A Peruvian restaurant will soon open on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, replacing a German eatery that closed last year — the latest addition to the stretch that has come to be known as "Michelin Road," local officials said.
Family-owned La Coya will replace Chalet Alpina, at 98-35 Metropolitan Ave., which closed in November after roughly three decades.
Norman Leibowitz, chairman of the Community Board 6 consumer affairs committee, said that the new owners are planning only minor renovations at the restaurant, which can serve more than 150 patrons.
The restaurant, according to Leibowitz, will be open from noon to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and will serve lunch and dinner.
41 comments:
Don't burn yourselfor the neighborhood out,take a day off. How els can you thoroughly cleab the place if it never closes?.
What a pity - I had many great meals there!
That's all Queens has to offer now - Asian or Latino food - and some extremely crappy Italian.
classic restaraunt becomes exotic hipster foodie artisanal bullshit
I give it 8 months,since gentrification is going to be a little harder now that sheldon shady will be singing soon about his tax evading enabling duties involving developments.
At least it's not a chain restaurant. Try it, you might like it. But I will miss a good German meal.
What is Peruvian food anyway? Can we move onto the next food fad please?
Oooooooo. A Peruvuan joint. Big crap!
I want Alpina back. Cant stand this ethnic food.
It just reflects the new demographics of the neighborhood.
Peruvians don't eat out.
I want Alpina back. Cant stand this ethnic food.
That is one of the funniest comments I've read on Queenscrap.
This place could have been slated to become a medical center, a franchise dump, something fronting as a "community center", or a hundred other worse things, and you people are angry because it's now serving one ethnic cuisine instead of another? Guess what: Alpina's head chef for a while was actually Ecuadorian! For Chrissakes, some of you are living stereotypes.
The funny thing is how they advertise Queens as a culinary destination to Manhattan.
If someone from Manhattan (resident or tourist) wants, say Brazilian food, they have an excellent choice of Brazilian restaurants locally - hell, today you can just fly down to Rio for the real thing.
They will not come to Queens where the help lives. Why eat with their staff?
Jo -
German food isn't ethnic?
I think a sit-down Peruvian restaurant is a great addition. Most Spanish places are takeout, and Forest Hills doesn't really have anything like this. Welcome to the area.
Hope they get rid of all the roaches first.
Many of these comments are very funny and some of you are little disconnected from reality and very cynical. I live four blocks away from Chalet Alpina. And as much as I will miss it and appreciate a sense of "old NY", things change. We have been very lucky in FH. Some of the new establishments in the area are great additions and compliment the older establishments. I also like good Peruvian food. I wish the new owners the best of luck since they have big shoes (and a restaurant) to fill. I'm sure they will do well.
A great article about "Michelin Road":
http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20141219/forest-hills/metropolitan-avenue-turns-into-michelin-road-with-fine-dining-restaurants
I certainly wouldn't mind checking it out!
Many of these comments are very funny and some of you are little disconnected from reality and very cynical. I live four blocks away from Chalet Alpina. And as much as I will miss it and appreciate a sense of "old NY", things change. We have been very lucky in FH. Some of the new establishments in the area are great additions and compliment the older establishments. I also like good Peruvian food. I wish the new owners the best of luck since they have big shoes (and a restaurant) to fill. I'm sure they will do well
--
Just curious, you sound like someone in real estate, on the community board, or working for a pol.
Everyone that frequents this board knows that most people we know in Queens do not talk like the sterotypical racist stupid comments that are frequently posted here.
However, they are just the type that some hack working for a politician would write when given the instruction to act 'like Archie Bunker.'
The fact of the matter is that most ethnic restaurants in Queens are patronized by the 'help.' Just go to an Indian restaurant in Manhattan, and one in Queens to know what I mean.
'That's all Queens has to offer now - Asian or Latino food - and some extremely crappy Italian.'
Try Parkside in Corona. High quality Italian.
Tell the Guido sent you.
Regarding the question of my post, I am neither of the things you mentioned. But unfortunately, there goes the cynicism again. I just simply live in the neighborhood. I assume, when you say "the help", you mean working class people. I work, I pay bills, but I like and think I deserve good food (whether I eat it in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, etc.). They all have their own scene(s). Mostly all of my friends and family live in Queens, and they feel the same way. I'm also an Archie Bunker fan, but that show was meant to be satirical (read Norman Lear's new bio)
Let's see, going up Metro, we have Albert's, Taki (Middle Eastern food), the Argentinian Steak House, I believe a Thai restaurant, Eddie's Sweet Shop, Dees, etc. - all different types of food. It is nice to be able to sample "ethinic" food without having to travel too far from home. People need to be more open minded. You want German, go to the wonderful Zum Stamstisch in Ridgewood.
A sorry state of affairs in Forest Hills when the prejudicial comments take a life of its own. I always feel truly sad for the lack of education shown by the comments from racist and prejudiced individuals not just here but anywhere, it makes me realize how pathetic their lives must feel when they have to report to foreigners as bosses, customers, clients, community leaders and how incredibly shortsighted and provincial their attitude as the world speed toward globalization and the lines between races progressively disappear. Signed A Forest Hills resident
It appears to me that there is ONE comment that disparages the new cuisine and immediately the language police have to come out in full force to show the world how tolerant they are. So what if the person doesn't like "this" ethnic food (Peruvian) and likes German instead? Seriously, there are more important things to get your panties in a bunch about in this borough than someone's food preference. And that's why people like Melinda and company are getting away with it, because morons are obsessed with food instead of their neighborhood's quality of life.
Here's a thought: if the food appeals to you, then eat there. If it doesn't, then don't.
It seems that many of the people posting here misread the original line to mean that Jo dislikes all ethnic food because he used the word "this" before it. "This" means this particular type of food. And these foodies think they are more educated than everyone else. ha!
That's all Queens has to offer now - Asian or Latino food - and some extremely crappy Italian
classic restaraunt becomes exotic hipster foodie artisanal bullshit
What is Peruvian food anyway? Can we move onto the next food fad please?
Oooooooo. A Peruvuan joint. Big crap!
I want Alpina back. Cant stand this ethnic food
I count at least 5 comments disparaging this place for its particular character, Crappy, arguably 6 if you include that "Peruvians don't eat out" comment, as if it's only for Peruvians.
Does the "Coya" of the name refer to the animal called "coy"---a popular food in the Andes but not legally served here? Just curious.
I rarely go to restaurants. I eat at home. Cheaper and more healthy. AND the Health Department gives me an A+++ for my front window. No mice, no roaches.
QUOTE:
"What is Peruvian food anyway"
I been to Peru and its a great way to go on a diet !! !
Stinky lamb, fish & rice, rats, (fishes and potatoes being are the main ingredient Peru)
Rats, Coy (Guinea Pig)for example.
Cobayo (Guinea Pig)is usually served whole (head, paws and all) on a platter with potatoes and vegetables. Sometimes it is cut into 4 pieces.
Also "Coypu de Indias" (nutra rat, rattus Myocastor)
Perhaps It taste like chicken gamey flavor ?
-Ned
www.nra.org
George:
I quit going to restaurants over 15 years ago when I was doing refrigeration. After an eyeful of basements & kitchens I cook my own food and eat at home now !!
Three Words: DISGUSTING BEYOND BELIEF !!
Too add: I found it interesting it appears only one person in the establishment is required to have a health certificate. and 2: All the health certificates I ever did see on walls were in some owner-manager's name that couldn't possibly match ANY of the kitchen staff I viewed.
HELL NO THANKS !!! The day I cant cook and feed myself, wash my own pots & pans is the day I stay in bed and die !!
Ned
www.nra.org
There used to be a Peruvian restaurant near the Union Tpke subway station on the south side of Queens Blvd and 80th Rd. I went there twice. A bit expensive, but the food and atmosphere were good. I've also been to a Peruvian restaurant in Bay Shore, LI.
Personally, Peruvian cuisine doesn't stand out for me - mostly rotisserie chicken served with brown rice and a spicy sauce. Some restaurants serve lamb or fish dishes too. Traditional Peruvian meats are either not widely available in the US (alpaca), or considered taboo (guinea pig, nutria rat).
I wish the new restaurant well, but if it's just another rotisserie chicken joint, it probably won't last long.
The bigger issue is whether it will be a *quality* restaurant, regardless of what type or ethnicity the food in question is.
If high quality ingredients are used, the price is right and it's tasty to those who are patrons of this establishment, then that's really all that matters.
I never thought I would get lumped in with the xenophobic comments about a gimmicky restaraunt that one would see pop up in the trendiest parts in brooklyn.
I actually go to forest hills a lot.I ride on the metropolitan when the weathers warmer,in fact I go to the cinemart whenever I can to catch movies for cheap,and I forgot to acknowledge the restaraunts and bistros that have opened up there on the south side of the street,so this one replacing the chalet will not seem out of place.
I take solace in the fact that the sizzler is still going strong and there are no blade runner condo towers being
developed there.and there's still Eddie's,right action bronson?(remember crappy?)
http://queenstribune.com/a-sweet-spot-for-eddies/
http://munchies.vice.com/videos/fuck-thats-delicious-trailer
all apologies.
Jesus...you'd think that the Waldorf was closing the way some of you are bemoaning the passing of this roacheria.
By far the most annoying thing about this informative, in-depth blog is that anyone who dissents from the majority view, or has the least little positive thing to say about any recent change in Queens, is immediately tagged as either a realtor or someone from the political establishment. It's the same in post after post — it cannot be just one person making the accusation.
Is it really impossible for you to believe there are any happy people living in this borough at all? Or anyone who's happy, for example, to see a few eclectic restaurants open up in a two-block stretch over a few years?
Apparently it is impossible for you to believe.
Do you foodies not realize how asinine it is that there are 35 comments as of right now about a restaurant and 35 on the Sheldon Silver piece?
This is what I find impossible to believe. A trendy restaurant is on the same level of importance as corruption in this town.
Sigh.
If you're addressing the prior post (mine), I'm not a foodie. I eat very traditional, boring stuff, and some junk. I just had one point to make. As to your point on priorities, I fully agree.
I have been to Peru many times. Peruvian food is more than just rotisserie chicken. I wish the owners the best of luck! Can't wait to try it!
Its finally opened. We are going there tonight to check it out. We liked Alpina, but all things must pass. We like the Metro restaurants. Danny Brown's, Albertos (My favorite), Dees, Nick's, My Kitchen, Il Poeta, La Vigna, Thai, Argentinean, Middle Eastern, etc etc . What a great street for food ! Don't have to schlepp to Manhattan or even Austin street !
Nobu's founder used his Peruvian experience to fuse Japanese with Peruvian, so I wouldn't sell well made Peruvian food short. I've had it before and as with all food, it depends on the quality of the restaurant.
Will let you know how it is. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a few newly opened kinks to iron out. Usually the new ones do.
Foodie Wanna Be
Ate here last night,the food was good, but i really liked the 3 different psco drinks i had. I'm glad i'm only 3 blocks away. I'm a still a little buzzed!
WHAT A DAMN SHAME!!! CHALET ALPINA WAS AN EXCELLENT RESTAURANT, ESPECIALLY FOR GERMAN FOOD, ONLY ONE CLOSE BY IS ZUM STAMMTISCH, BUT TO GET RESERVATIONS THERE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, NEVER A PROBLEM WHEN CHALET WS OPEN. WONDER WHAT THE REAL REASON WAS WHY THEY DECIDED TO CLOSE, NOT FOR LACK OF CUSTOMERS, EVERY TIME I PASSED BY, THE PLACE WAS ALWAYS FULL. THESE RESTAURANTS IN QUEENS HAVE TO STOP GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!! HOPEFULLY THEY OPENED IN A DIFFERENT AREA, BUT PROBABLY NOT, SAD!!!
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