Himalaya Teahouse: A Journey of 1,000 Miles Right Around the Corner

Astoria seems awash in all kinds of culinary treasures: butcher shops, seafood markets, produce stands, sidewalk cafes. But coffee shops have never been the neighborhood's strong suit. Alas, there's another option that awaits you on 31st Avenue: a tea house. Steeped in tradition, the Himalaya Teahouse honors its roots (the owner Gwen is from Tibet) through an extensive offering of teas and light Asian-tinged fare. With deep blue walls lined in Tibetan rugs and vibrant splashes of colors dripping from the walls, the tea house is an uplifting place to relax, work or chow down on some delicious chili-doused dumplings.

The staff is small (one server, one cook) but exceedingly helpful while the menu runs the gamut from soups and salads to stir fry and soba noodles. The beef dumplings are generously portioned out and, while slightly plain-tasting on their own, come drenched in a tasty, tongue-tingling chili sauce. Kim Chee is also offered as is stir fry dishes involving the usual meat and vegetables suspects. The soba noodle dish is a mild tasting but well-executed stab at the East-West fusion they aspire to. In terms of tea, the Coconut Caribbean is a luscious drink that smacks of dessert while the Red Chai at Night is a delightfully rich foray into more musky flavors. All in all, the Himalaya Teahouse aims high with fair prices, great service and delicious food. If you're looking to kick back in a soothing environment and be lavished in teas, spices and exotic sauces, you've found the right place.

INFO:

Himalaya Teahouse

3317 31st Avenue

(718) 777-7450

Bella Via: Namesake Dish Lives Up to the View

More than their sumptuous alfredo, Bella Via's biggest accomplishment is achieving the feeling of eternal springtime behind its floor to ceiling windows. The name is hardly a misnomer as the view is expansive and opens onto a wide section of Long Island City's Vernon Boulevard but the food is the main attraction by far. This Italian restaurant's namesake pie is a pizza of such flavorful punches of sweet sausage crumbles, mozzarella and broccoli rabe that to deny yourself a slice would border on criminally insane. The aforementioned fettuccine alfredo is among the best in the borough but should be undertaken with caution for fear of filling up before the main course hits the table.

Another standout dish is the mustard-tinged Cornish hen. Its flavors transform with each bite and will have you corralling the sauce into a miniature bread dipping puddle halfway through the meal. The interior of Bella Via is warm and relaxing, with a mixture of glass-panelled views or an exposed brick bar area. Service remains consistently good unless you opt for the cozy-looking corner where no waitstaff has ever dared to venture. With plentiful parking, convenient subway access and reasonable prices, Bella Via's future as an Italian favorite appears assured.

INFO:

Bella Via

(718) 361-7510

4746 Vernon Blvd.