Long-Awaited Astoria Food Hall Will Open More Restaurants Soon

ASTORIA, QUEENS — After years of planning, Astoria's promised global food hall is now weeks away from opening several of its restaurants, according to organizers.

The "World Artisan Market," based out of a converted warehouse on 31st Street between 34th and 35th avenues, will inaugurate two of its new concepts this month: Sala Astoria, serving Spanish cuisine including tapas — and Elevenses, a European bakery and cafe.

Sotto La Luna, an Italian restaurant, became the complex's first restaurant to open when it swung open its doors in mid-December, in a 2,500-square-foot, 50-seat space in the corner of the complex.

Another slate of openings is set for March, according to an Instagram post by the market. Details were unclear, but other businesses planning to join the market include the Colombian restaurant Arepa Lady, Asian spot Potlux Kitchen, and Urban Vegan Roots: an offshoot of a West Village plant-based eatery.

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Signage for Sala had appeared on the market's mid-block storefront when Patch stopped by on Monday. The interior of Elevenses also looked substantially complete, located around the corner on 35th Avenue.

Sotto La Luna describes itself as a "pizza and pasta bar," with menu items including zucchini and tuna tartares, cacio e pepe, fried calamari, and a long list of pizzas.

World Artisan Market is being led by the Astoria-based real estate firm EJ Stevens, which initially promised a 2019 opening only for the pandemic to delay it by more than two years. (The firm did not immediately respond to questions Monday about the next round of openings.)

All told, the market space has room for seven businesses, as Jackson Heights Post reported last year.