Culture Guides: Forest Hills Stadium
After a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation that included a complete structural overhaul, seat replacement, and the installation of a state-of-the-art stage, Forest Hills Stadium re-opened with a concert by British rock band Mumford & Sons in August 2013. Since then, it’s attracted a wide range of musical performers, including The Who, Van Morrison, and Carlos Santana. This summer’s concerts are delightfully varied, including such acts as Elvis Costello, Jethro Tull, New York Pops, and Weird Al Yankovic.
INSIDE SCOOP!
Built in 1923 to host the U.S. Open’s center court matches in conjunction with the nearby West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills Stadium had its first heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was also an iconic concert venue. Not only did Arthur Ashe and Chris Evert win Grand Slam tennis championships there, but the Beatles played two consecutive sold-out shows within the friendly confines in 1964. The Doors and Simon & Garfunkel, graduates of Forest Hills High School, did a double bill in 1967. Even Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross performed there before the venue shut down in the mid 1990s due to financial concerns.
GETTING THERE!
SUBWAY: E, M, F and R Lines
TRAIN: LIRR to Forest Hills Station
PARKING: Limited; public transportation suggested
Find out more about the borough’s attractions at ItsInQueens.com
RESTAURANTS: A Few of Our Faves!
It feels a bit like the 1950s at Vito Citrano’s multi-generation, family-owned ice cream parlor. (Fact: Founded circa 1925, it’s NYC’s oldest ice cream shop.) The wood and marble interiors haven’t changed in more than 80 years and neither has the refrigerator. All 18 flavors are made from Citrano family recipes crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Italy.
Owner, Francois Danielo, a fifth-generation baker from Brittany, knows his trade inside and outside. Classic French sandwiches, pastries, and sweet bites are hard to resist, but the bread is literally his bread and butter. It’s hard to choose between the pain bordelias, pain aux cereales, baguettes, and other carb-heavy delicacies. Endure the long line, even as it snakes out the door—the reward is worth it.
With good food, strong cocktails, and romantic décor, this is a great place for a date. The menu is pan-Latin with the Colombian bandejas, quesadilla, empanadas, and Pollo Matiz, a delicious house specialty with grilled chicken breast, asparagus, Manchego cheese, rosemary potatoes, and white wine lemon sauce.
Solid certified Kosher Middle Eastern fare can be found at this small and busy storefront steps from the LIRR Forest Hills station. Grab a falafel on your way to the stadium and a kebob on your way out.
Craving Scoville-scale worthy heat of the Sichuan variety? Look no further than this informal place with some dynamite Sichuan cuisine outside of Flushing (and Sichuan Province.). Trek beyond convention and sample creative dishes like steamed grass carp head with pickled chiles that NYT calls a “standout.” Specialties include crispy shredded beef, braised fish with pickled mustard greens, and ground pork with creamy curds and fiery red sauce.
Xin Taste Lan Zhou Hand Pull Noodle
Watch the noodles get pulled and peeled by hand in this no frills spot. The broths are strong with plenty of cilantro, scallion, hot pepper and the options endless. The Roast Pork La Mein soup and the Roast Pork Dao Xiao Mein stir fry are favorites.
Visit ediblequeens.com for more on area restaurants.
Forest Hills Stadium | @foresthillsstadium
ItsInQueens.com | @itsinqueens
Eddie’s Sweet Shop
La Boulangerie | @la_boulangerie_fh
Matiz Latin Cuisine | @matizlatincuisine
Pahal Zan
Spy C Cuisine | @spyc7206
Xin Taste Lan Zhou Hand Pull Noodle
