Or “LIC” if you’re a local. Don’t get it confused with Long Island. LIC is a small neighborhood tucked away between downtown Queens and New York City. It’s a convenient, 15 minute subway ride from the city, indicated by the Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue stop. I was introduced to LIC by my friend, Caroline, who has lived there for some years now. She lives in an eighth floor studio apartment just around the corner from the subway station. It’s easily the cutest studio I’ve ever stayed in and she managed to score a view of the New York City skyline (see pic below).
Neighborhood Feel
LIC is a little slice of heaven amongst the hustle bustle of New York. It’s quiet and mostly home to young families from what I can tell. There are small shops, restaurants and cafes tucked away on the corners of the streets and you’ll find just about one of everything you could need. Nothing extravagant, but it’s the perfect place to catch your breath from the city. It’s the type of place where you could walk around at any hour and feel safe. The people are friendly, relaxed which makes a big difference as well.
Food and Drink
There aren’t a lot of options here, but there are a few gems. If you’re looking for dinner, Takumen has to be my favorite. It’s a Izakaya-style restaurant specializing in Ramen and other Japanese inspired dishes. The staff is very inviting and the food is exploding with flavor and impressive textures. I would personally recommend the Edamame Addiction and the Panko Fried Avocado Roll.
Cafe Henri is a lovely place for brunch. It’s a cozy and quaint bistro with some legitimate French Food. I ordered L’Omelette avec choix de trois (three egg omelet) with my ingredients of choice. Simple, yet perfect. You can taste the quality of each ingredient. They are open for lunch and dinner as well.
There are a few breweries in the area, but the one most worth checking out in my opinion is Fifth Hammer Brewing Company. It’s large, open industrial concept space is accompanied by glass, garage-style doors that remain open in the warmer seasons. I was lucky enough to stop by on a warm day and enjoy the fresh air while sipping on a beer flight. I am not a huge beer drinker, but this place has something for everyone. From salted caramel to lavender, they offer brews with just about any essence you could think of.
Outdoors
LIC is a well thought out neighborhood with plenty of outlets for people with active lifestyles. The boardwalk is a wonderful place to lay out for some fresh air or take your pup for a walk. It’s beautiful, clean and safe, which (let’s be real) is not always the case in New York. There’s a large, well manicured lawn that Caroline, Boerne (her dog) and I have been able to enjoy on multiple occasions. Best part is, New York City sits right across the water. It’s quite the view. You can also catch the ferry from the boardwalk for a fun outing.
A Neighborhood Worth Checking Out
Long Island City will most likely not show up on anyone’s NYC bucket list, but it’s worth checking out. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane while visiting New York. The quiet streets filled with people walking their dogs and the sense of community you get while browsing the aisles of the local grocery are irreplaceable by anything you could find in the city. Sitting just a couple subway stops away from Midtown, LIC waits for someone who is looking for a change of pace.
