Dorian Cafe - Superb Simple Food

Dorian Cafe - 10-01 50th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.937.1120

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

Dorian Cafe is easy to find, as it's probably the first thing you'll see when stepping out of the 7 train at Vernon/Jackson. While it may seem like an uneventful diner, I've been told that it's anything but ordinary. My cousin Vicky raved about it on our way back from Blend and I thought that I'd mention it here. In her words "Dorian's may seem like a diner that's nothing fancy but the food is amazing. They turn every simple dish into something extraordinary."

She especially complimented their brunch and I've also heard great things about their salads, burgers and fries. I'm going to have to get myself over there pronto. I'll follow up with a menu and a review but in the meantime, I wanted to put this place on your radar.

Benjamas Taste of Thai - Heavenly Spring Rolls and More!

Benjamas Taste of Thai – 34-16 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106
718.932.8826
N/W Train to Broadway
www.thaibenjamas.com

Thai places are everywhere in Astoria and there’s some great ones out there. Although I’m partial to Wave Thai and Leng Thai, I’m excited that new Thai eateries are springing up in all parts of our neighborhood.

I recently had the chance to sample the cuisine of Benjamas Taste of Thai at the Cuisine of Queens and Beyond event at the Astoria World Manor. Great stuff--and I’ll surely be coming back for a proper meal. One taste of their crunchy veggie spring rolls got me hooked and made me grab a menu.

There’s a lot of good buzz around Benjamas—they must be doing something right because people are talking about ‘em a lot. Recently when getting a manicure, I overheard a woman next to me raving about them and calling their food “EXCELLENT.”

Check it out for yourself and take a look at their abbreviated menu below:

Appetizers:

Spring Roll – Vegetarian spring roll stuffed with cabbage, carrot, glass noodles, served with plum sauce…$4.50

Shrimp in a Blanket – Marinated shrimp wrapped in egg roll skin…$7.95

Thai Dumplings – Steamed ground chicken, shrimp and mushrooms served with garlic balsamic, black soy and chili sauce…$5.95

Noodles and Fried Rice:

Spicy Basil Fried Rice – Thai style fried rice with basil, chili and onions…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Lard Nah – Stir-fried flat rice noodles with garlic, Chinese broccoli served in a thick gravy…$9 (chicken), $10 (beef), $11 (shrimp)

Crabmeat and Shrimp Fried Rice – Thai style fried rice with tomato, egg, onions, scallions, shrimp and lump crab meat…$12

Entrees:

Seafood Kra Prao – Sauteed seafood with onions, chili and holy basil…$15

Taste of Thai Cashew Nut – Sauteed mushrooms, cashew nuts, carrots, sweet onions, garlic and chili…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Pad Sweet Sour – Stir-fried mixed vegetables with sweet and sour sauce…$10 (chicken), $11 (beef), $12 (shrimp)

Lunch specials include a sampling of noodle, curry and rice dishes for about $7.

Malibu Salmon - A Great Summer Dish

I wanted to cook dinner last night but didn't want it to be too complicated because of the heat in our apartment--no central AC here. After scanning a couple of recipes in one of my favorite cookbooks, Dave's Dinners by Dave Lieberman I found what I was looking for--Chili Grilled Salmon with Cucumber Mango Salsa. As I usually do, I switched a couple of things around to make it more my own. See Dave's recipe below and then my variation too.

Dave's Version (Serves 4)

Ingredients (for the fish)

1 lb of fresh salmon fillet, skin removed and cut into 4 equal pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 tbs of vegetable oil

2 tbs of chili powder

2 tsp of dried oregano

Ingredients (for the cucumber-mango salsa)

2 ripe but firm mangoes, flesh removed and finely diced

1/2 English (hothouse) cucumber, finely diced

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1 orange

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 small bunch of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

1/2 tsp of salt

10 grinds of fresh black pepper

Directions:

Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Rub all over with vegetable oil. Mix the chili powder and oregano together in a small bowl until evenly combined. Rub all over the fish to coat the fish evenly. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 30 minutes or up to 6 hours in the refrigerator.

Heat a skillet over high heat. Cook the salmon 4-5 minutes per side, until crispy on both sides and cooked medium.

Toss the salsa ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

My Variation:

For the salmon, I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil and instead of the chili powder I substituted with Malibu BBQ Rub. If you don't have this--who am I kidding, why would you have this?--the ingredients in it are onion flake, dry orange peel, coriander seeds, black pepper, coconut and Malibu rum. But if you don't have these ingredients--or don't care for them--you can always use a dry rub of your choice.

Dave's recipe above doesn't ask for more oil when sauteeing the salmon and I'm not sure why. The fish needs something to cook on, so I used a modest amount of cooking spray but you can use olive oil too.

For the cucumber-mango salsa, I substituted the juice of an orange with some water, which diluted the strong taste of lime juice. Because I don't particularly care for mint, I used fresh chopped parsley, which was lemony and crisp.

As a side dish, I cooked up an instant package of Basmati rice and flavored it with fresh lime juice and the chopped parsley.

Overall, it was the perfect summer dinner--filling yet juicy and refreshing from the fruit and veggies. Also, if you're looking to cook something healthy, this is your dish. Give it a try and let me know the variations you come up with!

Blend - Latin Fusion with Friendly Prices

Blend - 47-04 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.729.2800

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

www.blendlic.com

I mentioned sampling Blend's cuisine last week at the Taste of LIC event. Interested in exploring their dishes some more, my cousin Vicky and I met up there for dinner earlier this week. Everything was muy bien and the prices were the icing on the cake--I mean the tortilla.

Atmosphere:

Clearly a new establishment, everything at Blend was shiny and new--the tables, the artwork on the walls, the bar. It has yet to be broken in. The space is large and at about 6:30p on a weekday, we found ourselves to be Blend's only customers. This was more than OK with us because we weren't in the mood for anything too boisterous. The great thing about being "alone" was that we got a comfortable corner booth with cushiony seats. My only complaint was the music--it was loud and too techno-ey--something you wouldn't expect to hear at a Latin joint. It got lower as our meal progressed--maybe they heard us complaining--but the initial sound was obtrusive and unnecessary.

Food:

Blend offers an eclectic menu and it's really up to you how you'd like it presented--you can order a variety of tapas from their tapatizers section or you can get larger sized entrees. Vicky and I chose the former, which was a perfect way to try a bit of everything. Some of our tapatizers and other smaller dishes included:

Mazorca - YUM--this was roasted sweet corn, rubbed with mayo, cheese and chili powder. At first, we were a little intimidated because it didn't come divided but after asking our waiter to make it more tapas friendly, he gladly obliged and we enjoyed this sweet veggie immensely. I loved the chili powder on it, especially because it added some heat to the sweetness.

Mofongo con Sofrito - I had mofongo before at Fatty's Cafe and knew that I'd like this dish. It consists of mashed plantains with garlic, cilantro, floating in a delicious tomato sauce. This one was much prettier than at Fatty's and the taste was fabulous. The plantains made it hearty and the garlic and cilantro flavors were distinct without being overpowering. If you like plantains, I'd strongly suggest this.

Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) - A classic tapas dish, we wanted to see how this one stacked up to others we've sampled. Quite good! The shrimp was cooked well and came with a side of toasted bread to be used for dipping into the garlic sauce. The bread was disappointing because it was slightly burned but when dipped into the sauce, this small error was quickly forgotten--the sauce was absolutely garliffic!

Tostones - I love to get these instead of fries--a). because they taste much better and b). because they're a lot bigger and filling. Blend's version passed with flying colors and the cilantro, onion and tomato salsa topping was a refreshing complement.

Empanadas - We both wanted to complete this meal with something hearty so we ordered individual servings of empanadas. I got the chorizo and Vicky ordered the carne. My chorizo pocket was delightful and I'd get it again in a heartbeat--the pastry crust was made of cornmeal, which was deliciously crunchy while the chorizo was smoky and a tad spicy. Vicky enjoyed her carne as well but I couldn't help noticing that the pastry crust around hers was lighter. Not to say that it wasn't good but mine looked a bit more appetizing.

Note that Blend just got approved for their liquor license so they didn't have drinks to serve us, but moving forward they will have cocktails available.

Service and Cost:

The service couldn't be better because as I mentioned, we were the only customers in the place. Our waiter was friendly and accommodating. He was quick with the check but didn't make us feel rushed.

The final bill was a beautiful thing--for all of the dishes that I just described our total bill came out to $26! Yep, $13 bucks a pop for dinner can't be beat and quite frankly can't be found anywhere else! Once Blend gets to serve liquor, things will change but we walked out quite elated and quite full!

3 Mmmms

Janna - A Mediterranean Buffet

Janna - 35-03 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.777.0052

N/W Train to Broadway

The Broadway neighborhood sure is changing--for the better. Everytime I walk by, I discover a new or refurbished restaurant that catches my eye. The latest one of these newbies happens to be Janna Mediterranean Restaurant and Lounge open just under three months. They serve a Mediterranean buffet for lunch and dinner and even offer live music every weekend.

When I walked in, it looked pretty slow so chances are if you go, you'll get the place to yourself. The inside decor is gimmicky with Mediterranean "tchotkies" and cheesy lighting. I haven't tried the buffet yet but it caught my eye--and especially the reasonable prices that they offer. Here's the skinny:

Open Buffet - consisting of a variety of fresh, homestyle Mediterranean dishes

Lunch: 11-5p $9.95 (includes salad and dessert)

Dinner: 5-11p $12.95 (includes salad and dessert)

While these prices might raise a red flag about quality, you just might be pleasantly surprised. I want to see for myself too and will report back. But I gotta say that it looks mighty inviting.

Cafe Henri - Pretzel Croissants Coming Soon!

Cafe Henri - 10-10 50th Avenue, LIC, NY 11109
718.383.9315

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

Last week, I mentioned attending the Taste of LIC event and trying the amazing Pretzel Croissants from Cafe Henri. They made a huge impression on me--a salty, crunchy exterior and a soft, buttery interior--and I haven't stopped thinking about them since.

It so happened that my cousin Vicky and I were in the Vernon Blvd 'hood having dinner at Blend. I took the roundabout way home and decided to stop at Cafe Henri. The place is absolutely charming both from the outside and in. The exterior is all brick with a bright blue awning, a friendly outdoor bench and a bicycle--very French country. The interior is intimate and has a simplistic vibe--small tables for two or four, a large-ish middle counter and some relaxing background music.

I asked a waitress about the Pretzel Croissants and she seemed amused. She said that they don't sell them yet but will soon. Cafe Henri previewed them at the Taste of LIC event and they'll be making their in-store debut in a couple of weeks. She thanked me for inquiring and I'll make sure to follow up and let you know when these spirals of amazingness become available. Stay tuned...

Bartolino's - $25 Dinner Special

Bartolino's - 34-15 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.728.0430

N/W Train to Broadway

www.bartolinosastoria.com

I walked by Bartolino's on Broadway last week and spied an interesting--and affordable--dinner special:

Prix-Fix 3 Course Menu

Until 6p, daily (includes weekends)

$25 per person

1st Course:

Rigatoni al Filetto di Pomodoro- sauteed prosciutto, onion and plum tomatoes

2nd Course:

Chicken Marsala - chicken breast sauteed in marsala wine and mushrooms

Filet of Sole Oreganata - sauteed in olive oil, garlic, white wine and seasoned bread crumbs

Veal Parmigiana - breaded veal cutlet topped with mozzarella and tomato sauce

All dishes above served with vegetables of the day

3rd Course:

Tiramisu

Enjoy this reasonable special and if you're not in the mood for such an extensive meal, Bartolino's has plenty of other dishes that will satiate you after 6p. Remember that this place is closed on Tuesdays so scratch that night off your list--but all other nights are wide open.

Bistro 33 - Can't Go Wrong with Late-Nite Sushi

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.lilbistro33.com

Bistro happens to be one of my favorite spots in Astoria, especially for late-nite dining. Their kitchen remains open until midnight and their sushi bar is open until 1 am. So when Kimberly came to town on Friday night for an impromptu visit, we decided to catch a late sushi dinner there. The results were, as always, more than pleasing. Here's what we feasted on:

Anduille & Crawfish Gumbo - Crawfish and sausage--how could you go wrong? Dan and I are big fans of Bistro's soup--the last one we had was the corn--and were looking forward to trying a new one. The gumbo had tons of flavor and a delicious smoky taste from the sausage. It had a definite kick to it, which was nice and woke up the senses, but at the same time it was a bit strong for one sitting. Dan and I had to take turns eating it, to dull down the spices that were dancing on our taste buds.

Fire Dragon Roll - I decided to experiment with my sushi and try rolls that I've never had before. If you know me, you'll know that this is a big step for me because I'm usually traditional with sushi. This roll consisted of ingredients that I like--eel and cucumber, topped with avocado and spicy tuna. The overall combination was good but it was difficult to eat--the avocado and the tuna kept falling off and I had to eat it in two bites. It was kind of messy and annoying. I could live without it next time mainly because the tuna wasn't doing anything for me. The eel and the cucumber were however lovely and refreshing.

Sesame Crusted Shrimp Roll - To sum this roll up in 1 word--AWESOME. I was sorry that there was more Fire Dragon Roll instead of this one because I would've preferred it the other way around. It contained fried shrimp in an orange curry sauce and was topped with balsamic glaze. The shrimp was delectable--crispy and tangy from the balsamic. It was easy to eat and my dining companions each had a piece and absolutely loved it. Dan went as far as to say that he "should've gotten this roll instead."

Hitachino Nest White Ale - Kimberly ordered this fabulous Japanese wheat beer as a substitute for a Blue Moon. It came in cool-looking wavy glass with a juicy orange on the side for garnish. I have to say that I liked it better than Blue Moon--it was fruity, refreshing and definitely citrusy even without the orange. I highly recommend it.

The service was nice as always, and our waitress gave us plenty of good recommendations. In terms of the cost, it was reasonable, as most rolls ranged between $7-9, soup was $7 and the beer was $8.

Although Bistro is very small, they have sidewalk seating available, which is nice and relaxing on warm summer nights.

3 Mmmms

Foodista in the New York Times

Image by Kate Glicksberg for The New York Times. Logo by The New York Times, www.nyt.com

Hi Foodista Readers,

This post is a shameless plug for some great coverage that I received today in the New York Times. Yes people, I'm talking about one of the most-read newspapers in the country. Ehem, modesty, modesty...I have to remember.

In addition to mentioning yours truly in the first paragraph, the article, written by Debby Baldwin is a great--and very informative--piece about our beloved Astoria. It talks about its diversity, convenience and let's not forget the amazing food.

Check it out online here and if you happen to have the actual paper, it's in the Real Estate Section--where it looks so much cooler! Enjoy and thank you all for your support and continued readership.

All my delicious best,

The Foodista

Uncle George's - New Menu Items

Uncle George's - 33-19 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.626.0593

N/W Train to Broadway

www.unclegeorges.us

I stopped by Uncle George's yesterday, the old-school Greek eatery on Broadway and saw a couple of new menu items that I'll share with you:

Shrimp Saganaki...$10

Seafood Salad Platter...$13

Grilled Chicken Breast Salad...$11

Shrimp Kebab...$16

Gyro Sandwich...$6

Gyro Platter...$8

If you haven't been there already, Uncle George's is as traditionally Greek as you can get. The food is simple yet satisfying and homemade. There are always plenty of regulars around and you can hear the beautiful Greek language spoken in all corners of the room. The service can be hit or miss and on the weekends, it could get pretty backed up.

I'd suggest it for a quick gyro stop but would avoid it if you're looking to sit down to a celebratory meal.

Romano's Revamped

Romano's Famous Pizza & Gyro - 32-21 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.5292
N/W Train to Broadway

Romano's pizza and gyro spot on Broadway and 32nd Street has a new look. I could hardly recognize it with its clean white stucco-esque exterior and its loungy outdoor seating area, complete with oversized umbrellas. It looks and feels so much more than a pizza place!

An Astorian staple for more than 25 years, Romano's is well-recognized by locals. In fact, Dan was reminiscing about it the other day, saying it was one of the pizza places that he used to frequent when he first moved to Astoria almost seven years ago.

Offering a mix of Italian and Greek food, Romano's could be a quick dinner or lunch stop and even a sit-down option where you can currently catch live Euro Cup coverage.

A sampling of their menu includes:

Appetizers:

Spinach Pie...$3.65
Buffalo Wings (10)...$6.60
Souvlaki Stick...$2.40

Pita Sandwiches and Platters:

Platters are served with Greek salad and a choice of French fries, roasted potatoes or rice.

Gyro...$4.95 (sandwich)...$8.75 (platter)
Chicken Souvlaki...$5.40 (sandwich)...$9.15 (platter)
Sausage...$4.95 (sandwich)...$8.75 (platter)

Pasta:

Spaghetti Pomodoro - with garlic, onions, tomato and basil...$7.50
Spaghetti Putanesca - with garlic, tomatoes, capers, olives in a tomato sauce...$8.50
Chicken Parmigiano Greek Style - over pasta...$9.95

Rotisserie Chicken:

BBQ 1/2 chicken with salad and a choice of fries, roasted potatoes or rice...$8.15
BBQ full chicken (no sides)...$7.35

Pizza:

Cheese...$5.50 (small)...$11.50 (large)

You can also choose a variety of toppings such as extra cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, peppers, olives, fresh tomatoes, pineapple and anchovies.

Go ahead and check it out. It's especially inviting on a warm summer night.

Taste of LIC - Great Food, Gorgeous Setting

Last Wednesday, I had the great fun of attending the third annual Taste of LIC. And while I was expecting a standard tasting event, it was so much more because of its spectacular location in LIC's luxurious East Coast Tower. The event was held on the rooftop of this magnificent building, located on Center Boulevard on LIC's waterfront. The view was incredible and the food was divine. Here are some of my favorite food stops of the night. I'll definitely be hitting these places up in the future.

Café Henri - This low-key French café is in a prime spot just off the 7 train. Pastries and bread are clearly its area of expertise. An absolute stand-out was the pretzel croissant--salty and pretzel-like on the outside, and soft, chewy and croissant-like on the inside. They went like hotcakes and were unlike any pretzel I've ever tasted--and I even took some home with me!

10-10 50th Ave, Long Island City, NY, 718-383-9315

Tournesol - Another Frenchie spot, this one is on the south end of Vernon Boulevard. Its Taste of LIC station was a fine start to the evening with a hearty egg, bacon, and onion quiche, paired with sweet Domaine Brut champagne. They had an olive and onion focaccia, which was also good but didn't stand a chance next to the quiche.

50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 718-472-4355

Communitea - This organic country-style tea and pastry shop provided a sweet finish to the night. The treats were bite-sized and my favorites included the toasted oat scone, served with a smooth clotted cream. I also went back for a homemade chocolate chip cookie, which was chewy and super light.

47-02 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 718-729-7708

Blend - I was excited to see some Latin fusion and had the chance to try their chicken croquettes with avocado chili. They were good but could've been a little creamier. The chicken arepas were solid though and overall their booth featured some interesting flavors, which I'd like to try for dinner sometime. I checked out their menu and the prices are inexpensive.

47-04 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY, 718.729.2800

Proceeds from the event benefited a local arts center, The Chocolate Factory. There was funky music on-site too, courtesy of The Vintage DJ.

I was sad to leave this lap of luxury where food was at your every disposal and booze flowed freely. Not a bad way to spend a summer night. Not bad at all.

Foodista's Turkey Gnocchi

I was in the mood for a home cooked meal on Sunday but not one entirely from scratch. So...I devised a gnocchi dish from the ingredients that I already had at home such as ground turkey, onions and simple paprika seasoning. Purposefully avoiding red sauce, I wanted this to have a hint of creaminess so I used a touch of milk at the end. Dan loved it and for a large portion, it went quickly. From start to finish, this dish took a short half-hour to prepare.

Ingredients (serves 2-3):
1 1/2 lbs of ground turkey

1 medium or 2 small onions, chopped

1 package of store bought Gnocchi

Olive oil (2 turns around the pan)

4-5 generous dashes of paprika

Splash of milk or cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Fill a medium pot with water over medium-high heat and set to boil. While waiting for the water to boil, set a large skillet with olive oil on high heat. When hot enough, add chopped onions and sautee for 3-4 minutes or until the onions are golden. Next, add the ground turkey and break apart with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper and lots of paprika (or however much paprika you like). Cook until turkey is done (8-10 minutes) and if you're not sure if it's ready, go ahead and taste it, you'll be able to tell immediately. When the meat is done, set aside from heat.

When the water is boiling, add gnocchi and wait for them to float up, indicating that they're ready. Do not drain the gnocchi, instead take them out in batches with a slotted spoon and place them into the sautee pan with the ground turkey. Gradually transfer all of the gnocchi and stir everything together. At the end, add milk or cream.

You can try several variations of this, which could include ground beef, chicken or even veal. Enjoy and experiment!

A Summer Tasting at Mundo

Mundo - 31-18 Broadway #E, Astoria, NY 11106
718.777.2829
N/W Train to Broadway
www.mundoastoria.com

Mundo is a unique culinary find--not only because it features cuisine from all over the world but also because it's obscenely delicious. I was invited to their summer food tasting by Executive Chef John and was happy to attend along with my Joey in Astoria colleague Meg. While Meg had tried Mundo once before, our visit made her a full convert. I think she'll be coming back for more this summer and so will I.

Below is a rundown of the yummyness that we sampled:

Hungarian Cherry Soup: This was our first dish of the night and it was even better than the first time I had it. There were plenty of sour cherries in it and the chilled taste was fabulously refreshing, especially on a hot day. The last time I had it, its coloring was a little light (and not the most appetizing-looking) but this time it was perfect and very cherry-like. Meg seemed impressed and we both guzzled our soups down with gusto.

Dip Assortment: We were eager to have Mundo's famous carrot dip, which is so much more than just carrots. It has a creamy consistency and a lovely garlic flavor that kept us reaching for our pita slices. We also tried the fire-roasted eggplant dip and liked that too. It had a nice char flavor that was gentle to the palate. Our third dip was the hummus and roasted pepper dip, which was pretty standard and didn't wow us too much.

Red Sonjas: Mundo's signature dish couldn't be ignored and while Meg was looking forward to it, I was feeling lukewarm about it, based on my previous experience. But what arrived on our plates far surpassed my first mediocre tasting. These red lentil patties were absolutely delectable--soft and flavored perfectly with parsley, scallions and a hint of garlic. The best part was wrapping them in fresh lettuce leaves like bundles of precious cargo. I could've eaten at least three--and they were filling too.

Halloumi in a Vine Leaf: Being that both of us love cheese, we wanted to experiment with this Cypriot delicacy. Meg was intrigued by it and I, already tasting it last time, knew that it was good. The cheese was warm and stringy while the vine leaf provided nice earthiness--its shape also contained the cheese neatly, like a blanket.

Vegetable Empanada: This is one of the best empanadas I've ever tasted. Its excellence lies in the flaky, airy crust. While some empanadas have the tendency to be heavy, this one was anything but. The fresh, clean ingredients of spinach and feta were stellar and once again, I wish I had another serving in front of me.

Fava Bean Side Dish: I've never tried this here and actually didn't even see it on the menu until John explained that it was part another dish, the Egyptian Artichokes. It was certainly an in-between dish and a good palate cleanser. I liked that it was a veggie option, prepared sans frying and other unhealthful methods. Meg wasn't overly impressed by the quality of the beans but I thought they were OK. Definitely not a stand-out dish but it was pleasant enough. I liked the dill and lemon garnish for its crisp, acidy flavor.

Cheese Rolls: Now this, I would call a stand-out. It was presented beautifully in hand-rolled pastry dough and filled with feta cheese and roasted red peppers. The feta was melted beautifully and once dipped into black & red raspberry sauce, it was pure heaven.

Ottoman Dumplings: I was excited to have these for a second time and once again, they proved why this dish stays on Mundo's menu the entire year. The dumpling dough is exquisite and you can tell that it's handmade. As you're eating each once, you can imagine one of the Mundo chefs individually pinching the dough together to make a rustic triangle. The dumplings are stuffed with ground beef and topped with a fragrant garlic-yogurt sauce. It's fun to incorporate the sauce in all the dumplings and enjoy them in their full, creamy glory. This dish is more than a stand-out, it's a show-stopper.

Warm Semolina Helva: We couldn't believe that we had room for dessert. Well, we didn't but we ate it anyway because it was outstanding. The semolina exterior was warm and cinnamony while the interior was filled luxuriously with vanilla ice cream. A spoonful of this hot and cold combination put a satisfied smile on our faces. The crunchy pistachios were a great topping that enhanced the flavor of both the semolina and the rich ice cream. Meg and I were happy to split this, as I think it's a bit indulgent for one person.

The service was good and quite attentive--we were at a tasting after all. The servers chatted with a bit and we enjoyed the camaraderie. You really feel that Mundo's staff is a cohesive team, working towards a common goal--to please and feed Astoria (and beyond).

The prices are modest too--apps range between $3.50-$7, main courses between $12-$20 and dessert is typically $7.

3 Mmmms

Kitaku - An Un-Missable Lunch Special

I spied an unbelievably inexpensive lunch special last week at Kitaku Asian Cuisine. Boasting a variety of Asian styles including sushi, hibachi and traditional entrees, Kitaku is still very new and therefore trying to attract a loyal clientele. Their current lunch special is quite enticing, I must say:

2 Sushi Rolls for $5

OR

3 Sushi Rolls for $8

The special runs every day of the week, including weekends from 11:30a - 4:00p.

Stop in and enjoy your favorite sushi options--they have all the basics and some specialty rolls to boot. This special runs for a limited time only, so get your booty over there quickly or the opportunity just might pass.

Kitaku Sushi Hibachi & Asian Cuisine - 29-21 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.606.8508

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd. (last stop)

Chocolate Lime Souffle

I was in the mood for something rich and chocolatey on Friday night so I decided to make chocolate souffle. As usual, I wanted to put a unique spin on it and created a semi-sweet chocolate lime souffle, inspired by a recipe from Bon Appetit.

It's true that souffles get a bad rap for being fussy--and they are. But if you work carefully and intelligently, you're bound to make them right. I screwed mine up a bit--I whisked in the egg whites instead of folding them in. This deflated them a bit but it was OK, the end result was still more than pleasing. Dan was pretty happy too and the two of us devoured this chocolate decadence like there was no tomorrow.

You can find the recipe here. In my variation, I omitted the cream topping to keep the calories down. I also substituted butterscotch chips for chocolate chips, which gave it that extra silkiness and caramely flavor. Instead of using a 1/2 cup of chips, I also decreased it to a modest handful--again to control the calories.

Best enjoyed after a long day, a good dinner, and ... (use your imagination)!

Samba Grill is Opening

On my walk down 23rd Avenue today, I saw that a new Brazilian Barbecue restaurant called Samba Grill will open soon. I'm a total carnivore and was very excited to welcome this new establishment to the 'hood. The space looks like it's pretty set to go and I had the chance to ask one of their workers when it would open. His reply seemed confident when he said "Monday or Tuesday of next week." I'll make sure to come by again, pick up a menu and follow-up with a glimpse of the cuisine. Stay tuned...

Samba Grill is located on 29-17 23rd Avenue.

If anyone knows more about it, feel free to drop me a line.

Astorian Father's Day

Father's Day (this Sunday) seemed to creep up on us this year. I reached out to local eateries to see if they've got something special cookin', but it looks like they've been caught by surprise too. No real specials to report and for the most part, restaurants are doing business as usual, which isn't a bad thing. Why fix it when it ain't broke, right?

Below are my suggestions for celebrating Father's Day the Astorian way.

Christos Steakhouse - Treat Dad to a great classic steak dinner or lunch. Their meat and seafood are top quality and I'd suggest trying the Clams Casino and the Steak au Poivre. They're opening shop three hours earlier on Sunday in honor of Father's Day. 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.777.8400

Piccola Venezia - This Northern Italian eatery will be serving their regular menu on Sunday. Expect a lot of homemade pasta and interesting combinations such as pumpkin in brandy cream sauce. It's on the expensive side so count on dishing out some bucks. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Locale - Again, serving their regular menu, they'll be open from 11a-4p for some fabulous brunch. Dinner service starts at 5p, and I'd recommend trying the Gnocchi Sorrentina. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.729.9080

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - The Euro Cup is on this weekend and you can catch coverage right here. Just a warning, it gets way crowded so get there early. And while you're at it, treat Dad to a yummy burger or a kielbasa from their outdoor grill. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Zenon Taverna - This affordable and homey Greek spot doesn't disappoint. For Father's Day, they'll be serving specials such as spring lamb the old fashioned way, rabbit stew, Greek lasagna and fried meatballs. Stop in and see what the hoopla is about. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Taverna Kyklades - Although the menu is the same as usual, get here early to grab a spot--this place is notorious for lines so be prepared. The seafood is supposed to be out of this world and one of the best in Astoria. 33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.545.8666

Elias Corner - Another rustic, Greek fish place, this one's definitely masculine and something that Dad would enjoy. Have him pick out a fresh fish for his entree, which he can enjoy on the outside terrace. 24-02 31st St, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.932.1510

Stove - A classic comfort food restaurant that serves Dad-friendly fare such as French Onion Soup (pictured above) and hearty fish and chips. Their outdoor garden is a perfect setting to enjoy a cold one with Dad. 45-17 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY, 11103. 718.956.0372

Happy Father's Day Astoria!

Koliba - Slovak Comfort Food

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.626.0430

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.kolibarestaurant.com

Any excuse that I can make for eating Slovak comfort food at Koliba, I make. Yesterday's excuse was getting together with friends, Ivona and Edita and showing them a piece of Slovakia in Queens. It was only a short month ago that I went out with this fun duo and the three of us devoured huge plates of dumplings in Brooklyn's Slovak restaurant, Milan's.

My friends were happy with Koliba's food and I was glad. We were a lot fuller this time because we got more food--and it was a bit heavier than at Milan's. It's true that our tummies suffered the next day but in the end it was so worth it. Good Slovak food and company can't be beat.

Here are some of the dishes that we enjoyed:

Fried Dumplings with Eggs (Vyprazany Knedlik s Vajickom): This dish was completely new to me and we got it as a starter. It looked like scrambled eggs with bacon except that the "bacon" was really fried dumplings. It was awesome and also really filling. The fried dumplings had a sweet aftertaste and reminded me of the Italian pastry, zeppole. What made the dish hearty were the eggs and the cold salty toppings of pickles and roasted red peppers. Although I loved it, I don't think I'd get it next time because of the large portions of their main courses.

Beef with Cream Sauce (Svieckova): This was my dish and while I've had it elsewhere, I haven't yet experienced it at Koliba. It consisted of tender beef in a meaty cream sauce, topped with fresh cranberries. Although the cranberries were an American aberration, they provided a nice sweet finish to the meat. The beef also came with a side of bread dumplings or knedlik, which I adore--its spongy consistency is a delight and when dipped into the cream sauce, the deliciousness is indescribable.

Fried Cauliflower (Vyprazany Karfiol): I was having a hard time deciding between the beef and the cauliflower--so when Ivona decided to get the latter, I was glad because I could try both. My mom makes a mean fried cauliflower and my standards for it are high. Koliba's version didn't disappoint and the cauliflower was fresh on the inside and super crispy on the outside. Once dipped into the tangy tartar sauce, the flavor of this fried treat was at its best. The portion was humongous and I got to sample 2 very large pieces from Ivona's plate.

Fried Cheese Stuffed with Ham (Vyprazany Syr so Sunkou): Another Slovak classic, this is so much more than your typical fried mozzarella. Edita had her eye on it and devoured it with gusto. I got to sample it and it was divine--the cheese was super stringy and the fried crust was thick and again, really crispy. I didn't taste the ham in the cheese but assumed it was there. Edita didn't have any complaints except later on that night--fried food tends to be heavy so eat this large portion of fried goodness with caution.

The service was good, as usual. But like I mentioned, I think that you have a serious advantage if you speak Slovak. Our waitress was friendly and we talked to her about our home country. She revealed that she was from a small rural village, which all three of us have never heard of. For a large country like the U.S. this might not seem weird, but given that Slovakia is so teensy, we were surprised to learn about a new place.

The prices here are very reasonable. Our dinner which included an appetizer, three entrees and three generous glasses of Czech beer cost us $66 (excluding tax and tip).

3 Mmmms

Ghenet - Ethiopian for Beginners

Ghenet - 284 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

212.343.1888

V/F Train to Broadway/Lafayette or 6 to Bleecker Street

www.ghenet.com

There's been a lot of buzz around Ethiopian food. At first, my friend Michelle mentioned it a couple of months ago and since then, I've been hearing more and more. So when my friend Maya suggested trying Ghenet in Soho, I was excited and looked forward to a new experience.

Atmosphere:

Ghenet is a very simple, no frills place. For starters, the exterior is very unassuming and if you're not paying attention, it's easy to miss (look for the restaurant name on the window). The decor is basic with deep red walls and simple wooden tables. There is some sparse African folk art and tribal dolls that are also part of the decor but overall, it's pretty subtle. One of my favorite things about the atmosphere was the relaxing tribal music playing in the background. It removed me from my surroundings in Manhattan completely, which was so needed after a hard day.

The only negative about Ghenet is that it's not air conditioned. They had several fans going, which helped but on hot days like yesterday and today, you might want to keep that in mind or reconsider coming back when it's cooler.

Food:

As soon as I told people I was going out for Ethiopian food, the first thing they asked me was "are you going to eat with your fingers?" I did and it was awesome! Here's a little bit about the large dish that Maya, Alexis and I shared.

Ghenet Combination Plate: This was served on a beautiful folk platter, which was humongous and contained three types of meat and six types of veggies. The food rested on a bed of Injera or pancake bread. The Injera was also served on the side for us to break off and use as a scooper, instead of a fork and spoon. It was a lot of fun to eat this way and before anyone gets grossed out, I want to let you know that we each received fresh towels to clean our hands with before eating. They were really cold too which felt so nice on a hot day like yesterday.

The three meats that came with our dish were chicken, beef and lamb. The lamb was my favorite because it was cooked in a dark rich chocolate sauce, which reminded me of Mexican mole. The seasoning was different than that of mole but the color and texture were the same. All meats were braised and therefore were easy to scoop up with Injera. The chicken had an egg that was buried in the sauce--interesting touch but I wasn't in the mood for it. It was a cool association though--eggs, chicken. Hmmm...

The sides were also interesting and we ordered lentils, split peas, spicy beans, cabbage, string beans and a potato, carrot and beet salad. A lot of these reminded me of curry dishes, especially the lentils and split peas. My favorite sides included the spicy beans, which weren't all that spicy and the cabbage. The latter was soft but not overcooked and flavored mildly--it was a nice complement to the Injera. After a while, I got a little sick of the Injera because it was sour and I ended up eating everything (the meat and the veggies) with my fingers. I recommend doing this--it's fun and the food tastes better on its own.

Service and Cost:

The service is pretty blaze--they don't pay too much attention to you but I can't say that they weren't nice. We got everything that we needed but it would've been good to get more recommendations from our waiter, given that we were brand new to Ethiopian cuisine.

The cost was really reasonable, especially for our combo plate, which was only $45.95. Split three ways and rounding up for tax and tip, it set us back exactly $20 each. But if you're looking to order individual plates, they'll cost you in the neighborhood of $12.95-$17.95--also inexpensive.

3 Mmmms

Martha's Country Bakery - Homestyle Baking at its Best

Martha's Country Bakery - 36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.545.9737

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.marthascountrybakery.com

One of my favorite bakeries in Astoria, Martha's always put me in a good mood. And just like I wanted to show off Trattoria L'Incontro to my aunt and uncle, I wanted to do the same with Martha's. They appreciated it for its goodness and we stuck around to indulge in a couple of confections.

Atmosphere:

I love Martha's for its atmosphere as much as I love it for its baked goods. The country theme is definitely conveyed even before you walk in--the awning has maroon stripes and the window display showcases gorgeous lattice fruit pies, tarts, cupcakes and fruit breads. The inside is even more charming with whimsical decorations such as a big vintage clock and country-style furniture in warm yellows, reds and browns. Simply put, it's a lovely place to linger and enjoy a sinful treat. And linger, you can, as Martha's boasts a seating area of approximately 8-10 small tables. Not many bakeries in the area (and in general) can say the same--it's usually a grab-and-go type of situation.

The Treats:

I've had Martha's on a number of occasions but most of the things we sampled last Friday were new to me.

Vanilla Buttercream Cupcake with M&M's: I'm a sucker for Martha's cupcakes and have tried most varieties--my favorite one being the red velvet. I haven't tried this simple vanilla buttercream variation with M&M's and after devouring half of it in barely a couple of minutes, I think I'd call it my new favorite. The inside was beautifully moist and the buttercream tasted like it should--soft, sugary with hints of vanilla and lemon. The M&M's provided that choco fix, which I so often crave and overall, I'd say that this is a nice choice for b-days (for both adults and kids).

Hazelnut Gelato: Dan ordered this and it actually consisted of one scoop of hazelnut and one scoop of cappuccino gelato. I didn't taste the latter so I'll only talk about the hazelnut. Being that Nutella is one of my favorite desserts in the whole world, I naturally adore hazelnut gelato. This one was creamy and rich and had that home-churned feel. I kept taking spoonfuls from Dan's bowl and decided that I'm definitely going to get it next time.

Chocolate Cannoli: This was my least favorite dessert because it just didn't stand a chance next to La Guli's cannoli. The ricotta filling tasted waxy and the crust wasn't flaky enough. While I love chocolate, I think there was too much of it here--in the filling, around the dough and there were even chocolate chips inside. I'd skip the cannoli next time around.

Service and Cost:

Because we were sitting at a table, we had a waitress bring out our order. She was really nice and unobtrusive but she chimed in a the right moments. For example, when we were trying to figure out who sang a song playing in the background, she came to the rescue.

I'd say that for the quality of goods you're getting here, Martha's treats are priced fairly but to the naked eye they could seem expensive. Cupcakes are $1.75 each, cannolis are $2.75 and a scoop of gelato is a whopping $3.75. You pay for the greatness.

3 Mmmms

Trattoria L'Incontro - Always Pleasing

Dan and I went to Trattoria L'Incontro on Friday night with my aunt Ida, uncle Victor and my cousin Vicky. When my aunt told me that she wanted to go to a great Italian restaurant in Astoria, I immediately wanted to show off our beloved Trattoria. No one was disappointed and the evening ended with five very satiated individuals.

If you've been to Trattoria, you'll know that most of the menu isn't found on paper. Instead it's recited verbally through a ten minute speech by your waiter. While most of the dishes we ordered weren't new to me, below are the two great ones that I tried for the first time--and loved.

Spaghetti with Shrimp and Porcini Mushrooms: This is was one of Trattoria's pasta specials of the night. It was absolutely humongous, served in an oversized, deep bowl that was filled halfway. The best thing about it were the porcini mushrooms--they added heartiness and the most amazing aroma to the pasta sauce. Even if the mushrooms wouldn't be visible (which they were), you would've tasted them in this luxuriously smelling and tasting sauce. The shrimp was also wonderful--crunchy not at all chewy. This dish was perfect in my book and when I let my dining companions try it, they were molto impressed. My aunt commented on the mushrooms and said that "they do these really well here."

Osso Buco with Gnocchi: Another special, this one was for the men, as both Victor and Dan ordered it. I've had a gnocchi dish here before, but instead of Osso Buco it included short ribs. I was determined to try this one as well and Dan gave me a generous piece of his. I loved it, especially because it was incredibly tender and embellished with veggies such as diced carrots and onions. The gnocchi soaked up the amazing meat sauce and was a nice complement to this hearty plate. I wouldn't recommend getting this dish if you're not particularly hungry--it's huge and extremely filling.

I stand by my love for Trattoria and even though it's on the expensive side, it's worth the occasional treat--this one was courtesy of my aunt and uncle. Thanks Ida and Victor!

Big Apple BBQ Block Party - That's Hot!

My Mom and I ventured out to the 6th Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park. I've heard a lot about this festive event but was never able to attend until now. It was a lot of fun and we met up with good friends Katie and Grant as well as my cousin Vicky. It was a nice group and we used our fivesome to our advantage when tackling the huge crowds at the food tents.

The event represented sixteen top BBQ joints around the country--NY to South Carolina, Virginia to Alabama and let's not forget Texas. The crowd favorite, which boasted the most obscenely long line was The Salt Lick BBQ from Driftwood, Texas. They served up a beef brisket with a side of sausage and coleslaw and even though I didn't get to try it, I managed to buy a bottle of their famous BBQ sauce. I'll be cooking with it soon and will probably start using it in place of ketchup--that's what happened the last time I got my hands on Texan sauce.

We hit up two places and got ourselves a plate of food, which was generally $8/portion at each food tent. Here's what we tried:

Beef Rib and Beans from Hill Country in NYC: I've eaten at Hill Country before and am a big fan. The beef ribs were gargantuan and had a lot of meat on the bone. Some of it was fatty but it was after all a BBQ pig-out, so we went for it all. The rib meat was salty and satisfying and it also came with a side of baked beans and sausage. The sausage was my favorite and it had a definite kick to it--spicy in a good way, it was fun to sandwich between bread or to dip it into the sweet baked beans. My mom and I shared this and I ended up finishing it by licking all the leftover meat off the bone--insanely good.

Pulled Pork Shoulder & Coleslaw from Ubon's in Mississippi: This was even better than the rib I just described. There was no visible fat on the meat and the sauce it was cooked in was tangy and sweet. The combination of pork and crunchy coleslaw was most delicious and I mixed the two together and put in a potato bun--heaven in between bread.

In addition to the food, there were pitmasters and other experts on-hand sharing tricks of the trade with curious New Yorkers. These seminars went down at the Everyday with Rachael Ray tent and this was also the place where we got free food samples.

Live music was also featured but because the weather was such a scorcher, we called it a day after about two hours. It was a fun event that's worth checking out--but be prepared to wait in lines. The BBQ party will continue through the weekend and you can enjoy its festivities tomorrow from 12-6p at Madison Square Park on 23rd - 26th Streets between 5th Avenue and Madison.