The Place: I had to leave Astoria and come back before I could discover the wonder of Al-Sham Sweets. After moving away from Astoria for over a decade, I felt like the prodigal son returned home. I’m now happily leading tours of the neighborhood for Nice Guy Tours. And in training for it, I learned about many places I didn’t even know existed.
The most impressive of my new discoveries is a tiny little piece of heaven called Al-Sham Sweets & Pastries that is so easy to miss – is that my excuse? In fairness, this Middle Eastern bakery didn’t open until 2009, well after I moved out of the neighborhood.
The display cases here are presided over by the friendliest of employees and reveal mouthwatering bits of honey-drenched dough, like baklava and cookies and shredded wheat bites stuffed with chocolate and pistachio cream. You really can’t go wrong.
The Dish: In the back corner, however, is the thing that many people travel far and wide for. The Knafeh will change your world. I watch tour attendees taste this and not know what to think, but then keep eating. This traditionally royal pastry is comprised of a layer of kadayif (shredded wheat) that has been soaked in a special sugar syrup, along with pistachios and decadent stretchy cheese (not so dissimilar to mozzarella). You might be thinking “huh?” The combination of cheese, crunchy dough, honey-like sweetness, and nutty crunchy pistachios is a true revelation.
I am not very well-versed on knafeh, but I hear this is the best in Queens if not the entire city. Based on the magic that happens with each bite, I have to believe that is true.
| AL-SHAM SWEETS & PASTRIES |
| 24-39 Steinway Street (between 25th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard), Astoria, Queens (718) 777-0876 |
| papadamourny.com |
