Rincón Melania New York

Ecuadorian outpost

Geoffrey from New York

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes....
""Rincón Melania" on the south side of Long Island in New York City is an Ecuadorian restaurant with to-the-point cooking; yapingachos, sopa de pata, flan.."

This is where Amazon wanted to insert its HQ2, on the south side of Long Island City where it meets Sunnyside, near the Queensborough Plaza station on the 7 Train. But Amazon couldn't deflect the hoo-ha of people already living there who disagreed with the enormous tax breaks offered to the world's biggest company, with rents sure-to-rise.

Meanwhile, we gotta' eat.

Eat it shall be. Whereas I have mentioned the adroitness of surveilling cab drivers --- to find out where they eat --- tracking UPS drivers hadn't occurred to me until their massing here turned on a light, showed me the way. And, what were they eating?

Andean Yapingachos, pan fried turmeric-yellow potato cakes, the size of a flattened mandarin orange, with melted mozzarella hidden in the center.

Camarones a la Parrilla, a plate of seven or so grilled shrimp, dry (not oily), properly charred, with lime and lemon spritz-squeeze-chunks.

Sopa de pata, a hearty soup made from cow’s legs, tripe, yuca, chayotes, sweet corn, bananas, and green beans.

A dessert of pure, pale home made Flan rinsed in caramelized syrup poured deep enough so that it can be spooned directly onto the tongue, which Susan loved doing.

There is a list of fruit shakes including tomate de arból, (Ecuadorian tree tomato). "In appearance, the fruit calls to mind a ruby teardrop; in flavor, an unpredictable marriage of passion fruit and pineapple, each trying to outdo the other in sweetness." (NY Times).

Take the 7 Train to 33 Street / Rawson, in Queens.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

New York Spotter Geoffrey

About me I travel to discover how people elsewhere live, how they manage living with low incomes in expensive cities, how they grapple with hard times and failing economies, how they deal with ageing or crumbling families and how they themselves age and adapt. Knowing and loving New York comes from having lived through many of its manifestations while witnessing its changes. Why New York I love New York because of its broad cultural spectrum realized in all forms of the arts, food, technology, politics and transportation, and its easy access to the beautif...

About this spot

Queens Boulevard 35-19

Sopa de pata:

US$

10

+1

7183611905

Oct 4, 2025

Our New York City Guide

Find your way with 308 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in New York

Stand Up NY

UWS Comedy Club

Its bright neon sign is easy to spot. Stand Up NY feels like a proper theater as it has a street-level entrance and the programming is mad extensive,

019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 9, 2025

NYC Pride March

The Greatest Show on Earth!

This year's "NYC Pride March", World Pride, will be held in the city to commemorate the Stonewall Riot of 1969. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 9, 2025

Willy Wall

Secret floating bar

Willy Wall is the clubhouse of the Manhattan Yacht Club in NYC, but anyone can head out there for cheap drinks and fantastic skyline views...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nick

Papa

Nov 8, 2025

Fall Foliage

Central Park

A walk through Central Park in New York is probably your best way of appreciating the folliage change colors. I recommend walking along the allée of elms.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 6, 2025

Sisters

Soul/Jamaica Fusion in Harlem

"Sisters" in New York is a Jamaican restaurant. Let's put it like this: when I go to Jamaica, I don't seek a restaurant until I come back!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 6, 2025

Patisserie des Ambassades

Senegalese/French café

"Patisserie des Ambassades" in New York has extensive opening hours and prepares dishes & desserts for every time of day. It's refreshingly old-fashioned.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 6, 2025

Loeb Boathouse

Central Park

"Loeb Boathouse Restaurant" in New York's Central Park is in the vicinity of the Bethesda Fountain and I think it's best for a warm-weather drink...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 6, 2025

1166 Sixth Avenue

Lichenstein & Otterness

In the lobby of 1166 Avenue of the Americas in NYC hang some significant tapestries by Lichtenstein & a large bronze homage to capitalism by Otterness...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 3, 2025

Subway Nostalgia

Vintage subway train excursions

The MTA in NYC offers subway "nostalgia rides" during the summer months on old cars from the '30s and '40s. Book your ticket now!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 1, 2025

Grand Bazaar

Flea market UWS

"Grand Bazaar" NYC is the city's largest outdoor market, also with an indoor section. Here you can find absolutely everything and for bargain prices!

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 1, 2025

Teranga

Senegalese food at the Africa Center

"Teranga" in New York City, in the Africa Center, is a restaurant as well as a library. It feels musical and maintains a feeling of communal comfort...

002-building
Art & culture
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Nov 1, 2025

S&P Lunch

1928 Lunch Counter

S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928, serves Jewish classics like matzoh ball soup and latkes in a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. A must-visit!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Geoffrey

Dunbar

Oct 31, 2025

Heading to New York?

308 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

New York app Home
New York app Home
New York app Map
New York app Home

Heading to New York?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

308 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite New York

Our team loves New York

Get to know our other Spotters from New York

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
63
Made with the 💚 of 497 Spotters.
Filters