The Queens Kickshaw is a labor of love for husband and wife team Ben Sandler and Jennifer Lim. They have been living in Astoria for over 4 years, and wanted to create a place and community that reflected their love for the neighborhood, and their passions for good food and drink.
The Queens Kickshaw serves specialty coffee, fancy grilled cheese sandwiches, craft ales, and cider. The grilled cheese menu is a subtle nod to the food and cultural diversity of Queens, and is comprised of fresh, good quality ingredients.
Chef Youngsun Lee has worked at notable NYC eateries as ANNISA, EN Japanese Brasserie, Craftbar, Momofuku Noodle Bar, and was the executive chef for Kimchi Taco Truck. In 2009, he opened Persimmon, a restaurant in the East Village serving authentic Korean food using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Youngsun learned very traditional ways of cooking from his beloved grandmother, such as royal cuisine, to true home cooking with "lots of love." He also refined his cooking techniques with help from his aunt, who studied royal Korean cuisine. Chef Lee is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), and is also a member of the teaching staff.
