From the doorway, the view is promising only if you're comfortable with snooker: The room is dominated by three expansive tables devoted to that challenging cue sport. Cross to the far side of the counter, however, and you'll find more action, not at the downsized pool table but in the small dining area, provisioned by a Bhutanese kitchen, beside it.
As at nearby Bhutanese Ema Datsi Restaurant, you'll need to be insistent to score food as spicy as the chef would prepare for himself. White rice is the default, but Bhutan's signature red rice may be available if you call ahead. Some dishes can be bony in a persnickety way. "Bar" is a misnomer unless your idea of a stiff drink is butter tea (the un-buttery variety is on offer, too). And if you overwhelm the kitchen with too large an order, you may find yourself whiling away the time by exposing long-neglected eight-ball shotmaking. That said, there's much good chow — and I still haven't tried the pork ribs, the tripe, and a fistful of chile-cheese datse dishes.
Shown here, three favorites: norsha maro, a sort of thick noodle soup (the owner describes it as a gravy) replete with minced dried beef; kagkur soup, featuring squash; and excellent beef momos. Rack 'em up. For more photos, see the EIT page on Facebook.
H/T Inspector Collector (via private communication)
Weekender Billiard Restaurant & Bar
41-46 54th St. (Roosevelt Ave.-Queens Blvd.), Woodside, Queens
917-832-6903
Closed Wednesday
