Tours
Ever wanted to taste your way around the world without leaving New York City? Well now you can by booking one of my amazing food tours of the World’s Borough. As the Culinary King of Queens, I give all of my guests the royal treatment.
Drop me a line below and let me know which tour you’re interested in. Got a company outing or large group? No problem, I’ve done tours for everyone from the Princeton Alumni Association to Andrew Zimmern who calls me “the gold standard.” I’m also happy to design a bespoke food tour for you. Just reach out and let me know what you have in mind!
Feasting on Flushing with Joe DiStefano:
3.5 hours, 11am-2:30pm, $110 per person
Join me for a deliciously deep dive into America’s Greatest Chinatown, aka downtown Flushing. The journey begins with delicate chang fen from Joe’s Steam Rice Roll and continues on to other regional Chinese favorites like Henanese cold skin noodles, Muslim lamb skewers and Shanghai xiao long bao from my favorite hawker stands. Before taking a trek (15 min. walk) to the largest Indian temple in Queens, we’ll fuel up with Peking duck sandwiches. Our journey ends with some very special sweet Chinese treats.
World’s Fare Eating Along the 7:
4.5 hours, $225 per person
Our journey traces the route of the International Express aka the 7 train beginning in China—aka downtown Flushing—with fresh tofu, Peking Duck sandwiches, and delicate Cantonese steamed rice rolls. From there it's on to Corona where Latin American street food—tacos, Ecuadorean hornado (roast pig), and Mexican seafood cocktails from a secret kitchen in the back of a bodega—reigns supreme. In Jackson Heights we'll sample homestyle Nepali comfort food at Nepali Bhancha Ghar, meaty Pakistani delights from Kababish, and jhal muri a savory Bangladeshi street food. In Woodside we'll visit the Philippines via Little Manila where with any luck the balut lady will be out for all those who dare to try the infamous fetal duck egg delicacy. Our adventure ends with traditional Filipino desserts.
Savor Southeast Asian Elmhurst:
3.5 hours, $110 per person
Not only is Elmhurst Queens’ second Chinatown; it’s home to a thriving Southeast Asian community which makes it the best place in New York City to experience Thai and Indonesian cuisine. Join me for a one-of-a-kind guided tour of Indonesian, Chinese and Thai markets and restaurants. Our journey begins at Awang Kitchen where we will sample such delicacies as bubur ayam (a hearty chicken rice porridge) and young goat satay. From there we will continue onward to sample such Taiwanese favorites as guo bao (pork belly and sandwiches) and yen su ji (salted crispy fried chicken). And then it’s on to Little Bangkok where we’ll enjoy homestyle Thai cuisine at Khao Kang and Hug Esan, and shop the aisles of Thai Thai Grocery. The tour concludes with dessert at Khao Nom.
Himalayan Heights:
3.5 hours, $110 per person
The area surrounding 74th St. in Jackson Heights has long been known as Little India. Now home to more than a dozen restaurants offering Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine, Himalayan Heights is a more apt moniker. Explore this exciting cuisine from the rooftop of the world. Savor freshly made beef momo — the dumplings that are Tibet’s national dish — and Khampa style poethek, a festive meat pastry. For those who absolutely must have Indian in Jackson Heights, there will be stops for the savory vegetarian snacks known as chaat, kebabs, freshly made paratha, and Indian sweets.
(Please note tour fees include cost of food, but not graciously accepted gratuities. Group size is limited to 8 for the above tours.)