Just Arthur's

Just as its name states, this homey, Italian joint doesn’t look like much from the outside, with its plain, red-brick exterior and cursive sign. But the restaurant that almost hugs the corner of Astoria’s Steinway and Ditmars Blvd., aims beyond the run-of-the-mill, with menu items like Chilean sea bass and Black Angus steak. If you’re uninspired by its lack of bells and whistles, consider the joint’s longevity: The restaurant opened 17 years ago by retired NYC firefighter Arthur Tassiello, whose goal was to offer patrons fine dining without fine-dining prices.

See more: Astoria restaurants, Italian restaurants