While it seems surreal, last week I embarked on a crazy awesome food adventure with fellow foodies, Bradley of amuse*bouche blog, Meg of Harmonious Belly and We Heart Astoria and new friend Stella from Tumbler blog, Queens Love. Together, we made an interesting quartet of enthusiastic foodies, ready to take on the ever-so-gluttonous world of burgers at Burger Club on 30th Avenue and 32nd Street.
Bradley ever so graciously set up the tasting, and because of him, we got to try nearly everything on the menu. And by nearly, I'm being literal, as I couldn't believe how much we actually tried. The below showcases my highlights of the meal, and even though I may not have written about literally every dish we tried, there was nothing we had that wasn't scrumptious and totally appetizing.
Atmosphere:
Fun and casual are the first two words that pop into my head when I think of the Burger Club. It's done quite the transformation since being my beloved Pinocchio's Palace, where the interior was a somewhat compartmentalized space. Here at Burger Club, everything is open and spacious, and I adore the way they've opened up the front and the side of the space through retractable garage doors. They keep them open during nice days, creating a pleasant breeze, and we were lucky to experience this open-air effect on the night of our tasting. I think everyone loved it, especially since it really makes you feel like part of all the action on 30th Avenue, so even though you're technically inside, you're never missing a beat.
The seating is varied and suitable for all types of parties including couples but also large groups, through the use of their lovely communal tables. We got to sit at one of these during our tasting, which was smack in the middle of the restaurant, so aside from having enough room to spread out, it was also perfect for people watching.
Food:
I loved that we really got the full experience, getting to taste multiple items from all parts of the menu, including apps, a salad course, burgers galore and even dessert. My favorite courses were the first two - apps and salad - as I'm more of a small plates/sharing girl, but the burgers were very tasty and quite large. Here are my various shining stars of the night.
Appetizers - We sampled a total of 6 apps, including the quesadillas, mozzarella fritters (pictured above), braised short ribs with hand-cut fries, flash-fried chicken strips, buffalo chicken wings and homemade nachos. Sheesh...that's a lot! It was hard to choose a favorite, but the nachos and the quesadillas of all things really stood out. I loved the former mostly because of the amazing freshness and crunchy texture of the homemade tortilla chips. We munched on them sporadically throughout the evening and even after a few minutes of sitting out, they never got soggy, even though they were fully loaded with goodness such as cheese, meat, veggies and more.
The quesadilla was a winner too, as it contained the same braised short ribs that were also on the frites you see above. Even though both options were delicious, the former really married the meat well with a smoky cheese blend, and wrapped it all up in a light flour tortilla that made it easy and fun to eat.
Salads - Although you wouldn't be expecting much out of the salad course, it was one of my favorites, showcasing two types of salads - the club and the roasted beet. Both were spectacular but the winner in my book (and in my dining companion's opinion too) was the Club. This was no ordinary club salad, as its flavor was elevated with sophisticated components such as candied walnuts, roasted peppers (same ones as used on the cheese fritters above), dried cranberries and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. It was a more luxurious version of this classic salad dish, and I could've polished off a whole portion myself.
Burgers - There were so many varieties to choose from that I was slightly overwhelmed, but not to worry, I got to try nearly everything. Five of the choices included traditional beef patties and the remaining two were fish alternatives, one salmon burger and the other yellowfin tuna. But the most attractive burger for me was the Brunch burger with bacon, cheese and a fried egg on top. I've tried a version of this before at Sweet Afton and loved it, but the Burger Club surely didn't disappoint.
In addition to the Brunch Burger, the Frenchy with foie gras, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions was also a winner. The mushrooms were the best part, as they were chunky and seemed to be flavored with truffle oil. A top-notch aspect of each burger was the brioche bun, which was light, fluffy, buttery and eggy too. The fish burgers boasted whole wheat buns, which was a nice change that lightened things up.
Dessert - After all this gluttony, I can't believe we put another morsel of food in our mouths, but we sure did. The four tiered chocolate cake was da bomb - rich, moist and chocolatey to the max. Rich ganache melded the cake together, and elevated its decadence further through a luxuriously bittersweet flavor. I highly recommend a tall glass of water with this dessert - you'll thank me later.
Service and Cost:
Treated with care and attention, the waitstaff at Burger Club is really nice and super knowledgeable about everything. Our waitress had everything down pat, including knowledge about how they prepared the food, where it came from and such - I was impressed. The steady influx of customers throughout the evening also showcased that this place has done well for itself in the past 5 months since opening.
Costs are moderate and absolutely on par with competitors such as Sweet Afton and Bare Burger:
Salads & Appetizers - $7.25 - $9.25
Burgers & Sandwiches - $7.75 - $11.75
3 Meaty Mmmms
Burger Club - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.777.7788
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.burger-club.com
Moonstruck Diner - 33-02 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106718.204.4770N/W Train to Broadway
Back in February, I mentioned the imminent opening of Moonstruck Diner that took the place of the old Cafe Kolonaki on Broadway. Well it's definitely now open, boasting modern decor and a spacious interior. When I passed by it, it seemed kind of empty - and although I've heard mixed reviews (some effusive others not so great), I was still curious and grabbed a menu. Here's a sample that should give you a taste of their offering. My gut says that even though it's nothing sophisticated, it might be fun to check out for some trusty greasy spoon food.
Moonstruck Diner Menu Sample:Three-Egg Omelettes - All are served with toast and home fries or French friesSpinach or Broccoli Omelette...$7
Salami Omelette...$8
Sonoma Omelette - Fresh mozzarella, roasted pepper & portobello mushroom...$8
Nova Scotia Lox & Onion Omelette...$10.50
Silver Dollar Pancakes:
With Ham, Bacon or Sausage...$7.25
With Turkey Sausage...$7.50
With 2 Eggs Any Style...$7
Diet Delight:
Penne Tuna Salad - Penne pasta with green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, hard boiled egg and individual can of tuna...$9.95
Arugula Salad - Arugula, radiccio, tomato, red onion with balsamic vinaigrette topped with Romano cheese...$8, with grilled chicken breast...$11
Spinach Pie Deluxe - With small Greek salad & pita bread...$10.55
Appetizers:
Shrimp Cocktail Supreme...$11
Stuffed Mushrooms (3)...$8
Zucchini Sticks...$6.50
Entrees:
Patty Melt - Open grilled cheese & jumbo beef burger with fried onions & French fries, lettuce & tomato...$9
Grilled Chicken Deluxe - Grilled chicken breast on an open face bun with French fries, lettuce & tomato...$9.90
Moonstruck Sandwich - Roast beef with melted mozzarella on a hero with French fries, coleslaw & a pickle...$10.50
West Side Burger - 9 oz. charcoal-broiled beefburger with hot peppers,onions, mushrooms and provolone cheese...$7.50, deluxe...$9.50
Sandwiches:
30th Ave Panini or Wrap - Hot pastrami with melted Swiss & sauteed onions, served with French fries, coleslaw & a pickle on a hero...$10.25
Astoria Blvd - Grilled chicken breast, avocado, bacon & muenster cheese served on a hero with French fries, coleslaw & a pickle...$10.25
Monte Cristo - French toast with grilled Swiss cheese, ham & white meat turkey...$10.25
Dessert:
Creamy Cheesecake...$4
Carrot Cake...$3.75
Blackout Cake...$3.75
Milk Shakes:
Oreo Cookie Shake - With vanilla ice cream & vanilla syrup...$5.35
Espresso Shake - Chocolate ice cream, espresso coffee & chocolate syrup...$5.75
Banana Chocolate Shake - Chocolate syrup, banana & chocolate ice cream with whipped cream...$5.50
New York Hot Dog & Coffee - 245 Bleecker Street, New York NY 10014
917.388.3742
A/B/C/D/E/F/V Train to West 4th Street/Washington Square
www.nyhotdogcoffee.com Only recently have I gotten into Korean food, tasting it for the first time at 8st Kitchen. It made such a strong impression on me that when I was invited to try New York Hot Dog & Coffee, a unique hot dog place with a Korean twist, I was intrigued. Dan accompanied me on my hot dog journey, and I think I sold him on the amazingness of Korean food. We both enjoyed ourselves and I was glad that we got him to open up to hot dogs a bit more (he doesn't usually like them).
Atmosphere:
Located in trendy West Village, New York Hot Dog & Coffee is positioned on a lively street, in the company of legendary food institutions such as Amy's Bread, Murray's Cheese and Rocco's Pastry Shop. It's really a wonderful place to be for the time being, but I hear that it's going to be moving to a more central location in the future to accommodate a more prominent lunch crowd.
The overall vibe at New York Hot Dog & Coffee is funky and modern. The front of the house has a long counter where you order your grub and a couple of casual tables with high stools for you to relax and chow down. On warm days, the front windows are open to enjoy the sunshine and the buzz from busy Bleecker street.
If you choose to take your food to the back of the restaurant, you'll enjoy a quirky vibe with modern white furniture that looks like it came out of anime. I especially liked the comfy couches in the back, which were nice for unwinding after a long work day. The back area is a bit more quiet so if you want more privacy, I'd suggest it.
Food:
Just like its decor, the style of the food is unusual and innovative. Hot dogs and hamburgers are spruced up with interesting Korean toppings such as kimchi, bulgogi and various Korean seasonings.
Hot Dogs - Although not all hot dogs have Korean flavoring, some being more Americanized options such as BBQ Chicken, Chili Cheese and the Texan, we chose to sample the Korean varieties including the Kimchi Bulgogi and the Dak-Kalbi. The first was a hot dog with marinated beef with Korean-style pickled cabbage (kimchi) on top and the other was topped with marinated chicken with a Korean sweet sauce.
Out of the two, I had a strong preference for the chicken topping due to the flavorful sauce and the tender chicken. It reminded me of the fabulous chicken dish I had at 8st Kitchen and I loved pairing it with the light-tasting hot dog, which was comprised purely of beef brisket. The beauty of it was that it really felt unbelievably light for a hot dog, and didn't leave me feeling overly full. The fluffy, slightly toasted bun was also rockin'.
While I had a thing for the chicken hot dog, the Kimchi Bulgogi (beef) was also great. I loved the clean crunch of the kimchi and the fresh feeling that didn't have a tinge of fishiness. I don't like when kimchi has a fishy aftertaste and during my experience at New York Hot Dog & Coffee, I found out that the fishiness of kimchi depends on the region of Korea - the further South you go, the fishier the kimchi. Interesting. In terms of the actual bulgogi (beef), it was also tender and slathered with naturally flavored sweet/tangy sauce that comes from freshly pureed fruits such as pears and apples among other ingredients.
The Burger - The bulgogi burger was really similar to the above-mentioned hot dog, except for the patty, of course. Made out of 100% beef, the burger tasted fresh and just like the hot dog, it was infused with sweet/tangy Korean seasoning. I liked that the meat was tender and not overcooked, with nice char marks from the grill, which I always enjoy. Once again, importance was placed on the bread, as it tasted fresh, slightly warm and peppered with plenty of crunchy sesame seeds. If you don't love hot dogs, I think this one's for you. And for the record, the burger makes you a lot fuller.
Fries - How could we not order a side of fries with all this protein? Yum! We were very satisfied with this rendition, as they were really, really crispy on the outside and nice and chewy on the inside. In fact, the outside seemed like it was battered - I'm not really sure in what but whatever it was, we dug it.
Service and Cost:
Since this place is super casual, there's no wait service. You order up front and then pick up your food and bring it to your table of choice. The employees however seemed really friendly and accommodating. Given that the place wasn't busy when we walked in, they were happy and eager to serve us.
Costs are moderate for hot dogs and burgers and I'd go as far as saying inexpensive for the West Village area:
Hot Dogs: $3.25 -$5.50Hamburgers: $6.49 - $7.25Korean Tacos: $2.25 -$6.49Fries: $2.49 -$3.29
3 Mmmms
