Easter in Astoria

It's a big week with Easter and Passover both here, and with that come lots of festivities featuring delicious food and drink.  Although you may already have plans with friends and family, here are a few thought starters on how you may want to celebrate it in Astoria.

Koliba - My beloved Slovak restaurant always offers something special for Easter, and I was delighted to check out their special menu just for this occasion.  I love it because it's both decadent and affordable (veggie diners may want to sit this one out).  31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria. 718.626.0430

La Guli - You can always count on La Guli to have the best Easter candy in stock, including these beautifully colorful chocolate eggs (pictured above).  They remind me of the hand crafted folk confections I'd see in my native, Slovakia.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.728.5612

Martha's Country Bakery - Martha's is another must as far as baked goods go.  Their medium and large sized hollow chocolate eggs are already at the bakery while their specialty Easter cupcakes and cookies will make their debut this weekend.  Can't wait! 36-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.9737

Front Toward Enemy - Although they don't have a special Easter menu per se, their weekend Punch Brunch will very much be in order, with an unlimited morning cocktail punch option.  Check out their brunch specialties menu.  40-11 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.2269

Zenon Taverna - In their traditional style, Zenon is starting the Easter celebration early with a late night dinner on Saturday night that goes until 3 a.m. A special menu of Cypriot foods sounds delightful and includes items such as Magiritsa, Trahana and a Roasted Leg of Lamb.  See full menu here.  34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.956.0133

Brunch and More at M. Wells

Image via Yelp, Ciprian T.

Just in time for Spring, M.Wells Steakhouse and M.Wells Dinette are rolling out some festive food activities that'll surely inspire us to get out of the house.

M.Wells Steakhouse Brunch:
Starting this Sunday April 20th, enjoy brunch service from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

M.Wells Dinette Specialties:
Enjoy a few of these deliciously indulgent specialty items available for pick up this coming Sunday and ready to put on your Easter table.  To receive these in time, make sure to place your order by this Friday the 18th by 4 p.m.

Rabbit Royale … $101
Whole rabbit, with the legs roasted, the shoulders confites and the râble stuffed with foie gras. Asparagus and ramps in a morel sauce included.

Eat-All-Day Pie … $50
Classic 9" chess pie is piled high with cookies, chocolate cream eggs, macaroons, liquor-soaked ladyfingers and more.

Maple Pie … $40
The pie that speaks for itself (pictured above). Serves 6 to 8 people.

M.Wells Dinette - 22-25 Jackson Avenue, LIC 11101
718.786.1800
7 Train to 45th Road, Courthouse Square
magasinwells.com

M.Wells Steakhouse - 43-15 Crescent Street, LIC 11101
718.786.9060
E Train to Court Square
magasinwells.com

Easter the Slovak Way at Koliba

Image by Honestcooking.com

There's one more Easter menu that caught my eye today that I just had to post.  It comes from my favorite restaurant in Astoria, which is Koliba, serving Slovak food - my native cuisine.  I like that the menu options are plentiful and also wallet friendly.  See what you think and do make a reservation if you're looking for something meaty and delicious (and if you feel adventurous to boot)!

Koliba Easter Menu

Beef Soup
Slovak egg cheese, "hrudka" (served traditionally on Easter), klobasy, mazanec (sweet yeast bread with raisins, pictured above), beets and  horseradish
Smoked ham with potatoes and vegetables
Roast loin of pork with bread dumplings (aka knedlik) and cabbage
Smoked pork with dumplings and cabbage
Beef in cream sauce and dumplings, with sauerbraten
$20.75/person

Pork or chicken schnitzel with potato salad
Roasted Long Island duckling with dumplings and red cabbage
$22.75/person

Roasted leg of lamb with potatoes and vegetables
$26.75

All orders also come with coffee or tea and homemade strudel

Koliba - 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105
718.626.0430
N/Q Train to Ditmars
www.kolibarestaurant.com

3 Fun Easter Specials for This Sunday

Image by La Guli

With the Easter bunny rearing its floppy head this Sunday, you may be wondering what's in store in terms of the food scene.  Here, I've put together a mini roundup of places you can go to sit down and have a proper meal, as well as just something sweet to pick up.

Astor Room - Serving both a celebratory brunch and dinner, Astor Room will be cooking up plenty of delicious eats and mixing those famous drinks.  For brunch, you get a starter, an entree and a morning cocktail for $28/person while dinner is also a 3-courser for $55/person, and includes some luxurious menu items such as a roasted leg of lamb, a short rib stroganoff, beef wellington and more.  34-12 36th Street, Astoria.  718.255.1947

The Chocolate Swirl - If you're looking for something sweet (and beautiful) there's still time to order delicious signature cake pops as well as the cute little bunny pops they have in time for Easter.  Festive cupcakes and ice cream brownie pops are also a great way to go and will definitely get you noticed when bringing these over for Easter.  

La Guli Pastry Shop - I just couldn't believe how much they're baking up at La Guli when I saw their Facebook page.  From Easter bread with colorful eggs inside to Easter basket cupcakes, bunny cupcakes and all of their usual mini Italian cookies and cakes, you can't go wrong here.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.728.5612

The Chocolate Swirl - Fun, Local Treats for Easter

Image by thechocolateswirl.com

Here's another heads-up for Easter, Passover or any holiday or non-holiday of your liking.  This one comes from one of my favorite Astoria-based businesses, The Chocolate Swirl, which produces homemade truffles, brownie pops, cakes, cupcakes and other confections.  I adore this company for their thoughtful and creative presentation (they're not afraid of color and texture) and the decadent, rich and delicious flavor of their products.  My ultimate favorite of theirs is the red velvet brownie pop (the moistest cake pop I've had to date) closely followed by the s'mores brownie pop, which is slightly more indulgent.

But for holiday themed sweets, check out their Spring collection, which includes:

Bunny Brownie Pops (they're super cute and would make a great gift for kids)
Springtime Easter Cupcakes
Chocolate Pretzel Nests (pictured above - a clever little treat worthy of a conversation starter)
Truffle Topiary (for Mother's Day)
Double Decker Brownies
Brownie Pop Flower Pot and more...

Intrigued?  You can check out The Chocolate Swirl in person at Astoria Market on May 1st or you can learn about their goodies online.  Enjoy and don't forget to lick your fingers.

The Chocolate Swirl

A Greek Easter Extravaganza is Coming to eXo

Living in Astoria, I doubt I have to explain to you the beauty and the fun of Greek Easter.  For those of you who live directly in the nabe, you'll know that it gets pretty quiet during this time and some of your favorite local Greek restaurants will most likely be closed for business.

And that's why I encourage you to branch out and take this time to visit other parts of Queens, Whitestone in particular.  You might've heard me talk about the amazing meals and the boisterous cooking demos I've experienced at eXo Bistro, so when I found out they're doing a big  Greek Easter feast, I wanted to let you know about it. 

Really bringing out the generosity and hospitality of the Greek culture, they'll be serving a whole spit roasted lamb and a trapezi (feast) buffet to go along with it.  Here are the deets:

eXo's Greek Easter Trapezi Dinner:
Sunday, April 24th (confirming timing)
Spit roasted lamb (4-course dinner) with all the fixins
$30/person

Exo - 15-16 149th Street, Whitestone NY 11357
718.767.4396
www.exorestaurant.com