Maizal - Mole that Stole My Heart

After a successful day at that LIC Flea a few weekends ago, Dan and I met friends, Nuno and Jennifer at Maizal, a fairly new Mexican restaurant that took the place of Thymari.  We enjoyed the food and drinks just fine, although I can't say I'm dying to go back right away and will give them time to work out their kinks.

Atmosphere:
Remembering the Greek restaurant that used to occupy this space, it was refreshing to see what Maizal has done to transform it.  New, colorful artwork adorns the walls, which are painted in bright cheery colors such as lime green and pink.  They've maintained the exposed brick walls that still look great, especially in the main dining room where they help create a sexy loungy vibe.

Different from this main space is the bright, cheery bar where friendly bartenders serve up a variety of handcrafted margaritas, sangria, wine and other libations.  If you're looking for something more casual, you'll love dining in this setting.

Food:
Deciding to go pretty classic with our food choices, there were no big surprises in store, except for maybe our appetizer.  We each ordered something different, and got a chance to sample a little bit from each other's plates.

Guacamole - It's pretty standard to split a guacamole at a Mexican restaurant, but I like to do it each time, as it's a good barometer for the rest of the meal. Maizal's version was pretty good, yet not too remarkable.  I appreciated the chunkiness of the avocado and the fresh ingredients, but I thought it could've been seasoned better.  The chips that came as a side also left something to be desired.

Stuffed Sweet Plantain - This on the other hand was a very interesting dish, essentially consisting of a giant sweet plantain, stuffed with melted Jack cheese, jumbo shrimp and some avocado.  I loved how the sweetness of the plantain hugged all the savory components, creating a pretty juxtaposition not only visually but stylistically.

Enchiladas Moles - Maizal's mole came highly recommended by friends, Emily and Daniel, who I trust deeply when it comes to Mexican food.  My mole dish was indeed a winner, boasting a rich poblano flavor that was laced with chocolate undertones.  It complemented the enchilada chicken stuffing well without overpowering it, and overall delivered a nice balance of flavors.

Other Dishes - The other dishes I tried at Maizal such as the tacos Al Pastor looked beautiful but lacked flavor, again because they were under seasoned.  A similar sentiment was felt about the fish tacos, which was a bummer.

Jalapeno Margarita - Taking advantage of their rich margarita offering, I went for the jalapeno and loved it.  The fresh lime juice was a nice touch and was appreciated, especially given the current lime shortage.  Whereas the spice of the jalapeno was noticed, it was added thoughtfully instead of just tossed in for shock value.

Service and Cost:
Maizal's staff did a great job of ensuring we had a good customer experience.  The pacing of our meal was nice, as it wasn't too fast, giving us the chance to chat freely and to feel relaxed.  However, when it came time to get the check, they were cognizant of that too and picked up on our cues.

Costs are moderate and comparable to other higher end Mexican joints in the nabe such as Pachanga Patterson and Mojave:

Appetizers - $7.95 -$17.95
Tacos - $16.95 - $18.95
Entrees - $14.95 - $22.95
Dessert - $6.95 - $11.95

2 Mmmms

Maizal - 32-07 34th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.406.9431
N/Q Train to Broadway
maizalrestaurant.com

Awesome Drinks and Food Specials at Pachanga Patterson

It was a crummy, rainy day today, which is both a bummer and a blessing in disguise.  After a few long days in Austin for SXSW, I took the day off to recharge a bit, which was totally awesome, as Dan happened to be home as well and we spent the day together relaxing and hangin' in LIC and Astoria.

First we hit the Noguchi Museum, which I haven't been to in years.  For those of you who haven't yet been, it's a charming little sculpture museum, which you can get through in under an hour and get a lot out of it to boot.  We saw a few exhibitions, including Noguchi's early drawings and the Archaic/Modern collection, which were both lovely - here are a few highlights.



After the museum, we headed for a quick happy hour drink at Pachanga Patterson, and it was awesome.  I love their happy hour menu, which extends competitive prices for their homemade margaritas.  For just $5, you can get a deliciou freshly made margarita, including fun flavors such as hibiscus and mango.  I got the former and totally loved its vibrant color and tropical flavor.  It reminded me of something drunk on a sunny beach, which is of course where I'd rather be.  We got a side of chips and tomatillo honey salsa with it too, which totally did the trick.  It was mild and a little garlicky, tasting very delicious together with the vibrant drinks.


During our visit, I also spied an interesting late night special, consisting of $1 tacos with the purchase of a drink between the hours of 11 p.m - 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.554.0525
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.pachangapatterson.com

El Maguey y La Tuna - Mexican Comfort Food Passed Down by Generations

Everyone has a few key food buzzwords that get them going when eating out at restaurants (blue cheese, bacon, chocolate, avocado, and so forth), and for me, one of those buzzwords is "Mexican."  All the delicious things that go with that word get my tastebuds tingling for something spicy, cheesy, hearty and comforting.  That's why I was super excited to visit a small, charming Mexican restaurant called El Maguey y La Tuna, with a few other blogger comrades.

Atmosphere:
Situated on East Houston Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood, El Maguey y La Tuna sits in the company of other great eats, so needless to say there's a lot to choose from.  I like that Maguey stands apart from the rest though, as it's positioned further East than the tight cluster of other restaurants that decorates this neighborhood.

While the interior is simple and no frills, it feels comfortable and authentic, sporting white subway tile walls and tables, authentic Mexican folk art and a smallish custom made bar.  It was fun to come here with a large group, but think that the intimate space is better suited for couples or smaller parties.  We observed a few folks dining here who seemed like regulars, which is always a good sign.

Food:
Receiving a generous sampling of shared plates that represented a little bit of everything on the menu, my comrades and I enjoyed the communal nature of this meal.  Everything was tasty and interesting, with the following standing apart as my favorites:

Flautas - These fried little beauties came stuffed with a hearty chicken filling that was juxtaposed by fresh flavors of avocado crema and a zesty pico de gallo.  Despite it being a fried dish, it felt light and airy and something I'd like to bite into again.

Mole Poblano - I adore a good mole poblano, mainly due to its rich color and the use of chocolate, which is ever so subtle.  Maguey's was executed perfectly, as it boasted a sweet, smooth flavor that hugged the white meat chicken that was tender and juicy inside.  Little white flecks of sesame seeds provided a touch of crunch.

Mole de 5 Chile - Never having tried this rendition of mole, I was pleasantly surprised by the pop in flavor from the dried chiles and spices used to construct the sauce.  Despite its fiery look, the taste wasn't overly spicy but certainly held its own next to the mild chicken.  A side of rice or a soft corn tortilla did the job of drinking up that delicious sauce and transporting it into our pining tummies.

Jalapeno Margarita - Always welcoming a spicy margarita in my mouth, this one came on the rocks and used fresh juices and sliced jalapenos, giving it a nice kick.  While it's not for the faint of heart, the flavor isn't over the top.

Ponche - Because this drink isn't technically on the menu makes it that much more special.  Maria, Maguey's chef gave us a touch of history behind it, shedding light on the fact that it's mainly served during holiday time.  Consisting of warm, cooked fruits such as apples, pears, oranges, prunes and even a few tropical fruits we've never heard of, it's Mexico's version of mulled wine - with some tequila in place of wine, of course.

Service and Cost:
We loved the personal way in which everything is handled at El Maguey y La Tuna, from the interior decor to the down home comforting dishes.  As mentioned, we got to chat with Maria Luisa, Maguey's chef who not only knew all the ins and outs of the family recipes, but felt closely connected with customers, giving them what they truly want.

Costs are wallet friendly, allowing you to eat like a king in the big city:

Appetizers - $3.95 -$12.95
Tacos - $6.95 - $8.95
Seafood - $12.95 - $15.95
House Specialties - $13.95 - $16.95
Desserts - $4.95

3 Mmmms

El Maguey y La Tuna - 321 East Houston Street, New York NY 10002
212.473.3919
F Train to 2nd Avenue
www.magueyylatuna.com

Playing Bartender at 5 Napkin Burger

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about food and do my fair share of dabbling in cooking and baking. But as far as cocktails are concerned, I’m a downright novice when it comes to creation. Sure, I know what I like and can figure out which flavors work well together – I’m just not a particularly talented mixologist.

That’s where 5 Napkin Burger came in recently, as they invited a select group of bloggers to join them for a night of cocktail mixing. Having a resident mixologist came handy, as we learned to make some basic yet classic cocktails you can never go wrong with.

Even though the whole process required a lot of patience (and sometimes a few different steps), the result was always a delicious and carefully crafted beverage that tasted so much better than something straight out of the bottle. I strongly urge you to try some of these at home, or pop into 5 Napkin Burger and they’ll hook you up.

Favorite Drink:
Even though it was the most basic of the three cocktails we made that night, the margarita was an absolute standout, and made me appreciate the art that goes into making it. The key was using fresh ingredients such as fresh lemon and lime juice, a little bit of simple syrup and a scoop of ice to ensure the drink tasted smooth and chill. You do need a few pieces of basic mixology tools such as a shaker, strainer, a mixing glass and a little jigger to measure everything out. The best part is shaking it up, and getting a little fancy with it. It was fun to watch everyone creating this cocktail, incorporating into it their own personal swagger.

Here’s the classic margarita recipe, courtesy of 5 Napkin Burger:

Ingredients:
1.5 oz El Jimador Silver Tequila          
2 scoops of ice
1 oz Bols Triple Sec                               
Lime Wedge
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice                       
Kosher Salt
1 oz Fresh Lime Juice      
1 oz Simple Syrup

Equipment:
Metal shaker
Mixing glass
Strainer
Jigger
Ice scoop
Double Old Fashion Glass

Building Procedure:
1. In a mixing glass, add El Jimador Silver Tequila, Bols triple sec, fresh lemon juice, fresh  lime juice and simple syrup 
2. Add ice
3. Shake
4. Pour over fresh ice in the double old fashioned glass with salted rim
5. Garnish with a lime wedge on rim of glass
6. 2 small black straws

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

Last Minute Cinco de Mayo Roundup

Since it's Cinco de Mayo tomorrow, and lucky for us it falls on a Sunday, there's no excuse to not celebrate.  It's a huge weekend in general actually, with the Kentucky Derby and Greek Easter happening as well, so whatever you're celebrating, here are some festive suggestions.

Mojave - In honor of Cinco de Mayo, they're featuring $4 shots of El Jimador tequila, $9 Herradura margaritas or 4 shots for $25.  Their outdoor garden will be open too so if it's warm enough, it'll be great to celebrate al fresco.   22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Pachanga Patterson - Even though their brunch and dinner menu will remain the same tomorrow, they'll feature their infused tequila shots in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo.  A few personal food recommendations include the steak tacos, chicken hot dogs and the veggie jenga.  33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.554.0525

Casa Enrique - I love this relatively new Mexican cafe in LIC that's clean, simple and serves some of the best mole I've had.  Featuring their regular menu tomorrow, it's definitely worth going in for a margarita or sangria and enjoying a fabulous sit down dinner with a group of friends or your significant other.  5-48 49th Avenue, LIC.  347.448.6040

5 Burro Cafe - Recently having the pleasure of trying this dive cafe in Forest Hills, it's a total must, if not tomorrow, just anytime.  Although the space is small and there's often a bit of a wait, the no frills, delightful Mexican food is totally worth it.  The guacamole with chunky red peppers serves as a yummy beginning, while the tacos Al Pastor send you right to heaven with tender marinated pork with a spicy pineapple salsa.  72-05 Austin Street, Forest Hills.  718.544.2984

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Get out your party outfit, for the beer garden's Cinco de Mayo Festival, which boasts live music, raffles (and prizes), as well as live entertainment.  Enjoy the beautiful weather by camping out in this awesome outdoor space.  I usually bring a set of games such as Apples to Apples, Cards Against Humanity, and Jenga to keep our group entertained.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.4925

Casa Enrique Rolls Out New Cocktail Offering

Image by Casa Enrique

Casa Enrique, LIC's new modern Latin eatery has garnered nice attention, and some of my fellow foodie friends have certainly sang its praises.  While I still have yet to get myself over there, it's definitely on my list - and now even more so with this delicious-sounding cocktail menu.  Check out their new drinks (and eats) below:

Margarita - classic, mango, strawberry or tamarind
Aguachile - tequila, Cointreau, orange juice, agave, jalapeño, cucumber, lime juice
Chimbombo Margarita - a classic margarita with a kick of spicy sauce
Sangria - red wine, brandy, cachaça, orange juice, lime juice
Mojito - Bacardi light rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar
Michelada - Modelo Especial, Valentina sauce
Selection of Mexican beers, tequilas, and sparkling, rosé, white and red wines

Sopes de Chorizo - homemade thick corn tortilla, chorizo, black beans, avocado, cream
Pastor Taqueria - pork taco marinated in chilies and pineapple
Mole de Piaxtla - mole sauce made of more than 30 ingredients over braised chicken
Chamorro de Borrego - lamb shank braised in chili pulla, huajes & epazote
Pastel Tres Leches - sponge cake made of three kinds of milk, goat milk caramel

Casa Enrique - 5-48 49th Avenue, LIC, NY 11101
347.448.8180
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

Mojave's Margarita Wednesday

Image by Mojave

Just in time for this Wednesday, I wanted to let you all know that Mojave is hosting a special Margaritas evening.  Not only are their margaritas absolutely delicious (and they come frozen too), you'll be able to get them for $5 each on Wednesday.

To add to the fun, they'll have a live band, Mambo Blue Trio performing for you.
What a fun opportunity to come by and enjoy the evening with a bunch of friends.  They have a lovely outdoor garden, and the forecast for tomorrow looks good...so what are you waiting for?!

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny

Bistro 33 is Turning 5 - Come Celebrate!

Here ye, here ye...a longtime neighborhood cafe, Bistro 33 is celebrating a milestone birthday, as they turn the big 5.  Although this place has been around longer than that, they're celebrating 5 lovely years in the Ditmars locale.  Here's what you can expect at the party next week, so gear up, come hungry, and bring your friends to enjoy it with you!

Bistro 33 5th Birthday Party
Wednesday, June 13th from 5 p.m. - whenever

$5 for...
Barbecue menu
Pitchers of beer
Margaritas and sangria

The birthday theme will be prominent throughout the event, channeling your inner child with party games, pinatas, ice cream and cake.  Sounds like an adult's dream...Yum!

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

Mojave's Outdoor Garden Reopens

As the weather gets nicer and nicer this week, you'll see that we're all getting excited, including all the neighborhood eatery favorites.  I was psyched to see that Mojave is joining in the fun, and officially opening up their quaint outdoor garden area starting this week.  

To celebrate this seasonal unveiling, they'll be featuring a live band, The Guarnera Brothers who'll perform live vocals and acoustic guitar.  Ahh...nothing like the spring air, good music and an ice cold margarita.  Mojave does them well, using fresh fruit and good quality liquor.  I enjoy the sangria a lot too, preferring the slightly tart red over white.

Friday, March 16th at 8 p.m.

To accompany the music performance, make sure you get some delicious grub such as the Santa Fe Shepherd's Pie, Wild Tejas Gulf Shrimp, quesadillas, enchiladas and more.  Good stuff!

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.mojaveny.com

Bistro 33's Winter Beach Party

Here's something fun and a little kooky to look forward to next week from the folks at Bistro 33.  I like that they often think of fun food events to shake things up, and I was surprised and also a little intrigued to find out about a winter beach party and clambake they're hosting next week.  Sounds like they want to shake things up and add a little whimsy to brighten up the winter blues.  Here's the special you can expect:

Wednesday, January 25th, starting at 5 p.m.

Lobster & Clambake
$5 Margaritas and other drinks special

They encourage people to dress up in the spirit of the clambake and they'll even provide beach balls, shades and hats.  It's going to be a sight to see...that much I can guarantee.

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.bistro33nyc.com 

Pachanga Patterson Wins Us Over Again

In the mood for a good Mexican meal this Monday, Dan and I headed over to Vesta's little sister, Pachanga Patterson.  I've already been there a few months ago, but Dan was a virgin.  Not worried about him liking it, my suspicions proved right, as he fell in love with it instantly - the added bonus being the amazing backyard seating area we got to enjoy on this warm, summer night.

Sitting here was a treat, as its charming and cheery vibe really gave us that much needed respite from the craziness of city life.  I loved the birch paneling on the walls and floor, which gave it that added jolt of newness.  That, coupled with colorful umbrellas, little hanging lights and plenty of greenery made it a fantastic place to unwind and linger.

Since the menu is limited, there's only a few things I haven't yet tried, and here they are:

Vintage Steak Tacos - Dan ordered these, as they were the healthiest taco option on the menu, given they are grilled.  Basted in a smoky, thick salsa, the steak was far from dry and it was grilled to a nice medium texture (sans any chewiness).  The mix of onions and cilantro on top gave each bite that extra zing and freshness, looking very plain but tasting anything but.  Overall, the dish was very light and allowed room for other things such as snacking on chunky/creamy guacamole.  I know it sounds like a contradiction, but it was indeed both of those things.

Summer Smoke Margarita - My cocktail of the night, I enjoyed its spicy flavor and the smoky aftertaste that lingered on my tastebuds after each sip.  Although it looked like any ordinary margarita on the rocks, it wasn't.  You could taste the freshness and quality of ingredients instantly, and that smoke factor was something else.

Service and Cost:
As always, the service was hospitable, attentive yet unobtrusive.  It stands true that whenever I walk into a Giuseppe/Leo establishment, I'm always treated with kindness and friendship.  Even though I've known these guys for a few years now, I observed that everyone is treated this way.  Kudos to that!

Costs are moderate and for a dinner consisting of 2 drinks, an appetizer and 2 entrees, our total was $60 with tax and tip.

3 Smoky Mmmms

Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.554.0525
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.pachangapatterson.com 

Astoria Cinco de Mayo Mini Round-Up

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone.  What a fun excuse to go out and enjoy festive drinks, food and time with friends.  Astoria and LIC promises to be bumpin' tomorrow, and here's my mini round-up of cool happs you can partake in.

MexiQ - Festivities will start as soon as they open their doors at 5 p.m. with dedicated food specials (i.e. seafood and short rib empanadas), $5 Mexican beer on tap and a live Mariachi band that will make an appearance later in the night.  37-11 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.626.0333

Mojave - This Southwestern eatery always has something fun and boisterous going on for Cinco.  This year, it'll be a special drinks promotion from Herradura and  Tiki tequila.  Shots incorporating both tequila brands will be complimentary, and there will also be a live band later on in the night to enjoy.  22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105.  718.545.4100

El Ay Si - Kicking it off at 8 p.m., El Ay Si's Cinco party will include enticing drinks specials, new menu items as well as lively entertainment.  Featuring guest DJ Monk One, you'll be able to groove to some hip Latin beats from Cuban Sol to Cali Salsa, Nuyorican Boogaloo and more.  The party will last all night, so you don't have to worry about showing up early.  47-38 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101.  718.389.8781

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Even though it's far from a Latin establishment, the Beer Garden will be celebrating full-force with a special Mexican menu.  Instead of the typical dumplings, potato pancakes and pierogies, you can get $5 burritos, $2 tacos and $20 buckets of Corona and Corona Light.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102.  718.274.4925

Pachanga Patterson - The newest Mexican eatery in town will be doing something really special tomorrow. Get this...from 7 - 8 p.m. they'll have free drinks. Yep...FREE (I was astounded too).  You can also order 2 new tacos that they're adding to the menu especially for tomorrow.  Ole!  33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 718.554.0525