By Bill Parry
The 2nd Annual Sunnyside Restaurant Week is being billed as “Around the World in 32 Plates” as a nod to the diversity in the neighborhood’s culinary scene. The five-day promotion, featuring a three- course dinner menu for $25, is twice the size of last year’s inaugural event.
“Last year we just invited members of the BID to take part,” Sunnyside Shines Executive Director Rachel Thieme said. “Everyone said it was such a great success that this year we decided to open it up to every restaurant in Sunnyside and 32 signed on.”
It all begins with an opening reception at 7 p.m. Monday at the critically acclaimed Salt and Fat, at 41-16 Queens Blvd., that is open to the public. The restaurants taking part represent the international flavor of the neighborhood.
“I don’t know if there’s a cuisine that’s not represented here,” Thieme said. From Salt and Fat’s French/Korean to De Mole’s Mexican, the roster includes Colombian, Japanese, Turkish, Peruvian, Tibetan, Irish, Italian, Filipino, Paraguayan, Thai and Romanian.
The business district in Sunnyside is south of Queens Boulevard, but since Thieme opened it up to everyone, many restaurants north of the Boulevard were quick to sign on.
Murphy’s Lobster Grill, at 48-20 Skillman Ave., winners of the “best appetizer award” at Queens Taste earlier this year, will be serving up its lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. “Once they opened it up to everyone, we were delighted to take part,” owner Mike Murphy said. “It’s nice that Rachel made it all inclusive and open to all. We’re delighted to be a part of it.”
Justin Costello, manager of Claret Wine Bar at 46-02 Skillman Ave., said, “Everyone’s in so you want to be a part of it. I didn’t have to think about it, really. I can’t wait to go around and check out what the other restaurants are doing as well.”
Five of the restaurants will also host art installations. Two will be curated by No Longer Empty, the international contemporary arts organization, which took part last year. In addition, Thieme decided to include local artists as well. “I wanted to attract more people to the district so three of the five installations will be from the Sunnyside art scene.”
After the opening reception Monday at Salt and Fat, a guided tour will set out to visit each exhibit including a special film screening at Dazie’s Restaurant at 39-41 Queens Blvd.
“Last year’s event was a big success for neighborhood restaurants,” Thieme said. “This event highlights the diverse range of restaurants in Sunnyside, but there’s a huge problem – figuring out how to eat in all these amazing restaurants in just one week.”
Thieme added that she’s not worried that Sunnyside Restaurant Week is taking place during the 11th annual Queens Restaurant Week, a 2-1/2 weeklong promotion involving 200 eateries boroughwide. “We’re not competing, we’re complimenting each other,” Queens Economic Development Corp. spokesman Rob MacKay said. “Rachel was on the schedule first but we realized we were in conflict with the Jewish holidays and had to adjust our schedule. Who holds a restaurant week when Jewish people are fasting?”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
