Jim Isermann, TV Lounge, 1988, at the museum of the moving image — *Jim Isermann, TV Lounge, 1988, at the museum of the moving image*

If you're into movies and memorabilia, this affordable Friday evening is for you.

Going to a museum during a window of free admission can be more frustrating than fun, especially on a Friday (ahem, MOMA). Lines are usually insane and once inside, you find yourself pushing through crowds reminiscent of a Where’s Waldo scene.

Not so at the Museum of the Moving Image, where the normally pricey entry fee is waived on Fridays from 4:00-8:00pm. Even at 7:00pm, you'll likely find the vibe to be extremely relaxed: no fee, no wait and no crowd.*

MOMI is a beautifully designed museum featuring an excellent assemblage of memorabilia, including historical film and audio apparatus, costumes, make up and special effects artifacts, and a sizable collection of Star Wars and Star Trek merchandise. The museum also houses two state of the art theaters that screen a diverse selection of films, from silent movies accompanied by live music to new international releases. All that, plus some outstanding exhibitions, make the Museum of the Moving Image a must visit. Seriously, go.

*New exhibitions can draw a crowd to a particular area of the museum, but the line usually moves quickly. If you go to see the permanent collection, you can do so without any delay.

STOP 2: QUEENS COMFORT

Queens comfort looks like what happens when the lights go on without warning after your uncle's childhood toy chest pulls the old Toy Story routine. Vintage adolescent bric-à-brac can be found on every surface not dedicated to drinking and dining. Figurines and collectibles hang from a chandelier and strings of holiday lights, an Elvis lamp abuts a stuffed chicken in the front window, and an entire corner of the restaurant is dedicated to comic books, which are also available for purchase. A long communal table runs down the center of the restaurant where, at one end, silent, retro movies are projected onto a screen, while loud old-school hip-hop is pumped throughout the dining room.

As the name of the restaurant suggests, the menu ostensibly offers comfort food. While there are a handful of heavy, greasy dishes that fit the bill, like the so-so chicken and waffles, most of the offerings are sandwiches. The sandwiches themselves are fine, but taste a whole lot better when drinking a beer, glass of wine or stiff drink that you brought in yourself. With a BYOB policy, a jovial atmosphere and affordable fare, Queens Comfort is a pleasant place to have a laid back Friday night dinner.

RECAP:

Museum of the Moving Image: A fantastic museum with tons of movie memorabilia and outstanding rotating exhibitions. Open to 8:00pm and free on Friday evenings.
Queens Comfort: A casual, kitschy restaurant with a sandwich heavy menu and a BYOB policy.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

-The Museum of the Moving Image is located at 36-01 35th Avenue. Queens Comfort is located at 4009 30th Avenue.

-Total Cost: About $30 per person for free admission to the museum and dinner at Queens Comfort. Tax and tip included.

-Upon entering the museum, there is no need to stop by the ticketing desk or speak with a museum rep. Just walk right in and have fun.

-Queens Comfort is just over a 15 minute walk away from MOMI. While you may want to get your exercise in, as the food is on the heavy side, you can also take a quick 5 minute cab ride.

-Queens Comfort is cash only and does not take reservations. There may be a wait on a Friday evening, but it usually isn't too bad (unlike the epic waits for brunch). Note that the restaurant closes at 9:30pm on Weekend nights.

-There is a liquor store on the corner, so swing by before heading to dinner.

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