Surprise...the chill is back in our neck of the woods! Just another good opportunity to highlight the warming foods and drinks you can get around town to deal with yet another round of the polar vortex.
 |
Image by Bradley Hawks
|
Wine is always a good idea, especially at Bear where they're featuring $20 bottles, each day. Check it out also for their warming Russian-style cuisine such as hot Ukranian borscht, cabbage and beef casserole, hunter's stew (with lamb) and more. 12-14 31st Avenue, LIC. 917.396.4939
For more vino goodness, Rest-au-Rant is a great option, especially on Wednesdays when all their wine is 20% off. Pair it with something luxurious such as their savory fondue or a gooey gorgonzola, fig and green apple panini. 30-01 35th Ave, LIC. 718.729.9009
I'm loving Alewife's new craft beer collection, including thick malty options such as Peak Organic Oak Aged Mocha Stout, which can be enjoyed with a signature, Sigmund's Pretzel Shop pretzel. If you haven't tried one yet, they're absolutely fantastic! 5-14 51st Avenue, LIC. 718.937.7494
There's nothing like a warm, delicious, melty mac 'n cheese and the one at the Sage General Store is hard to beat. Featuring a five cheese concoction with spicy cayenne breadcrumbs on top, it's the ultimate comfort food. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC. 718.361.0707
Warming up with a tasty burger is easy to do in the nabe, and these days I'm pretty excited about BareBurger's new bar offering, which goes beautifully with one of their signature burgers such as the Roadhouse or the Big Blue Bacon. The 31st Avenue locale now has a full on bar with signature cocktails such as the Johnny Appleseed (bourbon, green apple, hot honey, ginger brew), Rachel Carson (rosemary infused vodka, blackberries, homemade lemonade), Old Macdonald (bourbon, white peach, agave punch) and more. Check out the awesome $50 gift card giveaway we're doing with BareBurger on We Heart Astoria. 33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.7011
Valentine's Day is almost upon us - love it or hate it. Whether you're hanging with your hunny or celebrating love with great friends, here's a quick last minute guide to some fun things to do.
Rest-Au-Rant - For something intimate, low key yet very special, check out Rest-Au-Rant's 4-course V-day menu, paired with a champagne toast and a box of homemade assorted chocolates. Their cocktails are fabulous and the wine selection will certainly fit the occasion. The dinner will set you back $45/person and reservations are required. 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106. 718.729.9009
Bear - The menu at Bear is looking mighty rich for Tuesday night, with a 3-course prix-fixe, including dishes such as a three vodka shot special, short rib braised in red wine, diver sea scallop barley risotto and the piece-de-resistance, rose macarons and chocolate. Dinner costs $45/person and $75 with wine pairings. 12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106. 917.396.4939
Vesta & Pachanga Patterson - Both sister restaurants are featuring impressive menus in honor of cupid, and they always deliver (I speak from experience). At Vesta, you'll enjoy a 3-course dinner, featuring yummies such as foie gras, a braised pork shank, charred gnocchi with roasted cauliflower and more. Pachanga brings a Mexican flair with family style dishes such as empanada, quesadilla and taquito platters, $1 fried oysters, $2 shots and drinks specials. Vesta - 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.545.5550. Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.554.0525
Veslo - Always up for celebrating a festive occasion, Veslo has created a 3-course special menu with decadent options such as pan seared scallops, a crown rack of lamb, gnocchi in veal sauce (they're delish) and a Croatian style dessert of thin crepes or blueberry cheese strudel. Reservations are highly recommended and the dinner will set you back $50/person. 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106. 718.728.0549
Astor Bake Shop - I just love the special love menu at Astor Bake Shop, with a mix of sweet and savory. Their custom V-Day offering is affordable at $23.95/person and scrumptious sounding, with items such as saffron arancini, a steelhead trout, pan seared polenta with cauliflower ragout and plenty of desserts such as a red velvet crepe, blood orange mousse and more. 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102. 718.606.8439
As a huuuge fan of everything bacon, I felt it was my calling to spread the word of this awesome-sounding event that's happening tomorrow night at Rest-Au-Rant. I'm talking about their Beer & Bacon Happy Hour that they're starting up each first Monday of the month. What an ingenious idea, and although I don't know the full extent this bacon debauchery will entail, I'm about to find out. Catch me there tomorrow and we'll raise a glass to our favorite fatty delight. Here are the deets:
Beer & Bacon Happy Hour
Every first Monday of every month
From 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Featuring...bacon everything!
In the words of R-A-R - "even Mondays are better wrapped in bacon." I really can't wait!
Rest-Au-Rant - 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.729.9009
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue
www.rarbarlic.com
Image by Queens Comfort
While most of you already have Christmas Eve plans, changes always happen and some of us are last minute folks. And in that case, I wanted to bring you this quick list of 5 things to do tonight on Christmas Eve - whether you're spending the holidays with good friends or with a significant other, any of these suggestions will be fun to do tonight.
Rest-Au-Rant - This quaint little wine bar will be open both on Christmas Eve and day, with a complete feast waiting for you. A celebratory menu of boullabaisse with Rouille, whole cornish hens with roasted winter veggies, pumpkin mousse with a walnut-caramel crunch as well as a glass of red or white wine will greet you. All of this for just $35/person. 30-01 35th Avenue, LIC NY 11106. 718.729.9009
Vesta - Vesta always has something to look forward to each year on Christmas Eve with their famous Feast of the 7 Fishes dinner. Reservations are highly recommended and space is probably already limited but it's absolutely worth it to give a call and find out if you can still attend. If so, you'll enjoy a special 4-course traditional Christmas menu with various fish and shellfish specialties and Vesta's amazing Baby Jesus cake for dessert. Mmmmm... 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.545.5550
The Queens Kickshaw - This almost a year old amazing coffee house and grilled cheese haven will be holding a very special event this evening in honor of Christmas Eve. Woks and Lox, the very first Asian and Jewish Christmas dinner is the mastermind of Veronica Chan (Director of Content at Gojee.com) and Jeff Orlick (Founder of Jeffrey Tastes and 5-Boro New York Pizza Tour), as they unite both cultures with a very special Jewish-Asian dinner and a Nosh Party, complete with food, drinks, games, contests, music and more. While the dinner portion is already sold out, you can still attend the Nosh party from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Get your tickets here. 40-17 Broadway, Astoria NY 11103. 718.777.0913
Zenon Taverna - It's nice to see that one of my favorite traditional Greek restaurants is open for business today and tomorrow. Reservations are highly recommended and they'll be serving their usual specialties all day and evening. Some of my favorites include the keftedes (Greek meatballs), loukaniko (homemade Cypriot sausage), grilled halloumi cheese and their sweet semolina cake, flavored with rosewater. 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106. 718.956.0133
Queens Comfort - For something a little different on Christmas Eve, try the brunch at Queens Comfort. Specialties include thick-cut brioche French toast with cinnamon sugar butter and maple syrup (pictured above), BBQ shrimp and grits, a fried green tomato sandwich and more. They're open from 10 a.m. till the evening so come on in. 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.728.2350
It's that time of year again - when we dress up, look silly and make any excuse to party hardy. To get you thinking about your Halloween celebration, I've put together this list of really cool stuff that's going on in and around Astoria. I wish you all a very spooktacular Halloween!
DiWine - Enjoy DiWine's disco themed Halloween party this Saturday night. Make sure to show up in costume to receive some extra perks and also enjoy drinks specials such as $6 cocktails and $5 pints. The fun starts at 10 p.m. and will last all night. 41-15 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.1355
Veslo - Start the partying early at Veslo, as they're having their shin-dig on Friday night - and this one will be wild. Featuring a costume contest with some pretty stiff prizes such as a 46" HDTV, $100 and a $50 Veslo gift card, you're not going to want to miss it. Come by at 11:00 p.m. and party your socks off. 32-11 Broadway, Astoria. 718.728.0549
El Ay Si - Putting a new spin on a Halloween celebration, El Ay Si is hosting a Spooky Speakeasy Sunday, complete with flappers, silent movies, The Charlston...think you get it. Costumes are highly encouraged, as the best ones will be handsomely rewarded. Come by as early as 4 p.m. and do catch their expected "magical performance." 47-38 Vernon Blvd, LIC. 718.389.8781
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - You can always count on the Beer Garden to throw an awesome party, and this year there are two - one for the adults and the other for the kiddies. The adult one is this Saturday, starting at 9 p.m., complete with a costume contest, live music and the kiddie one is this Sunday from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Come to one or both! 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925
Studio Square - Known for their parties, Halloween is always a big deal here. Experiencing it first hand last year, it was a great time, and people really take the costume aspect seriously (first place prize are 2 Jet Blue round trip tix). A live DJ, a costume contest and plenty of drinks specials will grace you that night, starting at 9 p.m. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001
Rest-Au-Rant - If you're looking for something more low-key, head over to one of my favorite wine bars in LIC. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with party favors, food, drinks specials and costume prizes to boot, starting at 9 p.m. 30-01 35th Avenue, LIC. 718.729.9009
Waltz Astoria - In true Waltz fashion, Saturday night will bring a Halloween Social, which starts at 7 p.m. You'll indulge in plenty of live music, hors d'oeuvres, a buffet and more. There's an initial cover of $12 but after that the food and music is free. Drinks are separate. Enjoy, and don't forget to wear a costume. 23-14 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.95.MUSIC
Astoria Brewhouse - This cheery bar always has something lively going on during Halloween. Their Saturday night costume contest promises some exciting winnings such as a $100, $50 and a $25 bar tab pick-up, so prepare to drink your heart out. Show up anytime after 10 p.m. and stay all night. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria. 718.728.0050
Hellgate Social - A favorite spot for Halloween, this year they're stepping it up with a "Lost in Space" theme Halloween party, full on with aliens and other extra terrestrial embellishments, including themed drinks. There's no cover and costumes are a must. Walk in anytime after 6 p.m. and stay as long as you'd like. 12-21 Astoria Blvd, Astoria. 718.204.8313
Cavo - Another Halloween favorite, they roll out the big guns with a serious costume contest with up to $2,000 in prizes. There's no cover but it's best to show up early, as it gets crowded (before 10:30 p.m.). While you're there, enjoy fabulous cocktails, wine and lovely appetizers. 42-18 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.1001
