Sunday Night Deal at Rest-Au-Rant

Dan and I popped in to Rest-au-Rant tonight for some quiet time, a little vino and nice conversation.  It was incredibly relaxing and the music was awesome, that we hung around for a while, just getting lost in our thoughts, and chatting away.

Even though we just went in for drinks, the friendly bartender told us about a fabulous little special that we'll certainly be back for, especially when I'm back to eating gluten.  Here it is for you ladies and gents who want to enjoy Astoria's best kept secret:

- Draft and BBQ entree for $10.  Tonight's featured item was their burger.
- 2 tapas and a bottle of wine for $40
- 4 tapas and a bottle of wine for $55

Their wine and cocktail menu  is also wonderful, and not overpriced.  Take a look right here.

Rest-Au-Rant - 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.729.9009
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.rarbarlic.com 

Winegasm's Bodacious Meatballs

After what was a very fun day in the park and just being up and about, Dan and I ended things off at Winegasm.  We haven't been here in quite a while and were looking forward to just chillin', relaxing and enjoying a nice glass of vino.  I also had a handy Scoutmob coupon that I wanted to use so there was that aspect of it as well.

Surprisingly, we ended up going with beer instead, which was so refreshing during last week's heat wave, but we also had these surprisingly bodacious homemade meatballs.

Homemade Meatballs - Although we didn't order this, we waited so long for our drinks and our snacks that they gave it to us as a bonus.  We gave it one quick look and decided that we just couldn't refuse, so we graciously accepted and dove right in.  The whole thing was impressive - a long gratinee dish with four large meatballs covered in crimson tomato sauce and some melted fresh muzz on top.  They were absolutely delicious and quite moist too.  We think they were a mix of pork and beef, which worked really well, and the homemade tomato sauce injected a hint of freshness and acid.  The cheese was the piece-de-resistance that just sealed this already sweet deal.

Service and Cost:
Even though Winegasm's staff certainly made up for the lack of attentiveness in the beginning of our visit, they were still very awkward and inefficient throughout our time there.  We were floored how long it took to get our drinks out - maybe 20 minutes?!

Costs were super affordable, given that we had a coupon and we got the meatballs for free.  We paid a total of $25 for 2 drinks, a shot and a Mediterranean dip platter.

2.5 Mmmms

Winegasm - 31-86 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103

718.932.3331

N/Q Train to Broadway

www.winegasmeatery.com

Latin Jazz Night at Astor Room

Now that the holidays are over, we're finding our calendars to be much more open to take advantage of new and interesting neighborhood doings.  I recently heard about Latin Jazz night at Astor Room that really intrigued me, sounding a little old fashioned and sexy--definitely not your ordinary Wednesday.  Here's what you can expect if you go this Wednesday, which you can do either for just drinks or a formal dinner:

A Night of Latin Jazz, featuring LowerEastSalsa band
Wednesday, January 9th at 7 p.m.

Enjoy an authentic Latin menu and drinks - $40/person for a 3-course prix-fixe
If you'd like to sit at the bar, there's a $15 cover and a 1 drink minimum

Bring your favorite person with you and enjoy a spicy evening of food and rhythm.

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

3 New Cocktails at DiWine

Here's some exciting news from the Astoria cocktail circle, which continues to expand.  This comes from the cozy 31st Avenue wine bar, DiWine, and I'm excited to report that they're featuring 3 new cocktails this season that are looking mighty delicious.  I hope you have the opportunity to try them and let me know what you think.

The Rhubarb Redford - an earthy and warming bourbon cocktail, consisting of rhubarb infused bourbon, lemon, and Vya Sweet Vermouth

The Southern Pumpkin is making a comeback - with house infused pumpkin spice vodka, bourbon, cinnamon infused simple syrup, and pumpkin puree

Escobar - with Mezcal, amaro, Vya dry vermouth, ginger-lemongrass simple syrup, and lemon

Try these during DiWine's weekly happy hour from Monday - Thursday from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. and get them for $6.

DiWine - 41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.1355
R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.diwineonline.com

Achieving a Proper Winegasm

I know what some of you may be thinking, "did she have to go there?!" Yes. I did. Come on people...loosen up and just go with it.  Anywho...

Wanting to re-visit Winegasm for a while now, I was incentivized by a Scoutmob deal for $10 off.  For those of you who haven't yet downloaded this nifty little mobile app, I urge you to go right ahead, as it'll change your life and bring you tons of advantageous savings.  

Mackenzi and I headed over to this wino haven last weekend for some casual snacks and wine, both of which were delicious, the vibe being fabulously chill.  We also really found ourselves enjoying the mild temperature that we soaked up from dining al fresco.

Snacks:
Since neither one of us was particularly hungry, we went for a few sharable snacks, which I'll go into now.  The portions were quite generous, and I'd highly recommend getting them if wanting to go halfsies with a buddy.  We even had some leftovers, which was encouraging.

Muhammara Dip - While I've had this before with Dan, it didn't stand out to me as much as this time around.  A somewhat creamy but still a little bit chunky dip, it was made up of red peppers (hence its brick orange color) as well as earthy walnuts that gave it a little bite.  Paired with nicely toasted pita bread, the dip was super spreadable and somehow hearty enough like hummus.  I think it'd also go well with protein such as tofu or chicken.

Wild Mushroom Crostini - Although it sounds like a super simple dish, it was actually quite complex and really outstanding.  Its excellence really stemmed from a delicious base, which was a thin piece of perfectly toasted bread that was slightly chewy on the inside.  The topping was brilliant as well, consisting of delicate little pieces of wild mushrooms and curly ringlets of asparagus, which were all melded by a sea of gooey fontina cheese.  A piece-de-resistance was the sprinkling of truffle oil on top that really made all these flavors sing.

Service and Cost:
It's interesting that my previous dining experiences have been somewhat mixed, and we haven't always received great service.  Tonight, that was totally set right, as our server was just awesome, pacing everything out perfectly and having a sense of humor at the same time.    He was also really gracious about us using the Scoutmob coupon, which I sometimes get a little flack for, even though it's totally legit.

Costs are fair, with the above-mentioned apps setting us back $7 and $6 respectively.  We also each had a glass or two of wine, so with all of that, the discount came in really handy.

3 Mmmms

Winegasm - 31-86 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103

718.932.3331

N/Q Train to Broadway

www.winegasmeatery.com

DiWine is Turning 3

Image by DiWine

In the spirit of celebration, I wanted to let you know about a great event that's going on this Thursday at DiWine Wine Bar.  It happens to be their 3 Year Anniversary celebration, and the deals they're extending in its honor are truly awesome and something not to be missed.

A cool and somewhat under-the-radar hangout in the Western part of 31st Avenue neighborhood, DiWine is a great place to chill out after work or on a weekend night.  Their wine and cocktails are craftily constructed and they also focus on entertainment and special events that bring you something a little extra.

Here's an example of what you can expect this Thursday, December 8th for their big 3 year anniversary:

3 cocktails for $6
3 beers for $5
3 types of free hors d'oeuvres

You can drop by all day and enjoy the fun.  Congrats DiWine on your big 3!

DiWine – 41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY
718.777.1355
R/V/G Train to Steinway Street
www.diwineonline.com 

DiWine - Chic Wine Bar With Flava

DiWine - 41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.777.1355
R/V/G Train to Steinway Street
www.diwineonline.com

Meg, Martha (new Joey in Astoria colleague) and I went to check out DiWine wine bar last night. I didn't have many expectations except that I looked at their site beforehand and loved what I saw. It seemed to be a chic, trendy place and a nice venue to meet for after-work drinks. All these things it was, and despite being a bit out of the way for me, I think I'll visit again soon.

Atmosphere:
Trendy, chic and comfortable are all accurate ways to describe DiWine. Although the space isn't huge, it's laid out so creatively that it gives the illusion of something bigger. There's a small outdoor seating area but the inside--at least for me--was more intriguing. The natural wood and exposed-brick decor makes DiWine feel earthy and rustic. Its best feature is the semi-private booth area that's sectioned off by sheer netting. The seats are comfy and cushiony and you can't help but recline and let your hair down. Besides a nice casual date place, I'd also recommend DiWine for a small group of friends.

Food and Wine:
The menu offered a lot of interesting-sounding small plates. We decided on the sharing route and ordered two tapas and a pizza. While the former was underwhelming the latter sure made up for it.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip - Recommended by our server, this was an easy sell, however, what came out wasn't anything to brag about. The bread was stale and the actual dip was just OK, nothing special. I'm wondering if it was homemade...? We voiced our disappointment about the bread and were brought something better, which was a nice way to approach the problem.

Mushroom Torchon - I love a good Portobello but was yet again disappointed with this one, which was filled with roasted red peppers and topped with herbed goat cheese. It sounded great on paper but when we tasted it, it lacked seasoning and was a bit watery. I was underwhelmed because what I envisioned was something aromatic and flavorful and this was anything but.

The Gigi Pizza - This is where things turned around. From first sight and smell, we were impressed, as the pizza looked fantastic--packed with interesting ingredients such as smoked beef, capers, mushrooms and fresh buffalo mozzarella. Once we tasted it, it was simply "divine," the flavors melding together to form a hearty, smoky bite. The crust was super light and crunchy but needed more salt. Overall though, it was a delicious pie that I'd happily order again.

Wine - A nice selection of domestic and international whites and reds (and even organic options), made my decision challenging. I chose a classic Italian Pinot Grigio and was very satisfied by its crisp, fruity undertone. Martha went for another white, which I can't recall by name but it was also nice, with a slightly more acidy touch.

Service and Cost:
I have absolutely no complaints in this department. Our server was considerate and knowledgeable, providing recommendations where he could. He made sure to check on us, ensuring that we were happy and as noted, accommodated us when we were not.

Costs are reasonable with tapas ranging between $6-$14, all pizzas are $10, cheese platters run between $10-$15 and the wine is also wallet-friendly with most glasses at $8. Two tapas, a pizza and three drinks set us back about $21 per person with tax and tip.

2 Mmmms

24 - New Wine Bar Sprucing Up 24th Avenue

24 - 25-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

I'm surprised at how 24th Avenue has come along, with a variety of budding restaurants and bars. One such new place is 24 wine bar, which was previously a neighborhood deli. Owned by the same person, 24 is a definite improvement from its predecessor, offering a comfortable scene to unwind with friends and a glass of wine.

Atmosphere:
24 is a small, dimly-lit space that's not unlike a living room. Several comfortable couches and small tables with chairs line the room, but the middle looks bare. The furniture looks thrown together and there's an element that's a tad strange. I can't put my finger on exactly what was bothering me about it, but it might be that the lamps were a touch bright and the background music too low--you could hear snippets of other people's conversations. Imperfections aside, I liked the local artwork on display, which made it feel warm and interesting.

Wine:
24 has a nice selection of international wines, which are reasonably priced. Beer options are excellent, featuring the usual suspects as well as unexpected domestic micro brews such as Pete's Wicked Ale. Dan and I ordered Argentinian wine, mine a Malbec and his a Cabernet. I'm not a wine expert, so I won't analyze it too much, but both glasses were thoroughly enjoyed--and generously poured. I'd recommend the full-bodied Malbec, with an earthy taste and a hint of berry flavor--a lovely way to warm up on a cold, rainy night.

While food isn't available yet, 24 plans to incorporate a light snack and dessert menu in the future.

Service and Cost:
We were well taken care of by 24's hospitable owner. He welcomed us right away and made us feel at home, gesturing to the comfortable couches. It was nice that we were able to hang out as long as we wanted, not feeling rushed in the least.

Costs are moderate and generally affordable. Most glasses of wine are in the $7-$8 range and beer is typically in the neighborhood of $6-$7. Although the prices aren't as inexpensive as I'd like, you definitely get your money's worth (at least for the wine), as the glasses come nearly three-quarter's full.

2 Mmmms

Kafene - Where's the Party?

Kafene - 23-08 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria, NY 11102
718.274.6525
N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

Last week I mentioned Kafene's opening celebration, offering free wine and hors d'oeurves so I naturally went to check it out. While I was impressed with the looks of this place and its amazing food, the service was confusing and the concept of this event wasn't completely fleshed out. I will explain...

Atmosphere:

I can hardly recognize this place from the first time that I saw it reconstructed. Instead of the original burger joint feel, it's now a cafe/lounge. There's a plethora of tables outside as well as a modern, air-conditioned room inside, where the "party" was being held. The decor in this room is simple and chic, consisting mostly of tables and even a comfy chaise and cushiony chairs in the center. A visit to the loo is worth it--wash your hands in the Zen rock sinc, it's a wonderfully calming experience.

Food:

We opted for a couple of small plates but to be perfectly honest, we were expecting this to be a "party" (as the invite implied). Needless to say, we were surprised to see that there were no free hors d'oeurves in sight. Regardless, we loved what we ordered.

Falafel - This was our first dish that was served with perfectly grilled pita and fresh cucumbers. I don't normally adore falafel but this one was excellent--perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The spices were incorporated just right and I would highly recommend trying this as a starter. Dan who's choice it was to order it was very happy--and he's sort of a falafel connoisseur. Nice job Kafene!

Sauteed Calamari - Another knock-out, the calamari was served piping hot and clearly fresh. It was a nice change from the usual fried option and this one contained fragrant flavors such as garlic, lemon and parsley. I think that it was cooked in a white wine sauce that provided a nice broth to dip the extra pita into. The calamari came in round and tentacle shapes--a lot of people get grossed out by the latter but I loved them!

Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Dip) - My friend Crystal and I shared this dish and we were both impressed. It's not easy to get it right, as eggplant could be overpowering but this dip was excellent. It was gentle, very spreadable and light on the palate--yet another dish that I wouldn't mind repeating.

Hummus with Pita - Dan ordered this towards the end of the night and it capped off the evening nicely. Again, it was a smooth and seasoned perfectly--spreading it on the grilled pita triangles was a pleasure. What can I say, the chef at Kafene has his small plates down to a science.

Service and Cost:

The service is an area where I saw need for improvement. The waitresses seemed confused about the menu and about our food choices in general. They kept switching around and there was only one of them that seemed to know what she was doing. The "party" special was another hazy topic with Kafene's staff. They acted unsure when we asked for the free wine and when we referenced the free hors d'oeurves, they simply said they were unavailable. Did I not read about this in my e-invite? I went back to the email the next morning to double check and sure enough it was there "complimentary wine and hors d'oeurves until 11p."

Despite the "party" mix-up, the food and wine were fairly priced. Wine was about $9-$10 per glass and the appetizers ranged between $5-$12. I'm going to try to get a hold of the full menu and post it online soon.

2 Mmmms