NYC & Company Holds Queens Restaurant Tour

Photos Vinny DuPre The double-decker tour bus that took a party of Manhattanites on a progressive dinner tour of three restaurants in Sunnyside, Woodside and Astoria.

In addition to her annual "Discover Queens in August" campaign, Borough President Helen Marshall urged visitors from other boroughs to visit businesses affected by July's power outages as well. "Please help our retail businesses, restaurants and movies, in addition to visiting our cultural institutions, especially during this month of August," Marshall said at a Shea Stadium news conference. "Many of our people and businesses are suffering."

In response, Cristyne Lategano Nicholas, head of NYC and Company, the city's marketing agency, arranged for a double-decker busload of Manhattanites to cross the Queensboro Bridge Thursday, July 27 to dine at restaurants affected by the power outages. For $30, participants got a three-course, three-neighborhood meal with appetizers at Sidetracks in Woodside, a main course at El Sitio in Sunnyside and dessert at Mezzo Mezzo Restaurant in Astoria. Mayor Michael Bloomberg did his part, stopping at Donovan's Pub in Woodside for dinner.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg enjoyed dinner at Donovan's Pub, Woodside. He is shown with (l.) Joseph Conley, Community Board 2 chairman, and Borough President Helen Marshall.

City officials have estimated that at least 750 businesses were affected by the more than week-long blackout in Northwestern Queens and that losses could reach into the millions of dollars.

Marie Torniali, executive director of the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, Cristyne Nicholas, head of NYC & Company, and George Stamatiades, Queens Borough Public Library trustee and vice president, Thomas M. Quinn & Sons Funeral Home, Long Island City.