It's been quite a ride for Astoria's World Artisan Market!
The 31st Street warehouse turned food hall was first announced in 2018 — and then changed ownership with the global pandemic — which introduced supply chain issues — and then the project encountered construction delays! As of last week, five of the seven spaces are finally up and running. A sixth, the legendary Arepa Lady of Jackson Heights, is also set to open.
WAM, as it's calling itself, is more a strip mall than a food mall. Each restaurant is given a separate entrance onto the sidewalk, as well as its own outdoor dining area. For the most part, these are full-service sit-down restaurants, as opposed to the usual food court model made up of takeout counters and communal seating areas.
The interiors maintain their industrial character throughout, with exposed pipes and HVAC, high ceilings, and concrete floors. Each restaurant has been given a lot of room to personalize its space so it avoids a cookie-cutter sense. The building is set back far enough from the street and elevated above and there's plenty of light coming through from big windows.
Meet The Brand New Hot Spots!
Sotto La Luna just opened six months ago from a team of five Italian-born partners. This is a double-wide space, meaning lots of seating inside and out. There's a huge big wood-burning oven in the back cranking out pizza and pasta dishes. If Cacio e Pepe is your thing, it’s likely some of the finest you’ve ever eaten.
Astoria native Georgia Koutsoupakis, the baker and owner of Elevenses, was actually the first lease signer!
Elevenses is a coffee shop stocked with pastries and is interested in more than just fueling people on the go.
Her goal was to run a more eco-friendly space, with less product waste. Koutsoupakis lives nearby and knows that there isn't anything like this in the neighborhood, wants to create change near her home. Elevenses aim is to be a spot where friends can meet, and families can gather and be happy. The whole vibe feels like hanging out in your living room.
Sala Astoria offers a lengthy menu of Spanish Tapas, in both pinchos and raciones sizes, plus platters of Paella de Mariscos for two or more people.
They have taken over two storefronts and the spot is super stylish, and loungey — plus — they also host flamenco nights!
This. Spot. Is. A. DELIGHT. From the hilariously random celebrity photo gallery covering an entire wall to their excellent electric-oven-stuffed pizzas turned out by chef Jimmy Bardslee, who's also in charge of booking the restaurant's burlesque shows.
Great food and endless entertainment!
The World Artisan Market is located at 34-39 31st Street, at the corner of 35th Street, in Astoria; hours vary with each restaurant
