FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Joe DiStefano, the Queens-centric food writer who once ate live octopus with Anthony Bourdain, would like you to know that the food in Forest Hills is anything but boring. His proof? Juicy Georgian dumplings, molten cheese pies and an Uzbeki meat skewer handed down from the balcony above his Forest Hills home.

DiStefano, whom Edible once described as "the most gung-ho, ride-or-die Queens food fanatic there is," has been exploring the borough's vibrant culinary scene for more than a decade, detailing his adventures on the blog CHOPSTICKS & MARROW. Queens' favorite foodie may be best known for championing the culinary havens of downtown Flushing — like the beloved Golden Shopping Mall — but it's the Forest Hills-Rego Park area that he calls home.

The so-called "Guy Who Ate Queens" shares his favorite Forest Hills eateries as part of Patch's Local Legends series, where people who make New York City great discuss the neighborhoods they call home. (Does your neighborhood have a Local Legend we should feature? We're taking nominations here.)

Last week we spoke with New York Attorney General Tish James about her Clinton Hill blackout adventures and next week we'll talk Washington Square Park concertos with Colin Huggins, the "Crazy Piano Guy." Here's what DiStefano had to say about the neighborhood he calls home.

Describe Forest Hills in three words.

Historic, cozy, delicious.