Barzola

An Ecuadoran family restaurant during the week, Barzola turns into a lively party venue on the weekends, with dancing and karaoke until 4am. It's a vast space embellished with wood beams and amphorae, plus a bar specializing in rum drinks. This section of Jackson Heights has a large, active Ecuadoran population, which has kept Barzola in business there since 2005 (the restaurant spent 23 years in Brooklyn prior to that). There is also a branch in Miami. Few of the staff speak English, and the food is authentic—ceviches, humitas (steamed fresh corn cakes), daily soup specials (such as seafood, sausage or cow's foot), seafood casseroles, fried steaks and goat stew. Expect green plantain dumplings (bolón) with cheese, steak or fried pork at breakfast.