Stephen Travels


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It’s Czech, Mate

Koliba, Queens, New York

Although I’ve read plenty of travel blogs and watched an abundance of videos produced by fellow travelers, I never witnessed one creating the content in person. At Koliba in Queens, New York, I got to watch one in action—a Slovakian internet personality practicing his lines and his one-man crew handling the lights, camera, and sound. The rehearsal and taping were interesting to observe as I enjoyed an excellent, and very filling meal, at this Czechoslovak restaurant—but it was also odd: Although I watched the entire taping, they never talked about the restaurant (except for its name and location), the food, or the service. I, of course, will. Read about it >


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Epicurious About Ecuador

Barzola, Queens, New York

I was sure that I would be able to find a restaurant in the South Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, where I could sample a cuisine I had never had before. After all, it’s not that uncommon here to see an Egyptian hookah lounge, an Italian deli, a Greek bakery, a Thai restaurant, and an Irish bar all on the same block. So, when I spotted the Ecuadorian flag in the windows of Barzola, I knew I had located what I was searching for. Read about it >


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Big Flavors in Little Greece

In the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, you’re likely to see a Halal restaurant next to a Colombian bakery across the street from an Italian gelateria. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church offers Masses in English, Spanish, Czech-Slovak, Vietnamese, and Italian. That’s a lot of diversity, but at its core, Astoria is still home to the second-largest Greek population outside of Greece itself. You’ll see it in the names of doctors on their office signs, in the blue and white shopfront awnings, in Athens Square, and in some excellent restaurants. One of the best is Blue Sea Taverna. Read about it >


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Saturday in the Park

Unisphere, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, QueensThe lyrics from the Chicago song kept infiltrating my thoughts as I strolled around Flushing Meadows–Corona Park on a Saturday morning. It wasn’t the park they were singing about (Manhattan’s Central Park) back in the early 1970s, it wasn’t the fourth of July, and I didn’t hear anyone singing Italian songs. Yet, I did spy a man selling ice cream, and there were people laughing, so there was a bit of an overlap. Even without it, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park is a fantastic place to spend the day. The fourth-largest park in New York City occupies about 900 acres of land in northern Queens County. Far beyond just trees and grassy fields (of which it has an abundance), the park also is home to myriad cultural, historical, and sports facilities and attractions to keep you entertained for more than just a Saturday. Read about it >