Refreshing Drinks in Astoria

With hot weather like this, it's no surprise that all we want to do is quench our thirst with something yummy, cold and refreshing.  I've put together a little cool starter for you here to get you through the week:

La Guli's twisted iced tea - Topping their already refreshing iced tea with a cold scoop of lemon ices, I like that La Guli is taking this thirst quenching thing to another level.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.728.5612

Brooklyn Bagel's $1 Iced Coffee - It's simply awesome that Brooklyn Bagel has chosen to continue their $1 iced coffee promotion throughout the month of July.  Bravo!  35-05 Broadway, Astoria. 36-14 30th Avenue, Astoria. 35-9 Ditmars Blvd.

El Ay Si's Ice cold cocktails - Whether you're in the mood for an ice cold margarita, mojito or anything else, El Ay Si will be dishing it out this week.  47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.389.8781

Sweet Afton's Pear Cider - Cold, bubbly and delicious, Sweet Afton will be serving up Rekordelig Premium Pear Hard Cider, which sounds like a great way to cool down.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570

Singlecut on Tap - There's never a shortage of cold brew deliciousness when Singlecut's involved.  New taps include the TNTPA Bon, the Billy Full Stack IPA and the floral Hibiscus Sourlagrrr! Extended summer hours are also in effect, so no worries about being closed out.  19-33 37th Street, Astoria. 718.606.0788

Beer Week is Here - Cheers to that!

For those of you who appreciate great beer,  you're in luck, as this week officially crowns NYC Beer Week.  Bars, breweries and all sorts of watering holes in and around this city and the boroughs are hosting beeriffic specials that'll get any beer advocate off their couch!  Here's a few ways that Astoria is celebrating, so get out there and enjoy a great brewski.

The Queens Kickshaw - Their Queens Tap Takeover event honors the best of the best in Queens from breweries such as SingleCut Beersmiths, Rockaway Brewing, Finway Brewery and even Beyond Kombucha.  You'll find this beer flowing all this week til Sunday evening.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

SingleCut Beersmiths - Astoria's famous micro-brewery helps put a grand finale on Beer Week on Saturday with live music, brewery tours and special release beers.  Did you hear they're featuring the John Michael Rum Barrel Aged brew just for this occasion? 19-33 37th Street, Astoria.  718.606.0788

Sweet Afton - Even though they're not having a special Beer Week event per se, Sweet Afton has a great beer library with plenty of craft selections such as Founders Pale Ale, Peekskill Eastern Standard IPA, Smuttynose Brown Dog and of course our very own, SingleCut January Olympic Gold Lager.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - It's cool to see that even a big institution such as the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is celebrating craft beers this week with $4 mugs during happy hour and $18 pitchers on select beers (and appetizers). Nazdravie!  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925

The Sparrow - Keeping things low-key during Beer Week makes this a perfect place to visit and beat the crowds.  Boasting an extensive list of well priced beers, including SingleCut, Bronx Brewery Pale Ale, Chimay Blue Trappist ale, and even some gluten free options such as New Planet Pale, you can't go wrong with this classic neighborhood haunt.  24-01 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.606.2260

Warm up Astoria - Hot Toddies, Mulled Wine, Hot Apple Pie Martinis, Oh My!

Image by Snowdonia

Brrrr..it's freeezing out there!  I hope everyone is staying as warm as possible and doing their bestest to bundle up.  A few days ago, I threw out some suggestions of warming up with hot cocoa, but now since the windchill has hit a new low, I thought it'd be good to turn to something stronger.  Here's a quick run down of warm boozie drinks you can enjoy and at the same time, warm up with.  Drink up and stay warm, Astoria.
Sweet Afton's hot cider cocktail will do the trick on a cold day.  Containing organic apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, orange peel, and a choice of bourbon, spiced rum, or brandy, it'll surely warm your bones.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

I bet not many of you know that Koliba serves up mulled wine during winter.  It's pretty symbolic to have this warm, spiced drink during holiday time in Slovakia and I always look forward to having it at Koliba.  Truth be told...it's very potent.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Even though it's not your traditional warm winter cocktail, I love the variety of stouts offered at Alewife.  Nothing says robust, hearty and satisfying like a tall glass of milky stout such as the Left Hand, Dogfish Head, Alesmith and more.  5-14 51st Avenue, LIC.  718.937.7494

When it comes to Hot Toddy's, Snowdonia has you covered with this piping hot beauty (pictured above).  What can be better than sitting down to this warm comforting drink and getting a Snowdonia stacked burger to satiate your hunger?  34-55 35th Avenue, Astoria.  347.730.5783

For something a little more luxurious, how about a Hot Apple Pie Martini cocktail at Bistro 33? Just looking at the ingredients of this drink warmed my belly, with fireball whiskey and firefly apple moonshine...need I say more? 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

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

MLK Brunch is On!

If you're at home today and looking to get some leisurely brunch, fear not for Astoria has some fab options ready for you.  Here are just three yummy places serving your favorite brunch and lunch dishes, but I bet you can find plenty more as soon as you're out and about.  Let me know where you end up and what you enjoyed!

Sugarfreak - I'm displaying their Jambalaya and Eggs dish here, which was so hearty and a little bit on the spicy side, which I love.  They're serving a traditional Southern brunch today starting from 11:00 a.m. so come on down and treat yourself to some wholesome, homemade food.  36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.726.5850

LIC Market - Featuring a "bonus" brunch today in honor of MLK Day, it'll be available until about 3:30 p.m.  Expect hearty dishes such as their famed "Bulls-eye Eggs," slow roasted duck hash, a "dirty rice" frittata, buttermilk pancakes with housemade berry jam and more.  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Sweet Afton - Nothing like some good ol' fashioned bar food to start off the week - except this isn't any run-of-the-mill grub.  Everything is prepared carefully and deliciously with top quality ingredients, like their classic Pat La Frieda, Sweet Afton burger, a melty skillet mac 'n cheese, and of course their hand-cut fried McLure's pickles.  They open at 1 p.m. today.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570

Restaurants That Gave Back

Image by Queens Kickshaw

With Hurricane Sandy now behind us, but still very close to our hearts, it's been refreshing to see the outpouring of support to needy citizens from our entire neighborhood - and in particular from restaurants.  While everyone may give back in their own way, I'd like to give a special shout-out to these five eateries and bars who've really put themselves out for those in need.  I hope you get to visit them soon and in turn give them some love.

Queens Kickshaw - Last week's Hurricane Sandy fundraiser, during which patron's purchases directly contributed to victim's relief efforts raised a whopping $4,043.  Other partners who contributed to this effort included Beyond Kombucha, Kelso Beer Company, Paumanok Vinyeards and Rockway Brewing Company.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Waltz Astoria - Collecting all sorts of donations for the Rockaways relief effort, including food, toiletries, batteries, etc., the gracious staff dropped everything off last weekend and helped with distribution.  23-14 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.956.8742

LIC Market - Also taking part in a Sandy collection drive, LIC Market focused on donations in Clinton Hill with items such as baby food, flashlights, lanterns, phone chargers, demolition tools, blankets, water and more.  The first drop off was last weekend, and I'm sure very appreciated.  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Sweet Afton - Although held in one of their sister bars, The Wren, Sweet Afton was a worthy contributor to Hurricane relief by holding a special event last night where all proceeds went to this cause.  The night brought many fun things, such as a special menu contributed by food geniuses from Ai Fiori, The Brooklyn Star and Maialino.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

Astoria Park Wine & Spirits - As part of the Astoria Art Festival last weekend, this fabulous neighborhood wine shop donated the proceeds from their NY state wine to The Red Cross.  28-07 28th Avenue, Astoria. 718.606.1142

Burger Club Blows it Out of the Water

While it seems surreal, last week I embarked on a crazy awesome food adventure with fellow foodies, Bradley of amuse*bouche blog, Meg of Harmonious Belly and We Heart Astoria and new friend Stella from Tumbler blog, Queens Love.  Together, we made an interesting quartet of enthusiastic foodies, ready to take on the ever-so-gluttonous world of burgers at Burger Club on 30th Avenue and 32nd Street.

Bradley ever so graciously set up the tasting, and because of him, we got to try nearly everything on the menu.  And by nearly, I'm being literal, as I couldn't believe how much we actually tried.  The below showcases my highlights of the meal, and even though I may not have written about literally every dish we tried, there was nothing we had that wasn't scrumptious and totally appetizing.

Atmosphere: 
Fun and casual are the first two words that pop into my head when I think of the Burger Club.  It's done quite the transformation since being my beloved Pinocchio's Palace, where the interior was a somewhat compartmentalized space.  Here at Burger Club, everything is open and spacious, and I adore the way they've opened up the front and the side of the space through retractable garage doors.  They keep them open during nice days, creating a pleasant breeze, and we were lucky to experience this open-air effect on the night of our tasting.  I think everyone loved it, especially since it really makes you feel like part of all the action on 30th Avenue, so even though you're technically inside, you're never missing a beat.

The seating is varied and suitable for all types of parties including couples but also large groups, through the use of their lovely communal tables.  We got to sit at one of these during our tasting, which was smack in the middle of the restaurant, so aside from having enough room to spread out, it was also perfect for people watching.

Food:
I loved that we really got the full experience, getting to taste multiple items from all parts of the menu, including apps, a salad course, burgers galore and even dessert.  My favorite courses were the first two - apps and salad - as I'm more of a small plates/sharing girl, but the burgers were very tasty and quite large.  Here are my various shining stars of the night.

Appetizers - We sampled a total of 6 apps, including the quesadillas, mozzarella fritters (pictured above), braised short ribs with hand-cut fries, flash-fried chicken strips, buffalo chicken wings and homemade nachos. Sheesh...that's a lot!  It was hard to choose a favorite, but the nachos and the quesadillas of all things really stood out.  I loved the former mostly because of the amazing freshness and crunchy texture of the homemade tortilla chips.  We munched on them sporadically throughout the evening and even after a few minutes of sitting out, they never got soggy, even though they were fully loaded with goodness such as cheese, meat, veggies and more.  

The quesadilla was a winner too, as it contained the same braised short ribs that were also on the frites you see above.  Even though both options were delicious, the former really married the meat well with a smoky cheese blend, and wrapped it all up in a light flour tortilla that made it easy and fun to eat.

Salads - Although you wouldn't be expecting much out of the salad course, it was one of my favorites, showcasing two types of salads - the club and the roasted beet.  Both were spectacular but the winner in my book (and in my dining companion's opinion too) was the Club.  This was no ordinary club salad, as its flavor was elevated with sophisticated components such as candied walnuts, roasted peppers (same ones as used on the cheese fritters above), dried cranberries and a sweet balsamic vinaigrette.  It was a more luxurious version of this classic salad dish, and I could've polished off a whole portion myself.

Burgers - There were so many varieties to choose from that I was slightly overwhelmed, but not to worry, I got to try nearly everything.  Five of the choices included traditional beef patties and the remaining two were fish alternatives, one salmon burger and the other yellowfin tuna.  But the most attractive burger for me was the Brunch burger with bacon, cheese and a fried egg on top.  I've tried a version of this before at Sweet Afton and loved it, but the Burger Club surely didn't disappoint.

In addition to the Brunch Burger, the Frenchy with foie gras, sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions was also a winner.  The mushrooms were the best part, as they were chunky and seemed to be flavored with truffle oil.  A top-notch aspect of each burger was the brioche bun, which was light, fluffy, buttery and eggy too.  The fish burgers boasted whole wheat buns, which was a nice change that lightened things up.

Dessert - After all this gluttony, I can't believe we put another morsel of food in our mouths, but we sure did.  The four tiered chocolate cake was da bomb - rich, moist and chocolatey to the max.  Rich ganache melded the cake together, and elevated its decadence further through a luxuriously bittersweet flavor.  I highly recommend a tall glass of water with this dessert - you'll thank me later.

Service and Cost:
Treated with care and attention, the waitstaff at Burger Club is really nice and super knowledgeable about everything.  Our waitress had everything down pat, including knowledge about how they prepared the food, where it came from and such - I was impressed.  The steady influx of customers throughout the evening also showcased that this place has done well for itself in the past 5 months since opening.

Costs are moderate and absolutely on par with competitors such as Sweet Afton and Bare Burger:

Salads & Appetizers - $7.25 - $9.25
Burgers & Sandwiches - $7.75 - $11.75

3 Meaty Mmmms

Burger Club - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.777.7788
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.burger-club.com 

Queens Swap at Sweet Afton Was Awesome

Another Queens Swap under our belts, and we couldn't be prouder.  Our fourth swap, which was held last week at Sweet Afton Bar was best yet in terms of attendance, and the items swapped were high in quality.  What I loved most about the swap though was meeting new people who came from all over the place, not only Astoria/LIC and Sunnyside but also Long Island and New Jersey.  So yeah...we had a pretty diverse crowd that kept us honest and always striving for more.  Here's a spotlight of the awesome things we exchanged last week:

AJ's dehydrated lemons and preserved lemons
Meg's water kefir soda pop and almond shortbread 
Kimberly's homemade granola bars (almond joy and "the Linsanity special")
Lauren's homemade rosewater marshmallows, chocolate truffles
Amy's kale chips, spicy pickles, and chocolate chip cookies
Tom's homemade hot cereal and homemade sauerkraut
Bella's mojito cupcakes
Carmen's fresh eggrolls and red velvet cookies
Caitlin's kimchi, blueberry jam, apricot jam
Lisa's sweet and hot red pepper jam and pistachio pesto
Liz's coconut bread
My bacon sea salt

Everything looked amazing, and the swap went on for quite some time, as people really took time and care in scoping out the goods, placing bids and then negotiating.  Even though I brought just 6 items, I was careful in my selections and was really happy with everything I got, including:

AJ's dehydrated lemons, which I already used while entertaining last week. I served them as a decorative touch, with Spanish cheeses, crackers, Caitlin's blueberry jam and dried cranberries. It looked gorgeous on the serving tray, and I got compliments on it. Thanks AJ!

Amy's spicy dill pickles were also partially eaten and the juice helped make a sour pickle martini (more on that soon).

Tom's hot cereal, which I had for breakfast the other day, was delicious, mixed with dried cranberries, which plumped up beautifully in the hot, savory porridge.

Lisa's pistachio pesto that has been used on nearly everything in our household from pizza bagels, crackers, hummus sandwiches and I can't wait to see what else...

Lauren's chocolate truffles, which we've already gobbled up were made of bitter chocolate, so they were naturally fabulously rich and delectable.

Carmen's homemade eggrolls were the real thing - crunchy on the outside but deliciously savory on the inside, stuffed with shrimp and veggies.

I'd like to thank my fabulous fellow co-organizers, Meg and AJ for another great event and for Sweet Afton for graciously hosting us.  Until next time in April...and I hope I've inspired you to sign up.  Check out our site for more info about Queens Swap and how to get involved. 

Queens Swap is Coming to Sweet Afton

It's been a while since our last Queens Swap (November in fact), but we're back at it again for the first time this year.  As always, Meg, AJ and I are trying to shake things up, with a new venue, as the swap is coming to Sweet Afton Bar, located just a short walk from the 30th Avenue subway stop.

The event offers some great foodie perks including:

1. A fantastic platform for hard core foodies to meet and exchange unique, homemade eats
2. A taste of Sweet Afton's amazing grub, especially their burger, fried pickles and fantastic specialty cocktails

If you need a refresher on how to prepare yourself for the swap, check out our official Queens Swap blog.  The event is free, as usual, so please RSVP and spread the good word to your curious foodie friends.  We always have a fun time and come back with a diverse loot of goodies.  Just take a look at all the stuff I scored last time, including a spicy chili, homemade beer, apple sauce, fresh sourdough bread, tomatillo sauce and focaccia bread.

Queens Swap at Sweet Afton
Sunday, February 19th from 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
30-09 34th Avenue, Astoria
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue

RSVP for the event here - it's free!

New Year's Celebrations in Astoria

With the effects of this week's snow storm still in the air, have you solidified your New Year's Eve plans?  If not, no worries!  There are plenty of fun options ready and waiting for you to choose from that are still very much available.

Vesta - Welcome 2011 in the spirit of the Roaring 20's, as Vesta encourages you to come dressed in your best flapper, pinstripe suit, top hats or whatever else.  They offer three seatings including one on the early side at 6 p.m. ($50/person), at 8 p.m. ($60/person) and a final one at 10 p.m. ($75/person). The evening includes a four-course dinner menu, a complimentary glass of prosecco and even some fun entertainment (think palm reader) during the late seating.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Mojave - Rockin' in the New Year with a live band, Spitfire, starting at 10:00 p.m., a night at Mojave also boasts a rich 3-course menu and a 3 hour open bar including sangria, margarita, beer & house spirit cocktails.  All this for $95/person.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria. 718.545.4100

Winegasm - You have all the options in the world if you choose Winegasm as the place to celebrate the New Year.  You can stop in for an early dinner from 7-9 p.m. for $45/person or $65 with a wine pairing, extend that until 2 a.m. with an open bar option for $105/person, or you can come in for just drinks from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. for $75.  And if that isn't enough, there's a VIP package for $105/person that will get you unlimited champagne, hors d'oeuvres and an open bar from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.  31-86 37th Street, Astoria. 718.932.3331

El Ay Si - If you're trying to save your hard earned dough on New Year's Eve, El Ay Si might just be your place.  For $30, you can take advantage of a 3-course prix fixe dinner and a complimentary glass of bubbly.  A midnight party with a live DJ is absolutely free to enjoy.  47-38 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101.  718.389.8781

Cafe Bar - More in line with El Ay Si's type of New Year's celebration, Cafe Bar will also keep things low key with a champagne and hors d'oeuvres special from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. for just $40/person.  32-90 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11103.  718.204.5273

Cienna - This new restaurant/lounge on 31st Street near Newtown Avenue is hosting a high-profile New Year's shin-dig that includes a delicious sounding menu (including surf & turf) for $95/person with a midnight champagne toast.  The night will continue with a dance party with a 2 hour open bar for $40/person.  You can choose one or the other - or both.  28-18 31st Street, Astoria. 718.726.0088

Ovelia - You can always count on Ovelia to bring you something spectacular for a special occassion.  Their New Year's partay will feature a four-course dinner packed with plenty of Greek specialties such as Kobe Beef Keftedakia, fried feta cubes, a lamb-burg-ini and a lot more.  Here's the menu in its entirety.  34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Sweet Afton - One of my favorite watering holes in the nabe, I always feel comfortable and happy when I come here.  For New Year's Eve, they'll have a 3 hour open bar from 9 p.m. - 12 a.m. including champagne and even a bagpiper.  All this fun will set you back $60/person and the proceeds will go to a local charity. How great is that?! 30-09 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103 718.777.2570

DiWine - Similar to Winegasm, DiWine has a lot of fun New Year's options including a special dinner until 2 a.m. (see menu) as well as a 3 hour open bar option from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. for $65.  They're also having an incentive deal, during which they'll take off $10 from the open bar price if you decide to dine with them too.  A live DJ will be in-house, spinning great lively beats from 11 p.m. on.  41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.777.1355

Danny Brown Wine & Kitchen - If you want to go beyond Astoria and LIC, try this Forest Hills gem, which serves expertly-prepared food such as excellent tapas, cheeses, charcuterie, meat and fish.  On New Year's Eve, they'll have their regular menu and the restaurant will close prior to midnight, so make sure to check it out early.  There's no prix-fixe here, so you can get away paying regular prices, which is a plus.  41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.777.1355

Happy New Year Astoria - I wish you all the best!

A Sweet Deal at Sweet Afton

As the weather gets colder this week, I'm sure you'll be looking for nice 'n toasty places to warm your bones. I wanted to remind you about Sweet Afton also known as "The Astoria Local," which is always popular and bursting at the seams on weekends. 

Weekdays however are another story, as Sweet Afton offers a more chilled out vibe, with classic, local and very delicious bar food and an excellent happy hour special to boot.

Sweet Afton Happy Hour
Monday - Friday, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
$4 drafts, $5 mixed drinks, $6 hot spiked cider

And while you're there, I encourage you to try their deliciously juicy burgers with sweet-as-candy caramelized onions and melted gruyere cheese.  And for a ridiculously perfect pairing, I also suggest getting an order of pillowy, fried pickles with smokey mayo sauce. Mmmm....

Sweet Afton - 30-09 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.2570
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.sweetaftonbar.com

Preview of the New Sweet Afton Brunch

Sweet Afton - 30-09 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.2570

N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.sweetaftonbar.com

If you're a loyal Sweet Afton fan, you've probably noticed the signs annoucing that "Brunch is Coming Soon."  This past Sunday, they had a friends and family first run and I was lucky to be invited.  If this was just their first shot at it, you have a major treat coming your way - simple but great dishes that are hearty enough for the cold winter months, and packed with tons of flavor.

Sweet Afton Breakfast Burger - Sweet Afton is known for an excellent quality burger on a regular basis, so we knew we couldn't go wrong with the breakfast version.  Three out of five people in our party couldn't resist it, Dan being one of them.  I had a bite of it and my eyes lit up.  The flavors exploded in my mouth - the smooth, savory egg, the hearty bite of the medium-well burger, the zest from the tomatoes and Brooklyn pickles, and the fluffy country white bun that held all of it together.  Taking a bite was no easy feat, as the burger was huge, but I guarantee that if you get it, you won't need to eat lunch or can get by on a small dinner.

Irish Breakfast Roll - Although we were initially put off by this because of non-traditional ingredients such as black pudding, it turned out to be my favorite dish--the black pudding being the most divine thing in it.  Black pudding is actually sausage that reminds me of a breakfast meat we eat in Slovakia called jaternica, but Sweet Afton's version was softer and the meat flavor more pronounced.  It all went together beautifully, with the Irish sausage (similar to American breakfast sausage but better), Irish bacon and a fried egg.  Just like the burger, this is a very filling meal that will keep you satisfied for most of the day. 

Organic Scrambled Eggs - Eggs are still my favorite food to brunch on and that's why I chose this dish.  It came presented beautifully in a cast iron skillet, with a side of pullman toast and a soft grilled tomato.  I chose the "loaded" version of this dish, incorporating yummy bits of bacon, scallions and Irish cheddar.  While I couldn't taste the cheese, the bacon was delightful, giving the eggs more substance.  We ended up getting a side of baked beans too and I mixed them with the eggs, thus creating a great combination.

The Drinks - To not touch upon the inventive brunch cocktails would be a crime, for Sweet Afton's menu incorporated some of the most interesting breakfast concoctions I've ever seen.  The coolest--and tastiest--by far was the Oatmeal Martini with oatmeal infused vodka, maple syrup and raisin puree.  It tasted like a comforting bowl of oatmeal with a kick--and it was almost like eggnog towards the bottom.  I liked that there were real raisins in it, but overall the drink was very smooth and went down easy.

Other creative drinks we tried were the Blueberry Muddle and the Elderflower.  The blueberry drink tasted like a breakfast mojito - again, fresh and light enough to be digested for breakfast but with a welcome spike from the gin.  The Elderflower was a Mimosa raised to the nth level, including gin, Saint Germain, fresh lemon juice, bits of cucumber and champagne.  The cucumber taste was fresh and cooling and a perfect way to start any Sunday. I highly recommend it!   

Also wanted to share Dan's 2 cents about the Bloody Mary, as he proclaimed it "the best I've ever had."  It was incredibly strong and zingy, the flavors making the tastebuds sing, especially the sour flavor from the pickle juice.  Talk about hair of the dog - yowza!

Service and Cost:
As always, the service was excellent.  Our waitress Rebecca was very attentive and so patient with us when we asked her to explain basically everything on the menu.  I was very impressed by the knowledge she possessed about obscure ingredients, especially the black pudding.  If you're lucky enough to get Rebecca as your server, you'll be in great hands.

Costs are reasonable with most dishes in the low teens. Cocktails are more expensive ($8-$9) than the customary brunch drink but know that they are truly special and absolutely worth it.

3 Mmmms

Sweet Afton - Keep on Ringing in the Holidays

I hope that all of you who celebrate Christmas are having a great one.  In the spirit of spreading more delicious holiday cheer, I wanted to tell you about a great seasonal drink that you could enjoy at a new neighborhood, favorite, Sweet Afton.  

The drink is an oldie but a goodie, the classic hot apple cider, which Meg and I ordered the other day.  You could get it sans alcohol or spiked with calvados or whiskey.  We opted for a virgin one and loved its sweet, cinnamony taste.  The overall effect was very natural, clean and comforting, especially on freezing nights that we're currently experiencing.

In addition to the cider, I also tried one of their specialty cocktails (also apple flavored) called the Applejack Collins, containing Laird's Applejack, simple syrup, lemon, orange bitters and club soda.  I loved its slightly tart, fizzy bite and the hint of apple that hit your tastebuds at the end of each sip.  Fruity-drink lovers will appreciate this one--and not to worry, this cocktail isn't overly sugary.

Enjoy both drinks currently available at Sweet Afton, and once again, happy holidays!

Sweet Afton - 30-09 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.2570
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.sweetaftonbar.com

Sweet Afton - Sweet Addition to the Nabe

Sweet Afton - 30-09 34th Street, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.2570
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.sweetaftonbar.com

News about Sweet Afton's opening spread like wildfire this week, and Meg, Tom and I were right there along for the ride. We paid a visit to this new speakeasy-esque bar on Thursday when it was still in its soft opening--but now, it's officially open. Three words, you gotta go!

Atmosphere:
I call Sweet Afton "speakeasy-esque" because in spite of it being a comfortable, laid-back bar, it's also something very special. The dim lighting, distressed wooden beams, exposed light bulbs and welcoming communal seating, makes you feel like you've entered a new world very much outside of Queens but without pretension. In addition to the cozy indoor seating, which stretches all the way to the back, there's also a quaint outdoor area with about a handful of tables. Although it was still closed when we visited, on a nice night, it'd be a great setting to relax with a spicy margarita or Afton's delectable grub.

Food and Drink:
While the food menu is short, it boats new spins on bar grub such as their signature beer battered fried pickles, Irish sausage rolls, hand cut fries with malt vinegar and a Pat La Frieda burger. What I love about the food selection is that everything is locally supplied and therefore very fresh--same goes for the drinks.

Drinks - We started the night with a round of drinks and the variety that we got was great. Meg ordered a wheat beer, that was refreshing and light, Tom got a glass of Malbec and I chose a mixed drink called the Spicy Cherry Margarita, which made quite the impression on me. If you like drinks with personality, this one's for you--the first sip tastes crisp and fruity and immediately after swallowing, the habanero infused tequila warms your throat. It's a wonderful sensation that lingers in your mouth until you stop drinking it, bringing your tastebuds to attention in a good way.

My second drink was Afton's signature Red Lemonade with citrus vodka, simple syrup, lemon and cranberry. It was refreshing too but not as spectacular as my margarita--I think it was a tough act to follow--the overall flavor being sweet and syrupy without much zing. If you like tropical, sugary drinks, you'll enjoy this one.

Nibbles - We started with a basket of Irish sausage rolls, wrapped in flaky puff pastry. I loved biting into the buttery pastry dough and then getting to the hearty sausage part that had some spice. It came with a side of vinegary HP sauce, which gave it a kick.

Next came the legendary beer battered fried pickles with smokey mayo sauce. I couldn't imagine what they'd look like, never having tried fried pickles before. They simply blew me away, looking like gorgeous puffy clouds. Once we took a bite, we were hooked. The batter was super light and tasted like the dough of a sweet zeppole, without the powdered sugar of course. The inside, where the pickle lay nestled, was crunchy and juicy, but not soggy. The spicy mayo enhanced this snack further, making the flavors in the pickle really sing, while giving the tongue a slight tickle.

Main Grub - Our main dishes consisted of Afton's signature burger, two ways, and their creamy mac and cheese. Both were outstanding and I especially loved the mac and cheese, which incorporated Irish cheddar, gruyere and muenster cheese. Needless to say, it was as rich as can be, and the best part was the well-done crunchy crust.

The burgers were excellent too, and the meat was the piece-de-resistance. You could literally taste the quality when you bit into the soft, juicy medium-rare patty. The bun was delicious, airy and slightly sweet, making it the perfect way to sandwich the burgers' yummy contents. I mentioned two varieties of burgers, one of which was topped with thick, double smoked bacon and the other included caramelized onions. I preferred the onions because the bacon was a tad too greasy for me, but for hard-core bacon lovers, it's great.

Service and Cost:
The staff at Sweet Afton is friendly, personal and they have tons of passion for what they do. Owner, Ruairi Curtin's hospitality was second to none, as he sent out his personal food recommendations, which we appreciated. But even before we met Ruairi, our waitress was helpful and nice--and PJ, the chef was wonderful, giving us the inside scoop about local food suppliers they use.

Costs are moderate for drinks but inexpensive for food, given the excellent quality of ingredients. Beers: $5-$8; wines: $7-$9/glass, $28-$36/bottle; mixed cocktails $8-$9.
Food: burger $8 (+$1 for toppings); mac and cheese $8 (+$1 for bacon); fried pickles $4; Irish sausage rolls $7.

3 Sweet Mmmms