Island Cafe

I just want to let you know that I opened a city search account just to tell people about my experience tonight. My friend suggested we go to ""Island"" tonight. It just re-opened and it's under a new management Ha.ha couldn't tell.. just as bad as the original owner . When we got there about 50 guys where waiting at the door. Us - 2 guys and 2 girls walked right in no drama. The coat check girl asked for $2 per coat, I gave her a $20 she never returned change ( I don't think she did it purposely since she later returned all of it ). The place was packed at 11.30pm ( good sign ). We went upstairs and straight to the bar for our first round of drinks. It took 10 min to get the bartenders attention. When he made the drinks he took my credit card, ID and never came back. FYI: $13 for Vodka- Redbull. We went out for a cigarette, the minute we lit up the security was screaming for everyone to go inside becouse Kim Kardashian was in her limo waiting to join the party. Cool .. I can imagine how much they paid her to show up. So far we are having a good time. The music is great, the crowd is mixed. It was over all fine. Then boomm.. 2 glasses dropped from the balcony on my friends had I'm serious... this was purposely done I don't think 2 people can drop their glasses at the same time. The worst is that the security didnt even bother to come check on my friend who is not only covered in Vodka/cranberry but also hurt. When I tried to say something to one of the guards outside he smiled and looked away. Are you f...k kidding me ? we just spent over $300 ( 2 more people join us) for drinks and he can't even say sorry... the managment should take a good look at their employs. Good luck ! I don't think me or my friends are ever coming back. Pros: good music , nice interior Cons: to many ... more

Discovered a great place last week - ""Island"", at 35-15 36th Street. Really exotic atmosphere with awesome food! Started with the grilled calamari with spicy avocado sauce (really fresh and tender) and the tuna tartare (delicious). Also shared the meze platter; olives, incredibly creamy hummus, eggplant caviar, feta cheese, etc., accompanied by warm, grilled, perfectly salted triangles of pita bread with garlicky olive oil for dipping. (Great coupled with their gorgeous cocktails.... definitely check out the cucumber Mojito, speckled with fresh mint). Followed up with the lamb with mushroom risotto and a fish dish with roasted vegetables and couscous. Everything was beautifully presented, too. Pros: fresh food, beautiful presentation, exotic atmosphere more

First time there, nice place altogether. Great atmosphere in Astoria with NYC nightlife presence. Upstairs they have VIP and main bar and dance floor. Music was good, around 2am they played some Greek music but i didn't mind wasn't bad at all! Beware however, vip service is a little pricey, 1 liter greygoose $350 ($275+ included gratuity and tax $75). If your just going for a few drinks i DON'T RECOMMEND vip, single drinks are strong and very affordable. I guess the only negative thing i have to say about the place is the expensive bottle service which is almost as pricey as Pacha And Mansion, otherwise i would definitely go back again!! Pros: 2 levels, 2 bars, good music Cons: Pricey bottle service more

No drama, not too expensive, Great music, gorgeous people, just an overall great lounge/club on a Sat night. My favorite spot by far and I've been to them all in NYC. If you wanna be comfortable at a club scene then this is where to go...plenty of space to sit down even when it is packed. I absolutely love this place and I miss it terribly since it has been closed I hope to be there when they open again in Sept....and 'm not even Greek :) Pros: music, decor Cons: not open for summer 08 more

Love the ambiance and the music, really unexpected...feels like stepping into Greece! Really fun late at night. Pros: Space and music more

I would never go back...Not even if someone else was footing the bill. Service was horrible to say the least...servers didn't know if they were coming or going and were more concerned with socializing than on their tables. The owners are complete a-holes who still think they are still in the city as everything is wayyy overpriced and they are not at all accommodating. The people are pretentious and overboard. I would never go back or recommend to anyone. Save yourself the aggravation. Pros: Nothing Cons: Everything more

If you are a smoker and you can't stand being out in the cold, then this place is for you. Frankly, I could not figure out where it's acceptable to be smoking inside a bar/lounge... oh wait aahhh nyc circa 2005ish or so right before Bloomberg banned it! So if you think you look cool puffing on that cigarette then head to this lounge right away... and if you think it's not cool, DON'T GO! Food was overshadowed by my disappointment.. and I have a headache now... more

Beautiful, 110% Perfection in decoration. Staff didn't really know what was going on, where the menu's were, how to refill water, how to clear a table, bar didn't understand a whole lot either. I would reccomend the place for drinks and apts. Don't take a date! Don't take your mother! I did leave that place with a smile on my face though, it wasn't a complete failure. I just didn't get any warm feelings from the staff or owners at all. Oh yeah, those bouncers that everyone is complaining about... I didn't have any problem getting in at all. I would suggest, Don't expect the world should treat you like royalty, wait in line, be respectful and give these meatheads a break, they have feelings too!! lol The good thing is that if you can't get enough of okay food and borderline retarded service you can always go next store to the diner. Things that are alike stick together apparently. Pros: great place, valet parking, Cons: unexperienced staff more

Where to start, I was at Island for my 29th birthday this past Saturday night. I had dinner plans for 7 people with 5 freinds meeting us at 12 for bottle service. The dinner was definitly one of the worst I have ever had. To start the waiter never took our drink orders, he forgot to even ask me what I wanted to eat, but those were small problems as two of my guest never received their appetizers and when the main courses came out well the three people who ordered steaks were given them first two other people weren't given their meals for fifteen minutes later and two others waited an additional fifteen. One persons steak was not cooked anywhere near enough as it was completely red as she ordered medium. Another persons Lamb was completely raw. I approached the manager who seemed really apologetic and agreed to comp our whole meal. After dinner when the check came the waiter informed us that they had taken forty percent off I informed him that the manager who by now was nowhere to be seen had told me the whole meal was taken care of he informed that no she only said forty percent. To avoid further problems since wewere going to stay for the rest of the night we preceded to pay the bill when we noticed yes they had taken forty percent off only to charge us twenty percent gratuity. Im sorry I am usually not cheap at all with a tip but twenty percent for a complete waste of a b-day dinner im sorry. The night club part of the evening was fine but to be honest most were so turned off by the dinner portion i doubt every one had as good a time as they would have had anywhere else. Pros: beautiful place Cons: Service, managers, food more

I've been to Island for dinner twice. I can't review it as a lounge because both times, I ate there long before the DJ had set up. That's how exciting my life it. The food was outstanding, the service excellent, and it has a lovely ambiance. more

but i don't want to see the same faces every time I go there. Pros: decor Cons: cocky owners more

If it's a group of guys going, forget it. The wonderful (sarcasm) door staff will not let you in unless some dead presidents are involved. With women, they will let you in. Pros: Great layout Cons: Annoying door, crowd can be annoying if you are not used to it more

This is the hot new place to go... Amazing atmosphere, gorgeous people, good drinks. The music is great, even though they do not play much greek music. If you get a table (ok prices on bottles) make sure you get one overlooking the downstairs (cabana style) otherwise you are stuffed in the back corner. Every guy was wearing an Affliction tee and girls were all dressed well and trendy. Def go on a Saturday. Crowd gets going around 1 am. ((Highly Recommended from a seasoned partier.)) Pros: Great People, Ambience, Valet Parking Cons: Bathrooms more

Im used to Manhattan lounges/clubs giving people a hard time which is why I tried to keep it local. The door guy wouldnt let my nicely dressed latin/black friends in. They all had button downs and shoes. The place was empty and we were even buying bottles. I found it strange how they let a bunch of european guys in with no problem but wouldnt let two of my latin/black friends in. When I asked the door guy what the problem was, he answered ""Can't do it, cant do it"" No explanation, no reason. He was standing out there coked up out of mind with an out-dated trucker hat, target shirt, and dirty sneakers and he's dictating who is and isnt coming in. I think they forgot where theyre located...stay away from this place if you dont want to deal with city attitude... more

The atmosphere is amazing, and the crowd was beautiful! about 15 friends and I came on a Saturday night for the first time for a friends birthday and had a great time! we had excellent service. Heather (our cocktail waitress) took such great care of us all night...we will defiantly come back again, real soon! Pros: Service Cons: none-loved it! more

The restaurant/lounge is beautiful, the waiters are polite and helpful, not to mention, a lot of them are real eye-candy:) well dressed crowd, pretty people, food is great; atmosphere is romantic, sensual with the cozy pillows all around. Great place to party on Saturdays. Will go back, had a wonderful time! more

OMG, here you have a place with the expected decoration. There's nothing bold or amazing. Wait, their prices are bold and really high. Pros: Nice bar Cons: bad food more

It's the place to be......I just love it, the people, the staff,the music, it is the most prestine and beautiful place in Queens, the decoration is fabulous,and is full with beatiful people.. Pros: EXCELLENT SERVICE, VALET PARKING more

I made the mistake of ignoring all the negative feedback I have been hearing about this place from friends. I was told about the tacky, low class crowd, small portions of ""not much to talk about"" food, expensive and watered down drinks and was specifically warned about the rude staff in particular about the morons at the door so despite all this decided to go for the first time last night and get my own feel of the place. WHAT A WASTE OF MY TIME!!!! We were on the line waiting to get in for a little over AN HOUR!!!! Only to then be told by this rude and obnoxious monkey that everybody had to get off the line and to make it even worse, if possible at this point , also said very sarcastically to try back next week!!!! I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE BEEN SO DISRESPECTED AND INSULTED!!!! WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE!!!! I didn't have a chance to rate the food and drinks for myself but I can tell you guys out there that the people that were walking in and out of that place were in fact very low class. And I can also say that the morons at the door do not have any idea how to manage the door! I am 32 years old and in the last 14YEARS have been to hundreds of restaurants,lounges,bars etc. in MANHATTAN ( let me remind you we are talking about Astoria here) not to mention Greece, London and also Italy and I have NEVER EVER in all these years EVER been so insulted!!!! I will never go back and I will make sure that I thank every single person who warned me about this place and tried to spare me a huge waste of time. I will also make sure every where I sit I will tell people about my experience and I will make sure they understand what a horrible place this is. This place does not deserve to be in business. DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED!!!! more

I went to this place with a date. The ambiance was nice but the meat that I ordered was dry & not cooked the way that I ordered it. The drink they brought me was also watered down. Pros: Nice romantic atmospherefor a date Cons: Food and drinks didn't live up to expectations/Door staff is very unprofessional & should be replaced more