Basil Brick Oven's New Menu Items are Scrumptious

Last week was really fun as far as foodie adventures go, as I found myself at a Queens food blogger tasting at Basil Brick Oven Pizza, organized by none other than my friend, Bradley Hawks.  Known for his tantalizing pictures of food (aka ridiculously graphic food porn), Bradley did a great job of uniting a lot of different Queens food personalities under one roof.  Basil Brick was only too happy to host and show off their new goods, as they have tons of new menu items they were curious to get in the right hands (and mouths).  While there was maybe a bit too much food served, I really enjoyed what I had and wanted to give you all the highlights.  

Octopus Carpaccio - The mere concept of this dish sounded innovative, and I was curious as to how their octopus would stack up.  Everyone literally oohed and ahhed when the dish arrived, in all its asymmetrical glory, which showed the rustic and beautiful texture of the octopus.  I loved the acidity in its glaze and the octopus felt cool yet anything but tough.  This reminded me of the perfect summer dish I'd love to have while lunching on the beach - the fresh tomatoes, lemon and arugula were lovely too.

Giant Meatballs Marinara - There's really nothing like having great meatballs in a delicious Italian restaurant and these tasted as good as they looked.  You can tell that the marinara sauce was made from scratch, with a slightly acidic bite and a fragrant basil essence  that lingered on your tongue.  The meat itself was soft and juicy, and went beautifully with the stringy fresh muzz that hugged the top of the meatball.

Fresh, Stuffed Mozzarella Balls - And speaking of fresh mozzarella, these pretty pinwheels made me really happy.  Combining some of my favorite things such as salty, soft cheese with the peppery arugula and the smokiness of the sopressata, it was a true winner.  Dressed with a ribbon of sweet balsamic glaze, it also reminded me of eating al fresco in the summertime.  It's definitely a dish that I'll be coming back for either now or in warmer summer months.

Green Lasagna - I've never seen such solidarity in opinion as when we tasted this dish.  Everyone was truly in love with its simple, yet innovative take on lasagna, that was actually very Piedmontese.  Combining garlicky homemade pesto with sheets of pasta and a soft pesto-potato mixture, it pleased both the veggie and meat eaters.  In fact, many of my dining companions said that this is all they needed to make the night complete.  I concur wholeheartedly - especially since it was such a hearty, filling dish.

Service:
Even though this was a rather large dinner, you couldn't help but notice the hospitality and warmth that emanated from every crevice of the dining room and kitchen.  Chef Daniele and his business partners were more than generous and entertained all our questions, but weren't afraid to ask for feedback.  My only constructive point I want to stress is that it was a bit too much food. But don't get me wrong - it was all soo, soo goood.  Mille grazie Bradley and the Basil Brick Oven Pizza crew.  Mission tight waisted pants accomplished :)

Basil Brick Oven Pizza - 28-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
718.204.1205
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
www.basilbrickoven.com 

Sapori D'ischia Outdoes it on Taste (and Cost)

Last weekend was the second time that I went to Sapori D'ischia in Woodside, a traditional, rustic Italian eatery that I loved last time around.  Dining with Meg, Tom and Dan, we enjoyed a quiet evening, sharing some great food.  Although the goodness did have a hefty price tag (even on water, as they don't serve tap), it was a hands-down delicious, quality meal.  Here are the new things we tried:

Margherita Pizza - Although really simple, I liked starting with this clean, classic dish that was made to perfection.  I remember how crunchy and delicious the crust of their pizza was from last time, and this time was no different.  The dough is on the thinner side, but still substantial enough for you to bite into and savor.  The cheese was excellent, later finding out it was mozzarella bufala - like I said, nothing but the best.

Octopus - Thinking this was going to be the dish from last time, served in a little clay pot, that wasn't the case.  After reading back about the ingredients from my last experience, they were indeed the same, but prepared quite differently.  The dish had a more stewy consistency this time around and the bean and caper berries were more prominent.  It was still a tasty dish, but I preferred the presentation and the crunchy texture produced by the terracotta pot from last time.

Risotto Special - We just couldn't refuse the delicious-sounding special of cheesy risotto with fennel sausage.  It looked creamy and rich and although it could've been ordinary, the sausage really set it apart, as it had a very distinct earthy flavor from the fennel and a sharp zestiness from orange extract.  Although the portion was big, it disappeared fast between the four of us, as we couldn't get enough.

Ravioli Special - Disappointed that the signature Fettuccine Alfredo (served inside a cheese wheel) wasn't available, we settled for the ravioli special, stuffed with butternut squash.  It was pretty awesome, clearly made from fresh pasta dough, and the filling was freshly made too.  I loved the good quality parmesan that dressed the sauce, together with fried sage leaves, which made the dish really fragrant and interesting.

Dessert - Enjoying two desserts, the fresh raspberry tart and the chocolate panna cotta, 
they offered a nice wrap-up to this delicious meal. I particularly loved the tart, as it had big chunky raspberries on top, and the puff pastry it rested on was light and flaky.  

That's not to say that the panna cotta wasn't the bomb, because it really was.  Also as light as air, but still very chocolatey, each little spoonful went a long way.  And it didn't hurt that it was further embellished with a fresh raspberry too and some sticky dark chocolate sauce.  Mmmm to the max!

Service and Cost:
There seemed to be just one server for the entire dining room, which granted wasn't very crowded on a Sunday night but still.  He had a weird way about him, that made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but not to the point where I wouldn't go back.  The deliciousness of the food speaks for itself, as you can judge through the above descriptions.  One thing I found really odd and pretentious is that they don't serve tap water - you must get bottled.  What a crock of you know what!

Costs are pretty expensive, even though we shared everything, setting us back about $100/couple with tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Sapori D'Ischia - 55-15 37th Avenue, Woodside NY 11377 
718.446.1500
R/M/G Train to Northern Blvd
www.saporidischia.net

Basil Brick Oven Pizza is the Real Deal

I've been hearing a lot of fabulous things about the tiny brick oven pizzeria on Astoria Blvd called Basil Brick Oven Pizza.  Many friends of mine had nothing but great things to say, and after my salsa class at Simply Fit Astoria, I decided to pop in for a bite.

Atmosphere:
Although my first gut was to get take out, as I was on my own, Basil is really small and intimate, and so very endearing that I was inclined to stay.  Why not, I thought, relax and eat in peace after a long day.  

The space fits only about 3 four-top tables and one or two additional two-tops.  The gorgeous brick oven is situated at the very back of the narrow room, but it's nicely exposed for all to admire.  Casual and friendly, the vibe proves this to be a place of respite for solo diners and small parties too.  Being that Brick Oven is situated on the ground floor of an apartment building, I imagine they get a lot of residents that are regulars.

Food:
It's clear from the menu that the pizza is the star of the show, as there are 40 different options.  Yes, you heard me right...40!  But even though some of their creative pizza combinations were definitely calling my name, I decided to go with a panini instead.

Toscano Panini - When I noticed that this panini included a combination of champignon mushrooms, ham, and homemade mozzarella, I was in.  When it arrived, I was really happy to see that it came with a side salad of arugula, cherry tomatoes and fresh parmesan.  It was lovely and crisp and the perfect way to supplement the substantial panini.

So about that...I just couldn't believe how huge the panini actually was!  It came with two large pieces that could very well be split among two people, and I only ate a half and took the other home for Dan.  All the ingredients inside the sandwich were spot on - the mozzarella was especially tasty, milky white and elastic, while the ham was gently smoked.  The mushrooms were my favorite filling, meaty and chunky bits that made the sandwich that much more substantial.  But the real stand-out of the whole thing was the thin bread that was slightly charred on the outside from the brick oven - it was thin, crispy and pretty similar to thin pizza dough.

Service and Cost:
Despite the small space, there were quite a lot of attentive waiters.  The place wasn't too busy, but still, there was a lot of attention paid to each patron and the minute I drained my glass of water, it was refilled instantly.  The staff was approachable and friendly and made each customer feel comfortable and appreciated.  I heard some of them speaking in Italian which showed me this was the real deal.

Prices are quite competitive and include:

Antipasti - $8.75 - $11.50
Salads - $7 - $9
Pasta - $9.50 - $11.75
Panini - $9.25
Pizza - $6 - $14
Desserts - $5 - $13

Basil Brick Oven Pizza - 28-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
718.204.1205
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
www.basilbrickoven.com 

Roberta's - Where Not Only Pizza is King!

It's been nearly four months since my friends Bo, Meg and I have been trying to go to Roberta's restaurant in Brooklyn.  Known for their amazing brick oven, Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh veggies, grown from their own garden, to say it's a foodie's dream would be putting it lightly.

Atmosphere:
Located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, I was a tad unsure about exploring this part of the nabe, which I've heard is a little sketchy.  However, that wasn't the case at all, as when I got off the subway, I was welcomed by a cutting-edge hipster vibe that was a lot less in-your-face than Williamsburg and overall, it seemed like a chill, up-and-coming neighborhood, which I'd love to explore more next time.

A short five minute walk from the subway, Roberta's is located on the quiet Moore Street in a very inconspicuous building that's easy to miss.  Once you step inside, you can't help but take a deep breath, as the smell of fresh pizza dough, bacon, cheese, and all other things delicious envelop you.

The dining room is long and rectangular with a casual bar at the end of the room and the dining area itself filled with long picnic tables, promoting a communal vibe.  A heated outside area they call "The Tiki Lounge" is situated just to the left of the main dining room, and even though it looked inviting as well, we preferred the warmth and coziness of the main room.

Food:
We came for the pizza mainly, but discovered a whole lot of other interesting options on the menu.  Trying out two pizzas, a veggie app and also a small dessert, it was just enough food and at a great value.

Squash Salad - So tasty during this time of year, we were eager to try the squash salad with three different types of squash, perfectly roasted with a nicely charred crust.  Paired also with pumpkin seeds, aged gouda and mizuna greens, the salad was wonderfully fresh and vibrant.  It was a nice thing to share to tide us over, but in all honesty, thought they could've given us more, especially for three people.

Pizza - All the pizzas sounded wonderful and we had a hard time deciding, but finally settled on the Banana Hammock and the Purple Nurple, both really fun, whimsical names whose ingredients intrigued us.  The Banana Hammock had a bechamel base, lightly speckled with fresh mozzarella cheese, sausage, banana pepper, red onion and cilantro.  The overall taste was really mild and a nice way to start our pizza experience.

After tasting this first option, our tastebuds were in for a treat with the Purple Nurple, a spicy pizza embellished with chunky slices of deeply colored eggplant, basil, mozzarella, ricotta cheese and chili.  I preferred this one by far, as it was packed with sharp flavors, and the eggplant was roasted so perfectly, pairing beautifully with a homemade tomato sauce base.

Both of the pizzas had superior, airy dough with gorgeous char marks on the crust that really made it live up to all that hype - and then some.

Dessert - We definitely saved room for dessert, ordering a gingerbread cake with really good quality vanilla ice cream.  The cake was soft and moist, with ginger flavoring that really shined through.  While some of us really enjoyed the ginger, others thought it was a tad strong - depends on your tastebuds really, but this cake packed a mean punch.  Yum!

Service and Cost:
I loved the service here, which matched the relaxed yet legit atmosphere.  Our waitress was very "Brooklyn" - fashionable, hip and interesting, and at the same time she knew the menu backwards and forwards and gave us just the right amount of time to decide about our food.

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers - $5 - $19
Pizza - $8 - $17
Mains - $13 - $28
Dessert - $5 - $8

3 Mmmms

Roberta's - 261 Moore Street, Brooklyn NY 11206
718.417.1118
L Train to Morgan Avenue
www.robertaspizza.com

Foodista Takes Arthur Avenue - Get Ready for Some Serious Food Porn

Last weekend, I embarked on an amazing adventure with my family and good friends, Ellen, Richard and Jonathan, to the Bronx' legendary, Little Italy section, also know to many simply as "Arthur Avenue."  I've been wanting to come here for years, but never mustered enough motivation or knowledge about where to go and what to explore.  Lucky for us, our friends, Ellen and Richard know the area like the back of their hand, and with their expertise, we not only dined in a fabulous Italian restaurant, we also shopped until our wallets emptied and our forearms ached from carrying bagfuls of irrisistible Italian specialties.  I simply can't express in words how wonderful and culture-rich this area is - and for you serious foodies, I think it's a must.

Since my photos throughout this experience were so vivid, and I think quite beautiful, I'm going to showcase them throughout the post in addition to the top, as I usually do.  Enjoy them, and I hope they inspire you to visit this Italian food haven real soon.

Zero Otto Nove - 2357 Arthur Avenue, Bronx NY 10458
718.220.1027
4 Train to Fordham Rd
www.roberto089.com

A welcoming restaurant from the inside and out, Zero Otto Nove offers one of those true Italian experiences that you want to repeat over and over again.  The interior is rustic and cool, with a long corridor in front that leads to a large dining room with high ceilings and gorgeous skylights.  A brick oven is the main showpiece in the room and the minute you walk in, the most divine smell envelops you.

Since we lunched there, we decided to order light, splitting a couple of pizzas, two different salads and a handful of hot antipasti.  Everything was scrumptious and really fresh, with the blistery pizzas as the clear stand-outs.  I particularly loved the La Cirilo pie, with butternut squash puree in place of traditional tomato sauce, cream of truffle, mushrooms and fresh mozzarella.  The truffle essence was really pronounced and I savored each bite, inhaling its intoxicating aroma before sinking my teeth into the crusty dough. 

In terms of the antipasti, I was really into the special of the day, which consisted of shrimp, seasonal zucchini, zucchini flowers (my favorite!) and bread crumbs.  It had a light, lemony taste, providing a perfect way to enjoy lunch. My dining companions all agreed that the food at Zero Otto Nove was off the charts.

Borgatti's Ravioli & Egg Noodles - 632 East 187th Street, Bronx NY 10458
718.367.3799
4 Train to Fordham Rd
www.borgattis.com

After lunch, we were off to Borgatti's pasta shop to satisfy our fresh pasta fix.  Ellen highly recommended the ravioli because that's what they're known for, and I followed her lead.  After some ambivalence, I chose a 100-pack of fresh ravioli minis stuffed with spinach and meat.  They looked divine and I can't wait to make them soon, together with my heirloom tomatoes that I get weekly from the Brooklyn Grange/Vesta CSA. 

Besides the raviolis, which have their own counter at the shop, Borgatti's also carries many varieties of dried pasta and other specialty fresh pasta such as squid ink spaghetti. It all looked fabulous and the prices were great.  For a 100 pack of the raviolis I just described, we paid $12.50, which is a steal in my book.

Casa Della Mozzarella - 604 East 187th Street, Bronx NY 10458
718.364.3867
4 Train to Fordham Rd

How could we leave this amazing neighborhood without getting a proper supply of mozzarella?! Ellen once again led us to the place for just that - a store dedicated mostly to fresh mozzarella cheese, not surprisingly named Casa Della Mozzarella. 

It was a tiny, narrow shop with many, many people, and we had to take a number and wait on a long line to be served.  It didn't matter though because the line progressed quickly, and once we got to the front, we got a taste of their amazing bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls), which were unbelievably milky and delicious. I've never indulged in mozzarella cheese that was this fresh and it totally rocked my world.  So in addition to getting a pound of these little, soft knots (yes...they were actually knotted), I also split a hunk of smoked mozzarella with my parents.  And then I also splurged on a small tub of fresh ricotta, which was only $3.50/lb - it tasted like creamy custard and felt like a light airy cloud.

Cosenza's Fish Market - 2354 Arthur Avenue, Bronx NY 10458
718.364.8510
4 Train to Fordham Rd

We made an impromptu stop at Cosenza's Fish Market where Peter, Jonathan and I sampled fresh oysters.  I found it amazing that they had a counter with these gorgeous flowers-of-the-sea right there to taste for whoever got a craving while walking by.  At only a $1.00/piece, they were not only inexpensive, they were oh so tasty.  We shot them with some fresh lemon juice and cocktail sauce, and they went down like butter! Mmmm...what a treat!

De Lillo Pastry Shop - 606 East 187th Street, Bronx NY 10458
718.367.8198
4 Train to Fordham Rd

This was the last stop of our Italian tour, and because of all the stuff we ate earlier, we needed a pick-me-up.  Most of us got some sort of espresso-based drink, whether in the form of a cappuccino or straight up .  I got the iced cappuccino (pictured above) and it reminded me of a Greek frappe, which I enjoy drinking in Astoria.  Frothy on top and ice cold in the middle, it was the perfect way to end a "tough" day of eating delicious food.  Of course we couldn't resist a little cannoli and napoleons too.  They must get their ricotta filling from one of the incredible suppliers in the nabe, because it was just divinely delicious and super light.

Trattoria El Greco - The Latest Scoop

My mission to stalk the opening of Trattoria El Greco continues.  I walked by yesterday and couldn't believe that it's still in progress. However...they have the menu posted, which is exciting.  I hope that means an opening is in store.  Here's the menu - prepare to salivate!

Trattoria El Greco - Sample Menu

Antipasti:

Cozze - Mussels in a spicy tomato broth...$9
Polpo - Grilled octopus, olives, tomatoes, potato & arugula...$13
Crostoni - Assorted bruschetta with sweet & savory eggplant relish, creamy gorgonzola cheese with honey, garlic & tomato...$13
Carpaccio - Thinly sliced filet mignon with arugula, artichokes & parmigiano...$12

Panini:
Polpetta - La Trattoria bacon cheeseburger with arugula, tomato, red onions & fries...$14
Diavolo - Spicy sopressata, tomato, mozzarella, black olives & chili...$9
Orto - Roasted veggies, mozzarella, gruyere & pesto...$8

Pizze:
Capricciosa - Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, artichoke, anchovies & black olives...$16
Diavola - Tomato sauce, mozzarella, hot sopressata, scallions, black olives & chili...$15
Zola e Pere - Mozzarella, gorgonzola & pear...$15
Pancetta - Tomato, mozzarella, onions, pancetta & black pepper...$14

Paste:
Chitarra - Tomato & basilico...$13
Pappardelle - Homemade meat ragu, porcini mushrooms & peas...$17
Gnocchi - Taleggio cheese & creamy leek sauce...$16
Linguine Allo Scoglio - Seafood in white wine with a mild spicy tomato sauce...$17

Main Courses:
Pollo - Grilled chicken paillarde with arugula, tomato, red onions & feta cheese...$15
Porco - Grilled pork tenderloin in barola & balsamico sauce with collard greens & salsify...$20
Costa - Spicy boneless beef spare ribs, slow cooked with tomato, rosemary & garlic served with broccoli rabe & roasted potato...$20
Pesce - Pan fried sea bass with clams, shrimp & mussels in a spicy tomato broth...$26

Trattoria El Greco - Corner of 30th Avenue and 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.7400
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Sac's Place - Holiday Specials Now Until January

Sac's Place, the long-time pizza and Italian food staple in Astoria is giving back this holiday season by offering customers great specials from now until just after the new year (January 3rd).  Whatever the day of the week, stop in for one of these enticing deals:

Monday: Free live music
Tuesday: Up to 3 free toppings on any pizza (in-house dining only)
Wednesday: 20% off of every item on the menu (in-house dining only)
Thursday: Free sampling of Sac’s estate wines and one free glass of your choice with any entrée. Not a wine drinker? Enjoy Sac’s ½ price Martinis all night.
Sat/Sun: Italian Holiday Brunch with a Free Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Bellini or Iced Tea cocktail

Sac's Place - 25-41 Broadway, Astoria 11106
718.204.5002
N/W Train to Broadway
www.sacsplace.com

Trattoria - Brick Oven Pizza Coming to 30th Avenue

I saw the above sign on 30th Avenue and 37th Street last week. What a nice surprise - looks like we're getting a brick oven pizzeria soon. I don't know details just yet but I'll monitor it for future developments. Not sure if the place is called Trattoria (looks that way though) or if that's just a teaser, but a pizza place will be welcomed amongst a sea of Greek cafes. Can't wait...

Let me know if you have more scoop.

Trattoria - Corner of 30th Avenue and 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103
N/W Train to 30th Avenue