Elite Event: The Great Yelpsby @ The Astor Room

Shoes were polished to an unwittingly appropriate reflectivity, hair held in brittle coifs crowned with bands and feathers. Vests pressed and seams inspected. There was not a more perfect setting for our beautiful interlopers; dark wood, imposing marble, dimmed lights. The rich silent film history of the venue pulsated as the piano notes began to flow.
There’s something crushingly lonely about the piano. The isolation of its temporality, each note fading into the next, distinct only for the faintest of moments. The breadth of its reach, and the inscrutability of its expression. The experience is unique to all and faithfully relatable to none. Piercing conversations and punctuating silences, it was the backdrop of the evening, and the event itself became as a thematic piano sonata. The desire to wander was met by skillful, quickening strokes of keys. The tendency to linger was furthered by pensive gaps and somber notes. Our thousand little reunions enveloped the air, and whatever preordained arrangements we’d made were warmly forgotten. Our troubles left at the door, at least for the evening, we lost ourselves in the moment and in each other.
She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleam’d upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment’s ornament:
Her eyes as stars of twilight fair;
Like twilight’s, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-​time and the cheerful dawn;
A dancing shape, an image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and waylay.
–W. Wordsworth

I’m super late on this review, but travelling from the 1920s back to the 2000s is no easy feat!
This was a really fun event, I’ve been wanting to checkout Astor Room for some time now and I’m always up for a fun theme so when Jando decided to get us into our Great Gatsby best, I was sold! Plus it gave me an excuse to rock my flapperlicious flapper headwear with silver beads and black feathers which I bought at Ricky’s like 3 years ago on a whim after Halloween stuffs was all 50% off! Awesome.
Everyone looked so dapper & stylish and I really enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with some new Unilocalers (and some new to me!).
Foods served could have been more diverse, but I understand that feeding Unilocalers isn’t an easy job and they did a great job of keeping the finger foods flowing at a consistent rate.
It wasn’t my first time trying their delicious truffle mac n’ cheese (shout out to Jando’s Museum of the Moving Image summer event!) but upon further research (ie. Astor Room’s menu!) I discovered that it isn’t your average mac n’ cheese, but it’s mac n’ cheese AU GRATIN!!! Oh my!
Complete with delicious gruyère, fontina and cheddar cheeses, cavatappi pasta, cheese crust. I definitely can taste some truffle oil in there, but perhaps it’s their «secret ingredient» and thus not listed on their menu. Still though, I love, love, LOVE gruyère cheese with every fiber of my being. All this to say that their mac n’ cheese is BANGIN’.
They also had some costinis, vegetable things and some small seafood offerings along with beer and Caryum rum cocktails which were delicious and not too potent, more like just right. Thanks Unilocal and Jando for putting together such a fun Astoria night!

This elite event proved the following statement: Queens Unilocalers are a bunch of fine folks.
The Astor Room has been on my bookmark list of «to try» forever and thanks to Jando plus the Unilocal team, I have finally come to this venue and see what this place is all about.
Oh my, my. Beautiful space: from the stairs down to the corner where the restroom is (so pretty it because the photo booth! Aw, wallpapers…). Astor Room kept the booze flowing while all of us kept the conversation going. It was such relaxing event, I had a chance to catch up with old Unilocal friends and meet new ones. My evening couldn’t have gone better.
Just wanted to say it was great seeing everyone, two thumbs up for Dorie and Nelson for documenting the event. To the piano player, you cranked the event up a thousand notch. And Jando, you are awesome as always.

He’s done it again, and Jando (and all our beloved Unilocal organizers) gets style points for being so damn stylish. Flapper gowns, headpieces, sequins, and beauty spots done up by the ladies (and very well done at that), and dudes sporting their Prohibition era like it never went out of style. I hope I met the standard that night (I was told I did so with flying colors).
To that end, the ambiance was crazy (almost eerily) perfect for the dress code. Your complimentary booze and apps (boozy and tasty, as usual) were available, but that never really MAKES the party. It’s all you beautiful Unilocalers.
It was great to see some familiar faces, and meet some fresh ones. Thanks for reminding me, once again, that it’s good to be elite ;)

I love getting dressed up and going to theme parties and wow everyone was all snazzed up and looking mighty fine, with all the flapper dresses, bow ties, suspenders, minks, my eyes were mesmerized.
Thanks again to Jando and the crew for making this swanky event happen!
Awesome staff that just kept the alcohol coming, so thanks for lubricating the mind and keeping the conversation going!
Met some new Unilocalers which is always way awesome and catching up with old Unilocalers and friends too!
The food did come, but in sporadic schizophrenic bursts, which was ok. We weren’t there to fill our bellies, we were there to mingle and be fancy for the night!
Also, love the Unilocal SWAG especially the cool tube socks! They will keep me warm in the coming cold months!
Gatsby would’ve been jealous over this awesome event, I bet he couldn’t top this!

This event is so fine!
Many Unilocal Elites came dressed in the Gysby era.
It was impressive!
Having a Great Gatsby-​style event at The Astor Room is so perfect venue!
It felt like we were back in the 20’s inside a speakeasy.
Great fun!
Someone should have taken B&W photos because some of the costumes were so great.
Thanks Astor Room & Jando for another wonderful Queens Elite event!

Gatsby night was a fantastic night!
It was a costume party which was such a fun thing to do since Halloween is right around the corner. Even though I did not get dressed up in flapper chic clothes I did my best with what I had in my closet with a dress and some stringy pearls but there were so many sequins, beads, headbands and feathers and the guys all looking dapper and fancy worthy of those Old Hollywood styles. I thought people were going to start doing the charleston or flip their gals in the air with some swing dancing since the piano player in the corner kept us entertained all night. The Astor Room is a really nice little joint in Astoria with a total speakeasy vibe with the dark bar, dim lighting, and round tables that looked cool for some illegal card playing. There was none that night but it would have been perfect for it. Even the bathroom looked like a lovely sitting room. Is it strange to take pictures in a bathroom?
Nice meeting some new people and talking to some familiar Unilocalies as usual. Jando the man tried to entertain us with his Gatsby voice which just sounded suspiciously like a British accent. But we were all giggles from drinking all of the cayrum cocktails they were pouring out from behind the bar. I didn’t have the gumption to ask if there was any moonshine back there but there were a few prohibition style beers like the Tallulah, Prohibition and the Big Daddy IPA. All the drinking had to be accompanied by some noshing which we did on asparagus and red pepper crostinis, mac n cheese squares, corn empanadas, pulled pork sliders and some grape, tomato and stinky cheese skewers.
I definitely enjoy all of the Queens elite events because Jando and Queens crew are the perfect hosts and this was a fun night all around.

I very much enjoyed my first Queens Unilocal event.
The space is beautiful and even though coming right from work didn’t give me enough time to throw on a flapper dress, those who did looked stellar!
Both drinks were fantastic — refreshing and adventurous and yummy bites were also a great bonus. The buttery grilled cheese rivaled my mothers!
Thanks so much Unilocal and especially to the staff at the Astor room for providing such great and upbeat service. You made Thursday night awesome.

Sara C. said it best. «I mean, look. Allow me to wear a costume and I will love you forever.» Much of my life is about costuming– and I was over the moon to attend my first Unilocal costume party.
Drinks were great, food was ok, and service was fantastic. I say food was just ok because I didn’t «discover» anything worth writing back home about, and one of my mac n cheese squares was cold in the middle. Wah. But it’s the company that I go to these parties for– not the food. Food and drinks is the bonus!
I was excited to see other people got into the 20s spirit– I was so afraid I’d be the only noob dressed up! And the live pianist was the bee’s knee’s. I felt transported for 2 short hours– the only thing missing was an old school prohibition raid. (Can that be in the budget next time?)
Jando & Co. has done it again. Can’t wait to see what’s next in the Elite lineup.

This is a seriously excellent idea that needs to be replicated in the other boroughs. Loved seeing fellow Unilocalers and +1s dressed up and looking gorgeous. We clean up more than okay.
Astor Room is the perfect venue for this, as it was built in 1920 and still exists in the effortless class and elegance of that era. If you dressed the part, then you felt right in place the moment you slipped into Astor Room.
It is always fun to run into old friends from college (Hello Remi C. and Jenny S.!) who I didn’t even know were Unilocalers, while introducing my +1, a fellow food and NYC lover to the Unilocal community. She felt completely welcomed, so thank you all for not only looking beautiful, but for being awesome people in general.
I didn’t sample much of the food, but what I did taste was delicious. Drinks were sweet on many levels. Strangely for once, the food was not the focus for me at a Unilocal event.
When 9pm came around and the night drew to an end so quickly, I was reluctant to take off my sparkly headpiece, and briefly wondered if it would be acceptable to dress like this on a daily basis.
«He stretched out his hand desperately as if to snatch only a wisp of air, to save a fragment of the spot that she had made lovely for him. But it was all going by too fast now for his blurred eyes and he knew that he had lost that part of it, the freshest and the best, forever.» — Fitzgerald
Though most of high school was a blur, including reading through The Great Gatsby, this is has always stayed with me.
Jando, I believe this officially makes up for my previous tardy Elite event review. Thank you team Unilocal for a great night, and for providing the perfect excuse to own a few things that glimmer.

*cue Lana Del Rey song*
Having just watched «The Great Gatsby,» I was quite thrilled for this event. Despite the fact that «dressing up» is one of my hobbies (tied with eating), I didn’t actually embrace my Daisy Buchanan. Another time, another Gatsby.
This place was stellar. Mood lighting, nice staff, good nomz, delish drinks. It really was an event Jay himself (either one really) would be proud of.
Jando, as always, you give me more and more reasons to hop on the M uptown. Already excited for whatever you have planned next. Thank you and the Astor Room crew. Especially the cute one. You know who you are.
*end with Beyonce/​Jay Z cover*

Great atmosphere! Not the speakeasy I’m use to. The Astor room is a more uppity speakeasy where you can wear your pearls to, I’m more use to a grittier type.
There was a great pianist playing the music of the prohibition era. All the guys and gals dressed up and made it a great themed party bow ties and all.
Going to Unilocal events like this just motivates me to keep writing reviews!

So excited to come to an Elite event at the ultra classy Astor Room right in my beloved borough of Queens! I’ve been on a hiatus of sorts and haven’t had the chance to come to a lot of events, but this was a great way to ease myself back into the mix. The roaring 20’s themed costume party was a perfect fit for this luscious location, full of vintage charm. The live piano playing was the perfect compliment to the old Hollywood ethos, and it was probably my favorite aspect of the night. Wait! I lied. my favorite part was seeing those that came out in costume work their Gatsby looks! All the ladies who dressed up did a fine, fine job. And the guys were not looking too shabby themselves! It was such fun catching up with my Unilocal friends, and making new ones while I was at it.
The liquor seemed to overflow, though I could not enjoy any (thanks, antibiotics), and the appetizers were good, too but a bit in short supply. Fortunately I have dined here before so I can attest to the taste and quality of the food and the service at this Astoria gem. Otherwise, this was a hugely successful event as usual (thank you, Jandito)!!
Btw… did y’all check out that gorgeous wallpaper in the WC? Beautiful!

I almost didn’t make it because Google Maps Navigation sent me to a brick wall. A BRICK WALL! Bloody Google! Doctor Elsie W. did not answer her phone or text messages. Needless to say, I arrived late.
Food/​Drinks: I was only able to get two drinks, but they were absolutely delicious. I was too busy trying to speak with every person who indicated any interest in speaking with me to even notice there was food behind me.
Venue: great classy space without the intense music that makes a person unable to think straight. I actually had a number of interesting conversations with new people. There were seats and plenty of space!
People: the most important part of any Unilocal event. Doctor Elsie W. was especially hyperactive (I mean, after eight drinks, you’d think she want to pass out…). Met some interesting people. Especially of note was a Caucasian Dartmouth graduate who speaks better Mandarin and Taiwanese than I do (I fail at life). Lori L., Ju L., and Tiffany C., the regulars, schmoozed with everyone, allowing me to meet other friendly faces. Oh, people dressed up and dressed well.
Thank you especially to Jando S. for arranging it and thanks to the wonderful photographer, Nelson.
…There are days when I think that Jando is able to get more people to an event than there are people at Sunday Mass…

«There’s a photobooth in the bathroom! I’m not kidding, come!» — Jando says as Nelson follows him
As yoosh, thanks to Jando and Nelson for being awesome.
This is probably the only occasion where I will put a headband on. (headband hair = no bueno)
Met some new faces and caught up with familiar ones. Moar frennnnz!

Holy fedora, Batman! I never felt so at home as I did at this event. Those who know me best know that I love all things classic and classy, and this event had both of those in excess!
The Astor Room is a large bar /​restaurant serving up good times and even better food. The event was packed with awesome people decked out in 1920’s attire. Fedoras, suspenders, 3-​piece suits the whole nine yards! Were Al Capone still with us, this is the kind of scene that would do him good.
For the food, I enjoyed the vegetarian empanadas (OMG), and the bread slices with asparagus and… was that aijou sauce? Well whatever it was, it was great. The Mac N Cheese squares were delish, as well as literally EVERYTHING else!
Drinks we had our choice of: a Loy’s Ploy (Cayrum rum, pineapple, club soda and grapefruit bitters), a Lillian’s Lament (Cayrum rum, lime juice, orange bitters, ginger ale) and Prohibition beer. What better way to kick off a celebration of the prohibition era than to enjoy a great Prohibition Extra Pale Ale? Those, along with Lillian’s Lament (several) is what did me in finally. Of course, tips went to the bartender for serving us up such great drinks with no delay!
Jando threw a wicked event, and I don’t want to see the 20’s go! :(I will certainly be back to the Astor Room with my suspenders and all, catch me in the corner enjoying an Old Fashioned. =)
Thanks go out to Jando, Unilocal,and all my cool fellow Elites out there! Especially to the ones I finally met last night (I was so intoxicated, I met one of you twice!)

Teetering between a 4 and 5 but the drinks were delicious and pretty plentiful and well, Jando finally had another Unilocal Event! YAY! Lol.
I really liked the theme and I actually wish I wore sequins because you have no idea how many sequins I have in the back of my closet but I couldn’t possibly justify wearing them into work and being able to change in time was impossible. But I still put in a solid effort with feathers and glitter of some kind and then I always have Steph as my decoration. Yay. There were seriously some fantastic costumes though.
I love The Astor Room’s space. It’s very classic and elegant with old hollywood film femme fatales decorating the walls with enormous opulent chandeliers. A piano man elegantly playing in the background. Men in hats. Bow-​ties. Love.
Rum is not my favorite cup of tea but it tasted like fruit juice with the pineapple juice and the other ginger ale drink wasn’t bad mixing with it although it was a little on the bitter side. I unfortunately did not like the Prohibition lager or any of their other ales. A little too bitter and hoppy and I freaking love ipas so there was something off with it. I can understand why it is named Prohibition now, no pun intended.
The pulled pork sliders and the vegetarian empanadas were my favorite of the night. Not a huge selection on food. But it was decent. I like the crust on this empanada because it was flakier and cooked just right. The cubes of their macaroni and cheese with truffle oil was not my favorite. Rich on flavor but I don’t like congealed cubes of cold macaroni too much. I bet this is amazing warm and ordered in the restaurant though. The appetizers were a nice touch because those drinks were deceivingly potent as Jando asked as I left if the event left me «white girl drunk», to which I responded with, «nah, I’m good.» Five seconds later I stumble down the stairs and lose a shoe causing at least 5 or 6 Unilocalers to gasp. Lies. I was all ‘white girl drunk’.

Hooray for my first event in Queens! Not to mention, 1920’s/Mad Men/​Flapper attire? Oh, I’m all in. Luckily, my friend just so happened to have been a Flapper for Halloween this past year so I got my hands on a suitable costume. I thought, «I hope I won’t be too overdressed» but wow! As soon as I walked in I saw a bunch of Don Drapers and Daisy Buchanans Unilocal elite style.
The Astor Room is a place that I wish I would frequent more! It’s the whole package. Full bar, dining area, rag-​time piano playing, vintage wallpaper lining the lush mahogany furniture. It’s a 1920’s paradise. It was so great seeing some familiar faces and a few new ones! Jina and Mona you two are sweethearts.
The bar was lined up with scrumptious cocktails. They were just the right amount of sweet with that citrus zing. As for the food, they brought out: empanadas, veggie crostini, pork sliders, mac and cheese squares, cheese skewers, etc. I have to say my favorite was the slider and the mac n’ cheese (although I wish it were warm! but I guess then it wouldn’t hold together in that perfect little cube like it did.)
The scene was set so perfectly and I loved taking a step into the 20’s decade. Thanks so the wonderful bar/​waiter staff — you were so friendly and accommodating to all of our hungry stomachs. And of course to Jando! Thanks for putting on such a hoppin’ event! You sure can put on a party.

When Jando throws an event, he THROWS an event!
This was definitely THE Queens event of the year. Ladies dressed to the nines. Men looking extremely dapper.
Drinks were flowing. Music was on point. And the passed hor douerves were just the perfect touch.
Special love goes out to Jando for planning such a glamorous event! Nelson for being the most amazing photographer. Matthew for being such a great co-​host.

Yay to my first ever Unilocal Elite Event in Queens!
After working over time and receiving a text from my plus one that he was stuck at a meeting, I was hesitated to come to the event late and by myself. I really imagined myself being a loner in the corner and didn’t expect to see so many familiar faces!
Upon entering, I noticed how many of the antendee actually put in the effort to dress up! So many gorgeous glam ladies and suit up gentlemen! We had the whole venue to ourselves. Plenty of seats and spaces for people to mingle. There were drink specials ready made by the bar + 3 types of beer with cute little Prohibition labels. Since I’m not much a drinker, I was eye-​ing more for the munchies being passed around.
Although there were mac and cheese bites, empanadas, pork sliders, frittata, crostini, cheese/​grape/​tomato skewers circulating around throughout the event, there just weren’t enough coming out each time. The servers would literally walk about 5 steps into the room, their tray would be completely demolished! Nevertheless, I had the opportunity to try some of the items. My personal fav was definitely the empanada with the chipotle mayo on top YUM. The mac and cheese tasted very much like risotto square/​ball — creamy and comforty.
Met a handful of awesome Queens Elites and caught up with the familiar Manhattan Unilocalers. After a 13 hrs day, this Unilocal event was everything I was looking for — good company, food, and some relaxation/​mingling to let loose. Special thanks to Jando (Jando-​ito aka Alex) for allowing my first attendance of Queens event. Finally got a chance to see how other Borough does it :). Hopefully I will get the chance to attend more outer borough events in the future. Can’t see what’s in store for Octobefesttt!