Image by Veslo
Just the other day, while on our way to Bear's friends and family party, my cousin Vicky and I stopped at Veslo to have a drink and a much needed snack after what was a long work day. I suggested Veslo, as it wasn't terribly far from our final destination, and I remembered the sizable bar area that would just suit our needs. All in all, it was a great place to stop for a casual bite and a refreshing cocktail. Here's what we had:
Dalmatian Platter - We were looking for something to tide us over before we embarked on a Russian feast, and this was the perfect way to do it. Consisting of generous slices of very good quality prosciutto, crumbly parmesan cheese and a sampling of green and black olives and pickled peppers, it was just what we needed. I especially loved wrapping the prosciutto around the cheese, both of which were served slightly chilled, giving them a crisper taste. The platter size was quite large and although we were both hungry, we just couldn't finish it all. The portion would've been perfect for about 3 people.
Sangria - I noticed they had a big container of red sangria at the bar and I ordered a tall glass of it. Loving the fact that it wasn't too sweet, it was packed with generous apple cubes and some citrus fruit too. I liked that it wasn't too diluted, letting you taste the wine and vermouth inside.
Service and Cost:
Served by the bartender, who was no doubt Croatian, the service was very prompt and efficient, but not that friendly. Our server was polite and she did absolutely nothing wrong, but I didn't feel any kind of warmth from her - and I couldn't help noticing that she was very friendly to her Croatian patrons. Oh well, it still wouldn't deter me from coming back.
Costs are affordable, and the generous sized platter of food and a large cup of sangria set me back $14 including tax. Enjoy it, and try to venture deeper into their menu as well - they have some really neat Dalmatian delicacies.
3 Mmmms
Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com
Image by Veslo
Once again...I have lobster news for you - this time coming from Veslo, the vibrant Balkan restaurant, located on Broadway near 32nd Street. I love the personality and fun this place injects into their weekly activities and they've added another one to their roster. I wanted to give you a heads up about it, as a special lobster theme night is happening next weekend, and it sounds scrumptious. Five different lobster preparations all in a twelve hour time frame!
Here are the deets, and if you're interested, please make sure you call them to make a reservation, as they book up quickly.
Veslo's Lobsterfest 2011
Saturday, August 27th from 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Lobster prepared five ways including: lobster bisque, stuffed lobster, boiled lobster with butter, lobster fra diavolo, surf & turf and broiled lobster tail
What more can you ask for in a crustacean shin-dig? I'm pretty curious and may check it out with friends. Hope to see you there.
Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com
Just this week, a fellow Astorian, Ana gave us her take on a new Croatian restaurant, Veslo. Well I must say that it piqued my curiosity so much that I had to see it for myself. Taking a fellow Croat with me, my friend Jenny and I indulged in an evening of delicious eats and fond memories of our Eastern European culture.
Atmosphere:
Before I get into the details, I wanted to give a brief background about the word Veslo and its meaning. In Croatian as well as in other select Slavic languages including Slovak (my native tongue), Veslo means oar. The significance of this word is important because you see it as the dominant theme in Veslo's interior and exterior design. From its logo to its door handle to its ceiling and wall decor, oars are tastefully displayed everywhere.
I very much liked Veslo's set up - a long rectangular front-of-the-house with a modern, stone stacked bar, which then leads to a more squarish dining room with round tables for groups and square ones for couples. There's a large window in the back that peeks into Veslo's upcoming outdoor seating for when the weather gets warmer (I can't wait!) The color scheme is made up of reds, blues and earthy tones to conjure up images of the sea. I think it works well to create a relaxing, rustic vibe with a modern undertone.
Food:
It's not surprising to see that Veslo's menu is full of seafood specialties, which are interlaced into its every aspect. But besides all the fish, there are also wonderful meat and veggie options that brought me back to my Eastern European roots.
Grilled Octopus - Jenny was immediately drawn to this dish because it hit close to home, as her mom makes it on a regular basis. Needless to say, it had a lot to live up to.
Overall, the octopus delivered. Served in two large pieces that were beautifully charred on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside, it's one of the better versions I've had. In terms of flavor, both of us agreed that it fell a little flat - I think it needed more acid (even after we added a hefty sprinkling of lemon juice, it was missing that punchy zing).
Stuffed Cabbage - I can't even explain how excited I was to hear this was the day's special. Served up with a side of Croatian-style baked potatoes, it rested in the most amazing beef broth that had a slight sweetness to it. The cabbage itself was stuffed with a rice/beef mixture and plenty of delicious spices. Jenny went as far as to say it reminded her of her baba's (grandma's) stuffed cabbage.
Veal Gnocchi - Even before seeing the menu, Jenny knew she was getting the gnocchi (Ana's review enticed her). She gave me a generous amount to taste and it was pretty good. I won't say amazing because I thought the gnocchi were a bit dense, but the veal was tender and flavorful, and the thick veal sauce stuck to the gnocchi dutifully.
Palacinke - The Croatian version of crepes, we were eager to try Veslo's rendition and chose three different fillings - marmalade, chocolate and ricotta cheese. The latter was my favorite, as the ricotta was flavored with orange zest, producing the most delicate combination with the soft, airy crepe batter. The marmalade was yummy too but it would've been better with slightly less of it. Overall, this was a fantastic dessert that I'd love to repeat next time.
Service and Cost:
Since Veslo is a new establishment, the service was very careful, observant and dutiful. I liked our server who seemed to have a good understanding of the menu. On more than one occasion, one of the managers came by to check in on us - and not just because I was taking pictures, I saw this level of attention was given to everyone.
Prices are moderate - our dinner set us back $34/person including tax and tip (and drinks too).
Appetizers - $8 -$15
Pasta - $12 - $24
Fish - $18 - $28
Meat - $14 - $28
Dessert - $5 - $6
3 Mmmms
Image by veslonyc.com
Melissa, an avid Foodista reader sent me a very helpful heads-up today about a new restaurant opening this Friday. Veslo or "oar" in Croatian, is the name of this new establishment that will represent Dalmatian culture, also known as the region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea. It's therefore no surprise that Veslo's menu will feature lots of fresh seafood, prepared in a simple, fisherman-style technique that appears to be light yet still satisfying for the cold winter season.Veslo will double up as a restaurant and sports bar, bringing patriotic Croats and other avid soccer fans with with hard-to-catch international matches. American sports will be on too, so you can watch a plethora of games under one roof.
Here's a sampling of their menu to pique your curiosity:
Appetizers:
Boris Special - Hot seafood platter with steamed clams & mussels in a white wine sauce, grilled calamari and eggplant rollatini...$15
Steamed Shellfish Combo - Steamed clams & mussels, served in a white sauce...$11
Dalmatian Platter - Thinly sliced prosciutto & cheese, served with olives & peppers...$9
Pasta:
Brodetto a la Adriatic - A cornucopia of shrimp, mussels, scallops, clams & sea bass served in a tomato, white wine broth and infused with garlic parsley & basil over pasta...$26
Krapanj Style Orzotto - Sauteed octopus & calamari with barley...$22
Brodarica Style Bolognese - Veal & beef sauteed with prosciutto & tomatoes over spaghetti...$16
Fish:
Grilled Halibut - Served in a light lemon sauce...$20
Shrimp na Buzaru - Croatian-style shrimp sauteed with fresh tomato, green onion and garlic in a white wine sauce, topped with breadcrumbs...$21
Mixed Seafood Platter - A mixed platter of grilled lobster tail, filet of sole, shrimp and calamari along with steamed clams & mussels in a white wine sauce...$30
Meat:
Veal Sniceli - Pan seared veal with olive oil & a touch of garlic...$18-$20
Goulash - Cubed beef stew with olive oil, onion, garlic, red wine & fresh herbs...$16-$18
Veslo Mixed Grill Platter - Various grilled meats including cevapcici, raznjici & lamb chops...$28
Veslo - 32-11 Broadway, Astoria NY 11106
718.728.0549
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.veslonyc.com
