in Queens… all the pain-in-the-ass-ness was worth it, much like so much of what this city has given to me.

As for my bloggerdom, it will live on in some form or another. Probably with a new name to fit my new life and with expanded interests including but not limited to food and cooking. It’s been an amazing seven years living and eating in the city, and a delicious three years blogging about it.  See you up north & xo.

Should naturally be about Astoria, no? I have not explored the area as much as I should so I sought out the expertise of my Greek pals Penny and Sophie on where to go and what to eat. Here is their cheat sheet:

Agnanti Meze for small plates, fresh salads and “tastes of Constantinople”

Taverna Kyclades for amazingly fresh fish, grilled just like in Greece

Telly’s Taverna, also nice seafood, and just off the beaten path so less crowded

The Original Stamatis Restaurant, (make sure it’s the one on 23rd Ave), for authentic mom-and-pop homey comfort food

Zenon Taverna for Cypriot specialties like Sheftalia char-grilled pork meatballs, grilled haloumi cheese and Arni Kleftico or “stolen” spring lamb

Tony’s Souvlaki Opaa for quick and tasty gyros and apparently to see the pet raccoon in back

Athens Café or Grand Café on 30th Ave for cold shaken coffee frappés and dessert

Artopolis Bakery for Greek cookies by the pound

Yaya’s Bakery for the best Greek bread

Titan Foods for the biggest selection of Greek groceries, including housemade pastries, fresh-cut feta, amazing olives and Greek brands you can’t find elsewhere.

Mediterranean Foods for a more edited selection of Greek goodies to take home.

What are your Astoria go-to’s?

By the time I read about tomorrow's Astoria Nacho Crawl 
on nonsense, it was already full up. boo.