Ovelia Brunch Never Goes Out of Style

Staying local for the long weekend, I was glad to take advantage of some of my neighborhood favorites, especially for brunch. Having the chance to hit Ovelia this weekend with friends, Jessica and Ari, we got to show them Astoria our way and the deliciousness it’s known for.

Here are a few highlights of my meal last weekend that really impressed me.

Bloody Mary – Loving a stiff Bloody Mary, this one delivered on potency and spice. Laced with plenty of horseradish and peppery goodness, each sip gave your senses a little jolt – and lucky for us, we all loved the spice. Something unique I noticed were the thin shavings of celery on top in lieu of a big celery stick that can sometimes get stuck in your teeth.

Ovelia Omelette – Excited by the concept of an open faced omelette, this one featured all sorts of earthy veggies including eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms and even walnuts. As you can see, the whole plate was a thing of beauty, arranged with a bevy of colorful foods including a side of Ovelia’s signature fruit fries and their Cypriot sausage. I’m happy to say that the omelette was perfectly cooked and the veggies on top tasted like a very refined caponata (aka totally awesome).

Service and Cost:
As usual, we experienced really pleasant service and appreciated the way that Ovelia accommodates virtually any kind of diner (including our cute four legged friend Karma). Not only were they OK with our friend’s dog joining us, they even provided her with a bowl full of fresh water.

Upon first glance, costs can seem high for brunch, but note they also include coffee and an alcoholic morning cocktail, which actually makes this a good deal at roughly $15-$17 per person. I’m already thinking of what I’ll devour here next…

3 Mmmms 

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Oyster Happy Hour in Astoria

Just last week, I spotted Thrillist's extensive list of 64 Amazing Oyster Happy Hours in NYC, which included some options in Astoria and LIC.  Although the choices were quite limited, I was happy to see both neighborhoods mentioned.  Posting the article on the We Heart Astoria Facebook page, I also noticed a few suggestions from people in the neighborhood that were omitted in this list and that I wanted to mention here.  What other Oyster Happy Hours do you enjoy nearby?

Off the Hook (pictured here) - Happy Hour runs Monday - Thursday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close as well as on Friday from noon to 7 p.m.  During this time, you can enjoy $1 Blue Point Oysters, $1 Little Neck Clams and $4 beers, wine and well drinks.  28-08 28th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.2112

Ovelia - Hosting their Pink Oyster Raw Bar Happy Hour every Sunday from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. you can take advantage of $1 Blue Point Oysters, buttermilk fried oysters ($12), and baked oysters ($14).  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217

Psari - Boasting a generous Happy Hour each day from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. you can feast on everything from 1/2 dozen raw oysters for $8, 1/2 dozen raw clams for $5, fish and chips for $10 and other yummies. 32-10 36th Avenue, Astoria. 718.786.6015

New Year's Day Brunch in Astoria

As we're all getting excited for New Year's Eve tonight, with lots of amazing options to celebrate, I'm already thinking about tomorrow's meal. Naturally.  Here are a few options to whet your appetite.  Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve, and all the best in 2014.

Sugarfreak's Cajun brunch will be starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow, so get your fix of shrimp and grits and bananas foster French Toast.  36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.5850

The Queens Kickshaw is really brunchin' out with a double header brunch, both today from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  There's no reason to wake up early!  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

The Astor Bake Shop will be ringin' in New Year's with a festive brunch prix-fixe anytime between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. which comes with a complimentary mimosa.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Ovelia is hosting a hangover brunch tomorrow as well.  They'll have their signature Greek dishes such as Yia-Yia's Omelette and stuffed French Toast, but also tasties like these. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

Grand Cafe's classic brunch $13 prix-fixe will be available tomorrow from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Including all the basics such as omelettes, burgers, salads and other comforting dishes, your meal will also come with a complimentary cocktail and a coffee or tea.  37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321  

Ovelia Turns 7 - Enjoy Their Awesome Specials

It's hard to believe that it's been 7 years since Ovelia, one of my favorite Greek eateries in the nabe has opened its doors.  The memory of when these guys started out is very distinct to me, as it's also around the time I started my blog.  In fact, I think back at it with much affection, as my Ovelia post was indeed the very first one!

I'm very happy to see the Giannakas family doing well and keeping this place as kickin' as ever.  They're running a few food and drinks specials in honor of their big birthday.  Enjoy these for the entire month of December, and share the Ovelia love with your friends:

This Friday:
7 Year Anniversary celebration with an open bar and meze from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Meze Mondays:
All apps from the meze menu are $7 on Mondays (including their homemade sausage, and the octopus. Yum!)

Harpoons Rock 'n Rib Wednesdays:
Enjoy all their signature BBQ dishes with a Greek twist, and have something to wash them down with - $4 Harpoon draughts

Friday Brunch:
Love that the weekend noshing starts early, as you'll be able to order brunch menu items from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Happy Birthday Ovelia!

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Gluten Free Eats in Astoria

My recent gluten free diet has actually opened up my world to new, delicious eats, and even though I have to be more careful about what I consume, it's a lot of fun discovering places around Astoria that help cater to my special diet.  Here are a few of my faves, so if you're also a gluten free individual, here's where you can get your fix:

Astor Bake Shop - Just take a look at these beautiful cupcakes - it's hard to believe they're gluten free.  Chef George has created these with special care, as they're made up of flourless chocolate cake and a super dark chocolate frosting on top.  I love how elegant and luxurious they look!  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Ovelia - My gluten free eating friends love to frequent Ovelia, and now so much more so because they've added lots of gluten free items onto their menu.  Some of the GF highlights include spicy kafteri spread (feta with spicy peppers), creamy skordalia, their signature loukaniko sausage and so much more.  Check out the full dinner menu here.  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

The Strand Smokehouse - Dan and I had an awesome time at this meat lovers' paradise today, and I got pretty full without even thinking about about a morsel of bread.  The spicy chorizo sausage, the homemade beef jerky and the maple glazed pork belly were among my favorites.  The brisket was pretty solid as well, and don't miss dressing it with their signature BBQ sauce.  25-27 Broadway, Astoria.  718.440.3231

Parrot Coffee Market - I popped into this specialty market on Ditmars yesterday and found plenty of Gluten Free options.  In the mood for a nice breakfast today, I invested in a package of Bob's Red Mill pancake mix, which totally did the trick.  Dressing it up with bananas, which I placed into the batter, as well as on top of the pancakes, it was a big hit with hubby.  31-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.7920

4 Great Food Deals in Astoria

For those of you who know me, or have been reading this blog regularly can vouch for the fact that I love a great deal.  While Astoria is fantastic in terms of getting good value when you dine out, I'm even more excited when I can save further and get a steal.  That's where Scoutmob comes in.

A handy mobile app that highlights local deals happening in your area, I use it consistently when dining out in Astoria and Manhattan.  The best part is that you never have to pre-pay for a coupon.  Instead, the deals flow directly into your mobile device, and you have to simply hit "use deal" when on location.  Sometimes it's pretty slim pickens when Astoria is involved, but lately I've come across some pretty neat deals that I wanted to highlight here.  Hope it gives you an opportunity to try some of these places, or to visit them again.

Crave Astoria - 50% off or $10 max discount.  I went last week and had these lovely falafel balls.
Ovelia - 30% off or $100 max discount during dinner service only.
Winegasm - 50% off or $10 max discount.
Astoria Bier and Cheese (newest deal!) - 50% off or $12 max discount when you dine in only.

You can sign up and download the app here.  I've been using it for 3 years now and it hasn't let me down.

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!

Ovelia's Raw Bar Happy Hour

As summer is almost officially here, I love all the delicious seafood that comes with.  It makes me feel good to know that when I have this fresh, yummy seafood, it's at its best.  That's why I was excited to see that Ovelia is extending it's Raw Bar happy hour to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Here's what you can enjoy at a really competitive price:

Blue Point oysters - $1
Little Neck Clams - $.50
Baked Stuffed Clams - little neck clams stuffed with jumbo lump crab stuffing...$13
Lobster (1.5 lb) served with corn on the cob...$21
Buttermilk Fried Oysters - with Metaxa cocktail sauce...$12
Baked Oysters - baked oysters with yellow squash and seasoned bread crumbs $14

Let me know which one's your favorite! 

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Astoria and LIC NYE Round-Up

Image by Little Vintage Cottage Blog

It's almost here!  New Year's Eve is on a Monday this year, which breaks up the week so nicely.  How are you all planning to spend it? I'm providing you with a mini round-up of NYE activities in case you haven't made up your mind.  Please feel free to add to the list in the comments section.

Ovelia - Ringing in the new year with style and of course flavor, Ovelia will feature a 5-course prix-fixe dinner, with decadent specialties such as jumbo lump crab corn bisque, balsamic and maple glazed octopus, walnut crusted mahi mahi and even fried cheesecake!  $75/person - reservations recommended.  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

LIC Market - Always planning something intriguing and delicious, LIC Market will also feature a special prix-fixe dinner, concentrating on some interesting and local specialties, such as stuffed cabbage, milk poached day boat cod, Nantucket bay scallops and more.  There are two seatings, one at 6 p.m. which is $65/person and another at 9 p.m. where you'll really get to ring in NYE at $95/person.  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Bistro 33 - If you're looking for something a bit more intimate, Bistro's park-side location will do the trick.  This charming eatery will be preparing a very special 3-course prix-fixe meal on New Year's Eve, also with two seatings - one at 6 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m. Prices vary, ranging from $65/person to $75/person for each respective seating.  Sample dishes include a braised venison osso bucco, roasted pork tenderloin, an ancho chili rubbed tri-tip and more.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

Bear - For something really special, enjoy your evening at Bear with an "Old Russian Aristocratic Table" style dinner, where you'll have your table set with many dishes such as salads, hors d'oeuvres, main entrees, and drinks.  I couldn't believe how affordable this all is, at just $45/person or $60/person with an open bar option til midnight.  The party starts at 10:30 p.m. and goes on till about 4 a.m. See the full menu here.  12-14 31st Avenue, LIC.  917.396.4939

Thymari - Love Mediterranean food? You may want to consider celebrating New Year's at Thymari, which sounds like a great value.  Five hefty courses, including soup, salad, meze, a main course and dessert is only $55/person and also comes with a glass of celebratory champagne.  The menu sounds fantastic and includes dishes such as a goat cheese and fig salad, pan fried feta rolls, duck breast with sour cherry sauce, baked quince with creme fraiche and more.  See full NYE menu here.  32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.2880

Ovelia Turns it up for Queens Bloggers

Last week, Meg, Mackenzi and I hosted our bi-monthly Queens Blogger Social, and this one was in one of my favorite Modern Greek eateries, Ovelia.  I haven't been to Ovelia in a while, and therefore I was totally craving their food, including lamb, veggies and their sweets too.  

Putting on quite the feast for us, Ovelia provided a fabulous menu, tailored just to us, including shared appetizers, a personalized entree and once again, family-style dessert.  Here are some newbies I tried:

Salads - We started with two types of salads, including the village salad, which was Ovelia's take on the Greek salad, as well as the Prasini, with lettuce, dill, scallions, simply dressed with oil and vinegar.  I liked both, but preferred the latter, as it was super refreshing, and the dill added an earthy, clean - almost surprising - flavor.  It was extra delicious when paired with the triangular pieces of warmed, spiced pita, set at the table.

Grilled Kalamari - Even though this is a staple at Greek restaurants, I've never yet had it here, and it definitely delivered.  The squid was cooked perfectly and boasted a slightly charred exterior, which I loved.  I liked to see that the pieces were significantly sized, and once again, it was nice to couple this dish with the warm pita.  It even made for good leftovers the next day, which is a sign of good quality seafood.

Kontosouvli - This in my opinion was the piece-de-resistance - a slow roasted rotisserie pork, which looked and tasted as if it came right off the spit.  It was great to see that its texture was tender on the inside with a really juicy bite, while the outside was a tad crunchy and just like the kalamari, also slightly charred.  You can eat as much or as little as you wanted, since the meat was sliced into small cubes, which was good enough for a tasting or indulging in several bites.

Loukomades - A sweetly scrumptious finish to this meal came in the form of mini honeyed doughnuts with a fabulously light middle.  Besides being glazed with honey, the loukomades were topped with gooey nutella as well as vanilla ice cream.  Creating our own Greek Sunday if you will, you could also layer the chopped almonds on top, which were respectfully served on the side in the event of someone having a nut allergy.

Beer - In addition to all the food, we also indulged in a special tasting of Singlecut Beer from the new brewery, opening up next month.  Our friend and fellow We Heart Astoria contributor, Andrew brought in a few samples of it for everyone to try, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  I got to taste a bit of their lager as well as a darker beer that was almost like a stout.  I enjoyed the latter more, as it had a hearty (almost coffee) flavor that totally agrees with fall.  Looking forward to the day the brewery opens, I'm sure there will be lots more delicious brewskis to sample.

Service and Cost:
Not only was our server totally on point and really lovely, everyone else treated us with tons of hospitality and attention.  I really felt that we were taken care of very well, all our dishes coming out in good time and our every wish and need fulfilled - and then some.

Costs are moderate to inexpensive and the entire dinner I just mentioned set us back about $40 per person, including tax and tip.

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Friday is National Eat Outside Day - For Real!

Recently learning about this random yet fun little food holiday through Mojave's newsletter, I was only too happy to start thinking about some of my favorite places in Astoria with the best outdoor spots.  Mojave of course tops the list, but here are a few others.  For the record, National Eat Outside Day is this Friday, August 31st.  Happy dining!

Mojave - My We Heart Astoria colleague, Meg recently shouted them out as having a beautiful outdoor space, and she has some pretty neat pictures up on the site.  I couldn't agree more and think Mojave is a great respite after a long grueling day in the city.  My favorites to get are their frozen margaritas (especially the mango), the plantain empanadas appetizer, Motherroad Roadhouse Chili (yes...even during the summer!) and any of their fajitas.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Ovelia - Being around for a few years now, Ovelia has always had fabulous sidewalk seating that snakes around the side of the restaurant.  It's also great when they open up their "garage door" window, which makes you feel like you're sitting outside even if you're technically inside.  There's so many awesome yummies you can grab here including their fried feta cubes, coated in black sesame seeds; fried-to-perfection zucchini croquettes; the spicy kafteri feta dip and more!  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

5 Napkin Burger - Even though you normally may not think of this place as a choice for outdoor dining, their sidewalk seating is enormous, and it's right in the middle of the 35th Avenue action.  I love this place a lot because their food really accommodates any kind of diet restrictions, as both carnivores and vegetarians can chow down without compromise.  Although I'm far from a vegetarian, I often get their veggie burger, since it's so darn exceptional and filling.  Don't forget to get a side of sweet potato fries along with it.  35-01 36th Street, Astoria.  718.433.2727

Winegasm - Recently coming here with Mackenzi, we sat outside and enjoyed a really pleasant evening.  While the outdoor seating isn't as extensive as some of the other places I mention here, it's really nice and generally provides a private atmosphere.  If you're just stopping in for a quick snack, I urge you to try the mushroom crostini, which contains generous amounts of truffle oil and gooey fontina cheese.  31-86 37th Street, Astoria.  718.932.3331

At Home! - While we enjoy eating out as a special treat, there's nothing like cooking your own homemade meal and eating it on the porch, in the backyard, on the front stoop, front yard or what have you.  Some delicious resources that will surely keep you stocked with interesting foods include: Mediterranean Foods, Artopolis Bakery (just next door to Med Foods), Titan Foods, Parrot Coffee Market, Rosario's and more.  

Happy Eat Outside Day!

Calling All Talented Female Chefs

Image by nymag.com

Here's something fun and totally different from my friends at Ovelia.  I don't have to even tell you how much I love this place, and the friendly folks that run it are the main reason.  Loving how entrepreneurial and innovative they are, I'm always finding out about the cool, new things they're constantly doing to spruce up Ovelia but also how they're evolving professionally.  This new idea comes from their chef and co-owner, Pete who some of you may know has previously been featured on Food Network's Chopped.

Calling all talented female chefs!  
Pete is working on a cool performance piece at Lincoln Center and is on the hunt for a talented female chef who's also artistically inclined, and certainly not camera shy.  The gig involves for this individual to cook in front of a camera but to also use her performance skills, whether through singing or acting.  It sounds like a fabulous opportunity to get noticed and what better stage to take than at Lincoln Center!  Here are the vitals:

- The performance will take place in May

- Candidate must be willing to put in about 4 hours of practice time per week

- Would prefer to get someone from the boroughs

If this sounds interesting to you, please feel free to contact Pete directly, and tell 'em who sent ya.  Good luck and I hope to see you on the big stage!

And the Winner of the Ovelia 3-Course Dinner Giveaway Is...

It's been a couple of days and I'm so delighted by how many of you participated in my Ovelia 3-course dinner giveaway, in honor of their 5 year anniversary.  It was a pleasure reading all of your comments about why you love Ovelia or in some cases why you'd like to try it.  I truly wish I could offer each and one of you this prize, but alas, there can only be one winner. 

And the winner is (as selected by Random.org)

#5 - Hailey who said "I've only been for brunch but it's my favorite brunch of all time.  Stuffed French toast and sausage!!!"

A BIG CONGRATS Hailey. I hope you enjoy your dinner for two, and please do let me know how you enjoyed it. I appreciate everyone's thoughtful responses - hope you get a chance to win something fun in my next giveaway.

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Ovelia's 5th Anniversary - 3-Course Dinner Giveaway

I can't believe it's been 5 amazing years since my beloved Ovelia Psistaria opened.  I remember it like yesterday, checking out the new storefront with Margot, peeking in and wondering what's to come.  We tried to crash their opening friends and family party (it's true) but had to wait another week to step into this modern Greek food haven.

Since that day five years ago, I've been back continuously and watched it evolve into something even more amazing than when it opened.  The care and perfection that's poured into this family owned restaurant never gets old, but they also do a great job of sticking to tradition and respecting their roots.

In honor of their big 5, Ovelia is graciously inviting a Fooditka reader and their guest to join them for a complimentary 3-course dinner.  I'm pretty excited about this giveaway, giving you a chance to taste the greatness. 

Ovelia 3-course Dinner Giveaway

Includes - 1 appetizer, 2 entrees and 1 dessert (valid for the entire month of December)

How to Enter: Comment on this post and tell me what you love about Ovelia, or if you haven't been, why you'd like to try it.

Enter between now and Thursday, December 1st 2011.  A winner will be chosen at random and announced on email and on this site on Friday, December 2nd.  Please make sure to leave your email in your comment, so I can contact you.

Good luck everyone - and please join Ovelia in their 5 year celebration this Thursday, December 1st. 

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Ovelia - The Lamborghini of Greek Food. Literally

Tonight, my We Heart Astoria friends, Meg, Mackenzi (and a future WHA'er, Lindsay) got together at Ovelia for a team meeting and dinner.  We haven't been in quite a while and decided to come by last minute.  It was such a happy circumstance, and especially since their happy hour was going strong until 9 p.m.  But I was also especially sated, since I finally got to try their piece-de-resistance burger called the lamburgini.

Pikilia Dips - We started with these lovely apps and shared a large portion for the four of us.  These are simple, staple starters you can find in any good Greek restaurant, but simple doesn't always mean it's flawless in execution.  Ovelia however masters them splendidly, the melitzanosalata is chunky, garlicky and full of flavor, whereas the tzatziki is cool, refreshing with a hint of dill too.  The taramosalata is creamy and luxurious, reminding me of something really delicious I wouldn't mind spreading on a plump bagel.

Lamburgini - The relatively new lamb burger is quite the showstopper here, and although it comes at a premium, it incorporates some pretty spectacular ingredients.  A thick lamb burger is cooked to your liking and then bathed in a creamy feta sauce and topped with chunks of crimini mushrooms.  But the best part for me was the bretzel (homemade pretzel bread) that hugged the burger's contents - so hearty and salty and very filling.  I think because this dish is so robust, I'd recommend splitting it or saving the rest for take-away. Since I was pretty hungry, I devoured nearly the whole thing, but as I'm writing this, I'm still pleasantly full.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress did all the right things - she was observant yet really appropriate when it came to timing.  Everything was brought out efficiently and very close attention was paid to refilling our glasses of water, pita bread, and cleaning our plates.  I felt like we didn't have to ask for a single thing and really appreciated that. In all honesty, I haven't had especially stellar service lately in Astoria and my experience here proved that it still exists.

Costs are moderate and all dishes we got were very gently priced, except for my crem de la crem, lamborgini, which was $22 (but it also included a generous side of French fries).  All in all a very satisfying and delicious meal that I'd love to repeat on any day.  Thanks Ovelia!

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Fooditka Does Rock 'n Rib Wednesday at Ovelia

Last night, I was happy to further spread the word of "Fooditka" to my fellow bloggers, as we broke bread (or pita shall I say) at one of Astoria's most beloved Greek staples, Ovelia.  In addition to this just being another good excuse to get together, we were also really looking forward to dipping into Ovelia's special Rock 'n Rib Wednesdays BBQ menu.

Blogger Ladies I Dined With:
As you can see from the above shot, we're a handsome bunch - all ladies with very distinct backgrounds, experiences, tastes, but one thing united us, our love of food.  The five of us had a great time exchanging fun stories about food, blogging practices and future events we're going to partake in.  So without further ado, here's who joined this feast last night:

Meg - My food partner in crime and colleague from We Heart Astoria as well as founder and editor of Harmonious Belly blog.

Lindsay - This talented and spunky woman hails from Texas but has a palate of a total "ciudad" dweller.  She's referred to very cordially in the blogosphere as The Lunch Belle.

Erin - A gluten-free chica, Erin has dedicated her life to spreading the word about keeping your dining experiences fun while remaining gluten free.  Who says gluten has to = fun?!  Erin is known as the Gluten-Free Globetrotter and also writes GlutenFreeFun.

Elena - Distinguished, poised with tons of interesting things to say, Elena (originally from Italy!) writes about pampering your palate on a blog called The Gotham Palate.

Link Love:
In honor of us getting together and sharing valuable tid-bits about blogging, we want to share the wealth with you too.  Check out each blogging lady's review of this experience.

Erin's "Opa! Gluten-Free Feast at Ovelia"
Meg's "Loukaniko at Ovelia"
Elena's "Tasty, rib-sticking convivality in Astoria – Review of Ovelia Psistaria"
Lindsay's "Opa! A Blogger's Dinner at Ovelia"

Others to come soon...

What We Ate:
When I tell you that the food last night was plentiful, I'm not kidding.  Our gracious hosts, Chris and Pete stuffed us to our heart's delight and were only too happy to talk us through the fun BBQ menu.  It was so nice to see too that Erin's gluten-free dietary needs were completely met, and she received a special rack of ribs that were dressed with a gluten-free BBQ sauce Erin brought with her.  Additionally to the meat, Erin received a plethora of other sans gluten options, which made her (and all of us) very happy.  Thanks Ovelia!

Apps - During my favorite part of the meal, we were graced with a generous sampling of nearly the entire app menu.  Two things really stood out to me that I want to touch upon here, which were the sesame encrusted feta cubes and the corn dog buttons.  The former consisted of large sized pieces of good quality, tangy feta cheese that had a nice crunch on the outside from a black and white sesame seed coating.  Each bite was hearty and interesting, the texture between the inside and the outside providing a nice juxtaposition.

The corn dog buttons were absolutely out of this world!  Battered in a slightly sweet cornbread coating and stuffed with Ovelia's homemade sausage, they were obscenely addicting.  I loved to savor each bite, which at first tasted like a dessert from the cornbread crust, but in a few seconds turned into a savory treat.  These were extremely amazing and poppable.

Additionally to these apps, we also enjoyed Kafteri poppers, wich are feta/jalapeno croquettes, Buffalo fried calamari and grilled halloumi cheese with roasted red peppers and prosciutto.  All were delicious and did a good job of filling our professional-eater belllies.

The Meat - We nearly had no more room left after the appetizers, but as we saw the beautiful meat arrive, we couldn't say no.  The BBQ'd ribs rocked our world and I loved how the meat split apart effortlessly from the bone.  Dressed with a flavorful BBQ sauce, each bite brought me back to the fondly regarded Ribfest I enjoyed just this past weekend.

Besides the ribs, we also tried two types of chicken including the buttermilk fried chicken with an impressively crunchy crust and also a grilled chicken option.  I naturally went for the former, as I'm a sucker for good fried chicken.  This one was moist on the inside with some kick to it from BBQ seasoning.  If you have a penchant for fried chicken, I wouldn't skip this.

The Sides - Along with the meat, we also received several comfort-food sides such as mac 'n cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows and corn bread.  Out of those, the last two stood out to me, especially the sweet potatoes that were slightly sweet (but not too sweet) and the burnt marshmallows, which added a dessert-like element.  I loved pairing it with the spicy fried chicken, and anyone who knows me can vouch that I relish a nice sweet and savory combo.

Service:
As already hinted above, the service couldn't be better.  We loved how much attention we received, and the kind way in which we were treated.  I appreciated the initiative the waitstaff showed when we couldn't make a decision about leftovers, bringing us our own boxes and letting us take control.  I loved that and so did my blogging friends.

Thanks again Ovelia for a fantastic dinner - we can't wait to come back and sample the rest of the menu.  Our experienced bellies are ready!

*You can also find this blog post in We Heart Astoria's inaugural blog carnival."

3 Smoky Mmmms

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Gobble Up the Delicious Changes at Ovelia

A few weeks ago, I touched on some fun menu changes coming to our near and dear Ovelia.  It's exciting to report that these changes have now been fully incorporated and that Astorians seem to be gobbling them up. Literally.  My friends at Ovelia tell me that the response has been overwhelming, which I'm certainly encouraged by and can't wait to try for myself.  Here's what you can expect to find in their new menus (and on your plates):

First off...brunch:

• All eggs are now organic and dairy products come from a farm in upstate NY
• When ordering a brunch entree, you now have a veggie or a turkey option for the previously traditional "side meat"

Dinner:

• Rock 'n Rib Wednesdays' new special - Buffalo style calamari that has also recently debuted on the lunch menu
• On any other day, another new item to try are the feta cubes (appetizer) and the lamburgini, which is a lamb burger with crimini mushrooms on a pretzel bun that's baked in-house daily
• They now have a vegetarian version of their famous moussaka
• The new dinner menu has also changed in a way that it distinguishes the types of dishes one would typically find in a traditional Psistaria in Greece. Fun!

Drinks:

• The Karpouzo is back for the summer. (Ask your favorite Ovelia bartender all about it)
• They now boast 7 beers on tap and a new wine menu to come soon

Now that I've gotten myself completely hyped up, I hope you'll share in my excitement and check out these awesome Ovelia changes. Eat up!

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Long Overdue Brunch at Ovelia

It's been quite a while since I've visited Ovelia, but I had the chance to finally go back last weekend.  What a pleasure - not being there for a bit made me realize why I love it so, and we of course went during their signature meal, brunch.

While I've had nearly everything on their brunch menu and was planning to get a staple dish, I spotted something new that piqued my curiosity.  Dan also got an omelette combo that was new to me.  Here's what we enjoyed:

Beet Omelette - Being the beet enthusiast that I am, I quickly zeroed-in on this item, as it not only boasted beets but also goat cheese. I was totally sold and ordered it on the spot. 

The result was something gorgeous for the eyes and the palate.  Visually, as you can see, the omelette had a pretty flush color from the beets and a wonderfully white creamy inside from the goat cheese filling.  Taste-wise, it almost had a souffle-like consistency and a very delicious, tangy inside from all that goat cheese.  I enjoyed the fresh dill and scallions on top, which added a hint of rustic earthiness. 

As a side, it also came with sweet "fruit fries" which consisted of sauteed apples, pears and bananas - such a better and healthier alternative to traditional home fries. I especially loved the soft bananas that were nicely caramelized on the outside.  And don't even get me started on the Ovelia homemade sausage - it was as decadent and smokey as I remember and the fact that I haven't had it in a long time really made me pine for it. I'm actually pining for it right now.

Ovelia Omelette - Dan ordered this healthier omelette option with egg whites.  He really enjoyed the veggie toppings of roasted eggplant, zucchini, green and red peppers, onions and...get this, walnuts.  The latter ingredient provided an element of surprise and a delightful crunch at the end of each bite.  I didn't taste it, but in Dan's words "the toppings had a nice glaze and overall, the omelette tasted nutritious and satisfying."

Service and Cost:
Our service started out slow, given that we were a bigger group, but then turned around (for the better) at the middle to end of our experience.  We received our food, coffee and morning cocktails in good time and we didn't at all feel rushed to leave.  Our waiter was friendly and conversational and it seemed like he genuinely wanted us to have a good experience.

Costs are very fair for the amount of food you get, as your brunch entree comes with bottomless coffee and your choice of a morning cocktail.  Dan and I paid about $40 with tax and tip included.

3 Nostalgic Mmmms

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Looking Forward to 2011...

2010 was a good year.  A very good year.  Filled with tons of eventful happenings, I was excited to share with you my eclectic, (and I hope) culinarily rich insights.  As I look forward to what the new year will bring for The Foodista (and for you!), I wanted to recap 2010 with a fun highlights reel.  Here are my 10 biggest accomplishments this year, in order of importance.

10.  Taste of Tennis - I had the pleasure of covering this amazing event on the "green" carpet and even managed to cram in a foodie interview with Alex McCord of the Real Housewives of New York.

9. Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation - Being on the planning committee of this amazing charitable food event allowed me to not only to help make it happen, but to also be a part of the action!

8.  Interviewing the Ace of Cakes - How fun it was to meet the cake man himself!  Duff Goldman was just as cool in person as on TV.  Our interview got a little controversial at the end, just take a look.

7.  New York Culinary Experience - Having the honor of covering one of the greatest hands-on culinary events in New York, I got to interact (and cook with!) amazing top chefs such as Babbo's Gina DePalma, Hearth and Terroir's, Chef Marco Canora, SHO Shaun Hergatt's Chef Hergatt and more.

6.  Interviewing Sandra Lee -  The semi-homemade queen and I went one-on-one at the Silver Star diner in NYC, where she talked about her love of tuna fish and the creative ideas that make her who she is.  See the buzz the interview caused in the NYT.

5.  Interviewing Paula Deen - Another Food Network star highlight was meeting the priestess of Southern cooking, Miss Paula Deen.  Not only was she genuine and warm, she really does love her butter more than anything in the world.

4.  Being a Guest on Martha Stewart Living - I was so excited to be a part of Martha's radio show on Sirius XM where I told readers all about the fabulousness of Astoria and about my family dessert favorite, Ceresnova Bublanina.

3.  Judging the French Culinary Institute Student Final - This was a huge honor for me, as I got to taste and critique the dishes of up-and-coming culinary talent.  My fellow judges included high profile chefs such as Carmen Gonzalez of Top Chef Masters and more.

2.  Tasting and Exploring Astoria - From new restaurants such as L'Artiste, MexiQ, 5 Napkin Burger to amazing mainstays such as Vesta, BareBurger, Ovelia, Ornella, Seva and more, Astoria never ceases to amaze in its richness and cultural culinary diversity.

1.  Connecting with You - Most of all, I love interacting and engaging with my community in Astoria, LIC and beyond.  I love the lively commentary that you take part in as a result of my posts, and I hope you find them helpful and valuable.  Your enthusiasm and candid opinions further motivate me to provide you with honest, uncut and behind-the-scenes culinary insight.

Thank you, and Happy New Year to you all.  See you in 2011!