Mother's Day in Astoria

Mother's Day is this Sunday and there's never a lack of activity in Astoria. Below you'll find interesting restaurant specials and suggestions for a Mother's Day lunch, dinner or brunch.

Prix-Fixe Specials:

Seva - Although this isn't a Mother's Day prix-fixe per se, I'd recommend a visit here for either lunch or dinner. They offer a $12 three-course dinner and a $7 two-course brunch. The portions are generous, the food is delicious and it's a BYOB so you could bring your own wine. 30-07 34th street, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.626.4440

Bistro Les Minots - Their $29.95/person all-day Mother's Day special will feature classic French dishes such as escargots, braised short ribs, an apple tart and the like. Brunch will be offered between 11am - 4:30pm, showcasing their regular menu. 47-16 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.606.2535

Ovelia - Promising a modern Greek experience, Ovelia's $28/person three-course prix-fixe is packed with flavorful dishes such as homemade Greek sausage, fresh seafood, a leg of lamb among others. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Zenon Taverna - Both a prix-fixe (price is still being decided) and the regular menu will be available. I prefer their keftedes or Cypriot meatballs that are full of flavor and spice. The hospitality is wonderful--it's very much a family oriented place. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.956.0133

Cavo - An upscale Mother's Day at this Greek eatery includes a $54/per person four-course meal, complete with a tuna roll sampling, salad, a variety of entrees and dessert. Click here for the Mother's Day menu. Valet parking is complimentary and seating starts at 1pm. 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.1001

Trattoria L'Incontro - Although this place is all booked up for Mother's Day, if you want it bad enough, you can call to see if they get cancellations between now and Sunday. The offering is a $60 four-course prix-fixe. Another splurge but the food is fantastic! 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.3532

Specials but no Prix-Fixe:

Vesta - A great place to bring Mom, Vesta has a cozy, unpretentious vibe. Brunch will be available from 11am - 4pm and dinner will start at 5pm and go until 10pm. Special dishes added to the menu include charred calamari, orecchiette with asparagus ragu and double lump-blue crab cakes. 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Mundo - They'll have a couple of daily specials, one of which includes grilled shrimp but aside from that, their menu will remain unchanged. Good thing too because they already offer so many goodies such as empanadas, red sonjas and Ottoman dumplings. 31-18 Broadway #E, Astoria. 718.777.2829

718 - Serving dinner dishes all day long, the daily specials encompass a variety of grilled plates such as calamari, a rack of lamb, sea scallops--and the only non-grilled specials offering is the chocolate tartlet. Personally, I love their tarte flambees--try those! 35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.204.5553

Il Bambino - Want to bring Mom to an Astoria gem? Try Il Bambino where they'll have a couple of panini, crostini and salad specials for Mother's Day. Besides that, their fabulous menu of crunchy paninis and small plates remains the same. 34-08 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.626.0087

Business as Usual but Still Noteworthy:

Akti - The fresh seafood here is always impressive and they have a delectable meze selection. It's been open for about a year and has gotten very popular. They're almost booked up for Mother's Day but have a couple of open reservations (7:30pm, 8:00pm) so call soon if you're interested. 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.3530

Agnanti - If you're looking for traditional Greek food, this is it. Halloumi, biftekia, keftedes, Agnanti has it all. They might end up with some daily specials but that hasn't been decided yet. Reservations are suggested, as Agnanti gets crowded. 19-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.833.7033

Piccola Venezia - An upscale Italian joint, it's on the traditional side and their fresh pasta is supposed to be superb. The signature menu will stay the same for Mother's Day and there will be three main seatings -- 1:00pm, 3:30pm and 6:30pm. 42-01 28th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.8470

Happy Mother's Day Astoria!

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!

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!