I Have Seen the Light - Happy Hour at North Light on Mississippi

Last week, Fooditka and I went to North Light, a relatively new spot on N. Mississippi, that fits right in among all the other restaurants and bars in this pretty happening section of North Portland.  We went to meet a friend of mine who's visiting from New York and is currently in the grip of the Portland tractor beam, contemplating if she should make the move.  I'd venture a guess that our experience at North Light and the rest of the Mississippi neighborhood would be a check in her "pro" column.

Atmosphere:
The vibe inside North Light is definitely of the sleek and shiny variety.  A lot of the restaurants here go for that "modern rustic" feel that I've often described, but North Light is just modern. It has a very fresh and clean feel, but it is warm and bright at the same time.  The overall space is not very large, but they use it efficiently, and there is plenty of seating, as well as a nice looking bar that you can sit at if the main area seems too crowded.  The location is excellent as I've already pointed out, smack in the middle of Mississippi.  

Food:
North Light has a pretty extensive dinner menu, and they also do brunch on the weekends, but this was another happy hour mission, so we stuck to that.  They offer happy hour from 5-6 p.m. most days, and a late night happy hour from 10-close, as well as all day Tuesday.  The happy hour menu has plenty to choose from, both food and drink, so I'm sure there is something for everyone.  They also have some gluten-free, dairy-free, veggie and vegan options for those with special dietary needs and preferences.  We ordered a nice variety of different food, giving us a pretty good idea of the style and quality of the fare that North Light offers.

Stuffed Cheese Curd Burger - This was Fooditka's choice for her main, and right off the bat, I'd say she was the big winner.  Invoking husband privileges, I helped myself to a few nice sized bites, and I have to say it was solid in every way.  Not huge, but very dense, the cheese curds inside the patty added an extra dimension, as did the kimchi and garlic aioli.  The brioche bun was spot-on as well, bringing the whole thing together very nicely.  This burger goes for $6.00 during happy hour, and is well worth it.  Next time we go, I'm probably going to order one for myself.  

Rosemary Garlic Fries - Another Fooditka addition to the table, the fries were very solid.  Crunchy, salty, and plenty flavorful with the garlic and rosemary, they were a great complement to the burger.  They were pretty addictive, and I'm sure I ate the majority of them.  I'm not sorry.  The happy hour price tag for the fries was $3.00, and the portion was pretty big.  One order was more than enough for the three of us to share.

Crispy Chicken Skins - This was one of my selections, and in all honesty, I'd say it was the one "miss" of the evening.  Basically, it's a plate of deep-fried chicken skin, and more than one or two just weighs too heavy on the palate to really enjoy, but I'm not sure what I was expecting there.  I didn't come close to finishing them, and neither of my companions really helped me out.  They do come with a cayenne-honey dip, and that was great, but I ended up using it for the fries.  Next time, I'll skip the chicken skins and go for the crispy chicken lollipops instead.

Crispy Chicken Lollipops - Hell yeah.  This was Rachel's choice, and they were a close second to Fooditka's burger for tastiest on the table.  Fortunately Rachel is a generous sort, and shared her dish.  They were delish.  Crispy, meaty and juicy, they were exactly what I needed after my disappointment with the chicken skins.  They are prepared with a caramelized tamarind glaze, which adds the perfect amount of sweet to the savory.  I highly recommend them.

Mac & Cheese - This was my main dish.  The pasta happens to be gluten-free, which works for me, and I'd bet that if you didn't know it in advance, you'd have no idea.  The mac & cheese was surprisingly tasty; I say surprising, because when the plate arrived, it didn't really look like much.  Upon first glance, I wasn't too impressed, it just looked a little blah, but the flavor was anything but.  I really enjoyed it, and inhaled the dish pretty quickly.  And because the pasta is gluten-free, that familiar "Ohh, I ate too much too quick, I'm going to explode" feeling was noticeably absent.  Again, this is a dish I'd recommend, especially for people with gluten issues.

In addition to all the good food, the happy hour deal extends to the house cocktails, draft beer, and Oly Tall-Boys.  

Service and Cost:
Another bright spot was our waitress.  She was very attentive, very friendly, and pretty helpful with answers to questions about the menu.  She seemed to be teamed up with another server, and that lady was great as well.  As far as cost, being that we stuck to the happy-hour menu, the total bill was very reasonable, and I'll definitely be going back.

3 Mmmms

North Light - 3746 N Mississippi Ave Portland, OR 97227
503-477-7079
northlightpdx.com

Burger, Beer, Fries Special at The Sandwich Bar

I'm a sucker for a great burger + beer special, especially on a Thursday to get you in gear for the weekend!  I spotted this one today at The Sandwich Bar, which is strategically located close to other places of drink, including MP Taverna, which also boasts a great Happy Hour special.  Try one, try both - whatever strikes your fancy.

The Sandwich Bar - 33-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.1078
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
thesandwichbarny.com

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

Raven's Head Has a New Menu

Image by Raven's Head Public House

Speaking of places to watch baseball, and any other sport for that matter (the World Cup is coming too, you know), I noticed that Raven's Head Public House rolled out their new menu today.  The most exciting part, at least for me is their extensive burger menu, which you have the choice of sandwiching between a pretzel or a brioche bun.  See some of the other new yummies gracing this local watering hole:

New menu items at Raven's Head:
Steak Sandwich - Sliced hanger steak with spicy sauteed onions & melted cheese on a hero-style bun
Popcorn Chicken or Rock Pop Shrimp - served with a specialty dipping sauce
Buffalo Chicken Dip - served with tortilla chips, celery & carrots
Chicken Torta Sandwich - Fried chicken cutlet with lettuce, tomato, avocado, jalapenos, Oaxaca cheese on a brioche bun with chipotle mayo
Reuben Burger - topped with pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese & dill pickle mayo
Homemade black bean burger, and more! 

See entire menu (note: red items indicate what's new)

Raven's Head Public House - 38-04 Broadway, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.7565
N/Q Train to Broadway or R/M Train to Steinway
www.ravensheadpublichouse.com

Warming Up with Biang Noodles

With the changing weather lately, it's really beginning to feel like fall.  And while some people like it and think it's been a long time coming, I'm sad to say goodbye to the mild weather.  

The good part to all of this is that eating heartier, warmer food will now become a regular part of our repertoire, and I've started this during the weekend, when my brother Peter and I tried Biang!, a traditional Chinese noodle shop in Flushing.  Not only did it hit the spot, but the service and the price point were just right.  We'll certainly be back - and then some.

Atmosphere:
Situated in the heart of Flushing, Biang! is located just a few steps both from the LIRR and not far from the 7 train.  This makes coming here really convenient for both city dwellers and urbanites, so there's absolutely no excuse not to try it :)

While the interior is quite narrow, it's long and still manages to feel spacious. Tall tables with stools and booth seating occupy most of the space, making Biang! well suited for casual, impromptu dining with one or two dining companions.  Even though it's possible to dine with a group, I wouldn't recommend it, as it'll take you a while to score a table.  

I liked observing the diverse crowd, which is made up of both Asians and non-Asians, alluding to its authenticity but also showing that it's approachable to folks that may be new to Chinese cuisine.  Any way you look at it, it's a win.

Food:
Biang! specializes in noodles, and that's exactly what we came for.  I myself prefer the more rustic hand pulled noodles, which are thicker and heartier, and I was glad to see these on the menu.

Mt. Qi Pork Biang-Biang Noodles - As soon as I saw that spicy and sour pork belly was on the menu, I had to have it.  The whole dish reminded me of what I had just a year ago at Mission Chinese (totally overrated btw), but better.  The noodles were thick and delicious and coated with a smoky, red chili sauce that warmed your entire palate, and your insides.  Another comforting and unexpected element of spice came from the star anise, which made this dish fragrant and really perfect for the fall and winter.

Peter had a variation of these noodles as well that was done up in a similar style, except that instead of pork it had pieces of seitan and stewed veggies.  Certainly milder than my noodles, but still with a bit of heat to them, Peter thought it hit the spot.

Spicy Cumin Lamb Burgers - Even though we ordered this dish as an app, our waitress explained that it takes a little while to cook the lamb, and therefore it arrived after our noodles.  This worked out fine, as we took a respite from our spicy noodles and took a bite out of the little less spicy lamb.  Compared to Peter's dish, the lamb was spicier, but when up against my fiery noodles, the spice factor wasn't too intense.

The meat itself was tender and flavored with cumin, garlic, and onions.  Its overall look was pretty unusual, as I expected it to rest between steamed buns, but instead the bun was bready and slightly crispy on the outside.  Even though it was different than I envisioned, it was really delicious and something worth coming back for.

Service and Cost:
Overall, the service was on point and generally quick.  Even though a lot of the waitstaff could've infused more personality into their service, all in all, they did a solid job.

Costs couldn't be more affordable at just $6.50-$7 for the noodle dishes and $7 for 2 burgers.  The entire dinner, including drinks set us back just $37 with tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Biang! - 41-10 Main Street, Flushing NY 11355
718.888.7713
7 Train to Flushing/Main Street
www.biang-nyc.com

It's a Bacon, Keg, and Cheese Party at 5 Napkin Burger

Image by 5 Napkin Burger

Now that the weather has gotten more cooperative, I like to see that local restaurants are reinvigorating interest in their sidewalk seating.  5 Napkin Burger is a good example of this, as they'll be featuring a special sidewalk event this coming Saturday in collaboration with SingleCut Beersmiths.  Penned as their Bacon, Keg & Cheese party, they'll be celebrating their summertime brunch outdoors with a special bacon, egg and cheese brunch burger (pictured above) that will be paired with SingleCut beer of course.  Here are the deets for this weekend, and if you're interested, you can reserve your seats so you can score a nice table outside.

Bacon, Keg & Cheese Party
Saturday, August 10th from 11:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Featuring $20 bottomless pints for anyone sitting on the patio

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106 
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com

Trusty Burgers & Bites Truck Scores Big

I love having the chance to explore a new food truck and the great part about working in downtown Manhattan is that there's tons of them nearby.  Around lunchtime, my co-workers and I sometimes walk down Varick street (aka the food truck runway) to see what's in store, and last week, my friend Lara and I did just that.  We had a hard time choosing our mobile treat of choice, but after shopping around a bit we each chose something different.  

Deciding to try the inviting Trusty Burgers & Bites truck, I was curious as to how their burgers would measure up to something like a GoBurger per se, which is what Lara got.

The Truck:
Being drawn in by its inviting blue exterior with a slightly cheesy looking picture of a stereotypical chef, clad with a toque and all, I was curious to see what this was all about.  I did some research and learned that the truck used to be called simply the Trusty Truck but they changed their name earlier this year.

Serving a mix of specialty burgers and other "bites" such as jalapeno poppers, meatballs, mac 'n cheese, etc , the dishes served at Trusty are meant to satisfy your comfort food craving.  I decided to go for the burger myself, no bites this time, and thought highly of it.

Holy Chipotle Burger - First off, I really loved this burger's name, which goes without saying.  And since I'm a big fan of spicy things, the mention of chipotle was a big draw.  Besides this obvious ingredient, the burger packed a mean punch with other sharp flavors that came from pepperjack cheese and jalapeno peppers.  The beef patty was cooked nicely, and I thought its presentation was interesting, served in a baguette roll instead of a traditional round one.  A helping of guac and chipotle mayo tied the whole thing together and provided that South of the border flavor.

Service and Cost:
The staff at Tasty Burgers & Bites was cheery, pleasant and really speedy.  The order process took just two short minutes and my burger was ready not long after - maybe 5 minutes, which was awesome for a busy food truck.

Costs are moderate at $8/burger and $2.50 - $4 for other bites.

3 Mmmms

Trusty Burgers & Bites - check schedule

5 Napkin Burger Daily Drinks Specials

I was intrigued to see the latest and greatest at 5 Napkin Burger in terms of their drinks offering, as they rolled out their daily drinks specials this week.  It's nice to see that the offering is pretty varied and includes everything from craft beer, wine and cocktails.  Check out these fun specials and let me know which ones you like best.

Sunday - Craft Beer Night
Select bottled craft beers $5 each or 5 for $20

Monday - Martini Madness
$6 specialty martinis (i.e. Great Escape Martini, Cucumber Gin Martini, Luau Martini)

Tuesday - Flight Night
$12 flights of any 4 draft beers

Wednesday - Wine & Well Night
$5 glasses of wine, $20 bottles of wine, $5 well drinks
Includes Pinot Grigio, Mandra Rossa, Sicily, Italy 2010 $5 / $20
Riesling, Relax, Mosel, Germany 2011 $5 / $20
Sauvignon Blanc, The Infamous Goose, Marlborough, New Zealand 2011 $5 / $20
Chardonnay, Penfolds, Rawson’s Retreat, South Australia 2010 $5 / $20
Super Tuscan, Frescobaldi Remole, Toscana, Italy 2010 $5/ $20
Shiraz, Bergkelder Fleur du Cap, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2010 $5/ $20
Malbec, Don Miquel Gascon, Mendoza, Argentina 2010 $5/ $20
Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo, California 2010 $5/ $20
Well gin, vodka, tequila, rum

Thursday - Pint night

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
 718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com

Boulton & Watt Brings the Best of Old and New

Once in a while, life surprises you, as I found myself at Boulton & Watt just 2 days after hearing about it from an out of town friend.  Dan and I had been invited there for a tasting, just by chance, and found the whole thing quite ironic.  I was excited to try it of course and after hearing that it's a gastropub, I was ready to enjoy some sophisticated, comforting pub grub.

Atmosphere:
Located on a busy corner on Avenue A and 1st street on the Lower East Side, Boulton & Watt is nicely positioned to enjoy a lot of neighborhood foot traffic.  Even in winter when everyone's gaze is on the ground and heads are buried in jackets, you can't help but notice this place and peek inside.  I have a feeling it'll get a lot busier in the spring and summer, with the windows open and the hip atmosphere spilling onto the sidewalk.  Which brings me to mention their interior.  Simply put...it's lovely and inviting without trying too hard.

Influenced by the Industrial Revolution, Boulton & Watt is done up with a lot of careful details that do a great job of bringing you back in time.  It was nice to see the neat iron fixtures incorporated into the wall and ceiling design--a lot of them serving as lights and fans--as well as the aesthetically beautiful and at the same time functional, vintage iron stools.  I like that everything looked clean and somehow a little weathered too, giving this place a lot of credibility and intrigue.  Surprised that they actually had flat screen TVs hidden behind a wall fixture, it's obvious that they don't want to be positioned as a sports bar, but don't want to deter sports fanatics either during big sporting events.

Food:
As I already hinted, the food here is homey yet sophisticated, giving validation to the whole concept of a gastropub.  It reminded me a lot of the food that I enjoy at Sweet Afton, and could see the chefs being good friends.

Appetizers - Choosing a few apps so we can sample a little bit of everything, we went for the Scotch Egg, the crispy wild mushroom duxelle, and a jar of pickled pineapple.  Out of those, my favorite was the pineapple because it offered the most surprising and unique bite.  Served in a sweet little mason jar, it was fun to pick out the tart pieces, which were on the fiery side, as they were flavored with generous amounts of habanero.

The Scotch Egg was a close second, with a really thick crunchy crust and a perfectly runny yolk interior.  While I've had Scotch Eggs before in other restaurants, none were done as expertly, and Boulton's also sat in a beautifully velvety Bernaise sauce, further bringing us to the edge of indulgence.

Entrees - For our entrees, we went pretty simple - me with a classic chicken pot pie and Dan with a signature burger.  While I had a bite of Dan's and really enjoyed it - the meat being cooked perfectly and the bacon crunchy and still a bit chewy - I really dug my entree.  The golden brown top was a pretty sight and when pierced with a fork, it revealed a creamy middle filled with white and dark meat, and vibrant root veggies.  I like that they used good quality, free range organic chicken, which absolutely stood out as the star ingredient.  Note that this dish is pretty large and can be shared with another person if you so wish.

Dessert - Taking dessert to go, we couldn't turn down the cast iron chocolate chip cookie.  I can't say it any other way than that it's to die for - the inside being soft and chocolatey while the outside remaining crispy and perfect for dunking in ice cold milk.  Since the portion is quite hefty, we saved some for the next day and heated it up again to bring out its gooeyness.  It was still godly!

Service and Cost:
Overall, I felt that the service was casual, complementing Boulton's atmosphere, while at the same time achieving efficiency.  I was amazed at how quickly our glasses of water were refilled and our plates cleared.  We had to wait quite a bit for our cookie, as it's made to order, but I think something still broke down in the process. Despite this little hiccup, our waitress kept us well informed and there was really no harm done.

Costs are moderate and comparable to other Lower East Side joints:

Snacks/Salads/Pickles $5-$15
Entrees/Burgers $14-$23
Sides - $8
Dessert - $9

3 Mmmms

Boulton & Watt - 5 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
646.490.6004
F Train to 2nd Avenue
www.boultonandwattnyc.com

MLK Brunch is On!

If you're at home today and looking to get some leisurely brunch, fear not for Astoria has some fab options ready for you.  Here are just three yummy places serving your favorite brunch and lunch dishes, but I bet you can find plenty more as soon as you're out and about.  Let me know where you end up and what you enjoyed!

Sugarfreak - I'm displaying their Jambalaya and Eggs dish here, which was so hearty and a little bit on the spicy side, which I love.  They're serving a traditional Southern brunch today starting from 11:00 a.m. so come on down and treat yourself to some wholesome, homemade food.  36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.5850

LIC Market - Featuring a "bonus" brunch today in honor of MLK Day, it'll be available until about 3:30 p.m.  Expect hearty dishes such as their famed "Bulls-eye Eggs," slow roasted duck hash, a "dirty rice" frittata, buttermilk pancakes with housemade berry jam and more.  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Sweet Afton - Nothing like some good ol' fashioned bar food to start off the week - except this isn't any run-of-the-mill grub.  Everything is prepared carefully and deliciously with top quality ingredients, like their classic Pat La Frieda, Sweet Afton burger, a melty skillet mac 'n cheese, and of course their hand-cut fried McLure's pickles.  They open at 1 p.m. today.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570

A Taste of the New Menu at BareBurger

Admiring BareBurger's new menu for a little while, I was totally jonesing to try it out, so my brother, Peter, sister-in-law Fiana (both BareBurger virgins), and I went to check it out.  Even though I originally intended to get something other than a burger - maybe a salad or a bare sandwich - in the end, I just couldn't resist the goodness of a big meaty sandwich.  Here are the new varieties we tried:

Habanero Express - In the mood for something spicy, I was totally intrigued by this super hot-sounding burger, dressed with red poblano peppers, pepperjack cheese, spicy pickle chips, a generous helping of buffalo sauce and spicy habanero chipotle mayo.  Since I knew all these flavors would be rather sharp, I paired it with a nice and mild turkey patty, which was as juicy and delicious as its more traditional beef counterparts.  While each bite packed an aggressive punch, the spice dissipated quickly and was really enjoyable for all the senses.  While I'd say that it's the perfect thing for spicy food enthusiasts, I'd recommend it to less adventurous palates too, to introduce you to something vibrant but not quite intimidating.

Roadhouse - My brother got the Roadhouse burger, which also spoke to him--stacked high with country bacon, sweet apple grilled onions, pepperjack cheese, fire roasted red peppers, avocados and a smoked paprika mayo.  It looked incredibly rich, and I was amazed at the generous portion of avocado.  While it was anything but light, my brother really enjoyed it and said that it was the perfect portion that left him feeling good - not overstuffed or guilty.  While I wouldn't mind getting it next time, I'd say this is a more masculine burger choice.

Service and Cost:
I love to see that the service here never strays, from our waters constantly being replenished to us being asked how everything was going, it was all good.  The staff is young and cheery and seems to really believe in Bare's menu, which is refreshing.

Costs are moderate but totally fair for the great quality of food and service you're getting.  For the above mentioned meal, including one other burger (the Original) as well as a side of fries/onion rings combo, we paid about $52 including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

BareBurger (Ditmars) - 23-01 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105
 718.204.7167
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

BareBurger (31st Avenue) - 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
 718.777.7011
N/Q Train to Broadway

BareBurger - 42-38 Bell Blvd, Bayside NY 11361
 718.279.2273
LIRR to Bayside
www.bareburger.com 

5 Napkin Happy Hour Has Changed But It Still Got It

It's been a while since I've sat down to 5 Napkin's awesome happy hour, and last week Meg and I popped in for a visit.  We were seeing some films over at MOMI and decided to take a quick break in between for some nourishment.  It was perfect timing too, as 5 Napkin's happy hour was still going on, which I love.  

We arrived with a half hour to spare and ordered right away.  Consequently, we found out there are some changes to the happy hour deal, as they no longer offer hand rolls on the menu.  We ordered them anyway for $4 a pop, which is still a good deal, considering their hefty size.

New Happy Hour Menu:
The items that are staying put on 5 Napkin's happy hour menu are the $2 sliders, which can't be beat.  I particularly love the veggie slider, pictured above, which is hearty and really flavorful for an all veggie patty.  Two other varieties still on this menu are their classic chuck slider and a slightly revamped turkey mushroom slider.

Beer:
In terms of the drinks, they're still offering $4 drafts, including the SingleCut 19-33 Lagrrr, which we both ordered.  It was bitter and clean tasting, and not too full bodied, which was perfect since we were also having sliders.  It comes highly recommended.

If you're wondering about the timing of all this goodness, it's remained unchanged and applies each day of the week from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. as well as from 10:00 p.m. to close.

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106 
 718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com

5 Napkin Burger's New Menu Upgrade

Image by 5 Napkin Burger

One of my all time burger faves in Astoria, 5 Napkin Burger never ceases to impress me with how they always keep things fresh and interesting for their patrons.  Not only are they experts in juicy, succulent and creative burgers, but now they're expanding their menu to new items, which are conducive to sharing, being that they're technically small plates.  

There are several categories of the new menu items including all American snacks, sushi and additional cocktails too.  Here's a little taste of what you can expect, as of today.

Wasabi deviled eggs with siracha
Warm Bavarian pretzel sticks with cheese fondue
Pimento cheese potato skins (pictured above)
Pesto flatbread
Crispy fried calamari
5 Napkin tacos with chipotle chicken, pulled pork, chipotle tofu, carne asada, grilled mahi or tempura shrimp

Maki rolls, including spicy tuna-cucumber, California crab, vegetable - avocado and spicy yellowtail

Triple roasted pineapple margarita, with Hornitos Reposada tequila
5 Napkin classic margarita, made with El Jimador Silver and citrus
Tecate michelada, with Frank's red hot and salt
Diablo agave, with Tanteo jalapeno tequila, cucumber and citrus

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106 
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
5napkinburger.com 

Bareburger Ditmars Celebrates 1 Year

Well...I can hardly believe it, but Astoria's second Bareburger location on 31st Street and 23rd Avenue (Ditmars nabe) is celebrating its first year in business.  There's no doubting how successful the Bareburger franchise has proven to be, spreading its wings into other parts of Queens such as Bayside and Forest Hills, as well as Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Don't miss their special anniversary celebration this Thursday the 20th.  Come by and enjoy:

All day food and drinks specials, including:
1/2 priced snacks and essentials
$3 individual grizzly sliders (beef, turkey and veggie)
$4 any 16 oz beer, $5 any 25 oz beer
$6 pitchers of Lionshead Lager

Bareburger - 23-01 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.204.7167
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.bareburger.com

A Burger Blitz is Coming to Studio Square

If you love burgers, the Burger Blitz event at Studio Square is for you.  Featuring the beef master himself, Pat LaFrieda as well as Joel Reiss, S Prime's Executive Chef, the event will bring forth five unique burger blends and more than 20 sides and fixins to go along with it.  I love that everything is prepared by the burger master, Mr. LaFrieda himself, promising a really special, meat-a-rific experience.  Here are more deets, including how to get your tickets:

Sunday, August 12th from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

General admission gets you:
Unlimited trips to all food stations

Unlimited servings of Blue Moon Belgian White Style and other Blue Moon varietals
Unlimited tastings of Jack Daniel's Southern Comfort and Jack Daniel's Honey
Unlimited soft drinks for the kids
A DJ and live music
A commemorative beer glass, courtesy of Blue Moon
Additional door prizes and raffles throughout the event

Get your tickets here.

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
studiosquarenyc.com

Summer Specials at Bistro 33

As the summer progresses, so do the fun food and drinks specials around town.  This one comes from the folks at Bistro 33, which has something interesting (and affordable) going on almost every day of the week.  Here's the run-down of their different specials.  It's particularly nice to stop by before or after visiting Astoria Park.  Enjoy!

Mondays - $5 Margaritas all night long
Tuesdays - 2 for $10 special (applies to beer, wine and appetizers)
Any day - Beer + Burger for $12, each night until 8 p.m.

And even if you don't feel like going in for the specials, they have tons of interesting things on their regular menu such as foie gras poutine, lobster mac 'n cheese, wild boar bolognese, Southern fried chicken and biscuits, and more! What's your favorite thing to get at Bistro? 

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

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com