Back in Old Astoria with Stamatis' Greek Gems

Back in NY last week, I finally finally had the chance to visit my beloved Astoria, even if very briefly.  Truth is that I haven't had much time for anything lately, as PDX Food Baby has been keeping me quite busy.  No matter, there's always time for yummy food adventures and I promise to make more time for the documentation of it in the future.

As Dan and I had a lovely evening in Astoria last weekend, we remarked at how interesting it was that in all our years of living there, we've never eaten at Stamatis Restaurant.  Both in the mood to experience traditional Greek food, we ventured over and met longtime Astoria cronies Meg & Tom across the street for a quick drink, as well.  An awesome evening ensued, and it all felt comfortably nostalgic.  Next time, we'll bring the baby to soak up Astoria's positive vibes too - but now, more about Stamatis:

Atmosphere:
Exemplifying "old Astoria" at its best, Stamatis is everything that the original Astoria stood for - family connections, multi-cultruralism and excellent food.  I couldn't help but get enveloped by its warm welcoming atmosphere and the endearing demeanor of everyone that worked there.  Sure it was our first time visiting and even after months of setting foot in Astoria, we couldn't help but feel comfortable and truly at home.  

Since it was the day before Easter and folks were in a festive mood, Stamatis was absolutely bustling and filled with great energy.  It on the late side for us Portlanders (after 8:30 p.m.) so we were pleasantly surprised by how many people filled Stamatis' large dining room.  Folks of all ages chowed down happily and enjoyed great conversation (in all languages), indulging in all the beautiful dishes that flew from the busy kitchen on to their tables.  It was a truly a fun sight to see and added to the whole experiences.  We reveled in just observing it all - and the delicious food was an extra bonus.

Food:
The best part about eating in a traditional Greek restaurant is all the fabulous meze (or small plates).  So naturally that's exactly what Dan and I chose in order to get a little sampling of everything we so dearly miss about Astoria and Greek culture.

Saganaki Cheese - We love love love this fried kefalograviera cheese that's the ultimate Greek food indulgence.  It's a fun appetizer to share and tides you over quite well until the next meze arrives.  This one had a crunchy crust and a melty middle that was all sorts of salty, gooey and of course delicious.

Zucchini Croquettes - Oh my, how I've missed these!  Stamatis' version was fantastic, we both agreed, and contained many fresh herbs such as oregano and mint, which made it even a little palate cleansing.  Big chunks of yummy feta cheese were interspersed into these oblong gems and they melted beautifully, producing the perfect earthy/salty bite.

Grilled Seafood Platter - Seafood is the specialty here and we couldn't refuse a medley of all sorts of grilled goodness such as lobster claws, stuffed shrimp, stuffed clams, swordfish and squid.  I loved the beautiful charred crust on everything and as people say, "buttah and olive oil make it bettah," which was very much the case here.  Cutting all this richness with peppery dandelion greens was the way to go.

Galaktoboureko - How could we refuse a tantalizing portion of homemade Greek cheese pie (aka Galaktoboureko)?! This usually comes complimentary at the end of each traditional Greek dinner, and Stamatis certainly didn't disappoint.  Their version was truly excellent - silky, custardy with a hint of cinnamon.  Again, comfy nostalgic vibes all around - producing very happy tastebuds.

Service and Cost:
As I've already mentioned, the service at Stamatis is on point.  From the friendly host, quickly remembering my name, to our humble and somewhat sweetly shy waitress, we felt really happy to be there.  All these good things created a fantastic dining experience and even though we were in and out of there in about an hour - hour and a half, it felt long and memorable.

Costs are pretty reasonable, especially if you go the sharing route and for a very hefty meal (including ample wine), you can get out of there for about $30/person.  I highly recommend sharing a carafe of wine (only $10) between two people, which gives you about 1 1/2 glasses each. 

3 Mmmms

Stamatis - 29-09 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.932.8596
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Trying the Other King (of Souvlaki)

Back in Astoria this week for a very happy family occasion as well as for the Best of Astoria party, I'm surely taking advantage of the food scene.  Things I especially miss about my old nabe is the delicious Greek food, and yummy street meat qualifies.  

In the mood to have King of Falafel's legendary falafel orbs, I was sad to see that he wasn't at his usual Broadway and 30th street corner.  Not really sure why the King was MIA on this gorgeously sunny day, except for the fact that Easter might've had something to do with it,
I walked over to 31st Avenue and 31st Street to the King of Souvlaki instead.  

I must say I felt a pang of guilt to abandon my one true street meat king, but desperate times called for desperate measures.  From afar, I saw that the king's Souvlaki brethren was open for business so off I went to try his goods, curious to see if it would live up to expectation.

Food:
Deciding to go simple and classic, I chose the traditional pork souvlaki sticks as well as some chicken souvlaki as well.  Adding an order of homemade tatziki sauce was a wise choice, serving as a refreshing dipping sauce for all that protein.

Overall, the meat was excellent and definitely hit the spot during our mid-afternoon hunger.  The pork was my favorite, as it was juicy and boasted a nice char flavor when you bit into it.  Happy to see that my hunch about the tzatziki was right, it was a pleasure to dip into and after finishing my meat, I just kept eating it straight out of the container.  Not ashamed to admit it, no!

Service and Cost:

Even though the food here was excellent, I must say that the service at the King of Souvlaki simply can't compare to the King of Falafel.  The people who work the truck are nice but not overly boisterous nor have the charima and charm of of the King of Falafel crew.

Costs are competitive and set me back $15 for 4 souvlaki sticks and a large container of tzatziki.  We had leftovers of the latter that my mom and I gladly took home.

2.5 Mmmms

King of Souvlaki - Corner of 31st Street and 31st Avenue, Astoria
347.384.0217
facebook.com/kingsouvlaki

Tacuba - Three Dudes Brunch Out

It's not often that I skip out on a new and interesting meal in Astoria, but Dan definitely one-upped me on this one.  Read and salivate as he brings you the play by play of the new brunch offering at Tacuba Cantina in Astoria.

Today, when I asked your Fooditka where I should go with my buddies for some brunch (yeah, three dudes going to brunch, big whoop, wanna fight about it?) she suggested Tacuba. She then also “suggested” I cover it for the blog. Here goes:

Atmosphere:
Tacuba is a new Mexican cantina that opened on the corner of 35th ave. and 36th st. where 5 Napkin Burger was. In fact, upon entering, I was struck immediately that the layout is exactly the same as it used to be. The décor is different of course; tequila bottles lined up above the bar instead of whiskey, a few sombreros on the walls, and a more rustic finish give it a Mexican cantina feel, but the interior fixtures are all pretty much the same. The familiarity is actually nice, as I’ve spent many a happy hour in those exact same confines and it’s nice to know I still can, albeit with a different style and flavor.

Food:
I love Mexican food, as I’m mostly gluten-free (yeah, mostly gluten-free, big whoop, wanna fight about it?) and as long as you’re dealing with authentic corn tortillas and chips, it’s like cheating it’s so easy. So as much as I love it, I’m euphorically overjoyed by terrific Mexican food, and gut-wrenchingly devastated by a sub-par effort. I’m also prone to hyperbole.

Drinks - Fortunately for me, the food was delicious. Also fortunately for me, it is happy hour at the bar from 12-8 p.m. on Saturdays, so naturally we sat at the bar - $5.00 drafts, $6.00 sangria and margaritas. Anybody knows that some cerveza goes well with three dudes eating Mexican brunch. Full disclosure, two out of the three dudes got a glass of sangria - also delicious.

Chilaquiles - There is a regular menu and a special brunch menu, and we all ordered from the brunch menu. I got Chilaquiles, but instead of eggs mixed in with all the tortillas and sauce and greens, I got chicken. It was well worth the $3.00 upcharge. The sauce was the perfect amount of tangy and citrus-zesty, the chicken was moist yet lightly charred outside, and the chip layer on the bottom soaked everything up the exact right amount.

Chicken Empanadas, Huevos Rancheros, The Burger - Paul got an order of chicken empanadas, and a plate of Huevos Rancheros that looked pretty awesome and Jamil got the Mexican burger, which also looked great. As we were three dudes eating brunch, we didn’t try anyone else’s food, so I can’t tell you exactly how theirs was, but they both seemed to really enjoy. The empanadas looked incredibly tempting and I would have had one for the sake of the blog, but alas…mostly gluten-free over here.

Service and Cost:
The service was also very good, the bartender was attentive, and the food all came out quickly and hot. With the empanadas, the three mains, one extra basket of chips and salsa, and mmpth-fmmf beers and sangrias, we got out of there for about $30 per person.

So to recap - decent atmosphere, fantastic food, good service, and moderate pricing. I’d have to give it 3 Mmmms.

Tacuba Cantina Mexicana - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.786.2727
R Train to Steinway Street or N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
tacubanyc.com

New Fall Cocktail Menu at Mar's Oyster Bar

Image by Mar's Oyster Bar

Keeping my eye on seasonal eats and drinks, I noticed that Mar's Oyster Bar, of my favorite neighborhood joints is featuring a new fall cocktail menu.  You can always count on Mar's to deliver something unique and sophisticated and I think these seasonal cocktails do just that:

The Orchard - Bulleit bourbon, St. Germaine, lemon cinnamon mash, apple cider...$11

Hot Toddy - Irish whiskey, simmering lemon & honey, hot water...$10

The Derby - Dry Curacao, Rye Whiskey, Angostura Bitters...$12

There's also the above pictured Rye Cousteau drink I spotted on Facebook, which is available during Happy Hour for $7. As far as eats go, take a look at some of the recent dishes I've tried that come highly recommended.

Mar's Oyster Bar - 34-21 34th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.685.2480
N/Q Train to Broadway or R Train to Steinway St
lifeatmars.com

Astor Bakeshop's Seasonally Delicious Brunch

After a fun and informative tour of the Welling Court Mural Project, as part of Open House New York Weekend, Dan and I headed over to to Astor Bake Shop for some brunch.  We haven't been in quite a while and were looking forward to their wholesome dishes, which haven't yet disappointed and today was no different.

Open Faced Omelette - Topped with seasonally delicious ingredients such as cauliflower and eggplant, the open faced omelette was a vegetarian's dream.  Even though Dan is far from being a veggie, he loved this dish and commented on how fresh and flavorful it was.  I had the pleasure to taste it as well and especially loved the cauliflower, which was cooked al dente.  As you can see, the dish also came with a side of hash browns and salad, which made it a complete meal.

Tomato and Egg Skillet - I was quickly sold on this dish after reading its description on the menu and noticed two of my favorite ingredients - tomatoes and avocado.  Ultimately, it was really simple but made of high quality ingredients such as fresh eggs, bright, locally sourced veggies and a freshly crisped tortilla.  While the eggs were a bit overcooked for my liking, the roasted veggies in the skillet made up for it and created a beautiful balance of flavors.

Carrot, Cucumber and Ginger Juice - Even though I was all set on coffee, I noticed a few fresh fruit juice options, which took my interest. I ordered this one and loved its bright orange color and vibrant flavor, which wasn't at all enhanced with sugar, and for this I was grateful.  The ginger was subtle but you can still taste it after each delicious sip.

Service and Cost:
Unlike some of the other times that I visited Astor Bake Shop, the service now was totally on point.  We didn't wait long for anything and felt very well taken care of, noticing that everyone else was also experiencing good service.

Costs are reasonable, especially given the high quality of food and service and set us back about $15 each including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

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

718.606.8439

astor-bakeshop.com

Queens a Culinary Passport is a Must Read

I attended a fantastic event the other night at Astoria Bookshop hosted by my friend Meg Cotner and Andrea Lynn, author of the new book Queens - A Culinary Passport.  The event offered a lively Q&A between these two women who are esteemed food experts in Queens.  Meg is also the author of A Food Lovers' Guide to Queens, which is also fabulous - and the vibe between these two women made for really great culinary mojo.  

In the process of hearing about Andrea's adventures, and after referencing a lot of restaurants that were still unfamiliar to me, I bought the book and have already started to read it.  I love it because not only does it conveniently organize Queens by its different neighborhoods, it also offers many recipes that are inspired from some of the most well known restaurants in the borough.  I was especially excited to notice treasures such as Tortilleria Nixtamal's recipe for salsa roja, Pio Pio's Peruvian roasted chicken recipe, King of Falafel's famous falafel recipe, and others.

Andrea also graced us with some of her favorite treats at the event, courtesy of places such as Sorriso's Astoria, Sripraphai, Andre's Hungarian Bakery and other greats.

I highly suggest picking up the book and keeping it in your bag for reference - you never know when you'll get an hankering for Korean style kimchi pancakes or an authentic Cuban Ropa Vieja.

You can purchase the book at Astoria Bookshop for $19.99 or through Amazon.

Mar’s Oyster Bar - A Magnificent Po Boy It Was!

After a somewhat long hiatus, my We Heart Astoria colleagues and I met at Mar’s Oyster Bar for a team meeting and dinner. We always look for an excuse to visit Mar’s, as it never fails to disappoint and I was personally looking forward to trying something new that I haven’t had before. That little something ended up being the fried oyster po boy and it was fabulous. Let me tell you more…

Fried Oyster Po Boy – Served on a shiny, soft, sourdough bun, this sandwich was a thing of beauty, as it was both bountiful and colorful. It was evident that great produce was used, especially the tomatoes which were juicy and crimson red.

The stars of the show however were the oysters of course, as they were meaty, delicious and fried to perfection. Accentuated by a lemony mayo, the flavors in this sandwich were just right, reminding me of something I’d have on vacation. Even my dining companions remarked at how much I seemed to enjoy the sandwich, as I nearly licked the plate clean. You can see that the sandwich also comes with a little piece of grilled corn on the cob and Mar’s’ super crispy herb fries, which always induce major yum action.

Rocky Point Oysters – Not to be forgotten, Meg and I also shared a half dozen of these meaty Rocky Point Oysters. They were absolutely delicious and as fresh as can be. While they didn’t need much in terms of accouterments, a modest spritz of lemon rounded out the flavors even more. At happy hour prices of $1/oyster, these were a great deal and I highly recommend them.

Chocolate Torte – Although we were pretty full, Mackenzi advised that we shouldn’t ignore dessert, especially the dark chocolate ganache torte. While it was small in size, the flavor went a long way. I like that it was served chilled and that the dark chocolate was interspersed with bits of white and a little sprig of fried thyme on top. Leave it to Mar’s to give you something unexpected and interesting.

Service and Cost:
The overall service and attention we received on that evening was great, as the staff was most attentive but at the same time chill. They’ve really perfected this at Mar’s and I like to see that after about a year, they’re holding their own.

Costs are pretty high for a neighborhood joint, but you know you’re getting great quality and a fabulous atmosphere that’s hard to beat. For the three of us, including a separate entrée for everyone, apps, a few drinks and dessert, we paid about $65/person including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Mar's Oyster Bar - 34-21 34th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.685.2480
N/Q Train to Broadway or R Train to Steinway St
lifeatmars.com

Tufino Brings on the Pistachio Pizza

On a rainy night last weekend, my We Heart Astoria colleagues and I ventured over to Tufino Pizza before going to check out the friends & family event at The Brass Owl.  Although I've heard so many great things about it, and it's totally my kind of place, I've never eaten there yet, so this provided the perfect opportunity.

Atmosphere:
Very much a place of comfort, warmth and refuge during the cold rainy weather, Tufino offered everything we wanted at that moment.  On a busy Saturday night, it was full, but not so much so that we had to wait for a table.

Loving the warmth emanating from the wood fired oven that bears the name Maria (the owner's wife's name), we sat down at a four top not far from it and marveled at the beautiful pies it produced.  The crowd was a mixed bag, which speaks to Tufino's versatility and included everything from couples, small groups of friends as well as families with children.

Food:
Going for the pizza was a no brainer and between the three of us, we shared two pies and a salad, which was just enough food.

Caesar Salad - While this was just a simple Caesar salad, it was done right. Everything about it was delicious, including the crispy romaine, the airy croutons, tangy cheese and the garlicky dressing.  Although Caesar sometimes gets a rap of being too heavy, this one was anything but.

Pizza - Ordering two Neapolitan pies to share including the Il Greco and the Pistachianco, was a good idea.  Although the pies came sliced, it was a little tough to tell where to separate them, so the extra pizza cutter we had at our table came in handy.

Out of these two varieties, the Pistachianco with fior di latte mozzarella, roasted pistachios, red onions and fresh ricotta cheese was a clear winner.  The pistachios were the star of the show, as they were crunchy, chunky and earthy.  I wasn't used to this type of toothsomeness in my pizza, but completely loved it.  Not to say that the Il Greco with Kalamata olives, oregano and fresh lemon juice wasn't good, it was just a tad salty for my liking.

Service and Cost:
We enjoyed nice service during our experience, and while I can't say it was anything out of the ordinary, all dishes came out in good time, the staff was cordial and generally quick with the bill.

Costs are moderate and set us back about $32 per person, which included 2 glasses of wine.

3 Mmmms

Tufino Pizzeria - 36-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.278.4800
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
tufinopizzeria.com

Cronin and Phelan - Good Ol' Dependable Irish Pub

Since Football season is officially back, Dan is always on the hunt for a good ol' dependable pub that serves up all the games and tasty food and drink to boot.  He happens to root for the unfortunate Miami Dolphins (and those games are hard to come by in NY) so having a place to watch their games can sometimes take some convincing. 

After searching around the neighborhood for a place that would accommodate Dan's wishes and at the same time would dish out tasty eats, we found ourselves at Cronin & Phelan's.

Atmosphere:
Set up like a typical pub, Cronin's space is divided into a sizable bar area as well as a restaurant.  There's plenty of TV's around that showcase all the football games, and the staff is super nice and accommodating with the TVs.

Dan and I sat ourselves in one of the 4 person booths up front and got great access to the tennis match (for me) and the Dolphins/Patriots game for Dan.  The overall atmosphere was casual and cheery, as almost everyone was there to eat brunch, drink brew and enjoy football.  The staff is really lovely and patient with everyone's personal sports requests.

Food:
Excited to see what they had on the menu, Dan and I got a few different appetizers that we grazed on throughout the afternoon.

Irish Soda Bread - The first thing that appeared out of the kitchen (and it was on the house) was a generous helping of Irish Soda Bread. I love, love, love this treat so I was naturally excited - and Dan dug it too, deciding to break his gluten free streak.  Loving the flaky, buttery bites of this bread, it gave us high hopes for the rest of the meal, which also produced great results.

Irish Fries - It didn't take long to sell us on this dish, as it consists of well-done fries with Canadian bacon and cheddar cheese.  Everything about this snack was gluttonous, and we loved the medley of textures it served up, from crunchy (fries), gooey (cheese) to chewy (bacon).

Chicken Wings - Being tough critics when it comes to wings, I think Cronin's version did quite well, producing nice crunchy texture with just the right amount of spicy buffalo sauce.  We ordered it on the medium side, which wasn't too spicy, and overall I found the wings to be nice and meaty.  The blue cheese wasn't the greatest but all in all didn't take away from the tastiness of the dish.

Service and Cost:
Completely satisfied with the friendly and generous service, I can see why Cronin's has been a staple in the neighborhood for many years.  There's a lot of regulars that go in to enjoy the delicious food, homey atmosphere and the abundance of sports action.  All in all, I'd love to come back again and try its proper brunch menu.

Costs are fair and veer on the inexpensive side at about $25/person for the aforementioned food and a few beers as well.  We never felt pressured to leave and loved being made to feel welcome.

3 Mmmms

Cronin & Phelan's - 38-14 Broadway, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.8999
N/Q Train to Broadway or R/M Train to Steinway Street
croninandphelans.com

Psari Still Exceeding Expectations

After what has been a very long time, I was jonesin' for some delicious Greek food and decided to head to Psari, after what was a very fun event at the Queens Collective, featuring Louie KR.ONE Gasparro.

Dan hasn't yet been, which made me excited to show it off to him - and he's always down to try some good, homemade Greek food.  On a Saturday evening, the atmosphere was quite busy and boisterous, which made service a little tricky but the staff made it up to us (read on and find out how).

But before I get into the service and the overall vibe, let's get to the food we had that night, including the biggest standouts.

Half Dozen Raw Oysters - Wanting to start with something fresh and local, Dan and I ordered a half dozen oysters, which tasted fresh and not fishy at all.  While the texture was a tad on the tough side, overall they were pretty tasty and definitely something that went down easy with a spoonful of horseradish and cocktail sauce.

Saganaki Cheese - Recent saganaki convert, Dan adored Psari's version that boasted a lightly fried exterior.  The interior was everything it should be - warm, gooey, and a little salty.  You didn't need much with it, except for a little bit of lemon, but otherwise no pita or bread was required.

Grilled Porgy - One of my favorite local fish varieties, we ordered a grilled Porgy with a side of lemon potatoes.  I knew that the latter would be awesome because I've had them here before and they totally rocked my world.  Luckily Dan agreed too and loved the fish as well, especially its crispy, lightly oiled skin that we took turns devouring.

Service and Cost:
Because it was a busy Saturday evening, I have to say that the service at first was quite slow.  So slow in fact that we were deliberating leaving and going to Chela y Garnacha instead, only shortly after being helped by our waitress.  While everything came out in good time, Psari's owner stopped by not long after asking if us if we can help him accommodate a large party by moving us to a different table.  Quickly adding in that he'd throw in free drinks and dessert, as well as thanking us profusely, we agreed.

Overall, we appreciated the tactful way in which the situation was handled and felt good after leaving the restaurant.

Costs are moderate but fair for the excellent quality of food you are getting.  Since the aforementioned drinks were picked up, we paid a total of $65 including tax and tip (and still a desire to come back).

3 Mmmms

Psari - 32-10 36th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.786.6015
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.psari-restaurant.com

Brunching at the New Fatty's Cafe

Today, Meg and I brunched at the new Fatty's Cafe, now situated on 45th Street and 28th Avenue.  I've had my doubts about this neighborhood, and still do, as it lacks foot traffic and proximity to the subway, but our experience was enjoyable- and it'll certainly make me return again.

Atmosphere:
Much different than its original location on Ditmars, the new Fatty's is a lot larger and generally in better condition.  The previous building from what I recall was pretty much falling apart from the outside in, but this locale is shiny, new and intriguing.

Stepping it up on design, Meg and I marveled at the interesting interior touches found in the space such as a wall of vintage speakers hugging an aquarium of all things; the reclaimed bar made of old record album covers; microphone beer taps and lots of local art.  Parts of this was very reminiscent of the old Fatty's and the way things used to be yet with a fresher, cooler spin.  Unfortunately the outdoor garden wasn't yet available to use, but this'll give us something to come back for.

Food:
Unlike the exciting new design, the menu at the new Fatty's is everything it used to be.  Partly excited by the old and familiar, but also a little uninspired, I tried to choose something I haven't had before:

Dominican Sunrise - Not quite remembering this item on the old menu, it intrigued me.  Consisting of 2 fried eggs (over easy) with Dominican queso blanco, salsichon and tostones, it was a pretty complete meal.  After tasting each component, I couldn't decide what I liked best, as they were all well executed - especially that fried, salty cheese and the perfectly runny eggs.  Creating a silky coating on all of these delicious ingredients, the egg added a little something special to each section of the plate.

Mofongo - One of my favorite menu items, Meg ordered it with a stuffing of cheese for protein.  It looked like the gorgeous mound that I remember, except that it was drenched in queso blanco as opposed to a tomatoey sauce of the past.  I didn't try it, but Meg praised its flavor and confirmed that it was incredibly hearty, which made her take most of it home for later.

Bloody Mary - Loving me a stiff bloody Mary, this one delivered on flavor, spice and potency.  I liked that the tomato juice was super thick and that it was generously seasoned with ground black pepper and bejeweled with tangy olives and fresh lemon.

Service and Cost:
I found the service at the new Fatty's a lot more pleasing and responsive than at its Ditmars predecessor.  Our waitress was kind and attentive, ensuring we got everything on time, from our first sip of water til the last signing of the check.  Although we were in and out in about an hour, we didn't feel the need to hurry up and could've hung around as long as we liked.

Costs are affordable for brunch at $17 for your entree and morning cocktail.  With tax and tip, we shelled out about $21 a piece, which was A-OK for such a solid experience. I'll definitely be back for more!

3 Mmmms

Fatty's Cafe - 45-17 28th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.267.7071
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
fattysastoria.com 

Quick Homemade Tostones for Snacking

In the mood to cook something quick and healthful, I got inspired by a ripe bunch of plantains I spotted at the supermarket.  I love ordering a basket of tostones when dining at Latin eateries, but I’ve never had the chance to make them myself.

A quick search through some recipes produced a quick, no frills method for making them that I was inspired to try.  See tostones recipe here.

Peeling these babies was cinch since they were already ripe, and once I fried them the first time, they produced a deliciously crispy snack, which reminded me of sweet potato fries. I was determined to make them the right way though, and followed through with the rest of the method, as I mashed these into flat discs and fried them once again. While I think I brunt them a little, they were still delicious and almost as crispy as French fries. A side of avocado dipping sauce, which I made by combining a few tablespoons of mayo and mashed avocado made each bite a delight.

Loving the Ice Cream Sammies at BareBurger

Hearing about the recent addition of Coolhaus ice cream sammies at BareBurger, I was eager to try them out – especially since I haven’t had a Coolhaus treat in so long!  Dan and I went in today on the fly and watched a little of the World Cup – Dan getting a beer while I had my eye on the prize, the ice cream.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sammy – When I first heard they had this on the menu, I didn’t think about anything else and immediately declared my sammie of choice.  Our server praised me for this selection and in just a few minutes brought out a large, luscious ice cream sandwich with a side of maple caramel sauce.  We had them split this baby in half, as you can see how large it was.  Each bite was heavenly, and had just the right concentration and essence of bacon – while it wasn’t overpowering, the flavor was just enough to get you thinking about it and to relish in the smokiness.  The caramel sauce too was a thing of beauty, reminding us of something you’d have while camping with friends.  

Service and Cost:

We experienced great service, which isn’t out of the ordinary here.  The BareBurger staff has a great thing going in terms of their overall team dynamic, including a nice rapport with customers. I liked the relaxed vibe of the afternoon, which is pretty rare for BareBurger, and we hung around for a little while watching a bit of the Colombia/Costa Rica game. 

Each ice cream sammie will set you back $7, which is totally worth it, especially if you split it with a friend.  Be prepared to lick your fingers clean!

3 Mmmms

BareBurger (31st Avenue) - 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.7011
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bareburger.com23-01 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105

718.204.7167
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
bareburger.com

Pye Boat Noodle Makes Waves in Astoria

It's always exciting when a new restaurant opens in Astoria, especially because of the high standards we've come to expect.  With the coming of Pye Boat Noodle, a new Thai noodle restaurant in the Broadway neighborhood, that standard has definitely been upheld - and then some.

Dan and I along with friends, Jennifer and Nuno tried it last week and were impressed with the offering, the service and the ambiance.  The whole shebang was something to write home about, and we'll definitely be going back for some more tangled noodle goodness.

Atmosphere:
Intrigued by Pye Boat's unique white and blue clapboard exterior and a sign that appears to be written backwards, it's clear that this is no ordinary Thai restaurant.  In fact, when you walk in, the place very much embodies something you'd find in a Thai seaside locale with fresh, whimsical elements infused into it.  The walls are decked in rustic wood paneling and accented by blue and teal embellishments such as the posts by the bar, the cabinet doors and such.  I especially liked the vintage art such as an old Coca Cola sign near the bar and other decor that looks like Thai pop art.

Despite the lovely interior, it was a mild night so we decided to eat in their expansive back garden, which comfortably seats about 25-30 people.  I love the little rectangular pool that's the focal point of the space and brings with it a classic simplicity and calmness.

Food:
Expecting to see a large, all-encompassing menu as in other Asian fusion restaurants in the vicinity, we were surprised by how concise and focused it was.  It's clear that Pye Boat has its specialties and this is exactly what the clientele will know them for - the noodles!

Fried Pork Strips - I spied this appetizer in Meg's Pye Boat write-up and knew I had to try it.  Reminding me almost of a thin jerky-like texture, the pork strips were crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.  Accompanied by a fiery chili sauce, it elevated the flavor of the pork to the next level.  Needless to say, this appetizer disappeared quickly.

Salted Wings - Dan and I are big wing people and can sometimes be harsh critics when it comes to this savory snack.  Although Pye Boat's version didn't look to be particularly meaty, the wings were very delicious, with a crispy, salted skin and a wonderfully moist inside.  This too came with a spicy chili oil vinaigrette, but it wasn't even needed.

Boat Noodle with Pork - There were two ways you can order your noodles, either dry or in a soup broth, and I chose the latter.  I also appreciated that you can have a choice of rice, wide ribbon, egg or vermicelli noodles.  My gluten free diet dictated my noodle choice, as I immediately decided on the rice and wasn't disappointed.  The pork came in three varieties including an anise pork meatball, fresh slices of lean pork as well as fried pork skin, which was my favorite.  I also must praise the soup broth, which was deeply flavored by the anise, which added an almost Middle Eastern quality to this dish - so unique!

Lychee Smoothie - Originally thinking this was an adult cocktail, it turned out to be a non alcoholic frozen juice, which was A-OK.  I enjoyed the tropical lychee flavors I got both in the pureed and whole form, with an entire lychee placed on top of the slushie.

Service and Cost:
We were greeted by Pye Boat's friendly staff and throughout the entire experience felt well taken care of.  It was nice to see that outdoor dining service didn't fall by the wayside, as can sometimes happen and the overall pacing of the meal remained good.

Costs are affordable and on point with other comparable Thai/Asian fusion restaurants in the nabe.

Appetizers - $4.95 - $7
Noodles - $8.95 - $11.95
Rice Dishes - $8.95 - $12.50

3 Mmmms

Pye Boat Noodle - 35-13 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.685.2329
N/Q Train to Broadway or R/M Train to Steinway 

What to Check out at the New Bowery Bay

Image by Bowery Bay

For those that were fans of the late Bistro 33, you'll be interested to know there's a new player on the scene.  Bowery Bay, the new name of the restaurant that has replaced Bistro is now fully operating and headed up by the folks that ran Bistro. I'm itching to check it out, and the below menu has certainly whet my appetite for something comforting and delicious.  I've starred some items below that look particularly interesting.

Small Plates
Frisee Salad - roasted pork cheek, duck lardon, crispy duck egg, cherry mustard vinaigrette...$13
*Maple Glaze Popcorn - and lardons...$7
Coconut Shrimp - Sweet chili garlic dip...$11
*Escargot Ravioli - Brandy creme, lemon jelly...$9
*Green Garlic Mashed Wonton - with sweet pickled rhubarb...$7
Pig Part Pie - Shoulder, rump, cheeks and leg chili, crispy pig skin, Vermont white cheddar...$10
Moo Shu Tacos - Foie gas, chard kirby, cabbage, 5 spice yogurt, scallion pancakes...$12

Medium Plates
Portuguese Octopus - Fried octopus, chimichuri, red onions, Spanish olive oil, fresh herbs...$14
*Lobster Poutine - Baby chives, halloumi cheese, bacon brown gravy...$18
*Banh Mi - Coffee and chicory short ribs, shredded jicama, pickled lotus root, house mayo fresh cilantro...$12
Sloppy Goat - Curried green peas, pickled saratoga chips, saag paneer...$12
*Reuben Fondue - Corn beef, dark rye bread, mustard oil and wilted cabbage, gruyere cheese...$12

Large Plates
Baked Whole Fish of the Day - Tuscan kale salad, goat cheese, beet puree, grapefruit vinaigrette...$25
*Arctic Char - Water spinach, sauteed mushrooms, lemon sweet potato mash, demi glace...$24
*Vegan Bowl - Brown rice, stone mountain lentils, toasted cashew and orange nectar poached figs...$14
*Bowery Burger - Pickle, carrot, onion, mixed greens, tomato and fries...$12 (add cheese or bacon for $1.50 (cheddar, brie, bleu, triple cream) or $3 for halloumi cheese)
Steak of the Day - Mashed potato, vegetable of the day...$24
*Spaghetti and Meatballs for two - Crostini and pecorino cheese...$27

Extras
House Salad - Red onions, carrots, oil & vinegar...$7
*Salcha Papas - Sweet potato fries with merguez sausage...$8
*Cole Slaw - Cabbage, carrot, jicama, caraway rice wine vinaigrette...$5
Hand cut Fries...$5

Bowery Bay - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd

Front Toward Enemy – Getting Funky in Queens

Last week, I finally had the chance to visit Front Toward Enemy, which is the sultry cocktail bar/restaurant that opened a few months ago in place of the old Canz bar. I’ve been meaning to go for a while, but the opportunity never exactly materialized, and I’m happy that last week’s blogger meet-up changed that.

Instituted by my friend and fellow blogger Erin from GlutenFree Fun, I met up with a few talented and awesome Astoria and Western Queens blogging women such as the Heart of Queens, Southern Astorian, Tracy Infield and Connie. 

The evening was a casual one during, which we just grabbed a few cocktails and chatted – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Atmosphere:
Even on the torrential downpour of an evening that we got together, Front Toward Enemy was comfortably filled with patrons, many of them seeming to be regulars.  I love how the sexy, dark vibe transported to you to another world right away, and it didn’t take me long to forget about all that rainy mess outside.

Something I noticed right away were the beautifully decorated walls that boasted an elegant black velvety wallpaper that further helped set the mood.  Although a long wooden bar is definitely the focal point of the place, there are also these large horseshoe leather banquettes that were perfect for medium sized groups like ours.  I loved them especially because they made the atmosphere more communal and made it easy for us to get to know each other.

Drinks:
Since we only ordered cocktails this time around, I’m going to have to come back for the food, but from what I tried last week, that’ll definitely be in the stars.

Get Funky Cocktail – First off, I just loved the name of this cocktail and secondly, I was attracted to it because it contained gin, lemon, orgeat syrup, honey, ginger and blackberries.  All in all good things!  Not only was it refreshing, a little tart and beautifully complex, its presentation was stunning.  Most of my companions remarked at how amazing it looked and I’m pretty sure they had order envy.  I’d definitely recommend getting this cocktail in the summer to beat the heat.  It’s also a great option because it gives you good bank for you buck – just check out its size!

Service and Cost:
While I’d love to give every aspect of our experience high marks, the service was just OK.  I appreciated that our server let us chill, however, at times I think she could’ve been more attentive – especially on a slower night when the staff wasn't challenged.

Costs are high at $12 per cocktail, but like I said, I’d definitely come back to try more of those, and certainly the food as well.

3 Mmmms

Front Toward Enemy – 40-11 30^th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.
718.545.2269

N/Q Train to 30^th Avenue

fronttowardenemynyc.com

New York Dog House Brunchies

Because last weekend delivered absolutely gorgeous weather on Saturday, Dan and I took full advantage by taking a stroll on 30th Avenue in hopes of eating something delicious.  There was no shortage of that, certainly, and we had a hard time picking between a few contenders - in the end deciding to try the New York Dog House.  

Atmosphere:
The interior of NYDH offers everything I like to see in a restaurant - lots of light, reclaimed furniture, exposed brick walls and varied seating arrangements.  While the space is on the narrow side, it doesn't feel that way, as every inch of the restaurant is maximized to its potential.  The bar is especially welcoming, sporting a pretty subway tile wall that adorns the restaurant's name in a classic NY subway motif.

Aside from the welcoming interior, the outdoor garden is nice too and comfortably sits about 30 people in a quiet, relaxed setting.  This is where Dan, Jamil and I positioned ourselves, scoping out a nice sunny table that set the mood for this beautiful day.  

Food:
The brunch menu was one we haven't seen before, as it's not displayed on their website, but it looked great.  A mixture of eggy dishes as well as traditional dogs, and even burgers, created lots to choose from.  Dan, Jamil and I each got something different but the general consensus was very positive.

Sausage Grilled Cheese - Sounding like a great combination, it included a layer of sausage of your choice, goat & white cheddar cheese, greens and eggs.  I chose the spicy Banh Mi Dog with Asian spices, which paired beautifully with the tangy cheese and sharp greens.  The fluffy eggs gave it just the right amount of brunch essence I was looking for.

Sausage and Eggs - Dan went a little simpler with brunch by also choosing the Banh Mi dog, alongside a little sliver of homemade polenta and two eggs over easy.  While he totally loved everything on the plate, he felt it was a small portion that didn't totally satiate him, and next time he'd probably go for 2 dogs, which was a choice that was offered.

Lamb Burger - Going for something a little non-traditional, Jamil got the lamb burger, which looked impressive and got high marks.  The general sentiment with this item is that it was cooked well and the fluffy sourdough bun was great too.  A side of hand cut fries was a nice complement - we only wished there was more of them to go around.

Service and Cost:
Unfortunately, as is usually the case when sitting outdoors, the service during our brunch left something to be desired.  Finding ourselves waiting around for our waters to be refilled and nearly a half hour for our entrees to arrive, I'm hoping this was a fluke.  I'll certainly be trying NY Dog House again in the hopes of reversing this experience.

Costs are reasonable for brunch, and all entrees come with a choice of a Bloody Maria, sangria or a mimosa, which is great.  Per person, we paid about $15 including tax and tip, which is a good deal.

2 Mmmms

New York Dog House - 37-06 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.274.3647
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.newyorkdoghouse.com