Driftwood

Driftwood has been on our to-eat list for months and we were appealed by their Asian fusion dishes and concept to bring Manhattan dining experience to Queens. It was a satisfying dining experience and the food was overall decent with delicate flavors. Our favorites were the chewy mochi waffles and fried rice with impressive seasoning. We were a little disappointed about the chicken since it wasn’t as moist as expected. It wasn’t the best dining experience we’ve ever had but we like their creativity and would plan our next visit for other dishes.

I came with a big group so we had the opportunity to try almost all the dishes. Everything was delicious! My favorite was the Roasted Bone Marrow, the Golden Crab Bao, and the Driftwood Boil. The desserts were also delicious and beautifully put together. The Earl Grey Milk Tea Pudding is a must-try! For cocktails, I had the Enter the Dragonfruit which was also very yummy. The service was great - very fast and attentive to details. Overall it was an excellent experience and I would highly recommend!

Laid back environment and tasty food. They have a selection of popular games for customers to play. It's a good spot to come and read a book while you enjoy a delicious meal, or share an appetizer and dessert with a friend. I ordered one Golden Crab Bao and a plate of the Rice Noodle Rolls (comes with shrimp). Both were very good.

A hidden gem. Wouldn’t have known about this place until a friend recommended it. The food here is amazing, each dish has its own unique characteristics. I personally love the Mala Tots the most.

One of the best dining experiences I've had in my life! The creativity and passion of the owner/chefs really shine through in the food and decor. Bold, fresh flavors worthy of any fine dining establishment done in a comfy setting and with insane value. Everything we ordered was fantastic but my personal fav was the spare ribs and the golden bao. The chef must have 4 hands because he runs the kitchen alone and keeps up with a full house! Highly recommended.

Atmosphere and decor was cozy and natural. Bathroom was clean and well decorated. Staff were friendly and food was well presented. We chose the seafood boil with driftwood sauce, crab bao, pork ribs, and salmon seaweed crisps. My dad loved the crab bao so much, he wanted to order seconds. 🤣 Gloves and apron / bibs are provided for the seafood boil. No juice seeped through the gloves, which was a plus - good quality! Guess we'll have to visit again soon ♡

Been here multiple times now and the food is always amazing! Literally been impressed by every single dish and drink I’ve tried - they’re all so good and have such unique flavors. Some of my favorite dishes are the salmon seaweed crisp, the pork ribs, and the milk tea pudding (one of my all time favorite desserts). Mimi is also super sweet and her staff is great as well. Will definitely be back again soon!

Saying this place is good would absolutely be an understatement. This is the type of place you would find in the city tucked in somewhere in the high-rises, not in Queens. Walking in is literally like walking into the minds of the people who own this place. Everything is well thought out and there is a place for it somewhere. There's so much inside but never feels cluttered. Even the bathroom is adorable. Friend called it animal crossing style and I definitely can't I unsee it now. The food.... The food is phenomenal. I wish I could get inside the mind of the person who made the food because absolutely everything was on point. This is what I think Asian fusion is. Everything in all the dishes has flavors from all over Asia. Everything down to the ingredients was well thought out and blended in with each other. It was like tasting all of Asia in the few plates we had I heard it was one guy in the kitchen, and that guy knows EXACTLY what he's doing. You can taste the passion and love he put into the dishes and it shows. Highlight for me would be the blt fried rice and chicken and waffles. Using Chinese style bubble mochi waffles was just brilliant thinking and pairs well. Highly, highly recommended. Also shout out to our server mimi, she was great and loved our reactions to their food that she gave us a milk tea pudding on the house for us. You're the best mimi! And that milk tea pudding was amazing. Earl grey crumble on top? Who even thinks of that??? Fantastic

4.5 stars Not many restaurants are rated this highly so I had to check it out. Located in a residential area but lined with other restaurants, bars, small businesses. I haven't been in Maspeth in so long since intermediate school so that was interesting... Their autumn menu was just added so no reviews on the new dishes but definitely had to order everyone's favorite...the BLT fried rice. Then 2 new ones...Laksa and Petit beef.. Cocktails ..tea one for me and L had something with the fancy big ice cube. The drinks were actually very good. Didn't taste strong, but the alcohol sneaks up on you. Driftwood's version literally was 10x better than the bacon fried rice I had months ago in the city. Loved the bacon. The tobiko actually added a lot to the dish. The pop in each bite, I really enjoyed it. It really was one of the best dishes. It almost reminded me of Chinese sticky fried rice.. We almost didn't get the Laksa since we're not really into clams that much and sometimes a clam broth can be too fishy but this was delicious. The broth was light but enough to taste the clams, curry flavor..the first clam had a lil sand but the rest were clean. They used Shanghai noodles over udon. L actually loved the clams..loved the seasoning they used. The only dish that we didn't care too much for, was the beef dish. It was just okay. Lil too much sauce which overpowered the beef, would prefer it medium, but it was also sliced very thin. The other two dishes were just so good .. I wanted to add one more item since I know everyone raves about it, the rice noodle dish.. I'm Chinese ..I've eaten rice noodles since I was a lil kid...like how are they going to elevate a cheap dish practically every Chinese person has eaten... I was actually full at this point and I just ordered my second drink...Enter the Dragon.. Anyway.. these rice noodles ...are not typical rice noodles you get from a cart...not even the ones you order freshly made... these were pillowy soft....... Reminded me of gnocchi but better? I managed to eat four bites before my stomach burst and L finished the rest. He loved the peanuts and the pieces of shrimp...like Cajun style almost. The peanuts worked too since we use peanut sauce on rice rolls. Who knew, Parmesan on rice rolls.. at first L didn't think he'd like this dish but he loved it after the second bite. Really flavorful... The service. Only one person, the owner? working in the dining area. We weren't in a rush and it was a very late lunch for us..early dinner for others. There were two other tables with diners. Located in Maspeth, it's not that busy.. we did go on a weekday too. It wasn't too slow still and we were given yummy peanuts to snack on as we waited for our food. Overall I really did like the food here and the atmosphere is great if you're lookin for a place that's not going to rush you out. I actually preferred this meal compared to my last one in the city that cost 2x as much. Even though I enjoyed that restaurant as well but for different reasons. 3 shareable mains was enough for us 2 but we got 4 in the end and were stuffed..

Given its remote location, I was certain I'd never be able to visit. But alas, life had other plans. I think Driftwood is a great example of how far Asian Fusion has come. I'm particularly fond of the mala + american appetizer combo (Mala Tots). You haven't lived until you've had Mala Mozzerella sticks! Our group of 6 enjoyed our meals but nothing particularly wowed us. But it was a higher than usual restaurant fare. So, for all intents-and-purposes, it was pretty good. Although our leaving impression was the price could've matched the platter size a bit better. The boil sauce does make for a great take home sauce though. You laugh but my salads were tasty for a week.

Driftwood [4/5] We were interested in Driftwood's take on Asian inspired American comfort food. We ordered take-out: Golden Crab Bao ($17) - Snow crab meat, topped with crème fraiche dressing and yuzu tobiko inside a lotus left bun, with a lemon on the side. This was good, but I wish there was more crab inside because the sweet snow crab flavor can get lost in the bun. Adding a few drops of lemon brings a fresh citrus taste too. BLT Fried Rice ($22) - Rice stir-fried with nueske's bacon and red yuzu kosho baconnaise, topped with tomatoes, lettuce, soy-cured yolk, and tobiko. The rice has a sticky rice feel. I wish there was more lettuce and tomatoes in the dish to give it more texture, but overall I enjoy this dish. Rice Noodle Rolls ($18) - Includes rolled up rice noodle, rock shrimp, parmesan, roasted peanuts, and brown butter soy sauce. This is my favorite dish of the three. The rice noodle rolls were soft and chewy. The shrimp tasted fresh. The restaurant décor is modern, and ambiance felt calm. The staff was welcoming and greeted us with a smile.

I came here to say that I enjoyed my dining experience in this Asian fusion restaurant. The waitress was friendly and gave my boyfriend and I ample time to order our food. The food was delicious, I really enjoyed everything. The crab bao was my favorite. I thought it was a unique combination. The BLT combination with the fried rice was really tasty. The ambiance was great as well there weren't many people around my boyfriend and I on a Friday night. I actually enjoy these types of dining experiences more than crowded restaurants. There were two tables dining while I was dining. I almost forgot to talk about the lamb chops they were cooked at the perfect temperature. The lamb chops were so meaty and tender, easy to come off the bone. The lamb chop's white sauce and jam on top made the lamb chops superb. They had some games by the front by the bar as well. My boyfriend and I played the ring game for a bit while waiting for the food to come out. Food: 10/10 Experience: 10/10

Sorry to say I did not enjoy the fall menu. The food and flavor felt like it was all over the place. I wanted to try something from their previous menu but they so happen to change their menu the day I came to try the food. Really wish this place good luck because I can see the effort and hard work and it's bold move to bring that style of food to the neighborhood it's located in.

For Asian influenced comfort food, Driftwood definitely hits the spot. When our starters came & I started munching on a bao, I knew we were in for a treat. I LOVED all flavor profiles of each of the dishes we ordered from the mala tater tots to the fried rice rolls. Driftwood is definitely a resto you should go out of your way to check out!

The ambiance was super cute for a little town's seafood boil. It's such a chill vibe to go with their friends or family. They even provided some games for you to sit and wait with. The service was great and quick. Even when they accidentally spilled water on us, they helped clean it up quickly and provided a nice discount for the inconvenience. The food was pretty good for the most part. The pear dessert wasn't that good tbh. It lacked some taste for it being a dessert and they have a weird aftertaste. The ribs were pretty good and the rice hit the spot. The seafood boil was okay but it lacked some taste and we wished that they would allow us to add more into the seafood boil. But overall, this place is good for a small town food.

I was fortunate to have had the chance to go to a Yelp Elite Event at Driftwood about a month ago. I've been dreaming about their Rice Noodle Rolls ever since! Thanks to fellow Yelp Elites Chun and Jeannie for organizing this group dinner so we could return to Driftwood! There were 8 of us dining tonight; sharing many dishes. We literally ordered everything on the menu (except two dishes), including their 3 desserts! What a delicious feast! Our Feast Tonight (14 Snacks/Entrees & 3 Desserts): -- Milk Bread $10 -- Endive Salad $13 -- Mala Tots $10 -- Salmon Seaweed Crisps $16 -- Golden Crab Bao 2/$17 -- Charcoal seared scallops $17 -- Stir-Fry Peashoots $13 -- Chicken Mochi Waffles $15 -- Rice Noodle Rolls $18 -- BLT Fried Rice $22 -- Roasted Bone Marrow w.Toast $18 -- Pork Belly Wraps $18 -- Pork Ribs w.Sweet Potatoes $16 -- Fresno Gouda Cornbread $9 Desserts: -- Persimmon Cake Roll $11 -- Asian Pear Sorbet $12 -- Milk Tea Pudding (Earl Grey) $8. The 2 menu items we DIDN'T order (only because it was just too much food for us): -- Driftwood Burger $20 -- Driftwood Seafood Boil $48 (although we didn't order the Boil this time, I had it in the past and this seafood boil was delicious!). Each dish was better than the next. I've gone to my fair share of group dining events but these dishes were on another level. Fresh ingredients, innovative food combinations & flavors, each dish completely different from the next. I was going to list all my fave dishes but I realized that every dish would fit into that category! You can't go wrong with whatever you decide to order. Do yourself a favor: grab some friends, and try all their dishes like we did! This was a phenomenal shared meal experience! Even though we were completely FULL after our 14 Snacks/Entrees, we HAD TO also order all 3 of their desserts (shared by 8). A perfect way to end this fabulous meal! Note that their liquor license is coming soon but in the meantime, try one of their unique, refreshing mocktails! They also have a bunch of games at the bar, which you can bring to your table to play while waiting for your food. Parking: plenty of free street parking is available. There is also plenty of metered parking; free after 7pm. Big thanks to Owner Mimi and Chef for their hospitality and fine foods. We had such a great time! See you again soon!

4.5 overall. A decent sized place with a bar (no liquor license yet, but they're trying for it! BYOB until then) and games to play. Lots of metered street parking. There were 8 of us (a couple of us carpooled) and we did not have trouble finding parking. Since there were 8 of us, we were able to try almost all their dishes! The bathroom is large and beautifully decorated florally. Mimi (the co-owner with Chef Shane) was informative and attentive. She helped us decide portion sizing and answered any questions we had. The water comes infused with citrus, adding a refreshing taste. We all opted to get other drinks as well. I opted for the Calico Calpico. It was balanced with the sweetness of the calpico and salted rim. Did not taste much of the oolong tea, though that is a lighter flavor. Must gets: The Golden Crab Bao was loaded with tender snow crab stuffed into a crispy bun. The creme fraiche and yuzu tobiko add a lovely balance. The Roasted Bone Marrow came with soft toast. Gotta eat it quick while it's still hot! The marrow was delicious and went well with the toasty but soft bread. There is a little bit of meat still on the bone for those who enjoy gnawing on bone! The Fresno Gouda Cornbread had a nice kick from the jalapeno. Perfectly crispy outside and soft inside. The Chicken and Mochi Waffle is a great twist on a classic dish. The salty and sweet soy garlic maple syrup went well with the crispy chicken and toasty squishy mochi waffle bites. I love how shareable this dish since it's bite sized! The Rice Noodle Rolls were flavorful, soft and chewy. Just wish I wasn't so full by the time this came out. I would have eaten much more! If you love...then get: The Endives Salad is a little strong with the vinaigrette. It does help balance the bitterness of the endive, but only get if you love endives. The Stir-Fry Peashoots was a big portion! It stayed pipping hot and was flavorful. I love pea shoot and this is a great version. The Mala Tots have a strong tingly kick, which can be cooled down with the delicious dip. I just wish there was more dip! The Charcoal-Seared Scallops is buttery deliciousness. It was seared perfectly. The pickles helped balance the richness. The Pork Ribs were fall off the bone tender and had a good little kick from the gochujang. The melted mozzarella went well with the spice. The sweet potatoes are on the side. Can skip: The Milk Bread is a bit small in size. Wish they were bigger so I could really taste the fluffiness. The honey butter is a tasty addition though. The Salmon Seaweed Crisp is a decent portion size. Fresh seafood atop a crisp with the wasabi crema hidden beneath (which I couldn't really taste). The BLT Fried Rice was loaded with bacon and tobiko. It felt more like a sticky rice than fried rice, but that is probably from the baconnaise and soy-cured yolk. Not a texture I am expecting with fried rice. The Pork Belly Wrap had cripsy pork, a few pieces of lettuce (we requested more), a tasty peri-peri dip, and pork rinds that was break your teeth hard. Besides not being able to eat the pork rinds at all, the dish was forgettable. Desserts were hard to judge since we were so full and only had a bite: The Asian Pear Sorbet was chilled and sweet. Nicely presented. The Persimmon Cake Roll wasn't too sweet. Not memorable though. The Milk Tea Pudding was super sweet, but did have a strong bergamot flavor. It was a looser consistency than expected. Wet wipe given at the end, which is great for those who opt for their boil or burger (neither of which we ordered, but would be interested in trying!)

TLDR: Just go to Driftwood and thank me later. Crab Bao, Roasted Bone Marrow, Rice Noodle Rolls, BLT Fried Rice and Pork Ribs are must tries. To get a sense of what Driftwood is about you should check out their about page on their website: https://www.driftwoodnyc.com/about "Driftwood is inspired by Chef Shane Kim's childhood as a first- generation Asian-American growing up in the Southwest and his affinity for comfort food. Combining his heritage, story, and experience working at fine-dining and casual establishments with French culinary training, Driftwood is Asian-Americana showcasing Asian ingredients and flavor with nostalgic American comfort food. With his partner and chef Mimi Chen - a small team with a big heart bringing something different to the great town of Maspeth." This all makes for an interesting remix of dishes and flavors. I love seeing the passion of behind the scenes chef Shane Kim and front of house hospitality and co-owner, Mimi Chen. There is much to love about Driftwood, although this is a 5 star review I can't say every dish hit the mark with me, or was executed perfectly.. but its not about perfection, but admiration for the spirit and potential of Driftwood hitting its stride. Here is my breakdown and hopefully constructive criticism: As of this writing Driftwood does not have its liquor license, but it has an interesting mocktail program along with teas and soft drinks. I've tried a few and I can't say any of them stood out. Looking forward to when they can serve alcohol. Do not miss dishes: The Rice Noodle Rolls I would consider one of their signature dishes - The brown butter soy sauce combined with shrimp flavor the tender rice rolls almost transforming them into scallops. A hit of lime bring brightness to this dish that everyone I spoke to raves about. Get this! BLT Fried Rice was the other dish I heard my friend Jo exclaim she may like this slightly better than the Rice Rolls.. Neuske's bacon, red yuzu kosho, baconnaise, salt cured yolk and Tobiko will make you forget about the unlisted L. Golden Crab Bao - these crispy buns with tender snow crab mixed with creme fresh has citrusy yuzu tobiko tying these baos up with a bow - a real gift. Roasted Bone Marrow - This is what bread and butter wants to be when it grows up. The crispy outside and fluffy inside toast pieces were perfect with this decadent marrow - I could have eaten this all! Pork Ribs - I loved the smoked gochujang sauce on this the melted mozz adds a comforting blanket. Get this with a side of fantastic Fresno gouda cornbread, eat then nap... Great Dishes: Mala Tots - The crispy tots with spicy powder blend has a kick that sneaks up on you. Chicken & Mochi Waffles - classic chicken and waffles with an Asian twist - delicious and so sharable. Good with the mala tots if you like spicy with your sweet. Stir-Fry Peashoots - I'll take peashoots in any form. Get your greens in. Missing the mark: Milk Bead - I don't know the cost of the ingredients or technique that go into making this but 5 mini buns for the cost does not seem worth it. They should be larger. If these were served like parker house rolls bursting from a small pan it would be more impressive. Nice flavor though. Salmon Seaweed Crisp - I just expected more flavor and maybe the dish sat for a bit the seaweed wasn't crisp. Endive Salad - overdressed making for soggy endive it could use a lighter touch. Charcoal-Seared Scallops - maybe I didn't try enough of this, but it wasn't that memorable. I need a re-do! Pork Belly Wraps - the fried rind was hard and unbreakable - could not chew. Pork belly wasn't as tender as I would like and missing spice. Rice was too mushy for me. Did not try the burger or boil on this occasion, but although I am not a big boil fan I had it at an event and the flavor is very good and ingredients very fresh. I am Driftwood fan and I look forward to coming back maybe with less people so I don't have to share so much good food!

First review of 2024, we took over Driftwood! This new Asian inspired fusion restaurant in Maspeth is conveniently located just off the LIE. For our team holiday party, we reserved the entire restaurant for the evening, which turned out to be a perfect size to accommodate 32 people at all the tables, plus an additional 5 could have been seated at the bar, but we didn't need it. For the festivities, it was BYOB, but a unique mocktail menu was also provided. Our servers were extremely nice and took care of us the whole night. For each table, we shared served tastings from select menu dishes with preparations and flavors from mainly SE Asia. The chef obviously took great care in evolving the menu using some unique ingredients. Our menu consisted of 10 courses and though each dish seemed small to be shared by 4 people at each table, we soon found ourselves very satisfied and some tables even had leftovers. We started with the Crawfish Rangoon with cheesy crab stuffing and a spicy pepper dip, followed by the crunchy Chayote Tea Salad, Mala Tots and a deconstructed sweet and spicy Chicken and Mochi Waffles. Some of my other following favorites were the BLT Fried Rice with bits of bacon and topped with a soft egg yolk to be gooey mixed into the rice and the Golden Crab Baos topped with fish roe that popped in your mouth. The Charcoal Seared Scallops were good, but they left me hanging because I wanted more. The last 2 savory dishes were the Pork Belly DIY lettuce, rice & cucumber wraps and the Shrimp Rice Rolls, both very tasty dishes. Finishing up, was a cup of the Ear Grey Milk Tea Pudding, very sweet with crumblies on top. It was a special dinner to remember. I cannot wait to come back to try the seafood boils I've been seeing and I know there are menu items I've missed!

We shared the BLT fried rice, Bone Marrow and Driftwood Boil. Everything was delicious. My absolute favorite was the shrimp and crab. Having said that, everything was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. The service was very attentive and the ambience and decor was cute. Definitely coming back to try other dishes. I'm eyeballing you Mala Tots and Driftwood Wagyu burger

I wanted to try a new place and decided to go here as it is an asian fusion place. The service was great and the decor was very modern. However, the food left me desiring for something even better. They still need a liquor license, so hopefully, they are working on it. Maybe their menu needs a bit of work. Food wise, we got the mala tots, which was supposed to be spicy but wasn't to me. The BLT fried rice was good but had a weird after taste to it. The chicken + mochi waffles were alright, but something was missing from it. The main dish that I ordered was the boil since all the other Yelp reviews raved about it. Got the driftwood special as the sauce, and that didn't taste good with what I ordered, which was shell-shock. I also got a special order of knots inside, too. All in all, unless something is done about the menu, I won't be returning.

The portion were small. It is like tapa place. You can see from the picture that there were on few piece of milk bread. What is good. The crab bao was amazing. Mala tot is enjoyable. Never have this type of flavor in a potato tot, so I thought it was interesting. The earl grey pudding is also recommended. The rest chicken waffle, BLT rice was ok. The calico drink was too small for its price. $9 for 3 sip. It just taste like calico mixed with orange soda.

Driftwood is definitely a spot I'm going to come back to! We were greeted warmly by the waitress (who I now realize is the owner lol) and seated immediately. We weren't very hungry because we had eaten a couple hours prior so we decided to order a few appetizers to share. Milk Bread- the bread was so soft and warm. The buckwheat honey butter complimented the bread really well. Mala Tots- if you like Mala, this is the one for you. I thought it was overpowering but I brought leftovers home to my aunt who absolutely loved it. Golden Crab Bao- the creme fraiche dressing, tobiko, and bun were are great but I thought the crab could have been a little more moist/ tender. A fresh component (maybe some sort of veggie) could have added moisture to it. My boyfriend said he liked it the way it came. Side order of Mac and Cheese Corn- I couldn't quite put my finger on what made it so good but it was delicious. I'd order as a full appetizer if it were available lol. As for our drinks, Text on the Beach & Dragonwell Lemonade were soooo good. My boyfriend said it looked like they were waiting on a liquor license since the bar shelves were empty. I can't wait to come back once they get their license!!! They also had an array of table games available which could be played while waiting for your food.

I was walking around with my daughter and stopped by this place, i was amazed that a small place had some good food, i started with the oyster and they were super fresh, and my daughter had ice cream topped with fried prosciutto and it was delicious, shout out to mimi she was very nice and gave us an excellent service, i will be back very

DO NOT WALK BY THIS PLACE WITHOUT GOING IN TO TRY THE FOOD! The owner Mimi is truly a Gem. I have never seen an owner pour so much of her heart and soul into a business and it clearly shows! The first time I came here, it was for a Yelp Event! It was so amazing, I had to come back and couldn't wait for long! The first time I came, we tried their mock trials - divine! As well as the rice noodle rolls, the baos, and the crawfish boil. Everything was incredible. I kept craving those rice noodle rolls, so I had to come back! The second time, I ordered some dumplings with TGTG. As well as the rice noodle rolls and the earl grey pudding. The noodles are phenomenal! They are some of the most savory noodles I have ever had with just a seafood base. The pudding is also increíble. I thought I would just have a bite and I ended up eating the whole thing in two seconds. Cannot wait to come back soon! IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC

To say that Driftwood is a neighborhood gem is beyond an understatement. It almost seems criminal that this place isn't being featured in every foodie blog/magazine or going viral on social media, because it deserves to be. Perhaps it's "too creative and exciting" for the stretch of Grand Avenue in Maspeth that it happens to be located on, but for anyone looking for a unique and exceptional dining experience, I urge you to make this a destination. The food is so delicious and perfectly executed, and the service is really amazing as well. My husband and I ordered the BLT fried rice, the seafood boil, and the roasted bone marrow. I was fully expecting to have leftovers to take home, but everything was so tasty that we left nothing behind. :) We even ate the deliciously seasoned peanuts that the server brought us to snack on while we waited for our order. The most impressive aspect of the dishes was how balanced they were in terms of flavors and textures. The fried rice was unlike any fried rice I've ever tasted. The contrast between the pork and the veggies and tobiko, along with the rich yolk of the soy egg....just amazing. The bone marrow was so good too and was topped with a fresh herb sauce and crispy shallots. The seafood in the boil was perfectly cooked and tender. If Driftwood was in another Queens neighborhood (Sunnyside, Astoria, LIC), it would be packed every single night. I really hope more people check it out, because they deserve to be truly successful. One quick note: they do have a full liquor license now but do not have a cocktail list yet, and the bar is a bit sparse so far, but they have a lot of beer and wine options. Definitely check this place out and spread the word!

10/10! Everything was great! The food was so delicious and flavorful I suggest coming here with a group of friends so you can try different things from the menu. The decor was aesthetic, the staff were super nice and helpful. The food came out very quick, and also did I mention this place is BYOB! So definitely bring a bottle of your favorite wine to enjoy your meal with! My favorite items were the Mala Tots as it has a unique flavor added to tater tots that you don't get anywhere else!

I live right by Maspeth and saw raving reviews about this place so I decided to give it a try. I came with a friend on a Saturday night and we were seated right away but immediately afterwards, the restaurant started filling up. There was only 1 waiter attending to 7 tables and we waited 45+ minutes for our food. Service was slow and it was hard to get the waiter's attention. The food: I ordered the rice roll, bone marrow, and driftwood boil. The rice roll was really good, loved the chewy texture and the flavors worked really well. The bone marrow - I wanted to love this and was looking forward to this the most bc the pics looked so good but it was really underwhelming. There was barely any spread in the bone marrow to fill up even one slice of the milk bread. I was just really disappointed with this dish. Lastly the driftwood boil - this was good, but I found the house sauce to be a little too salty. The seafood was fresh though the portion was a little smaller than I expected. For $50, I've had better seafood boil elsewhere. Overall, the food was decent but due to the slow service I received, I'm not sure I would come here again

Ambiance of the restaurant is super cozy. Service on point and the food was absolutely delicious Perfect for groups or a date night:) Flavours really stood out. Here's what I thought of each plate Crawfish ragoon: it was yummy esp the sauce Crab bao: 10/10! Bao was fluffy and every bite was full of crab meat. Love the yuzu tobiko on top. My favorite ~ Oysters: very refreshing the pear brought out the oyster and didn't overpower it Scallops: the aonori butter sauce w the scallops absolutely BLT fried rice: this is my second favorite. The tobiko really made this dish pop out fr. Extremely flavorful. Seafood plates: love the parmesan truffle sauce. Seafood is fresh! Overall I really enjoyed the dining experience, I'll be back again for sure!

The evening began with their innovative golden fried bao filled with succulent crab, which was a masterful blend of textures and flavors that awakened my palate. Each bite was a delightful crunch leading to the sweet, tender crab within--truly a luxurious start. But it didn't stop there. The mala tots were a revelation, perfectly capturing the essence of Sichuan cuisine. They were spicy, tingly, and numbing, igniting a flavor explosion with each morsel. It's rare to find a dish that resonates so deeply with those seeking both comfort and adventure on their plate. Driftwood's unique take on chicken and waffles was next--a dish that honored the classic while infusing it with their signature flair. It was an exquisite balance of savory and sweet, crisp and tender, and every bite was a testament to their culinary prowess. The rock shrimp rice rolls sprinkled with Parmesan were another highlight. These delicate parcels were a harmony of flavors, with the rock shrimp's sweetness complementing the umami richness of the Parmesan. It was an innovative combination that paid off deliciously. My favorite dish, the BLT fried rice, was a standout. This wasn't just a meal; it was a showstopper. The dish took the familiar BLT concept to uncharted territories, with each forkful revealing layers of flavor that were comforting yet bold, familiar yet surprising. As if the meal couldn't get any better, we indulged in an array of Cajun seafood that was the grand finale of our feast. Will definitely be back!

Been here multiple times now and the food is always amazing! Literally been impressed by every single dish and drink I've tried - they're all so good and have such unique flavors. Some of my favorite dishes are the salmon seaweed crisp, the pork ribs, and the milk tea pudding (one of my all time favorite desserts). Mimi is also super sweet and her staff is great as well. Will definitely be back again soon!

5 stars!!! I'm so glad I somehow stumbled upon this new restaurant, everything tasted so flavorful yet unconventional. Mala tots were spicy and addictive, the crab buns were better than I could've imagined, the caviar and sauce paired so well with the crab meat and warm toasted bun. The rice noodles were probably the star of the night for me, it tastes way better than my picture looks. Each bite had such a distinct buttery yet savory taste with a bite of crunch and crisp from the noodle and it was just a perfect combo. I tried the cyclone with the driftwood special sauce, I think this was very worth it and I'll consider the spicy level mild even for someone that usually can't eat too spicy. Lastly, the earl grey milk tea pudding! I loooved how strong the earl grey cream was without being too sweet and the crumbs on top added the perfect crisp. I'll definitely be back to try the rest of the menu!

Finally got a chance to try Driftwood and wow, the food and service was outstanding!!!! The owner, Mimi was very attentive, kind, informative, gracious and professional. The food was delicious and unique. Very fusion like. As you can see from our pictures, we tried almost everything. Even the drinks were great. And the place was very clean and organized. Love the decor. Adorable. Keep up the amazing work!

Time to add my 5 stars to the mix and what can I say that hasn't been said in previous reviews ? This place would be a find in Manhattan or Brooklyn but the fact that it is on Grand ave between a Fresca tortilla and a bike shop is insane. Alot of love obviously went into this menu , it is a symphony of flavors and textures that constantly have your palette dancing a jig , sweet , salty , spicy , crunchy , savory , its all there , truly an incredible culinary experience and the best meal I've had out in some time ..best restaurant in the area by far . As for the staff , well we only got to meet Mimi but she was awesome. If I had to complain about anything it would be the dessert I ordered, it says on the menu Earl grey tea pudding but what you get is basicly a bubble tea in a bowl with jelly cubes , while it was tasty it was far from what I was expecting, they also forgot one of my add-ons to my seafood boil but it was so good I didn't even notice until after the fact . These minor gripes aside it was an incredible experience and me and the wife will most certainly be back in the future , if this soft opening is any indication of what they are capable of I expect nothing but great things from them in the future

If you are ever in Maspeth, stop by this restaurant! It's such a gem. The food and service was absolutely amazing! We ordered the Mala Tots, Peashoots, Rice Noodle Roll, Driftwood Boil, Milk Tea Pudding, and the Calpico Calico mocktail. The Mala Tots (served with a side of chive dip) smelled so aromatic. It was crispy and had a very balanced flavor that didn't leave your mouth too numb which I liked a lot. The Peashoots had a very vibrant color and reminded me of how my grandpa use to make it. The Rice Noodle Rolls had a very nice texture and the shrimp in the dish were so juicy! The Driftwood Boil is the perfect portion to share between 2 people! There were three different options for the sauce and we got the driftwood option which was super flavorful and buttery. The boil was definitely fresh, as the snow crab meat came out whole from the shell. We thought it was very unique that there were konjac knots in the boil! The mocktail, Calpico Calico had a sugar rim and was tangy, kind of reminded me of a Chinese candy called Haw Flakes. For dessert, we got the Milk Tea Pudding that was topped with shortbread crumble and honeycomb. I think the consistency was more of a mousse. The pudding itself wasn't too sweet but combined with the crumble and honeycomb gave it a nice little crunch and extra sweetness! Our server told us that they change up the menu either 3 times a year or every 3 months (I was distracted with the delicious food that I forgot) But we will definitely return in the future! 10/10 would recommend!

I absolutely love the chicken waffle at this restaurant! The texture is incredibly chewy, and the flavor is mind-blowing. The chayote tea salad offers a refreshing and rich taste that complements the meal perfectly. A delightful culinary experience!

Had an incredible dining experience at this new gem in Maspeth. The flavors of their mocktails were carefully crafted and tasty. Every dish I had was special but some of my favorites were the mala tots, rice noodles and BLT fried rice. The ambience and bathroom aesthetics were very soothing and inviting. I'm looking forward to coming back and sharing the experience with other friends.

Delicious food. The flavors were a delight. We ordered a large variety of dishes and each dish was delicious. Can't wait to go back.

Nice and heavy flavors! Portions on the smaller side... Worth a try! Easy street parking ... came here on a Wednesday night pretty quiet atmosphere ...

Amazing drinks and food. The owner, mimi was great and was so hospitable. Would definitely come again. Great vibes.

I am so happy Driftwood opened in Maspeth! I just had dinner there today and I'm already thinking about if it's too much to come back tomorrow for dinner again. We ordered a capico calico, blossom honey chrysanthemum, golden crab bun, chicken mochi waffle, cyclone boil with sausage and garlic Parmesan truffle sauce, persimmon turnover, and earl gray milk tea puddle. Every single item was a banger! Every single one! Service and ambiance on point too off, but my brain is too full of how awesome the food is . All in all, definitely a great new addition to maspeth and would 1000% come back to try other other items on the menu.

Dined here yesterday on a Wednesday and I am sure glad I did. The decor is peaceful and upscale. Even the bathroom was cute. The staff was super attentive and really went out of their way to make sure we were having a good time. The food was shockingly great for a restaurant in this area. The plating was very well thought out. The flavors was delicious and complex. We ordered some mocktails that were cleverly concocted. It honestly felt like a nice restaurant out in the city somewhere but certainly not city prices. Some of my favs (without writing a wall of text) Oysters topped with this refreshing and light granita which I've never tasted before Mala Tots dusted with dried mala spices. I wonder why they don't do this at more places Cheese corn that was simple but perfect Golden Crab Bao that was light and crispy 10/10 would return

Lovely space with amazing food--the rice noodles and seafood boil were incredible. So thankful to have discovered this spot!

This place is a hidden gem! It far exceeded my expectations as the food was unique but absolutely delicious. We were a group of 4 so got to try many items. The place was fairly empty because I don't think a lot of people know about it yet. The waitress/owner was lovely and attentive managing all the tables by herself. Peashoot - I regularly cook/eat this at restaurants and this was so much better than any I've tried. It's a Chinese staple but Driftwood was able to add subtle changes that infused it with so much more flavor Mala Tots - This was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The way tater tots are supposed to be! Roasted Bone Marrow - This was good but we thought it was going to be the star of the show. My favorite part was actually the buttered toast which had a sweetness that balanced really nicely with the salty gremolata. BLT Fried Rice - Funnily, the next day I went to another famous restaurant that also served BLT Fried Rice. Driftwood's version was 10x better. It is heavy because of the bacon fat but it was also so delicious and well executed. The runny egg was a perfect touch. Rice Noodle Roll - This was the surprise hit. It looked interesting but none of us expected to be blown away. Parmesan on rice noodle??? We were all fighting for the last piece because it was that good. Driftwood Boil - If you are a fan of Boils, this is the typical fair. Nothing surprising except for the quail egg which my companions were very excited for. Milk Tea Pudding - O M G. This is sooo dangerous. I love earl grey and pudding so I had to get this. It had a strong tea taste while being so creamy. The Crumble and honeycomb added the texture and shocks of sweetness. I could've had a bucket of this. Only way it would've been better is if it was a panna cotta. I'm drooling as I'm typing. Maesil Soda - This was surprisingly good! It was refreshing, sour and sweet which helped cut the richness of some of the food. Although the portions are on the smaller side since they are tapas style, they were actually so filling. All of us were able to have multiple bites of everything and we left so full and so happy. I will definitely be returning.

Had the pleasure of trying Driftwood during soft opening. Everything was so fresh and delicious, such high quality food and flavors! My personal favorite was the mala tots, and I usually don't eat raw oysters but it was actually delicious! We got the driftwood special sauce and had together, second round in the sweet and tangy. I recommend either, you really can't go wrong. The waitress was super friendly and helpful too and was good with refilling water. The restaurant is a newly renovated and decently sized cute spot with lovely decor and ambiance. Definitely fit for a casual eating with friends but can get messy if you're on a date haha.

Delicious seafood dish and ambiance is very beautiful. I love the bathroom which is very spacious and clean.

The best spot in Maspeth. This is definitely a place you have to try. Everything we ate was amazing. My favorite is the BLT fried rice and the rice noodle rolls and the Golden Crab Bao's and the Shellshock. I've never had anything like it. All the dishes were well seasoned with bursting flavors. The ambience was also very nice especially if you want to come here with friends or even just a date. The service was amazing, our Waitress Mimi and Lili were very sweet and recommended amazing food for us to try. I will definitely come back again.

This place is amazing, the food is always wonderful, atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the staff are always so kind and welcoming. My favorite dish has to be the BLT Fried Rice, the balance and depth of favors is really something special. Thank you always, Driftwood.

Driftwood is something special. The aesthetics of the space is welcoming and comfortable. We had a large group and tried most of the food on the menu. Don't think you could go wrong with any of the snacks/starters. Every item was unique with amazing flavors and textures. The BLT Fried Rice and Crawfish Rangoon were my favorite! The main event was definitely the seafood. We got the Shellshock with their special Driftwood sauce. It had clams, mussels and shrimps. Smelled amazing! Also the shrimps were huge! My new go to spot for seafood boil.

The food was so goood! Service was wonderful!! Beautiful environment, I would def come back again!! Each dish had its own special taste and the flavor was businnn 10/10

Excellent dining experience! Masterfully crafted from the interior design to the exquisite flavors in their food. Service was quick and prompt so there's little wait time between ordering and being served your order. Couldn't recommend this restaurant faster! Please hurry in and try before they explode with popularity!

Went to Driftwood for dinner and everything was delicious. Service was great. I had to add an additional party last min, and they were very accommodating even though they were fully booked. We mentioned our food allergies and spicy tolerances and the server was extremely knowledgeable on the menu. We ordered every item on the "Share" menu and 2 small seafood boils. Here's a few memorable items, Honey Brown Butter Popcorn, BLT fried rice. Scallops, Rice noodle rolled, seafood boil with driftwood sauce and garlic parm truffle sauce. I can't wait to go back!

Amazing food and service from the team and driftwood. I hardly ever write reviews but this new place in Maspeth is amazing. On the drive home from work and super convenient. Can't wait to come back and try rest of the menu!

I came here with my family and kids and it was amazing it had great service and good food.There were games and my kids play with them and were entertained while the food came.The atmosphere was very clean and game a calm mood.I would definitely recommend their Mala Tots,golden crab bao, BLT fried rice ,and the boils.The Mala Tots seem very popular especially with kids. Great dining experience. Will definitely go back.

Food, drinks, and service were all amazing!! We pretty much ordered the whole menu and killed everything... The flavors are very unique/innovative. My top 5 dishes were the BLT Fried Rice, Crawfish Rangoon, Shellshock Boil with Special Driftwood Sauce, Cheese Corn, and Earl Grey Milk Tea Pudding. I also finished 2 Blossom Honey Chrysanthemum Tea drinks on my own...

Ate here last night with some friends and it was such a great addition to the neighborhood! There was a beautiful wood interior that matched the name of the restaurant. Each dish was creative and tasted amazing but my favorites would have to be the Blossom Honey Chrysanthemum, BLT Fried Rice, Crawfish Rangoon, and the Golden Crab Bao. If you have room for dessert, be sure to get the Earl Grey Milk Tea Pudding. It was not too sweet and the tea flavors really shined through. Not only was the food amazing but the service was excellent as well. I'll definitely be back again to try the oysters and the scallops!

Food and service were excellent. Highly recommend their oysters and self made blossom honey chrysanthemum soft drink. Also got the Royalty seafood boil with additional sausage add on. The driftwood sauce is perfect for those that would like zesty taste to their seafood.