November JH Food Group and the Ambassadors Program

[Jeffsayyes]

What a turnout for the Anniversary Group! Another record!

The next Group will take place on Nov. 15th

The choices for November are as follows:
Louie's Pizzeria on Baxter. This is the newest pizzeria for the neighborhood. Many good things have been said about it so far, and the possibility of great pizza in the area is a godsend. I'm sure Louie would put on a good show for us.

Friend's House Restaurant (Korean)
64-16 Roosevelt Ave.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/655292
This is a new Korean Restaurant in Woodside, which looks to be more centered to comfort foods than other Korean in the neighborhood. Very exciting stuff.

As always, send me your vote for where you want to go. I will announce the winner Nov 9th.

-----------------------------
In related news... We are getting serious about food: I'm officially announcing the Ambassador Program. Whereas the Jackson Heights Food Group is about the neighborhood, the Ambassador Program is about the food. This new adventure may take place anywhere in the city limits and occur at anytime - whatever it takes. Here, our group will have a guide to order for the table and discuss what we are eating and why we are eating it. This allows us diners to let go, eat well, and expand our boundaries for the city, the world and our palates. Selfishly, there are a lot of cultures I don't know about, and this seems like an efficient way to learn more and have a good time. I can't think of a better way of doing this.
 
I am looking for Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, you will have complete control over a magnificent feast of your expertise, all paid for by the group of attendees. If this sounds like your idea of fun, please contact me. I will have a fill-out form on my website this week.
 
Note: If you would like to be a part of the Ambassadors Program, send me your email address and I will put you on the list. Unless we have a program in JH or the surrounding area (which is very likely), you won't hear about it otherwise.

[judibean]

I'm voting for Louie's.  I haven't found good Italian pasta anywhere in this neighborhood!  (Hmmm...may have to do both pizza and pasta in one sitting.)
The Ambassador Program sounds great- looking forward to having someone take the lead on Filipino cuisine!  *hint hint*   

[jeanette]

Louie's

[ibeans]

My vote's for Friend House. Though if we end up at Louie's I won't complain. If I could marry Pizza I would.

I see that hint miss Judibean!

[mood4food]

I'm voting Friend's House.  Sorry but I've been spoiled by delicious NYC (outside of queens) pizza and i'm afraid Louie's won't live up to my refined snooty NY palate. Although for $1.50... no no, this city mouse is keeping his nose in the air.

[Jeffsayyes]

you can't live life in fear. at least give it a try. I've been all around this damn city looking for a great slice. Louie's stands up.

[Jeffsayyes]

This Sunday 11/15 at 4:20pm,
the Jackson Heights Food Group reconvenes at Friends Korean Restaurant of Woodside.
 
This should be exciting. I stopped in Sunday and the chef was very happy at the prospective of having a neighborhood group like ours. Friends is a relatively new restaurant so let's hope for a joyous welcoming to the neighborhood.
 
For this meal, Unless you want to order a bowl for yourself, I anticipate a family style meal paid for by equal shares - with individual drinks paid seperately. Please be aware, the prices should be higher than the average Food Group (but still Queens pricing).
 
Friend's Korean Restaurant
64-16 Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY
718 334 0070
 
Let me know if you plan on attending

[mood4food]

I'm in! Though I may be a bit late.

[Shelby2]

If you vote on Louie's next time, make sure you plan it for a day that is not a Sunday.  Louie's is closed Sundays.

[ibeans]

Looking forward to Friends this Sunday!

Yeah, my roommate finally wanted to try Louie's the other night (Sunday). He was disappointed to find out they were closed. I find it odd they're closed a full day in the week!

[elyaqim]

I am willing to meet and walk to Woodside with any Food Group member who wishes to do so with me. Respond in this thread, or contact me by private message here on the board or via Facebook. Let’s meet on the southwest corner of 37^th Avenue and 72^nd Street at 16:00, but I will not wait if no one contacts me in any manner.

Another thing: I seem to have left my camera in my friend’s car, so until he can get it back to me, I will be unable to take any pictures. I therefore particularly encourage anyone who attends dinner to bring a camera along and take many pictures. (I know Jim will be good for this if he shows up.)

[Shelby2]

How did it go?

[judibean]

It was great!  We had so many people that we ended up asking a group to come back later (we're talking shifts here!)  I think the count for the first group was 23 people.  Poor Jeff sacrificed his seat, so he wandered up and down the length of the table the entire time picking at this dish and that.  The food itself was an eye opener.  I've never had Korean bar food.  I thought it would be finger foods, but they were whole entrees of noodles and soups and other things.  I think we must have ordered at least one dish of everything on their menu.  I took pics but will have to provide the link later when I get home.   

[Jeffsayyes]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlick/sets/72157622823922016/

here's some pics.
there was a group of 5 who went to cuckoos nest for a wihle then came after us. us then left and went to cuckooo's nest.

the food isn't really bar food as much as it is comfort food actually. that was a miscommunication on my translator I think. still not sure.

i liked the food a lot. I thought it was going to be much spicier, but it wasn't that bad at all. it was a very satisfying meal.
note: the chef, Jay, is leaving and going to another place next month. it will be located at greenpoint ave and 45th or so. he is very nice and a good cook, speaks english well too. I met wtih him earlier and planned out the whole menu so it'd be ready for us when we got there.

we actually took over the entire restaurant and they essentially closed down for us. these are new challenges for the gruop b/c we will now need to do something like this for now on. I like to eat with the locals, so it takes away from that, but whatever, the group is evolving adn we get to sample a lot more stuff. The new polish place is on my radar for december and I'm adding a new element to the group - possibly for now on. ill let ya'll in on it after the taco crawl.

[Shelby2]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/orlick/sets/72157622823922016/

here's some pics.
there was a group of 5 who went to cuckoos nest for a wihle then came after us. us then left and went to cuckooo's nest.

the food isn't really bar food as much as it is comfort food actually. that was a miscommunication on my translator I think. still not sure.

i liked the food a lot. I thought it was going to be much spicier, but it wasn't that bad at all. it was a very satisfying meal.
note: the chef, Jay, is leaving and going to another place next month. it will be located at greenpoint ave and 45th or so. he is very nice and a good cook, speaks english well too. I met wtih him earlier and planned out the whole menu so it'd be ready for us when we got there.

we actually took over the entire restaurant and they essentially closed down for us. these are new challenges for the gruop b/c we will now need to do something like this for now on. I like to eat with the locals, so it takes away from that, but whatever, the group is evolving adn we get to sample a lot more stuff. The new polish place is on my radar for december and I'm adding a new element to the group - possibly for now on. ill let ya'll in on it after the taco crawl.

Thanks for the photos and the report.  Glad to hear it was such a great success and can't wait to hear about the new plan you are incubating.