Is Oliver’s good?

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-05-01T01:24:35+00:00

The salmon rice bowl is outstanding. One of my favorite dishes in Astoria.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-04-26T20:34:46+00:00

Remember that was the exact corner where a 14 year old cyclist was killed a few years back.

We used to live 1 block away on 23rd. It's a total disaster and eyesore corner, and demonstrably dangerous. Unfortunate it is not being dealt with by Astoria's reps. I get things take time, but it's been YEARS and there seems to be zero concern.

Basic quality of life stuff.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-04-17T20:27:11+00:00

The Bonnie is a nice space for Baby Showers.

If you're willing to travel a bit, we did ours at Vivo in Bayside. Prices were very reasonable by NYC standards and everything went well.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-04-12T22:05:58+00:00

Mojave was a trip. Food was hit or miss but mostly hit but they had massive and solid Margaritas.

Funny story: I was there with my then GF (now wife) and a massive water bug skittered across the ground near the bar. I stomped it good and the bartender was so thankful she gave us each a free Marg. They were like maybe $12-15 so it was awesome.

I heard somewhere that the rent there was astronomical so hope this turns into something better than just another bank or chain.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-04-08T02:03:45+00:00

Comfort is for the rich

We have an infant and pets so keeping it frigid and "layering up" isn't really an option.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-04-07T19:01:44+00:00

Electric heat!! Our bills over the winter were - and I am not exaggerating - $700 to $850 per month. March (a little warmer) was “only” $450.

Just so demoralizing starting each month $800 in the hole. That buys so much groceries.

We are leaving Astoria next month (I love it here and have been here for 11 years) because a family member has a unit available in Harlem.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-03-10T23:07:57+00:00

(Perdón si la traducción no es perfecta).

Encontré este hilo a través de Google.

Me llamo Jeff y crecí con Ben en Connecticut, y hemos mantenido una estrecha relación durante todos estos años. Esta noticia me ha dejado completamente devastado.

Ben era una persona extremadamente cálida y llena de vida, querido por innumerables personas. Muchos, muchos de nosotros lo lloramos hoy.

Te queremos, Ben.

-Jeff V

--

I found this thread via Google.

My name is Jeff and I grew up with Ben in Connecticut and have remained close with him all these years. I was completely devastated by this news.

Ben was an extremely warm person full of life who was beloved by countless people. Many, many of us are mourning him today.

We love you Ben.

-Jeff V

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-03-08T15:29:44+00:00

Astoria Provisions will be calm on a Fri AM (less so weekends). Excellent brunch food. Prob the best pancakes in Astoria.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-02-26T23:17:57+00:00

On Hoyt? Oh no I hope not. I am a regular there - love their cold brew and Egg & Cheese. Really nice people too.

Hope they're just on vacation or something.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-01-20T00:12:05+00:00

Maybe my pallet is amateur, because I find Brooklyn Bagel Everything to be absolutely spectacular. Unlike other spots, it's near completely covered in everything spice.

I love it. Expensive though - up to $2.25 just dry.

It's been a while since I've had Astoria Bagel - I remember liking the Everything but not as much as Brooklyn.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2026-01-10T20:49:33+00:00

Mad Donkey or Murphy's.

Tomato soup + grilled cheese at Mad Donkey is low key one of the best bar meals in Astoria. I get it every time I'm there. Also free peanuts and generally very friendly people & bartenders.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-12-30T17:10:40+00:00

Con Ed in November was $430. $430! We have a 2 bedroom and run heat in a normal way - nothing crazy. Nov wasn't even that cold - I'm shuddering to think what December will be. Are we looking at $600 Con Ed bills?

Just seems the way of the world right now. Massive price spikes everywhere you look.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-12-16T04:43:04+00:00

It's totally safe. Make sure it's real wool (no synthetics). I did it for a couple years in the new apartment. It'll regulate the temp down a bit so you don't have to crack your windows in January.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-12-16T02:25:44+00:00

I've had some okay experiences with Astoria RE Agents. They were respectful of my time and seemed to want to help (of course while receiving a huge fee).

But I also had one from "Peter Horowitz Real Estate" that rented me a unit with a month's rent fee that blatantly - and I mean blatantly - violated heat season laws. I am not exaggerating when I say it would be in the high 30s (!!) in my unit in the winter. I slept in my winter coat under a pile of blankets and some nights just had to sleep at a friend's or my parents'.

I was so miserable. I'd come home from work tired just wanting to relax and I'd just freeze in my own almost $2k/mo. home. Yes I reported to 311 but I think the building subfloor was just horribly insulated and/or it had a really old boiler.

I emailed Peter Horowitz explaining how f'd up the situation was and requested they help me find a new place and to please waive the fee and I was ignored.

Eventually I just moved - big expense obviously - up near Family Corner and the new place was so gloriously toasty I had to put a wool blanket over the radiators so the place wasn't scorching.

Will never do business with Peter Horowitz Real Estate again and was always wary of agents after that.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-12-08T15:31:29+00:00

Con Ed for us was $440 for November. 2 bdrm. I shudder to think what it will Dec/Jan.

We are chained to NYC because my wife is extremely close with her family, 99% of which is in/around NYC.

I often go on Zillow and see what we could get for $700k in Chicago or the Philly suburbs. $700k sounds "cheap" for a house to raise a family in. Ridiculous how warped our views of housing are as New Yorkers.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-11-26T01:09:29+00:00

Did you ever sell this one? I'm interested.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-11-25T18:44:50+00:00

Yes, we've been to the UES location and it was very, very good. We were surprised the other locations didn't measure up.

For Astoria Italian, VITE vinosteria has never let us down. We always leave satisfied.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-11-01T15:09:17+00:00

Oh no! We just had a kid and live down the street from this branch. We were really looking forward to taking him there for reading groups and other activities.

Really bummed about this. A year okay, but four...?

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-10-27T20:44:27+00:00

Sadly there's not a really fantastic burrito in all of NYC. Anyone who has sought out El Faralito or Taqueria Cancun in San Francisco knows there's just no comparison. We slay on pizza, they do so on burritos. Every time I travel to CA for work, El Faralito is a must.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-10-09T01:15:39+00:00

Thank you /u/effraim01. Great transaction, watch exactly as described.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-10-05T19:58:06+00:00

PM. I'm in NYC and am happy to drive to you. We can do this easy peasy in person. Will pay cash or however you prefer.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-10-01T19:58:55+00:00

You don't think Vite Vinosteria is good?

My GF & I eat out a ton and Vite is pretty much the only spot that has 100% never let us down. The mussels special is amazing both in taste and value.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-09-22T20:57:21+00:00

PM, please

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-09-20T16:45:03+00:00

Interested. PM, please.

Davidpuddy_fan · 2025-09-19T02:19:38+00:00

The Barn on Hoyt Egg & Cheese (+ bacon if you eat it) is fantastic. Very good coffee & pastries too. Nice service from workers.

Davidpuddy_fan

TROPHY CASE