New York real estate: Fresh Meadows

By Kristen V. Brown | Special to amNewYork

April 24, 2008

Live frogs are available for purchase at I.O.G. Supermarket in Fresh Meadows, Queens. (Katya Pronin / April 23, 2008)

The sprawling, tree-lined boulevards and quaint colonial cottages that color Fresh Meadows' landscape easily recall images of the picturesque, suburban American Dream.

Just a hop, skip and a bus ride away from Manhattan's chaos, Fresh Meadows is an unexpected relief from all of New York's big-city living.

Along Union Turnpike, the main drag, you'll find more commercial appeal with lots of shops, restaurants and, of course, traffic. But the rest of the town seems to have evolved little since its days as rural farmland in the 18th and 19th centuries, with tall, gnarled oak trees, ample flora and wide-open spaces.

"It's the best -- it's like country living in the city," said Steve Sciortino, resident and longtime co-owner of the local pizzeria, Fresh Meadows Pizza. "You have a lot of space and it's very scenic."

However, the community is changing, with the once primarily Jewish population dwindling and more immigrants calling Fresh Meadows home. "It's just a really peaceful community within striking distance of what the city has to offer," said Rich Rinaldi, a Long Island police officer who's lived in Fresh Meadows nearly all his life. "It's a suburban setting within New York City."

Adds Sciortino: "The best thing about Fresh Meadows is the people -- people in Fresh Meadows are great."

Find It
Fresh Meadows is defined by Kissena Park to the north, Union Turnpike to the south, the Parsons Boulevard to the west and the Francis Lewis Boulevard and Cunningham Park to the east.

To eat
The recent influx of Asian-Americans to Fresh Meadows has decidedly diversified the neighborhood's cuisine. Today you'll find everything from homemade bagels to the freshest sushi.

Fresh Meadows Pizza
In the northeast, the pizzeria is a staple feature of any town. Fresh Meadows Pizza is just that, dressed down during the day with pizza by the slice for locals on their lunch break, and dressed up in the evening with tablecloths and waitstaff service.
195-06 69th Ave.
718-217-2700

New Hong Kong Garden
Another necessity? Greasy, cheap Chinese food. New Hong Kong Garden is Fresh Meadows' answer to that equation, with lunch specials including soup and rice running as cheap as $4.50 a plate. And if you're not in the mood for Chinese, worry not -- the restaurant also serves fried chicken.
195-11 69th Ave.
718-264-1313

Breeza Café and Bagels & Co.
188-02 Union Turnpike