New Year's Day Brunch in Astoria

As we're all getting excited for New Year's Eve tonight, with lots of amazing options to celebrate, I'm already thinking about tomorrow's meal. Naturally.  Here are a few options to whet your appetite.  Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve, and all the best in 2014.

Sugarfreak's Cajun brunch will be starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow, so get your fix of shrimp and grits and bananas foster French Toast.  36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.5850

The Queens Kickshaw is really brunchin' out with a double header brunch, both today from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  There's no reason to wake up early!  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

The Astor Bake Shop will be ringin' in New Year's with a festive brunch prix-fixe anytime between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. which comes with a complimentary mimosa.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Ovelia is hosting a hangover brunch tomorrow as well.  They'll have their signature Greek dishes such as Yia-Yia's Omelette and stuffed French Toast, but also tasties like these. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

Grand Cafe's classic brunch $13 prix-fixe will be available tomorrow from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Including all the basics such as omelettes, burgers, salads and other comforting dishes, your meal will also come with a complimentary cocktail and a coffee or tea.  37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321  

Delightful Pancake Brunch at Sanfords

It's literally been years since I've visited Sanfords, and not because I didn't want to, but because it's always so hard to get in.  Well luckily, my friend Jennifer and I seized the opportunity at the right moment, as we went in on a Saturday after 2 p.m. when the brunch crowds were dying down.  We had a hankering for pancakes and made out quite well.

Atmosphere:
Even though I've been here before, Sanfords has gone through a major transformation, so it's worth describing the atmosphere a bit.  While the actual size of the space hasn't changed, the layout has become a lot more modern and open with contemporary furnishings such as leather booths, oversized lamps with muted lighting and a sleek bar.

Despite it being past prime brunch dining hours, the place was still full and buzzing, and we waited about 10 minutes to be seated.  The overall vibe felt very fast paced and almost clubby, as the dim lighting and candlelight gave off the perception that it was much later in the day.  In terms of the clientele, it was mostly a younger 20 and 30 something hip crowd of brunch lovers.

Food:
Jennifer and I were both pretty set on having pancakes and were delighted that we could choose between four different ones.

Pancakes - The minute I spotted peanut butter and banana pancakes on the menu, I couldn't look at anything else.  As you can see here, the portion was generous, but I told myself that I wouldn't totally pig out by eating the whole thing.  That wasn't an easy task, as the pancakes were soft and fluffy and glazed with a thin layer of peanut butter and a little bit of honey as well.  Nestled right into the pancake batter, the bananas were a fun little surprise you got with each bite, and they made the pancakes that much more moist.

I had a bite of Jennifer's Banana Chocolate Chip pancakes as well, and those too delivered.  The texture was as lovely as on my pancakes, and the flavor was more classic since they weren't embellished with anything on top.  I almost liked them better than mine, as they represented something very familiar and comforting.  While it was nice to pour a little maple syrup on top of them, you didn't even need it.

Bloody Mary - Now usually my go-to brunch cocktail, I was curious about how this one would stack up.  I'd say it was standard but nothing too exciting, as the tomato juice was pretty ordinary and the seasoning didn't have much kick.  I'd also recommend a bigger (and crunchier) piece of celery for the garnish.

Service and Cost:
Because they were quite busy, I think the service was just so so.  There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, but it wasn't overly personal or impressive.  Let's just say that the service isn't what's making me want to come back here.

Costs are moderate but slightly on the higher side for brunch.  We paid about $20 each with tax and tip for pancakes and one drink.

3 Mmmms

Sanfords - 30-13 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.932.9569

N/W Train to Broadway

www.sanfordsnyc.com

Mac 'n Cheese Brunch Bites at Ovelia

Image by Ovelia

Ovelia is known to have great brunch, and I personally love their standbys such as Yiayia's omelette with French fries embedded right in the omelette; the stuffed French toast; corn flapjacks topped with ricotta and walnuts; as well as other yummies.  However, spotting a newbie brunch item today on their Facebook page, I got excited and wanted to share it.  I'm talking about their mac 'n cheese bites that you see here, which consist of little balls of mac 'n cheese goodness, which are then further topped with Hollandaise sauce and then sprinkled with bacon bits.  

It's considered an app during brunch service, so if this sounds like it's up your alley, make sure you ask them about it this weekend.  While it's rich and indulgent, why not share just a little bite with your dining companions?!

Ovelia's brunch service goes all weekend from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Enjoy!

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

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

New Year's Day Brunch at Queens Comfort

For some, New Year's eve festivities may have already started, while others may already be thinking about how to recover tomorrow...  Just to help you think ahead, I wanted to let you know that Queens Comfort will be hosting a New Year's Day brunch tomorrow, bright and early, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

They'll have their full brunch menu available, which contains delicious comforting staples such as the Eggs Mc'Ruffin pictured above, as well as other specialties such as their Breakfast Burrito, a Spicy Chicken and Bacon Enchilada, Thick Cut Brioche Custard French Toast and much more.

Image by Queens Comfort

Image by Queen Comfort

I've been spying the insane-looking pics of their homemade donuts they've been posting on Facebook  and maybe they'll have some available tomorrow too.  Just check out these ridiculously incredible flavors, such as Oreo and fruity pebbles (pictured above).  What will it be tomorrow?

Queens Comfort - 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

 646.597.8687

N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com

Queens Kickshaw Honors the Incredible Edible Egg

After hearing a lot of buzz about Queens Kickshaw's upcoming brunch, Mackenzi, Dan and I headed over there yesterday for a sneak preview and were really impressed.  While we didn't try everything on the menu, the items we did have delivered (and then some), whetting our appetite for the other dishes we'll try in the future as well.

Their brunch officially started today and goes through the weekend from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., which is quite the treat.  I love that the menu pays homage to the ever-so-versatile egg, which is much harder to do right than it sounds. So without further ado...here goes brunch:

French Toast - Wowness! I love a great French Toast, and usually am not such a harsh critic when it comes to this classic dish, but Kickshaw's version really blew me away.  The brioche bread was tender and buttery and just so moist!  Dressed with a chunky pear compote, which added a beautiful earthy element, I didn't even think about maple syrup or any kind of dressing at all.  The most interesting part also was the cheese crisp stuck to the top, which had a surprising kick to it, as it was seasoned with chili powder.  Pretty fantastic!

Layered Potato Cake - Although I called this potato gratin, because that's what I thought it originally was, its flavors were amazingly nostalgic and comforting.  The creaminess of the potato cake, juxtaposed with the runny fried eggs was just like reliving a fun family get together during Hanukkah.  It reminded me of the starchy foods we'd eat then and I can't wait for this time to come around again - very soon.

Scotch Eggs - I've heard about Scotch Eggs before but never yet had them, so this was a real treat.  Quite different from your traditional version, which is typically wrapped in sausage, this one was enveloped in a creamy blanket of sweet potato and tofu.  Leave it to the Kickshaw to always innovate and give something special to our veggie friends as well.  Nicely done!

Egg Salad - Quite a different take on what you may think of with egg salad, this plate had both a sweet beet/potato salad helping along with a more traditional heap of egg salad too.  Both were fabulous, but I had a strong preference for the beets, as they were so different, sporting a gorgeous crimson color.  But, if you're a lover of both things, I suggest you stack them on top of each other for a truly novel combination.

Egg Custard (aka Pillowy Eggs) - Arriving in a wide ramekin filled to the top, the egg custard just oozed with indulgence and luxury.  Its middle was silky and unapologetically rich, with some teeny pieces of red pepper on top to cut all that richness.  While my dining companions had to leave a bit early, I tried to finish this one on my own, but only got through about half of it, since I already devoured all of the above too.

Service and Cost:
As customary here, our service was super welcoming and friendly - and you just can't help but feel as if you're hanging out in your friend's kitchen.  Ben and Jen, Kickshaw's co-owners were only too happy to stop in and chat and most modestly present to us their latest creations.  It was inspiring to see the passion behind their creative ideas.

Costs are really wallet friendly and include $8-$12 for brunch entrees.

3 incredible-edible eggy Mmmms

The Queens Kickshaw - 40-17 Broadway, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.0913
M/R Train to Steinway Street
www.thequeenskickshaw.com

Thanksgiving Comes Early at Queens Comfort

While we're all probably looking forward to Thanksgiving next week, there's nothing like starting early - and Queens Comfort are just the folks to give it to you.  There's no doubt that when you think of Thanksgiving you think of rich, comforting foods that put you over the limit with your calorie allotment, but who can think about that during this delicious time?!

Lucky for us, Queens Comfort is starting with all the turkey indulgence, with their Thanksgiving Brunch Party this Sunday.  Join them for obscenely comforting dishes such as:

"Plymouth Rockers" - Deep fried apple walnut stuffing balls with chipotle cranberry sauce
Brunch favorites such as the Farmhouse Hash, Spicy Chicken & Bacon Enchiladas, Eggs McRuffin, Thick Cut Brioche Custard French Toast and more
And don't forget about all the music, courtesy of DJ Myricles, DJ Eric Rodriguez, spinning classic hip-hop, soul and funk.

This Sunday, November 18th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Queens Comfort - 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

646.597.8687

N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com 

Queens Comfort Amplifies Brunch

Ever since I saw that enticing picture of the brioche French Toast on their site, I've been thinking about hitting up Queens Comfort's brunch.  Lucky for me, Kimberly was totally game for it this weekend, and together we indulged in a super rich meal that started off our weekend on a sweet note.

I've visited Queens Comfort on one other occasion, and really enjoyed the rich treats they put out.  Recognizing that their entire menu is super rich, and therefore can only be consumed in moderation, I was ready for something like that, considering how health conscious I was this entire week.  The yummies we feasted on included:

Brioche French Toast - Completely floored by its larger than life appearance, the brioche French Toast consisted of two huge pieces of bread, coated in a custardy egg batter and then topped with two generous mini scoops of maple butter, with a side of maple syrup too.  While I appreciated the richness, I think they overdid it on the butter, and I had to take a lot of it off, otherwise it would've been like eating straight out of a Paula Deen cookbook.  

I loved the toast's texture, as it was soft, silky and edges were a little crispy too, which was ultra delicious.  Something I didn't care for was the half done middle, where the egg part was still runny.  Although I didn't let that ruin my experience and I put those pieces aside, it put a damper on what could've been a perfect French toast. 

Queens Comfort's Version of an Egg McMuffin - Kimberly's dish was something truly special - a unique twist on the Egg McMuffin if you will.  Besides being absolutely gargantuan, it was packed with comforting goodness from top to bottom.  Taking a generous bite of this delectable entree, it included a soft yet crispy-on-the-edges English muffin, tangy gruyere cheese, which was then topped with a heaping portion of scrambled eggs, chives and bits of chewy bacon.  Each bite was truly exceptional, as I loved how the smokiness of the bacon married with the well done, stringy cheese, the fluffy eggs and the soft bread.  It's obvious that the dish isn't for the faint of hearts and if you'd like to have a try instead of completely diving in, I'd suggest you split it with your dining companion.

Service and Cost:
This is where I think Queens Comfort missed the mark a bit, as the service left something to be desired.  I'll give them that the restaurant was super busy, and that we came in during peak brunch hour, but we still felt that our servers weren't as attentive as we would've liked.  Another slight annoyance was that for such huge dishes as we ordered, the plates were way too small and we had to be super careful about not spilling any of its contents over the side.  Although sharing plates seemed like an obvious necessity, we had to ask for them twice.

Costs are affordable and include about $11 - $14 per brunch entree.  Coffee, tea, OJ or the beverage of your choice is separate, however note that this joint is still BYOB and you can bring your own champagne or prosecco to make mimosas.

2.5 Mmmms

Queens Comfort - 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

646.597.8687

N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com 

BareBurger Breakfast of Champions

We got up early this weekend to brunch with good friends Moses and Sonya.  Moses' recent move to Oregon has left us missing our friends, so even though this meal was way early in the morning, Dan and I looked forward to it for many reasons, the food being just one of them.

I was amused to see that when we walked into BareBurger, we were its first customers.  It was a cool feeling actually, as this place is anything but mellow during core business hours.  We settled in the extended dining room and scored a comfortable booth, which I always prefer.

Although I've brunched here before, the menu changed a bit since then, and all four of us tried something we haven't yet had.

Carrot Cake French Toast - I always wanted to try either carrot cake pancakes or French toast, so here was my chance.  Not sure if it would be a bread-like texture with shredded carrots inside, or actual carrot cake, I took my chances.  What arrived was the latter - a large, thick slice of carrot cake that was battered in egg and sprinkled with powdered sugar.  It was dense, moist and so very decadent.  Although delicious, it was difficult to finish the whole thing, as it got a bit too rich for my taste.  Dan helped me clean my plate, but in the meantime, I dived into the side of fresh bananas and apples, which were scrumptious.  The home fries that sat in the middle of the plate were also tasty and wonderfully crunchy, but I couldn't see them making much sense with the French Toast, as they were too savory.  It was a rather curious combo.

Chicken and Waffles -Dan was on the fence about this dish and in the end, he chose it still  with some hesitation.  As a result, he was disappointed, as he said the waffle wasn't soft enough and that the chicken was too fatty.  I had a bite of it but didn't agree at all, so it may have been simply a matter of preference.  The chicken meat wasn't all white, which I like but Dan found it off-putting.

Buttermilk Pancakes - Both Moses and Sonya ordered these, and while I didn't try them, they looked fluffy and decadent.  They were a huge hit, as our friends didn't have any complaints and nearly finished the generous portion.  The most amazing part of this dish was the gorgeous Nutella cream served on the side, raising the bar from ordinary pancakes, which these were not.  

Service and Cost:
While our waitress was quirky and a little odd, I really liked her honesty and dedication to our every need.  She checked on us often, and even offered to change Dan's order after his Chicken & Waffles wishy-washiness.  

Costs are moderate and set us back about $19/person with tax and tip.  This included coffee, soft drinks and a beer too.

2.5 Mmmms

BareBurger - 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.7011
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bareburger.com

New Hangover Pasta at Ornella

Image by Ornella Trattoria and Bradley Hawks

 Always up for fun food inventions, Giuseppe, Ornella's proud owner is rolling out some brand new goodies that'll be served during brunch.  As we know, Ornella is the place to come to when you're in the mood for pasta, and after hearing that a hangover brunch pasta has been officially introduced, I'm totally going gaga.  That, alongside a most non-traditional and intriguing cheese sandwich, and you've got yourself an unforgettable meal.  Here's a better description of the two that will get you licking your chops.

Hangover Pasta - Homemade fettuccine cooked in milk (think Ornella's pasta latte) with bacon and a sunny side up egg on top with a drizzle of truffle oil.  Wow, sounds like a heavenly combo, and one that I've never had before.

Ornella's Take on the Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Grilled cheese topped with anchovies, capers, brandy and cream sauce.  To say this is decadent wouldn't do it justice.

Rumor also has it that Giuseppe serves the above-pictured Eggs Benni dish on (get this!) Italian lard bread.  Now that's a must!

Hope to see you there!  I'll be the one stuffing myself silly.

 Ornella Trattoria -17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.94
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Mojave Brunch - Bring on the Color, Bring on the Spice

As part of our planning session for the soon-coming Queens Swap at The Queens Kickshaw, Meg and I decided to brunch at Mojave.  One of our favorite South-of-the-border eateries, Mojave never disappoints in terms of inventive food options and more importantly, the flavor in their food is always there.

Although Meg recalled having brunch here before, I was completely new to it.  We both ended up choosing Southwestern brunch dishes including Meg's Huevos Rancheros and my Mojave Benedict.

Mojave Benedict - Because I love classic Eggs Benedict, I was eager to try this version with avocadoes, tomatoes and Mojave's own version of hollandaise (with avocado).  When the dish arrived, I was suprised to see the ratio of homestyle potatoes to the eggs.  More than half the plate constituted of the potatoes, which were yummy but the quantity was unbalanced.  The eggs on the other hand were wonderful - as tender and runny as I like, and the avocado hollandaise had a nice spice to it.  Enjoying the crunchy English muffins that the eggs rested on, they were the perfect vehicle to carry all that eggy, gooey goodness.  Instead of the potatoes, it would be worth asking if they'd serve this with a mixed salad next time.

Huevos Rancheros - I got a bite of Meg's huevos rancheros and they were lovely.  As you can see, the presentation was gorgeously colorful.  I enjoyed the earthy quality of the blue corn tortillas and the spicy beef & pork chili that was found on the exterior.  Also topped with fresh tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole, the whole dish emanated with personality.  Meg seemed to agree, by her almost clean plate.

Service and Cost:
Our server was pretty diligent - almost to the point where we wanted him to lay off a little.  He was nice though and think he was just trying his best, but generally, I prefer more laid-back service.

Costs are very affordable, and for a 2 person brunch and a coffee, we paid a total of $25 with tax and tip.  Muy bien!

2.5 Mmmms

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny

New Brunch Menu at Ovelia

Recently, you may recall me talking about a delicious brunch I had with friends at Ovelia.  I loved everything about it, especially the beautifully colored beat omelet, pictured here.  But...over the past week, I found out that plans for brunch will change.  Not to worry though because the changes are improvements, as Ovelia will be overhauling the brunch menu (as well as their other menus) to include organic and dairy products from local NY farms. 

I'm excited about this new development and think that the quality of their offering will only improve. 

Another great happening is that Chef, Pete is being featured in an upcoming celebrity chef cookbook, which includes Martha Stewart and other notable icons.  His gracious contribution is his recipe for Ovelia's corn flapjacks - ricotta, walnuts, polenta...oh my! 

Hope I've whet your appetite to explore this local gem.  Now go...get your eat on.

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

Long Overdue Brunch at Ovelia

It's been quite a while since I've visited Ovelia, but I had the chance to finally go back last weekend.  What a pleasure - not being there for a bit made me realize why I love it so, and we of course went during their signature meal, brunch.

While I've had nearly everything on their brunch menu and was planning to get a staple dish, I spotted something new that piqued my curiosity.  Dan also got an omelette combo that was new to me.  Here's what we enjoyed:

Beet Omelette - Being the beet enthusiast that I am, I quickly zeroed-in on this item, as it not only boasted beets but also goat cheese. I was totally sold and ordered it on the spot. 

The result was something gorgeous for the eyes and the palate.  Visually, as you can see, the omelette had a pretty flush color from the beets and a wonderfully white creamy inside from the goat cheese filling.  Taste-wise, it almost had a souffle-like consistency and a very delicious, tangy inside from all that goat cheese.  I enjoyed the fresh dill and scallions on top, which added a hint of rustic earthiness. 

As a side, it also came with sweet "fruit fries" which consisted of sauteed apples, pears and bananas - such a better and healthier alternative to traditional home fries. I especially loved the soft bananas that were nicely caramelized on the outside.  And don't even get me started on the Ovelia homemade sausage - it was as decadent and smokey as I remember and the fact that I haven't had it in a long time really made me pine for it. I'm actually pining for it right now.

Ovelia Omelette - Dan ordered this healthier omelette option with egg whites.  He really enjoyed the veggie toppings of roasted eggplant, zucchini, green and red peppers, onions and...get this, walnuts.  The latter ingredient provided an element of surprise and a delightful crunch at the end of each bite.  I didn't taste it, but in Dan's words "the toppings had a nice glaze and overall, the omelette tasted nutritious and satisfying."

Service and Cost:
Our service started out slow, given that we were a bigger group, but then turned around (for the better) at the middle to end of our experience.  We received our food, coffee and morning cocktails in good time and we didn't at all feel rushed to leave.  Our waiter was friendly and conversational and it seemed like he genuinely wanted us to have a good experience.

Costs are very fair for the amount of food you get, as your brunch entree comes with bottomless coffee and your choice of a morning cocktail.  Dan and I paid about $40 with tax and tip included.

3 Nostalgic Mmmms

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

Astor Room Strikes Out During Brunch

It's not often that I have a completely, utterly unfortunate dining experience in Astoria or Long Island City, but when I do, I think it's only fair that I shine a light on it too.  The experience I'm referring to happened at the new Astor Room, which I was excited to check out last weekend for brunch. 

Having already been there for drinks on the first weekend it opened, Astor Room seemed like a promising option for brunch, as the quality standard seemed to be high and we really enjoyed our sophisticated cocktails last time around.  However, I'm sorry to report that brunch was a most unsuccessful happenstance and one I'd like to not repeat again.  I will absolutely give this place another try when they iron out their kinks, but for the time being, I'm going to lay low.  Here's what happened:

Service:
For those of you who read by blog on a regular basis, you know that this section typically comes at the end of my reviews.  However, I thought it important to start with it here, as this is where the real problem lied. 

From the very beginning, we felt that something was off, sitting down with no menus and no waitstaff in sight.  After about 15 minutes of chatting, we still had no menus (but we did have water), so we flagged down a waitress and finally got a peek at the food offering.  It sounded lovely and it was fairly priced too.  We each chose our dishes (which came with a mimosa or a bloody mary) and couldn't wait to receive them.  But there was a problem - no one was there to take our order.  After waiting another 15 minutes to capture someone's attention, we managed to order.  Phewww.  Coffee came in the meantime, which was lovely and strong but our food came about an hour after.  Yes, an hour.  Before I turn this into a complete b*tch session, I will say that in the end, our full meal was comped (see picture of the check above).  We appreciated the gesture and the responsibility that the restaurant took, but it was still a bad experience.  I'd advise you to wait a few weeks before taking the plunge and trying brunch.  But when you do try it, here's what you can expect.

Food:
I liked seeing a nice variety of comfort foods such as fried chicken and waffles, bourbon brioche French toast, chicken-fried steak and eggs and these wonderful little donut holes that seemed to be selling like hot cakes.  We each ordered a different dish in hopes of trying each other's food and also split a house-made pastries platter, while we waited for our entrees.

House-made Pastries - The manager offered us a house-made pastries plate while we painfully waited for our food to come out.  Good thing too because we were starving and lunged at the pastries like vultures as soon as they came out.  Consisting of a variety of little goodies such as scones, muffins, danishes and banana bread, each one was as delicious as the next and slightly warm too, which was a plus.  I loved spreading the slightly melty honey butter on each pastry, which made it a touch more sweeter and luxurious. 

Bourbon Brioche French Toast - Sounding absolutely delightful, I ordered the French toast, as after all, it's one of my brunch favorites. I was sad to see that it came out about 10 minutes after everyone else's, which made everyone (including me) feel awkward.  After I received it, I was deflated to see how burnt it was (see above picture), but I didn't have the heart or the patience to send it back so I just dug in.  It wasn't great or horrible, just sort of mediocre and a pure necessity at that point since I was so hungry.  I did enjoy the fresh cream on top but I think they overdid it a bit with that.

Other Entrees - I had a bite of Peter and Sonya's dish, which were pretty good but nothing spectacular.  Peter ordered the spinach and goat cheese omelette, which came with hash browns and a mixed salad.  It was pleasant and the eggs were cooked well. 

Sonya went with the chocolate chip pancakes, which were slathered in a rich peanut sauce and had a large piece of peanut brittle on the side.  I tasted the latter component and really liked it, on top of the fact that I'm not crazy about peanuts.  Sonya agreed but said that in terms of the pancake, there were hardly any chocolate chips inside, and she felt she missed out.

Moses got his usual, "Eggs Beni" as he calls it, or Eggs Benedict, how the rest of us call it :) He said it was a good, classic dish, and the stuffed tomato on the side was a nice bonus, but that overall it didn't make him swoon. *shrug*

Drinks - We all ordered mimosas, which came with the brunch dishes.  They were strong and delicious and made with pulpy OJ--we received a complimentary round to compensate for our long wait.  While the gesture was much appreciated, on an empty stomach, you can imagine how we reacted.

The coffee was really good too, and I think they use Lavazza, which is a high quality Italian coffee.  It was strong and delicious, and I was happy to see that free refills were offered.

Cost:
As you already know, our meal was comped, which we were thankful for but we also felt it was justified.

If you are paying (and getting satisfactory service) you can expect the following:

Entrees - $8 - $15
Desserts - $5 - $7
Sides - $6

1 Mmmm

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

Where To Brunch on Presidents Day

Tomorrow is Presidents Day, and for those of us lucky enough to be off from work, it offers up a great excuse to go out for brunch.  While most restaurants in the nabe are having lunch service as usual, there are a few that will extend their brunch offering into Monday.

Il Bambino - A non-traditional yet wonderful way to enjoy brunch, Il Bambino will feature their brunch paninis (pictured above) tomorrow in addition to their regular menu.  If you haven't yet tried their soups, I urge you to do so - they change up the flavors daily and try to keep them seasonal.  Prices for brunch paninis range between $9 - $10.  34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0087

Mojave - Leave it to Mojave to kick it up a notch for holiday brunch.  In honor of Presidents Day, not only can you enjoy Mojave's Southwestern brunch dishes, you can also indulge in an all-you-can-drink option for an extra $14.95.  Featured brunch cocktails include margaritas, mimosas, bloody Marys and sangria.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Cafe Bar - Also extending their brunch into tomorrow, Cafe Bar will have all their delicious organic egg dishes such as omelets and scrambled variations.  Sadly the only items that will be excluded are pancakes and French Toast, but not to worry, for there will be plenty of options to choose from including sandwiches and wraps. 32-90 36th Street, Astoria.  718.204.5273

Grand Cafe - Known for their generous weekend brunch, Grand's offering will be extended into tomorrow.  For just $12 you get to choose a coffee/tea, a morning cocktail such as a mimosa or bloody Mary and any of Grand's brunch entrees.  Personally, I like the Caprese Frittata with tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and mozzarella.  37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321

Flo Cafe - If Grand is too crowded, you can also head to Flo Cafe, which is right across the street.  There's always a place to sit and just like Grand, it also offers a social, buzzing atmosphere.  Brunch items will be available tomorrow a la carte, but they also come with coffee, tea or OJ.  37-20 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.6096

Cienna's Heaven on Earth European Brunch Party

Image by ciennany.com

"What's a brunch party?," you might be wondering.  I asked myself the same question when I read about one that's coming to Astoria this Sunday, January 16th at the new Cienna Restaurant & Lounge on 31st Street near Newtown Avenue.

Still very much a newbie in Astoria, Cienna is trying to raise excitement by providing its own take on the "brunch party format" already famous at Manhattan hotspots such as Via dei Mille, Bagatelle and others.  So here's what you can expect:

Cienna's Heaven on Earth Brunch Party:

Sunday, January 16th from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. (and every other Sunday moving forward)

- Featuring music by DJ Claudius Raphael so you can dance to your heart's delight

- Brunch menu includes standard items such as pancakes, omelets, eggs benedict but also heartier entrees with meat & seafood. Prices are a la carte and there is no added cost for the "brunch party."

So if you haven't partied enough on Saturday night, extend the fun and dancing one more day.  For most of you I hope, you'll have this coming Monday off as well to relax and recuperate. 

Cienna - 28-18 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102
718.726.0088
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ciennany.com

Vesta's Warm Bankie is More than Bank for Your Buck

It's been quite a while since I've been to Vesta for brunch and last weekend's CSA pick up gave me the opportunity to do just that.  It was a good excuse to have some comforting and locally sourced goodies, provided by no other than the Brooklyn Grange, which is partnering with Vesta for the aforementioned CSA.

After speaking with Farmer Ben and settling up with our veggies, my mom and I headed inside to enjoy a lovely brunch. 

The Warm Bankie - Since I've heard nothing but passionate raves about this dish from Meg, I just had to try it.  And after all, the fact that it incorporated truffle oil just sold me immediately. 

This dish was simply awesome (I know...not very eloquently said but words just don't do this breakfast of champions justice).  It consisted of delicate fried eggs on a luxuriously silky bed of polenta that was flavored with truffle oil.  Garnished with earthy mushrooms and asparagus, the Bankie was pure decadence (and sustenance) from start to finish.  And it reminded me of reBar's polenta egg dish, which was also out of this world.

Farmer Ben's Seasonal Salad - My mom already had breakfast so she was more in the mood for lunch food and went with this fresh salad with mixed greens, radishes, walnuts (instead of crispy bacon) and a light blue cheese dressing.  I say light because it wasn't doused on heavily, creating thick globules. Instead it was just the perfect amount, with a thin coating around the veggies that gave them a delicious, tangy flavor.

Breakfast Potatoes - We received a side of well done, crispy breakfast potatoes (sort of like hash browns) with fresh parsley on top.  They were pretty awesome and a nice way to supplement both of our dishes. Even though I didn't need them with my Bankie, I still dipped these crispy spuds into the creamy truffled polenta.  Let me tell you...it was gooood.

Brunch Cocktails - Although I don't remember the names of our brunch cocktails, they were pretty stellar. I had an OJ, prosecco and mint concoction that was oh so cool and refreshing.  Once I muddled the mint with my straw, its flavor intensified more, producing a pungently delicious combination.

My mom had a fizzy, cranberry cocktail with lime that seemed to be our server's special creation. That too was excellent and I slightly preferred it to mine (but only before I muddled the mint).

Service and Cost:
Our server, David was fantastic - very attentive and on point.  He made sure that we were happy with our dishes and even asked if we needed any adjustments. Everything was great and because it wasn't too crowded, we felt relaxed and happy to linger around and chat.

Costs are gentle on your wallet and include the following:

Brunch entrees: $6 - $14
Pizza: $12 - $14
Entree salads & pasta: $9 - $15
Sides $3 - $4

3 Mmmms

Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.5550
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.vestavino.com