Welcome Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich – Oh How I Love Thee

As you know, I’m always intrigued by the latest local foodie craze, the cronut being one prime example. But aside from this dessert sensation, there are other such creative eats that are keeping me up at night such as a macaron ice cream sandwich, I’m about to share with you.

I found out about the Macaron ice cream sandwich last week through my daily Scoutmob newsletter and it tickled my sweet tooth craving. For those of you who know me, can vouch for my insatiable sweet tooth in general and for my strong penchant for French macarons. Last winter, I even ventured out on an NYC macaron crawl to taste the best this city has to offer.

The idea behind the innovative macaron ice cream sandwich comes from the folks at Francois Payard Bakery, one of the first stops in fact, in my aforementioned macaron crawl adventure. Situated in the West Village, I scoped it out last week with my co-worker, Sarah.

About Francois Payard:
Known for exquisite French bread and pastries, Francois Payard is a trusty baked good staple, located on Houston Street, just East of 6th Avenue. The bakery itself is quite large and inviting, and serves as a comfortable meeting place for a small or large group of friends, or for an impromptu meeting with a co-worker, as in my case.

There’s a large colorful display up front of all the pastries, their macaron selection being front and center. I was happy to see that the macaron ice cream sandwiches advertised on the premises, assuring us we were in the right place, and giving us hope that they were still available.

Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich – A few varieties made up the macaron ice cream sandwich offering including strawberry cheesecake, coconut mango, chocolate on chocolate with cocoa nibs, and their most popular flavor, the pistachio raspberry. I was debating between that and the coconut mango, but when I asked for a staff recommendation, they pointed me to the former right away, so I went for it.

The sandwiches came wrapped in clear cellophane, adorned with a pretty sticker that displayed its unique flavor. I loved that they were super cold; helping to break the heat we were feeling from walking outside.

Once we unwrapped our treats and took a bite, I was in heaven. Loving the subtle pistachio flavor of the meringue cookie, and the way it hugged the raspberry vanilla ice cream, this was truly a different kind of ice cream sandwich. The ice cream itself was made of really good quality ingredients, which didn’t give me a tummy ache, as some rich desserts do, and once the meringue cooled down a bit, it was pleasantly chewy and even more delicious.

Service and Cost:
The staff at Francois Payard took care of us, but nothing was so out of the ordinary stellar that I feel inclined to highlight. I’d say that it’s your standard order-at-the-counter experience – however without all the crazy lines that can be found at some other neighboring bakeries that shall not be named :)

We paid $5 for each ice cream sandwich, which I think offers decent value, considering its generous size. If you’re looking for just a little sweet bite to tide you over, I’d even recommend splitting one with a friend.

3 Mmmms

Francois Payard Bakery – 116 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
212.995.0888
1 Train to Houston Street
www.payard.com

New Year's Eve at Tournesol

With the holiday season officially being here, and nearly almost over, we still have New Year's Eve to look forward to.  And while some of you may know what you're already doing, others may still need some convincing.

Well here's just one option of many others that I'll post over the new few days, and it comes from one of my favorite little French bistros, Tournesol.  Besides loving the classic French menu of goodies, the New Year's Eve prix-fixe is wallet friendly too - just take a look, and if you're interested, make sure to reserve your spot soon, as Tournesol is on the intimate side.

Amuse Bouche

Course 1 (choose 1)
Butternut squash soup with truffle oil
Foie gras terrine with quince compote
Ballotine of rabbit with prunes and celery puree
Salad of Fourme d’Ambert with pears and walnuts

Course 2 (choose 1)
Salmon feuilleté with black rice and caviar sauce
Stuffed duck with truffles, zucchini gratin and seared mushrooms
Lobster papillotte with artichoke, broccoli and mango
Roasted rack of lamb with polenta and dates

Course 3 (choose 1)
Chocolate cremeux, kumquat sauce
Nougat glace with fig coulis
Pate a choux swan with praline cream
Roasted apple with apricot marmalade and sablé

Mignardises

$59/person (plus tax and gratuity) 

Tournesol - 50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
718.472.4355
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave
www.tournesolnyc.com

Bistro Les Minots has a New Chef

Bistro Les Minots is making some note-worthy changes--for starters, they have a new chef, Joe Kurauchi. Having much international experience, Chef Kurauchi is trained in Japan and has worked in many notable kitchens such as El Bulli in Spain, The Fat Duck in London, Morimoto in Philadelphia, Bombay, NYC, among others.

Personally, I'm curious and excited about the new life, style and cuisine that he'll infuse into Les Minots. Some of his culinary premieres include sandwiches such as "Le Marocain," with spicy lamb sausage, "Le Normand," with ham and melted brie and the "L'Atlantic," with deep fried monkfish over cole slaw in a wasabi sauzan sauce. It's interesting to see the Japanese influence come through in these dishes and I look forward to seeing more of this.

Other changes include an adjustment in prices, adding the option of dessert to their $19.95 dinner prix-fixe. This special will now be available 7 days a week from 5p.m. - 7p.m. as opposed to only on weekdays.

Check it out, enjoy and as always, let me know what you think.

Bistro Les Minots - 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.606.2535
N/W Train to 30th Avenue or R/V/G Train to 46th Street www.bistrolesminots.com/

Cafe Henri - Part Deux, Tres Magnifique

Cafe Henri - 10-10 50th Avenue, LIC, NY 11109

718.383.9315
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

Yesterday was my second time at Cafe Henri, and just like in my last visit, I was very satisfied. It was easy to make a decision because I was in the mood for something traditional and classic--the Croque Monsieur sandwich. I also started with the day's special, a thick pea soup with a crunchy crouton on top.

Pureed Pea Soup - I'm a sucker for good soups, especially pea soup because it reminds me of my childhood. Cafe Henri's version was the perfect way to start a meal because it was comforting, with a nice smooth texture. There were some chunks of peas in it too that were welcome--they were a hidden surprise at the bottom of the bowl. The crouton that was floating on top was delicious and it was fun to break it up and watch it soften up in the bright green broth.

Croque Monsieur - First-off I loved the crusty peasant bread that the sandwich was presented on. While crispy, it wasn't too hard, making it easy to bite into. I loved that there were plenty of rosemary flakes on top of the bread and also a fresh sprig for garnish. The ham was lovely, decadent and slightly sweet while the gruyere cheese that stretched beyond its bread borders was light, salty and a bit tangy.

Le Merguez Sandwich - My dining companion ordered this and while I didn't taste it, it looked impressive, packed with spicy lamb sausage, roasted red peppers and dijon mustard. Again, the bread looked like it was of good quality and my dining companion finished it to the last bite. I'm quite curious to try it next time.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was friendly and very attentive. We felt well taken care of and there was always someone coming by to check if we were doing OK and if we needed anything else. They weren't annoying but definitely caring and polite. They were quick with the check yet didn't make us feel rushed.

The costs here are gentle on the wallet. Our dinner including two drinks cost about $40 before tip. Tre bien!

3 Mmmms

Bistro Les Minots - Hospitable French Kitchen

Bistro Les Minots - 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.606.2535
N/W Train to 30th Avenue or R/V/G Train to 46th Street www.bistrolesminots.com/

After some buzz in the neighborhood, Meg, Tom, Dan and I decided to try the new French restaurant, Bistro Les Minots. The experience was a good one and while it's not the best French food that I've had, the service and the atmosphere were so homey and comfortable that I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

Atmosphere:
While the exterior is plain and unassuming, the inside is warm, cozy and embellished with fun little touches that have special meanings. For example, we sat at a table close to the bar, which had a small name plate above one of the seats. Ironically it said "Tom," which raised some questions. Who is Tom? We asked about it and found out that it's the name of their very first customer. I thought that was really sweet and quite personal.

The front-of-the-house dining room, while small is comfortable. The walls are painted a warm yellow and there are fun embellishments that make the place come to life. We especially liked the bicycle wheel wine rack and the gargantuan jar of Minot's "mystery wine," made right on the premises. I also loved the beautiful sounds of Edith Piaf and other French artists, that further set the scene.

Food:
Being a fan of French fare, I was happy to see that they offered great, classic options such as escargot, French onion soup, mussels, profiteroles and such. Overall, we were happy with the food--some things were done better than others but generally, we were pleased.

French Onion Soup - I was excited to see how this soup measured up to my previous experiences. It was quite good with nicely flavored broth and plenty of yummy croutons inside--I hate it when they skimp out on those. The cheese on top was of good quality but I wished that it was a bit more on the well-done side. I like to see it slightly browned and maybe next time I'll tell them so.

Escargot - Being that this is one of Dan's favorite foods, he was excited to order it. It looked absolutely gorgeous on his plate, served in a puff pastry shell and flavored with garlic, parsley, shallots and red wine sauce. He said that he liked the pastry and the sauce but that the escargot weren't the best quality. I tasted one and agreed--they had a slightly strange aftertaste and were a bit on the small side.

Truffle Fries - We ordered these for the table and devoured them at record speed. The fries themselves were beautifully golden and crispy. Topped with delicious parmesan and seasoned with truffle oil, they had a hint of decadence and luxury. These weren't your ordinary French fries--they were distinguished and sophisticated. I absolutely loved dipping them into my mussels sauce--it was pure heaven!

Mussels - I ordered the classic moules marinieres with garlic, shallots and parsley in a white wine sauce. The sauce was outstanding and the mussels were generally fine but again, not the best quality. I got a couple of inedible bad-boys that I was sad to discard. Oh well! There was plenty of delicious sauce to dip bread and fries into--and that made me very happy. I ordered the small portion, which was just enough.

Chicken Rolls - Dan chose this as his entree and couldn't be happier. The chicken was stuffed with seasonal veggies and gruyere cheese--and the whole dish was further flavored with a rosemary reduction. What was most appealing, Dan said was that the outside skin of the chicken was crispy and that the inside was wonderfully moist. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and string beans, which he said were just OK. But overall, he gave it two thumbs up.

Other Dishes - Meg and Tom both ordered salads to start and they seemed to enjoy them. Meg's was a goat cheese salad served with herbed mini toasts, grapes and honey dijon dressing. The toasts looked fantastic and Meg seemed to like everything, as she cleaned her plate completely.

For their entrees Meg ordered a classic French dish, the Pisalladiere (a warm onion tart) and Tom chose the Le Fermier sandwich (aka a grilled chicken sandwich). Both dishes looked good and Tom's was an especially generous portion--for $9, I'd say that he got his money's worth. Meg's on the other hand was on the small side but she didn't mind.

Dessert - This was hands-down my favorite part of the meal--we ordered two dishes for the table, the profiteroles and the creme brulee. I liked the profiteroles better but that's not to say that the creme brulee wasn't good--they were both outstanding. What I loved about the profiteroles was the puffy, airy dough filled with delicious vanilla creme that melted in your mouth. The whole thing was slathered in warm chocolate sauce and further embellished with fresh strawberries.

The creme brulee was light on the tongue yet rich on the senses and included two flavors, vanilla-bean and banana. I preferred the classic vanilla-bean and again, the dish was enhanced with a fresh strawberry. I highly recommend both desserts.

Service and Cost:
Our servers were also the restaurant's owners and that made our experience lovely. They were hospitable, jovial and so very French. We loved hearing their charming accents and they made our evening at Les Minots fun and interactive. I use the word interactive because they made us guess 10 ingredients in their homemade "mystery wine," which we got to sample. It was absolutely delicious and we tried our best to guess the 10 ingredients for a promise of a free dinner. We guessed 8 of them and by the end, the whole restaurant was in on our little game. It was a really great time and I'm looking forward to more fun at our next visit.

The costs are moderate and we ended up paying about $40 per person (including tax and tip) for a three course meal with wine. Les Minots has a $19.95 dinner prix-fixe where you could get a choice of appetizer and entree or entree and dessert between the hours of 5pm - 7pm. I think this is a pretty good deal and they have tons of options to choose from.

2 Mmmms

Bistro Les Minots - New Frenchie Spot

Bistro Les Minots - 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.606.2535
N/W Train to 30th Avenue or R/V/G Train to 46th Street www.bistrolesminots.com

My colleague Meg from Joey in Astoria mentioned Bistro Les Minots last week and there's been a lot of buzz about it from neighborhood chefs. I decided to check it out and walked by last weekend. It looks nice yet unassuming. The menu seems rich in variety and holds true to its French roots. And the affordable $19.95 dinner prix-fixe has me fully intrigued.

Here's a sampling of the menu. The only draw-back is the location, as it's far from the subway. I intend to try it soon so I'll let you know if it's worth the hike to 47th street. Stay tuned...

Soups
Traditional French onion soup gratinee...$8

Hors D'oeurves
Traditional tart with hand cut Atlantic salmon, mango, cucumber, crispy ginger croutons, cilantro vinaigrette...$9/$15

Traditional tart with hand cut Angus beef with assorted condiments, egg yolk, greens. French fries are served with entree size...$9/$18

Specialties
Warm onion tart with anchovies and black olives...$8
Escargot in puff pastry shell with garlic, parsley, shallots and red wine...$8
Homemade chef's terrine...P/A

Mussels - French fries served with large portion
Steamed mussels with garlic, shallots and parsley in a white wine sauce...$8/$15
Steamed mussels in dijon mustard sauce...$8/$15
Steamed mussels with Provencal herbs and spices in a tomato sauce...$8/$15

Entrees
Roasted monkfish with broccoli rabe, fine herbs, tapenade and a sun-dried tomato pesto sauce...$17
Chicken rolls stuffed with seasonal vegetables and Gruyere in a rosemary jus...$15
Grilled sirloin steak served with French fries and Bernaise or green peppercorn sauce...$22
Pan seared duck breast with roasted pears and apples, braised red cabbage, dried cherry sauce...$17

Desserts
Creme brulee...$6
Thin apple tart with caramel sauce...$6, +$1 for a la mode
Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream topped with hot chocolate sauce...$6

All I can say is...how hungry are you?

Artisanal - A 3-Course Dinner Under $25

Artisanal Bistro - 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016
212.725.8585
6 Train to 33rd Street
www.artisanalbistro.com

Kimberly was here visiting from Chicago about two weeks ago and together with Lisa, we had dinner at Artisanal Bistro. We've been curious about this restaurant for quite some time, especially after the fun wine and cheese class that Lisa and I took there. When we found out that they offered a three course, pre-theater dinner for just $24.50, we knew that we couldn't refuse.

Atmosphere:
Artisanal very much fits in with its neighborhood--it's large, upscale and I imagine it's a place where business lunches and dinners are conducted. But despite it co-existing in a corporate environment, it feels comfortable, friendly and even homey. The minute that you step in, the noise of casual conversations envelops you, and you can't help but feel like you're in a busy French square rather than in a Manhattan restaurant.

Known for its vast variety of cheeses, Artisanal is also referred to as a fromagerie. It features a "cheese cave," a temperature controlled room used to age some of the most exotic artisanal cheeses. And while some people get turned off by the smell, I found it wonderful and a nice way to work up an appetite.

Food:
We clearly knew why we came--for the $24.50 pre-theater special. While this prix-fixe is only available between 5:00pm and 6:30pm, it's definitely worth dining early for because it doesn't leave you unnecessarily full late in the evening. So do as the French, and eat early! Here are some of the items that we ordered:

Sheep's Milk Ricotta Tartines - Apparently these are pretty famous, and I saw them featured as Chef Brennan's specialty. Seeing as cheese is done very well here, I decided to order them. The ricotta was the freshest I've ever tasted and as milky white as they come. The soft, airy quality of the cheese was also lovely and it was topped with crunchy strips of radicchio and a drizzle of honey. The sweet with the bitter was a great combination, and the dish overall set a high standard for things to come.

Moules Frites - I was really looking forward to trying the mussels, as they're usually delicious in French restaurants. This one was no exception and it ranked as one of the top three moules frites I've ever had. The excellence of this dish was in the sauce, which had just the right amount of garlic, tomatoes and parsley. There was so much of it, that when I finished all of the mussels, I was able to dip several pieces of bread--and even my French Fries--into it.

Creme Brulee - A typical French dessert, I had to see how it was done here. Although it was creamy and luxurious on the inside, the outside crust was slightly burned, which bothered me. In every bite that I took, I tasted bitter, burnt sugar and it was unpleasant.

Baba au Rhum (Rum Cake) - This was a winning combination--soft warm cake coupled with raspberry preserves, fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint. The cake dough was light and fluffy with only the slightest hint of sweet rum. It was especially nice to top a forkful with whipped cream, as it neutralized the strong flavor of the raspberry preserves. Both Lisa and I agreed that this was the preffered dessert choice.

Cheese and Wine Flight - Kimberly decided to get a sampling of three seasonal cheeses and three Spanish wines. She seemed satisfied despite the small cheese portion. I think that because the cheeses were so rich and fresh, the portion was perfect and Kimberly had no complaints. The wine sampling was also served in smaller glasses so don't expect to get three full glasses of wine if you order this.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was quick and efficient--and surprisingly down to earth, given the upscale environment. Because the restaurant got super busy, she seemed to disappear at the end of our meal and we had to flag her down to get our check. She was really nice however, especially because she let us get the pre-theater special, despite us arriving a few minutes after 6:30pm.

The cost of our meal was very affordable at $24.50 a piece for the food and about $10 extra for wine. Kimberly ended up paying about the same amount for her wine and cheese flight. However, if you're not taking advantage of the pre-theater special, dinner will set you back at least $40 per person without alcohol. This place is not cheap but if you're smart about it, you could make out like a bandit.

3 Mmmms

Cafe Henri - Less is More...

Cafe Henri - 10-10 50th Avenue, LIC, NY 11109

718.383.9315 7

Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

Labor Day was the perfect opportunity to visit Cafe Henri, a quaint French cafe in Long Island City. Vicky and I were in the mood for light, brunch-ish food with a relaxed, charming atmosphere. Cafe Henri delivered on all fronts and we'll be back soon--especially considering how affordable it was. Tres bien.

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere at Cafe Henri was really lovely--low-key yet full of special touches. Interesting details such as rustic brick walls, eclectic photographs, artwork and a vintage chandelier paint a picture of an intimate French bistro.

While the space isn't small, it's pretty tightly packed with tables that are arranged close together. The vibe is social and cheery conversations bounce back and forth from all corners of the room. Pretension is so not the theme here--you can arrive dressed casually, bring your best friend, significant other or even your kids. The free-spirited atmosphere welcomes any and all patrons--for any occasion.

Food:

Vicky and I were impressed with the menu choices. They had a lot of options to choose from--both classic and inventive, hearty and healthy. Because we ate light, we saved room for an indulgent chocolatey dessert. Check it out...

Mushrooms and Goat Cheese Crepe - Loving both savory and sweet crepes, I was looking forward to this one with two of my favorite ingredients. It was wonderful--the crepe was browned nicely on the outside and while it was thin, it had enough substance so that I could taste its freshness. The goat cheese was melted beautifully, marrying tanginess with earthiness from the mushrooms. The crepe was paired with a fresh mixed green salad with Henri's signature vinaigrette of mustard, vinegar and lemon juice. This was a perfect combination for mid-day brunch.

Salade Henri - This was Vicky's dish and it was packed with flavor and tons of ingredients such as roasted chicken, grilled veggies, potatoes, ratatouille, tomato and mesculin salad. While I didn't taste it, Vicky said that she loved it. It suited her because it wasn't heavy on the stomach, yet it was hearty enough to fill her up. She enjoyed the newly tasted ratatouille and also appreciated the good quality ingredients used in this simple dish. I think that's where Henri's secret lies--using really great stuff and getting an exceptional result in return.

Chocolate Mousse - We were happy to have room for dessert and ordered a French classic--chocolate mousse. It was served in a simple metal dessert cup, sporting a rich brown color, topped with fresh fruit and mint. Once we dug in, we were in chocolate bliss--the consistency of the mousse was perfect, as it was thick initially but as smooth as butter when placed on the tongue. The fresh strawberries and orange helped bring out its semi-sweet flavor, adding a bit of juiciness too. I recommend this alongside a strong iced cappuccino.

Service and Cost:

The waitstaff at Henri was good but not spectacular. While our food arrived quickly, our waitress seemed flustered and unorganized. That very well could've been because of how busy the restaurant was but I'll have to judge again the next time that I visit. A nice aspect was that the waitstaff actually seemed French--it was similar to the service at Tournesol minus the cute male waiters.

The prices were reasonable. For our entire meal including dessert, an iced tea and an iced cappuccino, we paid a total of $35. Salads range between $7.50-$13.50, hearty crepes are in the neighborhood of $8-$9 and desserts are between $6-$7.

3 Mmmms

Tournesol - A Taste of the French Kitchen

Tournesol - 50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
718.472.4355
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave
www.tournesolnyc.com

I've been wanting to try Tournesol for a long time now--ever since I tasted their amazing bacon and onion quiches at the Taste of LIC event back in June. My cousin Vicky has been there a couple of times and suggested that we go after our birthday massages last week. A great plan and we enjoyed a delicious meal.

Atmosphere:
The vibe at Tournesol is very homey and personal--you almost feel like you're in someone's dining room rather than a restaurant. Local artists showcase their works on the walls and a rustic bar rests in the middle of the room. If you look up, you'll see that the ceiling is in its original design--another sign of personality and uniqueness. Needless to say, Tournesol is small but that's part of its charm. You really feel like you're part of something special here and that the food is going to be prepared with care, instead of being mass produced. The staff is charming and actually French--their accents are endearing to listen to.

Food:
Vicky and I decided to order from the appetizer menu and share everything. I love this approach because it allowed us to try a variety of dishes and even dessert. Here's what we tried:

Grilled Calamari With White Beans - What immediately sold us on this dish was the grilled vs. the fried calamari as well as the chorizo. We weren't disappointed--the calamari was quite large and the white bean salad provided a heartier touch. I was a little surprised to find that the chorizo was dried (I would've preferred it in its traditional form) but it was still good--crispy and smoky.

French Onion Soup - This was by far the stand-out of my entire meal. The cheesy crust was bubbly, hot and well-done--as I like it. The broth couldn't be more flavorful, as it was packed with tons of garlic. While I'd probably avoid this dish on a first date, I was more than happy to finish it in my cousin's company. She tried it as well and also commented on the fabulous garlic flavor-- tres bien!

Goat Cheese and Tomato Tart - Hmmm, I'm not sure what I was expecting here but it didn't quite meet my standards. There was a little too much acid from the tomato and the goat cheese could've been crumbled into smaller pieces. The flavor was too strong and I could only handle a couple of bites. However, the heirloom tomatoes that dressed this dish were fantastic.

Grilled Shrimp Skewer - This was yummy and we both devoured it quickly. The shrimp was large and grilled to perfection--with a nice char taste. It was accompanied by veggie cous-cous and frisee salad--refreshing and light, it was a great summer dish. I'd definitely recommend splitting it between two people--the portion was generous.

Bread Pudding - Another memorable dish, this ranked high for me, along with the onion soup. It was super soft and decadent, with a ribbon of cinnamon running through it. A garnish of a fresh raspberry and mint leaves made this even more elegant and once dipped into the luxurious Creme Anglaise sauce, I was hooked. Although Vicky swore that she didn't want dessert, she simply couldn't resist this heavenly treat.

Service and Cost:
We didn't have complains about the service except that it seemed inconsistent. A new waiter every few minutes seemed strange but it didn't bother us because all of the waiters were very attractive (and polite) French men. We had one female waitress who took our dessert order and she was a bit short with us and not as friendly as the men. But overall, the service was nice and just like Tournesol itself, it was personal and homey.

Tournesol is wallet friendly. Appetizers range from $7-$11.50, entrees from $14-$19 and desserts are all $7. You can easily spend less than $30 per person here for a great dinner. They also serve brunch on weekends, which is affordable, with most dishes under $12.

3 Mmmms

718 - Mother's Day Lunch Recap

718 - 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.204.5553

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.718restaurant.com

718 was the place of our Mother's Day lunch. I was a bit disappointed (but knew ahead of time) that their famous brunch wouldn't be served. Nonetheless, I wanted to share it with my mom because she appreciates simple and classic French food.

The Mother's day menu was really just a regular dinner menu--fish, chicken and beef entrees and of course their signature dish, the Tarte Flambee. Although the entree dishes looked impressive, judging from our neighbor's plates, they looked much too heavy for lunch so we naturally gravitated to the Flambees. Below is a recap of our Mother/Daughter lunch.

Mami's Veggie Tarte Flambee: This flaky pie came with a beautiful medley of thinly sliced zucchini, diced portabella mushrooms and crumbled goat cheese. The combination was gentle yet also filling from the mushrooms and the cheese. I usually don't love zucchini as a topping, but this one was sliced so thin that it almost became one with the crust. Mami loved it too and she was in awe when she finished her entire serving.

Foodista's Chicken Tarte Flambee: I don't know what sort of magic 718 does with chicken, but it's damn good. Again, the presentation and the careful arrangement of ingredients was key--the chicken was sliced thin, had a lovely smokey taste and rested beneath a blanket of nutty Swiss cheese and pieces of bacon. The combination of the chicken and the bacon was wonderful, making the aftertaste oh so sweet. A green element was also incorporated on top--a mixture of leafy greens with a light house dressing. This was a nice touch that again didn't weight down the dish and unlike my mom, I had no qualms about finishing my entire portion--it was a cinch!

Crem Brulee Trio: This is my favorite dessert at 718 and I wanted my mom to experience it. You get 3 decadent flavors of sweet custard with a candy topping--chocolate, vanilla and coffee. They're embellished beautifully with a paper-thin butter cookie and a sliced strawberry--very refreshing. The great thing about this crem brulee was that despite being an indulgence, it felt light and airy. It was fun to keep reaching into the different containers of brulee and mixing the flavors together in our mouths. We also ordered cappuccino with our dessert and the pungent taste of the coffee actually enhanced the flavor of the brulee--almost like a good wine and cheese pairing, if you will.

In terms of cost, 718's lunch was pretty standard and we were thankful not to be faced with a bogus Mother's Day Prix-Fix, which happens a lot (even in Astoria). The Tarte Flambees were $11-$12 each, the dessert was $7 (as all desserts at 718 are) and the cappuccinos were about $3.50 each. I liked this place for lunch but love it more for brunch--they have a $22 prix-fix but you get a lot of food.

3 Mmmms

Bistro 33 - Superb Food and Service Save the Day!

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

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

This was my second visit to Bistro and besides being impressed, I wholeheartedly support the way they run their business--and treat their customers. I came here as part of a double-date foursome on a Saturday night. Needless to say, Bistro was busy and we had to wait long--but they took such great care of us that we're already looking forward to going back (and soon).

Atmosphere:

Bistro exudes simplicity and un-pretentiousness. And although the place is very small, seating around 20-25 people, you don't feel cramped--the floor to ceiling windows also help, giving the place a very open and inviting feel.

The dining room consists of small wooden tables mostly for two and some for larger parties. There is a cool little nook in the front left corner that provides more privacy--and from a design perspective, it looks serene, facing a hand-painted wall with falling leaves.

Food:

Bistro 33 is run by classically trained chefs from the French Culinary Institute--and it shows. The food is not only superb tasting, it's presented impeccably and offers a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine.

We got to sample a bit of everything, as the girls went for the sushi and the guys got the hearty meat dishes. Here's what we feasted on:

Crawfish Tempura: This was a complimentary starter that was offered to us while waiting for our table. We were pleasantly surprised at this offering and especially at its generous portion. The crawfish was crispy and spicy--not so much that you had to wash it down with wine or water, but just enough to get the tastebuds working. It was perfect and scarily addicting--I highly recommend it for a starter.

Corn Soup: Veggie soups get a bad rap for being bland but not this one! This creamy concoction included roasted sweet corn, red bell peppers and crispy prosciutto. Dan and I shared it because it was so hearty, but we both secretly wished we got our own. The texture was luxurious yet chunky and the prosciutto flavor was very pronounced. It tasted like a sweet corn on the cob wrapped in bacon--unreal and a must in my book!

Island Roll and Dragon Roll: To say that Bistro excels in sushi is an understatement--the freshness, inventiveness and flavor of their rolls blow my mind. I ordered a combination of the Island (mango, avocado, red peppers, cilantro, cucumber and tomato) and the Dragon (eel, cucumber and avocado) rolls. Where one provided a hearty bite (the Dragon) the other presented a burst of freshness and sweet flavor (the Island). They're a fun combination that will leave you super full.

Other Dishes:

My dining companions shared my enthusiasm of Bistro's food. Dan ordered the lamb which came in a port wine reduction and garlic potato gratin. He's usually the first to complain when a portion is small--as this one was--but he loved the lamb so much and appreciated its taste that he just nodded and smiled happily. Jay got the braised shortribs, cooked alongside a Granny Smith apple. Wow! I wish I ordered this, as Jay boasted about the tenderness of the meat and the juiciness of the apple. Lisa went for the spicy tuna roll--tempura style--and the red spider roll (with soft shell crab). She's sometimes a tough critic of sushi but this foodie was enjoying her sushi and smiling from ear to ear.

Service and Cost:

The service and overall treatment of customers was phenomenal. To be honest, we were a bit put-off for waiting an hour for our table, but Bistro made it up to us. They not only provided us with a free appetizer, but they also comped our drinks (that's $10 a piece). We were so delighted about this that we almost forgot about the wait. Besides that, our waitress was pleasant, knew what she was doing and did an all-around good job.

Cost-wise, it's pretty moderate--not cheap but not overly expensive. Appetizers range from $3-$11, entrees from $9-$25 and sushi from $4 for a basic roll to $10 for a speciality roll. Bistro also offers a $14 brunch which gets you an entree, coffee/tea and a cocktail. Not as cheap as some Astoria specials but this food is on a way higher level.

3 Mmmms