Happy 10th Birthday Koliba

It's not every day that one of your favorite restaurants celebrates a milestone.  Koliba, the intimate, comfort food eatery that completely channels my Slovak roots is turning 10 today.  Besides being very excited for them, I'm also happy to find out that they're running a fun beer and wine special in honor of this double digit birthday.  Here are the deets, and please make sure to chase that big stein of beer with a crispy langos with cheese on top, a goulash soup or their famous spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese.

Koliba's 10th Anniversary Beer/Wine Special

Buy 2 beers or wine and get the third on the house

This special is good for the rest of today, so get yourself over there and drink up!

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.626.0430

N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.kolibarestaurant.com

LIC Market Rolls Out Dinner Service

Exciting news - the deliciously, market-driven eatery, LIC Market is offering dinner service, previously open for just breakfast, lunch and brunch.  I was happy to hear about their upcoming dinner plans, which start this Wednesday, March 2nd and continue into Thursday, March 3rd between 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For now, dinner will be served during these two days of the week, but as things pick up, LIC Market hopes to extend dinner service throughout the week.

Here are some of the yummies you can expect to see on Wednesday's dinner menu.  Mmmm...my mouth is watering as I read...

Braised Short Ribs - foie gras, truffled potato, oyster mushroom hash

Whole Roasted Brook Trout - lemon, green onion, parsley, sauteed turnip greens

Sauteed Sweetbreads - wilted frisee, applewood smoked bacon, roasted garlic, toasted almonds, sherry vinaigrette

Roasted Turnips - golden raisin, bacon, toasted pine nuts

Mussels - toasted garlic, scallion, stewed tomato

Shredded Endive - arugula, grana padano, aged balsamic vinaigrette

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
www.licmarket.com

Vesta's Special Thanksgiving Menu

Mmmmm Thanksgiving...it's just around the corner.  Many Astorian staples are releasing special menus for this yearly feast and here I'll highlight one of my favorites, Vesta.

Focusing on farm-to-table dining and using fresh, organic, local ingredients, they've devised a special Thanksgiving menu, which not only sounds delicious, it's affordable too.  

Here it is in its entirety - I love how despite it being a meat holiday, Vesta offers plenty of veggie options. Let your eyes feast on this...

Vesta's Thanksgiving Menu:

Apps:
Butternut Squash Soup - Vin cotto & pumpkin seeds...$6.95
Chestnut Soup - Toasted hazelnuts & basil oil...$6.95
Warm Pork Belly Salad - Roasted beets, chestnut honey & frisee lettuce...$10.95
Roasted Pork Salad - Endive, radicchio & arugula...$8.95
Braised Oxtail Pappardelle - Oyster & shiitake mushrooms...$9.95
Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni - Pecan cream sauce...$11.95

Pizze:
Thin crust pizza can also be prepared with whole wheat dough (add $2.00)

Margherita...$10.95
Confit tomato, charred onion, fontina cheese & bread crumbs...$14.95

Entrees:
Braised Pork Shank - With creamy polenta...$20.95
Striped Bass - Charred escarole & burnt orange glaze...$22.95
Roasted Turkey Breast - Olive oil mashed potato & cornbread stuffing...$18.95
Vegetarian Plate...$14.95

Sides:
Olive oil mashed potato...$4.50
Crispy parmigiana brussel spouts...$3.95
String beans...$3.95

Dessert:
Pecan Pie...$6
Chocolate Mousse Cake...$6
La Torta del Piccolo Bambino Gesu Christo (aka Baby Jesus Cake - pictured above)...$6.50

Can we say YUM!?
 
Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.5550
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.vestavino.com

Koliba - Food with Flava at Great Value

It's no secret that Koliba Slovak restaurant remains near and dear to my heart. Although I'm partial to it because of my Slovak upbringing, even my American friends (and husband!) absolutely love this unassuming culinary gem.

I know, I know...I've mentioned their food before but here are some new, excellent dishes that I tried just last week--and that you shouldn't miss. And while food like this is probably a bit heavy during hot summer months, it's absolutely perfect for the cooler weather we're now experiencing.

Sauerkraut Soup with Kielbasa - I could probably guess what you're thinking..."sauerkraut in soup?" But please trust me when I tell you that it's excellent. The flavor of the sauerkraut is really gentle and it's mixed in with a hearty meat broth, interlaced with much pork goodness in the form of smoky kielbasa. The kielbasa chunks are small but their flavor is distinct. A spoonful of this soup will make you think of being in the mountains on a crisp winter day.

NOTE - If you want this soup, it probably won't be listed on the menu, so call ahead and ask if they have it as a special.

Pork Schnitzel with Potato Salad - Usually opting for chicken schnitzel, I changed things up by choosing pork. Hey, I already started with great kielbasa so why not ride out the wave?

I was absolutely amazed by the sheer size of the portion, which included two giant pork pieces that easily could've fed two or three people. The meat was tender and breaded perfectly on the outside--the coating was thin, crispy and not oily. It came with a side of creamy European-style potato salad with peas, carrots, onions and a mayonnaise sauce. Everything tasted fresh and delicious--my only suggestion would be to go lighter on the mayo.

Service and Cost:
I've never experienced a big crowd at Koliba and therefore, service is always good. Our waitress was friendly and gave us her personal recommendations. The thing that I love about Koliba, which I think they've gotten better at, is accepting new customers that are not Slovak or Czech natives. They're understanding and welcoming to new visitors, which is more than I could say for some other ethnic eateries in the nabe.

Prices remain affordable, especially given the big portions. The above two dishes set me back $22 including tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.kolibarestaurant.com