Shauna Eats Sunnyside

'Hood Observations, 8/2/08

there’s a fancy new awning over the space formerly occupied by some shit bodega on the south side of the boulevard (between 39th and 40th sts) - the presumably named Old Castle Fresh Farm has a gutted interior and signs in the window advertising for future employment. change is good - we hope for a stocked refrigerator section of grab-and-go two-liters and 40’s of Old E.

the new yoga joint wedged between the diamond-and-gold-buying kazakhi barbershop and an indescript window treatment store, yoga tonic (on 44th st b/w queens blvd and greenpoint ave), touts medieval torture device technology offering results akin to that of an intense boxing workout. um, yeah, that’s exactly what this neighborhood needs - renaissance-era pain machines and women with obnoxiously ripped biceps.

the metro-area franchised famous singas (greenpoint ave and 43rd st) appeals to the individual pan pizza loving populus with wee 10-inch wonders topped with singas special sauce. according to our bemused latino connect, singa = “fuck.” if they’re not a straight ellio’s knock-off, singas and that papa john’s on greenpoint and 40th st. will likely go head-to-head in the upcoming months for the neighborhood title of go-to drunkard hot spot.

dueling shutters: el parador caleño and king fountain chinese (greenpoint ave b/w 44th and 45th sts). down for the count or enforcing summer hours? only time will tell…

las americas carniceria (greenpoint ave b/w 45th and 46th sts) has been around since 1978, and was lauded by the new york times just last year. who knew? the reliably ripe aroma of raw meat permeates the hazy air within, but the market’s always hoppin with carnivorous locals coveting sauteed tongue and pastel de yuca. in response to my query about the “for rent” sign, dude at the rear cash register explained in broken english that the market is simply moving “around the corner” (he gestured toward 46th st), in a matter of a few months.

NEW BAR ALERT: the diving bell pub (formerly tailors hall) (queens blvd b/w 45th and 46th sts) is fixin to drop anchor (per the painter, august 8th!) with nautical pirate-themed decor and a pimp wrap-around bar and fireplace. likely to reel in the irish loyalists, we dig that its owners have yet to repair the errant gunshot wound maiming its storefront window. cheers to boulevard cred. arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

romania-centric sunnyside meat market (43rd st b/w queens blvd and 43rd ave) urges passersby to “have a slice of salami heaven.” cute. but their all-star lineup of cured meats is certainly tempting… also the recent recipient of some new york times lovin’.

mi nuevo rancho bar (greenpoint b/w 43rd and 44th sts) has $4.50 tabasco-laced micheladas. a quick google search indicates they might’ve had liquor license trouble in the past. looks like this week’s dining adventure has just revealed itself…score!!

on a side note, can someone please explain why there are TWO sprawling (and completely disconnected) side-by-side rite aid pharmacies occupying prime real estate on the greenpoint ave strip (b/w 46th and 47th sts)??

…and in the final hemisphere of when-tha-fuck-is-this-gonna-happen: key food (46th st b/w queens boulevard and greenpoint ave) has had this sign posted over its boarded-up neighboring space for months with no visible construction. sure, graffiti artists are goin to town and the local rasta man hosts weekly solo drum circles on its blue-bricked corner, but when tha fuck are we gonna see some progress? you know we’re just peeing our pants with anticipation for a generic supermarket café to water down the beautifully concentrated ethnic flavor of 46th st…

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Old Castle Fresh Farm
39-50 Queens Boulevard (at 39th Place)
Sunnyside, NY 11104

Yoga Tonic
45-08 44th Street (b/w Queens Blvd and Greenpoint Ave)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-383-0014

Singas Famous Pizza
43-24 Greenpoint Avenue (at 43rd Street)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-361-5503

El Parador Caleño Restaurant
45-24 Greenpoint Avenue (b/w 45th and 46th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-784-2051

King Fountain Chinese Restaurant
45-22 Greenpoint Avenue (b/w 45th and 46th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-392-3333

Las Americas Carniceria
45-12 Greenpoint Avenue (b/w 45th and 46th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-784-0284

The Diving Bell
45-15 Queens Boulevard (b/w 45th and 46th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104

Sunnyside Meat Market
43-10 43rd Street (b/w Queens Blvd and 43rd Ave)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-786-2626

Mi Nuevo Rancho Bar
43-20 Greenpoint Avenue (b/w 43rd and 44th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-361-6513

Rite Aid Pharmac(ies)
Greenpoint Avenue (b/w 46th and 47th Sts)
Sunnyside, NY 11104

Key Food Supermarket
46th Street (b/w Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Ave)
Sunnyside, NY 11104