Stormbreaker Brewing Good Eats

When it comes to Portland living, there's never a shortage of great breweries to explore.  Peppered throughout the city and across the entire state of Oregon for that matter, you can find countless microbreweries around and the truth is that they're all really good.  So when NY friends, Barry and Suzanne came to town, we thought we'd show them a good time by taking them to Stormbreaker Brewing on Mississippi Ave.

Atmosphere:
The best thing about Stormbreaker is not only its location, which is on Beech Street, right in the heart of the Mississippi shopping and restaurant district, but also its extensive outdoor space.  That's in fact why we chose it as our dinner destination, given the mild weather outside and the long-lasting sunshine.  

Boasting a number of communal picnic tables as well as an outdoor fire pit section, Stormbreaker is perfect for a gathering of small and larger groups.  It reminds me a bit of the beer garden action I used to enjoy in Astoria and just like in the former, the vibe is casual and laid back--making you feel comfortable to just hang around and stay a while.

Food:
Ironically, given the plethora of beer, most of our party ordered mixed drinks and lots of food.  I'm going to talk about the latter here, as it was memorable, fresh and definitely a highlight of our experience.

Pickle Jar - A colorful, vibrant mason jar filled with all sorts of pickled veggies was the perfect way to start our meal.  I loved getting through all its layers and discovering more goodies such as the tender pickled beets at the bottom, the crunchy pickled radishes and the curried cauliflower.

Jucy Lucy Burger - Served on a soft sesame bun, this burger was pretty much flawless.  Loving the generous amounts of fontina cheese that oozed out the middle and the sweet onion jam on top, this burger contained the right amounts of savory and sweet elements.  Even though the menu description says it's a double patty burger, it's essentially just one thick patty that's made of super tender meat, regardless of the way you get it cooked.

Charred Cauliflower - Dan ordered this as a side and it very much appealed to Suzanne and me.  The preparation was simple but executed nicely with pretty char marks on the outside and a bit of crunch from the hazelnut romesco, sweetness from the raisins and some bite from the capers.

Service and Cost:
Even though we chose to sit outside which can sometimes produce slower service, this was far from the case at Stormbreaker.  Helped right away and receiving attentive service with a smile throughout our time here, I'd highly recommend it to locals or visitors in search of an authentic Portland experience.

Costs are affordable at $7-$14 for appetizers, $8-$12 for main dishes and $5 for sides.

3 Mmmms

Stormbreaker Brewing - 832 N. Beech Street Portland OR 97227
971.703.4516
stormbreakerbrewing.com

Beer O' Clock and All is Well at The Hop and Vine

 

Recently, our pal Jacob Grier invited us to a specialty cocktail event at The Hop and Vine in North Portland.  He was guest bartending and turning out some seriously delicious adult-type beverages, but not your average "2 parts whiskey, 1 part sweet vermouth, shake with ice and garnish with an orange peel" libations.  Jacob specializes in beer cocktails.  In fact, he is one of the most knowledgeable people in this genre of mixology that you will ever come across.  The event at The Hop and Vine was actually part of a promotional tour for his new book Cocktails on Tap: The art of Mixing Spirits and Beer.  His book officially comes out on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th.  We enjoyed a little sneak preview of two of the more delicious concoctions in his book, and got to check out The Hop and Vine in the process.

Atmosphere:
From the moment you walk in, you notice there is a mild classiness about the place.  It's not fancy, but the overall quality seems slightly sophisticated.  The bar/restaurant side isn't particularly large, but it's big enough, and the other half of the establishment is a bottle shop.  There is a really nice outdoor space in the back, with a lot of tables, half of which constitute the smoking section.  The bar is nicely done up, and the general decor is pretty low key.  Part of what adds that classiness to the place is the look of all the food that is turned out by the kitchen.  Everything that passed by us appeared to be spot on and delectable, and geared towards a more discerning palate.

Food:
We were there for the beer cocktails, but obviously we were going to order something.  This is Fooditka after all...  

Bacon Wrapped Dates - We ordered the bacon-wrapped dates, which were out of this world.  A perfectly cooked pinwheel of bacon around a soft, sweet center made for one of the more delicious bites I've had in a while.  The bacon was that perfect balance of charred and chewy, with a peppery kick to it that tied it all together. Like I said, everything else we saw looked good as well, and I'm sure we'll be back soon to eat a proper meal there.

Drinks:
Outside of a Michelada or two, I don't think I've ever really had a beer cocktail before.  Unless you want to count Irish Car Bombs, in which case I've had hundreds of thousands.  Regardless, this is the first time I ever got to taste some seriously crafty cocktails made with that delightful substance Benjamin Franklin once said is "proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  The particular beer that Jacob used for his cocktails was a Ryewine Ale that Breakside Brewery made special for the occasion. 

Flip - O.K. Bring me some ale, some rum, some caramelized sugar, and a red-hot iron ball.  Then stand back.  Jacob proceeded to mix these ingredients in a large metal cup and then break out a blow-torch to heat his iron until it was literally glowing red.  He then submerged it in the metal mug and we watched as the entire drink foamed up.  After a few minutes, once the foam subsided, he poured it out into a few coffee mugs and I finally got to taste it.  A perfect drink for a chilly evening, the flavors themselves seemed to warm you up in addition to the temperature of the beverage.  The essence of the rum is there, along with the brulee taste of the now slightly burnt caramelized sugar.  Overall it was very interesting, and a far more complex "beer" drink than I've ever tasted.  

Mulled Ale - Another hot, comforting drink (it's February after all), the Mulled Ale was also made with the Ryewine from Breakside.  Garnished with an orange slice, it reminded me of a hot toddy.  The fact that it is a hot drink helps you savor it, as you almost have to drink it slowly.  I can't decide which of the two drinks I preferred; fortunately I got to sample both.  I guess if pressed, I'd go with the Flip, because fire just seems to make everything more fun.  

The step by step recipes for both of these drinks, along with a plethora of others, are in Jacob's book.  Although the official release date isn't until St. Paddy's Day, you can pre-order it from a variety of places like Powell's, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. You can also get more info on Jacob's website.

Service and Cost:
The service was very good; everyone behind the bar was attentive, polite, and eager to help.  What little food we ordered came out quickly, and obviously, the bartender was on his game.  As far as cost, the cocktails were $8.00 a piece, and each bacon-wrapped date was $2.00.  So while it wasn't particularly cheap, the overall experience and quality was well worth the price, and I'm sure we'll be going back.

3 Mmmms

The Hop and Vine - 1914 N. Killingsworth St Portland, OR, 97217
503-954-3322
thehopandvine.com

Ommegang Brewery Beer & Cheese Pairing Next Week

Next week brings another fun event to Astoria Bier & Cheese and this one comes from Ommegang Brewery from Cooperstown, NY.  I love the idea of these beer & cheese tasting events, as they offer up a great way to get to know local brewers and understand the types of foods to pair with the beer.  Just like the other tasting events they've had this season, this one is also complimentary, so bring friends and stay for a while.  Here are all the vital details - make sure you spread the word!

Ommegang Beer & Cheese Pairing
Wednesday, October 15th from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Astoria Bier & Cheese - 35-11 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.255.6982
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
astoriabierandcheese.com

Scrumptious Bites at Astoria Bier & Cheese

Any evening that starts with a visit Astoria Bier & Cheese is always welcome, and that's exactly what we did the other night before going out to The Barn (more to come on that soon).  Loving the mild weather on Friday, we looked forward to getting some beers and eats, and then situating ourselves in the Broadway location's outdoor garden.

Beer & Food:
Deciding on a six pack variety of microbrews including two types of Founders' ales, the Alagash White Ale, Bell's, a fruity strawberry ale and two IPAs, we enjoyed the beer mash up.  It was great to bring these back to the garden area, and whichever beers we weren't drinking at the time were stashed up front to ensure they stayed cold.

Meat Plate - Made up of four fresh cured meat varieties chosen that day, Dan ordered this pretty selection and we all enjoyed it together.  On the slab, you'll notice sopressata, salami, the house country pate and the mortadella. All meats were sliced super thin and accompanied by teeny cornichons, grain mustard and a nicely toasted baguette.

Banh Mi Sandwich - A big fan of banh mis in general, I was curious to see how this one would stack up.  It arrived warm and crispy with a bevy of delicious things such as the country pate (again), Berkshire bacon, and a layer of crunchy veggies such as pickled carrots, zucchini, onions and fresh cilantro. The bread was also thin enough that it didn't leave me feeling too full, yet having said that, the portion is generous enough to share with someone.

Service and Cost:
The service at the counter differed a lot from the actual food prep, which took a very long time to finish, or so it seemed because we were very hungry.  The sandwiches came out at odd times and we couldn't figure out the method to the madness.  If you're a stickler for good service, I'd recommend dining indoors.

Costs are expensive, given the simplicity of the offering, but you are paying for the quality of the ingredients and the atmosphere.  The aforementioned food items and the six pack assortment set us back about $70, including tax and tip.

2.5 Mmmms

Astoria Bier & Cheese - 34-14 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.545.5588
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.astoriabierandcheese.com

Free Cooking Classes at Astoria Bier & Cheese

I love a good cooking class - and quite frankly who doesn't? The only trouble sometimes is that they're so darn expensive, especially in NY! Some of the good ones will cost you an arm and a leg, which can be discouraging.  

Recently spotting a free cooking class offered at Astoria Bier & Cheese, I couldn't believe my eyes and just had to spread the word to you.  Registration is open, so go on and sign up to learn some culinary skills from a local food expert.  Here are the vitals:

Free Cooking Class at Astoria Bier & Cheese
Courtesy of Astoria Chef, Kim Calichio

Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Moving from What to How - Marinated pork with coconut rice and Thai slaw

Tuesday, August 19th, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
How do I add more flavor to my food? Orange coriander chicken

Register: kim.calichio@gmail.com

Astoria Bier & Cheese - 35-11 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.255.6982
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.astoriabierandcheese.com

Bacon and Beer Classic - For My Savory Tooth

This past weekend, Dan and I covered the Bacon & Beer Classic event at Citi Field.  By "covered," I mean that we were "on duty" to taste all the craft beer and bacon that our bellies can handle and report back to you on the result.  Acting as my official photographer for the night, Dan took one for the team so to speak and worked Citi Field with both the camera and his beer and bacon appetite. My appetite didn't disappoint either.

About the Bacon & Beer Classic:Hosted in a few locations around the country including Houston, Seattle and now New York, the Bacon and Beer Classic is meant to channel our American spirit by exemplifying the best of these all-time American treats.  Taking place in iconic ballparks around the country, including our very own City Field, the event offers up a casual, playful vibe and grants some visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal to the stadium's awesome facilities.

Fortunate enough to get the VIP experience, Dan and I went down to the field, walked around and checked around the bullpen.  Other visitors got their shot at practicing at the batting cages and pretending to catch some foul balls as well.  

Food & Drinks Highlights:

Bacon wrapped bacon – The Certe booth served up this delicious sin on a stick that Dan and I devoured. Made up of tender pieces of pork belly, wrapped in thin sliced bacon, it was the ultimate treat, served up ever so elegantly with pretty micro greens on the side.

Sweet Dreams bacon donuts – Excited by the look of this donut operation, it was great to see these babies being made right on the spot. Small enough to not feel guilty about them, they were light as air, further jazzed up with some bacon glaze. 

Make My Cake Chocolate chip bacon cookies – This is one of my all time favorite combinations, as I’ve also made them first-hand. Enjoying this version, it was both chewy and a little crunchy on the outside. The amount of bacon inside was perfect, as it wasn’t overpowering and adequately satisfied our savory tooth. 

Brooklyn Brewery Limited Edition Brews – Part of the VIP tasting, which was located right on the field, Dan and I were impressed by the limited edition brew varieties such as the Silver Anniversary Lager and the GreenMarket Wheat. Rich in flavor and a tad smoky, a little sip went a long way when imbibing these unique beers.

Overall, the evening was a lot of fun and I liked how the festival utilized the ballpark for this cheery summer event. It was great to see lots of people out and about, enjoying the atmosphere, the cool weather and of course copious amounts of bacon and beer.

New BareBurger Happy Hour Specials

I always love an excuse to visit BareBurger, which is why I was delighted to find out about their weekday Happy Hour specials. Even though they start quite early at 3 p.m., summer is coming and playing hooky won’t be out of the question. Consider this…

BareBurger Happy Hour 
Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. $2 off Sixpoint & Alphabet City Brewing Company 20 oz. pints

For some tasty and innovative munchies, you can also get your fix of $2 pickle spears. Nomie nom!

BareBurger – 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.7011
N/Q Train to Broadway

23-01 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.204.7167
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
bareburger.com

Learning Up a Storm at the Food Book Fair

Last week, I had the good experience of (for the first time) visiting the Food Book Fair.  Now in its third year, the Food Book Fair was founded by Chef and artist, Elizabeth Jones with the purpose of “uniting food enthusiasts, chefs, artists, writers and publishers to celebrate the intersection of food, culture and food systems.”

The events throughout last weekend very much stayed true to this mission, as one got to hear from all sorts of people in the food business—not only chefs, but also business people and folks who came into the food world by way of something else.

Over the course of last weekend, I attended a few panels, performances and screenings that helped me come out with useful knowledge when thinking about the food industry and will no doubt influence my future writings and actions.  Here are a few of my highlights:

The Venue:
The Wythe hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, provided a chic setting that was perfectly appropriate for this event.  Although much of the event was held in their basement screening room, I did get to explore the hotel a bit, including the main lobby where their pop-up book shop (and book signings) were held.  The backyard garden area and main event hall were very cool as well, exemplifying the hotel’s simple yet stylish motif which some may call industrial chic.

Food + Growing + Music
The first event I attended was the most lively, featuring a musical duo, Bennett Konesni and Edith Gawler who gave a stunning and interactive performance, showcasing many types of work songs that related back to food.  Paying homage to farmers, foragers, fisherman and various sorts of food purveyors, the songs served as rallying cries for good, honest, hard work and transported us to another world.

The activities that followed were fun as well, and included a walk over to Wythe’s private dining room, where we got to indulge in deliciously hearty, ultra fresh and of course seasonal eats prepared by Chef-Artist, Anne Apparu.

Food + Film
Although a very different event from the former, I found this one most influential, mainly due to the powerful message that came from Fed Up, the feature documentary we watched.  Produced by Laurie David, Fed Up shines a light on why we gain weight by uncovering the sobering effects of the food we put into our bodies from big corporate food producers.  The film was eye opening, a little bit disturbing and scary (maybe a lot), but really empowering as well.  Followed by a Q&A session with Laurie, we found out about the extensive research she undertook to create the film and the amazing people that helped make it the poignant work that it is.  You can view the Fed Up trailer here.  

Food + Social Entrepreneurship
Next came a panel about small food businesses and the entrepreneurs who started them, with the mission of encouraging social change and overall socially conscious practices.  Featuring inspiring individuals such as Ellen Gustafson, Co-Founder of FEED and Food Tank; Christophe Hille, CFO of Northern Spy Food Co. and Fleisher’s Grass-fed OrganicMeats, and Steve Hindy, Co-Founder of Brooklyn Brewery, the discussion moved through lively topics such as maintaining socially responsible practices in an expanding business, strategies for effective brand building, philanthropic efforts that make an impact and more.  Overall, it was great to learn how each one of these individuals helps influence change in their communities, how they got their start and in some cases they even shelled out advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Brew Pub
While we enjoyed all the intelligence mentioned above, at the end of the day, we were so ready to eat and imbibe.  Held at Wythe’s main event hall, the brew pub was an impressive showcase of more than 22 home brewed beers.  From hoppy IPAs to luscious stouts, we got our fix of all sorts of beers that went down well with little bites of Fleisher’s roast beef sandwiches, charcuterie sticks and earthy lamb sausage.  Everyone got to take home a cool souvenir glass from the event, which was a nice memento for this wildly successful event.

To learn more about the Food Book Fair, and the featured authors, artists and purveyors, visit foodbookfair.com

Two Roads Brewing Company comes to Queens via Alewife

Just in time for April, I learned that Alewife will be debuting a new beer offering, featuring Two Roads Brewing Company, which hails from Stratford, Connecticut.  Featuring a bevy of beers from this local brewery as well as their Tuesday night Taco Night, you'll be able to sample the following:

Igor’s dream – Russian Imperial Stout
Henry’s farm Double bock
No Limits Hefeweizen
Ol’ Factory Pils
Honey Spot Road White IPA
Rye 95
Worker’s Comp Saison
Road 2 Ruin DIPA

Alewife - 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.937.7494
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alewifequeens.wordpress.com

Beer Week is Here - Cheers to that!

For those of you who appreciate great beer,  you're in luck, as this week officially crowns NYC Beer Week.  Bars, breweries and all sorts of watering holes in and around this city and the boroughs are hosting beeriffic specials that'll get any beer advocate off their couch!  Here's a few ways that Astoria is celebrating, so get out there and enjoy a great brewski.

The Queens Kickshaw - Their Queens Tap Takeover event honors the best of the best in Queens from breweries such as SingleCut Beersmiths, Rockaway Brewing, Finway Brewery and even Beyond Kombucha.  You'll find this beer flowing all this week til Sunday evening.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

SingleCut Beersmiths - Astoria's famous micro-brewery helps put a grand finale on Beer Week on Saturday with live music, brewery tours and special release beers.  Did you hear they're featuring the John Michael Rum Barrel Aged brew just for this occasion? 19-33 37th Street, Astoria.  718.606.0788

Sweet Afton - Even though they're not having a special Beer Week event per se, Sweet Afton has a great beer library with plenty of craft selections such as Founders Pale Ale, Peekskill Eastern Standard IPA, Smuttynose Brown Dog and of course our very own, SingleCut January Olympic Gold Lager.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - It's cool to see that even a big institution such as the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is celebrating craft beers this week with $4 mugs during happy hour and $18 pitchers on select beers (and appetizers). Nazdravie!  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925

The Sparrow - Keeping things low-key during Beer Week makes this a perfect place to visit and beat the crowds.  Boasting an extensive list of well priced beers, including SingleCut, Bronx Brewery Pale Ale, Chimay Blue Trappist ale, and even some gluten free options such as New Planet Pale, you can't go wrong with this classic neighborhood haunt.  24-01 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.606.2260

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

Oyster Party at SingleCut Beersmiths

I love any chance I have to get out to SingleCut Beersmiths, which is usually reserved for the weekends.  Digging their live music, and the laid back communal vibe, it's never a hard sell to get a group out to enjoy it.  

While they usually have a pretty limited food offering, consisting mostly of snacks such as giant warm pretzels or savory meat pies, I was excited to learn that they're offering something new this week.  Oysters!  

A nice combination with their hoppy ales, oysters will be making a debut on their menu this coming Wednesday, September 25th as well as this Sunday, September 29th.  They're calling it their Oyster Party, which starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at at 1 p.m. on Sunday.  Wednesday's celebration is extra personal, as you can bring in a record of your choice and they'll play all your faves right on the spot.  

The oysters are supplied by Crudo Sea and Land, which is a travelling oyster and raw bar.  Neat idea!  Let me know how you like it.

SingleCut Beersmiths - 19-33 37th Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.606.0788
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
www.singlecutbeer.com 

SingleCut's Pies Hit the Spot

Last weekend, my We Heart Astoria colleagues and I participated in Shore Fest, which overall was a nice experience. Getting to interact with lots of folks from the community and with local business owners is always a pleasure, but the day involved a lot of hard work as well, and we were quite tired after.

Deciding to reward ourselves by going to SingleCut Beersmiths for a drink and some grub, Meg, Dan and I had the pleasure of sampling a few eats we haven't had there before.  Here are my highlights:

Jumbo Soft Pretzel - They were out of this the last time we came, so we thought it'd be a fun item to share, which it was.  We loved its beautifully golden crust that was studded with grains of sea salt, and the beer cheese dip tied it all together.  I enjoyed the grain mustard as well, which added a welcome sharpness to the more neutral taste of the pretzel.

Meat Pies - We went for both of the chicken meat pie varieties, which included the Hickety Pickety with chicken, leeks and mushrooms as well as the King and I with Thai Curry.  I've had the latter already, and was more impressed with the Hickety Pickety, which was lighter and overall incorporated more classic meat pie flavors.  If you like funkier flavors and want to get fancy, the King and I, which has more spice to it is a nice option.

3 Bean Salad - Along with the meat pies, we also got a side of the three bean salad, that was mixed in with a healthy dose of feta cheese.  I enjoyed it very much, as it was served cold and was an overall refreshing way to enjoy an otherwise indulgent snack.  The salad was also quite filling and the portion was on the generous side, making it a great item to share.

Service and Cost:
Just like the few other times that I've been here, I wasn't too impressed with the service, which always has a bit of an edge.  They weren't super accommodating when we brought in a growler to be filled up, and overall had an air of nonchalance that I didn't entirely appreciate.

Costs are moderate and included roughly $25 for the above mentioned food, plus three beers.

2.5 Mmmms

SingleCut Beersmiths - 19-33 37th Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.606.0788
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd
www.singlecutbeer.com 

Prost all the way at Zum Stammtisch

It's no secret that I adore my Eastern European cuisine, which brings back delicious memories of the way I grew up in Slovakia.  Like many European nations, Slovakia's cuisine is no doubt influenced by other neighboring regions such as Hungary, Austria, and Germany.  Which brings me to my excitement of trying Zum Stammtisch, a trusty German comfort food staple in the residential neighborhood of Glendale, Queens.  

Atmosphere:
I'm not going to lie by saying that Zum is a breeze to get to - it's a bit of a hike on the subway and more accessible by car, but once you get there, it's totally worth it.  You walk through those wooden doors and what lies in front of you is a little slice of Bavaria.  

A cozy dining room with cushy booth seating, dark wooden tables and warm tavern-style lighting makes you feel as if you're in a classic pub in Munich.  I love the tall, thick steins that adorn each table as well as some of the shelves on the wall, making me think of my time in Germany during Oktoberfest.  The waitstaff even gets in the spirit, clad in traditional German garb such as dirndl, worn by the waitresses.  Dan and I noticed a lot of big groups, some families, some friends, and thought it was a good sign, especially for a Monday evening.

Food:
Since the food here is so hearty, we aimed to share most things, but ended up with a few individual dishes too.  Needless to say, we were pretty full, as we took advantage of Monday's Schnitzelfest special.

Goulash Soup - I love me some nice hearty soup and since it was a chilly, rainy night outside, it was the perfect thing to warm up with.  Dan and I each got a cup of it, and loved the rich beefy broth, laced with tomato, pepper, paprika and other fragrant spices.  The chunks of meat inside were delicious too and didn't go unnoticed.

Bratwurst - We couldn't refuse a classic German pork sausage and loved Zum's version, which was cut up into little bite-sized pieces and served on sweet white cabbage.  The latter was supposed to be like a sauerkraut, but it was also prepared with a sweet finish that was delicious.  Enjoying this dish immensely, it was a perfect way to start a German feast.

Schnitzel - Dan and I ordered two different schnitzels, and the task wasn't easy, as there was a lot to choose from.  After some deliberation, I selected the Jagerschnitzel with a mushroom sauce, and Dan went for the Weinerschnitzel a la Holstein.  The latter looked absolutely gorgeous with a fried egg on top.  I got a bite of it too and enjoyed the juxtaposition of the crunchy exterior of the meat with the soft and slightly runny egg.

My Jagerschnitzel was awesome too - laced with a pungent mushroom sauce that reminded me of a winter stew. I loved that it wasn't on the creamy side and that's why I had an easy time finishing nearly the whole thing.

Sides - Not that we needed any, but the gracious staff at Zum hooked us up with a side of sweet red cabbage as well as a homefries dish that put us over the edge.  The potatoes were a big hit, boasting some well done, crispy edges that were wildly addicting, as well as pieces of crunchy, well-done sausage that were also irresistible.

Dessert - I'm not exactly sure how we mustered up enough energy for dessert, but we had to give it a try.  A cup of homemade rice pudding came with our schnitzel special, but we decided to share it instead of getting our own.  I was surprised by how light and fluffy the rice was, laced with flavors of warm cinnamon that left a delicious taste in your mouth.  The meringue topping was also a pretty sight and a delicious bite to boot!

Beer - As any good German establishment, there wasn't a shortage of beer, and Zum has a healthy sampling of barrel, wheat, imported, domestic and even non-alcoholic beers.  Dan and I chose a few selections from their barrel, including the Hofbrauhaus light and dark beer and the Warsteiner Pilsner.  All of these were hearty, refreshing and very flavorful, reminding us of the good quality beer we're used to drinking in Europe.  Needless to say, they taste even better in Zum's signature steins.

Service and Cost:
Impressed by the hospitality here, we were particularly well taken care of by our waitress, Nerina.  Not only did she anticipate all our needs perfectly, she provided us with an authentic experience by giving her perspective on her favorite dishes and even insights into preparation.

Costs are very affordable, especially during Monday's and Tuesday's Schnitzelfest, during which you can get an appetizer, a schnitzel and a dessert for $19.95/person.  If you're ordering off the everyday menu, you can also expect to see wallet friendly prices:

Appetizers - $5.95 - $10.95
Entrees - $15.95 - $23.95
Dessert - $5.95 - $8.95

3 Mmmms

Zum Stammtisch - 69-46 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale NY 11385
718.386.3014
M Train to Fresh Pond Road
www.zumstammtisch.com

School's Out for the Summer Party at Studio Square

I don't know about you guys, but it's been a little while since I've been to Studio Square Beer Garden.  I'm looking forward to those warm summer nights when I can camp out with a tall glass of beer and some good food and friends.  

While we've been hibernating inside this winter and what some call spring, Studio Square has been busy planning away some new, fun events to get you in the door.  Here's one that's coming up in the near future that made me feel nostalgic.  It's a School's Out for the Summer Teacher party, which honors our educators on the last day of public school this year, which is June 26th.  Do you remember that glorious day when you knew all your school work was done and you were free for the next two months? I do...and so does Studio Square apparently.  Here's what they're planning:

Teacher Appreciation Party
Wednesday, 6/26 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
Includes 4 hours of open bar (beer, wine & sangria)
Attendees will also get a grill voucher for a full meal from Studio Square's Garden Grill (yum!)

You can buy your tickets here, which are $35/person.  Celebrate the dog days of summer!

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

A Perfect Astoria-Style Picnic

It was hot the other day.  I mean really really hot, and despite this, I decided to meet Dan during his lunch break and have a picnic in Central Park.  Picking up a few Astoria provisions along the way, we had ourselves a lovely Astoria-style picnic, except in that "other" borough.

Pita Pan - I love me some Pita Pan for many reasons, one being that it's inexpensive, relatively healthy and easy to eat.  For our picnic, I order two things, including their signature marinated chicken skewers (each one is only $1.65) as well as the falafel plate, which came with 5 large falafel balls, tahini sauce and warm pita.  It was tasty and kept well in my picnic bag and made for good left overs too.  37-15 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.1633

Watawa - Although we probably had enough to eat with Pita Pan's order, I couldn't resist getting a few sushi rolls and went with an order of spicy tuna, eel avocado and yellowtail scallion. I didn't know this, but since I got three, it came at a special price of $11, which is part of Watawa's lunch special (even on the weekends). The whole thing also comes with a side of miso soup and a salad. Overall, a fabulous value and food that traveled relatively well.  33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.545.9596

Astoria Bier & Cheese - Ending things off at this specialty beer & cheese shop, I went for only the beer and got a peach wheat ale (RJ Rockers Son of a Peach) with a floral finish as well as a traditional pilsner (Abita).  Picking them up right before the picnic was a good idea because they kept cool and the Abita was a 22 oz so we kept it going for a while.  34-14 Broadway, Astoria.  718.545.5588

Memorial Day Mini Round-Up

With Memorial Day almost upon us, lots of folks will surely be out of town, but some will also enjoy this holiday locally.  If you fall into the latter category, you may want some quick suggestions about the goings-on around town.  Here are three recommendations to help get you started:

Queens Kickshaw - These guys will be open all day, and starting things off with brunch from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and continuing with dinner service from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.  I highly recommend stopping by, especially since Ben & Jen have recently updated their dinner menu.  Mmmmm spaetzle...40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Astor Bake Shop - Whether you're looking to start your day here on Monday or to stop in for a hearty lunch, they'll be serving delicious specialties such as homemade BBQ ribs and fresh strawberry lemonade.  Their burger is pretty stellar too, in case you haven't yet tried it.  12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria.  718.606.8439

Beer Subway Series - Even though this beer battle doesn't take place in Queens, it's great to come and show support for Queens beer, including SingleCut of course.  Stop in at the Bronx Ale House from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Monday to enjoy beers specials, and to watch baseball as well.  216 West 238th Street, Bronx.  718.601.0204

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

5 Napkin's Kegs & Eggs Brunch

Last week, I mentioned 5 Napkin's Kegs & Eggs brunch, which I had the pleasure to attend.  My mom and dad came along too and really enjoyed themselves.  Even though we didn't go too crazy with the beer, we had a taste of the SingleCut Billy 18 Watt IPA and liked its bitter hoppy flavor.  

Just to recap things for you a bit, Kegs & Eggs offers $20 bottomless pints for 2 hours during brunch hours.  

It was nice to see the patio open and by the early afternoon, it was nearly all filled up with hungry Astorians.  Many folks came with larger groups and seemed to make a social outing from this experience, which was great to see.
In addition to the beer of course, here are some dishes we tried:

Healthy Frittata - Wanting to keep things nutritious, I ordered the egg white frittata with spinach, tomatoes, onions and peppers.  It was nice and light with little air pockets inside that made it feel super fluffy.  The veggies added an earthy flavor, which went nicely with the well done hash browns and the side of salad dressed with a simple oil and vinegar dressing.  I like that it didn't make me feel overly full, but instead energized and satiated.

Other Dishes - My parents also went with lighter dishes, my mom ordering the Southwestern Chicken Salad and my dad also going with a chicken dish, the Churrasco chicken breast. I was intrigued by the chimichurri sauce on top of the latter dish, which made it look vibrant and taste delicious too.  My dad also liked the side of fried goodies such as French fries and onion rings.  A little bit of salad came with it too, making this a generous offering.

Service and Cost:
Excellence in service never fails to prevail here, as our waiter was really wonderful and paid attention to all our needs. We asked him to hold our food until my dad came to join us and he was more than happy to oblige.  Everyone was really kind and accommodating.

Costs are moderate and include anywhere from $9.75 - $15.50 for egg dishes or $11.50 - $18.95 for other lunch food.

3 Mmmms

5 Napkin Burger - 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106
718.433.2727
N/Q Train to Steinway Street, R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.5napkinburger.com

Alewife's Happy Hour Pleasantly Surprises

Meg and I met at Alewife this week, together with a new We Heart Astoria colleague, Chad, which is super exciting.  I haven't been there in a while and have heard some mixed things about their new menu, so I wanted to judge for myself.  Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I'd highly recommend you guys to check it out.  

They had a fabulous Wednesday night special, which included 2 cute little sliders and a beer for $10.  It was a great deal, and while these teeny burgers looked awesome, I actually had a spicy jalapeno burger for lunch (more on that later) so I decided to go for the oysters.  Two words - totally wowed!

Chillin Oysters - Because they were simply calling my name, I ordered a half dozen raw oysters that came with a side of mignonette sauce and cocktail sauce.  I was happy to see that the oysters were large, briny and oh so fresh.  I spritzed some lemon on top, which enhanced their flavor perfectly and the meaty part of the oyster was truly like a beautiful pearl of the sea.  It had a fresh flavor that tasted of the ocean, but definitely not fishy.  Each piece was substantial and didn't even need the fixins, to be honest.  A simple spritz of lemon was just enough.

Garlic Fries - Meg also ordered some garlic fries for the table, which were awesome.  Their crisp texture made us swoon, and the garlicky flavor was delightful and definitely not overpowering.  I like that we didn't find one single limp fry, and they were all beautifully crisped and ready to be dipped in ketchup.

Service and Cost:
The service was really nice and very low key.  Because it wasn't too busy, I felt that we had good access to our waitress, whenever we needed something.  The check came fast too and I didn't feel that we lingered for too long, after we were ready to go.

Costs are reasonable and I paid about $24 including tax and tip for my oysters and beer.  As I already mentioned, the happy hour special was just $10.

3 Mmmms

Alewife - 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.937.7494
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.alewifequeens.com