5 Napkin's Kegs & Eggs Brunch

Last week, I mentioned 5 Napkin's Kegs & Eggs brunch, which I had the pleasure to attend.  My mom and dad came along too and really enjoyed themselves.  Even though we didn't go too crazy with the beer, we had a taste of the SingleCut Billy 18 Watt IPA and liked its bitter hoppy flavor.  

Just to recap things for you a bit, Kegs & Eggs offers $20 bottomless pints for 2 hours during brunch hours.  

It was nice to see the patio open and by the early afternoon, it was nearly all filled up with hungry Astorians.  Many folks came with larger groups and seemed to make a social outing from this experience, which was great to see.
In addition to the beer of course, here are some dishes we tried:

Healthy Frittata - Wanting to keep things nutritious, I ordered the egg white frittata with spinach, tomatoes, onions and peppers.  It was nice and light with little air pockets inside that made it feel super fluffy.  The veggies added an earthy flavor, which went nicely with the well done hash browns and the side of salad dressed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing.  I like that it didn't make me feel overly full, but instead energized and satiated.

Other Dishes - My parents also went with lighter dishes, my mom ordering the Southwestern Chicken Salad and my dad also going with a chicken dish, the Churrasco chicken breast. I was intrigued by the chimichurri sauce on top of the latter dish, which made it look vibrant and taste delicious too.  My dad also liked the side of fried goodies such as French fries and onion rings.  A little bit of salad came with it too, making this a generous offering.

Service and Cost:
Excellence in service never fails to prevail here, as our waiter was really wonderful and paid attention to all our needs. We asked him to hold our food until my dad came to join us and he was more than happy to oblige.  Everyone was really kind and accommodating.

Costs are moderate and include anywhere from $9.75 - $15.50 for egg dishes or $11.50 - $18.95 for other lunch food.

3 Mmmms

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

Jahn's - Classic Ice Cream Sundaes Never Go Out Of Style

Last week, Meg, Dayna, a new friend, Dalena and I met in Jackson Heights to try out Alchemy Texas BBQ, which I'll tell you about later this week.  But first thing's first - dessert!  We stopped in at Jahn's for classic ice cream sundaes after the hearty BBQ grub.  It was the perfect end to this lovely food outing, and I just can't stop thinking about how much I enjoyed it.  For those of you who love classic ice cream desserts in a nostalgic atmosphere, Jahn's is for you.

Atmosphere:
Being a staple in the neighborhood for more than 60 years now, Jahn's is more than just a family restaurant, it's an institution.  Transforming you back in time, if you appreciate the good old, you'll love the classic booth seating, ball lighting, dark wooden panel decor and just plain retro style.  There's a counter up front where you pay for your bill, just like in old fashioned diners.  

We loved it all and immediately felt at home , nestling into our booth and perusing the extensive back of the menu that's purely dedicated to ice cream.  This is exactly the reason we came.

Ice Cream:
Having to choose between the myriad of ice cream sundae choices at Jahn's wasn't easy but we clearly managed.  Besides having your classic flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, mint chip, and cookies & cream, they also have plenty of specialty sundaes that they call Tummy Ticklers.  How cute!  I also couldn't help noticing the mother of all sundaes, which is the Kitchen Sink - serving about 8-10 people and coming in at a whopping $51.95.  Yep, you read that right!

Classic Sundae - Even though the fancy stuff looked great, I opted for something simple and timeless, which was their pistachio sundae with hot fudge and whipped cream.  It was perfection in every way, as the ice cream contained chunks of actual pistachio and almond too.  The ice cream to hot fudge ratio was quite perfect and the fresh whipped cream was as light as air.  Even though some folks aren't so into maraschino cherries, I kind of like them and devoured mine in one quick bite.  As you see, the portion was quite large, but so delicious that I managed to eat it all.

Apple Pie Sundae - Dayna went for this decadent dessert, which contained big pieces of apples on top, reminding me of pie filling. Actually, I think that's exactly what it was. Another sweet success, we all took turns at trying it and really enjoyed the saucy topping and how it paired perfectly with the rich chocolate chip ice cream. 

Service and Cost:
The old fashioned service at Jahn's is part of its charm, and even though everything here is no frills, it just feels friendly and wonderful.  Our waiter was helpful and really lax about leaving us to just chat after finishing our ice cream - I felt right at home.

Costs are wallet friendly and include anywhere from $3.15 to $8.95 for ice cream.  Definitely not bank breaking!

3 Sweet Mmmms

Jahn's - 81-04 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718.651.0700
7 Train to 82nd Street

Fooditka's Take on Bolognese

Since I've been pretty eating pretty well lately, and on a veggie kick, I wanted to make something comforting but also healthy for a satisfying dinner.  Always up for pasta, as I equate this with comfort food goodness, I decided to make my own Bolognese sauce, but instead of with beef or pork, I substituted it with chicken sausage and mushrooms, which made it really hearty.  I let the whole concoction cook in a sauce of crushed tomatoes and then placed it on a bed of whole wheat spaghetti deliciousness. It was lovely and such a perfect thing to freeze and use later for pasta, pizza sauce, dipping sauce.  Whatever!

Fooditka's Healthy Bolognese (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:
(1) 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 lb of chicken sausage, casings removed
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 package of baby bella mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Olive oil
Fresh basil
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Sautee the onions first until they get soft and then add the mushrooms.  Add salt and pepper and cook until the veggies get well done.  Add chicken sausage and cook for about 5-7 minutes, until cooked through.

Combine with crushed tomatoes and a little bit of water (approximately 1/2 cup).  Let it simmer for about 30-35 minutes until all the flavors combine.  Add cheese and fresh basil as a last step.

Place Bolognese over whole wheat spaghetti.  You can sprinkle it with fresh basil for extra flavor. Enjoy with a tall glass of red vino.

Mexico Blvd Truck Looks Suweeet!

I was on my way to the new MP Taverna last week, getting ready for a fabulous press dinner when I ran into this Mexico Blvd truck right outside of the Ditmars Blvd stop.  It looked so inviting and like a legit food truck that I walked by and looked at what it had to offer.  The menu was simple yet intriguing and the prices are fantastic - especially for the tacos.  I like that their meat is sustainable and they carry most gluten free products, which is nice for friends with food allergies.  Take a look at their menu and do check them out next time you seem them in the nabe.

Guacamole - made fresh daily and paired with chips
Chico (small)...$3.25
Grande (big)...$4.50

Tacos
Adobo - Pork loin marinated for 24 hours in their great grandmother's adobo...$3
Pastor - Pork tenderloin marinated in 3 chiles sauce, served with cilantro, onion & a pineapple slice...$3
Bistec - Top round steak in a drunken sauce, served with cilantro and onion...$3
Tinga - Shredded chicken in a tomato and chipotle sauce...$3

Tortas (Mexico City sandwiches)
Adobo...$8
Pastor...$8
Bistec...$8
Tinga...$8

Find this truck here.

Alewife's Happy Hour Pleasantly Surprises

Meg and I met at Alewife this week, together with a new We Heart Astoria colleague, Chad, which is super exciting.  I haven't been there in a while and have heard some mixed things about their new menu, so I wanted to judge for myself.  Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I'd highly recommend you guys to check it out.  

They had a fabulous Wednesday night special, which included 2 cute little sliders and a beer for $10.  It was a great deal, and while these teeny burgers looked awesome, I actually had a spicy jalapeno burger for lunch (more on that later) so I decided to go for the oysters.  Two words - totally wowed!

Chillin Oysters - Because they were simply calling my name, I ordered a half dozen raw oysters that came with a side of mignonette sauce and cocktail sauce.  I was happy to see that the oysters were large, briny and oh so fresh.  I spritzed some lemon on top, which enhanced their flavor perfectly and the meaty part of the oyster was truly like a beautiful pearl of the sea.  It had a fresh flavor that tasted of the ocean, but definitely not fishy.  Each piece was substantial and didn't even need the fixins, to be honest.  A simple spritz of lemon was just enough.

Garlic Fries - Meg also ordered some garlic fries for the table, which were awesome.  Their crisp texture made us swoon, and the garlicky flavor was delightful and definitely not overpowering.  I like that we didn't find one single limp fry, and they were all beautifully crisped and ready to be dipped in ketchup.

Service and Cost:
The service was really nice and very low key.  Because it wasn't too busy, I felt that we had good access to our waitress, whenever we needed something.  The check came fast too and I didn't feel that we lingered for too long, after we were ready to go.

Costs are reasonable and I paid about $24 including tax and tip for my oysters and beer.  As I already mentioned, the happy hour special was just $10.

3 Mmmms

Alewife - 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.937.7494
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alewifequeens.com

Kegs & Eggs is Coming to 5 Napkin Burger

Spring is in the air, that's for sure, and 5 Napkin Burger is celebrating.  In honor of their springtime patio opening this weekend, they're hosting a Kegs & Eggs event this Saturday, 4/27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  What's in store?  Lots of local beers from SingleCut Beersmiths and their classic brunch.  And if you're really thirsty, you can enjoy a 2 hour bottomless pints for $20.  To whet your appetite a little more, here are some yummy highlights of their brunch:

Southwestern Chicken Salad - grilled chipotle rubbed chicken breast, mixed greens with chayote, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, grilled corn, red onions, cotija cheese, tortilla strips & ranch dressing

Burger Salad - 7 oz. beef, turkey, lamb or veggie patty on top of chopped greens, endive, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, red onion, radishes, celery, pickled onions, choice of dressing

Cheesey Omelette - choice of gruyere, cheddar, american, pepperjack, feta, mozzarella

Healthy Frittata - egg whites with 1 yolk, spinach, tomatoes, onions & peppers

Artichoke Benedict - artichoke, spinach & mozzarella dip gratineed on a toasted potato roll with 2 poached eggs & hollandaise sauce

Breakfast Tacos - 2 flour tortillas, scrambled eggs & chorizo with cotija, avocado, crispy shallots & salsa verde

Whatcha think? Will I see you there?

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

The Inkan Peruvian & Latin Cuisine Looks Awesome

Image by Diliana R

I found myself in LIC last Saturday, enjoying the funny and provocative antics of Honey Badger Burlesque.  It was quite a show, but more on that soon!  During my evening, I ran into a yummy looking Peruvian restaurant called The Inkan, which really intrigued me.  I noticed it, as I was on my way to the Chain Theater, and then lo and behold, there was a flyer for it at the theater as well.  I perused the menu and really liked what I saw.  Here's a sampling, in case you get an inkling for reasonable Latin food.  I'd love to try it soon, and if I was in the nabe during lunch time, I'd totally hit them up.  It looks so reasonable!

Appetizers:
Salchipapas - French fries with frankfurters...$5.99
Papa rellena - Stuffed potato...$6.99
Empanadas Ecuatorianas de Viento - empanadas stuffed with cheese...$1.50

Rotisserie Chicken & Ribs:
Whole chicken...$10.99
Spare ribs...$4.99

Seafood:
Camaron al Ajillo - Sauteed shrimp with garlic sauce served with white rice...$14.99
Ceviche Mixto - Mixed seafood including mussels, clams, shrimp, squid & fresh fish marinated in lemon juice; served with sweet potato and corn...$15.99
Parihuela - Rich mixed seafood soup with mussels, clams, shrimp, squid, fish and Spanish spices...$13.99
Jalea - Fried mixed seafood with onions, tomatoes, cilantro & lemon sauce...$14.99 (personal), $28.99 (family)

Meat:
Bistek Encebollado - Sirloin steak sauteed with onions & tomatoes, served with white rice & French fries...$13.99
Chuletas de Cerdo con Arroz y Habichuelas - Pork chop with rice and beans...$12.99
Mini Bandeja - Sirloin steak with white rice, beans, fried egg, sweet plantains & pork rind...$9.99
Entrana a la Parilla con Arroz Amarillo y Maduros - Grilled skirt steak with yellow rice and sweet plantains...$17.99

Sides:
Sweet plantains...$3.99
Fried yucca...$3.99
Red beans...$3.99
Green plantains...$3.99

The Inkan - 45-02 23rd Street, LIC NY 11101
718.433.4171
7 Train to Court Square
www.theinkancuisine.com

Yummy Specials at Astor Bake Shop

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Always intrigued by what Astor Bake Shop has going on, I've recently also told you about their savory offering.  Dan and I enjoyed their classic Astor burger, and the French Onion soup was delicious too, that now I'm always keeping an eye on their menu and social media to see what specials they've got going on.  

This weekend's Facebook posts got me excited, as I spotted a healthy looking quinoa salad and a crunchy on the outside, and gooey on the inside Cubano sandwich.  The former boasts tons of earthy ingredients such as kalamata olives, cubes of feta, cucumber, cherry tomato, all dressed with a light scallion vinaigrette.  It sounds like a yummy side dish but can also substitute for a light main course for lunch.  

The Cubano on the other hand is total indulgence, with fresh roast pork, black forest ham, melty Swiss cheese and some sharp Dijon mustard to give it some kick.  It looks quite large and can be a nice thing to share with someone else, together with the quinoa salad too.  

Ok...now I'm totally salivating.

Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

718.606.8439

www.astor-bakeshop.com 

Strawberry, Avocado, Spinach Salad - A Wistful Summer Dish

I'm calling this my wistful summer salad because I really can't wait for the warmer season to come.  Although we've been getting little whispers of spring here and there, I'm ready for the real thing.

Strawberries and avocado make me think of my favorite season, and I was inspired to create my take on this beautiful salad that I originally saw on Pinterest by way of Farmgirl Gourmet.  She in turn got it from Lauren's Latest blog who found the recipe on Two Peas & Their Pod blog.  And so the story goes...

While I didn't use kale as my base, since I already had it this week, I replaced it with fresh baby spinach and also added tomatoes, which go so well with avocado.  Switching up the dressing from Lauren's creamy poppyseed to a mixture of tzatziki and vinegar, also worked out really well.  And in case you're wondering, those delicious, well done pieces of cured meat are Spanish chorizo that I got from Despana Foods.  It was a tasty way to go and provided good wishful thinking to welcome summer.  Well almost...

Strawberry Avocado salad recipe as seen on Lauren's Latest blog

Introducing Sweet Amanda Leigh

You never know who you're going to meet, as this theory truly came into play when I met with Marc, one of my co-workers about something completely non-food related.  We got to chatting about our interests and I found out he's related to the talented Sweet Amanda Leigh of Astoria.  "How amazing and what a small world!," I thought, as I couldn't believe there was an Astoria connection between us.  

In no time, Marc connected me to Amanda and off we went, exploring our common likes for sweet treats.  I was so intrigued that we set up a little tasting at Mackenzi's SITE, and Amanda gave us each a generous box of her signature treats.  But before I get into some of my faves, here's a little bit of info about Sweet Amanda Leigh.

About Sweet Amanda Leigh
Specializing in custom cakes, Amanda is known for some pretty amazing designs, which span from whimsy, kid oriented themes to romantic wedding cakes.  I love that everything is made from scratch and Amanda uses premium quality ingredients, which really shine in her sweet goodies.  

Amanda's background lies in art & design, hence her creative touch to each confection, but her baking expertise comes from NY's ICE Culinary.  Needless to say, this talented lady is legit and she's even worked with the amazing, George McKirdy of Astor Bake Shop.  Her attention to detail and professionalism shines in every treat from a full blown cake to the smallest cookie.

Sweet Treats
Besides her signature cakes, Amanda also excels in baking cookies, cupcakes, brownies and everything in between.  I was happy to see that our box of samples included a few different things.  While I was pretty much in love with it all, here are a few things that were total home runs.

Lavender lemon cookie - An elegant, sophisticated treat, this cookie was not only surprising for the senses, it was also really light.  Boasting the most amazing buttery, crumbly texture, each bite was the perfect combination of earthy and zesty.  The lavender was apparent but not overbearing, whereas the lemon presented a beautifully clean flavor.  I can see enjoying this with a piping hot cup of herbal tea.

Rainbow cookie - Everyone has a soft spot for a good old fashioned rainbow cookie, and this one totally ruled.  I appreciated its soft colors, which indicated to me that Amanda went light on food coloring (a good sign).  The binder for its three signature layers tasted of apricot jam, which was amazing, while the cake itself was nice and almondy.

Classic vanilla cupcake - Even though there were fancier things in the box than this, simplicity is always appreciated in my book.  The vanilla dough was flavorful and had a lovely, moist texture, while the frosting was absolutely delectable.   Made with semi-sweet chocolate, it wasn't too overpowering and did a great job at dressing the cupcake instead of stealing the show.

To further explore Amanda's delicious treats, check out her site, and let her know who sent you.

Leli's Bakery Serves Mini Cakes

After my delicious brunch at Pachanga Patterson last weekend, I wandered around the nabe for a bit, exploring what's new.  I happened to pop into Leli's Bakery as well, which everyone seems to love and spotted a few interesting things.

Besides their great-looking cookies, croissants and other flaky pastries, my eyes immediately gravitated to the mini cakes you see above.  It's hard to imagine the proportion through this photo, but these are actually miniature 3 inch cakes, which looked just darling.

Leli's Miniature Cakes - Boasting a number of flavors including red velvet, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, carrot cake and more, I found these mini cakes quite unique and so convenient if you just want a little bite of something sweet.  It's nice to share with one other person or to serve to a special someone in honor of their birthday.  I inquired about the costs and they're affordable too, at just $4.50 for a 3 inch cake, $6 for a 4 incher and then starting at $18 for the bigger cakes.

Besides all that, I loved that there's a few tables up front where you can sit down and enjoy your treats with a steaming cup of coffee.  There were a few people occupying those seats and they looked happy and relaxed, devouring their goodies.

Leli's Bakery - 35-14 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.626.8090
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

A Meh Experience at Astor Room

It's been quite a while since I dined at Astor Room, and unfortunately it was once again a lackluster experience.  I really hoped that would change last week when Meg, Mackenzi, our fabulous designer Nuno and I went there for dinner, but mediocrity continues to be the norm.

Even the very beginning of our experience was a let down when we were told we had to wait about 15 minutes for our reserved table.  Luckily, time went by really quickly and we were seated shortly, but it was still an odd way to begin.

Food:
We started with a shared salad, after which everyone got their own entrees.  While I don't think we were overly full, we just didn't really care for dessert, especially since Meg Mackenzi and I started with a sweet preview back at SITE, courtesy of the very talented, Sweet Amanda Leigh.

Warm Spinach & Asparagus - Generally enjoying this salad, it was pretty simple but tasty, including generous amounts of fresh spinach and grilled asparagus.  The component that really attracted me to it though was the maple bacon vinaigrette and unfortunately I can't say I tasted it at all.  There was some warm, tangy goat cheese in this concoction, and it was lovely, but somehow the dish didn't live up to its interesting menu description.

Short Rib Stroganoff - Labeled as an Astor Room classic, I looked forward to trying it, especially since it ties back to my Eastern European roots.  Overall, the dish was pretty solid, and the short rib was especially yummy.  I liked how it fell apart upon contact with your fork and the egg noodles soaked up its meaty sauce quite nicely.  There was supposed to be truffle creme in the sauce as well but once again, I couldn't detect it.  But all that aside, it was a tasty plate of food that I'd gladly get again.

Other Dishes - My friends seemed to enjoy their dishes, although they didn't rave about them.  My suspicion is that they were the same as mine - perfectly acceptable but generally unexciting.  I tried the fries, which Meg got as a side and once again I couldn't taste the truffle salt.  They were just meh.

The Studio Cocktail - Ordering this drink and absolutely loving it convinced me that Astor Room still does one thing right - the cocktail.  Incorporating my favorite, Tito's vodka with apricot liqueur, demarara syrup and fresh lime, it tasted slightly sour and a little sweet too.  The whole thing went down so smooth and reminded me of something I'd have on vacation - but still maintaining a certain sophistication.

Service and Cost:
The service too was really odd.  We had two servers who didn't seem to communicate, as they took our drink order twice.  However, after a few awkward interactions, the rest of  service went off without a hitch.

Costs are pricey for the quality of food you're getting and we paid about $45/person with tax and tip.  This doesn't sound too bad, but consider that two of my dining companions got appetizers for their main course.

1.5 Mmmms

The Astor Room - 34-12 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.255.1947
N/Q Train to Broadway or M/F Train to Steinway Street
www.astorroom.com

Unusual Brunchin' at Pachanga Patterson

I can never turn down brunch plans and thought it would be fun to go to Pachanga Patterson with Renne (of Single Girl Cookies).  We originally planned to just grab coffee, but thought this would be the perfect excuse to try something new.  While I've been to Pachanga on several occasions, I've never yet tried brunch, and was totally intrigued.

Food:
While they have the usual suspects such as omelets, an egg sandwich, even a breakfast burger on the menu, I went for something totally different, which were their chicken hot dogs.  Renee also chose something more lunchy and went with their signature tacos.

Chicken Hot Dogs - Even though I was on the fence about getting these, our waitress convinced me they were fabulous.  I totally agreed and was right away intrigued by the crunchy cabbage/apple slaw that was layered on top of the dogs.  The hot dog itself was delicious and quite light, I only wished it was a little bit bigger and that they went easier on the bread.  The mayo sauce on top totally worked and went nicely with the vinegary, crunchy slaw.  If I had to do it over again, I'd definitely get them, and I was glad they didn't make me feel overly full or heavy - the portion was quite right.

Single Girl Sweets - I also nibbled on some Single Girl treats including Renee's new lemon cupcake with a beautiful little lemon rind on top.  The frosting was stupendously creamy and tart and coupled nicely with the moist, dense dough.  I loved the manageable size as well, which was just enough for two delectable bites.

Renee's signature chocolate chip cookies were also a must try, and I loved how the chocolate morsels just melted in your mouth.  I don't know if it was because I just ate a lemon cupcake, but I tasted some lemon or orange zest in them too.  It was a welcome flavor that I totally devoured.

Service and Cost:
The service was nice throughout our meal, and both of our waitresses were attentive and friendly.  One of them was downright quirky and funny, and I loved how animatedly she described (and recommended) the chicken hot dogs.

Costs were moderate and we paid about $17 for our entrees and coffees, tax and tip included.

3 Mmmms

Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.554.0525
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.pachangapatterson.com

Samoa Cream Cheese is Back at Brooklyn Bagel

Update: I went ahead and tried the samoa cream cheese this weekend and it was stupendous.  Loved the little flaky bits of coconut laced with chocolate and caramel.  It reminded me a bit of cannoli cream, and needless to say, it was really indulgent and delicious.  I can see putting it on not only a bagel, but also things like challah bread, sweet (or salty) crackers, apples, pears or just simply from a spoon.  It's that good!

Samoas and bagels? A strange combination one may think, but Brooklyn Bagel has had a lot of success with it.  So much so that they're featuring it as a cream cheese flavor, again.  
I personally love the combination of coconut, dark chocolate and caramel and can't see it being anything but wonderful in cream cheese form, coupled with Brooklyn Bagel's fluffy, bready treats.  For those of you who are intrigued, you can ask for it this week and weekend at your favorite Brooklyn Bagel locale.  Something nice to pair it with would be their fresh brewed iced coffee, which would just make for the most perfect breakfast.  Bon appetit girls scouts!

35-05 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.204.0141
N/Q Train to Broadway
35-09 Ditmars Blvd Astoria, NY 11105

718.932.8280

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

36-14 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.1121
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.bkbagel.com

Pea Scallion Pancakes Offer a New Take on the Flapjack

Since I love me some pancakes, I was totally intrigued to learn about a new take on this dish, incorporating a savory twist.  The recipe came from the April issue of Bon Appetit, the pancakes looking gorgeous and vibrant.  I liked that the ingredients were super simple, and also included a generous helping of cottage cheese, that seemed to moisten the texture of these babies. 

It was fun to lace them with the beautiful peas and fresh scallions too for some bite.  While the recipe called for a rich butter sauce on top, I omitted that and instead made a generous helping of side salad with a vinegar based dressing.  The whole thing was unique, refreshing and comforting too.  We had an easy time polishing off nearly all of the pancakes, and I can happily say that this is a recipe I'll gladly repeat.  See what you think when you try it too.  Here's the recipe for Pea Pancakes.

3 Delicious Spring Treats

Image by Brooklyn Bagel

Now that it officially feels like spring, and boy did we need it, everyone is up and about, roaming the nabe.  I love seeing everyone looking all chipper and happy, and it goes without saying that we're now in the mood for refreshing, cold treats.  In honor of spring, I wanted to give you just that - three delicious, cool treats you can enjoy on a warm sunny day.

Cold brewed iced coffee - With so many places to get a flavorful cup of iced coffee, there are a few that stand out to me, including Brooklyn Bagel, Avenue Cafe and The Queens Kickshaw of course.  Take one to go while walking to the subway or enjoy one while sitting down at a sidewalk cafe (Avenue Cafe would be great for that!).  

Gelato or ice cream - If you're looking for a cool, delicious little something, there's nothing like homemade gelato in the nabe.  My personal favorite is the pistachio from La Guli, followed by the hazelnut from Martha's or my new personal favorite, the We Heart Astoria Baklava ice cream from Malu in LIC.  

Healthy smoothie - There's nothing like a refreshing, healthy juice or smoothie to get your day started right, and there are a few places in Astoria you can get one.  Your Healthy Kitchen on 30th Avenue and 44th street will make virtually any juice you like.  Meg, Mackenzi and I tried an amazing concoction with beets, spinach, ginger, carrots and other delicious ingredients, which made this drink really satisfying.  Other good smoothie options include Pita Pan and Create Astoria.

Lunchin' with Korilla BBQ at the IMS Summit

I was at the IMS summit last week for work, which was a tad underwhelming, so I didn't have high hopes when it came for lunchtime.  However, I must say that I was more than pleasantly surprised when I found out that Korilla BBQ was in my future that day.  That's right...everyone at the conference had the opportunity to get the Korean BBQ specialty of their dreams from this fabulous truck.  I instantly fell in love.

The Concept:
Started by Edward "3D" Song, a Columbia graduate who just couldn't face the corporate world, the Korilla BBQ truck was born.  Wanting to spread the amazingness of Korean BBQ cuisine with others, and to also break the perception that this cuisine is only for carnivores, "3D" started his first truck with three other cohorts.

Since then, they're all over the NYC map (and even Jersey), as well as doing private events such as the one from last week.  I really loved the idea behind this, as it added a level of coolness to the event.  It was fun watching the guys behind the truck's window, having a good time and serving up some amazing, piping hot Korean yums.  All I can say is that it was a great intro, and I'll certainly be back for more.

Food:
Lucky for us, we got to choose whatever we wanted on their menu, so I went for the Chosun bowl.  First you pick a protein such as the ribeye (bulgogi), pulled pork, chicken thighs, or tofu; then you go for the rice (they even have bacon, kimchi fried rice!), and then additional fixins such as kimchi, slaw, cucumber, etc.

I got the bulgogi, as I typically love this tender, marinated beef that's oh so flavorful.  Korilla's was even better than others I've had - it was incredibly easy to break down, no knife required.  Pairing this with the bacon, kimchi fried rice and a topping of mild tomato salsa, crunchy slaw and cucumber, was a hearty, smoky combination.  The smokiness came from the Korean BBQ sauce they put on top, that was slightly sweet, and a little tangy.  The differing textures were just fabulous and the whole thing made for a colorful and a very exciting lunch.  While I could imagine eating these ingredients in burrito form, I much rather enjoyed seeing it all shine in front of me inside a bowl.  Who'd want all that beauty to be hidden inside a flour wrap?!

Service and Cost:
Amazed at how quickly each order got expedited, the line moved quickly and it was fun watching the guys serving everyone.  It's clear that they enjoy what they do, each with a big smile on their face, cracking some jokes along the way too.

Prices range between $7-$8/serving, depending on whether you get a taco set, a burrito or the bowl I just mentioned.

3 Mmmms

Korilla BBQ - truck locations

Brunch at Locale is Nutellicious

Our friend Moses was in town this weekend, which was awesome.  We really miss him being all the way in Portland and all.  Wanting to spend some time at brunch this morning, we hung out in his old neck of the woods, near the 34th/35th Avenue area, and decided to go to Locale.

We went on the early side, which was great since it wasn't yet crowded.  However, an hour into our meal, it was packed, which is testament to its popularity.  Although I've been for brunch before, here are some new things we tried:

Locale Burger - I wanted something different than eggs, so I went for the burger.  And besides, I've never had it here before, so I wanted to see how it'd measure up to others in the nabe.  Overall, it looked mighty impressive, boasting a big, fluffy bun with two pickle slices on top.  The meat was pretty good and juicy, but I had higher expectations for a grass fed product.  Maybe it was too greasy, but something was detracting from it being outstanding.  Maybe it needed some spice (in the form of a sauce) and an earthier bun to bring up its level of sophistication.

Poached Eggs with Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy - This was Dan's dish and he really liked it.  Not all of it was stellar, as he mentioned the biscuits were kind of dry and not particularly flaky, but he said the eggs were perfectly cooked.  They were beautifully runny and the gravy definitely made the mediocre biscuits a lot tastier.  At the end though, he was a part of the clean plate club.

Texas Toast Stuffed with Nutella - This was Moses' entree of course, as he's a total Nutella freak.  He even asked for extra Nutella on the side if you can believe it.  Praising it to the heavens, he loved the Nutella aspect as well as the texture of the French Toast, which was crunchy and lovely - but also very rich.

Southern Omelet with Grilled Chicken - Since Paul is super serious about staying in shape, he ordered this with egg whites and sans cheese, due to his dietary restrictions.  He really enjoyed it, along with the crispy, well done hash browns on the side.  It was nice to see that a healthier version of any egg dish can be accommodated.

I was a bit disappointed in the coffee offering, as they didn't have basic skim milk or any other kind of alternative creamer.  It was all full fat, heavy stuff that quite frankly would've upset my stomach, so I drank the coffee black.

Service and Cost:
The servers were really nice and you can tell they were hustling on this busy morning.  Even though it took a little longer than usual to get the food out to us, our glasses of water and coffee were always refreshed. 

Costs are reasonable and for the above mentioned meal, including coffee and some morning cocktails too, we paid about $23/person including tax and tip.

2 Mmmms

Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.729.9080

N/Q Train to Broadway

www.localeastoria.com

Paul's Amazing Monkey Bread

Monkey bread...ahhh that homey, nostalgic deliciousness.  I've only had it on one occasion, from Gramercy Tavern, but it was life changing.  And now a fabulous homemade version made by my friend Paul (or Ball as we call him, and/or King of Party food as others call him).

He made this delicious version just the other week when he and Jamil had family in town.  It went fast and now only a small sliver remained, which I tasted the other day.  Mmmmm...total rich, gooey deliciousness.  Paul also adds a little special something, which are sliced apples, making this already yummy treat something totally delectable.  Check out his mom's recipe below, which he used to make this beauty.

Pauly C's Monkey Bread - A Clements Family Recipe

Ingredients (serves 6-8)
2 cans (340G X 2)
Pillsbury country biscuits
½ cup granulated sugar
2 - 2 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans
Bundt pan, coated with butter

Steps to the greatness:

Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

Mix together the granulated sugar & cinnamon, and set aside.

Separate the dough and cut each into quarters. Toss the dough and apple with cinnamon sugar in big ziplock bag. Make sure all dough pieces are covered with cinnamon sugar mix thoroughly. Layer the dough and diced apples in the pan, and continue to do so until all the dough and apples are used up.

In a small saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar. Then pour the mixture over the dough. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown in color. Cool on rack for about 5-10 minutes and then invert onto a serving plate. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top and in center hole of monkey bread. Serve warm.

Beef and Candy Bars? Fun Infographics for Omnivores.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you 3 useful food infographics that focused on hot food topics such as measurement conversion, food storage and some pretty rad kitchen knife varieties.  Well I just couldn't help myself but share more with you today about other food topics that should pique your interest.  The first one has to do with the vast variety of beef cuts we're confronted with in the grocery store with each visit.  How do we know which cut to choose and are we getting good value for it?

The other infographic is a bit more indulgent, as it looks at an endless combination of chocolate, other sweet fixins and the delectable candy bars these combinations make.  I hope you enjoy them and tell me about some of your favorites.

Cuts of Beef infographic by sounas.

The Delectable Kaleidoscope of Candy Bars infographic by popchartlab.

New Yummies from Sugarfreak

Since it's already been an exhausting week and it's only Tuesday, Dan and I decided to treat ourselves to something comforting and yummy.  As it happens, he's never been to Sugarfreak, and I thought he'd really enjoy it, so we went for an impromptu dinner.  Both of us tried new things that really impressed us and we walked out happy, satiated and eager to come back real soon.  Here's what we enjoyed:

Crawfish/Shrimp Bisque - Dan spotted this on their specials menu and it sounded good.  It was especially appropriate since the weather really cooled down, and we wanted something warm and comforting to perk us up.  While the soup took a while to come out, it was pretty good. The broth was rich and hearty and had a real nice, warming spice to it.  There were generous chunks of shrimp and crawfish inside that were fun to find and devour.  But the best part was the buttery and still crunchy crouton that floated on top and really soaked up all that nice broth.

Chicken and Waffles - I'm a sucker for a classic chicken and waffles and like to compare this dish in different spots to see how it stacks up.  While I'd say that the waffles here knocked it out of the park, the chicken was a bit on the dry side and I was expecting something on the bone rather than a breast.  However, the rich bananas foster sauce that decked those beautiful waffles was a good way to get over the slightly dry chicken meat, and actually made the whole combination quite delectable.  Although it was a hefty portion, we couldn't help but finish the whole thing.

Blackened Catfish Po Boy - Dan loved his choice of main and even though it looked huge, he kept talking about how light it was.  I didn't believe him and took a bite only to share his experience.  Each taste was real light and airy, the bun being a good vessel to hold the delicate fish, but at the same time, it wasn't too dense on its own either.  The spicy Cajun flavorings brought it all together and the spicy mayo sauce that came as a side was a nice way to further jazz up this sandwich (or the fries that it came with).

Service and Cost:
Even though the restaurant was real busy, the service was attentive and our waitress checked on us quite a few times.  She took notice of the fact that we were getting a wee bit impatient when waiting for our soup, and really helped to expedite things along.  I like that she bought us a tasty shot of beer to make up for the wait, which didn't go unnoticed.

Costs are pretty fair for the generous portions and the good quality food.
The dinner I just described set us back about $72 in total, including drinks, tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Sugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com

Sweets First Bakeshoppe is Coming

On our way from 5 Napkin Burger today, Dan and I spotted a soon-to-open bakeshoppe called Sweets First.  I noticed it right away from its bright and cheery exterior that showcases its piece-de-resistance sweet, which is the cupcake.  Anyone who knows me also knows how crazy I'm about cupcakes, so this is very very exciting.  The sign in the window says it'll open soon, so I'll definitely keep you posted.

In the meantime, I took a peek at their website and saw their menu, which has a mixture of sweet and savory cupcakes too.  I was surprised and delighted to see a sweet potato cupcake alongside a broccoli and cheese, and even a French toast cupcake.  Really inventive and different, and I can't wait to take a bite.  I'll make sure to keep you in the know.

Sweets First Bakeshoppe - 34-05 35th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M to Steinway Street
www.sweetsfirstnyc.com