Ice Cream Sandwiches for Dad

Since I just wrote about ice cream the other day, I think it inspired me to do something with it for Father's Day, as it was fresh in my mind.  Given my love for chocolate, I was inspired to make homemade ice cream sandwiches, using rich brownies as the sandwich part and good ol' fashioned vanilla (with chocolate and peanut) ice cream as its interior.  

The whole process was pretty easy and painless, the brownies taking only about 15 minutes to assemble and then about 12 minutes to bake.  A tricky aspect of this dessert, as you can tell by my messy pictures is cutting the brownies properly, after the ice cream froze inside (or so I thought).  Because I picked a softer type of ice cream (Turkey Hill Tin Roof Sunday), it had a hard time staying in the sandwich, and I think I got a little too excited, and took it out too early.  It's currently resting and solidifying in the freezer, and I hope the end result will be fabulous.

You can make your own by using your favorite brownie recipe and then stuffing the inside with your favorite ice cream, or you can follow this simple recipe from Everyday Food.  

Brownie-Ice Cream Sandwich:

Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, melted plus more for pan
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp fine salt
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
2 pints ice cream, softened

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 10 x 15 inch jelly-roll pan.  Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on short sides, then butter paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together butter and sugar, then whisk in eggs and salt.  Add flour and cocoa and mix until just smooth.  Spread in pan.  Bake until brownie is dry to the touch and edges have begun to pull away from the pan, 10-12 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes.  Using paper overhang, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Transfer brownie to a work surface and cut in half crosswide.  Cover pan with a large sheet of plastic wrap and place one cake half on it.  Spread with ice cream, invert remaining brownie half on top, and wrap tightly in plastic.  Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

Unwrap, cut into 12 pieces, and serve.  

Happy Father's Day Round-Up

Just a friendly reminder that Father's Day is this Sunday!  I'm personally very excited, not only to celebrate with my Dad (pictured above) but also with my 91 year old grandfather, who is visiting from Slovakia.  I can't wait to spend the day with both of these role models in my life, and I hope you take the time to honor the special men in your life as well.  In honor of the big day, I wanted to provide you with a few suggestions for treating your Dad, Grandad, Uncle, Brother, or whoever you choose in the right way.

Cavo - This is a pretty awesome deal, as Dads eat FREE on Father's Day.  The way it works is that Dad receives a free combo entree, which includes a 10 oz. hangar steak with lemon shrimp scampi, served with steak fries and a charred tomato.  You must have at least four persons in your party to take advantage of this deal, and reservations are strongly encouraged.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.1001

Thymari - The still newish Greek food joint on 34th Avenue and 32 Street (old Philoxenia space) will be serving their dinner menu all day on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  Special to this day in particular - Dad can also get a Kreas Pikilia (meat platter) with pork, country sausage, chicken and beef sliders.  Manly plate, I must say...and a complimentary beer for Dad with dinner also comes with the deal.  32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.2880

Christos Steakhouse - I usually recommend this for a Father's Day treat, as it's absolutely wonderful for a special occasion, and there's no way to go wrong here.  You can treat Dad to a classic Porterhouse or Ribeye and a plethora of mouth-watering sides such as smoked feta mashed potatoes, cream spinach, lobster mashed potatoes (with huge lobster chunks) and their signature dessert, Baked Astoria.  41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.8400

Bear - If Dad is more adventurous and curious to taste some inventive eats, I suggest a visit to Bear, who feature a Sunday supper (it starts at 5 p.m.), right after their Sunday brunch which you can also take advantage of that day.  If you join for dinner, you can expect rich, delicious delicacies, that are seasonally appropriate, such as a New England Clam Bake, a slow-roasted Long Island Duck, pork ribs in a house cherry-plum BBQ sauce and more!  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Sac's Place - If Dad is more of a traditionalist, Sac's is a great choice for some classic red-sauce Italian food. They excel in coal oven pizza, which comes in six different styles, including a Mama's old fashioned pie.  Pasta staples such as Manicotti, six types of ravioli, two types of gnocchi and plenty of meat dishes are also a sure way to satisfy Dad.  Reservations are recommended, as Sac's gets busy.  25-41 Broadway, Astoria.  718.204.8724

Happy Father's Day Astoria - Father's Day Resto Roundup

Happy Father's day to all the great dads out there, including my very special Oci.  That's what we call Dad in Slovak and my American friends find the word intriguing and endearing.  Just like the man himself, pictured above.  In honor of Father's Day, I bring you this resto round-up, and while you'll see that most places are doing business as usual, they still provide a wonderful atmosphere for Dad and the whole fam.

Mojave - Fun times are sure to be had at this Southwestern eatery.  In honor of Father's Day, they'll have a BBQ and an open bar on their patio and even free shots of tequila for Dad. Salud!  22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105.  718.545.4100

Cavo - This upscale Greek resto will feature their regular menu for Father's Day but Dads gets pampered with 1/2 priced entrees, so order something expensive.  You can also enjoy $20 pitchers of sangria, which is customary for Sundays.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.721.1001

eXo - You won't want to miss eXo's Trapezi night, which features a whole lamb on a spit, roasted beef, Greek pork shoulder and plenty of sides and meze to go with it.  The whole feast will only set you back $35/person and Dad gets some cold ones on the house!  15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357.  718.767.4396

Christos Steakhouse - If Christos isn't the epitome of manly cuisine then I don't know what is.  Take Dad to this staple Greek steakhouse for a gorgeous steak, lobster and classic steakhouse sides with a Greek spin.  They'll have a couple of daily specials for Dad but the menu is staying as is.  41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.777.8400

Bistro 33 - Check out this neighborhood favorite for Father's Day, and especially now as it's fresh from being renovated.  As many of you may know, the previously known Side Door ice cream parlor has now been renamed Side Door Sushi and is serving just that.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105.  718.721.1933

BareBurger - Who wouldn't want to sink their teeth into a juicy, organic burger that comes in 14 different varieties?!  Dad can mix and match his protein with the various fixins and can choose from traditional beef to a more exotic ostrich or bison patty.  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.777.7011

Zenon Taverna - If your Dad loves homemade, delectable Greek food, you can't miss Zenon.  My favorite thing to get here is the 16 course meze tasting menu for just $19.95.  Yes...it's true, and yes...it's very delicious and filling.  34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106.  718.956.0133

Vesta - With their menu always being fresh and seasonal, there's nothing not to love here.  From pizza, pasta, steak, fish, pork and lots of great veggie options, Dad will surely love breaking bread at this local eatery.  They have plenty of wonderfully chosen wines on the menu too so don't forget to order a glass or a bottle.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.545.5550

Ornella - Here's an idea for you...celebrate with Dad on Monday and take advantage of Ornella's steak night where all steak dishes (6 varieties in total!) are only $14.99.  This is a great opportunity to treat Dad, while not breaking the wallet either.  And while you're there, don't miss my absolute favorite dish - the duck meatballs! 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105.  718.777.9477

Happy Father's Day Astoria!

My dad and me (pictured above)

This Sunday is Father's Day and I'm surprised that only one restaurant on my round-up list is doing anything special. Father's need some love too! In any case, check out these good eats that you can hit up with Dad.

Vesta - Impress Dad with rustic, Italian dishes from Vesta. Personal favorites include the sheep's milk ricotta crostini, interesting pizzas such as the potato, pancetta, caramelized onions, apple and goat cheese pie, as well as hearty pasta dishes. For traditional eaters, steak with red onion and blue cheese butter is available. 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.545.5550

Ovelia - The only eatery with a Dad special, it includes robust entrees such as surf and turf with Greek coffee skirt steak, a stuffed lobster tail, and a Kobe burger and beer combo. Both options are reasonably priced, especially the burger. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Christos Steakhouse - A perfect place to take meat-lover Dads, Christos' high-quality food and impeccable service offer a memorable experience. I'm a big fan of their steak au poivre and the seafood is top-notch. You can probably imagine that an exceptional experience comes with a higher cost--but as far as steakhouses go, this one is affordable. 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.777.8400

Trattoria L'Incontro - Shocked to find out that they aren't featuring a prix-fixe this year, it's probably for the best. Known for their fresh pasta and delicious antipasti, it's hard to go wrong with anything here. The specials are Trattoria's main attraction, and I'm sure they'll be even heftier on Sunday than usual. 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.3532

Lucas Steakhouse - The newest steakhouse in Astoria, it promises a chic, modern atmosphere. The prices reflect its avant-garde-ness, but judging by the fact that they share owners with Locale , I trust that it's good. The menu is traditional, featuring New York strip steak, clams casino, New York cheesecake and more. 34-55 32nd Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.786.5200

Malagueta - Another good option for steak lovers, my husband enjoyed a classic broiled steak with sauteed spinach here. The Moqueca de Camarao (shrimp stew, palm oil, onions, peppers, coconut milk and cilantro) is their signature dish and quite delicious. Price-wise it's affordable, especially considering the nice atmosphere. 25-35 36th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106718.937.4821

Taverna Kyklades - Taverna doesn't feature any specials nor take reservations, but you can always count on it for exceptional Greek dishes such as spinach pie, grilled octopus, all sorts of grilled and fried seafood, chicken kebobs, Greek-style hamburgers and much more. It's hard to get in so if you decide on this place, get there early. 33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105. 718.545.8666

Koliba - My favorite Slovak/Czech restaurant in town, they serve the most delicious bacon that I've ever tasted on top of hearty potato and cheese spaetzle. There's also a plethora of beef, pork and chicken dishes with dumplings to choose from. Everything is flavorful and super filling--and a nice, tall glass of beer makes this cuisine complete. 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.626.0430

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Take Dad to the original Beer Garden, which despite a worthy adversary (Studio Square), is still my favorite. You can enjoy a variety of international beers, grilled food such as kielbasa, burgers, chicken as well as homemade Czech and Slovak specialties such as goulash, dumplings, fried cheese and more. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Studio Square Beer Garden - The new beer garden in town will have appeal for modern dads. They have over 18 beers on tap and serve grilled meats such as sausages, burgers, chicken and even pulled pork. The fries are particularly delicious and super crispy. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106718.383.1001

Astorian Father's Day

Father's Day (this Sunday) seemed to creep up on us this year. I reached out to local eateries to see if they've got something special cookin', but it looks like they've been caught by surprise too. No real specials to report and for the most part, restaurants are doing business as usual, which isn't a bad thing. Why fix it when it ain't broke, right?

Below are my suggestions for celebrating Father's Day the Astorian way.

Christos Steakhouse - Treat Dad to a great classic steak dinner or lunch. Their meat and seafood are top quality and I'd suggest trying the Clams Casino and the Steak au Poivre. They're opening shop three hours earlier on Sunday in honor of Father's Day. 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.777.8400

Piccola Venezia - This Northern Italian eatery will be serving their regular menu on Sunday. Expect a lot of homemade pasta and interesting combinations such as pumpkin in brandy cream sauce. It's on the expensive side so count on dishing out some bucks. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Locale - Again, serving their regular menu, they'll be open from 11a-4p for some fabulous brunch. Dinner service starts at 5p, and I'd recommend trying the Gnocchi Sorrentina. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.729.9080

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - The Euro Cup is on this weekend and you can catch coverage right here. Just a warning, it gets way crowded so get there early. And while you're at it, treat Dad to a yummy burger or a kielbasa from their outdoor grill. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Zenon Taverna - This affordable and homey Greek spot doesn't disappoint. For Father's Day, they'll be serving specials such as spring lamb the old fashioned way, rabbit stew, Greek lasagna and fried meatballs. Stop in and see what the hoopla is about. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Taverna Kyklades - Although the menu is the same as usual, get here early to grab a spot--this place is notorious for lines so be prepared. The seafood is supposed to be out of this world and one of the best in Astoria. 33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.545.8666

Elias Corner - Another rustic, Greek fish place, this one's definitely masculine and something that Dad would enjoy. Have him pick out a fresh fish for his entree, which he can enjoy on the outside terrace. 24-02 31st St, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.932.1510

Stove - A classic comfort food restaurant that serves Dad-friendly fare such as French Onion Soup (pictured above) and hearty fish and chips. Their outdoor garden is a perfect setting to enjoy a cold one with Dad. 45-17 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY, 11103. 718.956.0372

Happy Father's Day Astoria!