All I hear about Astoria is that the Albanians run shit over there since a beef with the Gambino's some time ago. Is that still the case or has stuff returned bak to normal since the Rudaj organization was put away?

Status quo. Greek card games and a couple of Gambino and Lucchese crews. The Albanian thing was exaggerated so out of proportion it's not even worth debating anymore. It's very telling that the entire crew was brought down in a single indictment (That's not to say the Albanians don't have balls, because they do).

Oh ok cause I dont know of any places Italians hangout in Astoria aka Soccer Clubs, etc. There are a few Balkan and Greek places but thats all I see.

Not to hijack the thread, but do you live in Astoria?

I only ask because I own a property on 37th Street, just off 30th Avenue. I live in Throggs Neck, but I'm out that way fairly often.

Re Italians in the area: Try Punta Dura on 34th Avenue, just off 41st Street. Great food .

Im not saying there are no Italians but your talking about a food establishment. There are plenty of italians that still live in or hangout in Astoria but I dont see many places where these crews your talking about hangout or operate out of. And to answer your question I live close by.

Greek mob

I lived on 41st and Ditmars in the 90's for just two years. Few Italians left in Astoria.

Try Portalia in Broadway near Steinway. It's good.

I know the place, Vinny. It's a couple doors away from Thomas Quinn funeral home. My union work used to take me there quite a bit. I haven't been there in quite a while, but you're right; the food is fantastic.

Also very good in Astoria is Piccolo Venezia, which is on 28th Avenue and 42nd Street. It's a neighborhood place with great food. I saw Tony Bennett there once. He looked like any other 80 year old guy visiting the old neighborhood.

I spent lots of time at the Bohemian Beer Garden during the past few summers,unfortunately the NYTimes ranked it one of the must do things in NYC for the summer so sometimes there are actually LINES to go in the damm place. Makes me very pissed.