Celebrating our anniversary last week, Dan and I splurged on a special dinner at M.Wells Steakhouse. I've been dying to try this place ever since it opened, but haven't gotten around to it, so this made for a perfect opportunity.
Atmosphere:
Located on a discreet corner of 43rd Avenue and Crescent Street in LIC, M. Wells Steakhouse isn't the easiest to find, but once you uncover it, you'll be glad. Occupying an old garage/body shop space, it very much fits the vision that its innovators had for it in that it's unique, a little quirky and very noteworthy.
Once you walk in, you're welcome by a warm vibe and an overall spacious open floor dining room. I love that you have full view into the kitchen, which puts on display the talented chefs that make all that steak magic happen. There's a wood fired grill at one side from which delicious smells emanate and where you see women chefs flipping juicy steaks. It's the ultimate juxtaposition, which breaks every cliche in the proverbial book and I love that.
Food:
The simple yet intriguing menu left us pining for almost everything on it, and we didn't shy away from ordering a little bit of everything. In the end, I think we ordered too much, but my philosophy is to try it all and then pack the extra for later, which is exactly what we did.
Appetizers - We ordered two appetizers, including a classic Caesar salad as well as duck cooked inside of a pumpkin. The latter was a clear standout, as it represented everything that I love about fall - deep, rich flavors, seasonal veggies such as the pumpkin and mushrooms. The duck itself was luscious and juicy and flavored by a rich broth that soaked deep into the crevices of the pumpkin.
Steaks - The main draw is the steak of course, and we each chose something different, Dan deciding to go with a T-Bone and I tried the skirt steak instead. Both were cooked to a medium rare consistency and had a nice char on the outside from the wood fired grill. Even though they were generously marbled, I didn't mind and thought this added to the steak's overall tastiness. While my steak was a lot less low-brow, I preferred my dish, since it also came with other accouterments such as grilled onions, thinly sliced potatoes and chunks of comte cheese.
Side - Even though we didn't need it, we had to get a side of poutine for good measure. Everything about this was awesome including the hearty gravy, the crispy fries and the slightly melted comte cheese (the same one that was on my skirt steak).
Dessert - The dessert presentation was a thing of beauty, as our waiter came around with an elaborate cart full of goodies and meticulously described each item. There were some impressive dishes such as Pumpkin Chocolate Charlotte, which feeds 2-4 people and is a whopping $29.
We didn't try that needless to say, but decided on a chocolate whiskey tarte with a cookie crust. It was phenomenal - chocolatey, caremeley and crunchy on the outside, it was the perfect way to end this memorable meal.
Service and Cost:
Everything about the service at M. Wells was on-point. From the minute that we walked in and got seated to the bread and water service, to the very end when we received our to go bags, it was all high quality and super professional. The fact that the service doesn't feel stuffy and pretentious also says a lot about M.Well's excellent management.
Costs are expensive but unsurprising for the uniqueness of this place:
Appetizers - $11-$15
Steaks & Mains - $18-$160
Sides - $8-$15
Dessert - $6-$29
3 Mmmms
M.Wells Steakhouse - 43-15 Crescent Grill, Long Island City NY 11101
718.786.9060
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
magasinwells.com
Always impressed by the seasonally relevant offering at Alobar, I recently found out they've rolled out a new summer cocktail menu. Featuring a selective but thoughtful offering of refreshing cocktails with both brown and clear liquor, you'll want to come back several times and try each one. Take a look at the below menu and see what strikes your fancy.
The Neighbor...$13
Four Roses bourbon, Dolin Dry, Averna, maraschino liqueur
Rye Not? (pictured above)...$12
Rye, Fernet Branca, mint, lemon
The Wright Stuff...$13
Greenhook Gin, creme de violette, maraschino liqueur, lemon
Drink with No Name...$13
Del Maguey mezcal, Sorel, Velvet Falarnum, lime
The Bitter Truth...$13
Greenhook Beach Plum, Campari, Dolin Dry, Cocchi Americano
Chauvinist Pig...$12
Pig's Nose scotch, chartreuse, Romazzatti, douglas fir
Gin & Juice...$12
Greenhook Gin, orange, sage, Cocchi Americano, Cointreau
Alobar - 46-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC NY 11101
718.752.6000
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alobarnyc.com
It's officially June, which is exciting in itself because summer's coming, but also because we get to celebrate the the best of the LIC food scene through the Taste of LIC. Organized by the Chocolate Theater, the Taste of LIC is one of my favorite Queens tasting events, with the best eateries in LIC, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside and the surrounding area, showcasing their finest. It's also the place where new restaurants come to preview as well as tried and true places showcase new seasonal bites. Needless to say, it's an all around fantastic gathering that gets the community together and where people show off their LIC pride!
Each year, the event seems to get bigger and bigger, bursting with restaurants, specialty food purveyors and talented entrepreneurs. Below are just some of the establishments I'm personally excited to see, but they're all really fabulous.
51st Bakery and Cafe
Alewife
Alobar
Antidote Chocolate
Bear
Casa Enrique
M.Wells
Mar's Oyster Bar
Rest-au-Rant
Sweetleaf
Here's a full list of participants as well as the essential event details:
Taste of LIC, Tuesday, June 3rd
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Gantry State Park, 49th Avenue & Center Blvd, LIC
Purchase your tickets here
It's always fun to see the new and exciting activities that restaurants are rolling out in time for spring and summer. M. Wells in particular does a great job of refreshing their menu and keep things seasonal and true to their French Canadian roots. Just check out some of these new yummies that are being served up at both the M. Wells Dinette and the M.Wells Steakhouse. Note that in the month of June, M. Wells Steakhouse will offer brunch service on the terrace, which sounds lovely.
Dinette:
Beets and burrata
Tripe and spring vegetable ragu
Braised lamb garganelli
Cream of asparagus soup
Stuffed duck neck
Cherry poppyseed cake
Steakhouse:
Fish quenelles
Honey smack tri tip
Whole boneless grilled rabbit
Bone marrow french onion soup
M.Wells Dinette - 22-25 Jackson Avenue, LIC 11101
718.786.1800
7 Train to 45th Road, Courthouse Square
magasinwells.com
M.Wells Steakhouse - 43-15 Crescent Street, LIC 11101
718.786.9060
E Train to Court Square
magasinwells.com
This weekend was quite a busy one, as I attended several blog related press events, celebrated a dear friend's new journey in life and got to check out a few new neighborhood haunts. One of these happened to be Dutch Kills Centraal, the newish neighborhood bar in the Dutch Kills area on 39th Avenue. Some of you may know it for its recent name trademark controversy with Dutch Kills bar, which is being fully appealed.
But...let's get to the facts:
Atmosphere:
Very much a neighborhood watering hole, Dan and I walked in at an odd time, as we were in the mood for a quick snack and a drink before moving on to the city. We found the bar to be cozy and filled with a few people, celebrating a child's birthday party. Even though this was a bit unusual, it spoke volumes of DK Centraal's friendly, hospitable environment.
Inside, you'll find a nice looking mahogany bar that stretches through the entire length of the main room. On a chill afternoon, we got our pick of seats, but I imagine it gets busy in the evenings. Along the perimeter of the room, there's lots of little tables and an overall spacious airy vibe that makes this place feel very comfortable and conducive to just lounging around.
Food:
Although I wasn't very hungry, Dan was ravenous and ordered a burger sans the bun. Of course I teased him about it, but what came out was as equally impressive as it was delicious. The juicy burger patty totally hit the spot, and it was cooked to a perfect medium texture.
A heaping portion of shoestring fries with skins still on provided a tasty accompaniment that was made even better when dipped into a spicy aioli. An overall solid meal experience made me curious about other things on the menu that I'll have to explore next time (such as the fish and chips).
Service and Costs:
Staying true to its neighborhood vibe, the service at Dutch Kills Centraal also feels personal and friendly. It didn't take long for the bartender to strike up a conversation in getting to know us and vice versa. Enjoying the friendly banter, we'll look back on our experience fondly and would love to return for a tasty bite and a filling pint.
Costs are on the higher side for a casual bar, but definitely justified due to quality and an overall positive customer experience. We paid a total of $25 for Dan's burger, a beer and a club soda.
3 Mmmms
Dutch Kills Centraal - 38-40 29th Street, Long Island City NY 11101
718.606.8651
N/Q Train to 39th Avenue
www.dutchkillscentraal.com
I love exploring new restaurants in Astoria and LIC, especially in untapped locales such as LIC's Dutch Kills area. Visiting Crescent Grill a few months ago for their big debut party, I got a little taste of what this neighborhood has to offer, which is plenty.
Meg and I had the fun of paying another visit to Crescent Grill the other week, properly sampling their refined, sophisticated menu. There's a lot there that impressed and surprised us in positive ways, and Crescent is certainly a place I'd return to again sooner than later.
Since I've already told you about the atmosphere back when I first wrote about this place, let me get right to the eats.
Food:
Sharing a meal with Meg is always fun, which allows us to really experiment with a menu. We enjoyed this style of dining at Crescent Grill, and ordered off their regular, prix-fixe as well as the lounge menu. Needless to say, there's lots of great options for everyone.
Endive Salad - This was my pick, as I adore endives and thought they'd be nice alongside crunchy bartlett pears. Overall, the salad far surpassed my expectations in presentation and taste. It looked striking, made up of little endive and pear peaks, which were then further embellished with frisee salad, dried cranberries, blood oranges and manchego cheese. For a simple salad, it sure provided an explosion of flavors!
Pappardelle Pasta - Meg had her eye on this homemade pasta dish and it totally delivered. The pasta was as fresh as can be, and showcased a beautiful explosion of colors from veggies such as brussels sprouts, kabocha squash and cherry tomatoes. A luxurious duck confit tied it all together, making it feel refined.
Yellowfin Tuna Tartare - A little welcome surprise from the chef put a smile to our faces, as we devoured this beautifully constructed tuna crudo, dressed in a citrusy, slightly spicy Thai chili dressing.
Braised Colorado Lamb Shank - I was really in the mood for something warm and comforting on this cold, rainy night, so I chose this hearty lamb shank entree. The meat was tender and succulent, falling off the bone, as it should. A few earthy elements in the form of roasted root veggies such as squash, zucchini and even rhubarb created an exclamation of flavors that had us licking our plate clean.
Crescent Burger - Meg couldn't resist Crescent's rendition of a classic burger, which you can order from their lounge menu. We oohed and ahhed when it arrived, as the burger looked scrumptious - the meat glistening from all that delicious juice and a mountain of double fried French Fries fit for the most discerning foodie. It more than delivered on its promise, and I'd put this burger right alongside other Astoria and LIC greats such as The Sparrow and Sweet Afton.
Chocolate Tart - Since we were on such a roll with the food, we couldn't ignore dessert and ordered this classic chocolate tart. Although it sounded simple on the menu, it was anything but, with a crunchy toffee crust, a dark, luxurious chocolate middle and even a side of delicate vanilla bean ice cream. In two words - perfect nightcap!
Poached Pear - Another pleasant surprise from Chef Milton, this dessert looked like a piece of art with a pretty, crimson pear, macerated in port wine. Conjoined with a delicate coconut sorbet through the help of a puff pastry stick, I had a hard time deciding how to dig in. Dilemmas, dilemmas...
Service and Cost:
Similarly to when we first visited Crescent, we were treated in a friendly, hospitable fashion and it's clear that their staff is experienced. We especially loved chatting with Chef Milton who has so much passion for what he does and really respects the ingredients with which he cooks. It's evident that he's eager to share his passion with other Long Island City and Astoria residents, and I can't wait to see how his menu will change seasonally.
Costs are on the higher side for LIC, but totally fair given the high quality of the food:
Appetizers: $12 - $14
Entrees: $18 - $34
Lounge Menu: $11 - $19
3 course prix-fixe $29
3 Mmmms
Crescent Grill - 38-40 Crescent Street, Long Island City NY 11101
718.729.4040
N/Q Train to 39th Avenue
www.crescentgrill.com
Just in time for April, I learned that Alewife will be debuting a new beer offering, featuring Two Roads Brewing Company, which hails from Stratford, Connecticut. Featuring a bevy of beers from this local brewery as well as their Tuesday night Taco Night, you'll be able to sample the following:
Igor’s dream – Russian Imperial Stout
Henry’s farm Double bock
No Limits Hefeweizen
Ol’ Factory Pils
Honey Spot Road White IPA
Rye 95
Worker’s Comp Saison
Road 2 Ruin DIPAAlewife - 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.937.7494
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alewifequeens.wordpress.com
It was a crummy, rainy day today, which is both a bummer and a blessing in disguise. After a few long days in Austin for SXSW, I took the day off to recharge a bit, which was totally awesome, as Dan happened to be home as well and we spent the day together relaxing and hangin' in LIC and Astoria.
First we hit the Noguchi Museum, which I haven't been to in years. For those of you who haven't yet been, it's a charming little sculpture museum, which you can get through in under an hour and get a lot out of it to boot. We saw a few exhibitions, including Noguchi's early drawings and the Archaic/Modern collection, which were both lovely - here are a few highlights.
After the museum, we headed for a quick happy hour drink at Pachanga Patterson, and it was awesome. I love their happy hour menu, which extends competitive prices for their homemade margaritas. For just $5, you can get a deliciou freshly made margarita, including fun flavors such as hibiscus and mango. I got the former and totally loved its vibrant color and tropical flavor. It reminded me of something drunk on a sunny beach, which is of course where I'd rather be. We got a side of chips and tomatillo honey salsa with it too, which totally did the trick. It was mild and a little garlicky, tasting very delicious together with the vibrant drinks.
During our visit, I also spied an interesting late night special, consisting of $1 tacos with the purchase of a drink between the hours of 11 p.m - 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.554.0525
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.pachangapatterson.com
Back in December, I attended a grand opening party at the new Crescent Grill in LIC. I liked it very much, and was especially impressed with the burgeoning Dutch Kills neighborhood and all the cool food and retail establishments that I encountered. While they didn't yet have a food offering during my visit, it has now been rolled out so I wanted to share the details.
Chef Owner Shaun Dougherty and Executive Chef Milton Enriquez, who's also a Food Network Chopped winner, have constructed the following delicious-sounding menu items. I hope you get to check it out soon.
Signature dishes:
Poppyseed Rock Shrimp Risotto - Mascarpone, Meyer lemon, broccoli florets, oven-dried tomatoes
Butter Poached Lobster - Fennel bread pudding, Thumbelina carrots,
black trumpet mushrooms, parsley beurre blanc
Braised Colorado Lamb Shank - Anson Mills grits, glazed kohlrabi,
roasted root vegetables, fresh horseradish
3-course Prix-Fixe Brunch $25
Includes a main course as well as a savory & sweet selection for the table:
Greek yogurt, house-cured salmon, wild mushroom tartlets with
breakfast sausage, house-baked bread, Green Tea Financier, Chocolate Cupcake, Cheesecake, Hazelnut-Cinnamon Biscuit.
See their full menu here.
An added bonus - The Crescent Grill also offers free shuttle service in the above shaded neighborhood, which is quite convenient.
Crescent Grill - 38-40 Crescent Street, Long Island City NY 11101
718.729.4040
N/Q Train to 39th Avenue
www.crescentgrill.com
Recently going out to brunch with Dan, Kimberly and Jonathan, we visited Rest-au-Rant, as we were taunted by their rich menu of breakfast treats. Dan and I had to be a little careful, as we're doing the gluten free thing again, but noticed there were things to choose from.
Omelette a la You - Deciding to go with something as simple and basic as an omelette, Dan and I both chose this dish with the impetus to customize it in our own way. The concept is straightforward and some may think expected, but Rest-au-Rant executes it really well.
Something that differentiates Rest-au-Rant's make-your-own-omelette offering is that you get up to 4 different ingredients to embellish your omelette with, and they all sound great.
For my creation, I chose gorgonzola cheese (my fave!), prosciutto, tomato and onion. Together, these ingredients created a deliciously hearty medley of salty, sharp, acidy and sweet flavors that complimented the egg beautifully. A generous side of home fries and a side salad, which were also flavorful, did the trick of filling us up for a good part of the afternoon.
Service and Cost:
We received nice, friendly service and even little homemade chocolate truffles to cap off the night. One unfortunate snafu was when the waitress forgot to send over the bacon jam we ordered, but it's probably for the best, as our bellies were already plump.
Prices are really competitive and only set us back about $25 per person with tax and tip.
3 Mmmms
Rest-au-Rant - 30-01 35th Avenue, LIC NY 11106
718.729.9009
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.rarbarlic.com
With Valentine’s Day just days away, you may be still be pondering about what to do in Astoria. Well…there’s plenty, and this round-up is just a little taste of it. Find a bevy of other options on my giant post of love on We Heart Astoria.
Astor Bake Shop – Chef George and his team always whip up something lovely and delicious, such as these fun, cheeky love cookies. 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria. 718.646.8439
Sweets First – I loved seeing this bevy of colorful cupcakes they’ve whipped up for V-day. Mix and match them with some cake pops for your special someone. 35-04 35th Avenue, Astoria. 347.741.4488
Tufino – There’s a major swoonfest going on around this lovely V-Day pasta, including special heart ravioli with housemade pesto, truffle cream, or vodka sauce filling. You can get them from this Thursday to Sunday. 36-08 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.278.4800
Woodbines – Moving over to LIC now, I was excited to learn about Woobines' V-day menu full of classic favorites such as steak au poivre, stuffed filet of sole, chocolate lava cake and more. See full Valentine’s Day menu here. 47-10 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.361.8488
Homemade sweets – I always enjoy making a special something for Dan and suggest putting a little love into your sweet treats. My personal favorites include: A Lemon Rosemary Tarte, Apple Croustade (pictured above), Bacon Chocolate chip Cookies, Old Fashioned Homemade Chocolate Cake
Surprise...the chill is back in our neck of the woods! Just another good opportunity to highlight the warming foods and drinks you can get around town to deal with yet another round of the polar vortex.
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Image by Bradley Hawks
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Wine is always a good idea, especially at Bear where they're featuring $20 bottles, each day. Check it out also for their warming Russian-style cuisine such as hot Ukranian borscht, cabbage and beef casserole, hunter's stew (with lamb) and more. 12-14 31st Avenue, LIC. 917.396.4939
For more vino goodness, Rest-au-Rant is a great option, especially on Wednesdays when all their wine is 20% off. Pair it with something luxurious such as their savory fondue or a gooey gorgonzola, fig and green apple panini. 30-01 35th Ave, LIC. 718.729.9009
I'm loving Alewife's new craft beer collection, including thick malty options such as Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout, which can be enjoyed with a signature, Sigmund's Pretzel Shop pretzel. If you haven't tried one yet, they're absolutely fantastic! 5-14 51st Avenue, LIC. 718.937.7494
There's nothing like a warm, delicious, melty mac 'n cheese and the one at the Sage General Store is hard to beat. Featuring a five cheese concoction with spicy cayenne breadcrumbs on top, it's the ultimate comfort food. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.361.0707
Warming up with a tasty burger is easy to do in the nabe, and these days I'm pretty excited about BareBurger's new bar offering, which goes beautifully with one of their signature burgers such as the Roadhouse or the Big Blue Bacon. The 31st Avenue locale now has a full on bar with signature cocktails such as the Johnny Appleseed (bourbon, green apple, hot honey, ginger brew), Rachel Carson (rosemary infused vodka, blackberries, homemade lemonade), Old Macdonald (bourbon, white peach, agave punch) and more. Check out the awesome $50 gift card giveaway we're doing with BareBurger on We Heart Astoria. 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.7011
Anyone who knows me can vouch for how much I love Mexican food. It's one of the most deliciously flavorful meals I can virtually have on any given day, and I enjoy both making Mexican food at home as well as having it when dining out.
Naturally, I was craving it recently and immediately thought of Casa Enrique in LIC. Since Dan hasn't been there yet, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity for him to try it, and for me to indulge in something spicy and comforting.
Guacamole - Even though I've tried this here the last time I came, we just couldn't resist. Loving the texture of this guac, it was both chunky and a little smooth with some punchy flavor from the jalapenos. I like that we got it moderate to a little spicy, which tickled our tastebuds and got us excited for the next course.
Mole de Piaxtla - It's hard for me to resist a rich, chocolatey mole, so this dish was a must for me. The chicken was super tender and deeply flavored by the thick mole sauce, which was pretty mild but created an almost stew-like consistency. The modest side of rice, which came on the side was yet again a tasty vessel for that magical sauce.
Service and Cost:
Very happy with the level of service we received, it felt good to be well taken care of and checked on throughout the evening. Although the staff was attentive, we never felt annoyed or pestered.
Costs are moderate and we paid about $60 including tax and tip for two entrees, guacamole and one sangria.
3 MmmmsCasa Enrique - 5-48 49th Avenue, LIC NY 11101
347.448.6040
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
It's the holiday season, officially and everyone loves to treat themselves to a festive drink. I'm excited to see that a few nearby restaurants have upped the ante on their cocktail offering, giving us a lot more options. Sweetleaf on Center Blvd, which is so much more than a coffee shop, and Alobar (also in LIC) are good examples of this. Check out their new spirits offerings below, and enjoy toasting to the new year!
Sweetleaf's New Cocktail Menu:
Jersey Tenor - American apple brandy, cognac, maple syrup, angostura (served over a rock)
20th Century - Gin, lemon, cacao, Lillet (served up)
Mure Mule - Vodka, fresh muddled blackberries, house-made ginger syrup, fresh lime juice, seltzer (served long)
Paloma Picante - Tequila blanco, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave, house-made habanero bitters seltzer (served long)
Whizz Bang - Scotch whiskey, dry vermouth, house-made grenadine, absinthe, orange bitters (served up)
A La Louisiane - Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Peychaud's Bitters, absinthe rinse (served up)
The Doctor - Jamaican rum, Swedish punsch, fresh lime juice (served up)
Bartender's Choice - Choose from citrusy, sweet, sour, spicy, refreshing, aromatic, shaken, on a rock, long
Hot Butterscotch Rum - Spiced rum, homemade butterscotch, hot water
Xocolatl - Tequila reposado, spiced Mexican hot chocolate, habanero bitters, cinnamon stick
Sweetleaf - 46-15 Center Blvd, LIC NY 11101
347.527.1038
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave
www.sweetleaflic.com
Alobar's New Whiskey Menu:
Bourbon & Blends:
Alibi
Basil Hayden
Black Dirt
Blanton’s
Buffalo Trace
Bulliet
Bulliet 10
Eagle Rare
Few
Four Roses
Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Single Barrel
G. Dickel Select
High West American Prairie
High West Campfire
Hirsch
Jefferson’s
Makers Mark
Moonshine
Old Pogue
OYO
Pappy Van Winkle 12yr.
Pappy Van Winkle 15yr.
Peach Street
Prichards Double Barrell
Rock Hill
Rough Rider
Widow Jane
Russel’s Reserve 10yr
Redemption
Smugglers Notch
Town Branch
Wathen’s
Whipper Snapper
Rye:
1512
Bulliet
Charred Oak
Dickel
Jefferson
Mckenzie
Redemption
Rittenhouse
Russell’s reserve
Templeton
Widow Jane
Few
J.P. Wiser’s
Whistle Pig
Scotch:
Abelour 12yr
Ardbeg 10 yr
Bowmore 12yr
Bunnahabhain 12
Dalwhinnie 15yr
Dewars
Glenkinchie
Glenmorangie 10yr
Johnny Walker Blk
Quinta Ruban 12yr
Laphroiag
Macallan 12yr
McCarthy’s (Oregon)
Oban 14yr
Pigs Nose Rosebank 21yr
Oban Distillers 1997
Irish & Canadian:
Jameson
Red Breast 12yr
Bushmills 10 yr
Bushmills 16yr
Crown Royal
Alobar - 46-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC NY 11101
718.752.6000
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alobarnyc.com
This past weekend, Meg and I went to check out the new Qns Urban Mkt inside the (fill-in) building, which is also the home of Coffeed independent coffee shop. Even though the locale is in no man’s land, customers reap the benefits of a spacious building with high ceilings and plenty of room to hang out.
Once we walked in, we were hugged by a potent aroma of freshly brewed coffee, which brought me to my happy place. It was nice to observe the laid back vibe and the many folks who chose the space as their afternoon work haven.
After we walked around the market (more on that soon), Meg grabbed a coffee, and that’s when I noticed their interesting lunch specials. If you find yourself in the nabe, you may want to take advantage:
Coffeed
Lunch Special - $10
All items are served with a side of a Brooklyn Grange salad
Feta Artisanal Pizza:
Choice of Brooklyn Grange Vegetable pie, Prosciutto, or Genoa Salami
Sandwiches/Wraps:
Hail Caesar – Grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, lettuce, tomato
Chipotle Grilled Chicken Wrap – Grilled chicken, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato
Very Veggie Burger – Veggie burger, lettuce, tomato, choice of mustard, mayo or ketchup
Avocado’s Number – Ham, lettuce, tomato, avocado, chipotle mayo
Steve-O – Turkey, avocado, melted cheddar, olive oil, hot sauce
Crispy Vegetarian – Crunchy fall vegetables (carrots, cabbage, peppers, cauliflower, cucumber) with balsamic
Northern Lox on toasted 7-grain or bagel – Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion
Egg Salad Sandwich on toasted 7-grain or bread – Organic eggs, mayo, scallions, celery, Brooklyn Grange lettuce, tomato
Big Tuna Sandwich on toasted 7-grain or wrap – Tuna, mayo, celery, Brooklyn Grange lettuce, tomato
Hummus Cheddar on toasted 7-grain or wrap – House-made hummus, Brooklyn Grange tomato, lettuce, cheddar, pesto
Panini:
Milano – Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, Provolone, greens
LIC Turkey Club – Fresh turkey, crispy bacon, greens
Three Cheese – Provolone, Swiss and cheddar
Coffeed – 37-18 Northern Blvd, LIC NY 11101
718.606.1299
R Train to 36th Street
www.coffeednyc.com
After what was a pretty long hiatus, I found myself at Sweetleaf, which is one of my favorite LIC coffee spots. Loving the original location on Jackson Avenue, I knew I was in good hands when I spotted their Center Blvd outpost while on my way to the LIC Flea.
Atmosphere:
It's strange to think of Sweetleaf situated on the ground level of a luxury apartment high rise, given its dark, grungy, indie aesthetic. I was wondering how they'd pull all that off in this modern new locale, but I was surprised at how well their original concept comes through in this space.
For starters, it's a lot more spacious and there's plenty more places to sit down and spread out (this is especially great when you have your laptop and a load of work with you). I love that you don't feel cramped and that the wifi works well, which isn't always the case with the other coffee shops in the vicinity.
A beautiful antique bar dominates the space with a vintage gilded clock as its center piece. I like that you can position yourself at the bar if you like, making you appreciate this coffee shop/cocktail bar hybrid.
Strawberry Iced Tea - Even though it's hard to pass up Sweetleaf's Stumptown coffee, I chose to go for the iced tea instead. Listed in their specialty drinks section, along with the Iced Rocket Fuel, it sounded refreshing and interesting, made of unsweetened iced tea, simple syrup and fresh strawberry puree. It totally delivered, and then some, providing you with a hint of natural sweetness from the puree, which was swirled throughout. Although I didn't get one during this visit, it would've been nice to pair it with Sweetleaf's freshly baked scones.
Service and Cost:
The service very much mirrors what you get at the old location - laid back, friendly but not in-your-face. All good things.
Costs are expensive but totally worth the quality. My iced tea set me back $4.25.
3 Mmmms
Sweetleaf - 46-15 Center Blvd, LIC NY 11101
347.527.1038
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave
www.sweetleaflic.com
Last weekend, Dan and I made it out to the LIC Flea again, which was fun, especially since he's never been. I was happy to see some of the awesome food vendors from last time, but was sad that Little Wrinkles wasn't there, as we really needed to replenish their bodacious raisins (really...the best raisins I've ever had).
We did however, try out the Oaxaca food stand, which actually comes from the popular taco shop with a few locations in the city and Brooklyn. After indulging in tacos, Dan still wasn't completely satiated, so we went back to Bill's Balls for a meatball nacho platter. Mmmm...
Korean Taco - I always get excited when I see even hints of Korean flavors in a dish, as I generally love this flavor profile. Made up of bulgogi marinated steak, and topped with kimchi and a crunchy apple mango slaw, it provided a burst of flavor. The slightly spicy sauce that tied it all together was delicious too and added a little smokiness. My only negative about this taco was that it was so full that it was a little hard to eat.
Carnitas Taco - Dan got the classic carnitas taco with braised pork, pickled onion, cilantro and cotija cheese. The pork was tender and juicy, but not so much so that it created a drippy taco - it made for a most delicious bite, and was also filling, given the generous amount of meat inside.
Meatball Nachos - We couldn't resist this innovative spin on nachos from Bill's Balls, with a Philly Cheesesteak flavor profile. The meatballs were cut into bite sized pieces and embellished with grilled onions and a generous dose of beer cheese sauce. What can I say, it was a perfect take on street food and was so shareable. And at just $3 a portion, it was also a great deal!
If you haven't yet tried these food vendors at the LIC Flea, they come highly recommended and they'll be there through this month.
LIC Flea - 5-25 46th Avenue, LIC
www.licflea.com
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| Photo by Jesse Winter |
After an irregular summer schedule, M. Wells Dinette, located inside P.S.1 MOMA is back with their regular hours and always an evolving menu of unusual eats. The restaurant celebrated their 1 year anniversary just yesterday, and they're currently also working on a steakhouse project, also in LIC. The latter will be done in their signature quirky style and will be located in a former auto-body garage on Crescent street.
If you've been curious about the dinette, here's when you can go, and a little sampling of what you can get:
Thursday - Monday, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sampling of the menu:
Egg & tomato pot...$8
Foie & oats..$16
Foie gras bread pudding..$15
Escargot & bone marrow...$12
Fluke crudo...$13
Blood pudding...$13
Veal cheek stroganoff...$16
Bi bim Wells...$22
Aged Ribeye...$30
Pumpkin Tres Leches...$10
Chocolate Cheese Pie...$10
M.Wells Dinette (located inside P.S.1 MOMA) - 22-25 Jackson Avenue, LIC NY 11101
718.786.1800
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
www.magasinwells.com
Fully embracing the fall season, I recently learned that local LIC eatery, LIC Market is rolling out a new bar menu, with tasty local eats and some specialty drinks too. I loved seeing the combination of small plates and fancy cheeses that set my tastebuds aflutter. Here's what you can expect at the bar:
*Happy Hour takes place Tuesday - Friday between 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Cheese:
Moses Sleeper (cow’s milk), Jasper Hill, VT $8 - aged 3-6 wks, bloomy-rind cheese, buttery, bright, and savory
Reading Raclette (raw cow’s milk), spring brook farm, VT $8 - aged 3+ months, mild, semi-soft, sweet milk, acidic rind
Pave de L’Averyron (raw ewe’s milk), Roquefort, France $12 - ivory colored interior, semi-firm texture, sharp flavor
Small Plates:
Marinated Olives $6 - citrus, roasted garlic, fresh thyme & extra virgin olive oil
Sautéed Chorizo $8 - potatoes, chives and extra virgin olive oil
Cockles $12 - salsa verde, extra virgin olive oil
White Anchovies $7 - toasted pine nuts, chives & extra virgin olive oil
Charred Endive $7 - aged balsamic, grana padano, extra virgin olive oil
“Bar Nuts” $6LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/
Last week’s visit to the LIC Flea, got me poking around the neighborhood, and I also had the chance to peek into a few places I’ve been meaning to check out. One such eatery is the Cyclo Vietnamese Sandwich and Noodle shop, which boasts popular foods such as banh-mi sandwiches (my fave), pho, noodles salads, as well as clay pot rice dishes. While I saved all the eating for the actual LIC Flea that day, I made sure to grab a menu to entice me for next time. Here’s a peek. Have you tried Cyclo yet?
Noodle Soups (Pho)
Pho beef – with oxtail broth…$6 (Small)…$9 (Large)
Pho veggies and tofu…$6 (Small)…$8 (Large)
Super Bowl – pho with beef, chicken, shrimp and tofu…$14
Vermicelli Noodle Salads – these come with green leaf, cucumber, mint leaf, lime fish sauce, fried shallots and crushed peanuts
With marinated tofu…$8
With grilled lemongrass chicken breast…$10
With grilled pork chop or beef…$10
Sandwiches (aka Banh-Mi) – these come with pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, soy sauce and spicy sriracha sauce
Classic Banh-Mi Sandwich – with Vietnamese ham, roasted ground pork and pate…$8
Banh Mi Ga – traditional Banh Mi with chicken…$8
Vegetarian Banh Mi – with tofu…$8
Clay Pot Rice Dishes – these are cooked over rice in a clay pot with a side of steamed Yu Choy and Soy Gravy
Clay Pot Ginger Chicken…$10
Clay Pot Tofu and Shitake Mushroom…$10
Clay Pot Vietnamese Beef Stew…$11
They also have a lunch special on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during which they serve their regular fare but at lower prices, or sometimes combined with a side such as a salad.
I’m totally intrigued and can’t wait to check it out soon!
Cyclo – 5-51 47th Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.786.8309
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.cyclolic.com
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