Spotlight on Astoria Artisans - AJ's Jam!

Something new I'd like to start doing on this blog is pay special homage to the Astoria Artisans who have a passion for food.  There are many fanatical food enthusiasts in our nabe, as we know, and they range from your urban farmer (more on that soon), your specialty desserts baker, to the handy diyer, who I'll talk about now.  AJ Simone is his name, and preserving, building and jarring is the name of his game.

Heading up a blog with a humorously provocative name, Handjobs for the Home, you'll find yourself drawn to AJ's creations, which include anything and everything from DIY microwave popcorn to bbq rubs, classic strawberry jam, red onion relish and much more.  I absolutely love his user friendly tips and the charming way he presents all his goodies - very Martha meets Colin Cowie!

I'm proud to say that I know this talented man personally, as we recently forged a friendship at the last Queens Swap I worked on with Meg and Charlene.  AJ totally brought it with his impressive canned goods such as the black onion relish, which I've used on practically anything that's edible and has a flat surface.  I recently saw him at Tuesday's launch party and he generously graced me with another one of his creations, Strawberry Lemon Preserves.

Strawberry Lemon Preserves - As you can see from the above pictures, this delectable spread was packaged in AJ's signature charming-as-can-be style.  I couldn't wait to dig in, tempted to eat them with a spoon right out of the jar, but I waited.  Only a little bit.

Using the spread on a dark, fluffly whole wheat bagel, it totally came to life.  The tart flavor of the strawberry and the zingy essence of the lemon raised these preserves to another level.  They tasted uncannily (pun intended) fresh and summery.  Each bite was a pleasure, as the chunky strawberries tingled your tastebuds in all the right places.  A pretty awesome handjob (or rather tastejob) indeed!

You can learn how to make this fantastic delicacy, as AJ uncovers his recipe for Strawberry Lemon Preserves.

Fooditka Launch Partay at 5 Napkin Burger

As most of you know, last night was my big launch party at 5 Napkin Burger, celebrating the re-naming of my site to Fooditka.  To sum it up simply, the party was smashingly wonderful.  Not only did I get to celebrate with my close family, friends and food colleagues, the setting was quite fantastic and we indulged in lots of delicious goodies and some stiff drinks too.

The Setting:
The shin-dig was held at 5 Napkin Burger's now officially opened private party room, which is spacious and great looking.  Decked with black & white vintage photographs and their signature, subway tile, it provided a comfortable, classic setting for my guests.  Overall, the feedback about the space was great, and many specifically remarked about how huge it was and about how much they liked its privacy. 

The Menu:
We absolutely loved all the signature goodies that were served such as their classic 5 Napkin Burger with rosemary aioli, the 5 Napkin Veggie Burger with housemade 5N sauce, deep fried pastrami and pickles (my fave!), spicy crunchy salmon rolls, pork taquitos, Hell's Kitchen wings and more!  There were even little glasses of chocolate and vanilla milkshakes at the end, which were just a perfect little bonus.

I was also excited to learn more about the inner workings of booking this private room for future parties and wanted to share the special menu with you here.  Most convenient is that 5 Napkin does not charge a room fee, which is often the case for private rooms, and the cost per person is affordable.  I'm already thinking about it for an upcoming birthday celebration...

Here's the menu: $26.95/person

Starters (choose 4, served family style)

Hell's Kitchen Wings
Deep Fried Pickles & Pastrami
Pork Taquitos
Cornmeal Crusted Onion Rings
Vietnamese Shrimp & Salad Roll
Spicy Crunchy Salmon Rolls
Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
BLT Salad
5N Chopped Salad

Mains (choose 3)

Original 5 Napkin Burger
Bacon - Cheddar Burger
5 Napkin Veggie Burger
Italian Turkey Burger
Inside Ahi Tuna Burger
Lamb Kofta Burger
Macaroni & Cheese
Milanese Chicken Tenders
Peanut Chicken Salad
Blackened Shrimp Salad
Grilled Fish Tacos
Lobster Roll Sliders +$3.50

Sides
Bowls of cole slaw & pickles served family style with a choice of 2 or more sides

French Fries
Tater Tots
Sweet Potato Fries
Onion Rings
Steamed Broccoli
Creamed Spinach

Hope these yummies have piqued your interest, as I'm really craving a burger right now ;)

Thank you to everyone for supporting me in this new venture, and I can't wait to celebrate more good times with you!  For more pictures of this event, please check out my new Facebook page.

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com

Welcome Fooditka!

Hello Readers,

Blogger formerly known as Foodista NYC here.  Same food-obsessed me, same fresh content that you seem to eat up like crispy French fries, but a new name, as you can tell.

Why the Change?
As I've already hinted in my farewell Foodista post, my love of the immensely cultural food in Astoria & LIC has more closely connected me to my roots.  As a proud Slovak, moving to this country just over 20 years ago, my Eastern European culture and heritage (and food traditions!) have remained.  I'm proud of the richness it brings to my identity and the vigor in which it has empowered me to discover other equally wonderful cultures and ethnicities.

What does Fooditka Mean?
Fooditka is a direct reflection of me.  With my Slovak name being Juditka, the word Fooditka is an extension of that and exemplifies my true passion in life.  Food!  The suffix "itka" is an affectionate way to address someone (a woman particularly) in Slovak.  I'll often hear my close friends and family refer to me as Juditka (now Fooditka) and I pass that on to you my readers, who I consider to be another kind of family.  A food family if you will. 

What to Expect in the Future?
If you loved my content on the Foodista, I can promise you'll enjoy it here.  I plan to raise it up a notch too with more pictures, fun giveaways, guest bloggers, videos, ethnic recipes of the month and more.  In case you want to reference anything I've done up to this point on the Foodista, everything is fully loaded and available on this blog. 

Can You Still Access The Foodista?
You can still reference my posts on the Foodista this week, until July 1st, when I'll fully transfer everything over to this site.  As mentioned, all previous Foodista content is now housed here - so same reliable furniture, but a new house for you to explore.

How To Get Involved?
I've always admired your involvement and passion for the content I've produced.  As the new site evolves, I hope to further engage you through poignant commentary, advice and always my honest opinion.  So as always, don't be shy and please chime in with your candid thoughts. 

Hope that you enjoy this new food journey with me - and as always, there's room for another guest at the table. 

Winners of My Re-Launch Party Giveaway Are...

Last week, I announced that a big change is coming to my site - I'm renaming it and re-launching with a fresh, new domain.  I'm pretty excited to tell you the story behind my new name, which will be revealed this coming Tuesday, June 28th after 7 p.m.

In celebration of these fun changes, I'm partying at 5 Napkin Burger (also ringing in their new and very awesome private party space) with my closest friends, family and you, my readers.

I was truly touched by how many of you wrote in and told me why you'd like to attend and in turn why it is that you enjoy visiting my site.  And while I wish I can announce everyone a winner, space prohibits me from it.  But...I'd like to say thanks and give each and every one of you who participated a nice (and highly functional) present that showcases my new identity.  Since the site name is still top secret, I'll reveal the prize this coming Wednesday. 

And now without further ado...the lucky winners, who each get to bring a guest to the Foodista Re-Launch Party at 5 Napkin Burger:

Amber who said she loves 5 Napkin Burger because,
"As much as the burgers rock my world on their own, I do love the S'mores milkshake. 5 Napkin is all-around incredible."

Jenn who said, "I still dream of those lobster roll sliders I had pre-pregnancy (which I can now have again!).  Love that you've got your finger on the pulse of 2 of my fave things: food and Astoria. Specifically food in Astoria."

Jessica H who said, "I love that your reviews are always kind-hearted because you obviously care about businesses in Astoria and LIC. Even if you don't LOVE a place, you are still positive. :) I read your blog for the new places to try in the hood since I trust your opinion as a fellow foodie.  My fave menu item at 5 Napkin is definitely the Original 5 Napkin Burger and a vanilla milkshake. YUMMY!"

Robert who said, "What I love about this site is that it allows me to find some hidden gems or special party that I would never know about if I did not come to this site. Thanks for all your work! Oh and the Salted Caramel Milkshake is pretty amazing at Five Napkin:)"

All winners were chosen at random, via random.org.  I'll be contacting each participant to award you your gift and each winner to give you details about the party.

I appreciate everyone participating and feel very lucky to have you as my readers.  I can't wait to show you the new "me" very soon.

Bar 30 Lounge is Coming...

As many of us (especially me) were sad to find out that Akti Greek Seafood restaurant closed down a few months ago, the other day I saw a new name displayed in the old space that piqued my attention.  I'm still not sure about what kind of establishment it'll be, but I have my speculations with a name like Bar 30 Lounge.  I'm a little deflated that the name sounds so generic - I hope that the place won't be a stereotypical "30th Avenue" joint with customary cafe fare and overpriced coffee. 

And with the opening of Sugar Freak and William Hallet, per Meg's awesome new restaurant report, 30th Ave is certainly picking up good buzz.  Give a shout if you know more about the new Bar 30 Lounge space, and I'll make sure to keep you informed as soon as I get the scoop.  In the meantime, we'll keep watching...

Bar 30 Lounge (Opening Soon) - 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

LIC Market Hosts a Supper Club on Saturday

Image by www.ediblecommunities.com

In honor of Edible New York's Eat Drink Local week, which officially starts tomorrow, a lot of great food venues around Queens are hosting community events.  You should get in on the fun if this topic fascinates you, and one event I particularly wanted to highlight here is the Supper Club dinner hosted by small, local eatery, LIC Market. 

Exemplifying the essence of what it means to be local foods eatery, LIC Market is known for its clean, innovative and respectably prepared food.  I especially love their soups and brunch dishes! 

In celebration of this event, they're hosting a four-course tasting menu, featuring Chef Alex's fresh, seasonal creations that will surely excite your local palate.  Here are the deets, and don't forget to reserve your spot soon, as space is filling up quickly.

Saturday, January 25th
Seating 1 - 5:30 p.m.

Seating 2 - 9:30 p.m.
$50/person

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101

718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/

Bistro 33 - Back at It?

After a short hiatus due to renovations and a new sushi-focused offshoot called Side Door Sushi, Bistro 33 is open for business again.  Eager to check it out after the revamps, Dan and I corralled friends, Moses and Sonya to come along for dinner. Overall, a satisfactory experience but unfortunately not the stellar time we remember here in the past.  Most of this was due to the service, which needs a lot of TLC. 

Here's what we ordered:

Shrimp and Grits - This was my choice, as I never pass up an opportunity to have something comforting and cheesy.  I loved how colorful this dish looked, and the flavors reflected this visual vibrancy as well.  There was smokiness from andouille sausage, earthiness from the asparagus, tanginess from the shredded cheese and of course a velvety creaminess from the grits.  The only thing I was underwhelmed by were the shrimp, which were a tad undercooked.  Nothing tragic to complain about, but still noticeable.

Roasted Chicken - As you all probably know by now, Dan is on a super health kick, so he made sure to order light.  Not to say that this dish delivered that, because as you see, it had a huge tower of fried onion strings piled on top, but he made sure to donate those to me.  The chicken was absolutely delicious - juicy and flavorful with golden brown skin to die for.  Dan enjoyed it very much and praised it highly.

Roasted Duck - This is what Moses got, and it looked and tasted scrumptious.  I'm a pretty harsh connoisseur when it comes to duck, but this one had a wonderful texture and an incredibly delicate flavor that didn't go unnoticed.  The broth that surrounded it was light and slightly sweet, with some nice looking squash wedges to brighten the plate visually and to also bring in fresh flavor.

Cheeseburger - Sonya's burger was quite disappointing unfortunately, and you can tell just by looking at the above picture.  The bun was sadly disfigured, which was a bummer - especially considering all the gorgeous burgers (with fluffy buns) that came out beforehand.  Another let down was that the cheese (costing an extra $2.50!) was dried up and shriveled.  I really wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but this just didn't look appetizing.  Sonya and Moses both confirmed that the fries were really good though!

Gingerbread Parfait - Despite an inconsistent meal, the dessert was fantastic.  Consisting of soft pieces of gingerbread cake, pure vanilla ice cream and tiny little wild blueberries with blueberry sauce to boot, this dessert was addicting and awesome.  The cake was slightly spicy and the blueberry sauce a little tart, providing a gorgeous juxtaposition.  At only $6 for a large portion, I think there couldnt've been a better way to go.

Service and Cost:
As I mentioned, the service was spotty and at times frustrating.  From the beginning, upon being seated at a makeshift foursome table outside that wobbled, to receiving our entrees 45 minutes after ordering, the service was highly disappointing.  Even after our food came, we were never approached by our server again to see how we were doing, and couldn't help but feel unimportant and forgotten.  What a drag!

Costs are moderate, and for the above mentioned meal with 2 drinks, we paid about $25/person including tax and tip.

1.5 Mmmms

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.lilbistro33.com

A Little Kitchen That Could Opens

The other day while hanging with Meg, she tipped me off about a little place with a clever name called A Little Kitchen that Could.  Replacing the short-lived, Munch that occupied the space before, this place has been open just shy of a month. 

The food offering is simple, local and extends beyond the breakfast and lunch service of its predecessor.  Instead, dinner is offered as well, and when I walked by around 8 p.m., I saw a few people in there enjoying their food, immersed in conversation or a good book, so it seemed. 

I like that the hours are a lot more flexible, being open all week round, pretty much around the clock:

Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday 7 a.m. - Midnight
Sunday -  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Check it out and do chime in with your opinions.  I'm eager to get a hold of the menu and will share it soon.

A Little Kitchen That Could -24-01 29th Street, Astoria NY 11102
347.242.3954
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd 

A New Foodista is Coming - Celebrate with Me!

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Well readers...the time has come for me to make some necessary changes to this site.  Not to worry, as all the content I provide you will remain, and I hope to step it up a notch too, providing you with even more interesting Astoria and LIC foodie intelligence.  Onward and upward...as the saying goes.  Where the change is happening is in my name, as I decided to use a name that's more closely tied to my roots.  I have a feeling you'll like it.

What does this mean for you?
You'll still get to enjoy my latest and greatest Astoria/LIC food news and be amongst the well informed intelligentsia as far as culinary matters are concerned.  And you'll have a new domain name to visit, which I'll make super easy to access.

Now for the really fun part...

I'm throwing a party to celebrate this progressive change, and I'd love to give you the opportunity to attend.  Taking place in a week at 5 Napkin Burger's new private space, you'll have the opportunity to mix and mingle with Queens' finest, indulge in 5 Napkin Burger's signature grub and imbibe to your heart's content.

How do you enter the Foodista re-launch party giveaway?
All you have to do is comment on this blog post and tell me either about your favorite food or drink at 5 Napkin or about your favorite aspect of this blog.

You have until this Friday, June 24th to enter and 3 winners will be announced by this coming Sunday, June 26th.  Please make sure to leave your email in the comments section, so I can contact you directly.

The winners will receive a free entry to the party along with a guest of their choice.  Enjoy, and I hope to see you next week at the big shin-dig.

Awesome Summer Specials from DiWine

Image by DiWine

DiWine is never short on coming up with new and interesting ideas to keep things fresh.  Their summer fun weekday and weekend specials sound lovely and have definitely piqued my interests.  Between a brunch music series to discounted specialty drinks and a Chef's Table program, it all sounds fantastic and worthy of exploring.  Here's some more information about each of these fun happs:

Brunch, Unplugged - Come by and have a listen to local, talented guitarist, Richard Padron as he performs at brunch every week starting on June 25th at noon.  In addition to the music, enjoy a hefty $15 prix-fixe brunch and even unlimited drinks for an extra $7 to boot! 

Daily Cocktail Specials - I love that on every day of the week (even on weekends) you can enjoy a discounted specialty cocktail, such as a $6 Marie le Poire on Sundays, a $5 Ginger Tennessee on Fridays, a $5 Pink Panther Caipirinha on Tuesdays and more.

Chef's Table Tuesdays - Get up close and personal with DiWine's Chef, Joe Fusco and learn professional cooking techniques by asking questions and getting a prime kitchen-side seat alongside all the action.  Each course you order is only $10 and what's even better is that you'll walk out knowing how to recreate it at home.

Enjoy these cool summer specials and let me know your candid thoughts about them.

DiWine - 41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.1355
R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.diwineonline.com

Foodista Discount at the Get Real Belgian Beer & Food Festival

If you're a beer lover, I think you'll really enjoy learning (and hopefully attending) this cool event on July 8th and 9th.  The Get Real Belgian Beer & Food Fest, taking place at The Altman Building, at which I've attended a number of events, is putting together quite the show this year, featuring 100+ Belgian brews and delicious brew-friendly food. 

In addition to the hearty gorgefest, you'll also have the opportunity to engage in some studious beer education (wink) with "Sour Sessions" featuring sour brews including gueuze and lambics, "Extreme Belgian Sessions," with beers that break the barriers of traditional brewing and more.  Plus, it's just a fun time to spend with friends - a one big, organized keg party if you will...

Some of the brewers featured include:
Brewery Ommegang
Brasserie de Blaugies
Smuttynose Brewing Company
Allagash Brewing Company
The Bruery
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Belgica and much much more.  Check out the full list of brewers here.

Here are all the deets and the exclusive deal that you, as Foodista readers get:

Get Real Belgian Beer & Food Festival - Friday, July 8th - Saturday, July 9th

Altman Building - 135 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011

General Admission - $85/person
VIP - $115/person

Your discount code "foodista" gets you $15 off all tickets.

Your ticket comes with a souvenir glass, unlimited tasting pours, a beer fest guide, unlimited food sampling, live music, tasting panels and all the beer education that your palate desires.

Enjoy and drink up the hoppy goodness! Get your tickets here.

Happy Father's Day Astoria - Father's Day Resto Roundup

Happy Father's day to all the great dads out there, including my very special Oci.  That's what we call Dad in Slovak and my American friends find the word intriguing and endearing.  Just like the man himself, pictured above.  In honor of Father's Day, I bring you this resto round-up, and while you'll see that most places are doing business as usual, they still provide a wonderful atmosphere for Dad and the whole fam.

Mojave - Fun times are sure to be had at this Southwestern eatery.  In honor of Father's Day, they'll have a BBQ and an open bar on their patio and even free shots of tequila for Dad. Salud!  22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105.  718.545.4100

Cavo - This upscale Greek resto will feature their regular menu for Father's Day but Dads gets pampered with 1/2 priced entrees, so order something expensive.  You can also enjoy $20 pitchers of sangria, which is customary for Sundays.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.721.1001

eXo - You won't want to miss eXo's Trapezi night, which features a whole lamb on a spit, roasted beef, Greek pork shoulder and plenty of sides and meze to go with it.  The whole feast will only set you back $35/person and Dad gets some cold ones on the house!  15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357.  718.767.4396

Christos Steakhouse - If Christos isn't the epitome of manly cuisine then I don't know what is.  Take Dad to this staple Greek steakhouse for a gorgeous steak, lobster and classic steakhouse sides with a Greek spin.  They'll have a couple of daily specials for Dad but the menu is staying as is.  41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.777.8400

Bistro 33 - Check out this neighborhood favorite for Father's Day, and especially now as it's fresh from being renovated.  As many of you may know, the previously known Side Door ice cream parlor has now been renamed Side Door Sushi and is serving just that.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105.  718.721.1933

BareBurger - Who wouldn't want to sink their teeth into a juicy, organic burger that comes in 14 different varieties?!  Dad can mix and match his protein with the various fixins and can choose from traditional beef to a more exotic ostrich or bison patty.  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.777.7011

Zenon Taverna - If your Dad loves homemade, delectable Greek food, you can't miss Zenon.  My favorite thing to get here is the 16 course meze tasting menu for just $19.95.  Yes...it's true, and yes...it's very delicious and filling.  34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106.  718.956.0133

Vesta - With their menu always being fresh and seasonal, there's nothing not to love here.  From pizza, pasta, steak, fish, pork and lots of great veggie options, Dad will surely love breaking bread at this local eatery.  They have plenty of wonderfully chosen wines on the menu too so don't forget to order a glass or a bottle.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.545.5550

Ornella - Here's an idea for you...celebrate with Dad on Monday and take advantage of Ornella's steak night where all steak dishes (6 varieties in total!) are only $14.99.  This is a great opportunity to treat Dad, while not breaking the wallet either.  And while you're there, don't miss my absolute favorite dish - the duck meatballs! 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105.  718.777.9477

Inspired by Ornella's Pasta Latte

While the above picture may look like any other ordinary pasta dish, it's anything but.  Inspired by my good friend and food mentor, Giuseppe Viterale of Ornella Trattoria, I decided to try my efforts at what he calls Pasta Latte, pasta boiled in milk.

I first tasted Giuseppe's version of Pasta Latte at a "bizarre foods" dinner he hosted about a month ago.  Loving the simplicity of the dish and at the same time the different flavor element it brought to regular pasta, I thought about it often.  So often that I got out the pots and pans and tried it out on my own.  As you can see in the above picture, I added tomatoes and basil to it too, as my milky sauce wasn't as thick as Giuseppe's (probably because I used low-fat milk). But regardless, the dish was wonderful, filling and still light on your tummy.

Pasta Latte e Caprese Inspired by Ornella Trattoria

Ingredients (serves 1)
1/2 lb of fettucine noodles
2 - 3 cups of milk, enough to cover a large saucepan
8 - 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
Handful of fresh basil, julienned
Small handful of mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
A few drops of white truffle oil

Directions:
Set milk to boil in a large saucepan and then add the pasta.  Cook for about 7-8 minutes until al dente and then let milk mixture reduce for a few minutes.  At that point, you can take the pasta out, but do not rinse it in water.

Add the cheese, tomatoes, basil and season with salt, pepper and truffle oil.  Add the reduced milk mixture on top (you don't have to use all of it, just to your liking).

Join Tamara Reynolds for Farm Fresh Dinners

I'm excited to share some fun news from Astoria's very own food celebrity, Tamara Reynolds and the very awesome rooftop farm, The Brooklyn Grange.  As many of you know, this fabulous lady is not only the gracious host of the Sunday Night Dinner supper club, in recent years she's also added the titles of cookbook author and The Cooking Channel Unique Eats contributor. 

And now another something new from Tamara, as she introduces her Thursday night dinners in partnership with The Brooklyn Grange, featured on the rooftop of this innovative LIC urban farm.

This dinner series commences next Thursday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. where you can feast your eyes and your senses on a gorgeous meal, made from farm fresh veggies picked that day! 

Tamara also hinted to the fact that they're building a special communal farm table just for these events.  What better way to hang with old friends and make plenty of new ones that share your food interests.

Here's the menu and all the pertinent deets.  If you're interested, make sure to buy your tickets and reserve your seats here. 

Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm Dinner Hosted by Tamara Reynolds

Thursday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m.

The Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
37-18 Northern Blvd

LIC, NY 11101

Here's the luscious menu!

Kuku Szabzi (Farm Egg Frittata with Herbs and Rose Petals)

Farmer Ben’s Baby Lettuces with Barely Pickled Shallots & Minted Buttermilk Dressing
Wilted Kale and Mustard Greens with Garlic, Anchovy & Aleppo Pepper
Turnips & Their Tops with Miso Sherry Butter
Grilled Leg of Lamb with Pomegranate Molasses & Salsa Verde
Cardamom Cinnamon Rice
Garlic Lemon Greek Yogurt
Spicy Ginger Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

Farm-tastic Dessert

Wine, Water & Iced Tea Included

$75 per person.  Reserve your spot here. 

If you'd like to attend these dinners but this particular one doesn't work for you, there will be others on July 28th and September 8th.  Enjoy and eat up!

Image Credit: The Brooklyn Grange

eXo - A Meal for Your Favorite Hungry Man

Image by eXo

With Father's Day coming this Sunday, I'll be doing one of my round-ups later this week, but wanted to specifically highlight this fantastic opportunity for a real manly (and not to mention delicious) meal.  eXo's Sunday Trapezi night will be in order, featuring a selection of three meats, served from their proper spit roast that you see above.  The whole experience is a true feast that Dad will love, and he'll even get some cool brewskis on the house.  Personally, I've had nothing but excellent meals here, so I'm expecting this to be awesome. 

Here's a detailed Father's Day offering:

eXo Father's Day Trapezi Menu - $35/person, including free beer for Dad

First Course (choice of 1)
Marouli Lettuce Salad - Crouton, pickled onion, red wine vinaigrette
Lamb Magiritsa Soup - Scallion, lemon, herbs, greek olive oil
Grilled Calamari & Asparagus Salad - Spring onion, lemon vinaigrette, herbs

Second Course (choice of 1)
Feta Ravioli - Brown butter, sage, sheep cheese
Crispy Halloumi - Olive oil fried cheese, lemon, tomato
Lamb Meatball Keftedes - Kefalotiri cheese stuffed meatballs

Entree (choice of 1…sliced right from the spit roast)
Whole Spring NY Lamb - Sustainable lamb from upstate ny basted with lemon, olive oil, oregano
Spit Roasted Beef - Marinated for 24 hours in garlic, rosemary, and red wine
eXo Greek BBQ Pork Shoulder - Lighly smoked and slow roasted until crackly good!

Sides
Lemon potatoes, horta, marinated garlicky beets

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

Studio Square's First Annual Summer Spit BBQ was Sizzlin'

Looking forward this year's first annual Studio Square Summer Spit BBQ, hosted by Chef David Burke and Jim Koch, the event delivered on all counts - food, drinks and culinary star power.  Through my experience at food events that showcase famous food celebrities, I was expecting Chef Burke to show up, mix and mingle and be on his way.  But that was so not the case - not only did he do the former, he worked his butt off, worked the fire pit, served the food and socialized with the crowd.

Lucky enough to come in during the VIP tasting hour, I got a chance to sample everything before it got crowded.  It was clear from the start that this event was well organized, thought out, and there were enough people helping out to keep it that way.

Here are some of the delicious things I tried:

Angry Pigs in Blankets - I loved Studio Square's take on this classic party appetizer, as it was spiced with some cayenne for that extra kick.  The pigs didn't taste oily and the blankets were deliciously buttery.  As you can see from the above pic, the presentation was creative and vibrant, taking these little piggys out for a stroll on the green grass.

Fried Green Beans - Again inventive with presentation, these were served out of Sam Adams beer cartons and they were delicious.  Crispy on the outside with a nice crunch also when you bit into them, it was a fun take on a simple comfort food.  The batter was infused with some smoky spices that gave the coating nice color, but not an overpowering taste.

Sweet Potato Chips - Wow! These were absolutely delectable - thin, crunchy, curly and sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon.  They were a nice side with the meats and added an almost desserty element.

Chicken Wings - As soon as I spotted the glaze on these babies, I had a feeling they were going to be good. Sticky, mapley, a little spicy and also smoky, they had a touch of Asian influence in them.  The actual meat was moist and delicious and after eating a few, you needed more than a handful of napkins to rectify the situation.

Bacon on a Stick! - My favorite appetizer, it was served simply on a stick.  And what a beautiful sight it was to see thick slab bacon, cooked to perfection and glazed in a sweet maple mustard.  Each bite combined my beloved flavors of sweet and savory, making this both an appetizer and a decadent dessert.  Dessert not for the faint of heart, that is.

The Pig! - The whole roasted pig was truly a work of art, roasting beautifully on a large grill, brought in especially for this event.  It was a treat to witness Chef David Burke basting the beast and then cutting off chunky pieces for all of us to enjoy.  I had a few bites and had the pleasure of tasting the well done, charred skin, which was my favorite part.  In terms of the actual meat, it was soft, succulent and slightly sweet, albeit fatty, which is a given with pig.  Overall a splendid treat to top off the gluttony.

David Burke Signature Cheesecake Lollipops - I loved seeing a little dessert at the end of the buffet, with these signature David Burke treats. I grabbed a chocolate toffee creation that had dark chocolate crunchies on the outside and a cold, creamy-cheesecakey middle.  I overhead some people call them ice cream pops, and they could've passed for just that.  Mmmm...they were refreshing.

Besides all the food, Sam Adams, this event's official sponsor had all their big signature ales on tap, including my favorite, the Cherry Wheat.  The serving cup size was considerably smaller than if you visited on a regular day, but the beauty was that you can go back as many times as you pleased, so it pretty much evened out.

If you hadn't had the chance to experience this awesome event this year, I hope you consider it next year.  It was a blast!

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
studiosquarenyc.com

Exciting Summer Specials at Cavo

It's been a while since I've visited the fancy schmancy Cavo, which I happen to like but I know some Astorians are bothered by.  All the pageantry aside, I truly enjoy the open space of this beautifully designed interior and the piece-de-resistance open garden, which is what Cavo is known for. 

Recently becoming aware of some fun summer specials they're featuring, I'm getting my hiney back in there, and pronto.

Here's what you can expect each week:

Tuesdays - 1/2 price on all entrees, excluding specials
Wednesdays - 50% of the manager's wine list
Thursdays - Ladies night with $4 martinis and sangrias
Sundays - Sangria Sundays with $20 pitchers

I especially like the Tuesday offering and plan to indulge soon.  Will you?

Cavo - 42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.1001
R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.cavoastoria.com

Homemade Salmon Cakes - A Leftover Wonder

Because I baked some gorgeous salmon last night and ate it with truffled green beans, I had leftovers.  Wanting to make good use out of them, I didn't mind eating salmon again tonight, but wanted to keep it fresh and interesting.  Enter these homemade salmon cakes, which I cooked up with all ingredients I already had on hand.  The cous-sous with cranberries and red onions was a left over dish too, and together it really felt totally new and interesting when thinking back on last night's baked version.

The trick with the salmon cakes was to to mix them with soaked bread that helped bind everything together, along with some mayo and mustard too.  I used spicy dijon mustard that gave the salmon a sharp bite, and that kept you coming back for more.  Here's how I made them:

Foodista's Homemade Salmon Cakes (serves 2)

Ingredients:
(1) 1/2 lb filet of baked salmon, with the skin separated and shredded with a fork into a tuna fish-like texture
1 1/2 tsp of mayo - you may need more based on how sticky your salmon mixture is.  You may have to eyeball this.
1 tsp of dijon mustard
1 small white or wheat roll, softened in water
2 tbs of red onion, diced
Breadcrumbs for coating
Olive oil

Directions:
Mix the salmon with the mayo, mustard, bread and onions until well incorporated.  You can mix it with a fork or your hands.  Then take a handful of the salmon and roll into an oval shape and pat it down with your hands.  Gently roll in the breadcrumbs.

Heat olive oil in a medium sized sautee pan and place prepared salmon cakes into the hot oil.  Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Serve immediately over cous-cous, a salad, pasta or the side of your choice.  Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of tartar sauce.

Gobble Up the Delicious Changes at Ovelia

A few weeks ago, I touched on some fun menu changes coming to our near and dear Ovelia.  It's exciting to report that these changes have now been fully incorporated and that Astorians seem to be gobbling them up. Literally.  My friends at Ovelia tell me that the response has been overwhelming, which I'm certainly encouraged by and can't wait to try for myself.  Here's what you can expect to find in their new menus (and on your plates):

First off...brunch:

• All eggs are now organic and dairy products come from a farm in upstate NY
• When ordering a brunch entree, you now have a veggie or a turkey option for the previously traditional "side meat"

Dinner:

• Rock 'n Rib Wednesdays' new special - Buffalo style calamari that has also recently debuted on the lunch menu
• On any other day, another new item to try are the feta cubes (appetizer) and the lamburgini, which is a lamb burger with crimini mushrooms on a pretzel bun that's baked in-house daily
• They now have a vegetarian version of their famous moussaka
• The new dinner menu has also changed in a way that it distinguishes the types of dishes one would typically find in a traditional Psistaria in Greece. Fun!

Drinks:

• The Karpouzo is back for the summer. (Ask your favorite Ovelia bartender all about it)
• They now boast 7 beers on tap and a new wine menu to come soon

Now that I've gotten myself completely hyped up, I hope you'll share in my excitement and check out these awesome Ovelia changes. Eat up!

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Taste of LIC Rocks it Again

From the title of this post, you can guess just how successful this year's Taste of LIC was. Very! I always look forward to this tasting event, as it's one of the best (or even the best dare I say) of its kind in Queens. Not only because of all the fantastic local culinary talent that's showcased, but also because it fosters a sense of community amongst LIC residents and fellow food comrades.

Seeing and meeting so many of my food colleagues and fellow community members made the evening truly enjoyable. And the never-ending supply of food wasn't too shabby either.

Graciously and beautifully organized by The Chocolate Factory, an independent community theater that "supports the creation of new work in a variety of disciplines including theater, dance, music, multi media and the visual arts," the proceeds of this event will benefit their 2011 - 2012 programs.

With over 50 local restaurants from LIC (and Astoria!) represented, there was something delicious and interesting to taste in every corner of the tent. At times, it was some truly serious sensory overload, but who could refuse? Although I enjoyed nearly everything I tried, here are a few stand-outs of the night:

M. Wells Diner - Debuting their offering at this event last year with a slow roasted pork dressed with a sweet maple reduction, this year their goods included smoked oysters on a housemade water cracker and a crazy looking, stuffed-to-the-gills chili dog. The latter was by far my favorite and you can see its gluttunous contents above including chunky beef chili, onions and melted cheddar cheese on an oversized grilled hot dog. The chili had great spice to it and the actual hot dog was juicy with a slightly crunchy casing. I can tell you that I wasn't the only one swooning over this dish. 21-17 49th Avenue, LIC. 718.425.6917

Sage General Store - Always one of my favorites at this event, this year it impressed me again. I was a little sad not to have their bacon brownie again, but surprisingly what won me over was their strawberry salad. Consisting of hulled strawberries, mixed bitter greens, candied pecans and a strawberry buttermilk dressing, it was a refreshing summer dish and one I can see myself munching on for lunch or dinner. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.361.0707

Malu - It was exciting to sample a new food establishment, on the brink of opening in just about a week. This new ice cream/chocolate shop located next door to Little Oven will serve homemade ice cream and nostalgic chocolate confections.  I loved their cheery table at the event from which I sampled milk and dark chocolate rice crispy treats, corn flake clusters, chocolate covered animal crackers, gummy bears, swedish fish, pretzels and more.  Everything was simple  yet very clean tasting and delicious.  Overall, a good foreshadowing for what's to come - I can't wait for it to open!  12-09 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.729-6258

Pachanga Patterson - I couldn't resist one of Pachanga's delicious spicy pork tacos, served on a Nixtamal tortilla, pickled onions and plenty of hot sauce.  It left me with a hot taste in my mouth, that set my tastebuds aflutter.  What a great reminder about why this new up-and-coming Mexican eatery shouldn't be missed.  Their nearly empty table by the end of the event surely proved its popularity.  33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.554.0525

El Ay Si - Excited to see these folks dishing out their comforting grub, I had a heaping plate of spicy bacon mac n' cheese.  Creamy, smoky with a bit of heat with each bite, it was hard not to finish the whole thing.  It was clear that the quality of ingredients were wonderful and I'd certainly come back to have this anytime with some fried chicken to boot!  47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.389.8781

Some of my other honorable mentions at the event include:

Testaccio - Pulled oxtail sliders.  47-30 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.937.2900
Gian Piero's Bakery - Assorted Italian cookies and loaves of bread that I took home!  44-17 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.8959
Bantry Bay Publick House - Bacon covered dates (gets me everytime!)  33-01 Greenpoint Avenue, LIC.  718.784.9500
LIC Market - Mellon soup with mint infused cream (so refreshing and summery) 21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013
Little Oven - Mini French macaroons that tasted like butta. 12-07 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.440.9438
Sweetleaf - Mango iced tea and almond and coconut cookies.  10-93 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.832.6726

Hope everyone who attended had as much fun as I did.  I fondly look forward to next year's event!

First Annual Summer Spit BBQ is This Sunday!

Image by Studio Square

A lot of you may have noticed the heavy-up promotion around a big, exciting event happening at the Studio Square beer garden this Sunday.  Summer Spit BBQ, hosted by celebrity food personalities, Jim Koch and famous restaurateur and Chef, David Burke promises to be a high-profile afternoon of eating, drinking and indulging.  Personally, I can't wait to check it out and am absolutely delighted and impressed that our wonderful little neighborhood is hosting such a food-influencer shin-dig.  Here are the deets - you can still buy your tickets ahead of time, which is highly suggested.

Summer Spit BBQ at Studio Square Beer Garden
Sunday, June 12th from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The menu includes:
Passed and stationed hors d'oeuvres and sides

BBQ chicken and cheese dumplings
Angry pigs in blankets (sounds spicy!)
Grilled cheese with chorizo
Smoked gouda pops
Chicken wings
Grilled asparagus on bed of nails (hmmm...)
Smoked beef fat fries in cones
Fried green beans
Sweet potato chips
Chicharonnes

Entrees

Whole roasted pig
Pulled pork taco
Bacon with maple mustard pork bellies

Dessert

Peach donuts
Deep fried twinkies and oreos

Sounds like a total glutton-fest. YUM! Excited to see you there...

Purchase your tickets here.

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.studiosquarenyc.com