New Winter Eats at Bistro 33

It's been quite a while since I've visited Bistro 33, but that'll soon have to change, as I recently learned about a few new menu items they're featuring this season.  Sounding all sorts of decadent and comforting, I think these specials will do the trick as far as winter food goes.  Take a bite out of these seasonal specials:

Lobster Poutine $14
Pomme frites, Maine lobster, cheese curd, bacon jus

Scallops & Bacon $13
Root vegetables quinoa, maple syrup glaze

Seafood Crepe $12
Seafood medley, cognac creme sauce, mushrooms

Short Rib Ravioli $8
Shallot garlic demi glaze

Bar Snacks:
Parmesan Popcorn $6
With pancetta crisp

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

Fun Unlimited Cocktail Brunch at Sugarfreak

Thought this would be a fun way to start the weekend... Sugarfreak is offering a mighty sweet brunch special on both Saturday and Sunday, and here's the scoop:

Add $10 to any brunch entree and receive unlimited Mimosas or Bloody Marys

Brunch starts from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and includes homestyle Cajun dishes such as:

Yaka Mein - Creole beef noodle soup with scallions and a boiled egg
Shrimp and Grits - with Creole sauce served over hot buttery grits
Bananas Foster French Toast - Topped with bananas, served with bacon or sausage
Cajun Eggs Benedict - with buttermilk biscuits topped with tasso ham, poached eggs and Cajun Hollandaise, served with Sugarfreak home fries
Pork Debris and Eggs - Hearty pork and andouille sausage gravy served over your choice of 2 fried or poached eggs with buttermilk biscuits
Louisiana Breakfast - Two eggs any style served with your choice of bacon or sausage, grits or home fries and a biscuit
Sugarfreak Breakfast Po-Boy - Louisiana French bread with Jimmy Dean sausage patties, fried eggs, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and tabasco mayo

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

Bear - Starting the New Year with Yummy Specials

As we fall into the New Year, restaurants are starting to roll out brand new specials to get us excited about trying new things, and to motivate us to get out of the house.  Bear is a good example of this, as they've introduced lots of enticing daily specials that have certainly piqued my interest.  I wanted to share them with you here, and I hope you get out to enjoy some of them.

Tuesday - $5 specials at the bar
$5 wine, $5 mussels & fries, $5 cocktails

Wednesday - Whiskey and vodka flight from 6 p.m. - Midnight
5 shots of vodka or whiskey with a complimentary snack platter

Thursday - Wine flight from 6 p.m. - Midnight
Choose any 5 glasses of wine, with a complimentary snack platter (vegan option available)

Friday - Cocktails Happy Hour from 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Specials on classic and signature Bear cocktails

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Welcome...the New Bear of LIC!

Image by Bear Restaurant

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

It’s always a pleasure to discover the wonderful, new changes happening around the nabe when food is concerned. And since Astoria/LIC is such a hoppin’ place, there’s never a shortage of it. One area in particular, which I’ve been noticing is at the forefront of action is 31st Avenue. While it’s mostly the upper part of that Avenue that’s budding, the lower part is slowly but surely waking up too.

That’s why I was so excited to hear about Bear, a new European-style restaurant that’s opening up this fall on 12th Street and 31st Avenue, very close to the Noguchi Museum, Socrates Sculpture Park and The Piano Factory.

Even though I haven’t yet been there, I must confess that I had a sneak peek at the menu and it sounds fantastic. Constructed by Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky, you can expect some familiar European-style eats with a new twist. Here’s a sampling of the menu to whet your appetite:

Appetizers:

Three Shot Vodka with Three Zakusky – Caviar on bliny, house-pickled vegetables, house-made sausage

Charcuterie and Cheese Plate – Butter, bread, cornichons, and mustard with cured meats, house lardo, chicken liver pate and pork jam

Herring – Marinated in white wine sauce, served with steaming potatoes, poached in dill butter

Mackerel Sashimi – Served with lemon ginger pate

Entrees:

Roasted Duck – Slow roasted duck with apples pulled off the bone and served with pan-seared potatoes

Chicken Rissole – Breaded and fried, served with yams and mushrooms

Pork Sausage – House-made sausage, braised in white wine, garlic and ginger, served with parsnip puree

Ricotta Dumplings – Fresh ricotta filled into house-made pasta with red watercress and candy cane beets

Sides and Bar Snacks:

House Pickle Plate – Cucumbers, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant

Roasted Croquette – Potato and roasted onion croquette with white wine sour cream

Eggs in a Nest – Eggs mimosa with smoked sprats and mushrooms in a nest of carrot straws

It should also be noted that both vegetarian and vegan options are available. YUM – I can’t wait to try it!

Bistro 33 is Taking Time to Beautify

The four year old Bistro 33 is taking some time to beautify its appearance for the summer.  The renovation will be cosmetic and you can expect the same yummy menu when they re-open again next week.  The period of this temporary close is between now and June 5 so pay a visit to their delicious neighbors such as Fatty's Cafe and Crescent and Vine in the interim.  Agnanti is a nice option too and offers great outdoor dining right near the park.

Let us know what you think of the new Bistro when it comes back next week.

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.bistro33nyc.com

MexiQ Comes to Astoria - How Will it Stack Up?

There's a new Mexican restaurant in town and everyone is talking about it.  Still just in its second week of operation, MexiQ is buzzing with customers and so far has garnered some pretty favorable user reviews. 

I peeked inside to find the large, modern space (previously Balu Lounge) to be warmer, more inviting and somewhat bar-like.  There's a large bar that occupies the left part of the restaurant and they have a plethora of flat screen TVs to watch your favorite sporting events.

In terms of the food, I'd call it upscale Mexican Barbecue with dishes such as Mexican fried chicken, tequila-and-oregano braised brisket, and other standbys such as tacos and quesadillas.  My plan is to try them next week, so I'll report back with a full review.  In the meantime, let me know what you thought if you've already tried it.

MexiQ Kitchen & Draught - 37-11 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.626.0333
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Petey's Burger Celebrates 1 Year

I can't believe that a whole year has passed since Petey's Burger opened.  A lot has happened in a year and this place has certainly made its mark on Astoria - people love their quality burgers and killer milkshakes.

To celebrate Petey's 1 year anniversary, they're extending nice discounts to customers.  If you're interested in any of these offers, please email me and I'll send you the coupons. 

Discounts include:

10% off entire order
Free milkshake
Free fries
$1 savings off of a combo, burger, fries or shake

Happy Birthday Petey's! Keep up the great work.

Petey's Burger - 30-17 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.267.6300
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.peteysburger.com

Ornella is Now Open - Here's their Menu

Ornella Trattoria, the Italian restaurant that has recently replaced Samba Grill is officially open.  They had their friends and family soft opening last week and now it's down to business - anyone can visit and enjoy.

I was able to get the menu, so here's a sneak peek.  Prices are moderate and the selection is plentiful.

Antipasti:
Calamari Alla Griglia - Grilled Atlantic calamari, field greens and cherry tomato...$10
Caprese Con Peperoni - Imported Bufala mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers and basil...$9
Gamberi e Fagioli - Broiled shrimp, cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary, tomato and olive oil...$10
Polipo alla Griglia - Tenderized Mediterranean octopus, tomato, capers, arugula, red onions, lemon and olive oil...$9
 
Pasta:
Gnocchi Alla Gorgonzola - Potato, ricotta, imported gorgonzola, dolce cheese sauce...$15
Imbustata - Oven baked envelope shaped pasta filled with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms, homemade mozzarella, California spinach, mascarpone cheese, fresh tomato sauce...$19
Risotto del Mare - Arborio rice, shrimp, calamari, diver scallops, jumbo lump crambmeat, roasted artichokes, white wine, shallots and lobster broth...$19
Penne Integrali - Whole wheat pasta with oven roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, escarole, fresh mozzarella, garlic, parmesan and extra virgin olive oil...$15

Fish:

Gamberi al Limone - Broiled shrimp, olive oil, white wine, lemon and parsley...$21
Salmone Primavera - Broiled salmon, assorted julienned vegetables, mustard sauce...$21
Spada alla Livornese - Swordfish sauteed with olives, capers, onions and cherry tomato sauce...$23

Meat:
Costoletta ai Ferri - Milk fed grilled veal chop, roasted garlic and rosemary...$25
Vitello Pantelleria - Veal medallions, Sicilian caper berries, artichokes, white wine sauce...$21
Pollo Scarpariello - White and dark meat, roasted sausages, garlic, rosemary, white wine...$18
Agnello Grigliato - Grilled rack of lamb, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, classic garnish...$25

Ornella Trattoria Italiana

29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Vesta's Special Thanksgiving Menu

Mmmmm Thanksgiving...it's just around the corner.  Many Astorian staples are releasing special menus for this yearly feast and here I'll highlight one of my favorites, Vesta.

Focusing on farm-to-table dining and using fresh, organic, local ingredients, they've devised a special Thanksgiving menu, which not only sounds delicious, it's affordable too.  

Here it is in its entirety - I love how despite it being a meat holiday, Vesta offers plenty of veggie options. Let your eyes feast on this...

Vesta's Thanksgiving Menu:

Apps:
Butternut Squash Soup - Vin cotto & pumpkin seeds...$6.95
Chestnut Soup - Toasted hazelnuts & basil oil...$6.95
Warm Pork Belly Salad - Roasted beets, chestnut honey & frisee lettuce...$10.95
Roasted Pork Salad - Endive, radicchio & arugula...$8.95
Braised Oxtail Pappardelle - Oyster & shiitake mushrooms...$9.95
Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni - Pecan cream sauce...$11.95

Pizze:
Thin crust pizza can also be prepared with whole wheat dough (add $2.00)

Margherita...$10.95
Confit tomato, charred onion, fontina cheese & bread crumbs...$14.95

Entrees:
Braised Pork Shank - With creamy polenta...$20.95
Striped Bass - Charred escarole & burnt orange glaze...$22.95
Roasted Turkey Breast - Olive oil mashed potato & cornbread stuffing...$18.95
Vegetarian Plate...$14.95

Sides:
Olive oil mashed potato...$4.50
Crispy parmigiana brussel spouts...$3.95
String beans...$3.95

Dessert:
Pecan Pie...$6
Chocolate Mousse Cake...$6
La Torta del Piccolo Bambino Gesu Christo (aka Baby Jesus Cake - pictured above)...$6.50

Can we say YUM!?
 
Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.5550
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.vestavino.com

Bistro 33 - 2 for $10 Tuesdays Totally Worth It

Dan and I have been meaning to try Bistro 33's Tuesday 2-for-$10 special, which includes select small plates, beers and cocktails. We weren't sure what to expect, skeptical about getting our money's worth but it turns out that we really did. Walking out with full bellies and not so empty wallets, we'll gladly take advantage of it again and I think you should too.

The 2-for-$10 Menu:
The menu, more or less includes appetizers, normally priced at $10 and under. I was excited to see a nice variety of items such as a selection of flatbreads, soups, sushi, shellfish and even their signature lobster mac and cheese.

In terms of drinks, you'll find domestic beers, select wines and a few cocktails with an Asian twist.

Our Choices:
Given our hunger, we ordered four appetizers and two drinks. We both chose the anduille & crawfish gumbo to start, which wasn't new to us. Devouring its warm, hearty broth, we moved on to the large flatbread topped with olive tapenade and goat cheese. This was a new dish for us and we loved it. The dough tasted like pizza without the crust, and the olive tapenade gave each bite some tang. Luckily for me, I got to have all the goat cheese, as Dan doesn't like it, and it was great to spread it on the warm flatbread, mixing it with the earthy tapenade.

The fourth appetizer was our beloved crawfish tempura, which we get each time we come here. It was as delicious and crispy as ever with a chewy, soft inside. I highly recommend it!

In terms of drinks, I got a fruity hurricane, which consisted of rum and fruit juice, while Dan ordered beer.

Service and Cost:
No complaints about the service--it was quick, efficient but at the same time we didn't feel rushed.

Our final bill was easy on the eyes. 4 hearty apps and 2 drinks = $30, and about $37 with tip.

3 Mmmms

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.bistro33nyc.com

Koliba - Food with Flava at Great Value

It's no secret that Koliba Slovak restaurant remains near and dear to my heart. Although I'm partial to it because of my Slovak upbringing, even my American friends (and husband!) absolutely love this unassuming culinary gem.

I know, I know...I've mentioned their food before but here are some new, excellent dishes that I tried just last week--and that you shouldn't miss. And while food like this is probably a bit heavy during hot summer months, it's absolutely perfect for the cooler weather we're now experiencing.

Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa - I could probably guess what you're thinking..."sauerkraut in soup?" But please trust me when I tell you that it's excellent. The flavor of the sauerkraut is really gentle and it's mixed in with a hearty meat broth, interlaced with much pork goodness in the form of smoky kielbasa. The kielbasa chunks are small but their flavor is distinct. A spoonful of this soup will make you think of being in the mountains on a crisp winter day.

NOTE - If you want this soup, it probably won't be listed on the menu, so call ahead and ask if they have it as a special.

Pork Schnitzel with Potato Salad - Usually opting for chicken schnitzel, I changed things up by choosing pork. Hey, I already started with great kielbasa so why not ride out the wave?

I was absolutely amazed by the sheer size of the portion, which included two giant pork pieces that easily could've fed two or three people. The meat was tender and breaded perfectly on the outside--the coating was thin, crispy and not oily. It came with a side of creamy European-style potato salad with peas, carrots, onions and a mayonnaise sauce. Everything tasted fresh and delicious--my only suggestion would be to go lighter on the mayo.

Service and Cost:
I've never experienced a big crowd at Koliba and therefore, service is always good. Our waitress was friendly and gave us her personal recommendations. The thing that I love about Koliba, which I think they've gotten better at, is accepting new customers that are not Slovak or Czech natives. They're understanding and welcoming to new visitors, which is more than I could say for some other ethnic eateries in the nabe.

Prices remain affordable, especially given the big portions. The above two dishes set me back $22 including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Cara Bella - Dear and Beautiful it was...Taste was just "Cosi Cosi"

Cara Bella - 47-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.956.1101
R/V/G train to 46th Street
www.carabellarestaurant.com

Cara Bella is a new kid on the block, opening just about a month ago. I've heard some good things about it and wanted to try it for myself--so when my in-laws offered to take Dan and me to dinner for our anniversary, I chose it as the place to celebrate.

Atmosphere:
I immediately liked the vibe here--intimate, cozy and very down to earth. Loving the exposed brick walls and whimsical artwork, I immediately relaxed upon stepping in. A focus on wine is prominent, as you'll see a large wine rack against the back, left wall.

We had a lovely little table for four in the back, tucked away from the main dining room buzz, which was still pretty mellow. If you're looking to have a romantic dinner or a small gathering of close family, Cara Bella is your place.

Food:
The food offering was impressive, ranging from Cara Bella's talked-about fresh pasta to various meat, poultry and seafood options. We ordered a disparate mix of things, and in our customary fashion, we tried a bite from everyone's plate to placate our curiosity.

Appetizers:
Going classic with the apps, the salads stood out to me, especially Vicki's pear salad. The flavors were nice and fresh, probably because of the seasonality of pears. Creamy gorgonzola, crunchy walnuts and smoky pancetta were also incorporated, giving this salad a sweet bite with a tangy finish.

The other starters weren't groundbreaking and included a classic Caesar salad, crab cakes with lentil salad and clams oreganata. Out of those, the crabcakes were the best, but they weren't great--they seemed fishy and not the freshest. Same goes for the clams--they had a slight funk and I wouldn't order them again.

Entrees:
Despite their hefty fresh pasta offering, none of us took this route and in hindsight, I think we should have. Instead, we ordered meat entrees that included the following:

I chose the most adventurous entree, the slow-cooked rabbit. While I enjoyed it, it didn't blow me away. The meat was very bony, as is usually the case with rabbit, yet flavorful. I liked the salty pepper and calamata olive sauce on top and bottom, which brought personality to the dish. The soft polenta on the side was nice too but I hoped it would be more plentiful.

The other entrees looked good and consisted of Dan's slow-cooked lamb shank, David's pork chop with a mushroom sauce and Vicki's stuffed chicken breast. I only tried Dan's lamb shank and liked the consistency and the sauce--it was falling off the bone and there was plenty to go around. When inquiring about the other dishes, my dining companions said they were "very good."

Dessert:
This was by far the best part of the meal, and we ordered two things to share--the profiteroles with chocolate sauce and the panna cotta with strawberry compote. Both were absolutely delicious but I had a strong preference for the profiteroles--soft, buttery and decadent, they were also topped with rich chocolate ice cream. After devouring them, I thought about the profiteroles I had a couple of months ago at Cara Bella's neighbor, Bistro Les Minots, deciding that Cara Bella's were much, much better.

The panna cotta was tasty too and I loved its firm yet still tender-enough consistency. Unfortunately it didn't compare to the stellar panna cotta that I recently had at Sapori D'Ischia, but still, it held its own.

Service and Cost:
Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. I was impressed that he knew nearly all ingredients in every dish and was able to go into detail about cooking methods. For a new eatery with probably very green staff, this was highly commendable. It was also nice that during the meal, the manager checked in on us to make sure all was OK. While this could get annoying, he was cordial and genuine about it, so we didn't mind.

Prices are moderate but veer on the high side for entrees. Pastas seem like a better option if you're watching your dollars. Here's the run down:

Appetizers: $6.95-$12.95
Pasta: $11.95-$24.95
Entrees: $11.95-$24.95
Dessert: $5.95-$6.95

Lunch Special: 3-courses for $15.95

2 Mmmms

Dino's - Italian Balkan Fusion

Dino's Restaurant and Bar of Astoria - 29-35 Newtown Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.267.2771
N/W train to 30th Avenue
www.dinosny.com

Last month I mentioned that the old Momento space on Newtown is now called Dino's. While I haven't been yet, I've been keeping an eye on it and it looks promising. While still not too busy, it looks like it gets more business than the old Momento place. The interior looks nice and cheery and the menu looks inviting.

Take a look at the sampling of menu items below. The cuisine is a mix of Italian and Balkan featuring Italian standbys such as pasta and seafood and Balkan grill specialties such as cevapcici, pljeskavica and others.

It's nice that the price point is reasonable at $15-$26 for entrees and there's even a $9.99 early dining special every day from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00p.m.

Appetizers:
Dino's bruschetta - roasted eggplant and peppers with pistachio and walnuts...$8
Montenegro salad - cucumbers, romaine, tomato feta with red wine vinegar olive oil...$7
Warm artichoke - hearts of artichoke with spinach and parmesan with aged balsamic...$9
Homemade sausages - homemade grilled sausages served flambeed in cognac...$13

Pasta:
Orecchiette with sausages - ear shaped pasta with broccoli rabe and homemade sausages...$15
Rigatoni with eggplant and ricotta - fresh eggplant in a light marinara sauce and cheese...$15
Linguine with clam sauce - red or white...$16

Entrees:
Grilled paillard on a bed of Montenegro salad with gorgonzola cheese - marinated with lemon, black pepper, garlic and rosemary...$17
Fish (catch of the day) Romano-style - sambuca orange sauce with mushrooms and sundried tomatoes on a bed of spinach...$21
Veal shank (Osso bucco) - veal shank with risotto or pasta...$23
Cevapcici - homemade traditional beef link sausages in pita bread...$10
Sudzukice - beef, veal and garlic sausage in pita bread...$12
Pljeskavica - Yugoburger in pita bread...$11

For the entire menu, click here.