Keuka Kafe a Wine Bar

Great place! Brought a few friends who were visiting and we were all very impressed with the food, drinks, and cozy atmosphere.

For an intimate date night or small gathering of friends, Kueka is a great destination! Tucked into a small storefront on Queens Blvd, Kueka packs a large punch of sophistication and style. It has a romantically lit and tastefully decorated décor that screams cute wine bar.
The wine selections are extensive and they have a number of offerings from NY state. In addition they have happy hour selections for $ 5 a glass. If you aren’t a wine drinker and somehow ended up here, fear not; they have 3 – 4 quality beers on tap as well as cider.
They also have a moderately sized food and appetizer menu. We stuck with the small meat and cheese board and had our server recommend a few selections to round out ours. All of the cheese and charcuterie was delicious and expertly presented. They came with nuts, grapes, fresh bread and mustard.
Kueka waitstaff was amazingly patient and accommodating to a couple of wine, cheese and charcuterie newbies. It felt like a small wine and appetizer party in a friend’s home where they want to make sure that your experience is perfect. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great wine bar in central Queens.

What keeps me coming back? Everything!
Typing this review my mouth waters because I just love this place so much. I have been here three times and the first 2 times I ate my way through the appetizer list: prosciutto wrapped asparagus, shrimp stuffed avocado, garlic soaked olives, and more. The wine is mostly from the NY finger lakes region and the white choices are crisp and extremely satisfying.
A little insight on the awesome service: I took my sister here for her birthday and pulled my server aside to ask her to put a candle on the dessert we were going to order, and they came out with not only a candle but a message written around the plate in chocolate syrup «Happy Birthday!» and they came out to sing. Adorable. Another time, we ordered the meat and cheese board and one of the meats were wrong. Without even asking, the server came out with the correct meat to correct the mistake and did not charge us anything extra.
One entrée that stands out is their brisket in red sauce over mashed potatoes. I was sad I decided to split it with my dinner mate because I wanted it all to myself! The meat was very succulent and the mashed potatoes were creamy. Mmm.
The price point for 2 people is can be about $ 100. That is drinks and food. Not too bad.
Each time I spent hours there eating, talking, drinking, and each time the tables and bar fills up with locals and newbies alike and all seem very happy. I always feel at home coming here and I will continue to rave about this to all my friends and family until they try it for themselves.

Most definitely recommend !
Firstly, our bartender, Danny, was friendly and had great suggestions.
Had a 4 cheese 2 meat platter (get the bleu and Bonne bouche), beet salad, grilled watermelon salad with shrimp, brisket, and coffee dessert.
All was fantastic except for the watermelon salad-​It seemed like a fav dish for the Unilocalers but it wasn’t as amazing as I imagined (sorry Unilocalers!). Everything else was so good that this place deserves 5 stars either way! Would return for the rest of the menu.

This place is Awesome! Found my new fav spot in Forrest hills! most delicious and must try appetizers: crab-​avacado and Mussels with Riesling sauce! Big portions and filling! When u ck in u get a free glass of wine ! Ambiance is great! Recessed light and light music — romantic and cozy. First time here and loved it! Service was amazing! Would definitely come back! I had a glass of gionella Pinot Grigio and my friend tried the Oak Chardonnay! Both were light and good tasting wine! Must try!

Excellent Service, Excellent Food. The server doesn’t pressure sell you but rather helps you make the perfect wine paring with your meal. The recommendation were great.
We had the Crab Avocado, A plate of Mussels, A Bruschetta Trio, and a Mediterranean plate. The Crab and Avocado was the best and went great with the 2010 Muscat-​Chardonnay the server gave us for 4 Unilocal check-​in (isn’t that cool?).
I ordered a Blues Mama’s Little Yeela Pilsner which was the standard fare but very enjoyable at the end of a long week.
This was a very nice place to slow down the pace of things after a hectic week. Good food, good wine, what could be better?

Amazing wine bar on Queens Boulevard that serves an amazing Crab N Avocado app. The owner is very personable, sweet and gives great recommendations.
With a check in, you get a free glass of wine with every appetizer you order.
And depending on availability, the owner might do you a solid and give you an amazing glass!
We ordered 4 apps, got a bottle of this amazing Leva 2010 Muscat-​Chardonnay Blend. The white wine was fruity, light, juicy and perfect with cheeses.
Then we ordered mussels, bruschetta trio, Mediterranean plate, and Crab and Avocado.
The garlic white sauce for the mussels was great!
And that crab and avocado dip came with crispy bread. So creamy, and so many chunks of crab meat! Delicious.
Then the boys ordered two Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pilsner, which they seemed to enjoy.
Me and my new friend considered the Chianti, or the house wine and the owner recommended Hunt Country vineyards Alchemy Red Blend.
The Red Blend was from the Finger Lakes (Yea NY!) and it was perfect end to the meal.
And it worked well with the mussels.
Good choice.
And compared to Manhattan, this meal plus drinks was a steal!
Will definitely be back!

Great wine and awesome appetizers!
I don’t come to queens often, but my friend and I made a trip out to the borough TWICE specifically for this place. The wines and cocktails are delicious! I ordered a lychee cocktail and the bartender ran outside to grab some fresh mint from their little garden. I love that!
I’m not a fan of their full meals (especially the jambalaya), but I definitely suggest either or both of the avocado appetizers.
It’s kind of small and can seat about 20 – 25 people, including bar seating, so don’t come with a large group.

Really struggling with the stars of this review. Sooo want to give Keuka 4 stars because it’s such a cute place, but 3 – 3.5 stars it is. I came to this conclusion because the more I thought about it after my dinner with a friend, the more I realized that the food is forgettable and I wouldn’t go back, because I’m all about the food. By the time I traveled to Forest Hills, I was starving. We started out with an appetizer of mussels with red Thai curry sauce. I ordered the Seneca sandwich and my friend ordered the Cornell sandwich, along with a glass of red wine. Came out to $ 22 for me (which I think is a tad overpriced for a sandwich I could’ve made myself and half a plate of mussels) and a little more for her.
Service couldn’t have been better. Danny ran the entire place and was attentive while servicing everyone. And ambiance is romantic, small (seats at the bar, by the window, and about 4 small tables for 2), and cozy. One thing that bugged me was that the volume level of the music; it kept going silent in between songs, which made us sound like we were yelling, which felt awkward. I’d recommend to keep the background music on at a consistent level.

Keuka was highly recommended by my friend who lives by the area. As you walk in you are greeted by staff members and a warm cozy feeling.
Large selection of wine and food, my friends got the Rose Pinot Grigio and I got the Tempranillo, there were many choices of meats and cheeses that I couldn’t make up my mind and told our waitress to surprise us.
Her selection of creamy cheeses and various meats went well with both our white and red wines; I loved how she was knowledgeable about all the wines and choices to accompany our wines. Our meats and cheese plate came with homemade mustard and homemade cranberry jam; along with some walnuts and bread … everything was perfection.
This is more than just a wine bar; they have selections of different cocktails and draft beers, and an extensive food menu.
Décor went with the name of the business with portraits of Keuka State Park in upstate New York.
Don’t forget to get your glass of wine with a purchase of an appetizer when you check-​in.

The food: top notch; the beer: perfect; the service: unbeatable. Whether you’re from queens or just visiting, drop in. Brunch is great and their main menu covers all the bases.
We will be back!

I’m basing this review on attending the restaurant for a bridal shower. The food was very good. I especially loved loved the mussels. The sauce was amazing. I could have eaten the entire dish by myself. We had an endless array of food for the shower which I loved because I was able to try a little of everything.
The place is small but it served it’s purpose for the shower. The waitress was working hard to help us and she was very helpful.
I definitely want to come back here on a regular occasion to dine here.

Thanks so much for hosting our bridal shower. The menu was diverse, the food delicious and the service was amazing! kK is definitely a place we will be coming back on all our special events.

This place is awesome! I went on a mother/​daughter date and i couldnt have picked a better place. I really enjoy the coziness and the service. Place is really clean — the bathroom even has a nice scent. Lol
The food is delicious and the cheese selections get two thumbs. I would recommend this place to anyone that is looking to chat and catch-​up. My mother and I really enjoy ourselves.

I like this spot! Came for drinks on a Wednesday after work and I was really impressed. The space is a bit small but nevertheless cozy and intimate. We arrived at 5:30pm and the place was empty but started to fill in as the evening went on. By the time we left around 9pm, it was packed and all the tables were occupied — impressive for a Wednesday night.
Keuka Kafe is great for regulars, first-​timers, friends, dates, anyone really looking to relax, drink, eat, and/​or chat for a while.
Service was excellent. Our waitress was helpful, really kind, and pleasant. Rightfully suspecting that it was a date, she made friendly, appropriate comments that I found funny. We stayed for 3 and a half hours and not once felt rushed even though we were only ordering drinks.
The only thing I didn’t care for was how quiet it was before the place got packed and filled with other people’s chatter/​background noise. Before that, I felt like I had to speak softer than normal as to not disturb anyone else with our conversation. I wish there was more/​louder background music.
Stay tuned… I will surely return to try their food and cured meats and cheeses.

This place is still just as wonderful as ever! Delicious food, great wine selection, cozy atmosphere, no rush, awesome service — I mean I’ve been here quite a few times and I have not once been disappointed!
If you’re looking to catch up with a friend, or even a small group (4), bring a date somewhere nice but low key, or even just unwind after a long day on your own, this is probably one of the best spots in forest hills. It’s dim lit, just the right amount of cozy without being overly crowded/​cramped, comfortable and I love that the staff are so knowledgeable and give great suggestions! I’m not a wine expert, and every time I’ve come here a different person has given me excellent suggestions on pairings, wine, food and it’s just great because each time I get to try and even learn something new!
My favorite things to order so far…
1. Grilled Watermelon Salad: When they first opened this was a staple to try and its really quite delicious! Although it has changed a bit since, it comes with jumbo shrimp, avocado, and arugula and that flavor combo with grilled watermelon is so interesting and kind of exquisite!
2. Crab and Avocado — it’s an appetizer and is served with crostini’s now! I love guac, especially chunky guac so this is taking it to another level of deliciousness with crab meat, so of course I think I will probably forever order this in all my future visits! Great for sharing!
3. Meat and Cheese Platter — this will go well with your wine as well as the hours of conversation you’re about to have with the companion (s) you bring to this amazing establishment — There’s a bunch of choices of meat and cheese and if you get confused, please refer to your nearest staff member who will be happy to recommend you a bunch of delicious options! With 2 people I think the 3×3 option is really enough to share if you plan on ordering other items off the menu! There’s this homemade jam that comes with this platter that I just absolutely adore — and one time I asked about it the staff gave me a little cup of it to go! Thank you! Seriously it’s so good and literally went with everything I had it with (which was everything I ordered!)
Fun tidbit — if you check-​in and get an appetizer — you can get a free glass of wine!
I’m pretty sure I could go on with a bunch more detail but to sum it up — highly recommended, has yet to disappoint me and that’s exactly what I look for in restaurants so 5 stars it is!
~cheers!

Good food in the Kew Gardens/​Forest Hills area is hard to find. I work in Kew Gardens and had to catch a flight at JFK after work last week (2 subway stops away) — so my spouse and I decided to try Keuka.
If this wine bar were in Brooklyn/​Manhattan, I would rate it a 3 for the following reasons: 1) Many items, both food and wine, were listed on the menu but were sold out or no longer offered, 2) Not enough staff. When we entered, we received excellent service from both the server and bartender, as there were few customers. However, about 40 min. later, the server left and the bartender was left to tend the bar and wait tables by herself. At that point, the restaurant became packed. So, you can imagine that service weaned. Having said that, it was not the bartender’s fault. Vita (the bartender) was fabulous, kind, a real work horse. The owners really need to invest in more staff on weekends and holidays.
Despite all of that, due to the location, service and offerings, Keuka Kafe deserves 4 stars.
HIGHLIGHTS:
MUSSELS: I ordered the mussels in the garlic butter sauce and they were perfectly tasty. They come with quality toasted bread laced with pesto.
WHITE WINE: So, the first two wines that I ordered, were sold out… actually most of the Chardonnays were sold out — except one that was from the Finger Lake region (Side note: The restaurant is named after Keuka Lake in the Finger Lake Region — since it specializes in local wines from Upstate NY). I then taste tested two other white wines — a Sancerre (France) and the only Chardonnay left (From the Finger Lake Region) and I liked the Chardonnay better. .. I was floored! Keuka definitely has some unique, local, interesting wines that I would not have paid attention to if I were not forced to.
NOVELTY ITEM TO TRY:
1) GRILLED WATERMELON SALAD: I don’t think I would order this salad again; however, I am so glad we tried it. We were advised that customers either really like or dislike this salad — since warm watermelon is an acquired taste. I definitely understood that sentiment after my first bite. The watermelon tastes like a sweet version of zucchini. It was interesting, not bad. I really like experimenting with and exploring textures and tastes — so give this a try, you may surprise yourself.
BONUS:
They have a $ 10 mussels/​glass of white wine special during lunch hours. If you are able to eat at that time, it is a great deal. I think they may have a happy hour that includes this deal as well…

A girlfriend and I met up for dinner here the other week. The atmosphere leaves more to be desired — and while most wine bars want to make you feel cozy and warm, our table and seats at Keuka Kafe were cramped and uncomfortable. But our server was so fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable, I was willing to overlook our accommodations. He really took the time to explain everything and give his honest recommendations!
South of the Equator — Excellent wine flight featuring South American pours. One variety wasn’t available, so he substituted it with a more expensive choice. :)
Small Meat & Cheese Board — Perfect to split between two people! 3 & 3 for $ 20 is fairly priced, in my opinion. I’ve been to places that charge almost double for the same sized platter. Impressed by the quality of their cheese selection! Just the right amount of bread and fixings on the side, too.
Dozen Oysters — The taste was a bit off, almost dirty. Not as fresh as I was hoping.
Smoked Duck — I’m sorry, but it was bland and not memorable in the least.
Jambalaya — Tasty! But let’s be honest here, it’s hard to mess this dish up.
Three stars is not an insult here. I enjoyed the wine, cheeses, and service. But the fourth star is only earned through my willingness to come back, and this place just doesn’t do it for me.

I truly love this place and I’m grateful to have a wonderful selection of Rosé and Red wines just across the street from our home. Mister likes the range of beer.
We’ve eaten at Keuka a few times since they’ve opened, frequently enough that the owners recognize us. They’re always welcoming and gracious and each meal is oh so enjoyable.
We start with their amazing Bruschetta and I always order the Grilled Watermelon Salad with Avocado and Shrimp over Arugula– FAB.
Mister is partial to the Mussels in White wine sauce, complete with a generous amount of bread to sop up that incredibly savory and salty sauce. DELICIOUS!

My fiancée and I noticed this unassuming little wine bar just a short walk from our apartment two years ago but didn’t get that chance to visit in until just last night. As luck turned out, they happened to be having a tasting when we arrived, and I learned that this is something they typically do a couple of times a month, and most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. We were able to sample 5 wines of different varieties, and learned a little something about the background of each as well as the wine making process while enjoying a small but lovely selection of various hors d’oeuvres, dips and crudités. We really enjoyed that, and I loved one particular wine so much that I was happy to order myself a full glass.
We sampled a few offerings from their menu although our appetites were somewhat squelched from the edible arrangement that they provided. We started with their mussels in a garlic Riesling sauce and the crab avocado dip served with basil crostini. Both of them were remarkable: simple, but very fresh and perfectly executed. We also enjoyed the grilled watermelon salad which was a combination of varying flavors and textures that exploded on the palate and was as satisfying as it was original. Lastly, we had the mushroom and roasted red pepper melt which was a hearty way to end our meal. The bartender, Olga, was a raucous but friendly delight who made us feel very welcome although we were in the company of many regulars.
In addition to the 5 wines we sampled, we each had a couple of glasses of wine with our meal and we left feeling warm, fuzzy and very content. We can’t wait to come back, and will be sure to do so when they are having another tasting event since we enjoyed it so much. The prices are a bit on the steep side. There is really no discount and therefore no benefit to buying a bottle versus ordering glass by glass, and if you visit when you are especially hungry, the meal can get pricey. But, the quality of the food and wine are very much on par with their price tags. This is a great place for a date night, or reconnecting with friends if you are interested in relaxing and enjoying good food and drink in a refined, but casual atmosphere.