Astoria & LIC Hot Cocoa Time

With 2014 really feeling like winter, I love having any kind of excuse to indulge in something warm, sweet and comforting.  That's why I wanted to put together this short but sweet hot cocoa round-up for your viewing and tasting pleasure.  What's your favorite place in the nabe to enjoy a hot chocolate?

Martha's Country Bakery is always a treat when you're looking for fancy hot chocolate.  I love that they boast some inventive flavors such as peanut butter (pictured above), red velvet, and even a spicy Mexican hot chocolate.  36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9737

Speaking of fancy hot cocoa, Leli's Bakery also comes to mind, as they feature four fun flavors such as French, Raspberry, Caramel and Vanilla Hot Chocolate.  35-14 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.8090

Image by Time Out NY

Il Bambino isn't just one of my favorite places to get a panini, they feature pretty decadent hot chocolate options such as peanut butter and nutella - my We Heart Astoria comrades and Time Out New York agree, too!  34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0087

Image via Yelp by Amy S.

When I think of quality, The Queens Kickshaw naturally comes to mind, which is why I was happy to see they've got a Mast Brothers Hot Chocolate drink.  For those of you familiar with this Brooklyn-based chocolate purveyor, you'll know that you're getting something really top notch.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria. 718.777.0913

Sweetleaf, one of my favorite LIC haunts is another place you can hang with a warm cup of joe or a hot cocoa.  I love that they showcase Jacques Torres' hot chocolate and add their own special touch with homemade marshmallows.  10-93 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  917.832.6726.  46-15 Center Blvd, LIC.  347.527.1038

Food Awesomeness at SITE Partay

Tonight was truly an awesome evening, as I got to attend a fabulous soiree, organized by my friends Mackenzi and Meg at Mackenzi's store, SITE.  The party was in honor of Meg's fabulous Queens foodie bible called the Food Lovers' Guide to Queens, which she worked so diligently on.  I truly love this book, as it does a great job of really respecting Queens' food scene and letting all its many gems shine.  We're all so proud of the work that Meg has done for the community, which was proven by tonight's huge crowd of supporters.

I also wanted to thank Meg for putting yours truly into her book, by listing Fooditka as a trusted food resource, but even better by putting one of my near and dear family recipes into its pages.  The recipe is for our Ceresnova Bublanina (or Slovak cherry cake).  Bringing the recipe to life at the party by serving up the cake, people seemed to really enjoy it and I was so happy to relay the nice feedback to my mom, who helped me make this particular cake.

The Food:
In addition to this, there were so many other amazing local treats featured tonight such as Astor Bake Shop's sweets, Sac's Place pizza, pasta and meatballs, as well as Il Bambino's paninis.  Everything was a total hit and people really stuck around to enjoy the food and chat with their Astoria neighbors.  I was happy to see new connections being made and a few reunions too.  The food no doubt, was a uniting factor and it wasn't just once that I heard someone commenting on the buttery king cake, the fudgy cookies or the bodacious meatballs.  

Thanks to my friends for putting on such a lovely affair and to my gracious and fantastic Astorians who make these type of events so worthwhile.  Also, if you're looking to get your hands on Meg's book, look no further...and enjoy!

Sunshine or Rain, Il Bambino is Always Welcome

There's never a time when Il Bambino isn't a good idea - nice weather, bad weather, I love coming here and grabbing a quick, comforting panino, a glass of wine, beer, or what have you.  And that's exactly what Meg and I did the other night, after making an appearance at the Perici Art House launch party.

It was a lovely, warm night, so like moths to a flame, we charged for the outdoor garden and found a comfortable table for two.  The atmosphere was great, as everyone was in a fabulous mood (no doubt due to the finally cooperating weather) and it absolutely rubbed off on us.  Here's what we enjoyed:

Tomato Fresca - Since I haven't been here in months, I was really craving one of Bambino's legendary paninis.  At first, I was intrigued by the chicken, cream of spinach panini special but quickly changed my mind when I saw the tomato fresca with small bits of smoked bacon, aioli and asiago cheese.  I have to admit that the bacon swayed me right away and in the end, I was handsomely rewarded.  Each bite was delightful with a sweet, acidic goodness of the tomato and the smoky bite of bacon.  The binder was the melted asiago of course, and for all you grilled cheese lovers, this is a pretty snazzed up version.

Spicy Avocado Goat Cheese Crostini - Although I didn't taste this beauty, as you can see from the above picture, the colors were vibrant and gorgeous.  Meg devoured it and confirmed that it's among her favorites. They're generous with all ingredients, and at $6.50 for a sizeable portion, I'd say this is a legit steal.

Prohibition Ale - I indulged in a cold one to wash all that salty, gooey sandwich goodness down and the Prohibition Ale caught my eye.  It had a hearty, in-your-face taste with nice bitterness and a slightly caramely finish. This liquid bread is definitely a nice complement to any panini, but especially something that's more salty rather than sweet.

Take advantage of Il Bambino's relaxing outdoor digs or feel free to sit inside, which is equally as enjoyable.

Il Bambino - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.ilbambinonyc.com

Where To Brunch on Presidents Day

Tomorrow is Presidents Day, and for those of us lucky enough to be off from work, it offers up a great excuse to go out for brunch.  While most restaurants in the nabe are having lunch service as usual, there are a few that will extend their brunch offering into Monday.

Il Bambino - A non-traditional yet wonderful way to enjoy brunch, Il Bambino will feature their brunch paninis (pictured above) tomorrow in addition to their regular menu.  If you haven't yet tried their soups, I urge you to do so - they change up the flavors daily and try to keep them seasonal.  Prices for brunch paninis range between $9 - $10.  34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0087

Mojave - Leave it to Mojave to kick it up a notch for holiday brunch.  In honor of Presidents Day, not only can you enjoy Mojave's Southwestern brunch dishes, you can also indulge in an all-you-can-drink option for an extra $14.95.  Featured brunch cocktails include margaritas, mimosas, bloody Marys and sangria.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Cafe Bar - Also extending their brunch into tomorrow, Cafe Bar will have all their delicious organic egg dishes such as omelets and scrambled variations.  Sadly the only items that will be excluded are pancakes and French Toast, but not to worry, for there will be plenty of options to choose from including sandwiches and wraps. 32-90 36th Street, Astoria.  718.204.5273

Grand Cafe - Known for their generous weekend brunch, Grand's offering will be extended into tomorrow.  For just $12 you get to choose a coffee/tea, a morning cocktail such as a mimosa or bloody Mary and any of Grand's brunch entrees.  Personally, I like the Caprese Frittata with tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and mozzarella.  37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321

Flo Cafe - If Grand is too crowded, you can also head to Flo Cafe, which is right across the street.  There's always a place to sit and just like Grand, it also offers a social, buzzing atmosphere.  Brunch items will be available tomorrow a la carte, but they also come with coffee, tea or OJ.  37-20 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.6096

Il Bambino - A Great Place to Turn When the Weather Gets Cold

I never tire of Il Bambino, because quite frankly, warm, comforting pressed sandwiches never go out of style.  It's often my go-to place when I'm craving something fast and delicious.  And I always look forward to their seasonal soups.

Dan and I stopped in impromptu last week for a middle-of-the-day snack and it was so worth it.  We split a soup and a panini, which was just enough to satisfy our hunger.  Both of us liked the sharing route since their portions are generous and the soups are always filling.

Pumpkin Soup - I couldn't wait to try this soup because I go pretty crazy for just about anything with pumpkin.  In their customary fashion, the soup was rich, thick and had an intense pumpkin flavor that can only be achieved from using real pumpkin.  The side of crusty pesto bread was a delicious addition, as always, and we broke off pieces and dipped them into the pumpkin soup for extra richness.

Soppressata Panino - Even though this sandwich was on the salty side, packed with thin-sliced soppressata, provolone cheese, black olive tapenade and sweet red onions, it was really good.  My favorite aspect of Il Bambino's paninis is always the bread that's easy to bite into but still provides some toothsomeness.  The flavor in this sandwich was a good way to balance out the sweetness left on our tastebuds from the pumpkin soup.

Service and Cost:
We received good service, as our waitress was the right amount of hands-on/hands-off.  Since we came at an off-time, the place was quiet and we got to enjoy our soup and sandwich in a relaxing atmosphere - we felt that we can take as much time as we needed.

With a grand total of $15 for both the soup and the panino, it was a good deal that left us satiated and definitely up for another visit soon.

3 Mmmms

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway
www.ilbambinonyc.com

Il Bambino - Brunch Paninos are a Great Way to End the Week

It's been a while since I've visited Il Bambino and I was really looking forward to trying their brunch.  Meg has recommended it on many occasions (I trust her taste entirely) so I knew it was going to be awesome.  Wow! My friend Fran and I were impressed and enjoyed sitting outside in their quaint backyard garden. It was was the perfect, sunny day to sit out there, which made our experience even more pleasant.  Here's what we tried:

Lentil-Tomato Soup - Known for delicious soups, they hit it out of the park once again with this one.  It was on the creamier side, as most of their soups are, with tons of hearty flavor from the lentils, chunks of tomatoes and some dried herbs.  And in customary Bambino fashion, it came with a beautifully pressed piece of bread with signature pesto on top.  Delightful!

Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Egg Panino - This was my choice and I was immediately drawn to it when I saw it incorporated truffle oil - I'm a sucker for that stuff.  Even though it was enjoyable and the bacon was really flavorful, the truffle essence was too light to be noticed.  Overall, the flavors in the sandwich didn't really pop and it was on the bland side. I think it needed sharp seasoning or a spicy sauce to give it more personality.

Piggy Got Back - Fran ordered this creatively named sandwich with prosciutto, scrambled eggs, mozzarella and olive spread.  Let me tell you, it rocked my world, as I had the pleasure of finishing half of it.  The smoky prosciutto paired beautifully with the fluffy eggs and the slightly spicy olive spread brought it all together.  I'd highly recommend it to olive lovers and people who love big, bold flavors.  This piggy really delivered!

Service and Cost:
I haven't yet had a bad experience with service.  Our server was polite and sweet and even though they experienced a snafu with their computer system, causing our order to be delayed, he was able to compensate us with a nice bowl of soup.  We really appreciated that and his kindness didn't go unnoticed.

Costs are affordable, especially given the good quality of ingredients.  Our brunch was about $34 total (with coffee) excluding tip.  Most brunch paninis are in the neighborhood of $9-$10.

3 Mmmms

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue
www.ilbambinonyc.com

Mother's Day in Astoria

Mother's Day is this Sunday and there's never a lack of activity in Astoria. Below you'll find interesting restaurant specials and suggestions for a Mother's Day lunch, dinner or brunch.

Prix-Fixe Specials:

Seva - Although this isn't a Mother's Day prix-fixe per se, I'd recommend a visit here for either lunch or dinner. They offer a $12 three-course dinner and a $7 two-course brunch. The portions are generous, the food is delicious and it's a BYOB so you could bring your own wine. 30-07 34th street, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.626.4440

Bistro Les Minots - Their $29.95/person all-day Mother's Day special will feature classic French dishes such as escargots, braised short ribs, an apple tart and the like. Brunch will be offered between 11am - 4:30pm, showcasing their regular menu. 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.606.2535

Ovelia - Promising a modern Greek experience, Ovelia's $28/person three-course prix-fixe is packed with flavorful dishes such as homemade Greek sausage, fresh seafood, a leg of lamb among others. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Zenon Taverna - Both a prix-fixe (price is still being decided) and the regular menu will be available. I prefer their keftedes or Cypriot meatballs that are full of flavor and spice. The hospitality is wonderful--it's very much a family oriented place. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Cavo - An upscale Mother's Day at this Greek eatery includes a $54/per person four-course meal, complete with a tuna roll sampling, salad, a variety of entrees and dessert. Click here for the Mother's Day menu. Valet parking is complimentary and seating starts at 1pm. 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.1001

Trattoria L'Incontro - Although this place is all booked up for Mother's Day, if you want it bad enough, you can call to see if they get cancellations between now and Sunday. The offering is a $60 four-course prix-fixe. Another splurge but the food is fantastic! 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.3532

Specials but no Prix-Fixe:

Vesta - A great place to bring Mom, Vesta has a cozy, unpretentious vibe. Brunch will be available from 11am - 4pm and dinner will start at 5pm and go until 10pm. Special dishes added to the menu include charred calamari, orecchiette with asparagus ragu and double lump-blue crab cakes. 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Mundo - They'll have a couple of daily specials, one of which includes grilled shrimp but aside from that, their menu will remain unchanged. Good thing too because they already offer so many goodies such as empanadas, red sonjas and Ottoman dumplings. 31-18 Broadway #E, Astoria. 718.777.2829

718 - Serving dinner dishes all day long, the daily specials encompass a variety of grilled plates such as calamari, a rack of lamb, sea scallops--and the only non-grilled specials offering is the chocolate tartlet. Personally, I love their tarte flambees--try those! 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.204.5553

Il Bambino - Want to bring Mom to an Astoria gem? Try Il Bambino where they'll have a couple of panini, crostini and salad specials for Mother's Day. Besides that, their fabulous menu of crunchy paninis and small plates remains the same. 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.626.0087

Business as Usual but Still Noteworthy:

Akti - The fresh seafood here is always impressive and they have a delectable meze selection. It's been open for about a year and has gotten very popular. They're almost booked up for Mother's Day but have a couple of open reservations (7:30pm, 8:00pm) so call soon if you're interested. 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.3530

Agnanti - If you're looking for traditional Greek food, this is it. Halloumi, biftekia, keftedes, Agnanti has it all. They might end up with some daily specials but that hasn't been decided yet. Reservations are suggested, as Agnanti gets crowded. 19-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.833.7033

Piccola Venezia - An upscale Italian joint, it's on the traditional side and their fresh pasta is supposed to be superb. The signature menu will stay the same for Mother's Day and there will be three main seatings -- 1:00pm, 3:30pm and 6:30pm. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Happy Mother's Day Astoria!

St. Patty's Day in Astoria - Drink Beer, Eat Cabbage!

Tomorrow's St. Patty's Day promises to be a fun celebration in the neighborhood, as many Irish and non-Irish bars/restaurants are having a multitude of specials. Check them out for both drinks and Irish-style grub.

Dillinger's Pub and Grill - Although their menu isn't final yet, they'll serve traditional dishes such as corned beef, shepherd's pie and even fish and chips. Drinks will be priced as usual. 46-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.267.0900

Il Bambino - Don't be fooled by its Italian-sounding name, the owners of this great paninoteca are actually Irish. They'll feature a special cabbage and corned beef soup to celebrate St. Patty's Day. 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.626.0087

Blackbird's - The partying will start at noon and won't be over until late into the evening. They'll serve complimentary corned beef sandwiches from 1pm - 7pm and a plethora of drink specials such as $4 Guiness pints, $3 Bud Light and green beer pints as well as Irish whiskey shots for $4. 41-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.943.6899

The Quays Pub - A quaint Irish pub on 30th Avenue, they'll offer authentic Irish music, $2 pints of Coors Light and Irish food such as bacon, cabbage and potatoes. 45-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.204.8864

Cronin and Phelan - Although the drinks will be priced regularly, they're featuring a special Celtic menu with all the irresistibles such as Irish lamb stew, corned beef on rye, shepherd's pie and much more. 38-14 Broadway, Astoria NY 11103. 718.545.8999

Sunswick - Lots of partying will be going on here til late evening hours with Irish dishes such as shepherd's pie, cabbage and cheap beers. 35-02 35th Street Astoria, NY 11106. 718.752.0620

Irish Rover - Who would've thought that with a name like that, there would be absolutely no specials going on here. They didn't seem happy to speak to me so I guess that it won't be a Happy St. Patty's Day for them. Try it if you're still so inclined. 37-18 28th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.278.9372

Stove - Known for delicious Irish grub, you could always hit this place up for killer fish and chips and shepherd's pie. Not sure yet if there will be drink specials but like any good Irish establishment, they serve Guiness. 45-17 28th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.956.0372

Beer Garden - Although far from Irish, the Beer Garden will be celebrating St. Patty's Day with $3 beers, shot specials and green beer. Nazdravie! 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Fatty's - Again, not an Irish establishment but they'll serve Jameson and Guiness at $5 a pop. Enjoy their yummy grub while there - it's not Irish but it's still delicious. 25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.267.7071

Happy St. Patty's Day Astoria!

Still Deciding About Valentine's Day?

Guest Foodista Vicky and I send smooches your way

While for some, Valentine's Day is a dreaded Hallmark holiday, it could also be a lot of fun. It's about what you make of it, and since V-Day is on Saturday this year, there are plenty of things going on. From low-key casual dinners to extensive prix-fixe meals, the choice is yours. You could be as casual or fancy as you want to. Here are my recommendations, in no particular order.

Vesta - This neighborhood gem has won over my heart and my stomach. For $39.95 - $49.95, enjoy a three-course prix-fixe during these seating times: 5pm, 7pm and 9:30pm. As a personal recommendation, don't miss out on the Baby Jesus Cake--it's out of this world. Vesta Vino - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Mundo - A cozy, veggie-friendly eatery, Mundo also boasts a three-course V-day prix-fixe with complimentary spiced wine. There's still room for the 6pm and the 10:15pm seatings but space is going fast. The cost is affordable at $80 per couple. Mundo - 31-18 Broadway, Store #E, Astoria NY 11106. 718.777.2829

Bistro 33 - Looking for an intimate, romantic atmosphere? Bistro 33 is your place--and they have great food to boot! The offering is pricey at $75 per-person but it includes a wine pairing with every course. Bistro 33 - 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.1933

Ovelia - Not just for lovers, Ovelia is great to visit with a group of friends. They take a fun, playful spin on V-day with their creative menu of modern Greek dishes such as the Saganaki Stroganoff. Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe for $55. Ovelia - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Agnanti - A traditional Greek staple, Agnanti will feature their regular menu for V-day. But if you'd like to eat here, make a reservation now because seats fill up very fast. I was informed that when dining here on V-Day, you're limited to a two hour stay. Agnanti - 19-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.833.7033

Winegasm - What a deal! Winegasm offers a four-course prix-fix with wine for $45 per person. I recommend the bacon wrapped prunes and their cheeses are also great. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their vinos, as they should be. Winegasm - 31-86 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103. 718.932.3331

Brick Cafe - Brick will be serving their regular menu with a couple of specials for V-day. Reservations are available and they have a great bar section where you could relax with a nice glass of wine before or after your meal. Brick Cafe - 30-95 33rd Street, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.267.2735

Fatty's Cafe - While their Valentine's Day "singles party" didn't quite work out last year, Fatty's is looking to turn things around in 2009. This casual beer, burger and Latin flava joint will offer a special prix-fixe menu. Costs and seatings are TBD so more to come on that. Fatty's - 25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.267.7071

Il Bambino - A beloved neighborhood paninoteca, Bambino will be featuring a $40 V-day prix-fixe. Details are still hazy and I'll follow up with more information. If you're looking to eat from their regular menu, the green bean salad and the antipasto platter are amazing! Il Bambino - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.626.0087

Akti - This delicious Greek eatery on 30th Avenue will be serving dinner as usual on Valentine's Day. There might be a couple of daily specials and opportunities for special requests, so ask for them. Their seafood is especially tasty and very fun to share. Akti - 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.3530

Happy Valentine's Day Astoria!

Love Always,

The Foodista

Warm Up With Il Bambino

The Joey in Astoria crew and I met at Il Bambino tonight. It's our local fave for a reason--it always delivers good quality food with lots of personality. And as it was especially chilly tonight, we tried to order dishes that warmed and comforted. These included:

Butternut Squash Soup - I love this flavor of soup and Il Bambino's version was perfect and quite thick. I usually have to be in the mood for thick, creamy soup but it worked well in this situation--probably because it was so frigid outside. The best part about the soup? The thin, crusty panini coated with fresh pesto--it wins me over every time and keeps me coming back for more.

Antipasto Platter - Meg and Sooz recommended this and it included a little bit of everything--fresh ricotta with slivers of tomato, artichoke with tapenade, roasted red peppers, beets and white beans with fresh pesto. It came with a side of Bambino's signature bread, which was a wonderful way to enjoy these delicacies. My favorites were the ricotta and the white beans--I thoroughly enjoyed pairing the milky cheese with the garlicky beans. Just scrumptious!

Green Bean Salad - From the picture above, you could hardly tell that there are green beans underneath all that shaved parmesan. But there they were and oh how nice and crunchy they tasted. Dressed with truffle vinaigrette, they offered a sharp flavor that awoke the senses one bite at a time. The garlicky croutons that were interspersed into the salad were a nice touch.

Nutella Hot Chocolate - I decided to end my evening with a rich drink, combining two of my favorite ingredients--chocolate and nutella. I was yet again in love. Every gulp was bliss, as I tasted the rich chocolate with a sweet hazelnut finish. The nutella taste lingered on my tongue for a few seconds before I took my next gulp, eager to bring back the chocolate.

Service and Cost:

Our servers were nice, helpful and provided recommendations when we asked for them. They were friendly and felt more like acquaintances rather than waiters at a restaurant. The service felt warm and cozy, as it should at a place that we call our "favorite."

The costs are moderate and we paid about $30 per person for a hefty dinner, which included wine, appetizers, paninis, soups and dessert.

Try some of these yummies too--I promise that you'll love them.

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue
www.ilbambinocafe.com

Il Bambino - Paninis Worth Showing Off

Everyone loves Il Bambino. After all, what's not to love about this adorable panini shop with delicious bread, hearty soups and gargantuan cupcakes.

I decided to show it off to my co-workers, Leann and Frank this week, as we took a day trip to LIC for work purposes (of course). They both seemed to like our charming little paninoteca, and we enjoyed a leisurely lunch in its not so crowded dining room. In fact, it was so relaxing that we stayed a while just chatting.

Besides the paninis, which Leann and Frank devoured, we also ordered the following new items that I haven't yet tried:

White Bean and Pesto Crostini - Whenever I think of crostini, I think of really crunchy, toasty bread. Il Bambino's crostini are that and more--they're crispy and chewy, which makes them easier to eat (but not easier to cut). Ours included a topping of large buttery cannellini beans, which had good texture and were paired with Bambino's signature chunky pesto. And if that's not enough, this yummy bread was also enhanced by a sprinkling of fresh Pecorino Romano cheese. It was the perfect Italian starter--bite-sized and bursting with flavor.

Baked Potato and Leek Soup - Having a good experience with soup the last time that I came here, I decided to get it again. This one was just as good, if not better. Even though the potato was the dominant ingredient, you could still taste the lovely hints of leek and onion. And just like last time, it was served with a generous piece of crusty bread that was topped with garlicky pesto. It was great to dip the bread into this hearty concoction and by the end, I was very full. What good value, I thought--a full tummy for a mere $5.

Service and Cost:

Our waitress was nice but a bit slow with service. She was too laid back and we kept having to signal to her to order and then to get the check. It wasn't horribly annoying just slightly inconvenient.

Cost-wise, Il Bambino won't hurt your wallet. For two paninis, a crostini and a soup, our check came to $28--without tip.

I was glad to show my co-workers our panini gem. Astorians, if you haven't yet checked it out, I strongly encourage it!

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue
www.ilbambinocafe.com

Il Bambino Will Serve Wine and Beer Soon

It's true--Il Bambino won't be a BYOB for long. This fantastic neighborhood panini shop recently got their liquor license and they're currently working on their service bar, hoping to serve alcohol by next week. Sticking to beer and wine, you'll be able to order a pick-me-up with your panini. Congrats Il Bambino--we're looking forward to sampling your beer and wine selection soon. I'm hoping for some nice international picks, especially for the wine. We'll see what they uncork...

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue
www.ilbambinocafe.com

You Can Get "Crumbs-Esque" Cupcakes in Astoria

I was in the mood for a good cupcake on Thursday night and heard that Il Bambino is the place to get 'em. Immediately upon walking in, I was accosted by a giant display of even more giant cupcakes. I took one look and something went off in my head--these cupcakes looked familiar! Given my addiction to chocolate and other baked goods, I immediately thought that they were from Crumbs bakery. I asked the waitress and while they're not Crumbs branded, they use the same bakers--good enough for me!

What I love about these cupcakes is their variety of flavors and the moist dough that's sometimes compromised in other fancy bakeries (i.e. Magnolia cupcakes). The great thing about the ones at Il Bambino is that they're cheaper than Crumbs--$3 per cupcake compared to almost $4.

So...if you're a cupcake enthusiast, go over to Il Bambino and let the sweetness take over.

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.626.0087
N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue
www.ilbambinocafe.com

Il Bambino Cafe - Panini Squisiti

Il Bambino Cafe - 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.626.0087

N/W Train to Broadway or 30th Avenue

www.ilbambinocafe.com

Il Bambino has been the talk of the town since it opened its doors less than two years ago. This place is known for amazing paninis made out of simple, quality ingredients. Friends from the neighborhood have been talking it up so much that I finally went over there after my Sunday afternoon bellydancing ritual. I'm not exaggerating when I say that my life will never be the same--this is some good, not-to-be-missed stuff!

Atmosphere:

As I already hinted, Il Bambino is simple and on the small side yet its decor is tasteful and charming. I especially love the wall of rustic mirrors juxtaposed with the wall of wooden cutting boards and paddles. The front of the house shows an oversized wall painting of a pink, fleshy pig, arrows pointing to the parts of the body that produce prosciutto, speck, cappa, sopressata and your other favorite cured meats.

The vibe here is really fun and casual. Young patrons occupy small wooden tables, they chat freely and listen to the upbeat music coming from the sound system. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the music selections--a jazz rendition of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" and Britney Spears' "Toxic." I know, I know, cheesy as hell but I promise that the jazz versions were awesome.

Food:

The main reason for our visit was of course to sample the famous paninis. We took our panini tasting very seriously, ordering three different kinds and sharing them with each other --a fun way to experience a variety of flavors and I recommend it. Here's what we tried:

Root Vegetable Soup: This was a group starter and what a beautiful introduction to our meal it was! The soup was topped with a warm pesto flatbread, which we split into thirds and dipped into the soup. I couldn't decide which was better--to eat it on its own or to submerge it into the creamy soup. I'd get this again in a heartbeat and because the portion was generous, we hung on to it for dipping sauce for our paninis.

Fried Eggplant: Served with fresh tomatoes and basil pesto, this was our only veggie panini and it happened to be my favorite. Despite being fried, the eggplant was very light and enhanced nicely by the pesto. My mom pointed out that it was not overly garlicky like some pestos can be and I think that's what made it yummy. Bravo for the pesto!

Prosciutto: This meaty panini also included tangy Gorgonzola cheese and sweet fig spread. The figs gave it a "desserty" taste, providing a nice contrast to the other more salty paninis. Although my dining companions loved this dish, I'm not a huge fan of cooked prosciutto. I would've preferred if the prosciutto was added at the last minute in its original form.

Sunday Special - Soppressata: Served with fontina cheese and sliced green apples, this sounded too good to pass up. The apples were paper thin, a perfect complement to the salty soppressata and the stringy fontina. I'd say that this pannini was the gentlest of the bunch and I could've finished the whole thing myself.

In addition to paninis, Il Bambino also boasts a sampling of tapas.

Service and Cost:
Absolutely no complains about the service--our waitress was laid back, pleasant and our plates appeared and disappeared in good time. Another positive is that we didn't have to wait long for the check. The staff at the front counter was friendly and welcoming too, answering our questions about their impressive, colossal cupcakes.

Cost-wise, Il Bambino is wallet friendly--$4 for soup and crostini, $6-$10 for antipasti, $7-$8 for salads and tapas, and $7.50-$8.50 for paninis. Il Bambino is a BYOB establishment, which fits its personality--so come by for lunch or dinner and bring a bottle of white with ya.

3 Mmmms