Brew of choice: Stumptown Coffee. Relax with a book, put on a record in the back, plug into the laptop table, but whatever you do, don't leave without a Cinnamon Puff.
Brew of choice: Mud, New York Street Coffee. A coffee house with a living room atmosphere, delicious pastries, and classic movie nights on Wednesdays is fine by me.
Brew of choice: Irving Farm Coffee. Great atmosphere to bring work or the newspaper, and a surprisingly extensive breakfast and lunch menu.
(Actually, it's "Anable" Basin.) Cool point: Italian street artist Blu Muto’s only N.Y.C. piece is painted on the face of Björk’s ex Matthew Barney’s art studio overlooking the boat basin.
Speakeasy atmosphere with a great wine selection and live music most nights, including very cool sets by the L.I.C. Jazz Alliance.
Locals only, please, for a $3 Miller High Life in the courtyard under a weeping willow tree, or inside the saloon-like bar with a dude playing a ukelele.
People seem to like it. I mean, if hanging out with cast of 30 Rock after they wrap at Silvercup Studios is your thing...
Alex Schindler's L.I.C. Market is perhaps my favorite restaurant in L.I.C. The slow cooked pork over rice and beans with two fried eggs on top is by far my favorite dish.
See Deena, the friendliest bartender on Vernon Boulevard. For brunch: A killer Bloody Mary. For dinner: The Chicken Fried Chicken and a Tecate.
When you're hung over, this is the only restaurant that exists in L.I.C. as far as I'm concerned. Vegetarians and sissies beware. (And cute waiters wearing "Bacon: Better Than a Boyfriend" t-shirts.)
Gianna will take care of you in this quintessential neighborhood restaurant. But don't leave without the gelato, the best in the neighborhood.
The goat cheese and leek crepe is damn good. And don't forget to ask your server the next night their jazz trio is playing.
Very fun and attractive staff that I've seen dancing in the restaurant late at night. Sit at the bar for dinner and they'll keep your wine glass full just out of habit.
A little too fancy for my taste, but the takeout is the best in the neighborhood. And I'm not ashamed to say I'm addicted to the Pineapple Fried Rice.
The coffee may be terrible, but their bagels are delicious! Grab one and get your coffee at Sweetleaf or Cranky's, and head down to Gantry State Park to enjoy on the river.
My pick: Big Blue Bacon Burger with Ostrich or Bison. Tip: It's not on the menu, but order a "Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake."
My favorite atmosphere in Astoria. Even if you're there for just drinks, order the Beer Battered Fried McClure's Brooklyn Pickles. Immediately.
Cool point: The owner is a photographer and the three big black and white photographs hanging on the walls are his. And the whisky and wine selection isn't bad either.
Ask me to press you a fresh pot of coffee, because I will. Or if there's whiskey or wine in the cabinet, because there is.
On behalf of my dog, Henry. But not a bad place for dog owners to hang out with a cup of Mud from Cranky's next door.
If owner and photographer Jesse Winter, the Mayor of L.I.C., doesn't have a beer waiting for you here, you may find yourself with him at Manducatis for martinis.
Reminder for L.I.C. residents: Admission is free! And a reminder to all: The bookstore here wonderful and the only one in the neighborhood.
Keep up with @SSPweatherwatch on Twitter for notifications on upcoming events and installations. All well worth the visit.
Although listed as a "nightclub" on Foursquare, the Chocolate Factory is one of New York's most progressive art institutions, and host to the neighborhood's annual "Taste of L.I.C." event.
Cool point: The OTHER Noguchi Museum is a studio and garden in the village of Mure on the Japanese island of Shikoku.
If you can look past the black smoke over the water, it's the best way to go to and from L.I.C., Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO, South Street Seaport, and Governor's Island.
