Claret

Claret 

(/ˈklærɨt/ klarr-ət, not /klæˈreɪ/ kla-ray)

As the name suggests, Claret is a wine bar/bistro on the corner of 46th St./Bliss and Skillman Ave. Close to the famed Sunnyside Gardens, this street has many blog-worthy culinary offerings.

 

(some Portuguese Vino Verde... verrrry refreshing!)

Claret is a little more upscale than your average Queens eatery, but the mood is still relaxed. It's the kind of place you could take your Manhattan friends without them being totally weirded out by some ponytailed Romanian guy playing flugel horn underneath some disco lights (à la Harmony II... a future post). 

 

(come to my window.)

Here you'll find Queens' young professional crowd sipping Rosé

and dining from small plates. The good news is: the food is delicious.

 (werk.)

 

The last time I was there it was summertime- the best time to visit Claret because of the wide-open windowfront looking out onto Skillman Ave. I enjoyed a nice glass of Vino Verde from Portugal (although it is worth noting that despite the focus on wines, they do have a small yet good selection of beers on draft- usually at least two excellent, local craft brews)

(got too excited about eating it... forgot to take a pic til partway through)

 

We dined on pizzas, which I had never tried before- I am a sucker for their Black & White Truffle Gruyere Mac and Cheese ($9)... it is ridiculous. I really enjoyed both- a Prosciutto-Arugula-Parmesan and a Tre Fromaggi with Mozzarella, Cashel Blue and fresh Ricotta ($12 each). Thin, crispy crust, housemade tomato sauce and lots of flavor on top.

(nummy)

 

They also serve a variety of appetizers (think Hummus plates, Charcuterie, Olives, etc), salads and a selection of pretty tasty Paninis as well ($11-$14). The pizzas were great, but I will probably go back to the Truffle Mac again next time.... it's worth the trip to Skillman Ave!

  

Claret Wine Bar

46-02 Skillman Ave 

Sunnyside, NY 11104 

(718) 937-7411 

www.claretwinebar.com

Alpha Donuts

Alpha Donuts. 

It's simple and timeless. Just ask the producers of the new movie "Another Night" starring Robert DeNiro. They chose Alpha Donuts as the "ideal location" for the setting of their film: a diner from the late 1980's.

(Something to brag about...?)

 

I would beg to differ- I think Alpha Donut defies any decade-specific classification. Just take a look at the unique interior, featuring  zig-zag countertop seating. This place is incredible!

(Time Warp)

 

The donuts are fine, although it seems that on most visits, there usually aren't very many left no matter what day of the week or time I go in...

 

(A trio of Alpha specialties: Glazed, Sugar and Old Fashioned)

They also serve very cheap breakfast items like a Ham Omelette ($5.95) and other diner fare like a Triple Decker Roast Beef Sandwich with fries, coleslaw and a pickle($8.50). I've had their Eggs/Potatoes/Toast kind of breakfast- it's nothing to write home about, but it's a fun place to cure a hangover.

Alpha Donut is more about the experience than anything else. I can almost guarantee that at some point during your visit, someone will do a walk-through selling pirated DVD's. 

 

(Dunkin' that Alpha Donut in some Baruir's Coffee!)

Alpha Donuts

45-16 Queens Boulevard

Sunnyside, NY 11104

(718) 472-4725