Blend on the Water is located in Long Island City, Queens off of Vernon Boulevard on the 7 train. The name refers to its proximity to the pier at Gantry State Plaza Park. The stunning view from the pier sets up as a backdrop for the restaurant.
The restaurant offers Latin-American cuisine in an Americanized setting. The interior’s only light sources are from the bar, and the rest come from individual candles at each table. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like you’ll trip while walking through the restaurant. The lights from the cityscape at night pretty much cover your whole view from the crystal-clear glass the restaurant is covered with. As my friends and I sat down, the waitress handed us menus that glowed in the dark once opened. It was like holding a magic spell book.
For the appetizer, we ordered wild mushroom flatbread. The ingredients listed under the name were truffle ricotta, assorted wild mushrooms, queso de cabra (goat cheese), and truffle essence. The cheese had a mouthwatering stretch when I broke a slice from the flatbread. Its flavor was similar to mozzarella cheese and the wild mushrooms added a delicate and mild flavor with a velvety texture.
The bite-sized portion of each slice hit the spot with a glass of red sangria. Blend’s sangrias were more fruity and sweet if one is not a fan of strong-tasting alcohol. They were served in glass Mason jars which added to the unique aesthetic of this place. Slices of apples, oranges and lemons floated above the drink and I enjoyed each sip along the bites of the flatbread.
I ordered coconut curry tilapia for the entrée. Tilapia fillet is one of my favorite seafood dishes but I never tried it with coconut curry, which I’m extremely fond of as well. The display of the dish wasn’t very intriguing when the waiter brought it to the table. The fish was drowned in curry sauce piled with sliced tomatoes, garlic and green onions on top. The rice on the side was also half drenched in sauce. It looked like they just splashed it over with a ladle.
The display might not have been overly impressive but the taste made up for it. The fillet was baked to perfection with crispy skin. The lean meat had a sweet natural flavor coated with the deliciousness of coconut curry. The tomatoes, garlic and onion added mild flavor to the curry, but the sweet coconut wasn’t overpowered.
The customer service was really upscale considering it was a busy night. The waiters constantly checked up on each table and refilled water. They were also patient with questions and requests. The spacing was set up right as tables had room next to each other, so there were no heavy distractions or people bumping onto things while getting up. The check came in a glow-in-the-dark mini-booklet as well. Blend on the Water’s technologically advanced and innovative menus, checks, setting, service, taste and pricing really make the restaurant a gem and must-visit in Queens.
