Cavo's Fall Festivities

As fall rolls in, restaurants are changing things around, including adding new menus, changing their specials and offering new discounts.  This happens to be the case at Cavo, one of Astoria's high-end Greek restaurants, which I really like.  Although it's a little fancy schmancy, I think the quality of the food and the overall experience always delivers.  

Here's what you can expect this fall...

For starters, they've revamped their lounge and rumor has it that it's pretty snazzy.  I haven't taken a peek yet, but plan to soon.  Now for the actual deals, they include:

Tuesdays: 1/2 priced entrees, excluding specials.  This is a great deal, as the restaurant is moderate - expensively priced.

Wednesdays: You receive a free bottle of wine with the order of 2 entrees (one per table)

Thursdays: From 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. ladies enjoy $4 martinis, sangrias, and mojitos (honored both at the bar and at tables)

Sundays: 60 oz. pitcher of sangria for $20

Enjoy these specials and if you end up there over the weekend, stay awhile and dance the night away.  I've done it before, and it's always good fun. 

Cavo - 42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.1001
R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.cavoastoria.com

Exciting Summer Specials at Cavo

It's been a while since I've visited the fancy schmancy Cavo, which I happen to like but I know some Astorians are bothered by.  All the pageantry aside, I truly enjoy the open space of this beautifully designed interior and the piece-de-resistance open garden, which is what Cavo is known for. 

Recently becoming aware of some fun summer specials they're featuring, I'm getting my hiney back in there, and pronto.

Here's what you can expect each week:

Tuesdays - 1/2 price on all entrees, excluding specials
Wednesdays - 50% of the manager's wine list
Thursdays - Ladies night with $4 martinis and sangrias
Sundays - Sangria Sundays with $20 pitchers

I especially like the Tuesday offering and plan to indulge soon.  Will you?

Cavo - 42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.1001
R/M Train to Steinway Street
www.cavoastoria.com

Astoria Mother's Day Plans

One of my favorite holidays, Mother's Day is here.  Not only do you get to honor your one and only Mama, you also get to indulge in lovely food and drink.  Astoria and LIC are paying special homage to our favorite matriarchs, and there are plenty of fun things to choose from. Such as...

Ornella - Aside from the delectable menu items that you can always find at Ornella (the imbustata and the duck meatballs are favorites), they'll also feature a 3-course prix fixe for $35.  This menu will contain delectable items such as chestnut pasta, burrata with porchetta, short ribs, Ornella's homemade Italian cheesecake and much more.  29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105.  718.777.9477

Cavo - Since the weather is rumored to be quite spectacular tomorrow, treat Mom to a garden brunch at Cavo.  Sure it's a splurge at $49/person, but the setting is to die for and you can spend quite a while luxuriating in the sunshine.  The menu includes 3 courses and a glass of wine.  42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103.  718.721.1001

Astor Room - The newly opened Astor Room will feature regular brunch service during the day but a special dinner prix-fixe dinner in the evening.  A special 3 course dinner will include highlights such as duck confit stuffed squash blossoms, champagne poached red snapper, rosemary brick chicken, a chocolate & peanut butter mousse cup and more for $50/person.  34-12 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106.  718.255.1947

eXo - Although not an Astoria based resto, its chef, Costa hails from A-town, so venture out and experience the authentic, homey Greek cuisine.  They're showcasing both brunch and dinner service with a special prix-fixe and you can see the menu here.  To whet your appetite, expect Greek specialties such as Eggs Benedict Spanakopita, sizzling lamb hash, swordfish souvlaki and more.  15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 1135.  718.767.4396

Bistro 33 - While usually featuring a prix-fixe, Bistro will keep things casual with their regular menu but a couple of special items as well will shake things up.  Tomorrow, you can have brunch or dinner and bask in the sunshine by sitting in their open air cafe.  19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105.  718.721.1933

Veslo - If your mama has an adventurous palate, take her out for Balkan food at the new, fabulous, Veslo.  Their special Mother's Day menu is quite rich with a 5-course offering for $65/person with featured items such as veal gnocchi, surf and turf, osso bucco, Eastern-European style crepes and more.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106.  718.728.0549

Winegasm - It's all about brunch here for Mother's Day from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. So whether mom loves a good bellini, bloody Mary, mimosa or what have you, the unlimited cocktail option for moms is free tomorrow.  The food prix-fixe is just $12.50, which is a great deal, especially given the quality of the food and drink.  31-86 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103.  718.932.3331

L'Artiste Restaurant - Treat your favorite maman to a sophisticated French dinner at the quaint, L'Artiste.  Featuring a 3-course $35/person prix-fixe, you can choose from classic French dishes such as escargot, beet salad, roasted duck, steak frites and more.  Reservations are highly recommended. 42-20 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103.  646.309.7504

Locale - For a cool, funky vibe, take mom to Locale where you won't be tied down to a prix-fixe menu.  There will be a couple of specials that day in the form of soups, paninis and more, and you can enjoy a lovely brunch, eat outdoors and people watch on the tree-lined 34th Avenue.  33-02 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106.  718.729.9080

Testaccio - Whether you're in the mood for a special treat or their regular (and equally yummy) menu, Testaccio welcomes Moms and families tomorrow.  A sampling of their specials includes wild boar meatballs with goat cheese, grilled shrimp skewers with orange glaze, braised lamb shanks with cherry tomatoes, four cheese tortellini in a pesto sauce and more.  47-30 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101.  718.937.2900

Cavo's V-Day Menu - It's Right Around the Corner

With Valentine's Day creeping up on us, it's never too early to start thinking about what you want to do with your special someone or a group of good friends.  While a lot of restaurants are still in planning mode for this day, others are thinking ahead. 

Cavo certainly seems to have their act together, as they'll be featuring a 3-course prix-fixe menu for $45/person.  The menu and the price-point caught my eye, as it was a lot lower than year's past, and for the nice options you're getting (below), I think it's a good value.  Check out the menu and make your reservation if you're so inclined.

Cavo's Valentine's Day Menu

Appetizers for the Table:
Greek salad with vine ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta and red onions
Jumbo shrimp wrapped in filo dough, topped with Cretan honey drizzle (Mmmm...this sounds amazing!)
Saganaki Kefalograviera cheese flambe

Entrees (choice of 1):
Four Greek cheese ravioli with creamy feta white truffle sauce
Four-hour braised black angus short ribs of beef over creamy polenta
Pan seared North Atlantic salmon served over spinach vegetable cous-cous, topped with sauteed asparagus and beurre blanc sauce

Desserts:

Cupid's Chocolate Surprise

Cavo - 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

718.721.1001

R/M Train to Steinway or 46th Street

www.cavoastoria.com