Awesome news! After months of arduous anticipation, Trattoria El Greco on 30th Avenue and 36th Street is finally open. Jess and I saw it up and running today when we walked by. The space looks really nice and modern inside, with interesting light fixtures and long tables conducive to large groups. It was especially welcoming with the windows and the doors all open. And with tomorrow's equally beautiful weather, it'd be a good opportunity to try them out. I posted the menu earlier this week, but here it is again to refresh your memory.
Trattoria - 36-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.7400
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
I saw the above sign on 30th Avenue and 37th Street last week. What a nice surprise - looks like we're getting a brick oven pizzeria soon. I don't know details just yet but I'll monitor it for future developments. Not sure if the place is called Trattoria (looks that way though) or if that's just a teaser, but a pizza place will be welcomed amongst a sea of Greek cafes. Can't wait...
Let me know if you have more scoop.
Trattoria - Corner of 30th Avenue and 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
Image provided by Vesta I received news last week about Vesta, a new trattoria and wine bar on 30th Avenue and 21st Street. True that it's a bit out of the way but judging from its menu, it looks mighty enticing. Vesta is owned by Astoria natives, Giuseppe Falco and Leo Sacco. Their kitchen is headed up by Michelle Vido, who's not only an Astoria resident, but she's also worked at impressive Manhattan and Brooklyn eateries such as The River Cafe, AIX, Monkey Bar and Little Giant.
I'll be checking it out soon and writing a real review but in the meantime, here's a peek at their food and wine menu. Wines come by the shot, glass or bottle--I found the shot thing kind of cool.
Small Plates:
Mixed olives, caper berries, garlic, herbs and lemon...$2.50
Cranberry beans, balsamic roasted cipollini onions & grilled crostini...$3
Ricotta, basil, olive oil & crostini...$3
Appetizers:
Ribollita - Tuscan bread soup...$5.50
Fennel and orange salad - Frisee lettuce and poppy seed dressing...$6.50
Antipasto plate - Manchego cheese, hot sopressata & fig spread...$8.95
Entrees:
Orecchiette pasta - House made fennel sausage, tomato and basil...$9.50
Linguini - With manila clams and chorizo sausage...$14.95
Baked gnocchi - With chanterelle mushroom cream...$15.95
Striped bass - Pan roasted with chick pea & cannellini bean broth...$18.50
Wines:
Red - Salice Salentino '03, Taurino, Puglia; Chianti '06 Palladio, Toscana; Aglianico "Contado" '05, Di Majo Norante, Molise
White - Gravina '07, Botromagno, Puglia; Pino & Toi '07, Maculan, Veneto; Vermentino "Costamolino" '07, Argiolas, Sardegna
Bubbles - Blanc de Blanc NV, Paul Louis, France; Prosecco NV, Zardetto, Veneto
Email me at critic@foodistanyc.com and I can send you the entire food and wine menu. And if you've been there already, let me know what you think.
Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.545.5550
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
