Alobar at 2 Years: An Anniversary of Accolades November 14th, 2013

As its Second Anniversary approaches on November 14th, 2013, Alobar has established itself as a unique, rustic American neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Long Island City, earning places on Michelin Guide’s 2013 and 2014 Bib Gourmand lists. Alobar is a result of owner & Long Island City resident Jeff Blath’s desire to open a place in his hometown that would be a full expression of his 20-year restaurant management career and design background. “I knew I wanted lots of charcuterie, curing, cheeses, pickling, and small and large plates”, says Blath. The team is taking “pub grub” to new heights at Alobar with the arrival of new Executive Chef Michael Berardino; with the kitchen now helmed and re-energized by an experienced Chef (formerly of dell’anima, Resto and Cannibal), Alobar’s nose-to-tail philosophy equals more hearty, home-style fare and flavor on the plate. The menu is served confidently in an ambiance that harkens back to the neighborhood’s shipping and industrial past, evident in the reclaimed wood pillars, ceiling, interior doors, stained glass and other handcrafted details.

In line with its nose-to-tail philosophy, Alobar sources the finest ingredients by utilizing many local purveyors. Chef Michael Berardino’s passion and the owner’s vision shine through in Alobar’s signature dishes, including the infamous Maple Bacon Popcorn, Kentucky Fried Apples, Ginger Glazed St Louis Ribs, Wild Mushroom Toast (smoked ricotta, roasted garlic, duck egg, red wine onions), Duck Confit Sloppy Joe (smoked ricotta, red wine onions, sunny side up egg, mixed green), Crispy Pork Belly (delicata squash, cabbage, celery, pomegranate), and a neighborhood favorite, the Hunters Point Burger (caramelized onions, cheddar, skin-on fries, battered bacon).

Alobar’s creative beverage manager, Jon Champaign, has designed a program to pair perfectly with the cuisine. He has curated a wide variety of craft beers, befriending Queens’ booming brewery community and serving local Barrier, Single Cut and Queens Brewery beers. A selection of international wines, small production American whiskies, and other handcrafted artisanal spirits—also local—round out the list. Alobar’s signature cocktails include Vernon Smash (bourbon, blackberries, mint, ginger beer) and The Big Apple (calvados, rye, sweet vermouth, walnut liqueur), and seasonal specials like Autumn Rum (Smith & Cross rum, allspice dram, egg white). Special events at Alobar have included regular beerpairing menus.

Alobar’s playful name was inspired by the character King Alobar from the Tim Robbins novel Jitterbug Perfume. The warm, welcoming décor, conceived by Blath, and designed by the craftsmen of Jirka Kolar Interiors, includes reclaimed wood pieces from an old barn in Pennsylvania, and custom, handmade light fixtures. The antique prints on the walls evoke the neighborhood’s shipping and industrial heritage. With a prime location in Hunter’s Point, Alobar adds to the growing attraction of Long Island City, now recognized as one of the New York metro area’s most desirable neighborhoods. A contributing catalyst for this growth, the restaurant is also a founding member of the new Long Island City Restaurant Association. Alobar serves lunch and dinner daily with Sunday brunch and the hours of operation are as follows: