Astoria Gets Ready for Halloween with Delicious Sweet Things

With just two weeks away, Halloween is quickly creeping in, and it's fun to see that places in the neighborhood are getting ready.  While on a stroll through 30th Avenue and Ditmars, I noticed a few awesome Halloweeny things that caught my attention.  Make sure you check out these creepy, scary and beautiful windows and pop in for a treat.

Leli's Bakery - The best Halloween window I've seen so far is at Leli's with their creepy crawler cakes that you see above.  Not only are these creative and colorful, they exemplify amazing pastry and fondant work.  Aside from these impressive cakes, they also have Halloween themed cookies, cupcakes and other yums.  35-14 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.626.8090

La Guli Pastry Shop - On my way to get a haircut yesterday, I noticed the beautiful Halloween desserts in their window, including fondant cakes, gorgeous marzipan pumpkins and ghosts.  It looks like they have decorative sugar cookies as well, which are simple but always a big win with the kiddies.  19-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.728.5612

Martha's Bakery - While the Halloween decorations are still in the works, there are plenty of pumpkin flavored treats available such as cookies, cupcakes, a pumpkin apple cheesecake, pie and even sheet cake.  Go orange! 36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.9737

What other kinds of Halloween treats have caught your eye?

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

Quick 4th of July Astorian Round-Up

Image by La Guli Pastry Shop

Happy 4th of July Astoria!  Hope everyone has a fun day planned, either at home or if you're spending it away.  In case you're hanging around the nabe, I wanted to provide you with a quick, little food game-plan.

Singlecut Beersmiths - Fun times! Singlecut will be hosting a special 4th of July trivia night tomorrow starting at 8 p.m.  There's plenty of communal tables that are great for hanging out - so bring your family, bring your buddies and brush up on your fun fact knowledge with a cold one.  19-33 37th Street, Astoria.  718.606.0788

Brunch - There are lots of restaurants in the nabe featuring a special 4th of July brunch including the Queens Kickshaw, Ovelia, El Ay Si and others.  The Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden will have special Karaoke night tomorrow starting at 7 p.m.

Dessert - While you may find some bakeries observing the holiday, others such as the Astor Bake Shop and La Guli are open and serving up some patriotic treats.  Just have a look at La Guli's pretty red, white and blue cookies and cakes.  

Something homemade - If you're spending the 4th at home or at a friend's house, consider making something homemade and special.  A few recommendations that have gone over well for me are this chocolate peanut butter ice box cake, these chocolate chunk with a hint of sea salt cookies, and perhaps some messy (but still very delicious) brownie ice cream sandwiches.

Hope everyone has a great 4th of July!

Last Minute Astorian Mother's Day Round-Up

Time to celebrate Mama, which is an awesome time of year.  I always look forward to hanging out with my mom and honoring all that she's done for my brother and me.  This year, we're starting the celebration at my brother's and ending things off at City Field by watching Cirque du Soleil's Totem. What are your plans? In case you're looking for something lovely to do in the nabe, here are 5 suggestions.

MP Taverna - Newcomer MP is rolling out the big guns with their special Mother's Day brunch and dinner service for a $29.95/person prix-fixe.  Menu highlights include lobster risotto, Greek pork sausage, slow cooked lamb shank and a chocolate halva brownie.  31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.777.2187

Queens Kickshaw - I love the affordable dinner option over at The Queens Kickshaw for just $25/person.  Expect yummy treats from their brand new dinner menu such as hard cider arancini, Kickshaw bibimbap, beet pasta alfredo, a deconstructed apple cobbler and more.  Check out our We Heart Astoria write-up of all of these menu items and more.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Vesta - If you'd like to take mom for a real down home comforting meal, I highly recommend Vesta. The trick is to make reservations or to get there early.  They'll be featuring some brunch favorites til 3 p.m. such as the warm bankie and their hangover pizza.  Dinner will be served too, with yummie faves such as homestyle lasagna, pork sausage spiedini, soft shell crab and more.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

La Guli Pastry Shop - I adore all the special sweet goodies that La Guli is making just for mom.  These include chocolate Mother's Day lollipops, beautifully decorated sugar cookies and special Mother's Day Cakes.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.728.5612

Teaspoon Bake Shop - Even though it's not in Astoria, I wanted to pay special attention to this Bayside bakery that has tons of beautiful baked goods just for Mom. Think festive cake balls, intricately decorated MOM cookies, cupcakes, French macarons and a lot more.  36-41 Bell Blvd, Bayside.  718.224.4626

3 Delicious Spring Treats

Image by Brooklyn Bagel

Now that it officially feels like spring, and boy did we need it, everyone is up and about, roaming the nabe.  I love seeing everyone looking all chipper and happy, and it goes without saying that we're now in the mood for refreshing, cold treats.  In honor of spring, I wanted to give you just that - three delicious, cool treats you can enjoy on a warm sunny day.

Cold brewed iced coffee - With so many places to get a flavorful cup of iced coffee, there are a few that stand out to me, including Brooklyn Bagel, Avenue Cafe and The Queens Kickshaw of course.  Take one to go while walking to the subway or enjoy one while sitting down at a sidewalk cafe (Avenue Cafe would be great for that!).  

Gelato or ice cream - If you're looking for a cool, delicious little something, there's nothing like homemade gelato in the nabe.  My personal favorite is the pistachio from La Guli, followed by the hazelnut from Martha's or my new personal favorite, the We Heart Astoria Baklava ice cream from Malu in LIC.  

Healthy smoothie - There's nothing like a refreshing, healthy juice or smoothie to get your day started right, and there are a few places in Astoria you can get one.  Your Healthy Kitchen on 30th Avenue and 44th street will make virtually any juice you like.  Meg, Mackenzi and I tried an amazing concoction with beets, spinach, ginger, carrots and other delicious ingredients, which made this drink really satisfying.  Other good smoothie options include Pita Pan and Create Astoria.

Happy 4th Astoria - 3 Last Minute Specials!

Image by Recipestap.com

Happy 4th Astoria! Hope that everyone is having a lovely and sunny Independence Day.  While many of you may be out and about, partaking in BBQs and other such fun happs, in case you don't have plans yet, here's a short list of 3 things you can still do:

Mojave - Join Mojave for their 4th of July celebration today with live music, a special BBQ menu & open bar, tequila shots and other specials.  You won't be disappointed, especially with their awesome margaritas, sangritas, beers and other refreshing drinks.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Ovelia - Featuring a fun line-up of food and drinks specials, if you'd like to hit it up early, you can enjoy brunch, which is being served until 5 p.m.  After that, you can indulge in their legendary Rock 'n Rib Wednesdays menu, which is Ovelia's special Greek twist on BBQ.  I've had it before and highly recommend it (think kafteri poppers, buffalo fried calamari, and of course BBQ'd ribs).  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

La Guli - If you're in the mood to cool down a bit, visit La Guli for their awesome homemade gelato and Italian ices.  They also have 4th of July themed treats such as a red, white and blue cake with vanilla and chocolate custard as as well as mini 4th of July themed cupcakes.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.728.5612

La Guli's Pistachio Refreshment

It's been a little while since I last visited La Guli Pastry Shop, one of my old school neighborhood favorites that always brings me back in time.  Although I love sweets, I try to behave myself on a regular basis, but of course love to splurge once in a while and yesterday was such a day.  As it was quite warm and pleasant out, and I just got a haircut at the nearby SPAce salon, I thought it the perfect opportunity to pop in for a quick gelato refreshment.  

For those of you who haven't yet tried La Guli's gelato, you simply must.  I think it's really the best in the nabe and beats any other competitors, such as Martha's or Omonia, etc.  Even though I really enjoy the latter ones as well, La Guli always upholds the highest standard.  While I usually go for something rich and indulgent like chocolate/caramel, I went with pistachio this time.

Pistachio Gelato - The best part of La Guli's gelato is the texture.  Creamy and smooth, it's the right amount of soft and frozen.  It very much tastes homemade and you can feel the perfected recipe that has gone into this dessert and the rich history poured into each scoop.  It's not overly sweet, which adds to its refreshing taste, and the chunky (and only slightly salty) pistachios that further add to its authenticity make me quickly reach for another consecutive spoonful.  And so it goes, until the cup is empty...

Service and Cost:
Beware that it gets quite crowded in La Guli's narrow space on hot days, but the wait is never long enough to be a turnoff.

A single (but generous) scoop of gelato in a cup is $3, which I think is fair for such amazing quality, and comparable when you think of the competition.

3 Mmmms

La Guli Pastry Shop - 29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.728.5612
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.laguli.com

Thanksgiving in Astoria - Happy Happy!

Thanksgiving is almost here.  Whether if you go out for a pre Thanksgiving dinner or drinks, a Thanksgiving multi-course meal or treat your family and friends to a delicious holiday pie, here's a list of 10 options that'll help you celebrate this holiday in the way of your choosing.

Vesta - Open and serving their delectable, farm-to-table food, Vesta is a great place to check out if you want a Thanksgiving a-la-carte menu.  From roasted butternut, acorn, pumpkin soup to their own version of a turkey dinner, Vesta always has something delicious in store.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.545.5550

Ornella - This gem of a restaurant will remain open on Thanksgiving and they'll keep it authentic with a turkey on the menu.  However if you're in the mood for excellent, homemade pasta, you won't find a shortage of it here.  29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105.  718.777.9477

Ovelia - Although they'll be closed on Thanksgiving, they're raising Rock n' Ribs Wednesday to the next level, featuring three big DJs who all got their break by spinning at Ovelia.  Plus they're putting buffalo fried calamari back on the menu. YUM! 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103.  718.721.7217

L'Artiste Restaurant - My new favorite French restaurant in the nabe will be serving dinner on Thanksgiving - and similarly to Vesta, it'll be a la carte.  There's no special menu that day, so you'll get to pick from classic French bistro dishes such as roast chicken cordon bleu, seared duck breast, classic profiteroles and much more.  42-20 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  646.309.7504

Studio Square - In their life-of-the-party fashion, Studio Square will be featuring a Thanksgiving Eve party on Wednesday night starting at 3p.m..  You won't have to worry about a cover, and drinks specials will be going on all night.  35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106.  718.383.1001

Martha's Country Bakery - If you're celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family and want to bring over a great pie, try Martha's.  They have many seasonal flavors including, apple, pumpkin, pecan, cranberry-walnut and also other fruit varieties such as cherry, blueberry and more.  Costing about $12 - $14, they don't come cheap but they sure will satisfy.  36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.545.9737

La Guli Pastry Shop - Another yummy place to get a homemade pie, their flavors are plentiful including apple, sweet potato, coconut custard, pumpkin, and even a "green pie" that's made of whole-wheat dough.  Pies range between $10 - $14.50.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.728.5612

Mojave - This Southwestern eatery is boasting a special three-course Thanksgiving menu including complimentary drinks such as a margarita, sangrita, wine, champagne, beer or a mojito.  It'll set you back $34.95 per person and I think you'll be happy with your choice.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.545.4100

Locale - Featuring a Turkey Feast, which is ultimately a prix-fixe Thanksgiving menu, you can check out Locale for a nice and casual dinner.  Some of the dishes you can find include squash soup, prime rib, a fall apple cobbler and more.  $39 per person.  33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106.  718.729.9080

Seva - For something a bit untraditional, check out Seva for an Indian-style Thanksgiving.  They'll have their regular menu, which is always excellent - the lamb curry is especially amazing, and if you're a veggie, their samosas shouldn't be missed.  30-07 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103.  718.626.4440

These establishments will unfortunately be closed on Thanksgiving.

5 Napkin Burger
718 Restaurant
Bistro 33
Malagueta
BareBurger
Cafe Bar
MexiQ
Taverna Kyclades

Have a happy and healthy - and enjoy your feast, wherever you might have it!

My Quest for Great Gelato Has Ended

La Guli Pastry Shop - 29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.728.5612
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.laguli.com

Last weekend, you might remember me talking about my quest for great gelato, when my parents and I tried a variety of flavors at Da Franco's.  But even though our experience was pleasant and certainly refreshing, I wanted to try something new this weekend, so I decided to sample the gelato at La Guli.

A true neighborhood icon, La Guli is a nostalgic Italian bakery with beautifully made sweets ranging from cookies and pastries to cakes and pies and homemade gelato to ices.  I knew what I came for and I did a good job at keeping my dessert blinders on, ordering a rich-looking chocolate/caramel gelato cup.

Chocolate Caramel Gelato - Wow! If I thought last week's gelato at Da Franco's was good, the one at La Guli truly blew me away.  The texture was rich and creamy and so chocolatey, tasting of good quality dark chocolate.  The caramel was interspersed throghout in soft gooey chunks and it was a truly excellent pairing.  Although the flavor was very rich, it didn't feel heavy and did a great job at cooling me down on a hot day.  I highly recommend it if you're a hard-core chocolate fan.  In addition to this flavor, I spied some other ones such as coffee, strawberry, pistachio and am curious to try them soon and see how they measure up to Da Franco's.

In terms of cost, it was a bit cheaper at $3 for a small cup - and the scoop was more generous than the one at Da Franco's.

3 Sweet Mmmmms

Turkey Day in Astoria

Are you staying in the nabe for Thanksgiving? Although some restaurants will be closed, there are plenty that will remain open for business--and are offering impressive Thanksgiving specials. Feast your eyes on these filling Thanksgiving offers...

Seva - Give your Thanksgiving some Indian flare. Enjoy a three-course feast for just $14. The food is fantastic and you'll get way more than what you pay for. Here's a sampling of Thursday's meal - Turkey Tikka Masala, Cranberry Saffron Rice, Cashew Pumpkin Halwa. And remember, you can bring your own booze--this joint is BYOB.
30-07 34th street, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.626.4440

Mojave - Enjoy Mojave's Mexican Thanksgiving for $29.95. You'll get a complimentary cocktail along with a three-course meal. Here's a preview - Butternut Squash Bisque, Cider-brined Hudson Valley Turkey, Pumpkin Cheesecake.
22-36 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105, 718.545.4100

Samba Grill - Celebrate Thanksgiving Brazilian-style, where meat is always the main event. Samba is offering a $25.95 prix-fixe, where you'll enjoy an oven-roasted turkey along with other cuts of meat and an all-you-can-eat buffet. A glass of sangria is included and reservations are strongly suggested.
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105. 718.777.9477

Zenon Taverna - Zenon never fails to deliver a delicious and affordable meal. For $21.95 they're offering a three-course meal including the following scrumptious-sounding options: Cream of Turkey Soup, Roasted Turkey with Stuffing and Sweet Potatoes as well as Pumpkin Pie and Coffee.
34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Cavo - Always ringing in the festivities in style, Cavo is offering a four-course Thanksgiving prix-fixe for $45. A sampling of their luxurious menu includes: Veloute of Green Split Peas Braised Short Ribs of Beef, Osso-Buco of Turkey Leg Braised With Orzo Tomatoes and Herbs, Caramel Sweet Potatoes, Fig and Honey Cheesecake.
42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.1001

And don't forget about Thanksgiving dessert...

Martha's Country Bakery - Bring home Martha's old-fashioned lattice fruit pie. They come in a multitude of flavors such as apple, cherry, blueberry, pumpkin, pecan, cranberry walnut and more. Pies range between $12-$14.
36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.545.9737

La Guli Pastry Shop - Another wonderful sweet shop with Italian flare, you can get pies as well as "Happy Thanksgiving" sugar cookies. Pie flavors vary and include: cherry, blueberry, apple, pumpkin, coconut custard, sweet potato and even mince pie! Prices range between $10-$26.50.
29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 718.728.5612

Happy Thanksgiving Astoria!

Dinner With Two Famous Chefs

Image by www.annateresacallen.com

Italian chef, Rocco Sacramone and esteemed cookbook author, Anna Teresa Callen will host a dinner and wine pairing at Trattoria L'Incontro this fall. Chef Rocco will cook a four-course meal based on Anna Teresa's latest cookbook, My Love for Naples. Ms. Callen will join for dinner and graciously sign copies of her cookbook, which everyone will receive.

The evening promises to please not only the palate but also your culinary intrigue. Below are the details. Although the event is pricey, it sounds like a special evening, targeted to insiders.

4 Course Dinner at Trattoria L'Incontro

When: Wednesday November 5th, 2008

Time: 7p

Location: Trattoria L'Incontro - 21-76 31 Street. Astoria, NY 11105

Price: $100 per person

Organized By: Dish du Jour Magazine

Reservations: 718.777.7918

And one more thing...dessert will be prepared by the famous La Guli Pastry Shop in Astoria--they're known for their luscious cannolis but on this evening, they'll prepare dessert from Ms. Callen's cookbook.

La Guli - It's Like Going Back in Time

La Guli Pastry Shop - 29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.728.5612

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.laguli.com

La Guli has been an Astorian institution for over 71 years--in fact, it still operates from its original location. An endearing pastry shop serving all your favorite sweet essentials, they offer custom cakes, pastries, cookies, gelato and everything in between. My mom and I walked in on Mother's Day to get a treat for my dad and our attention was immediately caught by the colorful marzipan fruit and the impressive-looking cannolis. Besides that, the entire shop was decked with all sorts of Mother's Day paraphernalia such as chocolate lollipops, cakes and even custom packages of chocolate covered strawberries.

I have to be frank, La Guli is pricey but the quality of their treats is so great that I highly recommend it. Here's a sampling of their goodies. A beautiful thing which has to be mentioned is that they sell homemade gelato all year round--not many pastry shops in the area could say the same.

Gelato (various flavors including chocolate, hazelnut and pistachio): $2.50 per scoop

Cannolis (regular or chocolate dipped): $2.25 - $2.50

Marzipan fruit: $22 per pound or $3.50 per piece

Apple Lattice Square: $1.75

Custom Cakes for Birthdays, Weddings or other Special Occasions: Individually priced

I highly recommend their cannolis and gelato--the scoops are large and I'm usually good with just one. They stay open pretty late both on weekdays (9p) and weekends (8p on Sunday).

If you want to treat yourselves to a delicious dessert in a nostalgic atmosphere, check out La Guli Pastry Shop.