Seva's V-Day Menu is a Steal

As a lot of establishments are gearing up for their big V-Day prix-fixe, some are choosing to raise prices while others remain true to their core pricing structure.  One such place I'm referring to is my all-time favorite Indian restaurant in Astoria, Seva.  Not only do they have a scrumptious-sounding menu ready and waiting for V-Day, it's so very affordable - even with a thoughtful wine pairing to boot.

Here are the details - if you're interested, do make a reservation soon.

Seva's Valentine's Day Menu: $15/person plus $10 with wine pairing

First Course (choose one)

Trio of Samosa - Chickpea, Crab, Tuna
Toasted Almond Cream Soup
Pineapple Chicken Seekh Kabab

Mains (choose one)
Served with apple-mint raita and cranberry basmati rice

Braised Lamb with Five Lentils
Tandoori Shrimp Tikka Masala
Cilantro Basil Chicken
Zucchini - Squash Kofta Korma

Desserts (choose one)

Cardomom Gulab Jamun
Rose Rasgulla

And if you don't feel like dining at this cozy restaurant during V-Day, their special prix-fixe is also available for delivery or pick-up.  What haven't they thought of?!

Seva - 30-07 34th street, Astoria, NY 11103
718.626.4440
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sevaindianrestaurant.com

2011 NYChiliFest Warms the Heart and the Belly

I was so excited when Meg suggested we check out NYChiliFest today at Chelsea Market.  Being that this market is one of my all-time favorite food spots in the city, and after reading the delicious-sounding description of the event, I was so in.  Tom braved it out in the cold too, and the three of us embarked on a fruitful afternoon filled with lots of spicy meat, beans, delicious broth - and let's not forget the fun and the very full bellies.

The Setting:
Before we entered the festival area, we checked in and received our very own chili mug with a really awesome wide spoon, perfectly suitable for eating chili.

Not really sure what to expect, I first thought the event was going to take place in a large room, where they sometimes hold seasonal events such as sample sales. But that wasn't the case, as the meaty festivities took place right in the middle of all the action, in the main concourse of Chelsea Market.  Each one of the 23 competitors was situated at a small table in front of the main retail outlets in the market.  Some of the competitors like The Green Table, Friedman's Lunch and The Food Network stood in front of their respective establishments, which was a nice way to put a face to the name.

The Competitors:
As I mentioned, there were 23 awesome establishments that took part in the fun, most of them from Manhattan and Brooklyn.  For their ingredients (so they'd all be on a level playing field), they received 100% dry-aged, locally raised beef from Wrighteous Organics as the basis for their chili.  The competitors were:

Bark Hot Dogs
Beer Table
Blue Ribbon Bakery
BrookVin
Carino
Char No. 4
The Commodore
Co.
Dressler
Fette Sau
Friedman's Lunch
The Green Table
Jimmy's No. 43
La Palapa
Mile End
Northern Spy Food Co.
No. 7
Roberta's
Suenos
Telepan
Toloache
Txikito
Vinegar Hill House

My Favorites:
While I have to praise the valiant efforts of each and every one of the worthy competitors listed above, there are four that stood out to me most.  And for these, I'll surely be coming back for and visiting their locations to recreate that wonderful, comforting taste of hearty, meaty chili.

Bark Hot Dogs - Even though I wouldn't expect one of my favorites to come from a hot dog restaurant, it was wonderful.  Made with poblano peppers and braised beef that just melted in your mouth, it certainly warmed your palate and as a result, the rest of your body.  It had a hint of smokiness and some sweetness that lingered on your tastebuds like a good wine.

Blue Ribbon Bakery - As soon as we got to this table, we noticed the long line.  "There must be a good reason," I thought, as Blue Ribbon has an impeccable reputation for excellent comfort food.  Meg and I got on line too and indulged in their brisket chili, which was topped with a creamy avocado mousse.  Just amazing!  The mousse did wonders on the already decadent meat, cooling it down but also elevating its flavor from very good to downright fantastic.

Food Network Test Kitchens - Simply nicknamed "Dr. Chili," I had to know what this was all about.  We spied the secret ingredient while grabbing some napkins - Dr. Pepper of course!  The chili was reduced in this nostalgic liquid, giving it a sweet and somewhat syrupy consistency, resulting in what I'll call the dessert chili.  The least spiciest chili of the day, I really enjoyed its mild flavors and tender, juicy meat.

Roberta's - One of the last chilis we tried, I loved its simplicity and focus on the main ingredient - beef.  It was wonderful to bite into large chunks of meat, which were cooked beautifully in a smoky reduction, that included one of my all-time favorite ingredients - bacon!  If I could go back for seconds of this, I so would - and not only because of the chili but because the staff was fun, jovial and downright excited to be there.

The Winner:
While we left before the winner was announced (it got too crowded), the official winner was Northern Spy Food Co.  We unfortunately didn't get to try their chili, but if consensus rules, I'm sure it was fantastic.  Winner got $2,000 and a 2011 Golden Chili Mug :)  Proceeds from the event went to Food Systems NYC to support healthy, regional food growth and to fight hunger. 

Peter Luger's Snow Day Lunch

With the wonderful snow day we enjoyed yesterday, Dan and I saw it as the perfect opportunity to have a nice lunch - something we never get to do during the regular work week.  We chose Peter Luger's as our destination, mainly because we wanted to give it another try after a lack-luster dinner experience (in my eyes mainly,  not his) - plus, we've been hearing so much about their burgers, that we just had to experience them for ourselves.

Unsurprisingly, the place was pretty quiet yesterday and we got a table, no problem.  There was a family with kids, dining a few tables away and a few patrons in the dining room, one level up from us, but overall it was mellow.

Food:
We didn't mess around, and went straight for the burgers.  They come in their simplest form - on a fluffy sesame-seed bun and Luger's own steak sauce on the side.  That's it. No other frills.  But...if you want add-ons (which we did) you have to order them a la carte.

Peter Luger's Burger - I can wholeheartedly now say that I know what all the fuss was about. Yes...I've seen the light.  The Peter Luger burger was simply a thing of beauty -  aesthetically and in taste.  Prior to actually seeing my meal, I couldn't understand why it didn't come with any fixins, but after I tasted it, I absolutely knew why.  The quality of the simple ingredients were impeccable.  The beef is perfectly juicy and as Dan rightly pointed out, tastes well aged. 

But aside from the actual meat, which is certainly the star of the show, the bun is also very noteworthy.  Soft, fluffy and beautifully brown on top, it's the perfect vehicle for enveloping the juicy burger meat.  So much so that it really doesn't get soggy only a tiny bit at the end, but even that goes down with grace.

One other note about the add-ons.  The cheese that I got on my burger was a nice accompaniment - hearty and gooey, it was a simple American that melded beautifully with the rich burger meat.  The slab bacon Dan ordered was completely out of this world, and so large that it was great for sharing.  He gave me about half and I further cut that into little pieces that I then put on my burger.  Heaven! Each bite was a fatty, juicy explosion of deliciousness.  As for the fries - meh...those were lack-luster and kind of sparse as far as  portions are concerned. I'd definitely skip those next time, as we didn't need them at all.

Service and Cost:
In Luger's customary fashion, the service was excellent, with waiters aged as well as the meat they served.  It's said that certain foods taste better with age, and in this case it's absolutely true about the service too - experienced, impeccable and knowledgeable, it was the icing on the already decadent cake of our experience.  Our burgers were brought out about 15 short minutes after ordering, and our waiter was helpful without being obtrusive or pushy. Just the way it should be.

Costs were affordable, especially for Luger's, making their burger the best deal on the menu.  Each burger cost $9.50 and add ons ranged between $1.50 - $2.95.  Our grand total came out to $27, which really wasn't bad for the top notch quality meal we devoured.  And on top of that, we were also treated to Luger's signature chocolate coins (pictured above).  Yum....I'm still licking my fingers.

3 Meaty Mmmms
Peter Luger Steakhouse - 225 Northern Blvd, Great Neck NY 11021
516.487.8800
www.peterluger.com

Veggie Mexican Lasagna - Perfect for a Snow Day!

Why not eat something really yummy, warm and comforting on a chilly, snowy day like today? I wanted to introduce you to an easy, filling recipe that I made recently, together with Kimberly and Michelle.  It was fun to cook a festive meal like this together, each one of us having a hand in its preparation.  We used a recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine (for those of you that know me...it's one of my favorites) and watched the ingredients make a colorful, appetizing feast.

We were astounded by how filling it was, and when we thought about it, it made sense - tortillas, mushrooms, beans, cheese...it's starchy, hearty stuff!  We paired the lasagna with some simple salad that Michelle made, consisting of baby arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers, blue cheese and craisins.  Together, it was perfection.  Hope you get to enjoy it today.

Veggie Mexican Lasagna - Courtesy of Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine, January/February 2011 issue

Ingredients (serves 4)
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (we used regular olive oil and it was just fine)
3/4 lb cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Coarse salt and ground pepper
Cooked black beans or 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
8 corn tortillas, warmed and halved (we used whole wheat tortillas that Kimberly contributed - thank you!)
2 cups of salsa (we used peach/mango salsa, which was sweet and delicious)
1 1/4 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz) - we used a Mexican cheese blend, but you can really use any cheese of your choice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high.  Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned, 7 minutes.  Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt and pepper.  Add black beans and stir to combine.  Cook until beans are warmed through, 2 minutes. Remove from heat. 

Arrange 5 tortilla halves in a 2-quart baking dish.  Top with half the bean mixture and 1/2 cup of salsa, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.  Repeat with another layer of tortilla halves, bean mixture, salsa and cheese.  Top with remaining tortilla halves, salsa and cheese.  Cover with foil and bake until center is hot and cheese melts, 10 minutes.  Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, 5 minutes. 

Wild Wing Wednesday at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

Here's something fun to do on this snowy Wednesday...

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is offering a fun wing promotion today. Wings are just 50 cents and for some added fun, if you say "Wild Wing Wednesday" 3 times fast after drinking 3 beers, you'll get 10 wings free.  An offer like that should certainly get some of you out there and enjoying...

If you're not a huge wing fan, I personally recommend their Slovak and Czech specialties such as giant potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, spaetzle with sauerkraut or sheep's milk cheese, classic beef goulash served with soft bread dumplings to soak up all that sauce (pictured above), and much more. 

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102

718.274.4925

N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

www.bohemianhall.com

Best Take-Out in Astoria

While it's obvious that I primarily focus on the in-dining scene in and out of Astoria, today I wanted to shine a light on some of my favorite take-out joints in the nabe.  You know...for days and nights that are so oppressively cold that you can't even make the short trip to the corner deli.  And this winter, it looks like we'll be getting a lot more of those.

Here are my top three take-out places that always deliver (literally and figuratively).

Seva - Not only is Seva a delicious option for dining-in, it's sometimes even better for take out because you get twice the amount of food than at the restaurant. I'm not kidding.  Their $13.50 3-course delivery special is a fantastic value, for which you can get 2 large veggie or chicken samosas, a chicken, lamb, curry or veggie meal with rice and an Indian dessert such as a Mango Lassi or a Kheer (sweet rice pudding).  A group of five of us ordered it last week, getting 2 delivery specials, an extra entree and an order of the rosemary nan, and were were all pleasantly full.  Another cool thing is that delivery can be done completely online, which is super helpful--especially since they give you an estimated delivery time.  30-07 34th Street, Astoria.  718.626.4440 

Balkh Shish Kabab House - Another one of my all-time favorites, Balkh is also generous with delivery portions, and the food is absolutely scrumptious.  If ordering for two, be conservative because it's easy to over-order.  Dan and I usually go for Morgh Kabob and Chicken Kabob combination meal (pictured above).  This hefty meal comes with both white and dark chicken meat and Balkh's special house sauce, which is out of this world good.  But not only is the chicken filling, it comes on a bed of long grain brown rice and a sweet carrot raisin salad, which almost tastes like dessert.  This all for a mere $12.  23-10 31st Street, Astoria.  718.721.5020

Pita Pan - One of Dan's beloved take-out joints (and mine too!) Pita Pan is a fun, tasty and healthy way to go.  We usually go for the souvlaki sticks, which come with tangy tzatziki and also the falafel sandwich.  Portions aren't huge but just the perfect size, and because Pita Pan is relatively inexpensive, a $20 - $30 order can feed up to 5 people.  I haven't had the pizza yet, but Dan tells me it's solid.  37-15 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.1633

Hope you get to try these - and please chime in with your favorite take-out joints.

Don't Miss Pork Night Tomorrow at Ornella

I'm delighted to tell you about a very special pork themed event happening at Ornella tomorrow.  For one night only, the talented culinary cognoscenti at this delicious establishment are cooking up a four-course dinner that shines a light on the ever-so-wonderful, pork.  From smoked pork to slow roasted pork and even a pork dessert (yes...dessert), this is one dinner you shouldn't miss.  Especially if you're a pig fan like me!

Ornella's Special Pork Feast

Tuesday, January 25th

Course 1: Antipasto - Prosciutto and mozzarella burrata
Course 2: Intermezzo - Pamatielli with pork ragu
Course 3: Main - Roasted porchetta with broccoli and country potatoes
Course 4: Dessert - Sanguinaccio, black pudding and chiacchiere fritters (wow!)

$50/person including wine, tax and gratuity.

Talk about a rich offering with lots of meat on the bones!

Ornella Trattoria Italiana - 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.ornellatrattoria.com

eXo Food & Wine Fun!

Images by Constantine Kalandranis

Just the other week, I told you about eXo, a sophisticated Greek restaurant in Whitestone, with some of the most amazing Mediterranean eats I've had to date.  Well...in addition to showcasing their culinary cajones during regular lunch and dinner service, they also offer cooking demonstrations for eager foodies who are curious to learn about Mediterranean food technique and recipes used right at eXo. 

Taking place every Monday night from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. these cooking classes vary in size from 2 to about 15 people and include unlimited wine and plenty of food.  Reservations are required and classes can be tailored to a client's preferences. 

I wanted to mention these classes specifically, as Valentine's Day is coming up and it can make for a very nice gift.  I know that I personally wouldn't mind to find it in my box of chocolates :)

Here's the pricing.  You can call the restaurant for more details.  Enjoy!

1 class...$65
2 classes...$120
4 class gift package...$230
6 classes...$350 (includes a free lunch for 2)
Special - Bring 5 friends, and get your class for free!

Exo - 15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357
718.767.4396
exorestaurant.com

Cavo's V-Day Menu - It's Right Around the Corner

With Valentine's Day creeping up on us, it's never too early to start thinking about what you want to do with your special someone or a group of good friends.  While a lot of restaurants are still in planning mode for this day, others are thinking ahead. 

Cavo certainly seems to have their act together, as they'll be featuring a 3-course prix-fixe menu for $45/person.  The menu and the price-point caught my eye, as it was a lot lower than year's past, and for the nice options you're getting (below), I think it's a good value.  Check out the menu and make your reservation if you're so inclined.

Cavo's Valentine's Day Menu

Appetizers for the Table:
Greek salad with vine ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta and red onions
Jumbo shrimp wrapped in filo dough, topped with Cretan honey drizzle (Mmmm...this sounds amazing!)
Saganaki Kefalograviera cheese flambe

Entrees (choice of 1):
Four Greek cheese ravioli with creamy feta white truffle sauce
Four-hour braised black angus short ribs of beef over creamy polenta
Pan seared North Atlantic salmon served over spinach vegetable cous-cous, topped with sauteed asparagus and beurre blanc sauce

Desserts:

Cupid's Chocolate Surprise

Cavo - 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

718.721.1001

R/M Train to Steinway or 46th Street

www.cavoastoria.com

Basic Crepes Turn into Fancy Crepes

I've always had a penchant for crepes.  Mostly sweet crepes, as prepared by my mom and grandmother with tangy farmer cheese with cinnamon, sugar and sweet preserves.  But over the years, I've tried some pretty darn great savory crepes too - some in Astorian cafes on 30th Avenue, others in Manhattan.

Although I love to eat crepes, I've never actually made them all by myself. Sure I've helped my mom and grandma prepare them, but never from start to finish. Always having a lonely, singular task such as buttering the pan or spreading the preserves on the crepes, rolling them up...but never being fully in charge.

So when I saw Martha Stewart's easy recipe for "Basic Crepes," I had to take the plunge.  Inviting some pretty discerning judges to taste my crepes, my parents joined us for an impromptu crepe breakfast.  Even though at times I got nervous that they didn't compare to the age old recipe that my family used, I had to admit that they looked and tasted pretty darn close to the real thing.  Actually, I downright loved them.

In addition to setting out the fixins for sweet crepes such as fruit preserves and even Nutella and bananas, I also made savory crepes with turkey, and an egg on top.  The recipe, if you can call it that is really simple, and once again it was inspired by Martha.  Here's what you do:

1.  Make your basic crepe - see recipe.
2.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3.  Take the crepe in your hands (when it's still warm) and fold it into a square by tucking the rounded edges in. Your crepe will now look like an envelope, with some room in the middle.
4.  Take store-bought turkey slices, chicken, veggies or anything else for that matter that you're in the mood for and wrap it around the middle area, leaving an empty space in the dead center of the crepe.
5.  Take a raw egg and crack in inside that "bulls-eye" you just formed

6.  Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper

7.  Pop this into the oven for about 12 minutes, with the egg still runny

8.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley for garnish

Bon Appetit!

Testaccio's Wednesday Night Wine & Cheese Tastings

Image by www.testacciony.com

I received word about a fun wine and cheese tasting event, just in time for tonight.  That is...if you're looking for something to do.

And if this Wednesday won't work, the tasting, held at Testaccio Ristorante will take place every week moving forward.  Here are the deets you'll need to know.

Testaccio's Wine & Cheese Tasting - Held in the upstairs level of this modern ristorante, the wine and cheese tasting offers a selection of five wines, paired with five types of Artisanal cheeses.  We're talking about the Artisanal, as in Terrance Brennan's amazing brand of gourmet cheeses, available in specialty food stores stores, online and at his Manhattan restaurants such as Artisanal and Picholine.

The tastings will be held, every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
$30/person

Enjoy and drink up!

Testaccio Ristorante - 47-30 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101
718.937.2900
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
http://testacciony.com/

Sarabeth's Underwhelmed and Underdelivered

Sarabeth's Kitchen - 1440 Northern Blvd, Manhasset NY 11030
516.627.3000 ext 457
www.sarabeth.com

After a fruitless effort back in December, when Kimberly and both our moms tried to brunch at the Sarabeth's' city location, we decided to try a more tranquil outpost on Long Island.  We looked forward to it so much, but after a less than stellar experience, I highly doubt we'll ever go back.  And even the city location will have to wait a bit until our nerves settle.

Atmosphere:
Sarabeth's location alone should've been a warning sign, but I simply refused to take it into consideration (I wanted to try it that much).  Located on the top floor of a Lord & Taylor in Manhasset (not far from the Americana luxury shopping center), Sarabeth's offers a large open space with plenty of seating.  You don't ever have to worry about feeling crowded, as the immense room is well spaced out and decorated ever so sparingly with a muted color scheme and oversized lamp pendants.  Overall, it's definitely nice but doesn't compare to the atmosphere that I imagine exists in the city locations.

Food:
We've heard nothing but great things about Sarabeth's' homestyle food - its bread and tomato soup are signatures that we couldn't wait to try.  However, what arrived on our plates was anything but appetizing and downright unacceptable.

Popeye Eggs - I love to get eggs for brunch and this comforting combination just spoke to me.  Consisting of scrambled eggs, sauteed spinach, black forest ham on a Sarabeth's English muffin, the latter ingredient was the only positive.  I loved how soft, fluffy and moist the bread was - it was too bad that the eggs were downright rubbery and the spinach a watery mess.  I also want to mention that nothing was seasoned, and I had to add a generous amount of salt and pepper to the whole dish to give it any sort of flavor.  It made me feel cheated.

Paninis and Soup - Kimberly and Michelle both went for the grilled paninis and Sarabeth's famous Velvety Cream of Tomato Soup.  Just like me, they were way disappointed with both items.  I tried the soup and thought it was too heavy and far from velvety - actually, it seemed chunky and was sloppily ladled into the bowl.  You can see the splash marks above, and that picture was taken before Kimberly dug in.

Michelle's Grilled Mozzarella sandwich wasn't to her liking at all, and what she thought was mozzarella, actually tasted like American cheese.  We asked our waiter to verify that it was indeed mozzarella, and he assured us by giving us a slice to taste.  While the gesture would appear to be commendable, the attitude with which it was done was anything but. 

Service and Cost:
This is another area where our experience went completely wrong.  From the start, our waiter was curt and condescending, first alienating me by not bringing me a glass of water, after he set one down in front of my dining companions.  At first we gave him the benefit of the doubt, hoping he'd return with my glass, but no such luck.  After I asked him to please get me a glass of water, he replied, "ok sure." Not "so sorry that I overlooked it."

Another faux pas was when our food came (or didn't for that matter). Everything was brought out piece meal (literally) and we had to wait a good couple of minutes before all three of us received our food.  It was horrid.  And so was the fact that our coffee cups weren't refilled until we had to beg.  I can say more but I'll stop here...

Costs are definitely expensive for the low quality of food and the sub par service.

Eggs - $12 - $14
Sweet Breakfasts (waffles, pancakes, French toast) - $12
Sandwiches - $13 -$14
Salads and Cold Plates - $12 - $16
Warm Plates - $14 - $16
Side Dishes - $5 - $7
Desserts - $5 -$8

After we told the hostess what a terrible exprience we had, they took 10% off the check, which was a nice gesture.  But even so...the whole thing was beyond repair.

1 Mmmm 

A Village Pourhouse Burger Feast

Never having the need or the desire to turn down burgers, and especially sliders, my cousin Willie and I attended a preview of a new burger offering at the Village Pourhouse.  Featuring five new burgers paired with beer, it was an evening of savoring, indulging (and some belching too).

The Setting:
Held at the original Pourhouse downtown location in the East Village, the burger tasting was held in a private room in the back of the bar, often used for birthday parties, corporate events and the like.  I loved the lounge-type seating with comfortable leather nooks and plenty of room to spread out.  They had some music going, which was nice but at certain points in the evening got a little loud.

The Food:
We received generous helpings of five types of sliders, each paired with a beer chosen by the Pourhouse.  Of course we tried each and every one the minute they came out, piping hot and wonderfully meaty.

Lamb Burger - My favorite burger of the night was this tender and juicy-as-hell patty, sandwiched between a soft brioche bun.  I loved the onion marmalade that was slathered on top, which provided some sweetness - it melded with creamy goat cheese that gave off the perfect amount of tang. 

Big Blue Burger - Although I absolutely love blue cheese, this was my least favorite slider of the night, as I felt that the meat was sadly overcooked, resulting in a too tough patty.  The combination of flavors in it was good though, including a homemade blue cheese, smoky bacon slices, a pickle and once again that delicious onion marmalade.  I think I would've liked it a lot better if the meat wasn't as toothsome.

Cheddar Burger - This burger was definitely more to my liking, as I felt that the meat was cooked to my taste (it was a lot juicier than its blue cheese predecessor) and I really enjoyed the melted dry-aged Vermont cheddar cheese on top.  I liked that it also included a helping of peppery arugula, which always adds freshness to a meaty dish.

Smokehouse BBQ Burger - Another favorite, the smokehouse burger infused a smoky BBQ flavor into the meat, through a homemade BBQ sauce as well as smoked gouda cheese.  I thought this burger had lots of personality and worked well for people who like a little extra kick with their bar food.

Magic 'Shroom Burger - We finished off our tasting with an earthy mushroom burger - meaning not a veggie burger but a beef burger topped with sauteed mushrooms.  I much rather prefer this to its vegetarian cousin, and Pourhouse added extra flavor to it by adding bacon and homemade parmesan cheese sauce.  Mmmm...this one was decadent.

Prices:
Burger prices are pretty standard for the city, ranging from $9.99 to $11.99.  If you'd like to taste all of the burgers I just told you about in one shot, the Pourhouse is hosting a tasting this Thursday, January 20th from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for $30/person.  The event includes a 2 hour Bud Light Draft open bar.  Take a bite out of that...

3 Mmmms

Village Pourhouse - 64 3rd Avenue, New York NY
212.979.2337
L Train to 3rd Avenue
www.villagepourhouse.com

Exo - Greek Greatness Knows No Boundaries

Exo - 15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357
718.767.4396
www.exorestaurant.com

Living in Astoria for many years has exposed me to some of the best Greek food I've sunk my teeth into.  Until now.  Even though the restaurant I'm about to tell you isn't in Astoria, I'm not at all surprised that its chef and owner, Constantine Kalandranis is an Astoria native. 

Atmosphere:
It was fun to explore a new neighborhood while visiting Exo.  Located in Whitestone, which is a a quaint, mostly residential area in Queens, I'd suggest driving over.  If making the trip from Astoria, it's a short 15-20 minute drive and parking seemed to be a cinch.

Once inside, we immediately took in the cozy space.  Situated on two levels, Exo's front-of-the-house space serves as a casual bar with a few local beers on tap that caught our eye.  As you walk further into the restaurant, you'll notice an alcove opening that leads into the main dining room, with seating on the ground level but also one level up.  Dan and I sat in the latter section that seemed cozier, and we loved our little corner nook that gave us privacy and a good view of the entire place.  Our table was set with charming blue and white tablecloth that made me think of a picnic on the beach.  We couldn't wait for this six-course tasting adventure to begin.

Food:
Since we were on a tasting, we had the incredible experience of trying nearly everything on the menu.  The entire tasting consisted of meze (small plates of hot and cold food), and even the entrees and dessert were presented in this style, which worked well for us.

Course 1 - Starting with a gorgeous plate of housemade pita, sesame breadsticks (from Rose & Joe's) and a trio of dips and spreads including tsatziki, hummus and marinated Greek olives, we could tell we were in for a treat.  I love this type of appetizer because you try a little bit of everything.  My favorite nibble was the hummus, which was super creamy and garlicky, topped with something special - thin shavings of fried garlic, which brought up its flavor profile another notch.

A couple of other highlights from this course included a Long Island Oyster duet, a seasonal lobster bisque, and a beet and feta horiatiki salad.  If you're an oyster fan, I strongly encourage the duo of raw and cooked oysters - the cooked one is fried to perfection in a Mythos beer batter and dressed with double smoked bacon and horta (dandelion greens) fondue.  I've never had anything like it!

Course 2 - This course consisted of an all-encompassing seafood feast including char-grilled octopus, Mayan shrimp, baked (and raw) razor clams and seared diver scallops.  We were impressed with the freshness and clean flavors in everything, but what really made us fall in love was the octopus.  Sizzling with vim and vigor, the gorgeous pieces of octopus rested on a bed of fiery grilled tomato, giant capers and chick peas that added body to the dish.  The best part was the texture of the octopus - crunchy and charred on the outside, but tender and not unlike a great steak on the inside.  If you fancy yourself an octopus connoisseur, you have to check this one out. 

Course 3 - A carefully thought out cheese course separated the seafood part of the meal from the meat.  We received a homemade feta ravioli that looked like a piece of art, with a mavrodaphne (Greek black wine) reduction that was expertly brushed on a long, flat plate.  The soft and slightly sweet feta filling exploded in your mouth and once again the dish was adorned with those delicious fried garlic chips. 

The other cheese we received was a sizzling saganaki, which was a plate full of salty goodness.  Consisting of an olive oil fried kefalotiri cheese, dressed with garlic, capers and Greek herbs, it was deliciously aromatic and a nice way to jolt excitement onto your palate.

Course 4 - This was my favorite course in terms of creativity, as Exo nicknamed it their Greek charcuterie.  A plate of lamb meatballs (keftedes), a housemade liverwurst and the piece-de-resistance, a homemade lamb pancetta piqued my curiosity.  I marveled at the pancetta's uniqueness - resembling its traditional pork sister in appearance, but not in taste, as it was a little milder and not as smoky.  It was excellent with a crispy piece of pita.

Course 5 - At last, we got to the meat (and some more fish too), most of the offering made up of lamb dishes including a 5-hour moussaka, roasted lamb leg and seftalia sausage.  The moussaka was my favorite, looking and tasting like a yia-yia's masterpiece, with tender pieces of eggplant, ground lamb, and a creamy bechamel top with  a blistery crust.  Fried herbs and spices further decked the top of this dish, making it the most decadent thing we ate.  While it was a very rich dish, it was the perfect thing to split between two people, because too much of a good thing, can sometimes be...well, too much.

Course 6 - I can't believe we actually got to the dessert, considering how much we ate that night, but once it came, we had to at least try it.  A long plate of Greek specialties such as warm rice pudding, galaktoboureko (my favorite!), baklava, loukomades (Greek donuts) and ekmek kataifi sent us off on a sweet farewell.  My two favorites were the baklava - super sweet, nutty and slightly spicy - as well as the rice pudding, which was soft and creamy, sprinkled with cinnamon and two chocolate piroette cookies, which served as the dippers.  Fun!

Service and Cost:
We received excellent service and by looking around the room, I could tell that everyone else enjoyed the same pleasantries.  Exo very much feels like a friendly neighborhood restaurant where you can come and hang your hat after a long work day.  It seems like they have some regular customers, which is nice and I'd love to check them out on a weekend or a Monday, when they do instructional cooking classes (more on that later).

Costs are moderate and very fair for the quality of food being served:

Meze - $5 - $19
Entrees - $12 - $27

3 Loud Mmmms

Save 30% at L'Artiste Restaurant

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you'll know that I love, love, love L'Artiste Restaurant.  A quaint, French eatery located next to the famous (or for some of you, infamous) Cavo won over my heart back in November. Carefully thought-out dishes such as a perfectly seared scallop topped with a sunny side up egg (pictured above), open faced mushroom ravioli dressed with exquisite mascarpone sauce or any of their luxurious desserts make L'Artiste a fabulous destination to indulge.

That's why I was very, very excited to see that BlackboardEats is featuring a 30% off dinner coupon for this fantastic establishment.  Similarly to Scoutmob, which I told you about last month, BlackboardEats offers convenient restaurant coupons without having to pre-pay for them.  I love that! No harm, no foul.  That way you can get this baby sent to your phone and use it when it behooves you.  This coupon expires on March 14th.

You can get this deal on BlackboardEats until 2:00 p.m. ET tomorrow.  Don't waste time...go get yours.  And do tell me how you liked it and how much you saved.

L'Artiste Restaurant - 42-20 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
646.309.7504
R/M Train to Steinway Street

Old Fashioned Homemade Chocolate Cake

Who doesn't love chocolate cake? I don't know many people who'd answer no to that question, me included.  I adore chocolate.  Anything with chocolate.  But I've never made an all chocolate cake, aside from my occasional brownie, chocolate chunk cookie, cupcakes and other miniature treats.  But never a whole cake.

So I decided to go to it while on vacation in Florida.  I had the time and the patience so "why not?," I thought to myself.  But I needed an occasion.  That part was easy, as I decided to make a New Year's cake for my in-laws. 

I turned to the cake diva I trust, Food Network's Barefoot Contessa who puts out a mean Beatty's Chocolate Cake. I found the recipe very easily online and began the process, which took 3+ long but fulfilling hours.  You might be thinking that making a cake for that long must be absolutely crazy and I must've done something wrong, but I assure you that if you'd like to make a beautiful chocolate cake from scratch, it'll take time. 

Treating all the ingredients with care is an essential part of the process, which includes sifting nearly all the dry ingredients so they're as soft as a cloud.  Making the buttercream is also meticulous, as all ingredients need to meld together at the perfect temperature and speed, thus producing a smooth spreadable custard.  One other tip before I give you the recipe...just make sure your cake cools properly before you ice it.  Sound obvious? Maybe...but I'd rather tell you now instead of it melting on the cake and producing a big, sloppy mess.  Now that wouldn't be Contessa-like, would it?

Enjoy the cake, and the journey that'll get you there.

Beatty's Chocolate Cake Recipe

Cienna's Heaven on Earth European Brunch Party

Image by ciennany.com

"What's a brunch party?," you might be wondering.  I asked myself the same question when I read about one that's coming to Astoria this Sunday, January 16th at the new Cienna Restaurant & Lounge on 31st Street near Newtown Avenue.

Still very much a newbie in Astoria, Cienna is trying to raise excitement by providing its own take on the "brunch party format" already famous at Manhattan hotspots such as Via dei Mille, Bagatelle and others.  So here's what you can expect:

Cienna's Heaven on Earth Brunch Party:

Sunday, January 16th from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. (and every other Sunday moving forward)

- Featuring music by DJ Claudius Raphael so you can dance to your heart's delight

- Brunch menu includes standard items such as pancakes, omelets, eggs benedict but also heartier entrees with meat & seafood. Prices are a la carte and there is no added cost for the "brunch party."

So if you haven't partied enough on Saturday night, extend the fun and dancing one more day.  For most of you I hope, you'll have this coming Monday off as well to relax and recuperate. 

Cienna - 28-18 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102
718.726.0088
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ciennany.com

Aegean Cove - For Serious Greek Food Connoisseurs Only

Aegean Cove - 20-01 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.274.9800
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.aegeancove.com

Dan and I have been hearing nothing but great things about Aegean Cove for quite a while, but we never actually had the opportunity to trek over there and try it.  Our good friend Moses, who truly knows Greek food (he grew up in Greece after all) could not stop talking it up - until we actually mustered up willingness to go.  Wow - I am so, so glad that we did!

Atmosphere:
From first glance, you can clearly see that Aegean Cove is a fine dining establishment.  Its facade looks like a classic bistro and as soon as you walk in, you're welcomed by rich wooden furnishings, warm lighting, inviting tables for all sized parties and an extensive mahogany bar.

There are two dining rooms and an outdoor space, which make Aegean a diverse place to dine.  We ate in the cozy front-of-the-house room, which closely resembled a quaint brasserie with oversized mirrors, classic white lace curtains, sconce lighting and other charming touches.  Moses informed us that in the summer, they open up their amazing rooftop garden that's just wonderful for dining al fresco.

Food:
Consisting of classic Greek fare, which focuses on hot and cold meze, we ordered everything to share including the main dishes.  We tried to keep our choices somewhat light, as this was still just lunch.

Meze - We chose a good variety of meze including grilled halloumi cheese, seafood croquettes, fried calamari and grilled octopus.  Out of those, the octopus and the croquettes hands-down won me over.  The octopus looked gorgeous, dressed with capers, red peppers and onions.  Covered in a tangy red wine vinaigrette, it tasted fresh and zingy - a perfect pairing with the soft-as-butter octopus chunks.

The seafood croquettes were also excellent and more resembled Asian-style tempura battered fritters than Greek croquettes.  The flavors in this dish were amazing, consisting of a fresh cod and shrimp combo, battered in a light, fluffy coating.  A much coveted side of skordalia (cold mashed potatoes with garlic) provided a delicious dip, raising the flavor profile of the croquettes to the next level.

Entrees - Since Moses was set on trying the mousaka, we got an order of that and the soutzoukakia (Greek meatballs).  Both were excellent options and ones I'd get again in a heartbeat.  The mousaka was rich and comforting, layered with potatoes, eggplant and hearty ground beef, topped with a decadent bechamel sauce - sort of like a Greek lasagna if you will.  I've had this dish on other occasions at Ovelia and Zenon Taverna, and I can confidently say that Aegean's version was certainly up there in terms of flavor and quality.

I couldn't wait to try the soutzoukakia, especially since I most recently had Moses' mom's homemade version.  Even though the two were different, Aegean's packed a mean punch, with fragrant spices such as mint and oregano.  The meat itself was tender and juicy, transferring some of its sauce to the bed of creamy risotto. 

Service and Cost:
Since we were the only patrons in this restaurant on Sunday during lunchtime, service couldn't be better.  We had our server's undivided attention and Moses even buttered him up a bit by speaking Greek.  All dishes were brought out in good time and I liked the thoughtful respite before the entrees were brought out.

Costs are moderate but fair for the excellent quality:

Meze - $4 - $16
Salads - $7 - $9
Seafood - $16 - M/P
Meat & Poultry - $12 - $22
Greek Specialties - $10 - $18

3 Mmmms

Eataly Celebrates the Region of Lazio

Last week I was invited to a special lunch at the famed Eataly marketplace to celebrate the cultural richness of Italy's Lazio region.  Located in the West Central part of Italy, closest to Rome, Lazio celebrates agricultural abundance, resulting in wonderfully diverse cuisine.

The Setting:
Held at Eataly's Manzo restaurant in a room that was sectioned off from the rest of the hubbub, the Lazio luncheon provided exclusivity and cache to a few lucky diners.  We were fortunate to be in the presence of three Lazio ministers, who flew in from Italy just for this occasion. 

Each one educated us about the unique qualities of this region, its immense potential and the original products it produces.  I was also fascinated to learn that a new Eataly will open in Rome later this year, showcasing Lazio's most well known fare such as artichokes, pecorino romano cheese, porchetta and puntarelle (chicory salad).  But if you don't have the time or the bucks to go over to Italia, fret not, for you can taste Lazio's fine products right here in Eataly's New York outpost for the entire month of January.

Food:
After we learned about Lazio, we sat down to a fine lunch, representative of its cuisine.  After four carefully thought out and expertly prepared courses, we were not only convinced that Lazio's food was excellent, but we also got a craving to visit it abroad (at least I did).

Course 1 - Starting with a puntarelle salad that was a slightly different take on Caesar, our tastebuds immediately awakened after the first bite.  Similar to arugula, the puntarelle was bitter and peppery with a nice, juicy crunch.  Dressed with a garlicky vinaigrette and bits of anchovies, it showcased a tangier and slightly smokier flavor profile than your usual Caesar.

Course 2 - My dining companion who was Italian remarked that this second dish, pasta all'amatriciana was perfectly symbolic of Lazio.  Consisting of ridged ziti pasta dressed with a signature red sauce that was mixed with chewy bits of guanciale (dried pork cheek), this dish was unbelievably comforting.  Spiced with red pepper flakes, it gave off nice heat, keeping you on your toes.

Course 3 - The best dish of the afternoon in my book was the pork saltimbocca, which tasted as wonderful as it looked.  A generously sized white pork chop served as the centerpiece on the plate, around which everything else revolved.  Crispy, fried sage, salty prosciutto, soft, creamy polenta and a rich broth all surrounded the pork and added sophistication to a simple cut of meat.  Amazing!

Course 4 - There's nothing like a deliciously light dessert to end an already impressive meal.  A sheep's milk ricotta budino (pudding or custard) sounded heavy but was anything but.  I loved the airiness and freshness of the ricotta, which was laced with fragrant lemon zest.  The whole thing was then topped with a delicate pear marmellata (a chunky jam) that gave it nice sweetness and an exquisite floral quality.

Wine - Each course was paired with a Lazio wine.  We started with a light "Satrico" Casale del Giglio 2009 and worked our way to a fuller bodied Merlot "Montiano" Falesco 2005.  Dessert was served with a sweet, syrupy Roscetto "Passiro" Falesco 2005 that smelled divine but was a little too sweet for me.

If you're interested in exploring Lazio's cuisine, visit Eataly, NY this week to purchase its products - or you can always plan a trip to Italia and see the real thing. 

Eataly - 200 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
646.398.5100
N/R Train to 23rd Street
www.newyork.eataly.it

Mojave's Veggie Goodness

Last week, I went to Mojave after a long break.  I always love visiting this Southwestern restaurant, because there's never a lack of something new and delicious to try.  This time around, I wasn't extremely hungry, as I had a huge lunch so I wanted to go with an easy, light appetizer for my main dish.  And since my lunch was pretty meat heavy, I chose from Mojave's plentiful veggie options, selecting the plantain empanadas.

Plantain Empanadas - As you can see from the above picture, this is a generously sized appetizer with five medium sized pastries.  Filled with a mashed plantain mixture that's spiced with Southwestern flavors of cilantro, garlic, lime and fiery tomatoes, it was the perfect way to start and end this meal.  The fried pastry shell was especially delicious and very crispy.  I liked that it didn't feel oily or soggy from the tomato salsa that further dressed this plate.  It's a perfect way to satisfy a modest craving or a great way to share an appetizer between a few people.  And at only $9 for this generous portion, I think it's a steal.

If you're looking for other vegetarian dishes, Mojave has great options including:

Butternut Squash Bisque
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Guacamole
Vegan Tempeh Wild & Tame Mushroom Tacos
Asparagus Smoked Tomato & Chevre Quesadilla
Artichokes Roasted Mushroom & Cheese Quesadilla
Blue Corn Crepas

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny.com  

Johnny V - Ringing in the New Year in Style

Johnny V - 625 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale FL 33301
954.761.7920
www.johnnyvlasolas.com

New Year's Eve is always a fun time for Dan and me, as we've made it our tradition to spend it with good friends Matt and Kate.  And the fact that these two live in sunny Fort Lauderdale certainly doesn't hurt when it comes to ringing in the New Year.  Being that our friends are foodies like us, we always look forward to the restaurant that will make it as the New Year's Eve choice for dinner.  This year it was Johnny V's.

Atmosphere:
Located on the trendy and restaurant-clad, Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, Johnny V's boasts an excellent location for locals and tourists alike.  And even though there are more than a dozen great restaurants to choose from right on that street, Johnny V's stands out in location (it's at the front of the strip) and also in quality (just delicious!)

Decor-wise, the long rectangular dining room is understated, modern and carries a deep red and black color scheme.  Large, dramatic light fixtures serve as the conversation pieces in this no nonsense room, and they emanate a soft, dim light that feels comfortable.  Besides the main dining room, there's also a second room tucked away in the back, directly adjacent to it.  This is where we sat, which was more than OK by me, as it felt more intimate, cozy and private. 

Food:
Featuring a unique style of Caribbean-influenced New Florida Cuisine, Johnny V's does not fall short on variety, flavor and culinary excitement.  Johnny V, who's second initial stands for "Vinczenz" has been the darling of South Florida's food scene for quite a number of years, his recognition gaining him a spot on Food Network's Iron Chef America where he competed against Chef Bobby Flay.  Quite a lot to live up to, we thought as we enthusiastically selected our New Year's Eve meal:

Appetizers - As soon as I saw that they had duck meatballs on the menu, I couldn't turn them down.  Trying this specialty previously at Ornella, I was curious about how they'd measure up at Johnny's.  Wowza - what an impression they made!  Significant in size and explosive in flavor, these hit it out of the park.  The meat was juicy and succulent, boasting an earthy quality not only from the fresh spices used throughout but also from a bed of portobello mash that served as a vessel for all the meaty goodness.  Crunchy pine nuts and garlicky pesto further dressed this dish and gave it sharpness and a bit of toothsomeness.

Our second app was a braised mussels dish that also surpassed expectations.  A mussel is certainly not just a mussel in my book.  There are mussels and there are mussels.  These fell into the second category, given their hefty shell and interior meat size.  We didn't feel like we had to eat a lot of them to get full, as just a few pieces certainly satisfied our craving.  The broth in this dish was excellent, featuring chunks of chorizo, tomato and peas, floating in a rich saffron reduction - it was perfect to dip your bread into once you ran out of mussels, which we did.

Entrees - If the apps didn't already energize our palate, the entrees certainly did.  We chose a nice variety of dishes - Kate went for the braised boneless short ribs, both guys got surf and turf and I went with the Sage Grilled Florida Dolphin.

While the only other dish I tasted besides my own was Dan's, Matt and Kate seemed very satisfied with their entrees, praising the quality of preparation and the delicious ingredients.

My dolphin fish (or mahi mahi) was delicious, but it wasn't just the protein that captivated me - it was the interesting Caribbean sides as well.  Rock shrimp plantain stuffing served with a lobster pan gravy immediately won me over.  Exemplifying three different flavor profiles, it comprised the perfect bite of savoriness (from the shrimp), smokiness (from pieces of chorizo) and earthiness (from the plantains).  Overall, the plate was expertly put together, looking like a whimsical piece of art, rather than just a plate of food.  I loved the arrangement of the baby greens and carrots, elevating the color scheme in this dish and letting the eyes do some of the tasting first.

Dan's surf and turf was also top notch, and I tried his char-grilled shrimp, which were a total treat.  Seasoned with fresh herbs and dressed with lime juice, the dish popped on your palate and stood up well against the side of fragrant truffled mashed potatoes that seemed to blow everyone away.  Next time around, I'm getting a special side order of just that.

Dessert - Although we technically didn't have room for dessert, we couldn't skip it, and chose the three berry creme brulee pot pie.  Wow oh wow! Not only was this dish again visually beautiful, it tasted amazing.  The custardy interior was zesty and fresh and didn't weigh you down.  And the crust was something else, as in something out of this world.  Made from macademia nuts and then laced with a thick layer of white chocolate, it represented exquisite decadence.  We pretty much battled over that crust and could've polished off another portion easily.

Service and Cost:
Starting a bit shaky, the service improved as our meal progressed.  We took into account the typical New Year's Eve frenzy that falls upon even the best restaurants, but overall I thought they did a nice job.  Even though our waiter was a bit eccentric, he came by quite a number of times to ensure that all was OK and that we didn't feel neglected.

Costs are expensive on a regular night but were even higher on New Year's Eve (for the same menu), which was a bit of a bummer.  Here are their regular dinner prices:

Appetizers - $10 - $21
Salads - $10 - $18
Entrees - $25 -$39
Desserts - $8 - $12

3 Mmmms