Earlier in the week, TONY listed ten essential winter dining experiences in NYC and Astoria landed two of them...well, one category, but two recommendations.

From TONY:
6. Booze it up and gorge yourself on sausage Thanks to the proliferation of biergartens, New Yorkers needn’t hop on Lufthansa to enjoy quality brews and meat products. Franklin Park, offers a dozen pricey-for-the-’hood drafts, like He’Brew’s crisp Coney Island Lager. Plentiful perches, live bands and a great tap selection make Studio Square (35-33 36th St between 35th and 36th Aves, Long Island City, Queens; 718-383-1001) a great spot to try at least one of its 18 drafts available, including German microbrews like Hofbräu Dunkel. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave between 29th and 30th Sts, Astoria, Queens; 718-274-4925) is authentically Czech; tables are mingle-friendly, platters of sausage are hearty, and the beer is flowing. The huge, tree-canopied garden is open year-round.

Now this brings up my next point, why does Studio Square label itself as "Long Island City"? I love LIC as much as the next guy, but seriously? It's high time we recognize that Astoria's southern border should at least officially extend to Northern Boulevard. In a neighborhood laid out in a grid, it surprises me that there's so much uncertainty. I live on the east end of Astoria and get mail addressed to Woodside, Long Island City, or Astoria. As one of my neighbors recently pointed out, the sign on the light pole outside our apartment says "30th Avenue, the heart of Astoria"...make up your mind, Queens...where do we live?!

Anyone who's been on the site for a while knows that's my pet peeve. LIC has had a certain industrial and artistic connotation over the last few years and my personal opinion is that they wanted to ride the wave and would rather be considered industrial/artistic than the stereotypes associated with Astoria--that or they wanted to avoid the confusion of being "another Astoria beer garden". This particularly strikes a cord because I love Studio Square. I want it for Astoria and LIC simply can't have it. There, I said it.

Lets look at the facts:
1. It's in the same building as Bizaare Ave. Cafe (Astoria address)
2. It's just as far south as Sunswick 35/35 (Astoria address)
3. It's across the street from Kaufman Astoria Studios (obvi)
4. Same building as Island (Astoria address)

Does this irk anyone else or am I just being selfish against our southern brethren?