Eurocup Action in Astoria

Image by EUFA

With the Eurocup 2012 in full swing right now, everyone is catching a part of the action, and Astoria is delivering a fabulous atmosphere to watch the games.  Many of the bars in the nabe are showcasing the daily matches, some of them running great gametime specials.  Here's a small sampling of the venues where you can enjoy some futbal!

Veslo - Being that it's a Croatian establishment, naturally they're showing Croatia games most on their 9 HD screens in the bar area.  Come dressed in your Checkers, and enjoy being a part of the fun by drinking Karlovacko beer and munching on typical Croatian eats such as cevapcici sliders, raznjici (pork kabob), octopus salad and more.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549 

Studio Square - THE destination to watch all the games, Studio Square opens up at noon each day for primetime game access.  You can sit in the big garden area and enjoy the action on the big screen and some really enticing drinks specials too, such as a pitcher of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat & 3 shots of Jim Beam Red Stag for just $20.  35-33 36th Street, Astoria.  718.383.1001

Bohemian Hall - Also open at noon each day for soccer, the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden will deliver on true, authentic Eastern European atmosphere with all the kolbasy, sauerkraut, dumplings and fried cheese to prove it.  They'll feature their weekly Happy Hour specials too, with $3 mugs of draft beer between 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. and $5 mugs of draft beer between 6 p.m - 7 p.m.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.728.9278

Astoria Brewhouse - Featuring soccer in an eclectic atmosphere (that's really convenient to the subway), you can either watch it inside the bar or also in their outdoor garden with a retractable roof.  I love to enjoy the latter, and take advantage of their happy hour special too, which includes $4 select domestic pints, $5 select imported pints, $5 well drinks and $5 house wines between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria.  718.728.0050

Avenue Cafe - Also on the 30th Avenue strip, where a lot of soccer can be seen, Avenue is certainly the place to go if you're comfortable with a lot of testosterone.  And I mean a lot.  Most of the clientele consists of guys and they're pretty avid futbal fans, so you'll find good company here.  Enjoy the games with an ice cold frappe and a sweet fresh-made crepe with fruit or other inventive fillings such as biscotti.  35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.6967

Avenue Cafe - Ending Off on a Good Note

It's been quite a while since I've visited Avenue Cafe on 30th Avenue, and while a lot of people may think it's not one of Astoria's best hangouts, I happen to love, love, loove their crepes.  After a less than mediocre meal I had with friends, Meg and Mackenzi, at William Hallett, I was so ready to cap off the night in a good way and suggested we go to Avenue for a crepe.  Approval didn't take long to get and on our way we were (across the street) to redeem the pity of a dinner we just had.

When we got there, I wasn't surprised to find it to be loud and a little obnoxious.  I take this place for what it is - a modern, (and a bit tacky) cafe that nevertheless serves wonderful food and coffee.  We zeroed in on the crepe section of the menu and got to pickin'.  It didn't take long for us to decide on a slightly different than the norm crepe, which included pieces of biscotti and hazelnut chocolate sauce (aka Nutella).

Biscotti Crepe - The minute this plate landed in front of us, I could smell the warm, chocolatey scent emanating from it.  It was heavenly and I couldn't wait to take out my camera, snap a speedy pic and dig in.  As I remember from previous experience, it was just as yummy this time around.  The crepe texture was thin, smooth and really light.  I liked that it held its shape nicely and served as a handy pocket for all those crunchy biscotti bits. 

The biscotti was really interesting, as it provided a good juxtaposition between the soft crepe and the crunchy filling.  The hazelnut chocolate sauce helped to moisten it up a bit, as well as the big scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream that rested in the midst of our two crepes.  I loved mixing each bite of the warm crepe with the chilled ice cream - a wonderfully refreshing and at the same time indulgent treat.

Service and Cost:
As is usually the case here, the service was speedy and friendly.  We had no complaints about our waitstaff and although we only ordered a crepe and no beverages, we didn't receive any weird stares or judgements.  This...I liked!

Costs have definitely gone up since the last time I was here, and the crepe we tried was $11 (including a $2 surcharge for the ice cream).  But no matter, I still very much recommend it.

3 Mmmms

Avenue Cafe - 35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria 11106
718.278.6967
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

5 Ways to Eat Healthy in Astoria

Now that the holidays are over, so are the indulgent meals.  Lots of people (including me!) are trying to eat lighter and healthier to get rid of those extra holiday layers.  Here are five suggestions to help you out, whether if you're eating out or staying in.  Enjoy them and as always, chime in with your tips.

Fresh, fulfilling salads - Although 30th Avenue isn't known for complicated cuisine, it has great staples such as Grand Cafe, Avenue Cafe and Pinocchio, which boast yummy fresh salads.  I particularly enjoy Avenue's tabouleh salad with tomatoes and grilled pita bread (pictured above) - it's fresh, juicy and healthful. 

Grand Cafe - 37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321. 
Avenue Cafe - 35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.6967
Pinocchio Palace - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.932.4976

Savory, organic brunch - Sage General Store is my go-to place for quality food, especially brunch.  Their dishes always fill me up but never leave me over-stuffed.  I love that Sage's ingredients are organic, natural and locally sourced.  I recommend the ranchero buritto with scrambled eggs, caramelized onions, ham, tomatoes and cheese, with a side of mesculin salad.  Since this dish is large in portion, I'd eat half and take the rest home.

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.  718.361.0707

Sushi with flava - Although I'm not a big sushi lover, I really enjoy Watawa on Ditmars and think it's a fantastic place to have a light meal.  Everything is wonderful and the portions are normal - not unncessarily oversized.  Try the soups, sushi or even their Japanese entrees such as the chicken or tofu teriyaki for you veggies.

Watawa - 33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9596 

Cook a healthy meal at home - Astoria offers tons of eclectic food markets with fresh, healthy and inexpensive ingredients.  One of my produce favorites is the United Brothers Fruit market on 30th Avenue, where you can buy a full basket of various seasonal fruits and veggies for under $10--and I mean A LOT of stuff!  I particularly like their selection of fresh herbs.  

For fish, I hit up the Astoria Fishery Co on the corner of 31st Street and 23rd Avenue--prices are competitive and the quality of the fish is impressive. 

If I'm looking for ethnic ingredients such as Mediterranean foods, I like Titan Foods on 31st Street near Astoria Blvd.  Greek yogurt comes in many varieties, as well as phyllo dough, which you can get for under $4 per package.

United Brothers Fruit - 32-24 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.728.7011

Astoria Fishery Co - 22-78 31st Street, Astoria.  718.726.6390

Titan Foods - 25-56 31st Street, Astoria.  718.626.7771

Farm-to-table good-for-you food - Vesta is a personal favorite of mine, their ingredients coming from a nearby rooftop farm.  The food is delicious, interesting and very conducive to healthy eating.  My recommendations include a whole wheat thin crust pizza and any veggie dish such as a fresh salad of the day or the crispy brussel sprouts.

Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550