Valentine's Day Plans in Astoria

Another instrumental day in the food world that's coming up is Valentine's Day.  As we get closer, I'm seeing more and more eateries reveal their V-Day menus and I wanted to share a few of them with you here.

The Queens Kickshaw - For a casual V-day, grab your hunny or your friends and head on over to this grilled cheese haven, where they'll be featuring a special 5-course prix fixe on the 14th and an anti V-day celebration on the 15th.  I was excited to learn that on V-day evening they'll be featuring a special Beet Pasta Alfredo.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Tournesol - If you love French food, you're going to really enjoy dinner at this quaint LIC bistro.  They've got a special menu for V-day, which includes dishes such as foie gras, coq au vin, a braised lamb shank, scallops risotto, crepe suzette and more.  The dinner will set you back $49/person and it'll be mighty romantic.  50-12 Vernon Blvd, LIC.  718.472.4355

Veslo - I love the looks of Veslo's V-day menu, which is a 3-courser for $50/person, featuring yummies such as clams casino, stuffed mushrooms, a crown rack of lamb, Croatian style crepes and more.  They'll also have some nice live music to get everyone in a loverly mood.  32-11 Broadway, Astoria.  718.728.0549

La Guli Pastry Shop - Preparing V-day dinner at home and don't feel like baking dessert? La Guli always delivers with lovely looking (and tasting) V-Day treats such as cookies, cakes, cannolis and other goodies.  One of my favorite things to get here even though it's not Valentine's Day related are the chocolate mousse mice - they're adorable.  29-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.728.5612

Chocolate Girl - Do you guys know about Gnosis Chocolate? Its founder, Vanessa is from Astoria and has been making delicious raw chocolate since 2008.  For V-Day, you can enjoy special seasonal goodies such as the "Passion Truffle Collection," featuring flavors such as Wild White Rose, Madagascar Mylk, Passionfruit Cupuacu and more.  You can also find their chocolates in the neighborhood at places such as Sai Organics, Astoria Wines & Spirits, Vitality & Health, Fresh Start Market, and Broadway Natural.  

The 2nd Queens Swap is Here!

I'm so pleased to announce that our 2nd official Queens Swap, food swapping event is totally on.  Riding on the coat tails of the first successful event back in May, this second iteration of an urban food barter concept will raise the bar yet again. 

For starters, we have a new fabulous organizer, AJ from Handjobs for the Home blog, joining us.  We loved AJ's contributions so much from the last swap, and he's been such a part of our blogger family (both at the Fooditka and We Heart Astoria) that it felt only natural to extend the olive branch.  More than happy to accept, AJ has already made his mark on this program by suggesting a fantastic new venue and cooking up additional great ideas to make this swap even better than the last.

Here are all the pertinent deets of the swap, as well as the most important part - where to RSVP. 

2nd Queens Swap - Saturday, September 17th from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Fresh Start Market - 29-13 23rd Avenue, Astoria

In the spirit of enjoying the great outdoors, the swap will take place in Fresh Start's lovely outdoor patio space and will be limited to 20 ambitious swappers.  So whether you've attended the last swap or are a newbie, I encourage you to take a look at our swapping tips page, which will help guide you.

If you'd like to swap with us this month, please RSVP here - there are only 9 spots left so don't wait, just go for it!