Taste of LIC is Around the Corner

Image by The Chocolate Factory

I'm pleased to tell you that one of my favorite tasting events is back again next week, which is the Taste of LIC.    Not just another typical tasting frenzy, this one combines the deliciousness of over 50 restaurants, bars and cafes in and around LIC (a lot are from Astoria too!).

It's always a highlight for me, as it's very well organized and I enjoy learning about new exciting local eats, as sometimes restaurants unveil new dishes or sometimes even exclusive eats prepared just for the event.  

An added element just this year is the Malu ice cream competition that has been going on for some time.  The two finalists, who have devised tantalizing new flavors such as Shiraz Rocky Road and Pear Belle Helene, and the winner will be unveiled at the event.  You'll also be able to taste these goodies at the Malu table, which totally rocks.

Even though I'm looking forward to checking out all the exhibitors, the ones I'm pumped to check out in particular include:

Alewife
Alobar
Antidote
Casa Enrique
Chimney Cake
M.Wells Dinette
Malu
MitchMallows
Slovak-Czech Varieties

The fun starts on Tuesday, June 5th at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
Buy your tickets here!

Hope to see you there, and if you see me, don't be shy and please say hi!

Chimney Cake Smells of Richness and History

Image by Chimney Cake

Right before Meg, AJ and I headed over to Queens Swap on Sunday, we made a pit stop at the most interesting, niche bakery in LIC, just a few storefronts away called Chimney Cake.  Meg had brought this place to my attention before, as it's named after a Hungarian/Transylvanian specialty dessert, which this place solely concentrates on.  Although my roots are seeded in Hungary as well as Slovakia (my father's side is Hungarian), I haven't heard of this dessert at all.  But I was needless to say, very very intrigued.

Atmosphere:
The three of us walked into the spacious bakery, not really knowing what to expect.  The space was vast and quite empty for the weekend afternoon, but that worked in our favor, as we got to converse with its friendly owner.  Her lovely nature and hospitable disposition, led her to offer us some delectable samples of the chimney cake and she even showed us the really unique oven that's used to make these treats.  It was pretty hard core, and seemed authentic.

Aside from the fancy equipment, the bakery is pretty plain, and could do with an infusion of more ethnic touches and personality.  The walls are a bit bare, the tables and chairs sparse, but still, we felt welcome and interested, for the goodies they sell are truly something special.

Chimney Cake:
We had the pleasure of tasting the coconut chimney cake, which was sweet on the outside, mostly attributed to the candied coconut.  The chimney cake itself is very light, with soft, flaky dough that you unwind from its naturally tubular shape.  And because this dessert is baked on wooden rods that help hold its shape, the inside is hollow.  While the variety we tried, didn't include a dip, you can embellish the cake further with a submersion of butterscotch, chocolate, vanilla or cream cheese.  Oh and Nutella too, which seriously ups its deliciousness quotient.

Service and Cost:
As I already hinted above, we were served by Chimney Cake's owner, who was friendly, informative and helped illuminate the history behind this interesting cake.  She said it was from the Hungaro-Transylvanian region and was often served on special occasions such as weddings, christenings, and the like.  She said you can currently find them at ski resorts or holiday markets, which rings a few bells actually when thinking back on the Christmas markets in Slovakia.

The costs here are moderate, especially given the level of uniqueness of the pastry.  Each pastry is $4 and for an extra $1 you can add a dipping sauce.  They also serve organic coffees and teas if you so desire.

3 Mmmms

Chimney Cake - 10-50 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.786.1818
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.chimneycakenyc.com