Angie’s New American Cuisine Comes To Woodside

Angie’s New American Cuisine is a new, exciting and welcome addition to its Woodside neighborhood. Chef and owner Angel Hernandez, who has more than 16 years of experience in some of Manhattan’s finest restaurants, has one clear goal: to be the best dining choice in the area. His skill, creativity and commitment to excellence are evident in Angie’s sophisticated, yet approachable style, which imparts a European flair to American cuisine. The restaurant’s beautiful interior will also dazzle you with its high ceilings, citrus orange and lemon-colored walls and bright, abstract paintings, complementing the dark wood floors. A crackling fireplace adds warmth.

We started with a Chilean cabernet from the well-composed wine list as we perused the carefully constructed menu offerings. While Hernandez believes in limiting the menu to ensure the highest quality and freshness possible, there is truly something for everyone at Angie’s New American. He suggested we try a sampling of several of his world-class appetizers and we happily agreed. Gleaming bowls of oven-roasted tomato and fennel soup topped with frizzled onions, accompanied by warm, crusty bread, were swiftly delivered and as swiftly devoured. A small tower of roasted beet salad is mixed with grapefruit and orange slices and topped with citrus yogurt dressing ($7). Hernandez believes you should “eat with your eyes” before you do with your mouth, and this attention to artistic presentation is at its best in his stuffed squid appetizer. Tender, white calamari is stuffed with fresh artichoke hearts and seasonings, then drizzled with a roasted red pepper coulis for a visual presentation matched only by its exquisite flavor ($9). Equally as impressive were the pan-seared scallops with baby bok choy and a vanilla bean butter sauce. The slightest hint of fragrant vanilla brought out the sweetness and salt inherent in the tender scallops, making this a truly memorable dish.

Though there are only 10 entrees on the regular menu, you’ll still be hard pressed to decide among them. Hernandez purchases and cleans his own fish daily to ensure the highest quality at the peak of freshness. Light, flaky and delicately seasoned sautéed sea bass is placed on a mound of creamy risotto and peas uniquely flavored with ginger and lime ($17). Plump Mayan shrimp are sautéed in garlic, shallots and white wine and served with crunchy tostones (fried plantains) and coconut-infused rice, creating a dish reminiscent of the Caribbean. Unique Aqua Pazza is sautéed striped bass fillet with baby artichokes, turnips and wilted spinach in a lemony fish broth.

Angie’s New American Cuisine features Black Angus, dry-aged beef, and even offers a “Pure Protein” menu for those eschewing carbohydrates. Choose among 14-ounce Porterhouse, 12-ounce filet mignon, rib eye steak or rack of lamb, each cooked to your precise specifications and served piping hot with copper pots of steak sauce on the side. The braised lamb shank is a hearty winter dish, cooked with red kidney beans and tarragon parsley sauce ($15). Hernandez also makes wonderful paella, which is well worth waiting for. His version mixes saffron-infused arborio rice with boneless chicken chunks, shrimp and his own homemade chorizo sausage to create yet another wonderful dish.

As you can see, there are so many exciting dishes waiting for you at Angie’s New American Cuisine. You’ll have many opportunities to visit because Angie’s is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch as well. The kitchen opens at 8 a.m. so you can treat yourself to a breakfast of an omelet with four cheeses, traditional eggs benedict or a version made with smoked salmon instead of Canadian bacon. Tender crepes filled with bananas foster, Granny Smith apples and pear compote or mango, papaya and cinnamon will make you feel as if you’re on a trip to Paris. A generous bowl of Irish oatmeal with fresh berries will start your day off on a bright note, as will their brioche French toast, topped with berry sauce and warm maple syrup.

At lunchtime, try the Cuban style sandwich, piled high with turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles and onions ($9). An open-faced sandwich of smoked ham, sliced apple and melted cheese really hits the spot. Lunch entrees include free-range chicken with polenta and fettuccine with chicken and cream sauce ($12).

At any time of day or night, Angie’s desserts should not be missed. Whether you choose the warm chocolate soufflé with crème anglaise, vanilla orange crème brûlée with crunchy glaze or light and fruity home made raspberry sorbet, the desserts match the caliber of the rest of the menu.

Angie’s New American is an up-and-coming star in the Queens restaurant constellation. It is situated on a quiet, residential street between bustling Roosevelt Avenue and Queens Boulevard, conveniently located just downstairs from the 52nd Street stop on the No. 7 elevated train line. Angie’s is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Plan your holiday party or special event at Angie’s New American. If you prefer, off-premises catering is also available.

The Gazette proudly welcomes Angie’s New American Cuisine to the neighborhood.

his skill, creativity

and commitment to

excellence are evident in

Angie’s sophisticated,

yet approachable style