New Eats at the Sage General Store

Recently visiting the Sage General Store, which happens to be one of my favorite LIC cafes, I noticed they've rolled out a new and refreshed menu that I wanted to share with you.  While classics such as their Artisan Mac n' Cheese (pictured above) remain, they've also got a few new items adoring their menu.  Take a look and let me know what you fancy.

California Chopped Salad - with avocado, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, chopped romaine, radicchio, and basil dressing...$12

Sriracha Tuna Tartini - with sesame and avocado...$16

Roasted Cauliflower Pizza - black olives, garlic confit, parmigiano...$14

Roberta's (an homage) Pizza - arugula, mozzarella, parmigiano, lemon olive oil...$13

Check out the entire dinner menu here.

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101

718.361.0707

E/V/G Train to Queens Plaza

www.sagegeneralstore.com

Warm Up in Astoria - Part Deux

Surprise...the chill is back in our neck of the woods!  Just another good opportunity to highlight the warming foods and drinks you can get around town to deal with yet another round of the polar vortex.

Image by Bradley Hawks

Wine is always a good idea, especially at Bear where they're featuring $20 bottles, each day. Check it out also for their warming Russian-style cuisine such as hot Ukranian borscht, cabbage and beef casserole, hunter's stew (with lamb) and more. 12-14 31st Avenue, LIC. 917.396.4939

For more vino goodness, Rest-au-Rant is a great option, especially on Wednesdays when all their wine is 20% off.  Pair it with something luxurious such as their savory fondue or a gooey gorgonzola, fig and green apple panini.  30-01 35th Ave, LIC.  718.729.9009 

I'm loving Alewife's new craft beer collection, including thick malty options such as Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout, which can be enjoyed with a signature, Sigmund's Pretzel Shop pretzel.  If you haven't tried one yet, they're absolutely fantastic!  5-14 51st Avenue, LIC. 718.937.7494

There's nothing like a warm, delicious, melty mac 'n cheese and the one at the Sage General Store is hard to beat.  Featuring a five cheese concoction with spicy cayenne breadcrumbs on top, it's the ultimate comfort food.  24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.361.0707

Warming up with a tasty burger is easy to do in the nabe, and these days I'm pretty excited about BareBurger's new bar offering, which goes beautifully with one of their signature burgers such as the Roadhouse or the Big Blue Bacon.  The 31st Avenue locale now has a full on bar with signature cocktails such as the Johnny Appleseed (bourbon, green apple, hot honey, ginger brew), Rachel Carson (rosemary infused vodka, blackberries, homemade lemonade), Old Macdonald (bourbon, white peach, agave punch) and more.   Check out the awesome $50 gift card giveaway we're doing with BareBurger on We Heart Astoria.  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7011

Astoria Mac N' Cheese Delight Round-Up

Thinking about how much I love a good mac 'n cheese, I was inspired to put together a quick round-up of Astoria and LIC eateries that are doing it a little bit differently.  So here you go, a non-traditional take on our beloved nostalgic treat:

Image by Queens Comfort

Queens Comfort - When I spotted this enticing picture, I immediately thought "why haven't I thought of this before?!" - a chicken parm in mac 'n cheese format?!  Don't walk.  Run.  40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.728.2350

Sweet Afton - This tangy, well-done mac 'n cheese comes piping hot in a cast iron skillet.  Once you dig in, you'll enjoy the medley of sharp cheeses including Irish cheddar, gruyere and muenster.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

Queens Kickshaw - Known for their expertise in grilled cheese sandwiches, the Queens Kickshaw's mac 'n cheese is a big standout as well.  Loaded with a hefty combination of gruyere, cheddar and smoked muzz, it's then topped with French beans and caramelized onions.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Sage General Store - My We Heart Astoria colleagues and I loved sampling the legendary mac 'n cheese at this LIC staple.  The well-done, crunchy crust is impeccable, featuring cayenne breadcrumbs that give this 5-cheese mac a nice punch.   24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.361.0707

Image by Meg Cotner

The Shady Lady - I have to give a nod to Meg's awesome write-up of The Shady Lady, and especially as it relates to mac 'n cheese.  There are three different types to choose from including the classic, carbonara and truffles and shrooms.  Sign me up!  34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.440.9081

Astorian Thanksgiving Roundup

Thanksgiving is almost here and everyone seems to be excited - especially given the difficult period we've just endured with Sandy.  It's no wonder that this year, it's pretty clear what we're thankful for.  I'm thankful for my amazing family and friends and for having a safe, comfortable home to come back to each day.  What about you guys?  How do you plan to spend your Thanksgiving? In case you need some ideas, here's a short round-up of Astoria and LIC venues that are doing Thanksgiving their way.

Bear - Featuring a three-course menu with sides, and of course turkey with stuffing, you can come by at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. or then on the later side at 8 p.m. The dinner will only set you back $45/person, which is a great deal for a Thanksgiving feast.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Vesta - Always doing it up special for Thanksgiving, come by for their very Italian Thanksgiving with dishes such as tagliatelle with braised pork, a 32 oz bone-in NY strip steak, and of course the turkey with olive oil mashed potatoes, corn bread and a cranberry glaze.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Sage General Store - If you're having Thanksgiving at home and are looking for dessert ideas, consider a pie from Sage General Store including flavors such as pecan, pumpkin and or a classic lattice apple.  24-20 Jackson Blvd, LIC.  718.361.0707

Koliba - Although probably not the first place you think of when it comes to Thanksgiving, they'll not only have the turkey but also traditional Slovak dishes such as pork with bread dumplings, spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and more.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Mojave - Their special Thanksgiving menu sounds really scrumptious with a marshmallow glazed turkey with butternut squash and sweet potato, the pork loin rollatini filled with chorizo and manchego cheese, and for dessert a cranberry glazed pumpkin pie and even a complimentary pumpkin martini or sangrita.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

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.

Taste of LIC Rocks it Again

From the title of this post, you can guess just how successful this year's Taste of LIC was. Very! I always look forward to this tasting event, as it's one of the best (or even the best dare I say) of its kind in Queens. Not only because of all the fantastic local culinary talent that's showcased, but also because it fosters a sense of community amongst LIC residents and fellow food comrades.

Seeing and meeting so many of my food colleagues and fellow community members made the evening truly enjoyable. And the never-ending supply of food wasn't too shabby either.

Graciously and beautifully organized by The Chocolate Factory, an independent community theater that "supports the creation of new work in a variety of disciplines including theater, dance, music, multi media and the visual arts," the proceeds of this event will benefit their 2011 - 2012 programs.

With over 50 local restaurants from LIC (and Astoria!) represented, there was something delicious and interesting to taste in every corner of the tent. At times, it was some truly serious sensory overload, but who could refuse? Although I enjoyed nearly everything I tried, here are a few stand-outs of the night:

M. Wells Diner - Debuting their offering at this event last year with a slow roasted pork dressed with a sweet maple reduction, this year their goods included smoked oysters on a housemade water cracker and a crazy looking, stuffed-to-the-gills chili dog. The latter was by far my favorite and you can see its gluttunous contents above including chunky beef chili, onions and melted cheddar cheese on an oversized grilled hot dog. The chili had great spice to it and the actual hot dog was juicy with a slightly crunchy casing. I can tell you that I wasn't the only one swooning over this dish. 21-17 49th Avenue, LIC. 718.425.6917

Sage General Store - Always one of my favorites at this event, this year it impressed me again. I was a little sad not to have their bacon brownie again, but surprisingly what won me over was their strawberry salad. Consisting of hulled strawberries, mixed bitter greens, candied pecans and a strawberry buttermilk dressing, it was a refreshing summer dish and one I can see myself munching on for lunch or dinner. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.361.0707

Malu - It was exciting to sample a new food establishment, on the brink of opening in just about a week. This new ice cream/chocolate shop located next door to Little Oven will serve homemade ice cream and nostalgic chocolate confections.  I loved their cheery table at the event from which I sampled milk and dark chocolate rice crispy treats, corn flake clusters, chocolate covered animal crackers, gummy bears, swedish fish, pretzels and more.  Everything was simple  yet very clean tasting and delicious.  Overall, a good foreshadowing for what's to come - I can't wait for it to open!  12-09 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.729-6258

Pachanga Patterson - I couldn't resist one of Pachanga's delicious spicy pork tacos, served on a Nixtamal tortilla, pickled onions and plenty of hot sauce.  It left me with a hot taste in my mouth, that set my tastebuds aflutter.  What a great reminder about why this new up-and-coming Mexican eatery shouldn't be missed.  Their nearly empty table by the end of the event surely proved its popularity.  33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.554.0525

El Ay Si - Excited to see these folks dishing out their comforting grub, I had a heaping plate of spicy bacon mac n' cheese.  Creamy, smoky with a bit of heat with each bite, it was hard not to finish the whole thing.  It was clear that the quality of ingredients were wonderful and I'd certainly come back to have this anytime with some fried chicken to boot!  47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.389.8781

Some of my other honorable mentions at the event include:

Testaccio - Pulled oxtail sliders.  47-30 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.937.2900
Gian Piero's Bakery - Assorted Italian cookies and loaves of bread that I took home!  44-17 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.8959
Bantry Bay Publick House - Bacon covered dates (gets me everytime!)  33-01 Greenpoint Avenue, LIC.  718.784.9500
LIC Market - Mellon soup with mint infused cream (so refreshing and summery) 21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013
Little Oven - Mini French macaroons that tasted like butta. 12-07 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.440.9438
Sweetleaf - Mango iced tea and almond and coconut cookies.  10-93 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.832.6726

Hope everyone who attended had as much fun as I did.  I fondly look forward to next year's event!

Sparrow and Sage General Store on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives

Image by www.theparkette.com

A friend of mine, Harlan gave me a little nugget of interesting foodie gossip that I wanted to share with you.  Having to do with our neighborhood and some of our most beloved go-to eateries such as the Sparrow Tavern in Astoria and Sage General Store in LIC, I found out that these two under-the-radar establishments are going to be featured on the popular Food Network series, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. 

At first this tid-bit was just a rumor but both locales have confirmed their participation in the series.  Sage's episode will air on Monday, 1/17 at 10:00 p.m. ET and Sparrow's is still unannounced.

While most of you are probably very familiar with both establishments, just to give you a little refresher, The Sparrow is an under-the-radar speakeasy tavern, featuring some of the best burgers in town, while Sage is home to fresh, locally sourced food and unique specialty brunch pizzas.

I hope you enjoy the episodes and tune in to support Astoria and LIC in their foodie stardom.

LIC Holiday Food Guide

Yesterday, I brought you a mini Astoria food guide and today, we get into LIC.  If you haven't had the opportunity to explore it or share its culinary gems with friends and family, here's your chance:

1.  Tournesol - One of my favorite French bistros in LIC (right there with Cafe Henri), Tournesol offers a touch of French charm right in Queens.  Simple, elegant and clean French food will surely impress your giftee, through an offering of mussels, classic soups, rustic sweet and savory tarts and some pretty irresistible desserts such as creme brulee, soft bread pudding with creme anglaise, profiteroles and more!  You can get your gift certificates at the restaurant or they can ship them right to your recipient.  50-12 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. 718.472.4355

2.  LIC Market - This still-new restaurant and general store rolled into one is stepping it up this holiday season.  If you'd like to share fresh, seasonal and homemade goodies with friends, invest in their holiday-themed gift baskets, which boast an assortment of housemade spreads, jams, sauces, and some fun ingredients that every serious cook should have.  Prices vary and run anywhere from $40 - $95.  They take about a day to put together and you can order them in person or over the phone.  21-52 44th Drive, Long Island City.  718.361.0013

3.  Sage General Store - Another restaurant/general store combo, with fresh, wholesome and local food, it's been the talk of the town on many occasions.  Recently adding dinner to their repertoire, you can expect simple, quality food such as slow roasted pork, locally-raised spit roasted chicken, their famous mac 'n cheese of the day as well as specialty brunch items such as wood-burning brunch pizzas.  They're also notoriously successful for producing the most sinfully delectable bacon brownie.  24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.  718.361.0707

4.  SHI - My favorite place to take someone when I want to impress, a gift certificate to SHI will be well received.  Featuring a diverse menu of Asian cuisine including Thai, Japanese and Chinese, everything is carefully prepared and hits all the right flavor notes.  A couple of my personal stand-outs include a mango chicken/shrimp combo, the bacon wrapped shrimp appetizer, popcorn beef and General Tso's chicken.  Gift certificates can be picked up at the restaurant or ordered via phone.  47-20 Center Blvd, Long Island City.  347.242.2450

5.  Manetta's - If you're getting something for a lover of all things traditional, try Manetta's.  Their extensive selection of fresh pasta such as the linguini neri (black linguini) or the pappardelle with porcini mushrooms is quite delicious, but you can also get your pizza (pictured above), chicken parm, lasagna and ravioli classics.  Not to mention the freshly baked mini cookies, some of which use my beloved ingredient, Nutella.  Gift certificates can be picked up at the restaurant.  10-76 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.  718.786.6171

2010 Taste of LIC - An Evening of Food, Fun and Freakindelicious Bacon Brownies

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending The Chocolate Factory's 5th Annual Taste of LIC held at Gantry Plaza State Park. Although the event was held here last year as well, I think due to last night's favorable weather, it was even more successful.  There was certainly an abundance of restaurants where you could sample more goodies and it was fun to see the new-kids-on-the-block (that haven't officially opened), showcasing their wares.

Below are my highlights of new things, old things and really unusual things that made me stop.

New Things/Places:

Madera - This newly opened Cuban Grill was represented with an offering of baked coconut shrimp, guava and cheese empanadas (which were delicious) as well as slow roasted pork and ropa vieja (shredded beef).  Although they had difficulty keeping their dishes warm, you could tell they were well made and I'd be curious to sample their food at the restaurant.  47-29 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 917.402.7019

Breadbox Cafe - Even though this place hasn't officially opened, the food looked and tasted promising.  It's nothing fancy, made up of simple salads, sandwiches, quiches and baked goods, but the ingredients seemed fresh and tasted delicious. It could become a good breakfast or lunch standby, and the owners mentioned that they'll also offer dinner.  47-11 11th Street, LIC.  718.389.9700

M. Wells - I was intrigued to learn that a Quebeco-American diner is coming to LIC.  The dish they served last night, a slow roasted pork dressed with a sweet maple reduction, was so memorable and left my mind and palate thoroughly intrigued.  I'll get back to you with more details about their official opening.  21-17 49th Avenue, LIC.

Old Things/Places:

Wunderbar - Wow, when I saw the generous offering of bratwurst, weisswurst and all the fixins such as German potatoes, sauerkraut, red cabbage and German-style onions, I couldn't miss it.  Wunderbar's representatives were really great and piled everything expertly in a disposable dish (pictured above) and even dressed it with spicy mustard.  The whole thing was just delectable and reminded me of being back in Eastern Europe. YUM! 37-10 11th Street, LIC. 718.937.2337

Tournesol - Tournesol never fails to deliver and as they do each year, they featured an egg/bacon/onion quiche paired with champagne.  Every year it's this dish and every year, I devour it.  Tournesol uses a really amazing, thick-cut hearty bacon that's wonderful to sink your teeth into. 50-12 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.472.4355

Lounge 47 - After hearing a lot of good things about their wasabi deviled eggs, I finally got to taste one.  And was it good!  Being a huge fan of deviled eggs in general, I had a feeling I'd enjoy this but wasn't ready for the subtle hit to your palate from the strong wasabi.  The flavors definitely woke your senses in the best possible way and the dish was addicting to say the least.  47-10 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.937.2044

Unusual Things/Places:

Sage's Bacon Brownie - The Sage General Store really brought it up a notch with their bacon brownies.  As soon as I heard the words bacon and brownie in the same sentence I was so down to try it.  The actual brownie was really chocolatey, using good quality dark chocolate and flavored with small bits of bacon.  The taste wasn't overpowering but powerful enough to recognize its distinct smokiness. It was truly incredible and I went back for seconds. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.361.0707

Omni's Truffled Honey - This unique item from Omnipak Distributing Company was unforgettable.  Paired with crumbly parmesan cheese on top of rustic focaccia bread, it delivered the perfect bite.  The sweetness from the honey brought a smile to your face and you couldn't help but be surprised by the truffle essence that lingered on your tongue after each bite.  I'm certainly going to probe further and find out where this product is ditributed. 

El Ay Si's Homemade Candy - Distributed to all guests in a cute little paper bag with El Ay Si's insignia, these little treats were just adorable.  Individually wrapped in old fashioned wax paper, they consisted of rich, fudgy candy flavored with banana. How inventive yet nostalgic at the same time! The bag also included a $10 gift certificate to El Ay Si, which will surely come in handy.  47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.389.8781

What did you think of last night's event?

5 Ways to Eat Healthy in Astoria

Now that the holidays are over, so are the indulgent meals.  Lots of people (including me!) are trying to eat lighter and healthier to get rid of those extra holiday layers.  Here are five suggestions to help you out, whether if you're eating out or staying in.  Enjoy them and as always, chime in with your tips.

Fresh, fulfilling salads - Although 30th Avenue isn't known for complicated cuisine, it has great staples such as Grand Cafe, Avenue Cafe and Pinocchio, which boast yummy fresh salads.  I particularly enjoy Avenue's tabouleh salad with tomatoes and grilled pita bread (pictured above) - it's fresh, juicy and healthful. 

Grand Cafe - 37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7321. 
Avenue Cafe - 35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.6967
Pinocchio Palace - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.932.4976

Savory, organic brunch - Sage General Store is my go-to place for quality food, especially brunch.  Their dishes always fill me up but never leave me over-stuffed.  I love that Sage's ingredients are organic, natural and locally sourced.  I recommend the ranchero buritto with scrambled eggs, caramelized onions, ham, tomatoes and cheese, with a side of mesculin salad.  Since this dish is large in portion, I'd eat half and take the rest home.

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City.  718.361.0707

Sushi with flava - Although I'm not a big sushi lover, I really enjoy Watawa on Ditmars and think it's a fantastic place to have a light meal.  Everything is wonderful and the portions are normal - not unncessarily oversized.  Try the soups, sushi or even their Japanese entrees such as the chicken or tofu teriyaki for you veggies.

Watawa - 33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9596 

Cook a healthy meal at home - Astoria offers tons of eclectic food markets with fresh, healthy and inexpensive ingredients.  One of my produce favorites is the United Brothers Fruit market on 30th Avenue, where you can buy a full basket of various seasonal fruits and veggies for under $10--and I mean A LOT of stuff!  I particularly like their selection of fresh herbs.  

For fish, I hit up the Astoria Fishery Co on the corner of 31st Street and 23rd Avenue--prices are competitive and the quality of the fish is impressive. 

If I'm looking for ethnic ingredients such as Mediterranean foods, I like Titan Foods on 31st Street near Astoria Blvd.  Greek yogurt comes in many varieties, as well as phyllo dough, which you can get for under $4 per package.

United Brothers Fruit - 32-24 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.728.7011

Astoria Fishery Co - 22-78 31st Street, Astoria.  718.726.6390

Titan Foods - 25-56 31st Street, Astoria.  718.626.7771

Farm-to-table good-for-you food - Vesta is a personal favorite of mine, their ingredients coming from a nearby rooftop farm.  The food is delicious, interesting and very conducive to healthy eating.  My recommendations include a whole wheat thin crust pizza and any veggie dish such as a fresh salad of the day or the crispy brussel sprouts.

Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550 

Sage General Store - Still a Winner (Especially for Brunch)

I was so glad when this weekend presented an opportunity to brunch at the Sage General Store. Known for their fresh, organic and locally-sourced food, I'm always looking for an excuse to visit.

Sage currently operates for breakfast and lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends. I've been hoping that they'd extend service into dinner but my wish hasn't become reality yet - but I hope they consider it.

Similarly to last time, my experience was pleasant and fulfilling. I opted for an egg dish, neglecting the sourdough pizza yet again. Although I said this last time, I'm really going to try one of these babies in my next visit. Here's what Jess and I did try:

Ranchero Burrito - I feasted on this heaping plate of brunchdom, which included a soft tortilla filled with organic scrambled eggs, caramelized onions, smoky ham, tomato and cheese. The eggs were my favorite, as they were soft and fluffy and tasted like eggs should, delicate and slightly custardy. The spicy salsa that accompanied this dish was a nice way to sharpen the flavors, especially since most ingredients were on the gentle side. The side of mesculin salad was nice, fresh and also came with a creamy balsamic dressing that ended each bite with tang. Another bonus to this dish was a medium cup of coffee or tea--your choice.

Spinach and Jack Cheese Organic Omelet - Jess chose this as her entree and also complimented the eggs. Although I didn't taste it, the breakfast potatoes it came with looked impressive--they were on the spicy side, seasoned with chili powder.

Something new we spotted at Sage were hand dipped cookies by a local Astoria supplier called This Chick Bakes. Not only are these cookies made with natural ingredients, accommodating all diets (vegans too), they're incredibly creative--boasting flavors such as green tea & lemon, pomegranate white tea, black white & orange, cafe latte, chocolate dipped peanut butter, raisin chocolate coconut oat and more.

Service and Cost:
Just like last time, our servers were relaxed, friendly and not afraid to make conversation. They were attentive and made us feel at home, not in the least bit rushed or hassled.

Costs are inexpensive with both of our entrees under $10, including coffee. Organic, delicious and cheap? That's what I call a deal!

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.361.0707
E/V/G/7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
www.sagegeneralstore.com

Sage General Store - Local, Organic Goodness

Sage General Store - 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101

718.361.0707

E/V/G Train to Queens Plaza

www.sagegeneralstore.com

This weekend I drove to Long Island City to have brunch with my cousin/Guest Foodista, Vicky and her boyfriend Eric. We planned to explore the Sage General Store because we found out that they now serve brunch. Everything sounded delicious and what attracted us to this place was its wholesomeness--pretty much all ingredients they use are organic or local.

Atmosphere:

Like its name suggests, The Sage General Store is indeed set up like a store rather than a restaurant. There are a couple of impromptu tables set up on the left, where you could sit down and enjoy a light meal. There is no wait staff--what you do instead is holler your order to the friendly servers at the counter or you could go up to the counter yourself, which we did.

The decor at Sage is lovely and nostalgic. Rustic artifacts embellish the space and make it feel homey. Old bowling pins, fishing boots and even a large iron hook are just some of the things that you'll see when looking around. There's a large brick oven positioned to the right of the tables, where the pizza is made. This area was especially interesting to me because it's also where the desserts were displayed--trays of beautiful frosted cupcakes, fudgy brownies and chunky pecan bars were all calling me to come hither.

Food:

Looking at the brunch menu, I saw that Sage offered simple, yummy-sounding dishes. Even though I was intrigued by the variety of sourdough breakfast pizzas, I was really in the mood for eggs and will have to come back to try the pizza another day. The goods that we sampled included:

Cirilo's Migas - Nicknamed the "best brunch dish ever," I had to see what it was all about. Eric tried it as well, and we were both curious about how it would measure up to its claim. The dish included organic scrambled eggs with ancho chile sauce, jack cheese and thin slivers of corn tortillas. It was surrounded by Sage's signature crispy hash, which was delicious and made the dish even more filling. While it had good spice to it, it wasn't too hot and I nearly finished the entire gargantuan portion. Eric seemed to like it as well and almost licked his plate clean. What stood out to me the most were the tortilla chips--a little crispy around the edges, they were infused with zesty ancho sauce.

Steel-cut Oatmeal - Vicky went for the healthier breakfast, with a heaping bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar, Vermont maple syrup and plenty of fresh berries. Even though it was simple, it was tasty, as it used good quality ingredients. I tried a spoonful and agreed that the oatmeal was bad ass--I especially loved the fresh strawberries and blueberries. They didn't even taste out of season and I wonder where they got them from.

Rocky Road Brownie - Although I was full after my meal, there's always room for dessert. I bought a Rocky Road Brownie to go and split it with Dan later that day. While looking forward to it, I was unfortunately disappointed after trying it. The fudge that it was topped with was wonderful and not too sweet but there were too many peanuts on top and not enough marshmallows. The dough was way too sticky for my taste and was disappointingly dry around the edges. I wouldn't recommend it and would try a cupcake next time.

Service and Cost:
Although there isn't any formal waitstaff, the servers at the counter are wonderful. They're friendly and welcoming and talk to you like they're your friends. Quirky and spunky, they add personality to this neighborhood gem that makes you want to keep coming back.

Despite boasting organic ingredients, Sage remains an affordable establishment. All brunch dishes range between $9.95 - $12.95 and some even include coffee or tea. If you decide to get lunch, a sandwich will cost you between $6.95 - $8.95, whereas dinner will set you back no more than $14.95

3 Mmmms