New Virtual 'Food Hall' Started To Support Astoria Restaurants

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A virtual "food hall" of Astoria eateries launched Wednesday, a new effort to support local businesses facing economic hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Curated by the food writer Joe DiStefano, the platform Astoria Eats lets diners order from popular local restaurants such as Duzan and Zenon Taverna while also giving business owners an alternative to third-party delivery services that take a large cut of their profits.

Other restaurants included in the platform's launch are Astoria Bier & Cheese, Boishakhi, Mar’s, Ornella and Tacuba. Additional restaurants will be added in coming weeks.

“For the past 20 years, I’ve been falling in love with the richly diverse food culture of ‘The World’s
Borough,’” DiStefano said in a prepared statement. “From fresh Greek seafood to classic NYC pizza, in-the-know Queens residents now will be able to enjoy the very best restaurants Astoria has to offer while supporting these small businesses that are the backbone of our community.”

The online platform is a project of Innovation QNS, a proposed $2 billion development spanning five blocks near Steinway Street and 35th Avenue.

If the plans are approved, DiStefano would help plan a brick-and-mortar Astoria Eats food hall included in the development, according to an Innovation QNS news release.