Enthaice – Modern Thai Food with a Hint of Kitsch

Last Friday was all sorts of productive for me, as my We Heart Astoria colleague, Emily and I took a spin class at the new Simply Cycle Astoria.  Enjoying ourselves and working hard to boot deserved a tasty reward, so we headed to Enthaice for a warm, comforting Thai dinner.  It was a first time for both of us, but the experience proved fruitful and satisfying, so we’ll surely be back.

Atmosphere:
Boasting a great location on 31^st Avenue, across the street from the original BareBurger, Enthaice enjoys good foot traffic.  We were surprised to find it especially crowded last week, no doubt as a result of BareBurger’s recent renovations, which found Emily and me waiting for about 20 minutes to be seated.  While this was less than ideal, we made the best of the situation by waiting in their outdoor (but protected) space.

Once we stepped inside, we were welcomed by a bustling yet very cozy dining room, which was full of young patrons.  We even happened to spot some friends from the neighborhood, which was a lovely surprise.

Despite its small size, Enthaice’s dining room offers some great eye candy.  The inventive chandeliers, made of vintage forks, spoons and teacups are especially endearing, and made us both stop and observe.  While BareBurger’s version of these is similar, I found the ones at Enthaice even more intricate and creative.

Food:
As is usually the case in Thai restaurants, the menu at Enthaice was extensive but well organized.  My gluten free diet limited my options for sure, but there was still a lot to choose from, including their half a dozen varieties of curry.

Chicken Satay – Emily and I shared this simple but tasty appetizer, which boasted generous chunks of meat as well as a creamy peanut sauce for dipping.  The chicken was anything but dry and the sauces enhanced this already flavorful dish.  It’s a great option for my celiac friends, and comes highly recommended.

Red Curry – I love me some Thai curry and went with the medium spicy rendition of the Red, which was loaded with beef, bell peppers, eggplant and basil.  The beef was juicy and tender, and I loved the hint of sweetness from the peppers, and the lemony zing from the basil.  What a perfect way to nourish my body after that strenuous cycle class – it did just enough to fill me up but didn’t leave me feeling like a puffball.

Service and Cost:
On a busy Friday evening, you’d expect there to be a few hiccups in the service, but our evening went off without a hitch.  Enthaice’s waitstaff was helpful, friendly and always made sure we were comfortable. 

Costs are comparable to any good Thai restaurant in the neighborhood and set us back about $28 including tax and tip for a shared app, personal entrée and a glass of vino each.

3 Mmmms

Enthaice – 33-20 31^st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106 
718.932.1111 
N/Q Train to Broadway

Healthy Stir-Fry Hits the Spot

Even though I have a wok (and have had it forever), I haven’t been too forthcoming about using it, and experimenting with stir-fry dishes. This past weekend changed all that, as I spotted a fun little recipe in Bon Appetit’s March issue for Brussels sprouts and steak stir-fry. It looked gorgeous – all colorful and vibrant – so I thought, “why not?!”

I liked that the prep was minimal, just some slicing of veggies such as carrots, fresh ginger, scallions, Brussels Sprouts and the like, but the rest of the magic happened in the wok. Amazed by how quickly it all went down and was literally prepared in no more than 7-10 minutes, we had dinner on the table real quick and plenty of food to go back for seconds and thirds. 

Since you’re making your own sauce coating for the stir-fry, make sure to use low sodium soy sauce to control the salt content and use a good quality rice vinegar such as Kikkoman. I hope you enjoy this dish, and please let me know about any fun variations you come up with!

Brussels sprouts and steak stir fry recipe, courtesy of Bon Appetit

Queens Supper Club Goes to Flushing!

I always look forward to attending the once-a-month Queens Supper Club, organized by my friend Anne from Cityspoonful blog and her friend Leigh.  The dinners are always adventurous, interesting and most of all, affordable.  Dan came along for this one, and had an awesome time hangin' with my adventurous foodie crew.

So where did we go this time, you may wonder?  Flushing! We ventured to the New World Mall, which is known for their amazingly diverse food court on its lower level.  The rest of the building serves very much as a shopping haven for all sorts of things including clothes, electronics, toys, specialty food items, cosmetics and more.  If you haven't yet been, I strongly encourage you to check it out.

Atmosphere:
Located literally right outside of the 7 subway and also not far from the Flushing/Main Street LIRR station, you won't miss the large building, which is the New World Mall.  
Upon setting foot in the mall, I was right away amazed by its magnetic energy and all the bright colors.  It sort of reminded me of the many underground malls I went to in Tokyo, and I felt pleasantly nostalgic, ready and excited to uncover its goods.

The immense food court, which was our main destination was just down the escalator, and once we got down there, we marveled at its offerings.  I just couldn't believe how much there was explore, from homemade dumpling stands to noodle bars; from frozen treats to all sorts of stir fry.  

Food:
Our strategy was to first make a full round, checking out all the stands, and then in our second round to actually buy stuff.  I liked this approach a lot because it let you scope out the scene and formulate a plan of action - and it also helped to see where most people were gravitating.  Dan, Meg and I sort of went splitsies on everything, which was a nice way to go.

Red Bean Sesame Bun - Even though this was more desserty than anything, we got one on the fly and ate it on line, while making other food decisions.  The dough was flaky and delicious, while the inside was soft and gooey and super sweet from the red bean paste.  Again, this dessert was nostalgic, as Dan and I had lots of red bean goodies back in Japan.  Good times...good flavor!

Seared Pork Buns - In the same stand where we got the red bean bun, we also got these amazingly huge seared pork buns.  They came in a box of six, and the portion was enormous, where we each got to have two of them.  I loved their well done, slightly crispy top and the soft doughy sides.  The filling was of course the best part, consisting of soft ground pork mixed with Asian spices, one of which I think was lemongrass, adding a nice zing of freshness.

Surf and Turf Stir Fry - As we went around the food court and took note of which stands drew in the biggest crowds, the ones with stir-fry definitely qualified.  Dan and I were intrigued, as we noticed a whole lot of spicy options, with all sorts of meats and veggies.  One thing that really impressed us is how these were served, in large wooden bowls that you'd normally use to house a family style salad.  They were huge, and looked absolutely delicious!

Once we got to the front of the line, we got food stage fright, as we didn't know what to go for.  Some of it looked downright foreign but still interesting, while other stuff seemed a bit scary (like the crab).  After a few quick moments of deliberation, we went with a surf and turf bowl, combining shrimp, thin pieces of beef, squid, tofu and various types of veggies.

The whole thing was done at the speed of light (in about 3-4 minutes) and off we went, to sit down with our impressive bowl of ingredients.  Wow! All in all, the dish was awesome.  I loved the spicy sauce that was interlaced throughout all our diverse ingredients, giving it a lot of quick, sharp heat, that luckily dissipated quickly.  The protein was delicious, especially the shrimp, which we ate with the shell still in tact.  For those of you not yet convinced, I urge you that it's a great way to enjoy shrimp, adding beautiful and unexpected texture.  The beef and the tofu were really tasty as well, and paired with veggies such bok choy, bean sprouts, bamboo and more, this dish was overall exciting and super satisfying.

Dessert - Even though we were pretty stuffed, we made room for dessert.  Trying two things including the famous Snopo frozen treats (in two flavors) as well as a chilled mango and tofu dessert, we ended things on a sweet and refreshing note.

Out of the two, Snopo definitely shined for me, as I got to try the taro bubble tea and a lemon/yogurt smoothie.  The former was something totally different, with big droplets of tapioca balls, which were slightly chewy, thus adding a really interesting texture.  The tea itself was nicely chilled and tasted a little bit nutty.  

In terms of the other drink, which Dan ordered, it was a totally new take on a smoothie - slightly tangy from the yogurt and ending each gulp on a clean, refreshing note from the lemon.  It was a nice palate cleanser for sure.

Service and Cost:
Even though some of the stands had big lines, they all went pretty quickly and the service was efficient.  While I was a bit like a fish out of water at some of the stands, feeling awkward to approach the servers in English, it worked out well and everyone was friendly and welcoming.  Overall a great experience, which I'd love to repeat.

Costs are super cheap, but please note that all places accept cash only.  For all the foods I just described, we paid about $25 total, which is a great deal for apps, a main dish and dessert.

3 Mmmms

New World Mall - 40-21 Main Street, Flushing NY 11354
7 Train to Flushing
718.353.0551
www.newworldmallny.com

THE Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles of Chinatown

Yesterday proved to be chock-full-of new food experiences, starting at lunch and continuing well into dinner.  The former brought on the deliciousness of hand pulled noodles in Chinatown's acclaimed, Tasty Hand Pulled Noodle shop, recommended by my cousin Vicky and her boyfriend Eric.  Given that these two already had plans to meet there, they graciously invited me to join and try these legendarily fresh hand pulled noodles, submerged in a tasty soup.

Atmosphere:
I'm not sure atmosphere is the right word to use here, as the shop has virtually no ambiance.  It's a very basic, "hole in the wall" if you will kind of place, and quite appropriately so, as its simple surroundings add authenticity, and place focus on the food.  

Despite it being a small space, there are about 10 tables inside, many of them being the long, communal kind.  Don't be surprised to find large groups of friends dining there, enjoying big bowlfuls of soup or various noodle dishes.  Vicky, Eric and I sat at a smaller, rectangular table, placed awkwardly against a wall and near an employees only entryway.  Quite strange, you may think, but again it fit the vibe and confirmed this was the real deal.

Food:
I took cues from Vicky and Eric who've both dined here before, and they recommended the large soups.  Only too happy to oblige, I ordered one for myself, excited it would fill me up and warm me from the frigid cold outside.

Noodle Soups  - We each ordered different soups, Eric going for the fish ball  soup, Vicky ordering the veggie and tofu and I opting for the pork chop soup.  Each one was humongous in portion and piping hot, which made me happy.  

In addition to choosing the protein of your choice, we also picked different types of noodles that were submerged into the soup - Eric and I going for the knife peeled, chunky noodles, and Vicky getting the wide variety.  I tried Vicky's noodles out of curiosity, and while they were absolutely comparable to ours in taste (soft, buttery and delectable), the texture of the knife peeled noodles was a little fluffier, giving off a heartier quality.

The soup itself was fabulous, mostly attributed to the tasty broth and the fresh veggies that floated on top.  I loved all the gorgeous greens such as bok choy and spinach and the pork chop, which floated in my soup was good too, albeit difficult to eat.  I had to fish it out and cut it into smaller pieces, and then submerge it back into the soup.  In that way, it would be a lot better if they served the pork shredded or at least de-boned.  Otherwise, I have no complaints and almost finished my entire portion, which I thought was virtually impossible when I started.  

Service and Cost:
Similar to its very simple atmosphere, the service is also no frills.  There's maybe 1 waitress for the entire place and also an expediter who doubles up as the cashier.  Your order takes a while to arrive and you have to keep reminding them that you're still waiting, but when it comes, it's totally worth it.

Costs are very inexpensive and worth every penny, our soups setting us back a modest $5.50 each and with tax and tip, you can get away with about $7 or $7.50/person.

3 Hand Pulled Mmmms

Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles - 1 Doyers Street, New York NY 10013
212.791.1817
B Train to Grand Street or 6 Train to Canal Street

Arharn Thai - Another Fun (and new-to-me) Thai Option

Last week when dining at Cafe Triskell with Meg and Mackenzi, I noticed a nice-looking Thai restaurant called Arharn Thai on 32nd Street and 36th Avenue.  Its awning looked new but the inside looked comfortable and lived in so I inquired a bit more, finding out that the place has been around for quite a while - I guess I just haven't noticed it.  Grabbing a menu, I was overwhelmed and excited by its many delicious-sounding options.  I'm giving you a sample of it here to whet your appetite.  If you haven't checked it out yet, it might be worth a shot, especially since it's nice and inexpensive.

Arharn Thai - Sample Menu

Appetizers:

Sate - Sliced beef or chicken marinated in curry powder and coconut milk, served with peanut sauce...$6.95
Thai Rolls - Steamed rolls wrapped with Chinese sausage, crabmeat, cucumber, bean sprouts with sauce...$6.95
Mee Grob (my favorite!) - Crispy rice noodles with shrimp and tamarind sauce...$5.95
Som Tum - Papaya salad...$6.95

Entrees: Served with jasmine rice

Gaeng Ped - Red curry, coconut milk, bamboo shoot and chili pepper with choice of beef or chicken...$9.95
Kra Prow - Choice of beef, chicken, or pork sauteed with basil, chili pepper and onion...$9.95

Paneng - Beef with paneng paste and coconut milk...$9.95

Seafood Dishes: Served with jasmine rice
Pla Lard Pick - Fried whole fish with spicy hot chili sauce...$18.95

Koong Pad Pak - Shrimp sauteed with mixed vegetables...$10.95
Pla Jean - Fried whole fish topped with ginger, mushrooms and scallions...$18.95

Frog Legs (Gob): Served with jasmine rice

Gob Kra Prow - Fried frog's legs with basil, chili peppers, and onions...$11.95
Gob Panaeng - Fried frog's legs in panaeng paste and coconut milk...$11.95
Gob Ka Tiem - Fried frog's legs with salt, pepper and garlic...$11.95

Chef's Specialties: Served with jasmine rice

Po-Tak - Seafood steamed with Thai spices in a clay pot...$12.95
Pla Duk Pad Ped - Large cuts of catfish, fried and sauteed with chili peppers, red curry and coconut milk...$12.95
Gai Yang - BBQ chicken marinated in Thai spices served with Thai sweet and sour sauce...$10.95
Moo Kum Wan - Grilled pork topped with fresh chili, garlic, chopped cilantro and lime juice...$9.95

Dessert:

Pumpkin Custard - Pumpkin, egg, palm sugar, salt and coconut cream...$4.50
Buad Chee - Warm banana in coconut milk...$3.50
Bua Louy - Warm taro in coconut milk...$4.50

There's also a $6.95 lunch special on weekdays til 3:00 p.m.

Arharn Thai - 32-05 36th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.5563
N/W Train to 36th Avenue

www.thaiastoria.com

East Moon - New Asian Bistro on Ditmars

East Moon Asian Bistro - 35-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105

718.626.8180

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.eastmoon4.com

I've heard about East Moon, the new Chinese/Thai/Japanese eatery from some of my fellow Astorians. While walking on Ditmars this past weekend, I took notice of it and grabbed a menu. So far being open for about a month, the feedback has been positive. East Moon's menu is extensive and the prices are reasonable--I'd say that it's a worthy adversary to Sakura. Not sure yet if it stands a chance against Watawa but that'll remain to be seen.

Below you'll find a sampling of their menu. Hope that it entices you to try it. I'll follow up with a review...

Appetizers:

Gyoza - Pan-friend pork dumplings...$4.95

Chicken in crispy lettuce wraps - Chicken sauteed with sweet basil, red & green peppers, garlic & crisp lettuce...$6.95

Coconut shrimp (5)...$6.95

Noodles: Choice of chicken, beef, veggies or tofu. Shrimp or combo $1.00 extra
$6.25 lunch...$8.50 dinner

Pad Thai - Thailand's best known noodle dish, which includes rice noodles, egg, green onions, red onions, bean sprouts and chopped peanuts

Yaki udon - Stir-fried noodles with chicken and vegetables

Pad Se-Lew - Fresh wide rice noodles with broccoli, egg and sweet soy sauce

Thai Curries: Choice of chicken, beef or tofu. Shrimp, mussels $1.00 extra

$6.25 lunch...$9.95 dinner

Green curry - Spicy green curry with sugar peas, red & green peppers, onions & sweet basil

Pineapple curry - Delicate curry flavor enhanced by pineapple

Panang - Rich thick Panang curry sauce, cooked with coconut milk, kaffir lime leaves, basil leaves and ground peanuts

Meat Entrees:

Lemongrass chicken - Tender slices of chicken, bell pepper & onions in a lemongrass garlic sauce...$5.95 lunch...$9.50 dinner

Tonkatsu - Fillet of pork pressed in seasoning and Japanese panko batter, then fried to golden...$6.25 lunch...$9.95 dinner

Crispy duck - Duck marinated with all the authentic Chinese spices then fried. Served with steamed vegetables...$12.95

Specialty Sushi Rolls:

Mango submarine - Deep fried mango & eel served with house sauce...$9.95

Blue Hawaii - Eel and oshiko spicy tuna on top...$10.95

East Moon Roll - Eel cream cheese topped with yellowtail and avocado...$10.95

Kitaku - An Un-Missable Lunch Special

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

2 Sushi Rolls for $5

OR

3 Sushi Rolls for $8

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

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

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

718.606.8508

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