News of Fat Tuesday reminded me that Mardi Gras is coming fast, which is always a great excuse to party and indulge in festive Cajun food. I love me some spicy flavors, and right away thought of our very own, Sugarfreak, which serves Louisiana-inspired cuisine. They’re hosting a fun celebration next Tuesday, March 4th in all its festive glory – they’ll have:
• $5 hurricanes
• $4 craft beers
• $1 oysters (I’ve had them here and they’re delicious)
• King cake (swoon)
And…lots of fun raffle prizes, sponsored appropriately by Abita.
Join the party and tell ‘em who sent ya!
Sugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com
Sugarfreak's Cajun brunch will be starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow, so get your fix of shrimp and grits and bananas foster French Toast. 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.726.5850
The Queens Kickshaw is really brunchin' out with a double header brunch, both today from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There's no reason to wake up early! 40-17 Broadway, Astoria. 718.777.0913
The Astor Bake Shop will be ringin' in New Year's with a festive brunch prix-fixe anytime between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. which comes with a complimentary mimosa. 12-23 Astoria Blvd, Astoria. 718.606.8439
Ovelia is hosting a hangover brunch tomorrow as well. They'll have their signature Greek dishes such as Yia-Yia's Omelette and stuffed French Toast, but also tasties like these. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217
Grand Cafe's classic brunch $13 prix-fixe will be available tomorrow from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Including all the basics such as omelettes, burgers, salads and other comforting dishes, your meal will also come with a complimentary cocktail and a coffee or tea. 37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.7321
I can't believe it's already September, and Labor Day is here. While I'm sad that the summer is unofficially over, I'm excited for the fall as well, as it brings with it delicious, hearty eats, and I can't wait to indulge. But back to Labor Day...
If you're in the nabe and looking to enjoy a leisurely brunch, here's a quick round-up to help you out.
Sugarfreak - For a comforting brunch, stop in to Sugarfreak for some yummy Cajun food. On the menu, you'll find Southern staples such as Shrimp and Grits, a breakfast po boy, my personal favorite, bananas foster French toast and more! Brunch starts tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.726.5850
LIC Market - If you'd like to jump start your day early, LIC Market will serve brunch from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The menu is diverse, which is great for folks with all sorts of cravings and special diets. My favorite brunch item is the Bullseye Eggs with two eggs fried inside an earthy piece of 7-grain bread. 21-52 44th Drive, LIC. 718.361.0013
Queens Kickshaw - In the mood to sleep in tomorrow? You totally can and still be able to catch brunch at the Queens Kickshaw from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There's plenty of interesting indulgences here, including a unique version of Scotch Eggs, cold poached eggs in miso butter, biscuits and grits and other incredible eggibles. 40-17 Broadway, Astoria. 718.777.0913
Since it's already been an exhausting week and it's only Tuesday, Dan and I decided to treat ourselves to something comforting and yummy. As it happens, he's never been to Sugarfreak, and I thought he'd really enjoy it, so we went for an impromptu dinner. Both of us tried new things that really impressed us and we walked out happy, satiated and eager to come back real soon. Here's what we enjoyed:
Crawfish/Shrimp Bisque - Dan spotted this on their specials menu and it sounded good. It was especially appropriate since the weather really cooled down, and we wanted something warm and comforting to perk us up. While the soup took a while to come out, it was pretty good. The broth was rich and hearty and had a real nice, warming spice to it. There were generous chunks of shrimp and crawfish inside that were fun to find and devour. But the best part was the buttery and still crunchy crouton that floated on top and really soaked up all that nice broth.
Chicken and Waffles - I'm a sucker for a classic chicken and waffles and like to compare this dish in different spots to see how it stacks up. While I'd say that the waffles here knocked it out of the park, the chicken was a bit on the dry side and I was expecting something on the bone rather than a breast. However, the rich bananas foster sauce that decked those beautiful waffles was a good way to get over the slightly dry chicken meat, and actually made the whole combination quite delectable. Although it was a hefty portion, we couldn't help but finish the whole thing.
Blackened Catfish Po Boy - Dan loved his choice of main and even though it looked huge, he kept talking about how light it was. I didn't believe him and took a bite only to share his experience. Each taste was real light and airy, the bun being a good vessel to hold the delicate fish, but at the same time, it wasn't too dense on its own either. The spicy Cajun flavorings brought it all together and the spicy mayo sauce that came as a side was a nice way to further jazz up this sandwich (or the fries that it came with).
Service and Cost:
Even though the restaurant was real busy, the service was attentive and our waitress checked on us quite a few times. She took notice of the fact that we were getting a wee bit impatient when waiting for our soup, and really helped to expedite things along. I like that she bought us a tasty shot of beer to make up for the wait, which didn't go unnoticed.
Costs are pretty fair for the generous portions and the good quality food.
The dinner I just described set us back about $72 in total, including drinks, tax and tip.
3 MmmmsSugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com
If you're at home today and looking to get some leisurely brunch, fear not for Astoria has some fab options ready for you. Here are just three yummy places serving your favorite brunch and lunch dishes, but I bet you can find plenty more as soon as you're out and about. Let me know where you end up and what you enjoyed!
Sugarfreak - I'm displaying their Jambalaya and Eggs dish here, which was so hearty and a little bit on the spicy side, which I love. They're serving a traditional Southern brunch today starting from 11:00 a.m. so come on down and treat yourself to some wholesome, homemade food. 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.726.5850
LIC Market - Featuring a "bonus" brunch today in honor of MLK Day, it'll be available until about 3:30 p.m. Expect hearty dishes such as their famed "Bulls-eye Eggs," slow roasted duck hash, a "dirty rice" frittata, buttermilk pancakes with housemade berry jam and more. 21-52 44th Drive, LIC. 718.361.0013
Sweet Afton - Nothing like some good ol' fashioned bar food to start off the week - except this isn't any run-of-the-mill grub. Everything is prepared carefully and deliciously with top quality ingredients, like their classic Pat La Frieda, Sweet Afton burger, a melty skillet mac 'n cheese, and of course their hand-cut fried McLure's pickles. They open at 1 p.m. today. 30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570
My We Heart Astoria colleagues, Meg, Mackenzi and I recently met for brunch at Sugarfreak to discuss some We Heart Astoria business. The meeting was not only incredibly productive, we really enjoyed munching on some hearty, comforting grub. It's been a while since any of us have been there, and as it happens, brunch here was new to us all. Here's what we tried:
Hush Puppies - I was so glad when Mackenzi suggested we get this, as I can't exactly turn down fried corn bread. Surprised by how giant Sugarfreak's version was, I enjoyed them nonetheless. The outside was crispy as can be, albeit a little oily, while the inside was tender, moist and bready. Dipping these babies into the spicy remoulade sauce totally hit the spot and made this very New Orleans.
Charbroiled Oysters - Even though I just had oysters the day before at the North Fork Wineries, I was happy to try this version, which was totally different. Boasting some really generous pieces, their Blue Point oysters on the halfshell had a nice golden color and a really meaty interior. It felt great to scoop up the meat of the oyster and eat it alongside little pieces of crispy, buttery bread.
Jambalaya and Eggs - Since I loove me some jambalaya, this had my name all over it. There were two fried eggs on top of the actual jambalaya, and I'm happy to report that they had perfectly runny yolks that you can spread over the spicy rice interior. Although I had the jambalaya here before, I totally forgot how awesome it was, peppered with chunky pieces of andouille sausage and even some seafood action. The whole thing was incredibly hearty and something that can tide you over for well half the day - hands down.
Dessert - Although we were so incredibly full, we couldn't refuse a generous offer of a dessert trio, including a butterscotch rice pudding topped with popcorn, a classic order of begneits, and also their bourbon bread pudding. Out of those, the rice pudding was my absolute favorite. Loving the juxtaposition in texture between the crunchy popcorn and the soft, silky pudding, the flavors were also totally in sync. The homemade whipped cream was the cherry on this proverbial cake, and I just couldn't get enough of the whole combination.
Service and Cost:
We received great service here, as everyone was super attentive, even during the peak of brunch. Our waters were refilled without even one look at our waiter, and dirty plates cleaned before we could lick our chops.
Costs are reasonable and include:
Brunch entrees - $13 - $14.50
Starters - $7-12
Sides - $4-$7.50
3 Mmmms
Sugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com
Even though we're far from NOLA, the joyous occasion of Mardi Gras isn't lost on us tomorrow, as we'll be celebrating right here in Astoria. What better way to ring in this festive holiday than at Astoria's token Cajun eatery, Sugarfreak. I was glad to see they're up for celebrating, paying homage to their New Orleans' roots in just the right way. Hope you have a chance to check out the fun specials they have going on tomorrow, including:
Drinks Specials - $5 Hurricanes and $4 draft beers
All-you-can-eat Mardi Gras buffet for $35/person
You can start to hydrate yourself as early as 3 p.m. and the eats will be available from 5:30 p.m. on.
Bring your friends and your appetite!
Sugarfreak - 36-18 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com
As this year comes to a close, I gratefully remember the wonderful things it has brought. Lots and lots of changes, and some transitions that went along with it, but all in all a really prosperous and rich year that I would never take back. I look forward to what this new year will bring, and can already feel the food adventures bubbling up, but before we go on, let me remind you of the big 2011 milestones that affected Fooditka.
1. My Big Name Change - Of course the most significant thing this year for me was my big name change from the Foodista to Fooditka. As you may remember, my new name ties in closely to my heritage and allows me to stand out more. I happily unveiled this new site name and re-launch at a big party, graciously hosted by my good friends at 5 Napkin Burger.
2. My Big Travels - I've been fortunate to travel the world this year, living the dream of participating in a cooking program in Tuscany, where I learned about the wonders of clean, simple and delicious Italian cuisine. But the fun didn't end there, as the year also brought exciting food adventures in Paris, London, Munich, Slovakia and Mexico. I couldn't be happier to explore the cultures of these beautiful countries, and hope to take it to the next level in 2012. Fooditka goes international again!
3. My Big Love of Astoria/LIC - No matter where I go, what I see, and the fantastic things I eat, my passion continues to rest close to home. And although this year has been fantastic when it comes to international food adventures, what keeps me going are the fabulous food-things percolating at home. I love that this year has brought on exciting changes to the nabe such as new restaurants, cafes and more. Some of the most notable ones that come to mind are The Queens Kickshaw, Sugarfreak, Bear, Veslo, Alobar, Astor Room, among others.
It's been an absolute pleasure Astoria...thanks as always for your support, and I can't wait to do it all over again in 2012. Hope you had a happy, healthy and delicious one as well!
718.726.5850
N/Q Train to 30th Avenue
www.sugarfreak.com
After about a month of being open and after all the hoopla, I absolutely wanted to experience the wonders of Sugarfreak. Welcoming a new cuisine to Astoria with its NOLA Cajun style menu, Sugarfreak absolutely offers something different and unexpected in a neighborhood where great Greek and Italian food speak loud and clear.
I embarked on this food adventure with fellow comrades, Kimberly and Jonathan, who were more than looking forward to exploring this new-found gem. Having some experience with cajun cuisine (especially Kimberly), I knew that they'd only accept the best. The stakes were high...
Atmosphere:
I was a little surprised to find the restaurant completely packed on a Saturday night, with a 40 minute wait. True that this shouldn't be a complete shocker, but given that it's a new place with not much of a reputation, I wasn't expecting it. It was all good though, as the wait gave me some time to absorb the colorful surroundings and to enjoy the nice bar area.
The first thing that came to mind when I took in my scenery is how vibrant and fun everything was. From the mismatched wallpaper and exposed brick walls, the milk bottle light fixtures, to the antique hutch and the comfy seating with movable pillow cushions, my senses were on overdrive. Overdrive in a good way though, as all the little details made me smile and appreciate the effort that was put into this place. I was happy to see the space really transformed into something homey with the most endearing country flair.
Food:
We were all in the mood for something comforting and couldn't wait to try and share a lot of different items. After some deliberation, we chose the following and proceeded to stuff ourselves silly:
Boudin Balls - How could we come to a cajun restaurant and not have these? We simply couldn't. Even though there was a crawfish version, we went straight for the pork and consumed it like candy. The balls were crunchy on the outside and soft and meaty on the inside (hey...don't get any ideas!). I appreciated the moist quality of the meat but would've liked the flavors to be a little more aggressive in terms of spice.
Muffaletta - Another typical dish, associated with New Orleans cuisine, Kimberly especially wanted to try it. If you're familiar with a muffaletta sandwich, you'll know it's served on a large, round roll covered with sesame seeds and stuffed with plenty of cold cuts, cheeses and olive tapenade. Enjoying Sugarfreak's version, we loved biting into the still warm, crusty bread and the thoughtfully arranged meats, cheeses and the slightly bitter green olive tapenade that sandwiched the guts of the sandwich from both ends. Overall, a great sandwich and if we wouldn't have split it, I simply wouldn't have room for anything else.
Jambalaya - A great dish for sharing, Kimberly and I both nibbled on the jambalaya and loved its deeply set flavors. The New Orleans version of risotto so to speak, this jambalaya (like any typical version) included short grain rice, the holy trinity as the locals call it (onions, celery and bell peppers), andouille sausage, fresh herbs and lots of spices. The overall flavors in the dish tasted like home and were deeply comforting, which I think is just what they were going for.
Broiled Shrimp and Mac n' Cheese - As if we didn't already order enough, we also tried their broiled jumbo shrimp entree with creamy Velveeta mac n' cheese. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and contained great flavors from Cajun spices, but what I should really be highlighting here is the mac. I loved it when the Sugarfreak staff came by and boasted about the use of this cheese. Naturally a taboo in food circles, I loved how Sugarfreak embraced the beauty of this pedestrian ingredient and called a spade a spade. The result was a soft, velvety and delectable version that brought you back to your childhood, when you ate your mac n' cheese from a bowl, accompanied by a tall glass of milk.
Chicken Po' Boy - Jonathan ordered this grilled chicken sandwich, which he seemed to enjoy. Paired with nice looking French fries and served on a fresh baguette, he had no complaints and polished off nearly the whole thing. I didn't try it, but took his clean plate as proof that it was good.
Chocolate Caramel Pie - As if we didn't eat enough, we were offered a complimentary pie, with a deep, dark chocolate filling, peanuts and caramel, topped with crunchy pie crust. The presentation was just gorgeous, served in a cute little mason jar. Even though I was full, I took several hefty spoonfulls and enjoyed pairing the buttery crust with the gooey chocolate middle. If this is what NOLA tastes like, please take me there.
Watermelon Punch - Prior to our meal, as mentioned, we hung out at the bar, ate some complimentary peanuts and indulged in cocktails. I loved sipping on my watermelon punch, which included a mixture of fresh watermelon juice, gin and some citrus. It was wonderfully refreshing and not too strong, as I like my drinks.
Service and Cost:
While the service was friendly and accommodating, I couldn't help but notice the lag time in between courses. My friends noticed too, (no doubt amplified by our hunger), but overall the wait wasn't a deal breaker, just something to take note of. All the staff were gracious and hospitable, and we appreciated their two cents about each dish and the unique ingredients found in each item. It seemed that the staff were invested in this place and it showed.
Costs are very wallet friendly, especially given the generous portions. For the incredible amount of food I just described, we each paid $22 including tax and tip. What a steal!
3 Mmmms
