As the weather finally warms up in Queens, outdoor dining will no longer be something that we are forced to do because of COVID-19. Still pandemic-friendly, of course, these quaint spots in the heart of Astoria offer beautiful atmospheres to accompany your equally beautiful dish. At these locations, you can enjoy a wide variety of hearty, ethnic food with surroundings comparable to a fairytale. Nothing welcomes the long-awaited, warmer weather more than indulging in these truly unique dining experiences.

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Perhaps one of, if not the only good thing to come out of this pandemic was the increased opportunities for leisure. Quarantine paved the way for bakers, mixologists, plant-lovers, artists and more, all of whom may have never tapped into that skill set if not given the time to do so. While many of us have returned to our regularly scheduled programming, some have taken those newfound hobbies to the next level, instead becoming their very own boss, giving “working from home” a whole new meaning.

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It’s no secret that Astoria’s predominant non-English/Spanish language is Greek. This becomes more apparent than ever every March, when we watch the celebrations take off throughout the neighborhood honoring Greece’s Independence Day. March 25th commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821 and coincidentally, also marks the celebration of the Annunciation to the Theotokos, when Archangel Gabriel announced that the Virgin Mary will be the mother of Christ.

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Craving a decadent, sweet dessert? Perhaps the kind whose aroma and taste bring you back to childhood in a matter of seconds? Then the Shortbread Society is the answer you’re looking for. Founded by renowned chef, “Scottish Francis” Legge, Chef Francis brings his grandmother’s shortbread recipe all the way from Scotland (can’t get more authentic than that!). If you’re a food show fan, you may even know him from season five of Master Chef. Named “Doughnut King” by Chef Gordon Ramsey, “Scottish Francis” certainly knows his way around dessert.

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The writing on NYC walls can be translated best as a sign of the times. Contrary to what some believe, street art is part of our community: colors, characters, bold lines and letters are all elements of expression. They embody the eccentric culture and can even inspire change. Murals, street art and graffiti all bring life to the neighborhoods of Queens and around the world

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Many of us have turned inwards over the past year of social distancing and working from home, eschewing the outside world in favor of books, arts-and-crafts and testing our baking skills. But while the world has slumbered, Sumarha Tariq, Jhade Vasquez and Ashley Offor stayed woke. These ambitious high school students are the brains behind…

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All over the country, businesses have succumbed to the dire economic consequences of the global health crisis. In New York alone, at least a third of the city’s small businesses might close for good. This comes after months of exhausting federal and local assistance, as well as experiencing drastic drops in revenue. This is very…

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Buying vintage and secondhand has some great perks. From environmental sustainability, to beating the machine of fast fashion to turning old styles into new trends, you really can’t go wrong. Plus, there’s nothing better than scoring a name brand winter coat for a quarter of the price. Here are some of Astoria’s best thrift stores to sift through this year.

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