Brunch at Locale is Nutellicious

Our friend Moses was in town this weekend, which was awesome.  We really miss him being all the way in Portland and all.  Wanting to spend some time at brunch this morning, we hung out in his old neck of the woods, near the 34th/35th Avenue area, and decided to go to Locale.

We went on the early side, which was great since it wasn't yet crowded.  However, an hour into our meal, it was packed, which is testament to its popularity.  Although I've been for brunch before, here are some new things we tried:

Locale Burger - I wanted something different than eggs, so I went for the burger.  And besides, I've never had it here before, so I wanted to see how it'd measure up to others in the nabe.  Overall, it looked mighty impressive, boasting a big, fluffy bun with two pickle slices on top.  The meat was pretty good and juicy, but I had higher expectations for a grass fed product.  Maybe it was too greasy, but something was detracting from it being outstanding.  Maybe it needed some spice (in the form of a sauce) and an earthier bun to bring up its level of sophistication.

Poached Eggs with Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy - This was Dan's dish and he really liked it.  Not all of it was stellar, as he mentioned the biscuits were kind of dry and not particularly flaky, but he said the eggs were perfectly cooked.  They were beautifully runny and the gravy definitely made the mediocre biscuits a lot tastier.  At the end though, he was a part of the clean plate club.

Texas Toast Stuffed with Nutella - This was Moses' entree of course, as he's a total Nutella freak.  He even asked for extra Nutella on the side if you can believe it.  Praising it to the heavens, he loved the Nutella aspect as well as the texture of the French Toast, which was crunchy and lovely - but also very rich.

Southern Omelet with Grilled Chicken - Since Paul is super serious about staying in shape, he ordered this with egg whites and sans cheese, due to his dietary restrictions.  He really enjoyed it, along with the crispy, well done hash browns on the side.  It was nice to see that a healthier version of any egg dish can be accommodated.

I was a bit disappointed in the coffee offering, as they didn't have basic skim milk or any other kind of alternative creamer.  It was all full fat, heavy stuff that quite frankly would've upset my stomach, so I drank the coffee black.

Service and Cost:
The servers were really nice and you can tell they were hustling on this busy morning.  Even though it took a little longer than usual to get the food out to us, our glasses of water and coffee were always refreshed. 

Costs are reasonable and for the above mentioned meal, including coffee and some morning cocktails too, we paid about $23/person including tax and tip.

2 Mmmms

Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.729.9080

N/Q Train to Broadway

www.localeastoria.com

Celebrating All Things Decadent at Locale

My week started with celebration, which was a great way to kick things off, as we went out for our friend Jamil's birthday.  We started with casual drinks in the city and ended things off at Locale, just a few blocks away from his apartment.  I haven't been in quite a while and was really excited to see what they've been up to.  To my great satisfaction, it sure looks like they've been perfecting things over time, as each dish we had was better than the next.  I surely won't wait this long to go again.  Here's what made me feel this way:

Braised Meatballs - Who doesn't love a meat ball?! We couldn't resist of course, especially when we saw that these were braised, which automatically meant tons of rich, deep flavor.  I'm happy to say that they absolutely delivered and then some, with a beautifully tender and moist interior that just made your tastebuds automatically happy.  The vibrant tomato sauce was not only incredibly hearty but also a little spicy, elevating this a step above a traditional meatball.  Our only complaint was that one meatball for each of us just wasn't enough.

Fagottini - This dish is truly special and a signature for Locale.  For those of you who aren't familiar with fagottini, they're little purse shaped pasta with a surprise inside.  Locale's version includes creamy gorgonzola cheese that's incredibly tangy, which is then further dressed in a creamy magenta beat sauce that just totally rocked my world.  Not only does it contain little bite sized pieces of beets, the sauce takes on a cheesy quality when mixed with the gorgonzola.  A sprinkling of crunchy walnuts help tie this delicious change purse even further together.

Beef Short Rib Risotto - Dan ordered this as his entree and loved it a lot.  Cooked in a hearty cabernet sauce, it had a lovely color and an even better flavor, tasting just like fall should.  The risotto was perfectly creamy and so was the meat, which was almost stew-like.  The crunchy onions on top were a really nice touch too.  Dan's only complaint was that it was a little too rich for such a large portion.  It worked out for me, as I got to nibble on it quite a bit.

Organic Chicken - Jamil went for the elegant roasted organic chicken you see above, with toasted polenta and asparagus. It looked impressive and from his empty plate at the end of the meal, I took that as proof.

Service and Cost:
Our server was attentive and helpful, and it was great that our dishes didn't take long to bring out.  And even when we whipped out a coupon at the end of our meal, the staff was gracious and accommodating, happy and willing to accept it.

Costs are moderate and for the dinner I just described, along with a $10 coupon set us back about $88 in total with tax and tip, so about $29 each.

3 Mmmms

Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.729.9080

N/Q Train to Broadway

www.localeastoria.com

Queens Restaurant Week Releases Its Restaurant List

I recently mentioned that Queens Restaurant Week is almost upon us again, starting on September 20th and going through September 30th (weekends not included).  Partaking in the food fun that goes along with it in year's past, I can comfortably say that Queens Restaurant Week offers excellent value at $25 per person, usually for 3 courses.  In some cases you can even get a 2-for-$25 deal (but that depends on the restaurant).

Recently spotting the full participating restaurant list on QEDC's website, I wanted to share it with you to whet your appetite.  There are over 100 restaurants on the current list, with  detailed deal opportunities coming soon.  Here are some of the ones in particular that caught my eye.

Astoria
5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106.  718.433.2727 
Christos Steakhouse - 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.777.8400

Forno Italia - 43-19 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105.  718.267.1068
Locale and Lucas Steakhouse - the latter would really be worth checking out, since its everyday prices are pretty steep.  Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.729.1980.  Lucas Steakhouse - 34-55 32nd Street, Astoria NY 11106.  718.786.5200
Punta Dura - 41-15 34th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.721.2137
Zuzies @MIX Cafe & Lounge - 40-17 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.406.9600

LIC
Lounge 47 - 47-10 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101.  718.937.2044 
Penthouse 808 at the Ravel Hotel - 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City NY 11101.  718.289.6101

Forest Hills
Irish Cottage - 10807 72nd Avenue, Forest Hills NY 11375.  718.520.8530
Q Thai Bistro - 108-25 Ascan Avenue, Forest Hills NY 11375.  718.261.6599

Enjoy perusing the list and make your reservations early!

Where to Eat on Easter Sunday

With Easter this Sunday, I thought it'd be helpful to provide some dining options in case you aren't feasting at home. The restaurant offerings below sound tasty and some are even cost effective, as not everything is a prix-fixe.

Prix-Fixes:

Beer Garden - Visit the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden this Sunday for their Easter celebration. In addition to the authentic Czech food for $19.95 per person, they'll have an Easter egg hunt and live music. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Trattoria L'Incontro - In true Trattoria fashion, they'll be featuring a $60/person 3-course prix-fixe menu. While expensive, you'll get your money's worth with all the delicious, quality food that Trattoria is known for. Entrees will consist of meats such as lamb and filet mignon, and reservations are still available. 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.3532

Bistro Les Minots - A new French eatery in Astoria, they're having a $25 prix-fixe on Sunday with traditional Easter dishes such as a leg of lamb with mashed potatoes and classic French desserts such as chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries. Yum! 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.606.2535

Special Menu/Daily Specials:

Vesta - Their Easter menu features selections from brunch and dinner. My favorite item is the braised lamb shank (pictured above), and I guarantee that if you get it, you won't be disappointed. Vesta's signature dessert, the Baby Jesus cake is delicious and quite appropriate for Sunday's holiday. Everything is priced a-la-carte. 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

718 - Another Frenchie spot, 718 is known for their tarte flambees, which resemble thin crust pizza. They'll have these along with their regular dinner menu all day on Easter. Brunch however, will not be available that day. 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.204.5553

Locale - Similarly to Vesta, Locale is offering a fusion of brunch and dinner on Easter. Special dishes include an Italian-style fritatta, steak marinated with peppers and avocado relish and fancy French toast. The atmosphere is very cool, contemporary and relaxing. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.729.9080

Tournesol - This LIC French bistro will have a couple of daily specials on Easter but their menu offering will remain a-la-carte. They make a killer French onion soup and some really yummy desserts such as bread pudding with luscious Creme Anglaise sauce. 50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101. 718.472.4355

Akti - Even though this place is Greek and they don't celebrate Easter until next weekend, it'll be fully open on Sunday, featuring a couple of daily specials. I'd recommend their catch of the day (grilled) and the zucchini croquettes. 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.3530

Regular Menu:

Piccola Venezia - Although they won't be featuring a special menu, they're known for fresh pasta and hearty meat dishes. Like Trattoria L'Incontro, Venezia is on the upscale side and the prices reflect that. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Mojave - In the mood for a non-traditional Easter dinner? Try Mojave and enjoy a plethora of Southwestern dishes. Prices are moderate and the atmosphere is lovely and celebratory. Everything will be offered a-la-carte on Sunday. 22-36 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.545.4100

I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday, full of beautiful dishes--and chocolate Easter eggs!

Lucas Steakhouse Coming Soon

A little while ago, I noticed Lucas Steakhouse, a new restaurant on 35th Avenue and 32nd street that's said to open soon. I've been watching it for a couple of months now and haven't seen much progress. The owners of this steakhouse also run Locale just around the corner on 34th Avenue. I called them to inquire about Lucas' opening and they mentioned about 3-4 weeks--we'll see.

A new, modern steakhouse will be a welcome addition the neighborhood, as there currently aren't many with the exception of Christos but that's more on the traditional side. Judging from the cool, sophisticated feel of Locale, I think that Lucas will also embody some of these qualities. The Locale website has minimal information about it and calls Lucas an "intimate steakhouse with all the luxuries you would expect from a fine Manhattan steakhouse. Serving USDA prime beef, dry aged to perfection."

That certainly sounds good. I'll report back when I have more information and a menu.

Lucas Steakhouse - Corner of 35th Avenue and 32nd Street, Astoria NY 11106
N/W Train to 36th Avenue
www.localeastoria.com

Celebrate Halloween in Astoria

Image by www.celebrating-halloween.com

With Halloween just around the corner, I thought that you'd find the below happs useful when making plans. The good news that most restaurants don't charge a cover and booty shakin' is almost always involved. Have fun!

As my Joey in Astoria colleague, Meg mentioned, Mojave will have food, dancing and an open bar from 10:30p - 2a. The party officially starts at 10p and there is a $50 charge for this all-inclusive evening. 22-36 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105, 718.545.4100

Indigo will have a costume party at 9p or 10p. There's no cover charge and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. 1st place gets $250 in cash! They'll also have a DJ and karaoke too. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102, 718-728-0050

718's annual costume shindig starts at 10:30p. They're offering a seasonal dinner, which starts at 5:30p and the party will continue until 4a with DJ Leon on the ones and twos. Ladies drink 2 for 1 from 10p - midnight and drinks generally range between $4-$9. 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105, 718.204.5553

Cavo's costume party is definitely glam and they go all out--especially with the prizes. 1st prize winner gets a 4 night hotel stay in Vegas and the 2nd and 3rd prizes aren't too shabby either. The party starts around 9p - 9:30p and there is no cover. 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103, 718.721.1001

While Ovelia won't be offering any food specials, they are having a masquerade ball, which starts at 11p. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103, 718.721.7217

Interested in a more private affair? Contact Bar 36 for their private Halloween party, which starts at 10p. 36-05 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103, 718.715.4420

Feast on a scary soup and sandwich combo at Cafe Bar, where a 1/2 sandwich and soup is only $9. They'll also have a DJ spinning some spicy Cuban beats. 32-90 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103, 718.204.5273

Want to keep your Halloween low-key? Visit Locale where there are no specific specials but you will be able to gawk at all the staff in costume. They have cute waiters so it might be worth it. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106, 718.729.9080

Astorian Father's Day

Father's Day (this Sunday) seemed to creep up on us this year. I reached out to local eateries to see if they've got something special cookin', but it looks like they've been caught by surprise too. No real specials to report and for the most part, restaurants are doing business as usual, which isn't a bad thing. Why fix it when it ain't broke, right?

Below are my suggestions for celebrating Father's Day the Astorian way.

Christos Steakhouse - Treat Dad to a great classic steak dinner or lunch. Their meat and seafood are top quality and I'd suggest trying the Clams Casino and the Steak au Poivre. They're opening shop three hours earlier on Sunday in honor of Father's Day. 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.777.8400

Piccola Venezia - This Northern Italian eatery will be serving their regular menu on Sunday. Expect a lot of homemade pasta and interesting combinations such as pumpkin in brandy cream sauce. It's on the expensive side so count on dishing out some bucks. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Locale - Again, serving their regular menu, they'll be open from 11a-4p for some fabulous brunch. Dinner service starts at 5p, and I'd recommend trying the Gnocchi Sorrentina. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.729.9080

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - The Euro Cup is on this weekend and you can catch coverage right here. Just a warning, it gets way crowded so get there early. And while you're at it, treat Dad to a yummy burger or a kielbasa from their outdoor grill. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Zenon Taverna - This affordable and homey Greek spot doesn't disappoint. For Father's Day, they'll be serving specials such as spring lamb the old fashioned way, rabbit stew, Greek lasagna and fried meatballs. Stop in and see what the hoopla is about. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Taverna Kyklades - Although the menu is the same as usual, get here early to grab a spot--this place is notorious for lines so be prepared. The seafood is supposed to be out of this world and one of the best in Astoria. 33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.545.8666

Elias Corner - Another rustic, Greek fish place, this one's definitely masculine and something that Dad would enjoy. Have him pick out a fresh fish for his entree, which he can enjoy on the outside terrace. 24-02 31st St, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.932.1510

Stove - A classic comfort food restaurant that serves Dad-friendly fare such as French Onion Soup (pictured above) and hearty fish and chips. Their outdoor garden is a perfect setting to enjoy a cold one with Dad. 45-17 28th Avenue, Astoria, NY, 11103. 718.956.0372

Happy Father's Day Astoria!

Locale - Dessert Stole the Show

Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.729.9080

N/W Train to Broadway

www.localeastoria.com

This was my second time at Locale and I enjoyed myself even more than the last time when I came for brunch. The food was better and the company was equally great--our friends Lauren and Keith came out to see us from Long Island. We wanted to bring them out to a cool, funky place that was nice enough for a Friday night treat but laid-back enough where we could casually enjoy each other's company. Locale delivered on all accounts.

Atmosphere:

Even though I've described Locale's atmosphere in my last review, I have to point out that I much rather preferred its setting for dinner than for brunch. The lighting is dim and creates an intimate mood, accentuating the shabby-chic decor of Matisse-like paintings and exposed brick walls. It was a perfect way to spend a Friday night dinner with friends but I'd also recommend it for a quiet romantic dinner.

Food:

Locale offers a mix of Mediterranean fare, from pasta and paninis to chicken, meat and fish. Everything was prepared well and tasted fresh. Although not everything stood out, for the most part, the dishes met and even in some cases exceeded expectations.

Gnocchi Sorrentina: I chose this dish because I wasn't in the mood for anything meaty and because I have a soft spot (no pun intended) for gnocchi. Locale's version definitely delivered. First of all, they were enormous and so soft that they melted on my tongue. The tomato sauce, which they were dressed in was fresh and had a nice crisp flavor. There were medium sized chunks of fresh mozzarella resting on top--they melted slightly from the hot gnocchi and sauce, making it even more delicious. I'd strongly recommend this dish for dinner.

Rigatoni Bolognese: This was Dan's dish and he had a hard time deciding between that and the Frutta di Mare pasta special. After opting for the Bolognese, he was more than satisfied with his choice. I had the pleasure of tasting this and it was all that a Bolognese should be--chunky, meaty, hearty and the pasta was cooked al-dente. I especially liked that the pasta was a small version of rigatoni--it made the meat easier to scoop up.

Other Entrees: Keith ordered the Tuna special, which was mixed in with penne, garlic, radicchio and black olives. While this sounded amazing it was a bit on the salty side and Keith wasn't overly impressed. It's unfortunate and true that specials could be a hit or miss situation. I read somewhere that too many specials could mean that chefs are trying to get rid of old ingredients--except in a place like Trattoria L'Incontro, where specials are what you come for.

Lauren got the lemon chicken and I think she liked it. She wasn't too vocal about it, which made me think it was just OK. It looked light and nothing too out of the ordinary--I certainly wouldn't call it a stand-out.

Dessert: This is where Locale turned up the heat and even before I start describing our desserts, I'll say that I very much recommend coming here for this course alone.

The first dessert, The Decadent Bomba (don't quote me on the "decadent" part) was a 3:1 consensus--I was the difficult one because of my slight aversion to peanut butter. But when this dish arrived at our table, it was so beautiful that I couldn't resist a taste. It reminded me of tartufo and this one was made up of peanut butter gelato with a chocolate center, embellished with caramel sauce and more hot fudge. Lauren, Keith and Dan absolutely loved it and Dan couldn't stop talking about it the whole weekend.

The second dessert was a great standby, which we got mainly for my sake--the Chocolate Molten Lava Cake. Again, it was out of this world and the chocolate was a perfect mix of heaven and luxurious decadence. The fresh vanilla bean gelato that accompanied it was also excellent, providing a refreshing contrast to the warm chocolate--a pure and simple must in my book.

Service and Cost:

Our waiter was really nice and very enthusiastic about the menu. When asking him for recommendations, he replied with effusive but believable raves such as "I LOOOOVE the Frutta di Mare" or "The Bolognese is also GREAT." Nice guy and a good server. The only thing that irked me a little is that he seemed impatient with us at the end of the meal and told us that people were waiting for our table (hint, hint). He was just being fair I guess, and if I was on the other end of that I'm sure I would've appreciated his tenacity.

Cost-wise, Locale is pretty moderate and won't hurt your wallet. Pasta ranges between $11.95-$15.95, chicken dishes range between $12.95-$19.50 and dessert ranges between $3.50-$7. Dinner cost us about $36 per person including tax and tip--not bad.

2 Mmmms

Precious Water - Astorians Join the Tap Project!

Image by www.tapproject.org

Thousands of restaurants around the country are joining the Tap Project--a campaign that recognizes and appreciates clean and available tap water in our communities and at the same time helps UNICEF distribute clean water to children around the globe.

How the Tap Project Works:

All participating restaurants encourage their patrons to donate a $1 for their drinking water during their visit. Yes, that water is normally free but by giving a $1, you'll help provide clean water to those who need it most.

I was excited to see that Astoria's restaurants stepped up to support the cause. Visit these eateries between Sunday, March 16th and Saturday, March 22nd, give $1 for your water and help needy communities around the world.

Participating Restaurants in Astoria:

Ovelia Psistaria - Fun place for traditional and modern Greek cuisine--and a great brunch option. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Sanford's Restaurant - Astoria's landmark diner--has been in the 'hood for over 75 years!

30-13 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106. 718.932.9569

Chocolate Spoon Coffee House - A new cafe/bakery in Astoria--known for serving drinks in amazingly oversized mugs. 37-03 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.204.0780

JJ's Asian Fusion - A neighbor of the Chocolate Spoon, you'll find tasty sushi and other eclectic Asian grub. 37-05 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.626.8888

Locale - Trendy cafe/bar, serving Italian dinner specialties and various brunch options. 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.729.9080

Support this cause and enjoy Astoria's delicious cuisine along the way.