Great Happy Hour Deal at S Prime

Everyone loves a good happy hour special, and more so even when it's in a great restaurant that feels like a splurge.  That's why I was excited to learn about S. Prime's happy hour that I'll surely be taking advantage of in the future.  If you love oysters, this one's for you:

Wednesday - Sunday from 4 - 7 p.m.
1/2 priced drinks and $1 oysters 

If you're still hungry, you can always pop in to 5 Napkin Burger for their happy hour where you can get $3 sliders.  Why not double up on goodness?!

S Prime Steakhouse - 35-15 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
 718.707.0660
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.sprimenyc.com

5 Napkin Can Really Roll

After what was a very long week, Dan and I hit one of our favorite Happy Hour spots, 5 Napkin Burger to celebrate the end of a long week, as well as some personal noteworthy accomplishments.  Congrats Dan!

It's no secret that 5 Napkin features a 7 day Happy Hour from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. and now also from 9 p.m. - close.  This was news to us, and we'll definitely be taking advantage of this late night special on an upcoming weekend.

What I wanted to highlight here is something new that we tried, that was simply awesome.  While most of us come to 5 Napkin for their exceptional burgers and fries, Dan and I dipped into their sushi offering during Happy Hour, which proved to be awesome.  Even though I've heard good things about their sushi, I hadn't really tried it all that often.  Dan mentioned that their hand rolls were great, so we got a few (quite a bit actually) and weren't disappointed.

Spicy Tuna Hand Roll - Although the image above is actually of their salmon hand roll, the spicy tuna looked very similar, only know that each roll was a lot bigger.  In fact, I think almost double the size of the one you see above, which is the catering/party version.  

First off, I love their shape - looking like neat little cones, the delicious contents are placed somewhat loosely inside, and they're pretty different than your traditional sushi roll, which is pretty tight and compact.  The tuna is super fresh and found in generous chunks, flavored with spicy mayo, crunchy bright red roe and fresh, zesty cucumber.  It's a filling bite, especially if you have about two or three or four!

Service and Cost:
I've never experienced anything but great service here, and that's certainly also the case during Happy Hour.  All the waitstaff is attentive and the food is brought out in good time.  Note that if you're pressed for time, you can get in and out of here in about a half hour to forty minutes, drinks and food included.

At $4 beers, $2 sliders and $2 hand rolls, you simply can't go wrong. Need I say more?!

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

Bacon Happy Hour Tomorrow at Rest-Au-Rant

As a huuuge fan of everything bacon, I felt it was my calling to spread the word of this awesome-sounding event that's happening tomorrow night at Rest-Au-Rant.  I'm talking about their Beer & Bacon Happy Hour that they're starting up each first Monday of the month.  What an ingenious idea, and although I don't know the full extent this bacon debauchery will entail, I'm about to find out.  Catch me there tomorrow and we'll raise a glass to our favorite fatty delight.  Here are the deets:

Beer & Bacon Happy Hour
Every first Monday of every month
From 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Featuring...bacon everything!

In the words of R-A-R - "even Mondays are better wrapped in bacon." I really can't wait!

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

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

5 Great Food Deals to Get You Through the Week

Since we're officially in holiday season and most of us are spending lots of dough, I thought it'd be helpful to provide you with some weeknight restaurant specials to help you save those much-needed dollars.  These are some of my favorite deals in the nabe.  Some of them you may have heard of already but others could be new discoveries to share with friends, family and colleagues. Enjoy!

Bistro 33 - I'm never disappointed when I step foot into this eclectic French/Japanese fused eatery.  Since it's getting so chilly out, I highly encourage trying their hearty soups, which I've always found flavorful.  Take advantage of 2 for $10 Tuesdays, where you can order some of their most popular appetizers, sushi and drinks for that very attractive price-point.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.1933

718 Restaurant - 718 is one of my go-tos in Astoria for modern French food.  My all-time favorite item on the menu is a classic Tarte Flambee (thin, crunchy dough topped with caramelized onions and smoky bacon). But besides this one, there are four other awesome options.  If you come in on Wednesday night, all tarte flambees are just $9.  35-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.204.5553

Ornella - This delicious pasta-haven is not only personal, the food is just a little bit different than what you're used to when you think of Italian. I mean that in the best way possible.  On Thursdays, enjoy a "pick-your-pasta" special where any pasta item on the menu is just $10 between 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105 718.777.9477

Ovelia - This recently 4-year-old modern Greek resto never has a shortage of fun, festive activities, at a fair price-point.  Stop in this Thursday for live Greek Blues or "Kotobuki" and enjoy their mildly priced meze ($6 - $16) and drinks.  34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103.  718.721.7217

5 Napkin Burger - One of the best Happy Hour deals in town, you can sample 5 Napkin's mighty sliders, which are a perfect size to satisfy that end-of-day hunger.  You can enjoy these sliders for just $2 every day (even weekends) and $4 beer drafts between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106.  718.433.2727

Monika's Cafe Bar - Fun Happy Hour Specials

Image by Cafe Bar

I love Cafe Bar!  Besides its off-beat, retro atmosphere (which has been revamped a couple of months ago), its friendly staff and good food & drinks make it one of Astoria's oldies but goodies.  There's never a shortage of activity going on and if you'd like to stop in and enjoy the outdoor seating (while the weather still cooperates), check out their fun happy hour special every day of the week.

Weekday Happy Hour: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Well drinks & house wine - $4
$1 off bottled beers, $16 - $20 beer pitchers

And if you're hungry, try one of their small plates such as spinach halloumi fritters, mixed dips, cheese & meat platters and other fun munchies.

Monika's Cafe Bar - 32-90 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.204.5273
N/W Train to Broadway
www.monikascafebar.com