The Place: Nestled on the other side of the elevated subway in Astoria, this corner coffee shop is a true oasis. The tables were all taken (and there was even a wait) when I stopped by on a weekday morning. Not sure if this is just a beloved local hangout (there were lots of meetings and laptops) or if Mayor Mamdani’s mention of this place in the NYTimes has brought in the crowds.
The Menu: Little Flower Cafe is pretty much a coffee shop, but with a unique Afghan twist. The coffee drink themselves are not so foreign, but the options for Rose and Cardamom Syrup is not what is often found at your local spot. The brunchy food items on the menu is where the international influence really shines. The Firni doughnut is a top seller for a reason with floral rose cream inside a fluffy fried pistachio-dusted doughnut. I was also tempted by the Gochujang Fried Chicken and the Guava Pancakes.
The Dish: But it’s hard for me to stop by a place like this and not order a breakfast sandwich, or in this case the Soft Scrambled Egg Sammie. Since the coffee shop is halal, the bacon here is made of beef. Who needs pork when it’s this crispy and spiced. It added the usual elevation to an egg and cheese sandwich. This one was held up by a fantastic housemade milk bun that supported the components, including perfect scrambled eggs and a nice tangy aioli. The new Mayor has good taste indeed. Price: $11, $14 (with halal bacon)
| LITTLE FLOWER CAFE |
| 25-35 36th Avenue (at 28th Street), Astoria, Queens |
| www.instagram.com/littleflowercafe/ |
