Hey guys! I’m Christina Cardona and I’m new to QC Voices. Each week I will be writing about interesting places to visit in different neighborhoods all over Queens. I’ll begin with Forest Hills.
I was born and raised in Forest Hills, Queens. Forest Hills, also known as Fo’ Hillz by the local youth (mainly just by my friends and me, trying to make it a thing), has been my home for twenty-one years and I feel it has a lot to offer.
Growing up, I never really realized how safe of a neighborhood it was. I guess you realize when you’re exposed to life outside of your own neighborhood. I only noticed when I entered high school, when I met other students who grew up in different surrounding neighborhoods.
“It’s a really safe neighborhood, there’s a park at the bottom of my hill where all the kids would go to play, you don’t feel like a stranger in your own town because you’re constantly seeing familiar faces,” said Emma Berniczky, 20, who also grew up in Forest Hills.
According to the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, Forest Hills was settled in the mid 1600s and was known as Whitepot. The present history of Forest Hills began in 1906 when businessman Cord Meyer purchased 600 acres of farmland in Whitepot. Meyer renamed the area Forest Hills because of Forest Park, a nearby park that was the highest point for miles around the area.
There are many great restaurants and things to do and see in Forest Hills– here are some of my favorites:
Eddie’s Sweet Shop
This old school ice cream parlor has been serving up banana splits and sundaes since 1909. It’s located at 105-29 Metropolitan Avenue. It is very popular among the locals and has some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had. My parents would take my brother and me here when we were little when we had good report cards.
The décor is old school and vintage with aged bar stools and a marble countertop, which are both originals. There is also a candy bar in the ice cream parlor that sells unique candy that is hard to find at your local bodega, like the Nestlé Wonder Ball (which was basically my life when I was a little kid) and rock candy.
Their menu is unique and can satisfy any sweet craving you have. My personal favorite is the banana ice cream, which tastes like straight up banana creamy goodness. They have your standard flavors, like chocolate and coffee, and they have cool flavors like Pistachio Pineapple and Maple Walnut.
I definitely recommend Eddie’s Sweet Shop; it is a staple in Forest Hills history. Ray Romano, of Everybody Loves Raymond, is seen here a lot. He grew up in Forest Hills and his parents still live here. I saw him once in Eddie’s when I was in elementary school with his family.
Oliloli Arts and Crafts Studio
I am a sucker for anything related to arts and crafts. I love doing DIY projects and I like to color when I’m stressed. When I found out there was a pottery-painting place in my neighborhood I went to visit it the first second I could. And ever since I discovered that it exists I have been here so many times I’ve lost count. It’s seriously so fun and I try to bring my friends here as often as I can, and I recommend everyone to come and try it out. It is located at 103-23 Metropolitan Avenue.
Here’s how it works: Once you walk in, you pick a piece you want to paint. There are shelves and shelves of different pieces you can choose from. They always bring in seasonal pieces which is really fun.
After you pick your piece, the staff sets you up at a table and provides you with unlimited paint and supplies.
The whole process is so fun. They provide you with a wide variety of paints with creative, cute names.
It’s so addicting, you can easily spend eight hours in there painting and not even notice. It’s also therapeutic and soothing. The staff is friendly and helpful.
I’m no Picasso, but I was (and still am) very proud of my owl plate.
Once you’re done, you leave it at the studio for ten days for them to glaze it. Once your piece is glazed the colors are more vibrant and shiny.
The atmosphere is so welcoming and they always play the best music. It’s good for kids and adults. Whether it’s for a birthday party or just whenever you feel like painting something, you always leave with paint on your clothes and under your fingernails and a smile on your face.
Forest Hills Tennis Stadium
This famous tennis stadium, also called The West Side Tennis Club, is where the U.S Open took place when it first opened in 1923. It is located at 1 Tennis Place on Burns Street. According to the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium website, it was also used as a concert venue starting in the 1960s. The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, and The Who are just a few examples of famous artists who had concerts at this venue. It remained open until the 1990s, when it became too expensive to keep open.
In 2013, the stadium reopened after being renovated and had their first concert in about twenty years, which was a Mumford and Sons concert back in August of that year. This past summer there were concerts of well-known artists such as Ed Sheeran, Carlos Santana, James Taylor and Van Morrison.
Ed Sheeran started off the concert season on May 28th, 2015.
It is beautiful and outdoors, a perfect venue for summer nights. The Who played a concert here for their “The Who Hits 50!” tour on May 30th, 2015.
I think the stadium fits the neighborhood well and brings a lot of business to the local restaurants on concert nights. When there are concerts you can hear the music all the way from Queens Boulevard.
The main issue is that there is no parking around the venue, so taking public transportation is recommended.
The musical group Alabama Shakes is going to play a concert at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium on September 19th, 2015.
Red Pipe Cafe
This quaint, cozy all-organic cafe is a new edition to Forest Hills. It located at 71-60 Austin Street. It’s the perfect place to get some work done and also enjoy beautiful art, which is on sale and available for purchase, and sometimes live music
You can also get different teas, sandwiches, salads and a variety of yummy gluten free and flourless desserts here. They also specialize in latte art.
The Irish Cottage
This is your classic Irish pub. Its located at 108-07 72nd Avenue. It’s a dive bar that is pretty dark and has a rock-n-roll vibe to it, but still welcoming. This was the first bar I ever stepped foot in and so it has a special place in my heart. The bartenders are so friendly. There is also a juke box system and there is always a great song playing.
The crowd varies. There are a lot of regulars who have been coming to the cottage for twenty-five years, but there are also a lot of young people looking for Guinness, shepherd’s pie, and a good time. There is live music here a few nights a week.
Nick’s Pizza
This one of a kind pizza place serves the best pizza. Its located at 108-26 Ascan Avenue. Their brick oven pizza’s crust has the perfect crunch to it every time and is always fresh. According to the Main Street Hub- Nick’s Pizza Forest Hills website, they have been in service for over twenty years. I recommend getting their red pie (which is just tomato sauce) with sun dried tomatoes:
It’s cash only and they only serve whole pies, no slices!
Forest Hills Gardens
I love taking walks– if I could walk everywhere, I would. My favorite place to walk is in Forest Hills Gardens. It’s just the residential, private community past the Forest Hills Long Island Railroad station. I love seeing all of the beautiful houses and I like strolling down the quiet and calm streets.
It’s breath-taking no matter the season, but my favorite time to take walks through Forest Hills Gardens is during the fall when the leaves are changing color and the air is cold and crisp. Plus the houses in the area get really creative with their Halloween decorations, which I appreciate since it’s my favorite holiday.
It’s also just as enjoyable in the winter too:
Cinemart Cinemas
This theater is the oldest continuously operated independent theater in all of Queens according to www.cinemartcinemas.com. I think its so cool that the oldest theater in Queens is located in my neighborhood! It’s located at 106-03 Metropolitan Avenue. They have great deals such as $6 Tuesdays and a free small popcorn with every movie ticket every day.
These are some of my favorite places to go to in Fo’ Hillz, and I hope you feel the strong sense of community and appreciate it in all of its beauty.
Hey Forest Hills Natives: Did I not mention your favorite spot in the neighborhood? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time!
Great piece, Christina! I also grew up in Forest Hills and definitely agree with the places you highlighted (especially Eddie’s Sweet Shop). Can’t wait to read more of your neighborhood spotlights!
I’ve always loved forest hills, but reading this article makes me appreciate it even more! Love the different aspects you mentioned and all the personal touches you added. And pictures are worth a thousand words so that was great too! Looking forward to your next discovery 🙂
This is such a good post! I love your concept, by the way! I can’t wait to read your next ones.
Great article and I love the pictures you added along with it! Can’t wait until your next article.
I also have lived here all my life. I loved your article. It makes me appreciate our neighborhood for all its wonderful places and beautiful landscape. Can’t wait to read your next article.
This is a great article! You forgot some key spots though like Five Burro and Bonelle Bakery. Both have been around for years and are important small businesses in Forest Hills.
You forgot Lucille Roberts, one of the places you worked and worked out with your BFF Rina. Lucille Roberts, a beautiful ladies only fitness club on Austin Street.