Bear's Valiant Effort on Chopped

Tonight was a big night on TV for Astoria, as Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky of Bear Restaurant was yet again featured on Food Network's Chopped.  Making her debut back in August and fighting her way into the final round, Natasha came back tonight in an attempt to seize a second chance at victory.

Watching the program, Dan and I waited with baited breath, as we rooted for Chef Natasha's success.  Unfortunately, while I can't report back a win, Natasha fought til the end for what was a very tight match and held her own next to some fierce competition.  

Extremely proud of this talented lady, I wanted to feature her creative eats she constructed on tonight's episode with some pretty obscure ingredients.  Congrats on a great competition, Natasha!  Looking forward to seeing you back in the kitchen.

Course 1 - Celery, prosciutto & lime bisque with crostini

Course 2 - Fried snapper ribs with tartar and pan-roasted snapper filet Course 3 - Deep fried cheesecake with dulce de leche cappuccino 
Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

SOCHI Viewing Dinner at Bear

The SOCHI Olympics are coming, and I'm psyched.  Are you?  Part of the reason is that I've been surrounded by this event day in and day out in my full time gig at Getty Images, getting people amped up about these sports even before the competition starts.

I love to see that Astoria is getting into the spirit, and who better to kick things off than our very own resident Russian ambassadors, Natasha and Sasha Pogrebinsky at Bear.  I love that they're hosting a special SOCHI viewing party on Friday night.  Featuring a savory, comforting Russian style dinner, you'll find yourself eating authentic specialties such as Hunter's Stew with Parsnips, Cabbage Rolls with Sour Cream, Siberian Dumplings and other rich foods.

Reservations are strongly suggested so give them call, and spend the evening cheering on your favorite sportspeople. Let's go Team USA!

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Warm Up in Astoria - Part Deux

Surprise...the chill is back in our neck of the woods!  Just another good opportunity to highlight the warming foods and drinks you can get around town to deal with yet another round of the polar vortex.

Image by Bradley Hawks

Wine is always a good idea, especially at Bear where they're featuring $20 bottles, each day. Check it out also for their warming Russian-style cuisine such as hot Ukranian borscht, cabbage and beef casserole, hunter's stew (with lamb) and more. 12-14 31st Avenue, LIC. 917.396.4939

For more vino goodness, Rest-au-Rant is a great option, especially on Wednesdays when all their wine is 20% off.  Pair it with something luxurious such as their savory fondue or a gooey gorgonzola, fig and green apple panini.  30-01 35th Ave, LIC.  718.729.9009 

I'm loving Alewife's new craft beer collection, including thick malty options such as Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout, which can be enjoyed with a signature, Sigmund's Pretzel Shop pretzel.  If you haven't tried one yet, they're absolutely fantastic!  5-14 51st Avenue, LIC. 718.937.7494

There's nothing like a warm, delicious, melty mac 'n cheese and the one at the Sage General Store is hard to beat.  Featuring a five cheese concoction with spicy cayenne breadcrumbs on top, it's the ultimate comfort food.  24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.361.0707

Warming up with a tasty burger is easy to do in the nabe, and these days I'm pretty excited about BareBurger's new bar offering, which goes beautifully with one of their signature burgers such as the Roadhouse or the Big Blue Bacon.  The 31st Avenue locale now has a full on bar with signature cocktails such as the Johnny Appleseed (bourbon, green apple, hot honey, ginger brew), Rachel Carson (rosemary infused vodka, blackberries, homemade lemonade), Old Macdonald (bourbon, white peach, agave punch) and more.   Check out the awesome $50 gift card giveaway we're doing with BareBurger on We Heart Astoria.  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7011

Stand-Outs at Queens Tech Bash – Arrogant Swine, Bear, Ice and Vice

Last week, Meg and I attended the Queens Tech Bash, a fabulous event at MOMA PS1, which was organized by the Coalition for Queens. Holding a mission to “foster the Queens tech ecosystem,” I learned a great deal about the amazing tech companies springing up right in LIC and about the talented people behind them.

Loving the creative setting of this event, which was held in the MOMA PS1 performance dome, I was happy to see a few of Queens’ culinary influencers there—serving up delicious food and drink to the participants and honorees. Amongst them were hogmaster, Tyson Ho of the Arrogant Swine; Natasha and Alex of Bear Restaurant; Lisa and Alex of LIC Market; Paul and Ken of Ice and Vice as well as the awesome guys behind the Korilla BBQ truck.

I enjoyed everything I ate that night, and appreciated the diversity in cuisine. 

Arrogant Swine – Indulging in whole hog BBQ just about a month ago at my friend Adam’s pig soiree, I couldn’t wait to do it all over again with Tyson’s version. The beauty of Tyson’s offering is that he makes use of the whole hog and mixes all the different cuts into one plate. The result is a rich, moist plate of pork goodness that just coats your insides with love.

Bear – Since the amazing press Bear has been getting lately (Chef Natasha was featured on Food Network’s Chopped, the NY Daily News, Village Voice, Edible Queens, the Fancy Food Show and more!), it was fun to see these guys in action. Offering a little bite of Ukrainian flavor, Chef Natasha composed a pretty plate of deviled eggs, cured meat and a toasted dark bread cracker.

LIC Market – Loving the healthy spin Lisa and Alex brought with their heirloom radish salad, it was nice to see some local freshness on a plate. Thinly sliced, colorful pieces of radish adorned each plate and were bound together with a creamy, smoked trout dressing.

Korilla BBQ – Really excited to find out these guys were here, I immediately went to find the truck and get myself a Korean taco. Since I’ve already had several meat variations of this dish, I opted for the spicy tofu instead and wasn’t sorry. The tofu held its own and was strongly supported by the spicy hot sauce, crunchy veggies such as carrots, cilantro and squash. It was the most substantial plate of the night and made me pleasantly full.

Ice and Vice – We couldn’t resist capping the night off with something sweet and moseyed on over to the Ice and Vice cart, which is a charming little push cart filled with creamy goodness. Featuring three ice cream flavors, including the pumpkin seed, Coffeed, and goat cheese ice cream, I tried a sampling of each one. The goat cheese and the Coffeed were my faves (in that order), the former having a little bit of tang but not in an overpowering way.

We had a great time at this event, and it was awesome to see the many talented people of LIC collaborating and celebrating each other. I look forward to supporting the Coalition for Queens and its tech community efforts in the future. A big congrats to all the honorees that night including Elias Roman from Songza, Marleen Vogelaar from Shapeways, and Dion Ridley from CreativeWorx.

October Specials at Bear

Photo credit: Bradley Hawks

Loving all the attention Bear has been getting lately through their interesting foodie collaborations and most recently through a nice piece in this month's Edible Queens, I was happy to see that they've got interesting food specials this month.  With all that hype, which the restaurant lives up to, it's nice to know that they're mixing things up and offering some great deals for people to come in and enjoy their food.  Here are this month's specials:

October Specials at Bear:

Wednesdays
$18 - Include 2 house pork sausages, sauerkraut, smashed potatoes and a pumpkin pie.  All this also comes with an ice cold Yuengling beer

Tuesday - Friday
$25 - 3-course dinner special

Saturday/Sunday
$15 - brunch includes coffee, toast and your choice of entree

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Watch Bear's Chef Natasha on Chopped

In case you haven't yet heard, I wanted to make sure you guys tune into some Astoria culinary goodness on the Food Network tomorrow.  Astoria's very own, Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky from Bear will be featured on the popular Chopped program tomorrow at 10:00 p.m.  I'm so excited to see Chef Natasha competing on the show for many reasons, one being that she's the only female competitor in the episode, the other being that she's really talented and also because she accurately represents the culinary prowess found in Astoria and LIC.  

Chef Natasha will be competing with 4 other national acclaimed chefs, all with diverse backgrounds.  For those of you familiar with the show, their given list of ingredients they have to cook with tomorrow include lemon bars, acai juice, upland cress and whelk snails.  Have a go at that guys - can't wait to see what Chef Natasha comes up with.

If you'd like to get a little preview of what's to come tomorrow, take a look at this preview clip.  Tune in tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. on The Food Network.

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Chill Out with Bear's Specials Tonight

Image by Bear

It's no doubt that this weekend has been a hot one, and many folks are probably staying in to keep cool.  For those of you that are getting a little tired of chillin' in your apartment, I wanted to share news of Bear's "cooling" food and drinks specials tonight that can present just the right excuse to get out of that hot apartment.

Refreshing, strawberry sangria
Summer pasta salad with veggies
Organic white cabbage salad
Bratwurst and egg pie
Mushroom, egg and cream cheese pie

Don't worry, the AC will be on the whole time, so you'll totally get to enjoy even the hearty dishes in a comfy and cool setting.  Cheers to summer!

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

3 Delicious Summer Eats in Astoria and LIC

To go along with news of summer food gracing restaurant menus, here's a brief round-up of some new dishes surfacing in Astoria and LIC.

Image by Alobar

Alobar's Grilled Octopus - This beautiful summery dish of grilled octopus, tasso & corn succotash, roasted tomato and watercress caught my eye. I love the colors in it - they just scream summer - and appreciate the grilled preparation. 46-42 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.752.6000

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Astor Bake Shop's Watermelon Juice - Sweet and natural, this watermelon juice will surely wake your senses and refresh you at the same time.  It's great to see that Chef George is always thinking of something new to surprise guests with.  Something else that piqued my interest are his recently made blueberry peach pies.  Mmmm.... 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Image by Bear

Bear's Beet Chips - Although I don't have a picture of these, I think the description will say it all - light and crispy farmer's market beet leafs that are tempura battered and fried.  Also in more good Bear news, they're now offering food delivery from Tuesday - Sunday between 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. 12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Christmas in Astoria Mini Round-Up

Image by Astor Bake Shop

Happy almost Christmas, Astoria.  I hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays and that you have some nice things planned with friends and family.  For those of you enjoying it in Astoria and still need something to do, here's a a mini roundup of some great neighborhood eats.

Bear - Enjoy a wholesome, traditional Christmas dinner at this cozy neighborhood resto.  A four course meal will set you back $45/person and you can take advantage of three seatings, including on the earlier side at 3 p.m. or at more traditional dinner times at 6 or 8 p.m. See full dinner menu here.  12-14 31st Avenue, LIC.  917.396.4939

Vesta - Their customary Feast of the Seven Fishes is happening again this year with an impressive 5-course prix fixe, with a pistachio crusted wild striped bass as the "fish"course.  The legendary Baby Jesus Cake will be available for dessert, and is totally worth every calorie.  $65/person (add $20 with wine pairing).  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Mojave - Serving their regular menu items on Christmas Eve, you can enjoy a sophisticated Southwestern meal until 9 p.m. so if you're looking for early dinner plans, this is a great option.  Some of my favorite menu items here include the roasted plantain empanadas, shrimp fajitas, and the motherroad roadhouse chili.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Via Trenta - A delicious option if you're in the mood for modern Italian food, they'll be open til about 11 p.m. on Christmas eve.  Highly recommending their burrata cheese salad, any kind of salumi, and of course their 12 varieties of crusty pizzas, you'll walk out happy and satiated.  36-19 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.2090

Astor Bake Shop - If you're staying in for Christmas or going to a friend or family member's house, it's always nice to bring a festive dessert to cheer up their sweet table.  This beautiful cranberry quince tarte (pictured above) certainly caught my eye!  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

New Winter Menu Items at Bear

As we begin feeling the winter's chill, lots of great restaurants that are in tune with the seasons are adjusting their menus - and Bear of course always leads the pack in bringing us season appropriate dishes.  What I love about Bear is that comfort food is in their blood, being that the owners, Natasha and Alex have Russian roots.  It's the perfect kind of winter food in my opinion, and I was excited to learn about their new winter offering that spills into every part of the day from brunch to dinner.  Just take a look at a sampling of their new yummies - now available at Bear.

Brunch:
Borscht - Hearty beet borscht, served warm prepared with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and other market veggies...$7
Chicken liver mousse - Made with French brandy, served on a crostini
Hunters Stew - Lamb, goat, beef, pork stewed in red wine with vegetables and herbs...$21
Veal Dumplings - Ukranian style dumplings in a caramelized onion creme dill gravy...$18
Bear Eggs Benedict - Toasted French baguette, pork loin, poached eggs, fresh Hollandaise sauce and a side of habanero salsa verde...$14
Tofu stir-fry (vegan) - Marinated tofu stir fried with fresh greens and vegetables...$14

Dinner:
Golden Egg - Deviled eggs with smoked fish and caviar...$12
Mini meatballs - With Italian tomatoes and aged white cheddar...$11
Roasted Duck with Apples - Slowly roasted Long Island duck served with pan fried potatoes...$23
Mushroom Stroganoff - Vegetarian mushroom pasta served with stewed forest mushrooms in a light cream sauce with aged white cheddar.  Can be made vegan...$18
Pork Loin Sandwich - Roasted pork loin on a fresh baguette with carrots, cilantro, sesame dressing and pickles.  Served with steak fries...$16

Chef's 7-course dinner tasting - $68/person (tasting is based on seasonal dishes prepared daily by the chef)

Drinks:
St. Dill Martini - Cornichon pickle brine, mustard seed, Stolichnaya vodka.  Garnished with a full small pickle and fresh dill...$12
Layover - Rum, lime juice, Cointreau, agave, French cognac...$12
Pond - Fresh mint, fresh limes, Bombay Saphire gin, agave nectar, served in a large chilled chalice...$11

Or...you can drink like the Russian Nobility and get the chilled vodka with a "zakuski" platter including Russian rye bread, pickled veggies, various smoked fish, cured meat, salad and warm bites, even a small book of translated Russian poems to take with you - $85/two

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Astorian Thanksgiving Roundup

Thanksgiving is almost here and everyone seems to be excited - especially given the difficult period we've just endured with Sandy.  It's no wonder that this year, it's pretty clear what we're thankful for.  I'm thankful for my amazing family and friends and for having a safe, comfortable home to come back to each day.  What about you guys?  How do you plan to spend your Thanksgiving? In case you need some ideas, here's a short round-up of Astoria and LIC venues that are doing Thanksgiving their way.

Bear - Featuring a three-course menu with sides, and of course turkey with stuffing, you can come by at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. or then on the later side at 8 p.m. The dinner will only set you back $45/person, which is a great deal for a Thanksgiving feast.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Vesta - Always doing it up special for Thanksgiving, come by for their very Italian Thanksgiving with dishes such as tagliatelle with braised pork, a 32 oz bone-in NY strip steak, and of course the turkey with olive oil mashed potatoes, corn bread and a cranberry glaze.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Sage General Store - If you're having Thanksgiving at home and are looking for dessert ideas, consider a pie from Sage General Store including flavors such as pecan, pumpkin and or a classic lattice apple.  24-20 Jackson Blvd, LIC.  718.361.0707

Koliba - Although probably not the first place you think of when it comes to Thanksgiving, they'll not only have the turkey but also traditional Slovak dishes such as pork with bread dumplings, spaetzle with sheep's milk cheese and more.  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria.  718.626.0430

Mojave - Their special Thanksgiving menu sounds really scrumptious with a marshmallow glazed turkey with butternut squash and sweet potato, the pork loin rollatini filled with chorizo and manchego cheese, and for dessert a cranberry glazed pumpkin pie and even a complimentary pumpkin martini or sangrita.  22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Fall Preview Menu at Bear

A bit bummed out that summer is over, I have to face reality and embrace the upcoming fall season.  But it's not all bad, as fall is a nice time of year with mild temperatures and some interesting seasonal eats.  I love that some neighborhood eateries are adjusting their menus to reflect this seasonal change, and Bear is of course one such early adopter.  Their fall menu looks quite enticing...full of root vegetables, mushrooms, and tons of protein.  Just take a look:

Fall Dinner Menu:
Borscht – a creamy beet and tomato bisque, served with garlic dumplings...$6
Summer Squash Bisque – end of summer, bisque with sage and caramelized apple toast...$6 Green Cabbage Salad – peppers, ginger, apples, pears, scallions, sesame seeds, extra virgin sunflower dressing...$7
Stewed Forest Mushrooms – wild mushrooms, stewed with dill, garlic and cream, served with a poached egg, a blanket of cheese and brioche croutons...$9
Pate and Mousse – a plate house made seasonal pate and chicken liver mouse, marinated mushroom salad, grilled country bread...$11
Grilled Squid Salad with Baby Spinach...$9

Seared Diver Sea Scallops with pattypan squash, thyme, and cherry tomato...$MP
Long Island Duck Breast with roasted apples and seasonal fruit...$25
Lamb with cauliflower puree, and brussels sprouts tempura...$MP
Whole baked branzini stuffed with vegetables...$21
Wild Arctic Char with zucchini spaghetti and beet salsa $21
Prime Steak and fries...$MP
The Grizzly Burger – our signature burger served with Bear fries...$15
Rabbit Fettuccini in a creamy rosemary and garlic sauce...$18
Mushroom Stroganoff - perciattelli pasta with aged white cheddar and truffle puree...$18 Pumpkin Gnocchi in a brown sage butter sauce with toasted sunflower seeds...$16
Cod in white wine and ginger, served with braised leeks, turnips, and pears...$MP
Whole Roasted Chicken dinner with seasonal sides...$MP

Peaches and Plums Tart/Sweet calabaza squash pudding with halva cookies and winter berries/Apple Pie

Fall Brunch Menu:
Chowder – freshly made from seasonal ingredients...$6
Green Salad – mixed greens, seasonal vegetables...$7
Pumpkin Latkes...$9
Roasted Beet Salad with day-pickles, cucumbers, sweet red onions, dill-yogurt dressing...$11 Stewed Forest Mushrooms – wild mushrooms, stewed with dill, garlic and cream, served with a poached egg, a blanket of cheese and brioche croutons...$9
Deviled Eggs and Pate – a plate house made seasonal pate and chicken liver mousse, deviled eggs potato salad, grilled country bread...$11

Eggs and Caviar – poached eggs, squash puree, baby arugula, salmon caviar...$15
Seared Diver Sea Scallops backed into a sunny side omelet...$MP
Long Island Duck Breast in a pot with roasted apples, potatoes, mushrooms, and a 6 minute egg...$25
Organic Chicken in a basil-pesto sauce on artisan sandwich bread...$15
Ricotta omelet with tomatoes, fresh dill and aged white cheddar...$12

Whole baked Branzini stuffed with vegetables...$21
Shrimp Stew in fresh tomatoes, chilies, turnips, rice and okra...$17
Prime Steak and fries...$MP
Bear Breakfast – sausage, salmon, eggs, hash browns, toast...$17
French Toast – made with challah bread, fresh berry puree and crème fraiche...$12
The Grizzly Burger – our signature burger served with Bear fries...$15
Breakfast Fettuccini in a creamy rosemary and garlic sauce, crispy bacon and fontina cheese...$18
Mushroom Crepes with sour crème..$18
Beer Battered Fish Sandwich with house tar-tar sauce...$MP

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear's Perfectly Seared Scallop

You may recall my recent behind the scenes interview with Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky at Bear Restaurant.  I had quite a good time getting to know the folks behind this awesome operation and especially loved being in the kitchen and observing where the magic happens so to speak.

While in their very orderly cooking quarters, Chef Natasha illustrated the process used to make one of her signature dishes, a seared diver scallop with corn risotto.  You can watch the video here to see how it's done, and possibly even recreate it at home, but I'd like to tell you more about its taste.

Seared Diver Scallops with Corn Risotto - If you'd like to get just a little taste of this instead of ordering a whole entree, you can do so, as it comes in an appetizer version too.   The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, as there's only about 3-4 ingredients in it, and they all shine.  The scallop is large and milky white on the inside but beautifully seared on the outside, boasting a caramelized crust.  Chef sure made it look simple, but getting a perfect sear on the outside of a scallop without overcooking it isn't easy.

Overall, I like that the dish was seasoned simply with salt and pepper, as well as a "secret" little spritz of something at the end (I'll give you a hint...it's very fragrant).  The corn risotto isn't actually risotto at all, but a refreshing corn salad that has only been put on the stovetop for a few seconds.  The whole thing tastes like summer and is further decorated with fresh herbs from the greenmarket.  It's really spectacular and I'd recommend starting your meal with it, or better yet, making it the main event.

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear Rocks it Out for My Birthday

Last week was my Birthday Week, as I call it and I celebrated in many ways.  One of those ways involved getting together with my closest friends and family at Bear Restaurant and having a smashing meal.  I love to come by and sample their delectable local and seasonal dishes, and now with the official launch of the chef-driven menu that changes daily, I couldn't wait to see what was in store.

And as Chef Natasha hinted to me during our interview, she handed us a handwritten menu, full of daily specials, which we first devoured with our eyes.  Here are some of the awesome new things we tried that night, which you can probably find again this week or later in the summer:

Roasted Beet Salad - This was my appetizer, and it was really delightful - the beets looking beautifully crimson and tasting super fresh.  Dressed with the perfect accompaniments such as crunchy pickles, greens, cucumber and a little bit of fresh dill, the whole plate was earthy and left a clean taste on your palate.  Overall, it was a perfect way to tee up dinner.

Cheese Plate - One side of the table got the colossal cheese plate, which featured local cheeses from Hudson Valley, including Camembert, Brebis rousse d'Argental, Selles Sur Cher and Fourme D'Ambert along with creative fixins such as strawberry and blackberry purees and buckwheat honey.  The whole thing looked like a work of art, and was a delight to try, juxtaposing the savory cheeses with the sweet purees, bringing your tastebuds to attention through all that complexity.  I'd recommend this for hard-core, adventurous cheese lovers, and it can be something to get in the beginning or at the very end of your meal.

Pulled Pork Ribs - I love me some ribs and was expecting this to be tender and luxurious. I think I'd call it more rustic instead, but as far as taste is concerned, it was spot on.  Loving the spices that were incorporated into it, such as mustard seed and cumin, the dish was comforting and really primal.  While it had some nice, fresh sauteed veggies on the side, it didn't need much, as the protein itself was pleasantly filling.

Dessert - We chose to try both desserts of the day, including the homemade chocolate mousse and the yogurt parfait, both dressed with fresh berries.  Both were lovely, but I preferred the chocolate mousse, which was soft and velvety and as light as a cloud.  The fresh berries were simple, but really did the trick of making the overall flavors in each dessert pop.

Service and Cost:
I'm happy to report that the service continues to be a home run, full of personalization and special touches from Chef Natasha, her brother Alex and the rest of the Bear staff.  They really do make you feel like at home, and my guests were pleasantly impressed.

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers: $6-$11
Entrees: $18-$42

3 Mmmms

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear's Summer Menu

It's official...summer is in full swing, and I love that some of our local restaurants have rolled out special summer menus.  Bear is of course one such establishment you can count on to deliver something new with the change of the seasons.  Looking at their photo galleries on Facebook always inspires me, and when I got a peek of what they'll be offering this summer, I just had to share it with you:

Appetizers:
Pulled watermelon salad with extra virgin sunflower oil, parsley and sea salt
Tongue salad in aspic with beet horseradish and marinated mushrooms (for all you adventurous eaters!)
Oyster pond - shucked oysters, clams, scallop crudo, in fresh citrus juices, herbs, paprika oil and Alaskan salmon caviar

Entrees:
BBQ pork ribs in sour cherry sauce
Maine lobster
Diver sea scallops with corn risotto
Slow roasted duck with apples (signature dish)

Small Plates:
Gorgonzola and gouda mac 'n cheese with crispy bacon
Vegetarian earth and grains - buckwheat pilaf with pressed vegetables
Bucket of wings
Bowl of Siberian dumplings in dill and creme fraiche

Hope your mouth is watering and that you'll visit soon!

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear Rings in Spring with a New Menu Release Party

I know, I know...I just wrote about these guys yesterday but I can't help the fact that Bear's delicious grub is on my mind.  Recently asking their chef, Natasha about their seasonal menu, she revealed they're working on a soon-to-be-outed spring menu.

Well the time is here, the spring menu is ready and Bear is down to celebrate.  Join them this Friday for a Spring Menu Release Partay, where you'll get a taste of their new spring eats.  Here are the vitals:

Friday, March 2nd from 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

They'll also feature some fun deals on select dishes, so make sure you come hungry, and bring plenty of friends.  Can't wait to welcome spring in this awesome way.  Just don't forget to make a reservation.  Click here to reserve a spot right from their website. 

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Brunch At Bear - Hear it Roar!

This past weekend, my We Heart Astoria colleagues and I brunched at Bear, which turned out to be a fabulous experience.  After much admiration of the menu (scallops and eggs, the grizzly burger, beer battered fluke, etc.) we finally went in and gave it a try.  

I must say, it was quite fabulous, as it had plenty of options and some pretty neat ones for vegetarians too, which was relevant to our party.  Here's what we tried:

Scallops and Eggs - Naturally, this menu item just jumped out at me, since it's so different from what you'd see on traditional brunch menus.  I couldn't be happier that I got it, as what arrived were 3 beautifully seared scallops (cooked to perfection) and embedded in to a sunny side up omelet.  The dish was simple but really well executed, as the eggs were a little bit runny and coated the silky smooth scallops like a blanket.  Further dressed with arugula, which gave the omelet a peppery bite, each ingredient complemented the other and overall produced a well-rounded dish.  It's an absolute must!

Stuffed French Toast - We received a complimentary portion of Bear's stuffed French Toast, which looked a bit rustic, but tasted spectacular.  As you can see from the above shot, the pieces of French toast sandwiched a filling of apricot-ricotta and honey.  It almost tasted like a custard, which was very dessert-like and the French Toast itself was soft and resembled the texture of bread pudding.  Simply put, it was some serious stuff, that I recommend splitting.

Meg, Mackenzi and Kellner also ordered other things, such as the tomato omelet you see above and also the grilled cheese sandwich.  While I didn't taste these two things, they looked fabulous and the girls attested to its goodness.  The tomato omelet especially looked attractive to me since it combined little cherry tomatoes with ricotta cheese. YUM!

One other thing I wanted to briefly touch upon is the crazy looking drink you see above.  While we didn't try it, we admired it from afar, as it was a Bloody Mary on steroids if you will, with a giant piece of celery, broiled bacon and a whole hard boiled egg.  Now that's what I call liquid brunch!

Service and Cost:
As always, the service was warm and friendly, and we were graciously greeted by Alex, Bear's co-owner as well as Natasha his sister and Bear's executive chef.  We just loved how intimate and homey it all felt, and we were comfortable to just relax and hang out as long as we wanted.  Think everyone felt the same, as we saw people comfortably sinking into their seats and enjoying their brunch.

Costs are inexpensive, given the awesomeness of the food:

$14 will buy you a main dish, unlimited coffee, and 1 mimosa or bloody Mary.   You can't beat that!

3 Mmmms

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

Bear - Starting the New Year with Yummy Specials

As we fall into the New Year, restaurants are starting to roll out brand new specials to get us excited about trying new things, and to motivate us to get out of the house.  Bear is a good example of this, as they've introduced lots of enticing daily specials that have certainly piqued my interest.  I wanted to share them with you here, and I hope you get out to enjoy some of them.

Tuesday - $5 specials at the bar
$5 wine, $5 mussels & fries, $5 cocktails

Wednesday - Whiskey and vodka flight from 6 p.m. - Midnight
5 shots of vodka or whiskey with a complimentary snack platter

Thursday - Wine flight from 6 p.m. - Midnight
Choose any 5 glasses of wine, with a complimentary snack platter (vegan option available)

Friday - Cocktails Happy Hour from 6 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Specials on classic and signature Bear cocktails

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

10 New Year's Eve Options in Astoria and LIC

Image by Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

With Saturday's New Year's Eve plans soon approaching, you may still be figuring out just what to do. Are you up for a fancy dinner and drinks at a hot spot or would you rather chill out at a small cozy resto and end the night with a glass of champagne at home?  It's up to you of course, but I wanted to provide you with options to make that decision.

Studio Square - If you're looking for something fun and boisterous to do with a large group of friends, Studio Square may be just right for you.  Their party will start at 8 p.m. with a live DJ, complimentary party favors, and lots of drinks options.  With only a $15 cover, it's affordable and promises to be a lively time.  35-33 36th Street, LIC.  718.383.1001

LIC Market - Extending their fabulous supper club concept to New Year's Eve, LIC Market will host two dinner seatings, one at 6 p.m. and the other at 9 p.m.  The latter is the more lavish and pricier option, with a 6-course tasting and a glass of sparkling wine.  Cheers to that!  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Seva - The deals at Seva never cease to impress me, and especially when you consider the high quality of their food.  For New Year's Eve, they're offering a 3-course dinner special for just $20.12 per person.  You can choose from all your regular favorites such as samosas, chicken, shrimp, lamb dishes, and more.  Considering that this deal is extended until New Year's Day, even if you don't end up here that night, you can still enjoy the great value the day after.  30-07 34th Street, Astoria.  718.626.4440

DiWine - It's guaranteed to be a partay at DiWine for New Year's, as they'll be offering a 4 hour open bar, a live DJ, party favors and more for $65/person.  Stay until midnight of course and receive a free glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.  I also noticed they're throwing in an incentive for dinner, as diners will receive a $10 off the open bar option.  Eat and drink up!  41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.1355

Bistro 33 - Enjoy New Year's Eve in this intimate, casual venue with a special 3-course dinner that starts at 10:30 p.m. and includes a champagne toast and party favors.  You can also come by earlier and choose anything off their a la carte menu.  You can read all about the special menu items here, which include yummies such as steamed mussels, a duck duo, fluffer nutter dessert and more.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

Cavo - Cavo's New Year's Eve event is always a big production and this year is no different. Whether you choose to come by for their Mediterranean feast between 7 and 8:45 p.m. or their after party, which starts at 9 p.m., it's guaranteed to be a night of excitement, dancing and fun.  42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.1001

Bear -  Although still a newcomer, Bear is certainly making a name for itself with its sophisticated menu and plentiful vodka offering.  For New Year's Eve, they'll be featuring a 3-course menu and a glass of champagne for $65/person.  The menu is tantalizing, with items such as roasted rabbit fettuccine, a three-shot vodka special, roasted duck with apples and more.  See the entire New Year's Eve menu here.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Vesta - Always promising a great time, this wonderfully local restaurant is hosting a "Blast from the Past" decades party.  Guests are encouraged to come in costume from their favorite era, and enjoy a gorgeous 4-course dinner.  As usual, there will be 3 seatings, with the last one also including complimentary party favors, a session with a tarot card reader and a midnight toast.  21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.545.5550

Veslo - Stretching out the celebration throughout the night, Veslo's New Year's Eve will start with a 5-course dinner with a top shelf open bar, and then extend to a big after party, starting at 12:30 a.m. Dinner reservations are highly encouraged and comfortable shoes are also a plus, as you'll want to dance your hiney off.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria. 718.728.0549

El Ay Si - Another great place to keep the celebration local is El Ay Si where you'll be able to enjoy their regular dinner service as well as other food and drinks specials.  A DJ will be spinning and the good news is that there is no minimum charge per person - a great choice that won't break the bank.  47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.389.8781

Fooditka + Bear Thanksgiving Deal

This post is participating in the Astoria Blog Carnival, hosted by We Heart Astoria.

With Thanksgiving this week, lots of restaurants in the nabe are running some fun specials, while others are closing early.  Luckily for us, the newly opened Bear Restaurant will be open all night and featuring a sweet prix-fixe feast to boot.  Besides the menu sounding absolutely scrumptious, I also want to spread the news of a great deal if you mention my site.  Here goes...if you reserve your spot and mention "Fooditka," you'll get a complimentary glass of wine.

Now feast your eyes on this menu:

Thanksgiving Dinner at Bear

Thursday November 24, 2011
From 3 p.m. -10 p.m.  $55/person

Amouse Bouche - Stewed Mushroom Casserole

Choice of Appetizer
Roasted Beet Salad - Roasted beets, fresh carrot ribbons, sweet pickled onions, goat cheese, and parsley oil dressing
Butternut Squash Soup
Mixed Green Salad Fresh salad with radish, apple, walnuts and a cider dressing
Herring and Potato Three Shot Vodka Special Ice chilled vodka paired with house-pickled vegetables and cured meats

Choice of Entree
Turkey Dinner with Stuffing -Includes whipped mashed potato, homemade cranberry sauce and cornbread muffin
Diver Sea Scallops - Large sea scallops, pan-seared and served with shiitake-tomato-barley risotto
Balked Salmon - Served with couscous and Enoki mushrooms, drizzled with parsley oil
Sweet Potato Gnocchi - In a brown butter sauce with fresh sage and shaved Romano cheese. The Grizzly Our bear of a burger with a large helping of Bear Fries

For the Table
Bear Salad - Signature potato salad
Glazed Green Beans with ginger, cider and marinated garlic

Choice of Desserts
Sweet Potato Pie with ginger-lime- whipped cream
Poached Pears - dipped in chocolate and hazelnuts
Cheese Plate - A selection of fine artisanal cheeses plated with fresh berries and fruit, nuts, and local honey

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com