Another Boston Pizza is Coming!

Image by Boston Pizza

Chatting with my fellow Astoria bloggers at last night's We Heart Astoria blogger's social at Ornella, we briefly talked about the closing of three year old Pasha Balkan restaurant.  I was sad to learn about this, as I adore Balkan food, which reminds me of my childhood vacations which we took in the former Yugoslavia.  I adore the typical dishes, cevapi and bureks and really enjoyed them at the former Pasha.

What's taking its place you ask?  Another Boston pizza (the original location is on Broadway near 37th Street), which my colleagues spoke about and which I noticed tonight as I was driving by.  To be honest, I'm not sure what to think of this, as I've heard some mixed reviews about Boston Pizza, but only time will tell how the community will react.  It looks like this new location will open any minute now.  What are your sentiments around it?

Boston Pizza - 31-01 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102
Opening Soon

N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.bostonpizzasubs.com

Junko Sushi Opens

About a month ago, I mentioned the upcoming arrival of a new sushi restaurant on Broadway and 33rd street called Junko Sushi.  Well, I've been watching it for a while and just recently noticed that it's fully functioning.  Walking by today, I noticed a nice crowd inside, and for a new restaurant it seemed to be doing well.

I grabbed a menu and liked what I saw - innovative dishes that span beyond just traditional sushi.  There are tons of inventive specialty rolls with a cool selection of cold and hot apps that almost seem tapas like.  Check out the sampling of the menu below, and prepare to drool.

Cold Appetizers:
Tuna or Salmon Dumpling - Avocado, wasabi caviar, scallion wrapped with tuna or salmon served with scallion truffle oil and wasabi vinaigrette sauce...$9.50

Seafood Ceviche - Tuna, salmon, blue crab, fluke, shrimp served with yuzu vinaigrette sauce...$10

Yellowtail Jalapeno...$9.50

Hot Appetizers:
Agetashi Tofu - Deep fried bean curd with tempura sauce...$4.50

Chilean Sea Bass Spring Roll - Chilean sea bass, scallop, shrimp & vegetable wrapped in crispy spring roll served with passion fruit & peanut lime vinaigrette sauce...$7.95

Thai Crab Cake - Pan-fried blue crab cake served with orange curry & passion fruit sauce...$8.95

Lobster Ravioli - Fresh lobster, scallop, shrimp & cream cheese served with cilantro-soy lime sauce...$8.95

Junko's Specialty Rolls:
Panko Crusted Tuna - Tuna with mixed greens wrapped with lightly fried panko served with chef's special sauce...$13.95

Sweetie - Crunchy spice salmon & avodado topped with salmon, served with spicy mayo sauce...$11.95

Junko's Roll - Spicy tuna, blue crab, lobster, eel & avocado topped with mango, kingcrab served with Thai pomelo, eel & raspberry sauce...$15.95

Broadway Roll - Tuna & avocado topped with salmon, crunchy seaweed salad & mix caviar served with spicy mayo and eel sauce...$14.95

Entrees:
Hot & Spicy Shrimp...$15.95

Conch with XO Sauce...$18.95

Seafood Delight with Cashews...$18.95

Pan Seared Tuna Soba...$18.95

Nabeyaki Udon - Chicken & egg udon noodle soup with two tempura shrimp on the side...$9.95

Yaki Udon - Stir-fried udon noodle with chicken, shrimp, vegetable & egg...$9.95

Junko Sushi -33-02 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.1588
N/Q Train to Broadway

Junko Sushi Replaces Moonstruck Diner

Not even a year into their opening, the very short lived Moonstruck Diner is being replaced.  I noticed its successor the other day when hanging out in the nabe with Meg and Tom.  All three of us noticed the big sign on the facade that said "Junko Sushi coming soon."

I like the sign - it's cheerful and funky and indicates that this new sushi place may be promising.  A good sushi option in the Broadway neck of the woods is needed, with other Asian alternatives in sight such as Thai, but not really a stand-out sushi resto.  Some of you may know Bai Sushi, closer to Steinway, which is generally good but not an absolute must.  We'll see what this newcomer brings, and in the meantime, if you know of its specific plans to open, feel free to holler. 

Junko Sushi -33-02 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
OPENING SOON
N/Q Train to Broadway 

Bar 30 Lounge is Coming...

As many of us (especially me) were sad to find out that Akti Greek Seafood restaurant closed down a few months ago, the other day I saw a new name displayed in the old space that piqued my attention.  I'm still not sure about what kind of establishment it'll be, but I have my speculations with a name like Bar 30 Lounge.  I'm a little deflated that the name sounds so generic - I hope that the place won't be a stereotypical "30th Avenue" joint with customary cafe fare and overpriced coffee. 

And with the opening of Sugar Freak and William Hallet, per Meg's awesome new restaurant report, 30th Ave is certainly picking up good buzz.  Give a shout if you know more about the new Bar 30 Lounge space, and I'll make sure to keep you informed as soon as I get the scoop.  In the meantime, we'll keep watching...

Bar 30 Lounge (Opening Soon) - 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

Veslo - My Take on the Dalmatian Sensation

Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com

Just this week, a fellow Astorian, Ana gave us her take on a new Croatian restaurant, Veslo.  Well I must say that it piqued my curiosity so much that I had to see it for myself.  Taking a fellow Croat with me, my friend Jenny and I indulged in an evening of delicious eats and fond memories of our Eastern European culture.

Atmosphere:
Before I get into the details, I wanted to give a brief background about the word Veslo and its meaning.  In Croatian as well as in other select Slavic languages including Slovak (my native tongue), Veslo means oar.  The significance of this word is important because you see it as the dominant theme in Veslo's interior and exterior design.  From its logo to its door handle to its ceiling and wall decor, oars are tastefully displayed everywhere.

I very much liked Veslo's set up - a long rectangular front-of-the-house with a modern, stone stacked bar, which then leads to a more squarish dining room with round tables for groups and square ones for couples.  There's a large window in the back that peeks into Veslo's upcoming outdoor seating for when the weather gets warmer (I can't wait!)  The color scheme is made up of reds, blues and earthy tones to conjure up images of the sea.  I think it works well to create a relaxing, rustic vibe with a modern undertone. 

Food:
It's not surprising to see that Veslo's menu is full of seafood specialties, which are interlaced into its every aspect.  But besides all the fish, there are also wonderful meat and veggie options that brought me back to my Eastern European roots.

Grilled Octopus - Jenny was immediately drawn to this dish because it hit close to home, as her mom makes it on a regular basis.  Needless to say, it had a lot to live up to.

Overall, the octopus delivered.  Served in two large pieces that were beautifully charred on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside, it's one of the better versions I've had.  In terms of flavor, both of us agreed that it fell a little flat - I think it needed more acid (even after we added a hefty sprinkling of lemon juice, it was missing that punchy zing). 

Stuffed Cabbage - I can't even explain how excited I was to hear this was the day's special.  Served up with a side of Croatian-style baked potatoes, it rested in the most amazing beef broth that had a slight sweetness to it.  The cabbage itself was stuffed with a rice/beef mixture and plenty of delicious spices.  Jenny went as far as to say it reminded her of her baba's (grandma's) stuffed cabbage.

Veal Gnocchi - Even before seeing the menu, Jenny knew she was getting the gnocchi (Ana's review enticed her).  She gave me a generous amount to taste and it was pretty good. I won't say amazing because I thought the gnocchi were a bit dense, but the veal was tender and flavorful, and the thick veal sauce stuck to the gnocchi dutifully.

Palacinke - The Croatian version of crepes, we were eager to try Veslo's rendition and chose three different fillings - marmalade, chocolate and ricotta cheese.  The latter was my favorite, as the ricotta was flavored with orange zest, producing the most delicate combination with the soft, airy crepe batter.  The marmalade was yummy too but it would've been better with slightly less of it.  Overall, this was a fantastic dessert that I'd love to repeat next time.

Service and Cost:
Since Veslo is a new establishment, the service was very careful, observant and dutiful.  I liked our server who seemed to have a good understanding of the menu.  On more than one occasion, one of the managers came by to check in on us - and not just because I was taking pictures, I saw this level of attention was given to everyone.

Prices are moderate - our dinner set us back $34/person including tax and tip (and drinks too).

Appetizers - $8 -$15
Pasta - $12 - $24
Fish - $18 - $28
Meat - $14 - $28
Dessert - $5 - $6

3 Mmmms

Veslo Rows into Town!

Image by veslonyc.com

Melissa, an avid Foodista reader sent me a very helpful heads-up today about a new restaurant opening this Friday.  Veslo or "oar" in Croatian, is the name of this new establishment that will represent Dalmatian culture, also known as the region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea.  It's therefore no surprise that Veslo's menu will feature lots of fresh seafood, prepared in a simple, fisherman-style technique that appears to be light yet still satisfying for the cold winter season.

Veslo will double up as a restaurant and sports bar, bringing patriotic Croats and other avid soccer fans with with hard-to-catch international matches.  American sports will be on too, so you can watch a plethora of games under one roof.

Here's a sampling of their menu to pique your curiosity:

Appetizers:
Boris Special - Hot seafood platter with steamed clams & mussels in a white wine sauce, grilled calamari and eggplant rollatini...$15
Steamed Shellfish Combo - Steamed clams & mussels, served in a white sauce...$11
Dalmatian Platter - Thinly sliced prosciutto & cheese, served with olives & peppers...$9

Pasta:
Brodetto a la Adriatic - A cornucopia of shrimp, mussels, scallops, clams & sea bass served in a tomato, white wine broth and infused with garlic parsley & basil over pasta...$26
Krapanj Style Orzotto - Sauteed octopus & calamari with barley...$22
Brodarica Style Bolognese - Veal & beef sauteed with prosciutto & tomatoes over spaghetti...$16

Fish:
Grilled Halibut - Served in a light lemon sauce...$20
Shrimp na Buzaru - Croatian-style shrimp sauteed with fresh tomato, green onion and garlic in a white wine sauce, topped with breadcrumbs...$21
Mixed Seafood Platter - A mixed platter of grilled lobster tail, filet of sole, shrimp and calamari along with steamed clams & mussels in a white wine sauce...$30

Meat:
Veal Sniceli - Pan seared veal with olive oil & a touch of garlic...$18-$20
Goulash - Cubed beef stew with olive oil, onion, garlic, red wine & fresh herbs...$16-$18
Veslo Mixed Grill Platter - Various grilled meats including cevapcici, raznjici & lamb chops...$28

Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com

MexiQ Kitchen & Draught Brings on the Flava and Spice

MexiQ Kitchen & Draught - 37-11 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.626.0333
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

After a lot of enticing press coverage about MexiQ and given that I'm a huge fan of Mexican food and BBQ, I went to check it out last week with Fran, a friend and colleague of mine. What started off as a cold, rainy night, turned into a pleasant (and filling) evening of good food in a cheery, funky atmosphere. I'll get into the details in a minute, but in a nutshell, I think it's a major step up from its weak predecessor, Balu, that a lot of Astorians just couldn't wait to see go.

Atmosphere:
A cross between a bar and restaurant, MexiQ offers a fun, playful vibe with warm colors and cheery decor that isn't too gimmicky. Although the atual space hasn't changed from its predecessor, it's a lot friendlier and not as monochromatic. They've kept the TV screen in the far back right of the restaurant, but instead of scenes of tropical fish, which didn't have much to do with anything, it now showcases vintage Western flicks, further solidifying a Southwestern theme.

One other aspect which I have to stress is the awesome (and very eclectic music) we heard throughout our meal. Ranging from The Shins to the more obscure, Mumford and Sons, I really enjoyed their indie music mix--a rarity in 30th Avenue cafes, which are drenched in mass popdom.

Food:
Clear from its name, MexiQ dishes up modern Mexican food with BBQ flavor. Think chicken wings with spicy cilantro achiote BBQ sauce, Mexican style fried chicken, adobo rubbed ribs, pulled pork carnitas and more. Fran and I started off traditionally, with guacamole, then took it up a notch with the braised meat tasting, only to end on a sweet note with a tres leches cake.

Guacamole - Although there were four different types of guacamoles on the menu, we chose the most basic of its kind. I was a little disappointed at that, as the other flavors sounded really different, incorporating lime poached shrimp, roasted pork belly and even chicken cracklin'. No matter...the classic would do just fine, I thought. Even though it was passable, I'd leave it at that, as it lacked an injection of flavor and spice that some of the best guacamole has. Overall, I'd suggest more fire and salt.

Cazuela Tasting - Fran and I were excited to try this little smorgasbord of braised meat including carnitas, brisket and shortrib. First off, it looked gorgeous, divided into individual cast iron dishes with little shot glasses of fixins including sour cream, pickled red slaw, guacamole and MexiQ's spicy house sauce on the side. There were also two packets of soft flour tortillas, which we opened immediately and filled with the tender meat. I first tried the meats individually, stuffing each in a separate tortilla. But as time went on, I combined the three. All permutations were delicious and smoky, my favorite being the carnitas, which had a slightly sweet taste from a pineapple marinade. The coca-cola reduced shortribs were a close second, with a nice kick at the end and a slightly sweet touch from the coke syrup. Yum!

Tres Leches Cake - I was personally running out of room but Fran suggested we try dessert. We went with a tres leches cake that was hard to refuse. It was just divine - a moist, dense cake with tons of flavor on its own, and when drenched in MexiQ's concoction of 3 milks (tres leches) including coconut, condensed and whole milk, it was to die for. On top of that, it had silky caramel on top. Plain and simple, this dessert was legit.

Drinks - In addition to all the food, I wanted to mention that MexiQ has an impressive drinks selection, boasting 48 beers on tap. I took advantage of that and tried a special fall brew, the double chocolate stout from Young's. It was a great drink to sip on, on a cold Fall night and went perfectly with the hearty meat and corn based menu items.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was nice and sort of low-key, which was good. She knew the menu well and checked in on us periodically, without being too overbearing. No complaints at all. I also liked that the servers who gave us our food explained what was on each plate thoroughly and knew their ingredients to the T.

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers - $6 - $32
Salads - $9 - $12
Quesadillas - $12 - $18
Entrees - $21 - $32
From the Smoker - $16 - $26
Burgers - $7 - $13
Sides - $4
Desserts - $8 -$9

2.5 Mmmms

MexiQ Comes to Astoria - How Will it Stack Up?

There's a new Mexican restaurant in town and everyone is talking about it.  Still just in its second week of operation, MexiQ is buzzing with customers and so far has garnered some pretty favorable user reviews. 

I peeked inside to find the large, modern space (previously Balu Lounge) to be warmer, more inviting and somewhat bar-like.  There's a large bar that occupies the left part of the restaurant and they have a plethora of flat screen TVs to watch your favorite sporting events.

In terms of the food, I'd call it upscale Mexican Barbecue with dishes such as Mexican fried chicken, tequila-and-oregano braised brisket, and other standbys such as tacos and quesadillas.  My plan is to try them next week, so I'll report back with a full review.  In the meantime, let me know what you thought if you've already tried it.

MexiQ Kitchen & Draught - 37-11 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.626.0333
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

S'Agapo is now Taverna Sofia

S'Agapo, one of my all-time favorite Greek restaurants in Astoria has changed management and they're now called Taverna Sofia.  Although this happened some time ago, I haven't been in the 34th Avenue neighborhood and only recently was I able to check out the new place and grab a menu.  Although I haven't heard much buzz about this place, I'm still curious to try it and see how it compares to the legendary S'Agapo.  From the looks of it, they've updated some things such as the exterior.  Below, you'll find a little taste of the menu for your convenience.  If anyone has experience with this place, please feel free to share your thoughts.

Taverna Sofia Menu Sample:

Cold Appetizers:
Ambelofylo - Piquant, aromatic spread made from vine leaves...$5
Sweet Pepper - Roasted red pepper dip...$5
Kjopolo - Lightly roasted eggplant mousse that's smokey in flavor...$6
Greek Mashed Potato (aka Skordalia) - With garlic...$5

Hot Apptizers:
Spanakopita - Tradidtional spinach pie with homemade dough...$6
Aries - Tender diced leg of lamb lightly sauteed in white wine...$12
Kufteta - Classic Bulgarian meatballs made with beef, herbs and spices...$10
Crete - Traditional Cretan cheese and mint dumplings fried & served with clover honey...$7

Meat and Vegetable Entrees:

Fasolakia - String bean ragout with potatoes...$12
Ala Sofia - Stuffed zucchini with chopped beef in egg-lemon sauce with artichokes...$15
Kotopoulo Souvlaki - Diced chicken breast on a skewer with tomatoes, peppers and onions...$16
Paidakia - Spring lamb chops grilled and basted with fresh lemon juice and herbs...$21
Hirines Brizoles - Lean-cut pork chops marinated with herbs on a grill...$18

Fish Entrees:
Garides Skaras - Char-grilled fresh giant shrimp basted with fresh herbs...$19
Kalamari Skaras - Grilled fresh whole squid served with potato-beet puree...$15
Bakaliaros - Salt-dried cod fish lightly fried and served with potato-garlic puree...$21
Stuffed Seafood - Shrimp stuffed with fresh crabmeat and filet of flounder rolled with spinach and feta...$24

Desserts:
Sofia Cream Cake...$6
Galaktoboureko...$5
Baklava...$5

Taverna Sofia - 34-21 34th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.626.0303

N/W Train to Broadway

www.tavernasofia.com

Haddad's - New Lebanese Joint on 31st Street

Haddad's is a Lebanese take-out and dine-in joint that opened just last month.  I've been curious to check it out after walking by a couple of times and being intrigued by its pleasant facade.  Just this week, I had a chance to peruse the menu and it looks enticing - Middle Eastern food with plenty of meat but also veggie options at a really competitive price.  Some of the mezze cost as little as $.95 each!  Check out a sampling of the menu below and feel free to give them a try.

Cold Mezze:

Baba Ghannouj - Charcoal grilled eggplant puree, tahini and fresh lemon juice...$3.50
Fattoush - Romaine, tomato, cucumber, mint, radish, green pepper and toasted Lebanese bread...$4

Chanklish - Cheese mixed with spices covered with thyme, served with onions, parsley and tomatoes...$3.50

Hot Mezze:Fatayer - Pastry filled with baby spinach, onion, sumac and olive oil...$.95 each
Sambousek - Pastry filled with minced beef and onion confit...$.95 each

Safiha - Small spicy Lebanese pizza topped with ground beef, tomato and onion...$.95 each
Makanek - Lebanese mint sausages sauteed in lemon juice...$4.00

Sandwiches:

Falafel - Fried ground chick peas with tahini sauce...$5.00
Chicken Shawarma - Thin slices of marinated chicken with garlic or hummus...$6.50
Kafta - Charcoal grilled ground beef with onions, herbs, spices and hummus...$6.90
Vegetarian - Hummus or baba ghannouj or mousakaa...$4.50

Platters:
Shish Kebab - Charcoal grilled marinated beef with green pepper and onion...$10.50
Mix Grill - Chicken kebab, shish kebab and kafta, served with Lebanese rice or French fries...$13.50
1/2 Chicken - Half baked chicken with potatoes...$7.50

Haddad's - 22-47 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.606.2277
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Ornella - Respecting Food from Generation to Generation

 

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.ornellatrattoria.com

Last week, Meg and I had the great pleasure of attending a tasting at the new Ornella Italian restaurant.  Located on 23rd Avenue near 30th Street, Ornella recently took the place of the Brasilian barbecue joint, Samba Grill.  Although Samba wasn't the right place for this location, I believe that Ornella will have better fortune.

Atmosphere:
Ornella doesn't try to pretend to be something that it's not, an uber modern restaurant.  Instead, it does a good job at painting an image of comfort, family and tradition.  Its deeply seated Italian roots are proudly on display - as in literally depicted on the walls, which showcase a hand-painted mural with the names of the owner's four sons.

The dining room is narrow but cozy and can accommodate small intimate parties, perfect for a romantic dinner or larger parties, great for families.  The vibe is mellow and relaxed, allowing you to carry an easy conversation without having to raise your voice. 

Food:
I was fully enticed by Ornella's menu, which consists of a generous variety of fresh pasta, meat and seafood.  We ordered a plethora of dishes that were good for sampling, and even tried some specialties not on the regular menu.

Appetizers - Starting with a very special chestnut pasta dish that's made from scratch--incorporating chestnut flour--I was duly impressed.  The dough was thick and hearty and not unlike gnocchi, except that it wasn't round but stringy.  I loved the simple garlic and olive oil sauce that was the dressing, and the beautiful roasted tomatoes and wilted arugula added freshness and bite.  Note - this specialty isn't on the regular menu, so if you'd like to try it, please ask for it and reference my post.

Other appies we tried included the gamberi e fagioli, consisting of broiled shrimp with buttery cannellini beans.  I'm a big fan of these beans because they're filling and pair well with earthy spices such as fresh rosemary.  I'd recommend getting this dish in cold, winter months because it's incredibly comforting.

My dining companions ordered equally impressive things including the coveted prosciutto di parma plate, which besides looking absolutely gorgeous was just as delicious.  The prosciutto was of great quality and went so nicely with the sweet Bartlett pears and gorgonzola cheese that were also on the plate.  Yet another pleasing dish was the caprese salad, served with the milkiest bufalo mozzarella cheese--it was so decadent that it practically melted on the tongue.

Entrees - The feast continued with many stand-out entrees including my choice, the Imbustata.  I've never heard of this dish before and it was quite hefty, incorporating everything but the kitchen sink - a pasta "envelope" stuffed with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms (yum!), homemade mozzarella, spinach, mascarpone cheese and fresh tomato sauce.  Mama mia it was big, but the flavors worked so well together, reminding me of lasagna on speed.  The luxurious creamy sauce on top was the best part, and it tied the dish together beautifully.

A close second favorite entree was the gnocchi alla gorgonzola.  If you're a lover of this fine, sharp cheese I strongly suggest you try it.  The texture of the gnocchi was divine--soft and fluffy--while the cheese was slightly soupy, a tad sweet with a sharp bite at the end.  It was spectacular and very rich.  Meg found it impossible to finish her large portion and took half of it home.  Right on!

I also tried the sauteed swordfish entree, which was embellished with olives, capers, onions and cherry tomato sauce.  It was a nice choice if you're trying to go with something light.

Dessert - Unfortunately, I can't say we had room for this but when the beautiful platter of homemade desserts came out, we didn't have the strength to refuse.  First we tried a whimsical dessert that was an inside joke - it looked like fried eggs with two bright yolks swimming in a white soupy broth.  But eggs it certainly wasn't - the two "yolks" were decandent peaches floating in a sea of aromatic vanilla bean gelato.  The dish was refreshing and a great way to cleanse the palate.  And just like the chestnut appetizer I described above, it's not on the menu so you'll have to ask for it specifically.

The other desserts we had are pictured above and included two slices of traditional Italian cheesecake, a chocolate mousse cake and tiramisu.  All desserts are made by Ornella (yes the restaurant is named after her!) and they come from deeply cherished family recipes.  The cheesecake was my favorite, as it wasn't heavy and used a hint of orange zest that made your tastebuds sing.  The tiramisu was a close second with a silky smooth mascarpone filling and pungent hints of good espresso powder! Mmmm....

Service and Cost:
Ornella's staff couldn't be lovelier.  We were joined for dinner by Ornella herself and her charming husband Giussepe, who had many interesting stories to tell.  From educating us about drying zucchini and eggplant to canning tomatoes, we were wholeheartedly intrigued and entretained.  One things's for sure, both Ornella and Giussepe have an incredible passion for what they do and their enthusiasm comes from the heart.  Everything about the service--and the food--at Ornella reflected that, and we felt at home.

Costs are moderate and provide great value, given the generous portions and the use of good quality ingredients.

Appetizers: $8 - $10
Pasta: $14-$19
Fish: $21-$23
Meat: $18-$25
Dessert: $5-$8

3 loud Mmmms

Ornella is Now Open - Here's their Menu

Ornella Trattoria, the Italian restaurant that has recently replaced Samba Grill is officially open.  They had their friends and family soft opening last week and now it's down to business - anyone can visit and enjoy.

I was able to get the menu, so here's a sneak peek.  Prices are moderate and the selection is plentiful.

Antipasti:
Calamari Alla Griglia - Grilled Atlantic calamari, field greens and cherry tomato...$10
Caprese Con Peperoni - Imported Bufala mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers and basil...$9
Gamberi e Fagioli - Broiled shrimp, cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary, tomato and olive oil...$10
Polipo alla Griglia - Tenderized Mediterranean octopus, tomato, capers, arugula, red onions, lemon and olive oil...$9
 
Pasta:
Gnocchi Alla Gorgonzola - Potato, ricotta, imported gorgonzola, dolce cheese sauce...$15
Imbustata - Oven baked envelope shaped pasta filled with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms, homemade mozzarella, California spinach, mascarpone cheese, fresh tomato sauce...$19
Risotto del Mare - Arborio rice, shrimp, calamari, diver scallops, jumbo lump crambmeat, roasted artichokes, white wine, shallots and lobster broth...$19
Penne Integrali - Whole wheat pasta with oven roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, escarole, fresh mozzarella, garlic, parmesan and extra virgin olive oil...$15

Fish:

Gamberi al Limone - Broiled shrimp, olive oil, white wine, lemon and parsley...$21
Salmone Primavera - Broiled salmon, assorted julienned vegetables, mustard sauce...$21
Spada alla Livornese - Swordfish sauteed with olives, capers, onions and cherry tomato sauce...$23

Meat:
Costoletta ai Ferri - Milk fed grilled veal chop, roasted garlic and rosemary...$25
Vitello Pantelleria - Veal medallions, Sicilian caper berries, artichokes, white wine sauce...$21
Pollo Scarpariello - White and dark meat, roasted sausages, garlic, rosemary, white wine...$18
Agnello Grigliato - Grilled rack of lamb, roasted garlic, fresh herbs, classic garnish...$25

Ornella Trattoria Italiana

29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Ornella Trattoria Replaces Samba Grill

The short-lived Samba Grill, which opened about a year and a half ago has been turned over to an Italian eatery called Ornella. I was shocked to find its cheery orange and white striped facade one day last week. While Meg warned me about it as well, Ornella just seemed to pop up from nowhere.

Not sure when it's opening yet but I'll get back to you with details. It looks like not many changes besides the evident cosmetic ones have been done to the place, so I'm assuming Ornella will open its doors soon. Stay tuned and feel free to chime in if you know more information. I'll follow up with a menu as soon as I get my hands on it.

Ornella Trattoria Italiana
29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.777.9477
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Cara Bella - Dear and Beautiful it was...Taste was just "Cosi Cosi"

Cara Bella - 47-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.956.1101
R/V/G train to 46th Street
www.carabellarestaurant.com

Cara Bella is a new kid on the block, opening just about a month ago. I've heard some good things about it and wanted to try it for myself--so when my in-laws offered to take Dan and me to dinner for our anniversary, I chose it as the place to celebrate.

Atmosphere:
I immediately liked the vibe here--intimate, cozy and very down to earth. Loving the exposed brick walls and whimsical artwork, I immediately relaxed upon stepping in. A focus on wine is prominent, as you'll see a large wine rack against the back, left wall.

We had a lovely little table for four in the back, tucked away from the main dining room buzz, which was still pretty mellow. If you're looking to have a romantic dinner or a small gathering of close family, Cara Bella is your place.

Food:
The food offering was impressive, ranging from Cara Bella's talked-about fresh pasta to various meat, poultry and seafood options. We ordered a disparate mix of things, and in our customary fashion, we tried a bite from everyone's plate to placate our curiosity.

Appetizers:
Going classic with the apps, the salads stood out to me, especially Vicki's pear salad. The flavors were nice and fresh, probably because of the seasonality of pears. Creamy gorgonzola, crunchy walnuts and smoky pancetta were also incorporated, giving this salad a sweet bite with a tangy finish.

The other starters weren't groundbreaking and included a classic Caesar salad, crab cakes with lentil salad and clams oreganata. Out of those, the crabcakes were the best, but they weren't great--they seemed fishy and not the freshest. Same goes for the clams--they had a slight funk and I wouldn't order them again.

Entrees:
Despite their hefty fresh pasta offering, none of us took this route and in hindsight, I think we should have. Instead, we ordered meat entrees that included the following:

I chose the most adventurous entree, the slow-cooked rabbit. While I enjoyed it, it didn't blow me away. The meat was very bony, as is usually the case with rabbit, yet flavorful. I liked the salty pepper and calamata olive sauce on top and bottom, which brought personality to the dish. The soft polenta on the side was nice too but I hoped it would be more plentiful.

The other entrees looked good and consisted of Dan's slow-cooked lamb shank, David's pork chop with a mushroom sauce and Vicki's stuffed chicken breast. I only tried Dan's lamb shank and liked the consistency and the sauce--it was falling off the bone and there was plenty to go around. When inquiring about the other dishes, my dining companions said they were "very good."

Dessert:
This was by far the best part of the meal, and we ordered two things to share--the profiteroles with chocolate sauce and the panna cotta with strawberry compote. Both were absolutely delicious but I had a strong preference for the profiteroles--soft, buttery and decadent, they were also topped with rich chocolate ice cream. After devouring them, I thought about the profiteroles I had a couple of months ago at Cara Bella's neighbor, Bistro Les Minots, deciding that Cara Bella's were much, much better.

The panna cotta was tasty too and I loved its firm yet still tender-enough consistency. Unfortunately it didn't compare to the stellar panna cotta that I recently had at Sapori D'Ischia, but still, it held its own.

Service and Cost:
Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. I was impressed that he knew nearly all ingredients in every dish and was able to go into detail about cooking methods. For a new eatery with probably very green staff, this was highly commendable. It was also nice that during the meal, the manager checked in on us to make sure all was OK. While this could get annoying, he was cordial and genuine about it, so we didn't mind.

Prices are moderate but veer on the high side for entrees. Pastas seem like a better option if you're watching your dollars. Here's the run down:

Appetizers: $6.95-$12.95
Pasta: $11.95-$24.95
Entrees: $11.95-$24.95
Dessert: $5.95-$6.95

Lunch Special: 3-courses for $15.95

2 Mmmms

Dino's - Italian Balkan Fusion

Dino's Restaurant and Bar of Astoria - 29-35 Newtown Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.267.2771
N/W train to 30th Avenue
www.dinosny.com

Last month I mentioned that the old Momento space on Newtown is now called Dino's. While I haven't been yet, I've been keeping an eye on it and it looks promising. While still not too busy, it looks like it gets more business than the old Momento place. The interior looks nice and cheery and the menu looks inviting.

Take a look at the sampling of menu items below. The cuisine is a mix of Italian and Balkan featuring Italian standbys such as pasta and seafood and Balkan grill specialties such as cevapcici, pljeskavica and others.

It's nice that the price point is reasonable at $15-$26 for entrees and there's even a $9.99 early dining special every day from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00p.m.

Appetizers:
Dino's bruschetta - roasted eggplant and peppers with pistachio and walnuts...$8
Montenegro salad - cucumbers, romaine, tomato feta with red wine vinegar olive oil...$7
Warm artichoke - hearts of artichoke with spinach and parmesan with aged balsamic...$9
Homemade sausages - homemade grilled sausages served flambeed in cognac...$13

Pasta:
Orecchiette with sausages - ear shaped pasta with broccoli rabe and homemade sausages...$15
Rigatoni with eggplant and ricotta - fresh eggplant in a light marinara sauce and cheese...$15
Linguine with clam sauce - red or white...$16

Entrees:
Grilled paillard on a bed of Montenegro salad with gorgonzola cheese - marinated with lemon, black pepper, garlic and rosemary...$17
Fish (catch of the day) Romano-style - sambuca orange sauce with mushrooms and sundried tomatoes on a bed of spinach...$21
Veal shank (Osso bucco) - veal shank with risotto or pasta...$23
Cevapcici - homemade traditional beef link sausages in pita bread...$10
Sudzukice - beef, veal and garlic sausage in pita bread...$12
Pljeskavica - Yugoburger in pita bread...$11

For the entire menu, click here.