We interrupt this sports website for another New York City restaurant recommendation.
Real New Yorkers know that there are many diamonds to be mined in the outer boroughs, but no region of New York City rivals sparkling Forest Hills, perennially the winner of the “best neighborhood” awards by nearly unanimous consensus. Tennis, golf, parks, dignified Georgian architecture, boutiques, and great food abound from Austin Street to Metropolitan Avenue, from Yellowstone to Ascan.
This small, but vibrant oasis in the concrete desert features one great restaurant after another, so for Q Thai Bistro to hold its lofty perch as the best Thai restaurant in the outer boroughs and survive in the cutthroat world of NYC restaurants, it needs to offer something unique.
Yes, they do specialize in all the traditional staples of Thai cuisine such as Pad Thai ($16.95), Spicy Thai Beef Salad (only $10.95!), and Chicken Satay ($9.95??!! That’s a bargain all day long!), but it’s their Asian-fusion flair that makes their unique dished the class of NYC’s competitive Asian scene.
“They have dishes here I’ve never seen anywhere else,” exclaims a delighted Josephine Grand as she takes a bite of Q Thai’s trademark Drunken Noodles, spiced with extra basil and chiles ($16.95). “I just want to look at the menu and say, “okay!'”
“We try to give as many dishes a one-of-a-kind twist you won’t find anywhere else,” explains owner Jean Gmerek, who still looks as scrumptious as any of her dishes. Indeed, patrons come for her and her sister-in-law Vesna’s personal attention and effervescent personalities, as well has the food.
“It’s so pretty, I have to show all my friends before I eat it, says Grand as she snaps a picture of her husband’s crispy whole garlic red snapper ($23.95). “I want to show off to all my Facebook friends that we were here!”
The garlic snapper can be served hot and spicy or in a red curry sauce, your choice. Other inspired fusions that would impress the restaurant’s namesake, James Bond’s iconic inventor/genius Q include the Q Basil Burger marinated in Thai spices and finished with massaman curry ($17.95), the Thai Eggplant with garlic, chili and basil ($16.95), and pan-seared salmon with Asian long beans ($23.95). Brunch sized portions are available on weekends at prices that never exceed $12.95.
Come in on Wednesdays and there’s an extra special deal: a free bottle of wine! (A free glass for those dining solo.) You choose between Chilean Chardonnays and Cabs, Napa Zinfindel, Glass Mountain Merlot, Italian Pinot Noirs, Argentinean Malbacs and many more. “We wanted to offer a great value to our customers. Most places are merely offering house wines, but we have some outstanding choices and wished to pass the savings on to our patrons,” said Jean as she poses near the decorative pop art twister board for a photo op with a happy customer.
Q Thai can cater everything for anybody- from community centers to Citifield, from Mayor Bloomberg and Matt lauer to Mr. Met and Burning Spear, from pro athletes in town for baseball or tennis to local golfers coming in from a day at Bethpage. For a free taste of their one-of-a-kind fusion dishes, stop by their booth at the Queens “A Taste of the World” festival at Citifield on Tuesday May 18 from 6-9:30 p.m. Jean and her colorful sidekick Maria Sarro will be kickin’ it with Mayor Bloomberg, local television personalities and the city’s myriad screen and athletic celebrities.
Q Thai is located at 108-25 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills, 718.261.6599. Stop in after playing golf at Bethpage Black, Eisenhower Park, Garden City Golf Club, or Rockaway Hunt Club. It’s convenient to Long Island, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Manhattan.
Click here for the Q Thai Bistro website.
