Astor Room Extends Restaurant Week Special

Although Astoria Restaurant week may be over, it's nice to see the after effects still running their course.  I love that some establishments have took it upon themselves to extend special menus til the end of summer such as the fancy shmancy, Astor Room.  Here's what you can expect all summer in terms of a special prix-fixe menu:

Astor Room Extended Restaurant Week Menu (valid all summer long!)

Appetizers:
Classic Caesar salad
French onion soup gratin
1/2 dozen flower oysters on the half shell
Fried calamari

Entrees:
Grilled rib eye - asparagus, port wine reduction & lobster mashed potato
Pan crisped salmon - with roasted vegetable cous-cous, cucumber salad in basil vinaigrette
Short rib stroganoff - egg noodles, wild mushrooms, truffled creme fraiche
Butternut squash ravioli - aromatic squash puree ravioli in a bourbon cream sauce
Lemon chicken - pan seared lemon and herb marinated chicken breast and thigh confit with baby corn and sauteed spring onions and tarragon jus

Dessert:
Maple bread pudding - served warm with bourbon creme anglaise
Rocky road baked Alaska - brownie base, peanut crunch vanilla ice cream, toasted marshmallow

$35/person 

The Astor Room - 34-12 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.255.1947
N/Q Train to Broadway or M/F Train to Steinway Street
www.astorroom.com

Queens Restaurant Week Details

A few weeks ago, I gave you a little preview that Queens Restaurant Week was coming, but we didn't yet have the full list of participating restaurants.  Well, the list is now complete and I'd like to share it with you all, paying special attention to the myriad Astoria and LIC restaurants that are gracing the list.  I've starred some of my particular favorites, so please take note and enjoy.

Queens Restaurant Week - September 19 - 22, September 26 -29
During this time, restaurants will be featuring special prix-fixe menus, which usually consist of a 3-course meal for $25.  Great deal...and one that lets you try a lot of different places that may be new to you.

Here's the Astoria/LIC roster:
**Astor Bake Shop - 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria 718.606.8439
**Blend LIC - 47-04 Vernon Blvd, LIC 718.729.2800
Brooks 1890 - 24-28 Jackson Avenue, LIC 718.937.1890
Cafe Ole - 38-09 36th Avenue, Astoria 718.349.7777
Da Giannis Ristorante - 21-50 44th Drive, LIC 718.707.0442
La Rioja - 33-05 Broadway, Astoria 718.932.0101
Locale - 33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria 718.729.9080
Penthouse 808 at Ravel Hotel - 808 Queens Plaza South, LIC 718.289.6118
Pomme Cafe - 37-19 Broadway, Astoria. 718.545.4301
Ponticello Restaurant - 46-11 Broadway, Astoria 718.278.4514
Riverview Restaurant - 2-01 50th Avenue, LIC 718.392.5000
**Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC 718.361.0707
**Testaccio (tripe dish pictured above) - 47-30 Vernon Blvd, LIC 718.937.2900
The Astor Room - 34-12 36th Street, Astoria 718.255.1947
**Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria 718.728.0549

And for a full list of all Queens participating restaurants, visit Discover Queens.  Can't wait to hear all about your experience, so please make sure to leave a comment.

Stone Park Cafe - Brunch of Champions

Stone Park Cafe - 324 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.369.0082
F/M/R Train at 4th Ave - 9th Street or M/R Train to Union Street
www.stoneparkcafe.com

This past weekend, Dan, my brother Peter, his girlfriend Fiana and I brunched in Park Slope. Our original intention was to try the 2-for-1 $23 brunch offering as part of Brooklyn's Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, Stone Park didn't participate in that, but it came so highly recommended that we had to try it.

Atmosphere:
Stone Park Cafe is located in the heart of Park Slope's "restaurant row" also known as 5th Avenue. There are so many quaint cafes and shops on this street that it's hard to choose between better and best.

I got a good vibe immediately upon walking into Stone Park, and its simple, clean look made me feel comfortable. The front-of-the-house dining room is buzzing, and it accommodates large and small parties alike. There's a back seating area, which seems to be more private but given that we were there for brunch, we didn't mind the energy of the front room. The bar is also welcoming, with plenty of stools to sit on and some bookshelves, displaying great cookbooks such as the Joy of Cooking.

Food:
Our expectations were high, set by my friend Ivona who recommended this place. They were completely met and we thoroughly enjoyed everything on our plates. We'll happily come back and I'll absolutely have to get the breakfast nachos next time. The food here is original and interesting.

Hangtown Fry - I chose this because it boasted an ingredient that I've never had in a brunch dish--oysters. They tasted wonderful and were fried to perfection, served alongside an omelette with bacon and Vermont Cheddar. The combination of fried oysters and eggs was a nice one--you got a salty crunch from the oysters and a silky buttery taste from the eggs. Well done hash, served on top of the eggs was another tasty--and hearty--addition. The whole thing was super filling, a dish designed to hold you over until dinner.

Sourdough French Toast - Peter ordered this mainly because he was taunted by the heaping plates of it, passing us by while we waited for a table. Served with berry compote and Vermont maple syrup, it was a simple but a great dish. The bread was slightly cinnamony yet not overly sweet. I liked the chunky aspect of the berry sauce, as it added another touch of freshness and rusticity.

Stone Park Burger - Dan, a lover of meat chose the classic burger with bacon sans cheese. I had a bite and liked it but not as much as I liked the burger at the Spotted Pig. The fries were delicious, crispy and plentiful. I didn't get a piece of the bacon but Dan said that it was crunchy and chewy, just the way he liked it.

Breakfast Nachos - Saving the best for last, the breakfast nachos were a true stand-out. Fiana ordered them and I praise her for a choice well made. The crispy, seasoned nachos were topped with a plethora of deliciousness including mushrooms, salsa, tomatoes, pepper jack cheese and eggs over easy. The most exciting part was when Fiana broke the egg and let it spill onto the nachos. It made for a silky sauce that not only looked beautiful, it tasted fabulous too. I have strong suspicion that the the nachos were homemade, as they produced a lovely crunch with each amazing bite.

Service and Cost:
Our server was nice and efficient but he was super busy. Although I never felt neglected, I sensed his stress and knew how overwhelmed he was. What I did like is that he made strong (and very sound) recommendations about our dishes. He didn't hesitate to tell us what he liked, and he really made us feel good about our choices.

Stone Park Cafe is on the expensive side for brunch. Everything has to be ordered a-la-carte instead of a brunch prix-fixe that I'm used to in Astoria. An entree and a drink (coffee or beer) cost us $20 per person including tax and tip. While this this isn't terribly expensive, it's not what I'm used to paying in our neck of the woods. However, I'd argue that you get what you pay for--excellent quality food.

3 loud Mmmms

Palo Santo - Brooklyn Restaurant Week Home-Run

Palo Santo - 652 Union Street, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.636.6311
R Train to Union Street
www.palosanto.us

Three friends of mine--two of which happen to be Brooklyners--and I took advantage of Brooklyn's Restaurant Week and tried Palo Santo. We loved all aspects of it--from the rustic atmosphere to the inventive food.

Atmosphere:
I love the fact that Palo Santo is located on a residential block full of beautiful brownstones. The restaurant itself is set in one of these gorgeous stone creations and the history behind it is evident from first glance. The interior has rich wood accents that have been preserved from its original structure, but Santo's Latin origins manage to shine through as well.

Chunky tables and chairs are wooden and rustic--the tables look hand-crafted with leaves, spices and rocks embedded in them, resembling works of art rather than tools for eating. The dining room is interestingly laid out, due to the brownstone format--there are several nooks and crannies that you normally wouldn't find in traditional restaurants. We got to dine at one of these elevated nooks, located at the back of the restaurant, which gave us the perfect opportunity to talk and to be as boisterous as we wanted to be.

Food:

The cuisine felt more gourmet than at a typical Latin joint. While classic dishes such as tacos and tortillas were the menu, so were more inventive ones such as chayote salad and braised rabbit. We ordered a nice variety of things, and the best offering in my opinion were the desserts. Here are some of the meal's highlights:

Chickpea Soup - I love me a good soup and the non-traditional combination of chickpeas and butternut squash piqued my interest. The prevailing flavor was hearty and slightly sweet from the squash--it also offered nice crunch from the sprinkling of toasted pine nuts on top. The portion was more than generous and it offered a promising start to the meal.

Tortillas and Avocado - Although a simple dish of exactly what its name implied (tortillas and avocado), the beauty lay in the freshness and quality of ingredients. The tortillas were soft and homemade while the avocado was delicately cut into appetizing slivers and dressed with a citrusy vinaigrette and red onions. Julie chose this as her appetizer and I thought that it had a clean, light finish that wasn't overpowering.

Pan Roasted Red Snapper - Janel and I chose this as our entree and we couldn't be happier with it. The fish was cooked to perfection and flaked off beautifully, just like a flower if you will. Being a fan of cabbage, I thoroughly enjoyed the warm bed of red slaw that the fish rested on--it was slightly tart and although cooked, it didn't lose crunchiness.

The most impressive yet the simplest element of this dish was the plantain. Resting in its black skin, it was deliciously tender and a little sweet. Its flavors were subtle yet provided just the right pairing with the fish. I'd recommend this entree to others but note that the type of fish changes based on the day's catch.

Chicken and Dumplings - Julie's main dish sounded and looked great. The portion was generous and I especially eyed the potato dumplings, which I'm a sucker for just by my Eastern European origins. While I didn't taste it, Julie complained that the chicken was too spicy. She seemed to enjoy the marriage of flavors but at times felt that they were overwhelming. Note - pay attention to spicy "warnings" from the staff and make sure to inquire about the degree of spiciness in dishes.

The Desserts - As mentioned, Palo Santo hit it out of the park with desserts. We each ordered a different one, enabling us to try them all. The selections included chocolate mousse with whipped cream, pomegranate sorbet with fresh apple slices, lime pie with whipped cream and coffee creme brulee. Without question, the creme brulee was the best one and we all devoured it with gusto. The coffee flavored custard was intense and luxurious, with a sugar crust that was done to perfection--I hate it when the sugar crust gets burned and this one was flawless. I could be wrong but I think that there was some cocoa flavor in the custard too--it was simply amazing.

My second favorite was the lime pie and I especially appreciated the thick crust on the bottom. I think that it was made of graham crackers and the custard on top had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. I don't like when lime pies have an eggy aftertaste and this one didn't have a trace of that. The sorbet was my third favorite because it presented the palate with freshness and cleanness while the chocolate mousse came last. It lacked flavor a bit and needed more sweetness or even a hint of coffee perhaps.

Service and Cost:
Our waitress was friendly and very helpful. She seemed knowledgeable when we asked her questions about the cuisine, especially about preparation. It was nice that she smiled a lot and didn't make us feel rushed to make choices. We were also served by the Palo Santo's owner, who was lovely, welcoming and very laid back.

In terms of cost, we paid $23 for three-courses, which is part of the restaurant week offering. Together with sangria, tax and tip, we paid about $39 per person for an exceptional dinner. Normal prices range from $3-$13 for appetizers and $15-$25 for entrees.

3 Mmmms

5 Ninth - Scrumptious Food in a Beautiful Setting

5 Ninth - 5 Ninth Avenue, New York NY 10014

212.929.9460

E/L Train to 14th Street

www.5ninth.com

As many of you know, NYC Restaurant Week is in full swing--and a lot of restaurants have even extended it until the end of February. I love this time of year because I get to try restaurants that have been on my radar but that I haven't had the opportunity to sample. One such place is 5 Ninth. My co-workers and friends, Leann, Gina and Meghan came with me, and we all enjoyed a fun evening of fabulous food in a beautiful setting.

Atmosphere:

5 Ninth is located in a historic townhouse, dating back to year 1848, in the trendy Meatpacking District. The outside is lovely and rustic--you can't help but feel like you're walking into someone's house. When you come in, it continues to feel personal--dimly lit and romantic with a lot of simple wooden furniture and plenty of white candles to set the mood. Although it'd be a good place to dine with my husband, it's also wonderful with a small group of friends. Being at 5 Ninth, we felt like we were far removed from the tumult of Manhattan, and were instead on a quiet street in Brooklyn.

Food:

I've heard nice things about the food and our experience reaffirmed that. We were happy to see that the Restaurant Week menu had a variety of options and that our dishes were portioned well. We each started with the same appetizer and then chose slightly different routes.

Creamy Asparagus Soup - This was our first course and we were all eager to start with something warm to remedy the chill outside. It definitely hit the spot but I thought that it could've been a little hotter. The root vegetables that were interspersed throughout the broth were a nice surprise and although I didn't always know what I was eating, it was all very good and fresh. One other criticism about the broth is that it could've used more salt and pepper.

Lamb Cassoulet - This was my entree and it was a perfect winter dish. I'd get it again in a heartbeat because of how hearty and satisfying it was. Presented in a rustic cast iron dish, it looked like a true stew, with large chunks of meat floating in a sea of veggies and grilled bread. The meat was the best part because it was super tender, flavored beautifully by the juices from white beans, tomatoes and garlic sausage. Overall, the cassoulet was a home run and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who loves meat.

Other Entrees - My friends' entrees included a pork roast with winter vegetables and a beautifully cut skate fish, served with more veggies. They seemed to enjoy everything and while I didn't try these entrees, my friends said that they were incredibly fresh and flavorful--judging by their empty plates, I knew this to be true.

Dessert - We each tried a different dessert so we were able to share and sample everything. Meghan and I got a rich chocolate mousse with fresh whipped cream. Presented in an oval bourbon cup, it was a nice way to end the meal with something decadent yet semi-sweet. I could tell that the chocolate used in this was of very good quality.

Gina ordered the lemon trifle, which was also beautifully presented, and garnished with fresh mint. It was super citrusy--and maybe a little too much for me, but Gina seemed to like it. I'd say that this dessert is suited for hard-core lemon lovers.

Leann chose the cookies and milk dessert. This was the richest dish by far, as the liquid hot chocolate tasted like pure fudge. Although I loved it, I think that after a couple of spoonfuls, I'd be unable to finish it. The homemade marshmallows that melted into the hot chocolate were a nice touch.

Service and Cost:

We were happy with the service although it seemed to change a lot. We started off with one waiter and ended up with another. They were all polite though and didn't look down on us for getting the Restaurant Week Menu, which is sometimes the case at these upscale places. One thing that surprised me is when our waiter said that the Restaurant Week Menu could only be ordered if the entire table decided on it--he said that was a requirement set by the chef. I've never heard of that before and it seemed limiting.

In terms of cost, we each paid $45 for our three-course dinner, including tax and tip. On a regular night, appetizers range between $10-$16 and entrees between $26-$40.

3 Mmmms

Kittichai - A Luxurious Thai Treat

Kittichai - 60 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10014

212.219.2000

C/E Train to Spring Street

www.kittichairestaurant.com

I was happy to find out that Restaurant Week has been extended until Labor Day--must be the economy. But on the up-side, that gives us an extra month to indulge in great food from some of NYC's best restaurants. Kittichai, the chic Thai eatery in the trendy Thompson Hotel is one of those great finds. I was joined for a fantastic meal there by friends, Maya and Alexis.

Atmosphere:

Serene, sleek and modern are words I'd use to describe this place. Especially after a long, hard day in the big city, Kittichai has the charm and that je ne sais quoi to make you stop, relax and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

The front of the house bar/waiting area provides a lovely welcome with cushiony seating, Buddhist sculptures and plenty of beautiful white and pink lotus flowers in individual vases--there's actually a whole wall of them. Alexis and I were trying to figure out if they were real--I think so.

The dining room is simply breathtaking with a warm color scheme of deep reds and oranges that stimulate the senses. We had the pleasure of sitting in one of the semi-private booths that line the perimeter of the room. Although I had to turn to see it, there's a spectacular water fountain that rests in the middle of the room with more lotus flowers and floating candles--really romantic and peaceful.

Food:

We ordered from the restaurant week prix-fixe menu, which had a nice selection of dishes--and the desserts especially caught my eye. Like we've done in the past, we each chose something different so we could share our meal and try a bit of everything. I highly recommend doing this with any restaurant week menu.

Wok-Fried Mussels - This was Maya's choice and it was a great one. The mussels were fresh and rested in a citrusy lemongrass broth. I've never had mussels in this type of sauce and am used to the garlicky, white wine sauces in French restaurants. This was certainly a nice change that was a lot lighter on the stomach. The only thing I missed was some sort of bread to soak up that delicious sauce. Who am I kidding though, I wasn't going to get this in a Thai establishment.

Northern Thai Beef Salad - Alexis ordered this and we were all surprised at how generous the portion was. It looked like a large beef cake with bean sprouts on top and refreshing cucumbers on the bottom. The beef itself was cooked well and seasoned with an assortment of Thai spices--I think there was a hint of lemongrass or even cilantro in it. We all liked it but thought that it had too much meat--we just couldn't finish it. I'd recommend this dish for a male diner or a serious meat eater.

Banana Blossom and Artichoke Salad - I was eager to try something different, thus selecting this appetizer. I was excited by its beautiful presentation but was really disappointed at its too-earthy taste. The combination of flavors was a bit much for me and there was an overwhelming bitterness from the artichokes and the banana leaves. I didn't care for it at all and the thick cashew sauce just killed it. I took a couple of bites but left more than three quarters of it on the plate. My dining companions weren't wild about it either.

Pan-Seared Cod - Maya and Alexis both ordered this and really liked it. I tried it too and definitely saw the value in it--the overall taste was light despite the use of tom yum broth, which could be spicy. The tomatoes that floated in the broth provided a welcome acidy touch and the skin of the cod was delicious and crunchy. I took advantage of the fact that my dining companions chose to avoid the skin. In fact, I always eat this part of the fish, as it contains wonderful nutrients and fantastic flavor.

Pineapple Braised Short Ribs - I couldn't be happier with my dish and despite feeling lukewarm about curry sauce, this one was perfect. It was sweet and a little spicy, embellished by Thai eggplant and sweet basil. The actual meat was extra tender and once dipped into the sauce, it had a lovely flavor--sweet from the pineapple and savory from the curry. My dining companions tried it too and absolutely loved it.

Dessert Sampling - We tried every dessert on the restaurant week menu and none of them disappointed us. I'd confidently say that this was the best part of the meal. Our choices consisted of flourless valrhona chocolate cake, banana spring rolls and a selection of ice cream/sorbet.

The cake was my favorite, partly because of the way that it was presented. Wrapped in a large green leaf (maybe a banana leaf but I'm not sure), it was unwrapped in front of us like a present. And once we bit into it, it was heaven on a fork--soft, fudgy and uncompromisingly decadent. The fresh cream that accompanied it was a nice touch and provided a smooth finish with the heavier cake. I'd get this again in a heartbeat--chocolate lovers, make note.

The banana spring rolls were an interesting choice as well--and they were new to us all. The inside of the roll was soft and warm and the outside was wrapped in a crispy pastry shell. The overall presentation was once again beautiful, as the bananas were cut into asymmetrical shapes and arranged on a long stone dish. Another inventive part of this was a side of burnt honey ice cream, providing a welcome chill for the tongue as well as a slightly bitter taste.

A selection of ice cream was also had and while this was the plainest dessert option, it was still delicious and a nice complement to the other two desserts. The flavors that we enjoyed were coffee, vanilla and chocolate. While I don't usually love coffee ice cream, this one was my favorite and tasted like really good, strong coffee--none of that sweet carameley stuff that you get in the supermarket.

Service and Cost:

The service was fine but I wouldn't call it spectacular. Our waitress had a tad of condescension to her. It's as if she was trying to say "you're just ordering from the restaurant week menu! ugh!" I don't know if Maya and Alexis agreed but she seemed disappointed and scornful of our choices instead of being welcoming and helpful. Our dishes arrived on time but we had to wait long for the check, which was also incorrect. Meh. I expected more.

The cost was straight up $35 each plus tax and tip. We didn't end up getting alcohol so our total was about $43 per person. This is great value for Kittichai where entrees could run up to $36 a pop.

2 Mmmms

Lure Fishbar - Lured in by Restaurant Week

Lure Fishbar - 142 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012

212.431.7676

6 Train to Bleecker Street or N/W/R to Prince Street

www.lurefishbar.com

I've been wanting to come here ever since I heard about their amazing happy hour special--$1 oysters and littleneck clams! How could you go wrong?

Aside from that, I've heard nothing but great things about the food and decided to do a girl's only dinner here on Monday night for Restaurant Week. We had a delicious time and we all agreed to come back for happy hour and another meal very soon.

Atmosphere:

What a cool space! Lure resembles a retro yacht, complete with wooden wall paneling, plaid rugs and crescent shaped leather booths. The restaurant is located on the lower level of the building, giving you a genuine feeling of being under waters--even its front doors look like the entrance to a galley. The bar is offset to the left and it gets pretty crowded, given the reasonable happy hour special I mentioned above. You'll find some of NYC's trendiest urbanites chillin' in Lure's quarters--its definitely a hip scene to be seen in.

Food:

The food highly surpassed our expectations--and they were already pretty high. I was also impressed by their hefty restaurant week menu. While some places skimp out on choices during restaurant week and sometimes even charge an extra couple of bucks for things, Lure did a fantastic job of staying true to its regular menu. They gave customers a taste of their signature dishes at generous portions. Below are some of the things we ordered:

New England Clam Chowder - This is one of my all time favorite dishes to get at seafood joints and a good one can satisfy me to no end. Lure's version was outstanding--it was hearty but not too thick, packed with flavorful ingredients such as potatoes, bacon and of course fresh littleneck clams. The portion was perfect and I'd say it was in between a big cup and a medium bowl. My friend Cindy who's a native Bostonian also ordered this and it passed her taste test with flying colors. As Cindy would say, this soup was "muy, muy bien."

Steamed Branzino - This sounded amazing to me right off the bat and when our waitress mentioned that it's one of their most popular dishes, I just had to have it. Flavored with oyster mushrooms, ponzu (Japanese citrus sauce), cilantro and paired with jasmine rice, it was the perfect entree--light, fresh and citrusy. I loved that the citrus sauce and cilantro were sandwiched in between the fish, its skin almost playing the role of a bun--very innovative and different than I'm used to. I highly recommend this dish even on a regular night.

Seared Yellowfin Tuna - This was Michelle's entree and she enjoyed it immensely. It was dressed in a crust of nori (dried seaweed), shitake mushrooms, edamame and dashi (Japanese stock) glaze. I tasted it and the meat was nice and tender on the inside and firmer on the outside. Its flavoring was nice but I'm not much of a tuna person and preferred the branzino, which was a lot lighter and crisper.

Dessert Tasting - We each ordered a dessert which we shared, thus creating a mini dessert tasting. The warm chocolate cake was the most luxurious with thick, fudgy dough and a liquidy topping. The ice cream was a nice accompaniment, providing a clean vanilla flavor and a welcoming chill factor.

The chocolate panna cotta (cooked cream--sort of like a custard) with roasted bananas and warm chocolate cookies was also sensational. The panna was smooth and light and the best part was the cocoa crumb topping. It reminded me of the crunchies that they use in Carvel cakes, which is one of my all time favorite things in the world. The bananas were a fabulous treat, especially when smothered in the salty-sweet caramel sauce. The miniature cookies were delicious and I think they were flourless, which was a nice touch.

Last but not least, we ordered the lemon-lime meringue bar, which illustrated innovation at its best. The lemony treat was served alongside an out-of-this-world mojito sorbet. This was by far my favorite part of this and it reminded me of the frozen wine sorbet's I've tried at various food events--it was refreshing, flavorful and truly different.

Service and Cost:

The service was wonderful and as attentive as can be. Our waitress was friendly and not in the least bit snobby--which could be the case in ultra trendy spots. While she sort of messed up Cindy's entree order, she was apologetic and ready to fix the problem immediately. Another nice part of our dining experience was when the chef came out to meet us and make sure that all was OK. I thought that was a nice touch--especially during prime-time dinner hour.

The cost was a straight up $35 fee plus tax and tip. We ended up paying about $44 each--not bad for such a delightful meal. I'll be back here in a jiffy!

3 Mmmms