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

The Taste of a Sweet Milkflower

At last, at last...I've had the opportunity to visit Milkflower last week with Dan and friends, Jennifer and Nuno.  Hearing only good things from Mackenzi and Ivona, I couldn't wait to taste the wood fired pizza deliciousness for myself.  Since Milkflower is still in the process of getting their liquor license, it's currently a BYOB joint, which was more than fine with us.

Atmosphere:
Occupying one of my favorite streets in Astoria, which is the tree-lined, 31st Avenue, Milkflower is located on the popular stretch of restaurants between 33rd and 34th Street.  Its exterior is a bit unassuming, but once you step inside, you'll be glad you came.

I loved the variety in seating from small 2-tops to larger communal tables, which we occupied.  The atmosphere is casual and social, and I love all the refurbished decor such as the blue and white tables made of police barricades.  From what I hear, everything has been constructed by the owners themselves, who originally hail from Jersey but love their new Astoria surroundings.  We're happy to welcome them here, certainly, as they're proving to do things right by Astoria standards.

Food:
We of course came for the pizzas and therefore sampled a few, proving to ourselves and to Milflower just how addicting they are.  But first, we started with apps...

Appetizers - We started with a plate of milky burrata cheese (hence the name Milkflower), which was further dressed with roasted red peppers and lots of sweet balsamic glaze.  The inside was creamy soft and just a perfect juxtaposition with the meat plate we also ordered.

Speaking of the latter, it was on the small side, but the meats were of nice variety, including a jamon Serrano, salame rossa, and spicy sopressata.  To add some nice texture, it was paired with a little bowl of crunchy walnuts and some sweet, mascerated strawberries in balsamic glaze and honey.  It was fun to put these fixins in the center of the cured meats, roll them up and enjoy like a savory/sweet cigar.

Pizza - It was hard to get enough of Milkflower's star component, which was of course the pizza.  Starting with two small pies, we went for the mushroom and the Hawaiian.  Both were awesome and my favorite part was the crust that had a delightful charred flavor.

Even though I expected to like the mushroom pie better, the Hawaiian stole the show, as it incorporated prosciutto and thin slices of spicy jalapeno peppers.  Loving the little bite of spice that often came as a little jolt of surprise, we all thought this pizza was pretty stellar and something we'd get again.

Ending things off with the Green Pizza, with lots of fresh arugula on top, it was the earthiest of the three and a nice way to get your fix of super-food greens.

Dessert - We couldn't leave Milkflower without trying their non-traditional gelato flavors, including a black sesame, a blueberry with fennel seeds and a fior di latte (a traditional Italian flavor of milk, cream and sugar).  The blueberry was my favorite, as the fennel gave it a licoricey aftertaste that added to its sophistication.  All gelato flavors were pretty light and not overly sweet, which was appreciated.

Service and Cost:
It's pretty evident that Milkflower is still getting its footing where service is concerned.  Everyone is very nice and accommodating, but they still need to work on speed and precision, which is OK for a barely month old restaurant.  They'll get there.

Costs are affordable and especially since Milkflower is currently a BYOB.  The aforementioned dinner set us back about $50/couple with tax and tip.

3 Milky, cheesy and stringy Mmmms

Milkflower - 34-12 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.204.1300
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.milkflowernyc.com 

Queens County Market at SingleCut Beersmiths is Another Hit

This past Sunday, the We Heart Astoria ladies and I went over to Singlecut for another awesome rendition of Queens County Market.  This was my second time experiencing it, in a different venue and once again, it was fantastic.  

The Setup:
I loved the setup in the back where all the beer magic happens (the brew room), which allowed for ample space for the exhibitors and for the patrons as well.  There's a huge square butcher block table in the middle of the room where people congregated with their freshly bought treats - exchanging ideas, opinions and recommendations.  This back space was also great because it allowed for privacy from the front-of-the-house tap room that was quite boisterous.

The Food:
Although I enjoyed pretty much everything I tried at the market, there are a few stand-outs that I'd like to highlight here:

Native Coffee Roasters  - This is my new obsession, and I was happy to meet Brian, the founder and creator of this fragrant delight.  Brewed right here in Astoria and distributed in a variety of local outlets including, Mackenzi's SITE, Native coffee exemplifies everything an artisan product should - great quality, flavor and real people behind it.  Look out for a fun Native coffee giveaway on We Heart Astoria soon.

New Amsterdam Baking Company - It was so refreshing to see this company at Queens County Market, as it was their very first day in operation.  The owners, a husband and wife team, were not only genuinely excited to be there, they produced an excellent product.  Look out for their specialty bundt and bourbon cakes.  My personal favorite was the double chocolate pretzel bundt with salted caramel.  

Malu - I never cease to be impressed by Malu and their incredible homemade flavors of ice cream.  On Sunday, I was lucky to try the bourbon maple bacon with actual bits of chewy bacon inside.  It was absolutely delectable and a must try.  The vanilla ice cream that the bourbon maple bacon was intertwined with was also exemplary. 

Check back with Queens County Market for their next event happening in June - I know it'll be awesome!

A Few More Valentine's Day Doings

Image by Teaspoon Bakeshop

Since Valentine's day is almost upon us, and you've probably already read my original round-up of things to do, there's still so much more, so I wanted to send a gentle reminder.  Here are 3 other last minute things you can treat yourself and your loved one to:

Teaspoon Bake Shop - Although not in Astoria, Teaspoon's delectable treats are totally worth the trip to Bayside.  With things like their signature cake balls (pictured above) in flavors such as red velvet, triple chocolate chunk, banana chip and more, you an put a smile to your honey's lips.  They also have gorgeous chocolate heart cookies, pink heart macarons and all sorts of cupcakes.  36-41 Bell Blvd, Bayside.  718.224.4626

Astor Bake Shop - Always in the festive mood, Astor Bake Shop is making some pretty awesome-looking, tongue-in-cheek goodies for V-day.  I spotted pics of cute little sugar cookies that say naughty things such as "Sexy Time," cupcakes that say "sweet talk" and other indulgent yummies.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Astor Room - What's sexier than the plush atmosphere at Astor Room?  It's perfectly intimate and a great place to bring your loved one, especially because the menu sounds sinful.  Think local fried oysters, black sea bass with chantarelle risotto, surf and turf, and sweet endings such as bittersweet chocolate dipped strawberries.  Throw some live music into the mix, and you've got a winning combination.  34-12 36th Street, Astoria.  718.255.1947

Looking for more ideas? Check out Mackenzi's awesome V-Day post on We Heart Astoria.

Thin Crust Pizza Amazingness at Basil Brick Oven

Yesterday, my We Heart Astoria colleagues, Meg and Mackenzi and I celebrated another awesome Queens Blogger Social with like-minded bloggers, who write about food, culture, the arts and more.  What I love about these gatherings is of course the networking aspect and the sharing of common experiences, but aside from that, it's also being able to enjoy Astoria's amazing food.  

This month's social was held at the newly expanded Basil Brick Oven Pizza, which is totally awesome, and we were all excited to see that they brought their A-game last night, with both the food and the hospitality.  There's a lot of new things we tried, and tons that we'll still have to have next time, giving us more reasons to come back.  But without further ado, here are the delectable goodies we devoured:

Antipasti - We received two generous helpings of antipasti, both of which were really bright in color and flavor.  The first was the piece-de-resistance, fig/pineapple/prosciutto platter and the second was a classic tomato, mozzarella, basil salad (aka Caprese salad).  I really enjoyed both dishes, but the first was a complete standout, the figs sweet as candy and really tender to the bite.  While you normally wouldn't eat the skin of a fig, this was absolutely an occasion where you could, and I personally couldn't resist.  The salty prosciutto that was served on top of this dish made for a lovely combination of sweet and savory.  It also has to be said that the figs were as fresh as can be, and sourced from Basil Brick's very own backyard garden.
The Caprese, also sourced from their local tomatoes and basil was amazingly clean tasting, refreshing and a great way to start this pizzalicious meal. It was also nice because our vegetarian friends got to enjoy it, guilt free.

Pizza - With over 40 varieties of pizza, our guests got to choose the pizza of their liking, and because these pies are great for sharing, we each got to try more than one.  Veggie options were very popular at my side of the table, and I went for a veggie pizza as well to keep it semi-light.  I say "semi" as my dish incorporated gorgonzola cheese, so I didn't give up too much in terms of indulgence.

So...I went with the Pera & Gorgonzola pie, which included sweet Williams Pears, homemade fresh mozzarella, creamy gorgonzola, parmigiano and basil.  Holy moly, was this good! I loved the juxtaposition of sweet and savory, with the pear and cheese, and the gorgonzola especially brought a very decadent, luxurious flavor to the pie.  The soft texture of the pear was interesting as well, and it felt as if it was literally melting on your tongue.

The other pizza variety I tried was also a veggie slice, simply called "Basil."  This one boasted  a bright pesto sauce, homemade mozzarella, thin slices of oven baked rosemary potatoes and pine nuts.  The combination was interesting, and each ingredient really complimented the other, the fresh basil offsetting the heartiness of the potatoes.  I liked that it didn't contain a traditional red sauce, which also made the pizza a lot lighter - not to mention its airy, slightly charred crust, which also lightened things up.

Dessert - How could we end this already perfect meal without another form of Basil Brick's signature food...pizza?!  We of course did just that by devouring their chocolate pizza pie.  Obscenely incredible, this pizza was even more delicious than their savory options, the crust being even thinner and stuffed with a thin layer of chocolate (and hazelnut) spread.  What was key is that they didn't overdo it, and each slice went down easily, making us reach for another, which we naturally used as a scoop for all that fresh whipped cream in the middle.

Service and Cost:
Basil Brick's hospitality was absolutely lovely, as they took great care of us from start to finish.  From replenishing our drinks without us having to say a word to nicely spacing out a very generous meal, we were all satisfied and felt like home.  I think that's the vibe they're going for here, and I can confidently say it was achieved.

Costs are really affordable, as we worked out a competitive prix-fixe menu for our guests.  While each deal is unique in its own way, I must stress that Basil Brick is extremely flexible and they're willing to do everything for their guests.  If you're looking to have a private party or to host a bigger dinner there, I'd highly recommend reaching out to them.  And please tell them who sent you.

3 Saucy (and cheesy) Mmmms

Basil Brick Oven Pizza - 28-17 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102
718.204.1205
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
www.basilbrickoven.com 

5 Napkin Burger Salad Deliciousness and More

Any chance to visit 5 Napkin Burger and I'm there.  Whether it's for their amazing Happy Hour deal or just for a regular sit-down dinner with friends, I continue to love it.

That's why when it came time to plan our We Heart Astoria Holiday Bloggers Social, 5 Napkin immediately came to mind.  Not only did they roll out the red carpet for us in terms of service, the food offering was mighty generous and we got to enjoy everything in their private party room space (the very one where I had my relaunch party back in June).

While enjoying my time with awesome Queens bloggers, representative of sites such as We Could Eat, Beyond the Bread, Gardenfreude, Queens Mamas and more, I tried some new things on 5 Napkin's rich menu that I wanted to tout here:

Before I get into the specifics, I wanted to mention the special menu, which we enjoyed.  It started with 2 full rounds of passed appetizers, followed by a plated dinner and then a dessert to cap it off.  Decadence? I think so!

Appetizers - There was a plethora of appetizers that the staff graced us with, including warm spinach/artichoke dip served on thin slices of crispy baguette, lamb kofta skewers with tahini sauce, mini salmon tacos and an assortment of veggie tempura.  All were delicious quite frankly but the lamb skewers were my favorite - warm, lamby goodness, flavored by spices such as mint and oregano that really stood out.  The tahini sauce was a great addition that made these juicy pieces of meat pop even more, as it added tang and nice creaminess.

Burger Salad - I've seen people order this and really enjoy it, but I've never tried it myself, until now.  Happy to report it lived up to the hype, it was substantial, fresh and creatively put together.  Consisting of a medley of vibrant veggies such as endive, tomato, cucumber, green beans, pepper, red onions, radishes and celery, the best part was that it was topped with a full burger patty cooked to a perfect medium consistency.  Further topped with the signature 5 Napkin sauce and oil and vinegar dressing, it was anything but a boring salad.  I loved cutting the burger patty into small bites and skewering a nice big forkful with veggies and meat.  Oh and there was blue cheese in there too, which added tang and more heartiness.

Apple Pie - Not that we had more room in our tummies, but when the dessert came, we didn't have the power to refuse.  I'm such a sucker for good pies, that when I saw the crumbly crust and the substantial, chunky apple filling, I had to dig in.  Each bite was better than the next, and I loved the convergence of the buttery crust with the decadent chunky filling and the crunchy topping.  The whipped cream on the side sealed the deal on this very sweet ending.

Service and Cost:
As I mentioned above, the service was superior and we were treated with great care and attention.  We appreciated it very much, but I can't say I'm surprised, as regardless of why I visit 5 Napkin, the staff is always stellar and the service has never disappointed me.

Costs of the dinner were very competitive and included about $27 for the food and roughly an additional $10-$15 for drinks.

Cheers to that!  Thanks 5 Napkin for your incredible hospitality.

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106 
718.433.2727
N/Q to 36th Street 
5napkinburger.com

Thanksgiving Blogger Appreciation

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I just love that it's a celebration of all wonderful things - family, friends, health, happiness and food!  I have so many things to appreciate in my life, but besides the obvious, my life has truly been enriched through writing about my food adventures and meeting some of the most amazing people in Queens.  My fellow Queens bloggers...this one's for you.

We Heart Astoria - My other blogging pride and joy, you may know that I'm one of the fellow founders and contributors of this blog that's all about "delivering insider scoop in and out of Astoria." Check out Meg's amazing round-up of Thanksgiving activities - from special restaurant menus, bar promos and more.

Harmonious Belly - Meg's blog, dedicated to sustainable food practices and lifestyle is always a meaningful read - and the pictures make me salivate each time.  In her latest post, read about the non-traditional feast she's putting together this Thanksgiving. 

SITE Design Blog - Although not a food blogger per se, Mackenzi knows what's what and better yet, what's to come on the Astoria and LIC food horizon.  In her blog, inspired by her fabulous store, SITE, she talks about trends, quirky items on sale at her store, and in case you didn't know, you can also find her musings on We Heart Astoria.  

Amuse*Bouche - I love Bradley...but let's face it, everyone LOVES Bradley Hawks, the jovial, food porn extraordinaire who gets into every nook and cranny of Astoria's food scene.  His latest post highlights the new, Bear Restaurant, which offers a Thanksgiving prix-fixe tomorrow.  If you'd like to get a special deal when you visit, check this out and get a free glass of vino.  

Handjobs for the Home - AJ's brilliant blog speaks to the imagination and creativity that can live in all of us too, as he uncovers simple yet sophisticated DIY projects (a lot of them centered around food). I love his Thanksgiving post that gives us some simple tips and tricks to entertaining (especially in small spaces). 

Gluten Free Fun - It's funny that I came to know Erin through a nostalgic High School connection.  The blogosphere really is a small world!  I enjoy reading posts about a her fun, fearless gluten-free adventures that are always full of thoughtful advice and support.  In her Thanksgiving post, she of course gives homage to the wonderful gluten-free community that inspires her each day.  

Much to My Delight - Jenn's awesome blog is a little whimsy, tongue-in-cheek, but also full of insightful stories.  Her Thanksgiving post, similar to this one gives props to her favorite Thanksgiving blog round-ups.  

City Spoonful - Recently getting acquainted with Anne and Clare who run this blog, it's all about food.  And what I like is that it spreads the love beyond Queens to also those other boroughs, and even New Jersey.  Hmmm...not sure what I think about that, but anyway ;)  Kidding! Take a look at their awesome Thanksgiving post on how to cook a perfect turkey. 

Gardenfreude - WT and Erich are not only geniuses in the garden, but also in the kitchen.  Their blog shines a light on a variety of creative topics from food to gardening, knitting to wellness, design and more.  Their latest post totally made my tummy rumble - it's a recipe for a chocolate pumpkin loaf.  

Tastoria - Focusing on her two favorite topics, food + Astoria, Sue uncovers some of our neighborhood's hidden gems.  I love her intelligent observations and musings on simple things and places we'd normally bypass...until now.  Her Thanksgiving post shows us just how lucky we are to have Astoria in our lives.  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - and once again, thank you, thank you!

Give a Warm Welcome to: WE HEART ASTORIA

Friends and fellow Astorians, I'd like to make a friendly introduction to a new and fabulous community blog that has just launched.  Its name, WE HEART ASTORIA  says it all, as the blog focuses on the wonderful things that this neighborhood we call home has to offer - shopping, food, community events, personal spotlights and other fun stuff.

Besides being involved personally as a writer, WE HEART ASTORIA is a collaboration with two wonderful individuals, Meg and Mackenzi, who absolutely live and breathe everything about Astoria.  I can't wait for you to check it out and let me know what you think.

See our premiere post here.  Friend us on Facebook here.