Easter in Astoria

It's a big week with Easter and Passover both here, and with that come lots of festivities featuring delicious food and drink.  Although you may already have plans with friends and family, here are a few thought starters on how you may want to celebrate it in Astoria.

Koliba - My beloved Slovak restaurant always offers something special for Easter, and I was delighted to check out their special menu just for this occasion.  I love it because it's both decadent and affordable (veggie diners may want to sit this one out).  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria. 718.626.0430

La Guli - You can always count on La Guli to have the best Easter candy in stock, including these beautifully colorful chocolate eggs (pictured above).  They remind me of the hand crafted folk confections I'd see in my native, Slovakia.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.728.5612

Martha's Country Bakery - Martha's is another must as far as baked goods go.  Their medium and large sized hollow chocolate eggs are already at the bakery while their specialty Easter cupcakes and cookies will make their debut this weekend.  Can't wait! 36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.9737

Front Toward Enemy - Although they don't have a special Easter menu per se, their weekend Punch Brunch will very much be in order, with an unlimited morning cocktail punch option.  Check out their brunch specialties menu.  40-11 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.2269

Zenon Taverna - In their traditional style, Zenon is starting the Easter celebration early with a late night dinner on Saturday night that goes until 3 a.m. A special menu of Cypriot foods sounds delightful and includes items such as Magiritsa, Trahana and a Roasted Leg of Lamb.  See full menu here.  34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.956.0133

Warm up Astoria - Hot Toddies, Mulled Wine, Hot Apple Pie Martinis, Oh My!

Image by Snowdonia

Brrrr..it's freeezing out there!  I hope everyone is staying as warm as possible and doing their bestest to bundle up.  A few days ago, I threw out some suggestions of warming up with hot cocoa, but now since the windchill has hit a new low, I thought it'd be good to turn to something stronger.  Here's a quick run down of warm boozie drinks you can enjoy and at the same time, warm up with.  Drink up and stay warm, Astoria.
Sweet Afton's hot cider cocktail will do the trick on a cold day.  Containing organic apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, orange peel, and a choice of bourbon, spiced rum, or brandy, it'll surely warm your bones.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

I bet not many of you know that Koliba serves up mulled wine during winter.  It's pretty symbolic to have this warm, spiced drink during holiday time in Slovakia and I always look forward to having it at Koliba.  Truth be told...it's very potent.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Even though it's not your traditional warm winter cocktail, I love the variety of stouts offered at Alewife.  Nothing says robust, hearty and satisfying like a tall glass of milky stout such as the Left Hand, Dogfish Head, Alesmith and more.  5-14 51st Avenue, LIC.  718.937.7494

When it comes to Hot Toddy's, Snowdonia has you covered with this piping hot beauty (pictured above).  What can be better than sitting down to this warm comforting drink and getting a Snowdonia stacked burger to satiate your hunger?  34-55 35th Avenue, Astoria.  347.730.5783

For something a little more luxurious, how about a Hot Apple Pie Martini cocktail at Bistro 33? Just looking at the ingredients of this drink warmed my belly, with fireball whiskey and firefly apple moonshine...need I say more? 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

An Astorian Thanksgiving - It's Coming!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so I thought I'd start to think about it early this year, seeing as I completely glossed over Halloween.  It's nice to see a lot of businesses in the nabe are planning early, and all the themed menus and fun offers are getting me excited.  Here's a few to get you started.

Koliba - Even though it's probably not the first place you think of for a Thanksgiving meal, I expect that it'd be delicious.  Their Thanksgiving menu includes traditional things such as turkey with all the fixins, but they also have Slovak/Czech style dishes on the menu.  You'll find this dinner to be a prix-fixe, ranging from $15.75 - $24.75.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Cavo - I like visiting Cavo on special occasions, since it feels kind of celebratory and a little fancy, too.  Taking a peek at their Thanksgiving menu, I spied yummy things such as roasted butternut squash soup, oven roasted free range turkey, brussels sprouts, chestnut cranberry stuffing and more.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.1001

Astor Bake Shop - Everyone knows that ABS is totally worth its salt when it comes to dessert.  They've been baking up a storm with seasonal treats and are taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving seasonal pies.  This rustic apple beauty certainly caught my eye.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Vesta - These guys always do a great job of hooking you up for Thanksgiving, whether you choose to dine in or take out.  I found the take out option pretty cool, as they feature an entire Thanksgiving feast to-go (including their signature, Baby Jesus Cake) for 8-10 people.  Find out what Thanksgiving Foods are included here.  21-20 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550 

John Brown Smokehouse - Further on the topic of a take-home Thanksgiving feast, how about something with a smoky, bbq twist? JBS has a few tasty options for you, including a whole pecan smoked turkey with sides and a special order of pecan or pumpkin pies.  Prices vary based on how many mouths you want to feed.  Email them directly to find out more and to place your order.  10-43 44th Drive, LIC.  347.617.1120

Fall Eats at Koliba Slovak Restaurant

It's been a while since I've been to my favorite Slovak restaurant in the neighborhood, which you guys know to be Koliba.  Every time I go, it's an opportunity to introduce someone new to my culture, which I always love doing.  This time, the introduction was made by my friend Anne (who often  helps contribute to We Heart Astoria), as she introduced me to Jared from the Eat the World NYC blog and his friends.  

Jared's mission is to explore international cuisine, right here in our neck of the woods - whether that means Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan or any other borough that will let him and his comrades sample different things.  I love their fearlessness of trying virtually anything, and it was a lot of fun to dine with them last week, as they exemplified a passion for Slovak food.  I was flattered!

Although I'm pretty familiar with most things on Koliba's menu, there were a few newbies too which I tried.  Here are my highlights:

Dumplings with Eggs and Pickles - It's been years (yes, years) since I've had this dish with my Slovak friends, and it was just as good as I remember.  Made up of delicate little bread dumplings that are intermingled with clouds of scrambled eggs, it's like a late night twist on brunch.  Paired with a sour/sweet pickle on the side, it provides a fun contrast for the more mild dumplings and eggs. Even though it wasn't a strong enough flavor profile for some of my American friends, I continue to enjoy it.

Fried Cheese - One of my all time faves here, it yet again delivered.  My new friends loved the little surprise found in the center, which was the smoky ham. Yeah, it's a ham and cheese in a fried format, so how can you really go wrong with that?!  I continue to love their homemade tartar sauce that comes on the side and makes this dish so comforting.

Grilled Kolbasa - I'm not sure that I've ever had this here, but it's an all-time Slovak staple.  Koliba's version delivered with a smoky rendition of this pork delicacy.  It didn't need much of anything in terms of sauce, since it was as juicy as can be, boasting a blistered exterior.  Dan, who just had klobasa at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden just a few minutes before commented about how much better this one was.

Schnitzel Vihorlat - An unusual take on the pork schnitzel, this one was covered with a variety of veggies and cheese.  It was a very rustic (almost messy dish), which was tasty, but the only bummer was that they skimped out on the schnitzel meat.  We brought this to the staff's attention and they graciously fixed the mistake.  Despite this little mishap, the veggies and the cheese created a fun combo that got me inspired to make something like this at home.

Marlenka Honey Cake - Seeing this cake as part of Koliba's offering really surprised me, as they usually just a have a standard dessert offering of strudel and crepes.  Although this cake isn't baked on premises, it's made in the Czech Republic and ironically comes from an old Armenian recipe.  I liked its many beautiful layers that were bound by a creamy honey glaze.  The walnut topping was delicious, adding an earthy quality that we all appreciated.  My dining companions concurred that this was the most original of desserts.

Service and Cost:
Given that we were a pretty large group of people, the service was on-point.  I was happy to order for everyone in Slovak and the waitress was sweet and very accommodating.  Although we had a little mishap with our schnizel dish, the staff at Koliba more than made up for it, and we left feeling great and pleasantly full.

Costs continue to be affordable, and for the above-mentioned feast, including 3 more entrees, apps and a round of beers, we paid a total of $31/person with tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com 

Easter the Slovak Way at Koliba

Image by Honestcooking.com

There's one more Easter menu that caught my eye today that I just had to post.  It comes from my favorite restaurant in Astoria, which is Koliba, serving Slovak food - my native cuisine.  I like that the menu options are plentiful and also wallet friendly.  See what you think and do make a reservation if you're looking for something meaty and delicious (and if you feel adventurous to boot)!

Koliba Easter Menu

Beef Soup
Slovak egg cheese, "hrudka" (served traditionally on Easter), klobasy, mazanec (sweet yeast bread with raisins, pictured above), beets and  horseradish
Smoked ham with potatoes and vegetables
Roast loin of pork with bread dumplings (aka knedlik) and cabbage
Smoked pork with dumplings and cabbage
Beef in cream sauce and dumplings, with sauerbraten
$20.75/person

Pork or chicken schnitzel with potato salad
Roasted Long Island duckling with dumplings and red cabbage
$22.75/person

Roasted leg of lamb with potatoes and vegetables
$26.75

All orders also come with coffee or tea and homemade strudel

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Astorian Thanksgiving Roundup

Thanksgiving is almost here and everyone seems to be excited - especially given the difficult period we've just endured with Sandy.  It's no wonder that this year, it's pretty clear what we're thankful for.  I'm thankful for my amazing family and friends and for having a safe, comfortable home to come back to each day.  What about you guys?  How do you plan to spend your Thanksgiving? In case you need some ideas, here's a short round-up of Astoria and LIC venues that are doing Thanksgiving their way.

Bear - Featuring a three-course menu with sides, and of course turkey with stuffing, you can come by at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. or then on the later side at 8 p.m. The dinner will only set you back $45/person, which is a great deal for a Thanksgiving feast.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Vesta - Always doing it up special for Thanksgiving, come by for their very Italian Thanksgiving with dishes such as tagliatelle with braised pork, a 32 oz bone-in NY strip steak, and of course the turkey with olive oil mashed potatoes, corn bread and a cranberry glaze.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Sage General Store - If you're having Thanksgiving at home and are looking for dessert ideas, consider a pie from Sage General Store including flavors such as pecan, pumpkin and or a classic lattice apple.  24-20 Jackson Blvd, LIC.  718.361.0707

Koliba - Although probably not the first place you think of when it comes to Thanksgiving, they'll not only have the turkey but also traditional Slovak dishes such as pork with bread dumplings, spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and more.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Mojave - Their special Thanksgiving menu sounds really scrumptious with a marshmallow glazed turkey with butternut squash and sweet potato, the pork loin rollatini filled with chorizo and manchego cheese, and for dessert a cranberry glazed pumpkin pie and even a complimentary pumpkin martini or sangrita.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Koliba's Thanksgiving is Coming

Koliba, one of my favorite Astoria restaurants needs your support! Keeping up with their Facebook feed, I noticed that they've been a bit challenged with their technology as a result of the storm and haven't been able to promote their upcoming specials and events, which is a bummer.  

Being that Koliba is a fantastic institution with a lot of heart and not to mention delectable eats, I (and they of course) wanted to encourage you to pop in and show them some love.  They'll be featuring a Thanksgiving meal on the day of with your classic turkey feast, but also with lots of Slovak and Czech specialties such as their sheep's milk cheese spaetzle (pictured above), goulash with knedlik (typical Slovak bread dumplings), stuffed pork schnitzel and more.  

The folks here are super friendly and if you haven't yet heard, they were recently featured on Cooking Channel's Hidden Eats program.

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com 

Koliba Turns Up the Heat with their Fall Dishes

Image by Koliba

As the weather gets chillier this week, there's nothing like indulging in some comforting, warm, and rich food. One of my favorite places to find this in Astoria is of course at my beloved Koliba Slovak Restaurant, which has been a staple in the community for years.  

Recently noticing some of their weekend specials on Facebook such as this roasted pork with sauerkraut (note - it's slightly sweet) with luscious gravy on top, or this beautiful stuffed chicken with an also sweet red cabbage, it's the perfect way to ring in fall.  You'll also notice foods such as a warm cabbage soup, all sorts of stews made of beef, pork and chicken, as well as their homemade desserts such as a traditional honey cake and apple strudel.  

These are the kinds of foods that say fall to me.  What do you think?

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Koliba on Summer Vacation

Since it's the summertime, you'll see some of our local faves shut down for a little while, taking their much deserved time off.  Even though I'm sad to see that Koliba is one of these places, I appreciate that they need a break too so they can recharge their batteries for the fall and continue bringing us more greatness.

So...please note that they'll be closed from this week until August 27th.  They'll reopen on Tuesday, August 28th for more Slovak goodness.  So save your calories until then...

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Watch Koliba on the Cooking Channel

Well...ladies and gents, the time has finally come for Koliba to have its time in the spotlight.  You may recall that a few months ago, my parents and I visited our favorite Slovak restaurant for the taping of a Cooking Channel show, hosted by Aarti Sequeira.  Well...I'm happy to announce that the program is finally going to air tomorrow on the Cooking Channel and it's called Hidden Eats.  

Aside from Koliba, the program will also feature an Uzbekian-Korean restaurant in Brighton Beach and a gourmet sandwich shop in Charleston, SC, which both sound really promising.  If you remember correctly, my parents and I were interviewed by Aarti herself, so we expect a little cameo.  While I won't hold my breath, I remain hopeful.  Please tune in if you have time, and let me know what you thought.

Hidden Eats, hosted by Aarti Sequeira
6/24 at 8 p.m. EST
The Cooking Channel

Back at Koliba Enjoying My Kind of Food

This week, I was so happy to go to Koliba with Meg, our mutual friend Lisa and a few other new friends who were new to the wonders of Czech and Slovak food.  Meg and I were eager to show off the amazing cuisine to our Czech and Slovak newbies and I think they really enjoyed themselves.  Of course, most of the table got a helping of spaetzle (both with sheep's milk cheese and sauerkraut), but we also tried some other things that I must tell you about.

Pickled Herring - We got this on Meg's suggestion, and I was so glad that my dining companions appreciated it.  While most people get turned off by herring, as it's mostly covered in a heavy cream sauce, this one wasn't.  Dressed simply in the vinegar it was pickled in and some really amazing pickled onions, the herring was really fresh and tasted like the sea in the best way.  I put it on top of the peasant bread they gave us at the beginning of our meal, and couldn't help but feel like I was back in my mom's kitchen.

Combination Platter - My dad is usually the one who gets this, but since I typically just steal bites off his plate, I ordered my own this time.  Consisting of roasted pork of loin as well as a smoked pork, I felt that I got the best of both worlds.  Both pieces of meat were incredibly tender and pretty much falling apart upon contact with a fork.  I particularly enjoyed the smoked pork and loved pairing it with a mixture of green and white cabbage, which were both on the sweet side.  Just amazing, and as you can see by the big plate, it was incredibly filling.

Service and Cost:
Cordial and hospitable, the service never disappoints.  I loved that our waitress remembered me from last time and even gave me a helpful update on when the Cooking Channel show they taped there would air (next  Sunday! Don't worry, I'll remind you to watch).  Overall, we got wonderful treatment and I think our new friends were duly impressed.

Costs remain reasonable, as we paid $26 each, including tax and tip for everything, including a round of beers.

3 Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

From My Mom's Kitchen to Yours - Fried Cheese, Slovak-Style

In the spirit of sharing something delicious with you, I wanted to tell you about this awesome recipe for fried cheese, courtesy of my mom.  For those of you thinking about what's so special about fried cheese, I want to explain that it's a traditional Slovak food that we indulge in during special occasions.  Don't believe me?! You can ask the folks at Koliba and see how it's done.

The difference between a Slovak fried cheese and something more American is that we fry long filet-like strips of a hard cheese (similar to Queso Blanco) and then coat it with tangy tartar sauce.  Typically served with peasant-style potatoes and some veggies, as you see above, it's often served during lunch.  In fact, my dad ordered a portion last time we were in Slovakia.  

So without further ado, here's my mom's version:

Slovak Fried Cheese with Tartar Sauce - A la Fooditka's Mama

Ingredients (serves 2)
4 1/4 inch pieces of queso blanco (you can buy this in a Hispanic market or look for it in the international foods section in a supermarket)
1 cup of flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup of bread crumbs (recommend panko)
Oil (canola or vegetable oil is good)

Directions:
After you slice your cheese, cover each piece in flour, then dip into the egg wash and lastly in bread crumbs. Next step is frying. Make sure the oil is hot but watch it so it doesn't burn. You should go for a deep golden brown color (about 4 minutes on each side).

Homemade Tartar Sauce

Ingredients (serves 2)
1 medium pickle, finely chopped
1 - 1 1/2 tbs of mayonnaise

Directions:
Combine ingredients and mix well. You can add lemon juice to give it more of a saucy consistency.

More Easter Goodness at Koliba

Continuing to tell you about more places to eat during Easter Sunday, this post shines a light on my favorite Eastern European eatery, Koliba.  Visiting this quaint restaurant just a week ago, the quality and the freshness of the food can't be beat, and you surely won't go hungry for the value you're getting.  Just take a look at this special Easter menu:

Koliba's Easter Sunday Menu

Course 1:  Beef soup
Course 2:  Slovak "hrudka," (Easter Cheese) klobasy, mazanec (Easter pastry), beets and horseradish
Course 3 option 1: choose 1
Smoked ham with potatoes and vegetables
Roast loin of pork with dumplings and cabbage
Smoked pork with dumplings and cabbage
Beef in cream sauce with dumplings

$20.75

Course 3 option 2: choose 1
Pork or chicken schnitzel with potato salad
Roasted Long Island duckling with dumplings and red cabbage

$22.75

Course 3 option 3: 
Roasted leg of lamb with potatoes and vegetables

$26.75

Course 4:  Coffee/tea and strudel

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

My 15 Minutes of Fame at Koliba

As mentioned to you earlier in the week, this past Friday was a big day for my beloved Koliba Slovak & Czech restaurant.  Reason being is that they were being taped for a segment of a new Food Network pilot, hosted by no other than Aarti Sequeira of the Next Food Network Star and her show, Aarti Party.  My mom was the first one to recognize Aarti, and quickly struck up a conversation with her (as did I).  Long story short, just a few minutes later, we found Aarti sitting at our table, chatting with us and interviewing all three of us, Mami, Oci and me.

Naturally, we were pretty excited, as we let all our enthusiasm and love for Koliba and the Slovak culture pour out of us, answering all of Aarti's questions with a lot of elaboration and gusto.  She was loving it, I can tell, as toward the end of the interview she remarked at just how proud we are to be Slovak. It's true - no secret there, now let's let it spread to other eager foodies too! I hope we make the show.

Besides chatting with Aarti and enjoying all the hooplah of the taping, we also sat down to a delicious dinner of homemade Slovak cuisine that we simply never tire of.  While I'm notorious for always getting spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and bacon, this time I opted for something ligther...

Chicken in Natural Gravy with Mushrooms - Even though this dish sounded really simple, I knew it would be flavorful and interesting - and quite frankly, anything with mushrooms is always an easy sell for me.  When it arrived, I was happy, as it was a beautifully browned piece of meat, topped with chunky mushrooms and plenty of gravy.  Gravy that I knew would be awesome for dipping the knedlik or bread dumplings that we ordered on the side.  As you can see here, the portion was quite large, and I took half of it home for Dan to devour.

Vepro Knedlo Zelo (Pork with Cabbage and Dumplings) - This is my dad's favorite meal in any Slovak or Czech restaurant, so naturally he ordered it again.  A few new things that were thrown into the mix was a combination of red and white cabbage - usually you can only get one variety, but they've now mixed the two which is innovative (it's still served separately but you now get the best of both worlds).  The other new thing is that you can also get a side of smoked ham as your second protein, so again, another combination platter option, which we all enjoyed.  I had a bite of the ham, and it was slightly sweet but with a smoky aftertaste. YUM!

Palacinky with Nutella and Bananas - As we were waiting and waiting for the Food Network peeps to arrive, we had to get dessert to keep the meal going and went for the palacinky (or crepes). Traditionally stuffed with jam, we chose the Nutella banana variety this time, which was indulgent and delicious.  The palacinka differs from a traditional French crepe in that the batter is a bit thicker and fluffier, giving it that distinct Slovakness.

Service and Cost:
We couldn't sing our praises louder for the outstanding service that night, even more so given that the restaurant was completely packed and we were being taped.  Our waitress was sweet and very attentive - after we told her that we were interested in staying to check out the Food Network activities, she was happy to let us linger as long as we wanted.  The gesture didn't go unnoticed and we tried to tip generously to show our gratitude.

For the above mentioned meal, including a round of beer and coffee, the bill came out to $90 including tax and tip.

Oh and one more lovely thing I must mention - I ran into one of my readers and her boyfriend as we were leaving.  It was such a pleasant surprise, and I was happy to chat with her about our mutual Astorian food experience. Thank you for introducing yourself!

3 Bready and Delicious Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Koliba on the Food Network!

I wanted to share a really exciting opportunity that's happening at my all-time favorite restaurant in Astoria, Koliba.  Many of you have no doubt heard me rave about it on many occasions, as this unassuming gem boasts some of the best homemade Slovak and Czech specialties that are so near and dear to my heart.

Well I was floored when I read that a Food Network special is being filmed there this coming Friday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. I may just have to come by when Food Network's staff will be on hand with Koliba's head chef, Jano, as they explore the inner workings of authentic Eastern European specialties such as spaetzle, goulash, bread dumplings, schnitzel and more.  Everyone is welcome to join and hang around when the Food Network folks come by - you may just end up on camera with your favorite dish.  I hope I do!

Food Network Taping: Friday, March 23rd from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.626.0430

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.kolibarestaurant.com

Koliba's Venison Feast is Coming

Any excuse I can make to get myself over to my beloved Koliba Slovak restaurant, I'm there.  The reason I love it, aside from the fact it deeply connects to my Slovak roots, is the excellent quality Eastern European comfort food they serve.  True that it's beloved by a lot of European ex-pats (including my whole family) but it has to be said that not one of my American friends hasn't embraced it with enthusiasm and an open palette.  

I recently caught wind of the Venison Feast they're hosting this entire weekend.  Just take a gander at this menu, and if it strikes your fancy, I highly recommend making a reservation:

**Caveat - the below menu is not for the faint of heart**

Venison Feast - Friday 1/27 - 1/29

Deer with cream sauce
Sauteed boar's leg
Deer loin in garlic
Hunter's goulash
Wild rabbit in cream sauce
Pheasant in wine sauce

If you prefer ordering off their regular menu, you can do that too, and I highly recommend the spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and bacon or the beef goulash.

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.626.0430

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.kolibarestaurant.com

Koliba Gets Ready for Easter

Although it might seem far away, Easter is right around the corner - next week actually.  It's nice to see that some Astoria restaurants are getting ready ahead of time and planning special menus, such as one of my all-time favorites, Koliba.  It's a marvel to see that they'll remain open on Easter Sunday and will serve the following yummy menu:

Course 1: choice of
Beef soup
Slovak kielbasa with dumplings and turnip pepper sauce

Course 2: choice of
Smoked pork with potatoes and veggies
Baked pork with bread dumplings and greens
Chicken in natural gravy, bread dumplings and mushrooms
$20.75

Course 3: choice of
Roasted duck with red cabbage and bread dumplings
Pork or chicken cutlet with veggies
$22.75

Chicken shish-kebab a la Baca (fried)
$26.75

Course 4:
Coffee, tea and strudel

Enjoy these delicious eats, and do let me know what you liked and didn't. 

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com

Koliba's Langose are In!

It's no secret that I love my Eastern European food.  And that's why Koliba remains one of my favorite restaurants in Astoria (and maybe of all time).  This little, mom-and-pop Slovak restaurant always dishes out some of the most amazing comfort foods that never lack flavor and delicious ingredients such as to-die-for thick-cut bacon. 

Meg and I had dinner there last week and while there isn't much that I haven't tried, we spotted a new item that made us stop in our tracks. Langos! 

I'm familiar with langos from my youth when my grandmother and I used to make them by hand.  Resembling a tortilla, our langose consisted of potatoes and flour, cooked on a hot griddle and then topped with some butter.  I later found out that this is the Hungarian way of making this dish.  The Slovak way is completely different and goes something like this:

Langos - The way Koliba's menu describes these delicious appetizers is by calling them "raised bread topped with cheese." What they really mean is that a langos is basically a hearty zeppole - instead of sweet fried dough, you've got a savory one instead.  All of this is topped with a mild shredded cheese, which if eaten fresh, melts slightly.  Overall, the langos is light and fluffy, albeit fried and a great way to start your meal here.  Just make sure you split it with at least two people, as this fried delicacy is pretty large.

Cost:
A generous piece of langos will only set you back $5.

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant

Koliba - Food with Flava at Great Value

It's no secret that Koliba Slovak restaurant remains near and dear to my heart. Although I'm partial to it because of my Slovak upbringing, even my American friends (and husband!) absolutely love this unassuming culinary gem.

I know, I know...I've mentioned their food before but here are some new, excellent dishes that I tried just last week--and that you shouldn't miss. And while food like this is probably a bit heavy during hot summer months, it's absolutely perfect for the cooler weather we're now experiencing.

Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa - I could probably guess what you're thinking..."sauerkraut in soup?" But please trust me when I tell you that it's excellent. The flavor of the sauerkraut is really gentle and it's mixed in with a hearty meat broth, interlaced with much pork goodness in the form of smoky kielbasa. The kielbasa chunks are small but their flavor is distinct. A spoonful of this soup will make you think of being in the mountains on a crisp winter day.

NOTE - If you want this soup, it probably won't be listed on the menu, so call ahead and ask if they have it as a special.

Pork Schnitzel with Potato Salad - Usually opting for chicken schnitzel, I changed things up by choosing pork. Hey, I already started with great kielbasa so why not ride out the wave?

I was absolutely amazed by the sheer size of the portion, which included two giant pork pieces that easily could've fed two or three people. The meat was tender and breaded perfectly on the outside--the coating was thin, crispy and not oily. It came with a side of creamy European-style potato salad with peas, carrots, onions and a mayonnaise sauce. Everything tasted fresh and delicious--my only suggestion would be to go lighter on the mayo.

Service and Cost:
I've never experienced a big crowd at Koliba and therefore, service is always good. Our waitress was friendly and gave us her personal recommendations. The thing that I love about Koliba, which I think they've gotten better at, is accepting new customers that are not Slovak or Czech natives. They're understanding and welcoming to new visitors, which is more than I could say for some other ethnic eateries in the nabe.

Prices remain affordable, especially given the big portions. The above two dishes set me back $22 including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com

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