Friday, March 11, 2011

Queens Comfort - Even Your Granny Will Go Weak at the Knees




Queens Comfort - 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
646.597.8687
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com

After hearing some pretty darn wonderful things about Queens Comfort, I could hardly contain my excitement when my We Heart Astoria colleague and friend Meg suggested we try it.  Mackenzi, our other partner in crime joined as well, and we indulged in a deep fried adventure of comfort food that made our bellies and our spirits happy.

Atmosphere:
Just like its name suggests, the surroundings at Queens Comfort are...well comforting.  A warm, nostalgic feeling overcomes you when you set foot inside its cozy dining room.  Rustic wooden tables that are set up in a communal format evoke memories of a large family meal, meant to be shared with the ones you love.  Old photographs, vintage Americana accessories and exposed brick walls make the vibe laid-back and casual, making it clear that at Queens Comfort, tradition is king.

Despite the social atmosphere, we noticed a few diners sitting solo, enjoying their meal with a good book or an e-reader of choice (that part quickly brought us back to reality).

Food:
The simple yet mouthwatering menu set our tastebuds aflutter.  Each of us having distinct preferences made us choose very different dishes.

Fried Green Tomatoes - An easy consensus for us, we couldn't wait to try this appetizer.  It's hard to find good (or any for that matter) fried green tomatoes in NY, and the last place I had them was in Austin Texas, where they totally rocked my world.  I have to say that Queens Comfort's far exceeded my expectations - they were substantial in size and had a wonderful crispy (but not oily) exterior and a nice firm and slightly tangy interior.  Served with a side of goat cheese remoulade, this elegant sauce elevated the dish from country to chic.

Skillet Fried Chicken - Although I was at first hesitant to order the fried chicken, as I'm often disappointed by its oiliness, in the end, I couldn't be happier with my decision.  Sandwiched between a flaky, buttery, sweet, salty and smoky maple/bacon biscuit, the chicken represented comfort raised to the nth level.  Made of surprisingly juicy white meat, the chicken was battered in a thick flour and egg coating that also had a generous amount of hot sauce incorporated into it.  This latter component made the chicken slightly spicy but not overwhelmingly so.  Simply put, this classic country dish was done right, and I'd be surprised if a Texas granny worth her salt didn't agree.

Other Comforting Dishes - I had a bite of Meg and Mackenzi's food too and was generally impressed.  Meg ordered the smoked pulled pork in Stumptown BBQ sauce, which looked incredible but was slightly lacking in flavor.  This might just be a personal preference, but I like my pork on the sweet side and this version didn't reflect that. 

Mackenzi's baked mac 'n cheese was delicious and boasted a well-done top coat that was nice and golden brown.  The pasta was cooked properly and oozed with chedda.

Drinks - Even though this food begs for good ol' fashioned brew, we shared a bottle of vino, which I brought over.  Because Queens Comfort is still BYOB, I encourage you to bring over your favorite beverage and they'll serve it to you graciously.

Service and Cost:

Generally the service was very good and quite personal.  I enjoyed the playful banter we had with our waiter, but at times I felt that he didn't know quite as much about the menu as I'd hope.  I didn't hold it against him, as I'm sure the staff is very much still learning everything and I expect this aspect of the experience will be polished soon.

Prices are wonderfully affordable and include the following:

Sandwiches - $7.50 - $8.50
Snacks - $3 - $7
Soups - $6
Dessert - $1.50 - $2.50

3 Old Fashioned Mmmms

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