Anyone remember the old restaurants of jackson Heights?

[Avela]

Does anyone remember the Old Barn,The Savoy,The Dragon Seed etc...?

[erospolitico]

I remember the Dragon Seed vividly, I almost burst into tears when i pass its former home on the corner of 86th Street and 37th Avenue.

I am only in my twenties, and I will never forget the food, drinks, atmosphere, and not to forget the wishing well.

I also miss Winston Bagel's which was right across the street, where M & V Bagel's is now.

[Ernie]

Loved the atmosphere at Dragon Seed, beaded curtains/pu pu platter and all.

Most of all, I miss Luigi's. Great Osso Buco, Thursday special!

[eddiestjohns]

The Dragon Seed is my favorite restaurant of all time.  Great food, great atmosphere with the beaded booths and and and the best drinks.  It was a great place to bring a first date and impress them.  Many times I would stop by the bar and get a Mai Tai or Zombie and have an appetizer at the bar.  I remember after it closed I would be standing outside the Gemini Bar or Winston bagels and people from different neighborhoods would come looking for it.  They thought they had the wrong block and couldn't believe it closed.  It is a shame that very few places like this exist today.  Most Chinese food places are now takeout.

[Chuckster]

Does anyone remember one of the young waiters from Luigi's named Vinny?  He always offered very professional service and was extremely attentive to his customers.  Prior to Luigi's closing, he managed to get a position as maitre d' at the Four Seasons in Manhattan.  He was quite handsome as well.

[Mr. C]

I've only lived in JH for 4 years, so I don't remember any of the above.  But Bud's Bar seemed like it was around long enough to have had a hitchin' post out front.  Now that dive bars have become so popular in Brooklyn and Manhattan you have to wonder if Bud's could have just held on a little longer...

Sometimes you just need to kick back, drink some beers, play some darts, and listen to some CCR on the jukebox.  Where do you turn?  Novo?  To classy.  Terraza Cafe?  Too loud.  The Readypenny Inn?  Too...something, that place weirds me out.

[Chuckster]

Has anyone tried the Cavalier Restaurant on 37th Avenue?  I understand that since Luigi's left, Cavalier is now the longest standing restaurant in the neighborhood.  I've been there only once hoping to rekindle the love that I felt for Luigi's, but was pretty disappointed.  My husband said he felt as if he had walked into a time warp zone.  This restaurant reminds of something you would see on that holiday movie set in the 1930s about a kid that wants a bebe gun for Christmas.

[eddiestjohns]

Thge Cavalier is just an average restaurant with average food.  They used to cater to an older crowd but many of there customers have died or moved into nursing homes  They did make somne minor renovations a few years back and the bartenders and owners are pleasant people. Several years ago I used to stop in for a drink because there are so few bars in Jackson Heights but the bar is boring like the food.

[Aronan]

The Continental was a block or two down form the Cavalier very similar food and style. In face I think one of the rooms at the Cavalier is named the Continental Room in honor of the restaurant.

[Chuckster]

The Dragon Seed is my favorite restaurant of all time.  Great food, great atmosphere with the beaded booths and and and the best drinks.  It was a great place to bring a first date and impress them.  Many times I would stop by the bar and get a Mai Tai or Zombie and have an appetizer at the bar.  I remember after it closed I would be standing outside the Gemini Bar or Winston bagels and people from different neighborhoods would come looking for it.  They thought they had the wrong block and couldn't believe it closed.  It is a shame that very few places like this exist today.  Most Chinese food places are now takeout.

Lost City blogs about The Dragon Seed Restaurant.  Apparently, the decor remains the same!

Inside The Dragon Seed!
The above blog entry was done as a follow-up to the entry linked below.

The Legend of the Dragon Seed

[Queenskid]

I also remember the second Dragon Seed.  It was on 37th near Junction Boulevard.

[earbears]

Yep but I always favored the one on 86th street. Afterall, George - the owner - was always here and so friendly!

[Hank Stamper]

Does anyone remember the Green Lodge?  It was a small family restaurant on the southside of 37th  between 84th and 85th.

It had about ten tables/booths --tops -- and was run by a Turkish family. It probably closed in the late '60s.

It was right down the block from Wolkes- which was a combination candy store (along the lines of Barracini's) and ice cream parlor. I think they made their own sherbet?

And Wolkes was right near Ellie's appetizing store, whose claim to fame, in addition to always having a huge pumpkin-headed scarecrow in front during Halloween, was having a scene from Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man" filmed there.   

[earbears]

Hank - I remember all of it well. I keep looking for my Hitchcock "signature" which he gave me but alas, I cannot find it

We ate at the Green Lodge every Sunday night. Bill - the owner and baker - was such a nice man. Loved the food and remember having to wait outside for tables in the summer. There was always quite a crowd.

The deli was wonderful - clean, good  food - remember the cole slaw fondly.

Wolkes was a family operation. The other store was on 90th street. They made the candies there. Mr. Wolkes was in the 90th Street store and Mrs. Wolkes was here on 85th Street. I believe they were German and very formal but extemely warm and nice. The chocolates were delicious and pretty.

Thoses were great days.

[Hank Stamper]

Yep the Green Lodge was a great place - low key, good food.  I remember wooden salad bowls and good mashed potatoes of all things.

I remember being about 3 or so and getting Muenster cheese for the first time at Ellie's; can still remember the taste. 

I had no idea there was a Wolkes on 90th. Near 37th also?  About 20 years ago I read an article about a home- made ice cream place that opened on Long Island. The owner was named Wolkes so I reached out to him out of curiosity. Turned out he was a nephew? of the JH family. Must have been in his genes.