Sky Cafe

Indonesian restaurant · Elmhurst

6

@infatuation

"In the Austin Powers movies, Mike Myers plays Austin, Fat Bastard, Dr. Evil, and Goldmember. Each character has his own distinct wig (or bald cap), over-the-top accent, and quirks, and could each justifiably qualify as your favorite. At Sky Cafe, a tiny Indonesian restaurant in Elmhurst, the chicken pulls off a similar acting maneuver, and you should come here to experience its full range of talent. Every chicken dish is excellent and warrants icon status. Sky Cafe’s chicken comes in many forms. If you order the nasi lemak ayam goreng, you’ll get a crispy fried leg and thigh alongside coconut rice. In another case, the chicken comes boiled in a spicy orange broth. But to experience the most impressive poultry act Sky Cafe pulls off in one dish, you’ll need to try the combination egg noodles. Aside from thin homemade noodles, sweet barbecue pork, and a marinated hard-boiled egg, it comes with pieces of shredded chicken, chicken-filled wontons, and a side of perfectly-tangy chicken broth that you can mix into the noodles (or just slurp on its own). Like Dr. Evil, the combination egg noodles deserve a cult following. We all know that eggs come from chickens and chickens come from eggs. So, the hard-boiled eggs at Sky Cafe deserve a spot on the chicken’s IMDb page. They make their way into several dishes here, but our favorite version comes in the rice cake soup (lontong sayur) - which is hearty enough to be your whole meal. It’s tie-dye orange in color, costs exactly $7.50, and has a coconut-base involving lots of sambal chili sauce. Fishing around in it sort of feels like excavating on an archeological dig. Only instead of seventh-century tablets inscribed with poetry about rainfall, you’ll find tender pieces of beef rendang, big chewy rice cake squares, and hard-boiled eggs that somehow hold a crispy-fried exterior even though they’ve been soaking in a creamy broth. Other than the food, there’s not too much happening at Sky Cafe. Solo diners stare at CBS on the TV, and bike couriers shuffle in and out to pick up deliveries. But if you’re like us, you’ll end up lingering here to ponder how chicken - the Mike Myers of Sky Cafe - pulls off so many great iterations of itself, and which character is your personal favorite. Food Rundown Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng If we all made a pact to eat this nasi lemak with fried chicken every time Mercury is in retrograde, everyone could stop saying stupid sht like “mercury is in retrograde” and just talk about how good this is instead. Aside from the chicken, the best part of the plate is the pile of nutty dried anchovies. Mie Komplit There are enough components involved in these combination egg noodles to justify their own flow chart on the menu. Highlights include the fried wontons, soft noodles, and a hard-boiled egg that’s been marinated for so long, it’s the color of Zoë Kravitz’s beautiful deep brown eyes. Lontong Sayur If you only want one thing at Sky Cafe, make it this rice cake soup. It comes topped with a few crispy rice crackers that absorb the spicy coconut-based broth and become perfectly mushy. This textural experience alone makes this dish worth trying - that and the spicy-but-balanced goldmine of beef rendang, rice cakes, and crispy hard-boiled eggs. Gado Gado This is an Indonesian salad with raw cucumbers, big pieces of perfectly cooked tofu, and hard boiled eggs - all in a brown creamy sauce that tastes like silky peanut butter. Pempek If you want to try an appetizer with some heat, we’d recommend these fried fish cakes. There’s an egg yolk cooked into the middle of each one, so they look like little targets. And the fish cakes are served on top of thin rice noodles in a sour and spicy vinegar broth. Nasi Pecel Lele Sky Cafe has a bunch of rice platters, but this one with fried catfish, tofu, tempeh, and spicy shrimp and chili paste is our favorite (especially for a momentary break from your regularly-scheduled chicken programming). Original Rice Table This is 101-class version of Sky Cafe's food. It’s not on the menu, but it’s usually on the specials board. Order it and you’ll be bombarded with about eight small circular dishes of incredible meats, eggs, vegetables, and rice. When we ate this, we felt just slightly closer to royalty (even though the whole thing costs $18)." - Hannah Albertine

Sky Cafe Review - Elmhurst - New York - The Infatuation
Noah Devereaux

86-20 Whitney Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373 Get directions

linktr.ee
@sumatera.nyc

6 Postcards

See full details

More Places For You

August Gatherings

Cantonese restaurant · Chinatown

This contemporary Chinatown spot serves up standout Cantonese dishes like tender salted chicken and delightful egg tarts amid a vibrant atmosphere.

7 Postcards

Radio Bakery

Bakery · Greenpoint

Dive into New York's Radio Bakery in Greenpoint, where you'll queue for their mind-blowing croissants and drool-worthy focaccia sandwiches, all crafted with seasonal flair and a palpable buzz of local love.

22 Postcards

Hwa Yuan Szechuan

Chinese restaurant · Chinatown

Step into Hwa Yuan, a stylish three-story tribute to Sichuan cuisine where crispy Peking duck and legendary cold sesame noodles reign supreme.

32 Postcards

Bar Kabawa

Bar · East Village

Bar Kabawa in the East Village is a vibrant Caribbean spot where you can sip the coldest daiquiris and savor delicious patties, all while soaking in great vibes and warm service.

14 Postcards

RIPPERS

Hamburger restaurant · Rockaway Beach

Nestled on the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, Rippers is a laid-back snack shack serving up mouthwatering burgers, cheesy fries, and cold drinks, perfect for beachgoers.

13 Postcards

Myung San

Korean restaurant · Flushing

Myung San is a cozy, mom-and-pop Korean spot in Queens, famous for its authentic soy marinated crabs and an impressive variety of banchan.

2 Postcards

Tsuru Ton Tan - Midtown, NY

Japanese restaurant · Midtown West

Tsurutontan is a chic udon haven in Midtown, serving up massive, handcrafted noodle bowls alongside creative sushi rolls in a stylish, casual setting.

7 Postcards

Cakor

Eastern European restaurant · Belmont

"Mediteranian restaurant specializing in Albanian and Italian cuisine."

2 Postcards

Vin Sur Vingt Wine Bar - Upper West Side

Wine bar · Upper West Side

Nestled in the UWS, this charming French wine bar boasts 250 rotating wines, a chic Parisian vibe, and a delightful selection of small plates.

3 Postcards

Citrico Cafe

Mexican restaurant · Astoria

Citrico Cafe is the perfect fusion of chic Tulum vibes and casual Mexican fare, serving up delectable tacos and inventive cocktails in a vibrant setting.

6 Postcards