The Czech and Slovak Festival is Coming this Weekend

For those of you who know me personally, you can vouch for how proud I am of my Slovak heritage.  Although I've lived here most of my life, I stay very true to my roots and visit my relatives in my Mother country at least once a year.

A big part of my culture is of course the food, and that's why I love frequenting the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden.  Although this place has changed a lot since I first started living in Astoria, it's still wonderful and nostalgic to me.  It's exciting to me when they throw their annual Czech & Slovak festival, but unfortunately this year, I won't be in town to enjoy it.  But hopefully you will be, and I can live vicariously through you guys.  Here are the deets:

Annual Czech & Slovak Festival at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Saturday, May 25th - Sunday, May 26th from 12:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Enjoy authentic Czech & Slovak food, drink and festive folk music.  Wear comfy shoes and get ready to boogie (just like my cousin, Camryn pictured above).

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.274.4925
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd 
www.bohemianhall.com

Eurocup Action in Astoria

Image by EUFA

With the Eurocup 2012 in full swing right now, everyone is catching a part of the action, and Astoria is delivering a fabulous atmosphere to watch the games.  Many of the bars in the nabe are showcasing the daily matches, some of them running great gametime specials.  Here's a small sampling of the venues where you can enjoy some futbal!

Veslo - Being that it's a Croatian establishment, naturally they're showing Croatia games most on their 9 HD screens in the bar area.  Come dressed in your Checkers, and enjoy being a part of the fun by drinking Karlovacko beer and munching on typical Croatian eats such as cevapcici sliders, raznjici (pork kabob), octopus salad and more.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549 

Studio Square - THE destination to watch all the games, Studio Square opens up at noon each day for primetime game access.  You can sit in the big garden area and enjoy the action on the big screen and some really enticing drinks specials too, such as a pitcher of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat & 3 shots of Jim Beam Red Stag for just $20.  35-33 36th Street, Astoria.  718.383.1001

Bohemian Hall - Also open at noon each day for soccer, the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden will deliver on true, authentic Eastern European atmosphere with all the kolbasy, sauerkraut, dumplings and fried cheese to prove it.  They'll feature their weekly Happy Hour specials too, with $3 mugs of draft beer between 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. and $5 mugs of draft beer between 6 p.m - 7 p.m.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.728.9278

Astoria Brewhouse - Featuring soccer in an eclectic atmosphere (that's really convenient to the subway), you can either watch it inside the bar or also in their outdoor garden with a retractable roof.  I love to enjoy the latter, and take advantage of their happy hour special too, which includes $4 select domestic pints, $5 select imported pints, $5 well drinks and $5 house wines between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria.  718.728.0050

Avenue Cafe - Also on the 30th Avenue strip, where a lot of soccer can be seen, Avenue is certainly the place to go if you're comfortable with a lot of testosterone.  And I mean a lot.  Most of the clientele consists of guys and they're pretty avid futbal fans, so you'll find good company here.  Enjoy the games with an ice cold frappe and a sweet fresh-made crepe with fruit or other inventive fillings such as biscotti.  35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.6967

Studio Square's Summer Spit BBQ is Back

Last year's first Summer Spit BBQ event at Studio Square was a huge success, and by the looks of it, it's become an annual event.  Happening again this year on June 3rd, Chef David Burke will once again grace everyone with his presence at the bbq pit.  

Enjoying last year's event very much, I most admired Chef Burke's participation in the whole thing, as he worked his butt off and personally greeted guests and served them freshly made bbq specialties.  It was really something, and as you can see above, I cozied up to him as well.  He was super friendly!

But aside from the celebrity chef interaction, the food at the event was really fabulous and so plentiful.  In addition to the gorgeously prepared food, served buffet style, there were also passed hors d'oeuvres as well Jim Beam tastings.  It's really a great way to spend an entire afternoon with your hard-core foodie friends.  The tickets are an investment, but definitely worth it, as you can stay for up to 5 hours and eat all the goodies you like.  There's an early bird special going on right now:

General Admission tickets (before 4/15):  $55, regular admission is $65
VIP tickets are $85

RSVP and buy tickets here.  Can't wait to hear what you think of this impressive glutton-fest.

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
studiosquarenyc.com

Porkfest at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is Back

It's been quite a while since Porkfest has come around to Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, but it's officially back this weekend and I wanted to tell you all about it.  Attending this event a while back, and loving it, I recommend it to all you hard core pork lovers who will relish in a special pork enhanced menu.  Expect Eastern European specialties such as pork & barley soup, pork goulash, a breaded and fried pork cutlet and more.  Dessert will not be porky but still delicious.  Here's more info:

Friday, February 17th - 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. (featuring a live band)
Saturday, February 18th - noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday, February 19th - noon to 10 p.m.

If you choose to order ahead of time and take stuff home, you can get:

Jiternice/white sausage...$5/piece
Kroupova Jelita/blood sausage and barley...$5/piece
Tlacenka/head cheese...$10/lb

Hope to see you there!

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.274.4925
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd 
www.bohemianhall.com

January Specials at Studio Square

As I was telling you last week, there's lots of fun specials happening this month at not only our local restaurants but some of Astoria's best watering holes.  I was totally psyched to see that Studio Square is hosting something fun and affordable each night of the week.  Here goes...

Football Sunday + Monday - In game specials include 25 cent wings, $15 beer pitchers, $5 mixed drinks and $3 shot specials

Tuesday - Rock 'n Roll and Beer night from 7 p.m. - Midnight

Wednesday - Open Mic Night with 2-for-1 drinks from 7 - 9 p.m.

Thursday - Ladies Night, $1 mixed drinks for ladies all night

Bring your friends along, and enjoy!

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
studiosquarenyc.com

New Year's Bash at Studio Square

With the holidays almost officially here, it's definitely not too early to start thinking about New Year's Eve.  Unfortunately, because we happen to live in one of the best cities in the world, this holiday is pretty darn expensive to enjoy when you go out on the town.  But it doesn't always have to be - especially if you spend it in Astoria.  Lots of places will feature New Year's Eve specials (and I'll elaborate on that a bit later), but one place in particular, I wanted to highlight is Studio Square.

I always enjoy coming here for special occasions and have spent a recent Halloween and many big sporting events in its surroundings.  It's always a good time, and what I love about it is that it never feels overcrowded, since there's so much space inside and out.  They're having a New Years Eve Bash that sounds lovely and includes:

A Live DJ
Complimentary Party Favors
Taking table reservations, especially if you're coming with a big group

The shin-dig starts at 8 p.m. and goes on all night.  And the best part is, it's only a $15 cover.

Could be a fun thing to consider with a large group of friends, and what I love about this venue is that you can stay pretty casual and feel as comfortable as if you were wearing your spiffiest ensemble.  Enjoy!

Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or M/R Train to Steinway Street
www.studiosquarenyc.com 

Oktoberfest is Here!

Given that I just came from Munich for a very appropriately timed business trip, I was also able to experience the annual Oktoberfest celebration they hold.  I wish I had one word to describe the whole experience, which was so graciously shared with us by our German colleagues, Tanja and Kathrein. Not only did these ladies show us the ropes, but they partied with us like there was no tomorrow.  Danke schon!

While I'll give you more color around my Munich Oktoberfest experience later, I first want to tell you about the celebration that's happening locally in Astoria.  Taking place as it does each year at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, it'll be a two week celebration with beer, food, music and the most important thing that makes this event so wonderful - the crowd.  Here are more details around this event - so start gathering up the troops and don't be afraid to wear your dirndl.

Oktoberfest at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Saturday October 1st - Saturday, October 9th, 2011
12:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Enjoy a live band, free beer tastings at great prices, a pig roast and amazing activities each day of the week. 

Saturday, October 1st
German-American Dance Band from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Becks promo from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Becherovka promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (this is a typical Czech liquor and I highly suggest you try it!)

Sunday, October 2nd
Feverschlucker brass band from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Bernard promo from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Monday, October 3rd
Becks promo from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Tuesday, October 4th
Staropramen & Blue Point promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Wednesday, October 5thRadeberger promo from free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Thursday, October 6th
Pilsner Urquell promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Sausage samples

Friday, October 7th
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest & Spaten Oktoberfest promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Saturday, October 8th
Live music by Ovocnickovia from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Becherovka promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Staropramen & Blue Point promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Sunday, October 9th
Feverschlucker brass band from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Captain Lawrence promo from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. free beer tasting & $13 pitchers

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.274.4925
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
http://www.bohemianhall.com/

Wild Wing Wednesday at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden

Here's something fun to do on this snowy Wednesday...

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is offering a fun wing promotion today. Wings are just 50 cents and for some added fun, if you say "Wild Wing Wednesday" 3 times fast after drinking 3 beers, you'll get 10 wings free.  An offer like that should certainly get some of you out there and enjoying...

If you're not a huge wing fan, I personally recommend their Slovak and Czech specialties such as giant potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, spaetzle with sauerkraut or sheep's milk cheese, classic beef goulash served with soft bread dumplings to soak up all that sauce (pictured above), and much more. 

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102

718.274.4925

N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd

www.bohemianhall.com