Rokstar Chicken

I’m a big fan of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) and Rokstar Chicken does not disappoint. I saw a video from a fellow instagrammer and I had to try the food here. I did see something in the post about a supermarket. I ignored that part of the caption until heading to get some food. Rokstar is located inside of a really large popular supermarket called Food Bazaar. I think this works because Food Bazaar is an international market and I’m totally a fan of grabbing something to eat while you shop. When you arrive at the supermarket you’ll see visible signs of where to walk so you'll easily find Rokstar. There are seats available and a sort of pop-up window for you to order. The prices here are great. You can get a meal (chicken/fries/rice or salad) for under $12. And the portions are pretty big so you’ll definitely be full. You can get a chicken sandwich, boneless wings or bone-in wings. The variety of sauces are a draw as well. Be sure to mix sauces if you plan on ordering wings. 

As far as transportation goes, this is definitely some place you’ll need a car to get to. You’ll find plenty of parking if you do drive here since the shared space is the supermarket. 

Here’s what I ordered (I suggest it all btw): Kimchi dumplings, Crispy chicken sandwich, bone-in traditional korean fried chicken with hot soy garlic sauce on the side and an order of the boneless chicken with sweet chili sauce. 

After writing this review I’m totally going back here for the boneless chicken!   

Forest Hills Farmers Market

Queens Blvd, 70th Ave, 11375

Since last year I’ve been on a mission of eating more veggies at home and I’m on a search for the best farmers markets in Queens.

I decided to start with one that I’ve been to often the Forest Hills Greenmarket aka Farmers Market. It’s not walking distance from my home in Kew Gardens but it’s a quick 10 minute drive down Queens Boulevard and that’s a huge plus from carrying groceries on the subway back home to Queens from Manhattan.

It's honestly a pleasure having a farmers market in the next town that has a variety of vegetables, meats, fish, fruits and flowers.

Now that a lot of us are working from home and are rarely commuting from Manhattan I’m finding our local markets have great quality food to offer similar to the famous Union Square farmers market.

The Forest Hills market is bit small compared to those in Manhattan and Brooklyn but it's perfect for grabbing the essentials for a weeks worth of food. I left with a giant bundle of kale ($2/bunch), some wonderful peaches (mango peaches), warm whole wheat bread ($5) corn (2 stalks for $1) and tomatoes.
If you live in the area stop by before winter and get some pesticide free veggies.

The Forest Hills Greenmarket is open all year. The hours do change slightly.

The market only opens on Sundays. From January - May the market is open on Sunday’s from 8:00am-2:00pm EST and From June - December the market opens on Sunday from 8:00am-3:00pm EST.

BLACK OWNED - MisFits Nutrition

11514 Queens BlvdForest Hills, NY 11375

This one is for all my work-out buddies, those who are into physical activities and those who like to drink protein shakes. MisFits Nutrition is located in the heart of Queens Boulevard in the Forest Hills area. It’s nestled between restaurants, grocery stores and apartment buildings. You can find this gem with a quick drive (parking on the meters), the Q10 bus or the E/F train to Kew Gardens.  

MisFits is very unique when it comes to consuming proteins. You can grab a protein shake which is pretty standard but if you want to mix it up you can order protein cookies, a protein bowl or even hot/cold tea with protein powders. 

I was so impressed by the options here. I ordered the Red Velvet protein shake and the Vibranium Protein Tea (a play on the vibranium fruit from the feature film Black Panther) when I stopped by. It was early in the morning and I was running errands so the shake came in handy. The shakes are also good for those who work out (even at home) or for those who exercise in Forest Park (my favorite local park in Queens). 

Price wise, shakes range from $8-12 and the teas are a little cheaper. 

I recommend following the MisFits team on Instagram to find out about their new flavors, events, and ways to keep fit. The owner Anthony was super helpful when I came in so feel free to stop by after a work-out for a protein filled treat. 

Given COVID-19 regulations, dining inside is not available but MisFits has an outdoor seating option and they are available via Seamless, UberEats and Grubhub.  

BLACK OWNED - Communitea

Communitea 

11-18 46th Rd, Long Island City, Queens NY 11101

Communitea is a spacious coffee & tea house located on 46th Road in Long Island City (Queens) New York. It’s black-owned, founded by Kafia Saxe and Lloyd Canning 15 years ago and is now my favorite tea spot in LIC. 

If you are outside of the Long Island City area (and driving is not an option) you can easily get here by taking the E, F, or 7 train (it’s closest to Court Square). If you are driving, parking is a little difficult on the block of Communitea but if you drive a block or so away you’ll find a spot.  

At the top of my review, I mentioned that this is a coffee and tea house but you can get so much more here. They serve Buddha bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, artisanal ice cream (tea flavored), freshly baked cookies/brownies/banana bread, beer, wine and even salads. 

When you walk in you are immediately greeted by a warm staff member and let me tell you the long list of teas on the board can be overwhelming but just ask a few questions and the staff will get you to where you need to be tea/coffee and even food wise. Communitea has lots of Vegan options and can substitute milk per your request. 

On my visit here, I ordered the following: 

• A soy cappuccino (because cappuccinos are my jam), 

• A Rooibos chai latte with soy milk (THIS WAS MY FAVORITE),  

• The BoB breakfast sandwich (pictured above) which was on a parker bun with bacon and cream cheese, 

• The croissant breakfast sandwich which is bacon egg and cheese on a croissant. 

The eggs on both sandwiches were so perfect and fluffy and the cheese was placed inside of the eggs so you got a good gush of cheese when you bite down. Honestly, I’m still thinking about these sandwiches days later. I have to return here to try the other sandwiches on the menu. 

Price-wise the lattes are about $5-$6 each and the breakfast sandwiches are around $9. 

Communitea also has a gift shop/section where you can buy loose teas, mugs, aprons and masks. 

Due to COVID-19, in-door dining is prohibited here but they have a nice sized out-door patio and are available for pick-up orders and delivery using Grubhub, Postmates, and DoorDash.

Gossip Coffee

37-04 30th Ave., Astoria NY 11103 

Gossip Coffee is a fairly new hip what I’ll call a “coffee-lounge” in one of the most poppin’ areas in Astoria (along 30th Avenue). I consider it a coffee-lounge rather than a coffee house because they serve fabulous cocktails.  Not only are the cocktails fabulous but some of them have coffee in them! 

I was introduced to this spot by the Queens Yelp Elite crew one night. After that night, I told a few friends about this spot and I’ve gone back twice just to chill and just to hang. I’m lucky enough to have one of my best friends living walking distance from place and he’s a coffee drinker so it all works out if you want a place to go and have a cocktail (that’s not a stuffy bar), maybe read a book while sitting outdoors. 

The space is pretty large, they have an open back seating area that’s open all year around. They have tall heaters that can be utilized in the cold winter months.

My favorite cocktail from here is the spicy margarita coffee. It packed a lot of spice, heat and of course the perfect amount of coffee. 

While you are grabbing a coffee cocktail you can munch on some of their small bites as well like tuna toast, oatmeal, avocado toast, chorizo bites, cobb salad, lobster rolls, or  a slice of cake if you need something sweet. 

The food prices range from $12-20 and the cocktails range from $10-12. 

I look forward to hanging here and catching up with friends while eating cake and sipping coffee cocktails in the backyard area enjoying the space. 

Gossip Coffee is perfect for a first date, friend hang, small group hang out, a quick meeting, a solo hang, or just somewhere to take your laptop and get some work done. It’s a great addition to the neighborhood. 

BLACK OWNED - Soup Junkies

Address: 87-17 Lefferts Blvd, South Ozone Park, NY 11420

Menu: Soup Junkies

Soup Junkies has been around for a few years servicing traditional Trinidian soups and cuisine in the Richmond Hills area of Queens. 

For those who are not familiar. Trinidad is a country in the Caribbean, it’s the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Trinidad is highly known for their popular yearly carnival and for the food. Like lot’s of other islands in the Caribbean the food (to me) is so impressive the way it perfectly blends Indian and African culture. Trinidad is one of the most influential islands when it comes to Caribbean cuisine. 

Growing up I ate a lot of soups. My Caribbean grandmother Maureen would make the best hearty soups. Filled with beans, peas, dumplings and various meats (chicken, beef, goat). So one day while picking up pizza with bae I stopped by Soup Junkies and took a look at the menu and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of soups (oxtail soup, corn soup, dhal soup and even cow heel soup). All things I grew up eating though my grandma was not from Trinidad these soups were still popular amongst Caribbean people. 

So last year when I was feeling a bit homesick I decided to give Soup Junkies a try. I ordered the curry chicken and large corn soup. When I tell you I was hooked. I ordered food from here 2 more times that week. 

I’m within walking distance of this location however if you are traveling within Queens it’s totally accessible by driving, taking either the J, M, or Z train or the Q10 bus. 

Obviously from the name, this place is popular for it’s soups but if I were you I would get a soup (I LOVE the corn soup and the oxtail soup) and try a platter. The curry chicken (pictured) with cabbage and rice or the jerk chicken platter (also pictured). I have to warn some of you. Jerk chicken is spicy, it’s meant to be spicy and the jerk here at Soup Junkies will set your mouth on fire (in a good way). The curry chicken is seasoned very well. The jerk is very saucy (heads up) to those who like their jerk chicken dry.

Discuss general prices for soups range from $5-$10 (depending on veggie soup or soup with a protein) and the entrees range from $10-$14. 

If you visit Soup Junkies, the woman working the front is so friendly and willing to help with any questions you may have about the menu. 

The location is small, it’s a grab a quick bite for 2-3 people type of place (I believe there are only about 4 seats in the location), so this place gets a lot of foot traffic for customers picking up large orders to go. 

If you are in the neighborhood and looking for some good Caribbean food be sure to stop by Soup Junkies and tell him Tameeka Eats sent you. 

Tara Japanese Cuisine

Address: 251-9 Northern Blvd Douglaston (Queens) NYC 11362 

Tara is a charming Japanese restaurant located in the Douglaston area of Queens, basically on the borderline of Long Island. 

It’s squeezed into a very busy food area of Douglaston. This gem honestly stands out from any of the other Japanese restaurants in this area, especially if you are looking for fresh fish, sushi, and a remarkable (and affordable) omakase experience. 

Tara is popular for their hospitality (everyone says the main chef is a joy) and for their omakase. 

For those who are new to Omakase it’s a very unique dining experience. The Michelin site describes Omakase as “a form of Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of a chef and receive a meal which is seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients available. In many ways, omakase is a spiritual companion and counterpoint to kaiseki, the elaborate multi-course Japanese meal built around seasonality, quality ingredients and simple preparations.”

If you decide to dine here and you are open to trying something other than sushi or sashimi they also serve Donburi (Japanese rice dish with meat or fish) and Ramen (a noodle dish served in a meat or fish-based broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions). 

The great thing about Tara is the pricing for the quality of food. The fish they serve is top tier fresh and the pricing is minimal. You can order sushi rolls from $6.00 to $13.00. The omakase here goes for around $100.00 (each person) which is a steal. The quality is phenomenal. 

I dined here with a group of Yelp Elites. Only a handful of us were scheduled for the Tara Omakase experience and I will say it was my first omakase. I was really excited to go because I’ve missed out on other omakase experiences and to be able to do this with fellow elites was right up my alley. 

We were provided a set menu created by the main chef (images above):

1️⃣ Stella Bay #Oyster w/ Quail Egg & Ikura 

2️⃣ Madai w/ fried ginger 

3️⃣ Barracuda ( #Kamasu ) topped w/ Shishito Pepper 

4️⃣ ShimaAji w/ Jalapeño Jelly

5️⃣ King #Salmon topped w/ Truffle 

6️⃣ Japanese #Scallop (Hotate) w/ Yuzu Jelly 

7️⃣ Butterfish w/ Shio Kambu

8️⃣ Octopus  

9️⃣ Tachiuo w/ Yuzu Kosho 

1️⃣0️⃣ #ToroKama w/ #caviar

The chef preparing the fish for us was a delight. He was so focused yet so hospitable. Once we all took our bites he seemed pleased that we all were enjoying the food. 

I will definitely return to Tara for the omakase experience with my fiancé. We both enjoy the intimate dining experience and it’s a place we won’t have to travel too far to get to since we live in Queens. I think the ambiance of this place is perfect for date night or even dinner with the family. 

Just a few tips if you plan on dining at Tara, make a reservation as the omakase table/bar fills up and the restaurant is not that large so evenings are pretty packed here. If you are traveling by public transportation, take the Long Island Rail Road to the Little Neck stop or use the Q30 bus to Little Neck. For those driving, parking may be a bit of a hassle because it’s located on a block with high traffic so parking a few blocks away from the restaurant may be your best bet. 

Dirty Pierre's

Address: 13 Station Square Forest Hills (Queens) NYC 11375 

Dirty Pierre’s is a long standing bar/restaurant located in Forest Hills. 

Forest Hills is known for dining in Queens. Most people dining in Forest Hills will mention or go to a place along Austin Street. Austin Street is a long strip of restaurants, small shops, gyms, bars, and everything in between. If you are looking for somewhere away from the crowds Dirty Pierre’s is not located on Austin Street. It’s tucked in along the beautiful cobble stoned area of Station Square. Since this restaurant is tucked away from Austin Street it’s not as packed as some of the other restaurants but this places sees a lot of traffic. 

Speaking of traffic, there are a number of ways you can get to Dirty Pierre’s. It’s about a minute walk from the Long Island Railroad (Forest Hills station stop), a less than a 10 minute walk from the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station via the E/F/M/R  train. It’s accessible by car but the cobble stoned area has limited parking and once you hit Austin Street it’s usually packed on weekends and nights so finding parking can be a bit of a pain. I suggest taking the train, bus, or share ride service.

Brunch is what you come to Dirty Pierre’s for and you’ll be happy with the options and the prices. On average prices range from $15-30 for meals (with drinks included). While brunching, I ordered a half portion of mussels which were DELICIOUS. I know.. you must be asking yourself “why would you order mussels from a bar”?! It may sound mad but Yelpers did mention it and I decided to take a chance and was pleasantly surprised. The sauce was my favorite part of the mussels. I also ordered the $17.95 brunch special which includes 1 entree and 2 cocktails. I chose the steak and eggs entree (it came with home fries). The steak and eggs were cooked to my liking and was pretty tasting and filling. The sangria didn’t do it for me but the mimosas were on point. 

The ambiance is super chill. There are biker jackets hung up around and you will get a bar vibe once you arrive so dress as you want to come here. Dirty Pierre’s is perfect for a brunch w/ bae, the girls, the boys, or friends.