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

Astoria and LIC NYE Round-Up

Image by Little Vintage Cottage Blog

It's almost here!  New Year's Eve is on a Monday this year, which breaks up the week so nicely.  How are you all planning to spend it? I'm providing you with a mini round-up of NYE activities in case you haven't made up your mind.  Please feel free to add to the list in the comments section.

Ovelia - Ringing in the new year with style and of course flavor, Ovelia will feature a 5-course prix-fixe dinner, with decadent specialties such as jumbo lump crab corn bisque, balsamic and maple glazed octopus, walnut crusted mahi mahi and even fried cheesecake!  $75/person - reservations recommended.  34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.721.7217

LIC Market - Always planning something intriguing and delicious, LIC Market will also feature a special prix-fixe dinner, concentrating on some interesting and local specialties, such as stuffed cabbage, milk poached day boat cod, Nantucket bay scallops and more.  There are two seatings, one at 6 p.m. which is $65/person and another at 9 p.m. where you'll really get to ring in NYE at $95/person.  21-52 44th Drive, LIC.  718.361.0013

Bistro 33 - If you're looking for something a bit more intimate, Bistro's park-side location will do the trick.  This charming eatery will be preparing a very special 3-course prix-fixe meal on New Year's Eve, also with two seatings - one at 6 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m. Prices vary, ranging from $65/person to $75/person for each respective seating.  Sample dishes include a braised venison osso bucco, roasted pork tenderloin, an ancho chili rubbed tri-tip and more.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

Bear - For something really special, enjoy your evening at Bear with an "Old Russian Aristocratic Table" style dinner, where you'll have your table set with many dishes such as salads, hors d'oeuvres, main entrees, and drinks.  I couldn't believe how affordable this all is, at just $45/person or $60/person with an open bar option til midnight.  The party starts at 10:30 p.m. and goes on till about 4 a.m. See the full menu here.  12-14 31st Avenue, LIC.  917.396.4939

Thymari - Love Mediterranean food? You may want to consider celebrating New Year's at Thymari, which sounds like a great value.  Five hefty courses, including soup, salad, meze, a main course and dessert is only $55/person and also comes with a glass of celebratory champagne.  The menu sounds fantastic and includes dishes such as a goat cheese and fig salad, pan fried feta rolls, duck breast with sour cherry sauce, baked quince with creme fraiche and more.  See full NYE menu here.  32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.2880

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

Astoria Halloween Mini Guide

Hi Astoria!

I sincerely hope that everyone is doing well and has survived the big storm with minimal damage.  In a time of  need and when our community needs us most, it's important to support our local businesses, as commerce has been severely affected, and especially our beloved small businesses.  As we give our local heroes some much deserved props, here are some fun things you can do to help, starting tonight on Halloween.  Hope you have fun doing it!  There's also another fun round-up of things to do tonight on partner site, We Heart Astoria.

Bear - Stop by for their Halloween/Hurricane special featuring deviled eggs with mackerel, a cucumber sandwich on focaccia bread, a fabulous homemade pumpkin pie and much more - all these items are just $5.  12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City. 917.396.4939

Veslo - Sure their big Saturday night Halloween partay is over, but they're fully open for business tonight and serving their delicious Dalmatian specialties such as octopus salad, an Adriatic shellfish combo, goulash, gnocchi in a hearty veal sauce and more.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549

Sac's Place - Featuring fun Halloween menu specials, come in for dinner and enjoy their homemade, comforting dishes such as bocconcini mozzarella with red & yellow roasted tomatoes; spinach fettuccine with ham, peas & mushrooms in garlic oil; grandma Dorothy's homemade apple pie and others.  25-41 Broadway, Astoria. 718.204.5002

Thymari - Ring in a lovely Halloween dinner at this modern Greek taverna.  They're not only known for their delicious Greek meze but also for fancy cocktails, including an apple cider martini that's available now (and especially for Halloween).  32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria. 718.204.2880

BareBurger - All BareBurger Astoria locations have been reopened, so why not go in and enjoy a fabulous burger and a shake in costume?! Bring the kiddies along with you and treat them to a cubby meal, served with your choice of carrot sticks, apple slices and fries (and an organic juice box).  33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.7011; 23-01 31st Street, Astoria.  718.204.7167

Fooditka In the Kitchen at Bear

I'm excited to bring you a very special treat today, as I go behind the scenes at Bear Restaurant.  For those of you who've been keeping up with my blog know how much I love their local, seasonally-driven menu, and its brother/sister team Alex and Natasha who run the restaurant, are totally awesome.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Chef Natasha last weekend, as we went into the kitchen and she told me about the ingredients that inspire her, as well as leading me through each step of signature dish, Seared Divers Scallops with Sweet Corn Risotto.  In addition to being in the kitchen, Chef Natasha and I also got to sit down and conduct a more thorough interview about her culinary inspirations, Bear's interesting beginnings and other fun tid-bits.  You can see the interview currently on We Heart Astoria.

Hope you enjoy the video, and do leave me a comment and chime in with your thoughts about this awesome local eatery.

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

Easter is Coming - Let's Start with Bear

With Easter fast approaching, you may be thinking about plans with friends and family.  While a lot of you may be going to see the family for the holidays or enjoying it in the comfort of your own home, lots of folks love to go out and celebrate restaurant-style, which is a lot of fun and exempts you of all that messy clean-up.

Lots of restaurants in Astoria are rolling out spectacular specials (and I'll get to those soon), but I first wanted to start with Bear.  Their menu attracted me especially, as it was very very rich and decadent, but also affordable for such an involved meal.  Check it out and if you're interested, I suggest you make your reservations soon.

Bear's Easter Supper (7-courses!)
4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
$45/person

First Course
Warm bread, smoked butter and salt

Second Course
Double smoked veal sausages, pickled vegetable salad, strong mustard and beet horseradish

Third Course
Egg mimosa deviled eggs with potato, scallions and parsley, Alaskan salmon caviar and marinated herring

Fourth Course
Light spinach soup with chive cream

Fifth Course
A choice of...

Slow roasted lamb
Mushroom stroganoff fettuccine
Baked fresh catch of the day
Rabbit in a creamy white wine gravy
Whole roasted organic free range chicken (for two) - pre-order required

Sixth Course
For the table

Glazed spring carrots
Young white potato in dill and garlic butter
Spring greens mixed salad

Seventh Course
Easter cake with fresh whipped cream and farmer's market berries and fruit preserves

House wine carafe
White or red for $20

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

Happy and Sweet Saint Patty's Day!

Happy Saint Patty's Day everyone! Hope you're all having a great time and enjoying this gorgeous day we're having.  As you've probably noticed, everyone's in the spirit of celebrating St. Patty's and in its honor, I wanted to highlight a few fun things you can do to ring it in, Astoria style!

La Guli - Get a delicious St. Patty's Day cupcake or a green linzer tart, made special just for today.  Personally, I indulged in a deliciously crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside Irish soda bread (pictured above).  The cupcakes are only $1.75 and the Irish soda bread will set you back a mere $1.25.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.728.5612

Veslo - Even though they're far from Irish, who's to say they don't have the spirit.  In honor of this holiday, they're featuring green palacinke (crepes) $6, corned beef on rye sandwich $8, corned beef & cabbage $12 and plenty of drinks to get you in the mood, such as Guinness $4, Jameson $3, Irish Car Bomb $5.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549

Queens Kickshaw - Always coming up with something a little different, Queens Kickshaw will have a special beer on tap from Flying Dog Brewery called the Lucky S.O.B.  I can't believe this, but it's actually brewed with hand-picked four-leaf clovers. Far out!  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Bear - These guys are doing it right with their cocktail menu tonight from 6 - 10:30 p.m. when they'll be serving $4 shots of Jameson and $5 Guinness.  In addition to these staples, they're awesome at specialty drinks, which I highly urge you to try such as the American Pickleback, My Cherry Tomato Sweetheart (with citrus vodka, tequila, iced pickle cherry tomato), and much more.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria.  917.396.4939

Studio Square - Or if you're an all night partier, don't miss Studio Square's St. Patty's Day celebration with a live DJ, and "lucky charms" specials such as a pitcher of Killians Irish Red and 3 shots of Jameson for $18.  And don't forget about $2 shots of Jamo as well!  35-33 36th Street, Astoria.  718.383.1001 

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

Last Minute Astorian Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is almost upon us - love it or hate it.  Whether you're hanging with your hunny or celebrating love with great friends, here's a quick last minute guide to some fun things to do.

Rest-Au-Rant - For something intimate, low key yet very special, check out Rest-Au-Rant's 4-course V-day menu, paired with a champagne toast and a box of homemade assorted chocolates.  Their cocktails are fabulous and the wine selection will certainly fit the occasion.  The dinner will set you back $45/person and reservations are required.  30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  718.729.9009

Bear - The menu at Bear is looking mighty rich for Tuesday night, with a 3-course prix-fixe, including dishes such as a three vodka shot special, short rib braised in red wine, diver sea scallop barley risotto and the piece-de-resistance, rose macarons and chocolate.  Dinner costs $45/person and $75 with wine pairings.  12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106.  917.396.4939

Vesta & Pachanga Patterson - Both sister restaurants are featuring impressive menus in honor of cupid, and they always deliver (I speak from experience).  At Vesta, you'll enjoy a 3-course dinner, featuring yummies such as foie gras, a braised pork shank, charred gnocchi with roasted cauliflower and more.  Pachanga brings a Mexican flair with family style dishes such as empanada, quesadilla and taquito platters, $1 fried oysters, $2 shots and drinks specials.  Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.545.5550.  Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  718.554.0525

Veslo - Always up for celebrating a festive occasion, Veslo has created a 3-course special menu with decadent options such as pan seared scallops, a crown rack of lamb, gnocchi in veal sauce (they're delish) and a Croatian style dessert of thin crepes or blueberry cheese strudel.  Reservations are highly recommended and the dinner will set you back $50/person.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106.  718.728.0549 

Astor Bake Shop - I just love the special love menu at Astor Bake Shop, with a mix of sweet and savory.  Their custom V-Day offering is affordable at $23.95/person and scrumptious sounding, with items such as saffron arancini, a steelhead trout, pan seared polenta with cauliflower ragout and plenty of desserts such as a red velvet crepe, blood orange mousse and more.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102. 718.606.8439

Homemade Goodness - If you're staying in to create that romantic atmosphere at home, there's a couple of of homemade dishes I highly recommend making, including crab cakes, broiled steaks and potato gratin.  And for dessert, I've got tons of delectable ideas such as homemade truffles, chocolate covered bacon or fudgy skillet brownies.  

For some really great last minute shopping ideas, scrumptious food options, shopping and more, check out Mackenzi's awesome Valentine's Day Gift guide on We Heart Astoria. 

Goodbye 2011...You've Been Good!

As this year comes to a close, I gratefully remember the wonderful things it has brought.  Lots and lots of changes, and some transitions that went along with it, but all in all a really prosperous and rich year that I would never take back.  I look forward to what this new year will bring, and can already feel the food adventures bubbling up, but before we go on, let me remind you of the big 2011 milestones that affected Fooditka.

1.  My Big Name Change - Of course the most significant thing this year for me was my big name change from the Foodista to Fooditka.  As you may remember, my new name ties in closely to my heritage and allows me to stand out more.  I happily unveiled this new site name and re-launch at a big party, graciously hosted by my good friends at 5 Napkin Burger.  

2.  My Big Travels - I've been fortunate to travel the world this year, living the dream of participating in a cooking program in Tuscany, where I learned about the wonders of clean, simple and delicious Italian cuisine.  But the fun didn't end there, as the year also brought exciting food adventures in Paris, London, Munich, Slovakia and Mexico.  I couldn't be happier to explore the cultures of these beautiful countries, and hope to take it to the next level in 2012.  Fooditka goes international again!

3.  My Big Love of Astoria/LIC - No matter where I go, what I see, and the fantastic things I eat, my passion continues to rest close to home.  And although this year has been fantastic when it comes to international food adventures, what keeps me going are the fabulous food-things percolating at home.  I love that this year has brought on exciting changes to the nabe such as new restaurants, cafes and more.  Some of the most notable ones that come to mind are The Queens Kickshaw, Sugarfreak, Bear, Veslo, Alobar, Astor Room, among others.  

It's been an absolute pleasure Astoria...thanks as always for your support, and I can't wait to do it all over again in 2012.  Hope you had a happy, healthy and delicious one as well!

Enjoy this Bear of a Meal

I wanted to officially announce that the much anticipated Bear restaurant is celebrating its grand opening this Friday.  Excited about this news, I had a chance to preview their menu of Russian delicacies last week, along with my We Heart Astoria colleagues and friends, Vicky and Kimberly.   We all had a lovely time, mingling with fellow Astoria blogger friends such as WT and Erich from Gardenfreude blog.

Atmosphere:
Set in a quiet residential neighborhood on 31st Avenue near the East River, Bear's location is a bit remote, although still a good walk from the subway on a nice day and an easy few blocks if you opt for the bus.  I like that the street it's on is quiet and mellow, so if you're looking for a something private and personal, this will be it.

The dining room is long and rectangular, boasting a few comfy banquettes along the perimeter.  There's a bar towards the back of the restaurant, which reminds me of the one at Ovelia, a long, smooth piece of marble with a sprinkling of shiny, irregular flecks.  I like that the vibe is casual yet still nice enough to be the setting for a romantic dinner or a special occasion.  The center aisle is wide and flowy, allowing patrons and staff to walk through freely, promoting a collaborative and open atmosphere.

Food:
I liked that the format for the party included a buffet, which was refreshed every couple of minutes with new and exciting dishes.  Although we tasted a whole bunch of typical Russian foods, the ones below specifically stood out.

Roasted Tomatoes -As you can see from the above picture, these tomatoes were gorgeous in color and even more impressive in taste.  Soft and juicy on the inside, they had a hint of sweetness but also lots of great acidity.  Thin slivers of fresh basil added a shot of earthiness and freshness characteristic of a quality tomato.

Potato Salad - Absolutely loving this dish, it reminded me exactly of the type of potato salad my mom and aunts would make at home and serve at every family get together.  It's truly a European version of a classic potato salad, made with sliced carrots, peas, pickles, and a few pieces of smoky ham.  My family omits the latter ingredient, but I thought it was a great idea that brought the salad to a new level.

Roasted Duck - Once again, each bite of this hit home, as it was a slow roasted duck that was tender and shredded to delectable pieces.  It tasted incredibly rich, given it was cooked for about 9 hours, developing intense flavors that were comforting and just right on this cold November night.

Potato Pancake Poppers  - These reminded me of mini latkes, however, they were round and shaped like a croquette.  Fried to perfection, with a golden brown crust, they were crunchy with a soft interior - the whole combination was addicting and extremely poppable. It's no wonder that most of us went back for seconds and thirds.

Mushroom Salad - Russians sure love their mushrooms, and there were two types of mushroom salads featured that night - a cold, pickled version and a warm one too.  I preferred the latter, made up of thinly sliced baby bella mushrooms in a tangy cream sauce, coupled with fresh dill.  It was a lovely side dish that held its own next to showpiece foods such as the duck.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi - A true show-stopper, this dish was a Chef Natasha original.  Looking like pretty little orange torpedoes, the gnocchi was nice and tender, coated in a brown butter sage sauce and salty Romano cheese that made you stop, chew slowly, and just savor each bite.

Service and Cost:
Hospitable, friendly and family-oriented are ways I'd describe the service at Bear.  Run by a family of native Russians from Kiev, Alex (front of house) and Natasha (chef) they do a great job at making everyone feel at home.  Even welcomed by mama and papa Pogrebinsky, the party at Bear was a true family affair, and one I'd love to be a part of any day.  Russian or not, they'll welcome you with open arms (and a vodka shot in hand).

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers - $9 - $14
Entrees - $19 - $28
Sides - $7 - $9
Late Night Menu - $8 - $19

Bear opens this Friday, November 11th, so come by and make sure to check it out.

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