The Foodista

Restaurant in the Renaissance Building

2009-07-03T12:49:00.005-04:00

On my way to the post office, I noticed a fancy restaurant in the Renaissance apartment building by the same name. I've never seen it before, probably because I don't walk there much but it's apparently been in existence for some time. I peeked inside and it looked very lush with lots of rich wood, high ceilings and comfy-looking chairs. I spied the menu that incorporated classic dishes such as crab cakes, a Waldorf salad and other continental goods.

Later exploring this place online, I noticed that it's also a venue for weddings and large events. The language on the website is very effusive (too much so for my taste) but they claim that they could customize a menu to any party size. Sounds interesting and might be worth taking a look.

Let me know if anyone has been there already and if so, what your experience was. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on it.

Renaissance of Astoria - 27-34 21st Street, Astoria NY 11102
718.274.9210
N/W Train to Astoria Blvd or 30th Avenue
www.renaissanceofastoria.com

Delmonico's Steakhouse - A New York Classic

2009-07-02T17:14:00.015-04:00

Delmonico's - 56 Beaver Street, New York NY 10004
212.509.3130
2/3 Train to Wall Street
www.delmonicosny.com

Dan and I had the delicious experience of visiting one of NY's finest steakhouses, Delmonico's. I've read about it in the past and have always wanted to visit--so when the opportunity presented itself, we were eager to take advantage. Unlike some classic steakhouses that have disappointed me in the past, this one overdelivered--and then some.

Atmosphere:
Located in Manhattan's financial district, Delmonico's attracts the Wall Street crowd--but it's surprisingly not pretentious. As soon as I walked in, I was welcomed by a friendly hostess who led me to the bar area to meet Dan. There we had a beer and chatted, not feeling the pressure to act "proper" but to just unwind and relax after a long day.

We were seated in the gorgeous dining room with deep rich wood moldings, grandiose paintings and chandeliers. Yes, this sounds formal but again, it felt entirely comfortable. Small parties of two such as ourselves were seated along the perimeter of the room while bigger parties sat in the middle. Overall, it created a nice atmosphere that was social but not too loud. I'd definitely recommend this place for a romantic dinner if that's what you're looking for.

I'd be doing a disservice if I wouldn't touch upon Delmonico's history. Besides it being the first restaurant in the U.S. to offer tablecloth service, it's also the place where some of the most well-known dishes were invented, including Eggs Benedict, Lobster Newburg, Baked Alaska and of course the Delmonico Steak.

Food:
We liked that in addition to the traditional steakhouse dishes, Delmonico's offered up new alternatives, some of which were a bit ethnic--and the diversity of the menu was appreciated.

Appetizers - Dan and I started with two dishes, a classic Caesar salad and the Blue Crab Cake. Both were fresh and used superb quality ingredients, especially the crab, which was embellished with a saffron aioli. The crab cake was substantial in size, seasoned properly, which didn't go unnoticed. I loved the crunchy, sauteed parsley on the side, which was cooked in the same style as Malagueta's sauteed spinach--divine.

The salad was simple but again, nice and fresh--the lettuce leaves had great crunch and the dressing had a touch of smokiness. I liked that they put an anchovy on top and some shavings of salty parmigiano cheese.

Steak - We ordered two cuts of meat--Dan went for the traditional Delmonico's steak (a boneless rib eye) while I got the more girly option, the filet mignon. Although I loved my steak and thought that it was juicy and flavorful, Dan's rib eye hit it out of the park with its intense taste. Marbling equals excellence and that's why Dan's steak was so finger-lickin' good. I didn't feel guilty eating it, as I only had a few bites of his 18 ouncer--it was huge and in my opinion, large enough to split. My filet was also generous in portion and I took about a quarter of it home--the thought of extending my meal to make leftover steak sandwiches excited me.

Sides - Our sides of choice included two starches, hash browns and the Hoop spaetzle. I loved the presentation of the hash browns--they were formed into a round shape and browned on the outside, making them super crunchy. They were a tad oily but that's expected with anything fried.

The spaetzle simply rocked my world. First and foremost, it reminded me of my beloved Slovak halusky but the flavoring was different--it not only incorporated farmer-style cheese but also garlic and parsley. It felt lighter than the Slovak halusky and the Hoop cheese seemed to melt into the spaetzle, giving it a subtle cheesy flavor. Dan, who's very picky with cheeses devoured and complimented this.

Dessert - To not order Baked Alaska in the place it was invented would be a crime, so of course we did. And to call it anything short of perfect would be a lie, as it was absolutely delectable. The meringue was my favorite part--it was shaped into a medium-sized dome with gorgeous little peaks that were slightly crunchy on the outside. The contents included almond cake, apricots and banana ice cream, which stood out to me. Dan loved the banana too and mentioned how pronounced and delicious its flavor was.

In addition to our dessert of choice, we also received small butter biscuits with dulce de leche cream. They were nice and I liked the filling but the dough tasted a bit raw and I wasn't into it.

Service and Cost:
The best part about our experience was the service. Attentive but unobtrusive, our waiter David knew just what to do and when to do it. Our glasses were refilled when needed, a napkin was replenished or crumbs were cleared off the table as soon as they appeared. I liked that David was friendly and not robotic, as I've experienced in certain upscale restaurants. Like me, his roots lie in Eastern Europe and we shared a few words about our beloved spaezle.

In terms of costs, Delmonico's is on the high side but as far as steakhouses go, it's pretty standard. Appetizers and salads range between $9-$26, steaks are between $43-$90 and sides will set you back between $8-$14. Specials and prix-fixes arise from time to time and they'll be participating in the upcoming Summer Restaurant Week, during which they'll boast a $24.07 lunch and a $35 dinner three-course prix-fixe.

3 Mmmms

S'Agapo - Love at First Bite

2009-07-01T17:18:00.009-04:00

S'Agapo - 34-21 34th Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.626.0303
N/W Train to Broadway

Kimberly was in town last weekend and because she missed Greek food so much, we decided to check out S'Agapo. A traditional Greek joint, it's been in the neighborhood for 40 years, known for traditional, homestyle Greek cuisine. The reviews that we read were good, but the actual experience was stupendous and we'd go back in a heartbeat.

Atmosphere:
There's nothing fancy about S'Agapo and that's OK--it doesn't try hard to impress but succeeds to make you feel comfortable with its cozy, personal vibe. The inside dining room is simple with wooden chairs and tables and a glass display, showcasing the catch of the day.

What I found really nice on a warm night like last weekend was their outdoor patio. Again, nothing too elaborate, it consists of plastic chairs and simple tables, which curve around the restaurant. I liked the fairy lights on top of the striped awning that added a festive touch, as well as the tall bushes that gave the patio some privacy.

S'Agapo appeals to native Greeks and you'll hear the beautiful language spoken around you. However, if you're American, you won't feel like an outsider and will be treated with importance and respect.

Food:
Not sure about what to expect, we were astounded at how much we liked everything. From the beautiful, rustic presentation to the flavorful taste, we fell in love with S'Agapo's food.

Traditional Greek Salad - We wanted to start out with something light and fresh, thus ordering this salad, consisting of tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, endives and feta cheese. It was very simple, flavored with a lemon/olive oil vinaigrette--and the veggies were incredibly fresh. The tomatoes were juicy and the feta was milky white, with a nice tang. We loved piling this on top of our toasted pita or stuffing the endive leaves with the other contents of the salad.

Dip Assortment - While most Greek restaurants in the neighborhood offer an assortment of 3 to even 5 dips, S'Agapo stepped it up with 8 amazing dips on one plate. The selection was almost overwhelming but so much fun to try, as I think the dips catered to all tastes. The roe and grape leave spreads offered a salty bite whereas the roasted red pepper and the beet spreads were on the sweeter side. There was also a non-traditional parsley dip that reminded us of pesto, except that it was more earthy and lemony. One of my favorites was the tzatziki, refreshingly cool and slightly garlicky. An innovative aspect about this dish were the veggie separators, which included cucumber slices and a hybrid vegetable, which was a cross between an avocado and a cucumber. Yowza!

Zucchini Croquettes - Instead of taking the long shape of the zucchini, these were round and almost pancake-like. I liked them a lot but didn't understand why they were paired with a dollop of hummus. I preferred them with the cooling tzatziki instead and dipped them into this part of our dip sampler.

Cheese Dumplings with Honey - This was a show-stopper for me, more so than for Kimberly. It consisted of crispy pastry dough dumplings filled with sweet dessert cheese. A side of honey was the perfect pairing, as it gave the dumplings a floral essence and a touch of indulgence. I loved how light the cheese was and the crispiness of the crust was lovely.

Greek Meatballs - We both stopped and exclaimed after our first bite because we couldn't believe how light these were. Despite an airy quality, they had intense flavor, enhanced by fresh herbs like parsley and mint. Acompanied by a generous glug of tzatziki, I couldn't get enough, making this dish a must.

Service and Cost:
Our waiter was polite and took the time to explain and recommend the food and wine to us. The server, who we thought was also the owner was especially cordial, explaining the contents of everything, even all of the dips. There was a strange occurrence with our pita (we thought that it was partially nibbled) but the situation was handled with humor that kept us in stitches for the rest of the night.

S'Agapo is incredibly affordable, especially for the great quality that you get. Our meal, which consisted of 5 dishes that we shared as well as a carafe of house wine set us back $43 per person. It was a lot of food that made us comfortably full and that could've easily fed 1-2 more people.

3 Loud Mmmms

My Version of the Hangover Pizza

2009-06-30T15:54:00.007-04:00

Theirs (image by Meg Cotner)

Mine

Some of you might have heard about Vesta's brunch specialty, the Hangover Pizza. It's a non-traditional thin-crust pizza with a fried egg on top. And while I haven't yet tried it, the idea was intriguing enough to make my own version.

There are a lot of differences between the two, the main one being that Vesta's is made by a talented professional chef and mine was made by curious, hungry me. Other differences include the dough texture (theirs is thin and crispy, mine was thick and doughy) toppings (theirs contains potato, pancetta, caramelized onions, a fried egg and spicy tomato sauce and mine used traditional tomato sauce, smoked Swiss cheese, a runny egg and fresh basil).

Here's the recipe for my version - and I'll give you some helpful hints I learned from the faux-pas I made along the way.

Foodista's Runny Egg Pizza (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:
1 lb of pizza dough - I usually buy it at Rose and Joe's for a mere $1.25
About 1/4 cup of tomato/marinara sauce (can be homemade or store bought)
1/2 cup of smoked Swiss cheese - or any cheese that you like. Could be mozzarella.
1 egg
Fresh basil torn into medium-sized pieces
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Roll out pizza dough to desired shape (I like a rustic round pie--it does not have to look perfect). Top with tomato sauce and cheese and place in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the dough gets golden and the cheese melts. Open the oven and break an egg right on top of the pizza. Be very careful not to move the pizza too quickly when sliding the oven tray back into position--the egg might roll off. This happened to me and as a result, I had to break another egg, just gently pushing the oven tray back into place. Bake for another 5 minutes or according to your egg preference (I like them runny). Remove from oven and top with fresh basil, salt and pepper.

Enjoy the runny egg as it melds with the smoky cheese and the tangy sauce. Mmmmm...

Thanks for a great idea Vesta!

Ovelia's Sikatini - A Winning Concoction

2009-06-29T17:34:00.007-04:00

Image by www.becomingachef.com

Last week's DCA 4th Annual Sidewalk Cafe Mix-Off held at The Institute of Culinary Education produced excellent results for one of our very own, Ovelia Psistaria. Although they didn't take home the big crown, they were the first runner up for this year's must-have drink with their homemade Sikatini.

Ovelia proved to be a strong contender amongst the stiff competition, which included Justin Timberlake's Southern Hospitality (the winner), Da Silvano, Chow Bar, Roots and Vines, Mustang Grill, Jack Bistro, Taboon, Astoria's Cafe Bar and Tony's di Napoli. The judges at the event included acclaimed food experts, Gael Greene, judge of Bravo's Top Chef Masters being one of them.

Ovelia's Sikatini, created by John and Litsa Giannakas is a fig cocktail that has become something of a legend amongst Astorians. You'll notice it resting in a big, glass jar at the bar--and its dark, pungent color will make you stop and wonder, "what is that?" I almost solved the puzzle by asking Chris, one of Ovelia's owners about the contents of this drink to which he replied, "it's a mix of metaxa, vodka infused with dried figs and the secret ingredient which you can see when you look in the glass jar." There's only one way to find out...try it for yourself and see what the hype's all about.

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.ovelia-ny.com

Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies - My Version

2009-06-28T16:55:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks back, Guest Foodista Vicky blogged about Martha Stewart's interesting recipe for Banana, Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies. They looked so good and the addition of banana appealed so much to me that I decided to make them too.

Unfortunately, I didn't have walnuts so I substituted almonds, which gave the cookies a nice bite. The oats were omitted by accident and I found that I didn't miss them at all.

I loved treating my family, friends and co-workers to these cookies, and they all commented about the unexpected--and wonderful--banana flavor. And while this recipe isn't difficult to make, I'd suggest trying it more than once, since like most things, it gets easier with practice. I found my first batch too soft and the second improved in texture--the cookies having a firm exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Here's the recipe again if you'd like to try it. It passed Guest Foodista Vicky's test, and I was so pleased!

The Inside "Scoop" from Bistro 33

2009-06-26T16:39:00.006-04:00

On Monday night at Bistro's Best Dish Battle, I chatted with Chef Gary who gave me some interesting "intelligence." He mentioned that Bistro is opening up an old-school ice-cream parlor later this summer. He described it as a 20's style parlor with old fashioned ice-cream, floats and even servers with bow ties. It sounds absolutely charming and so very Bistro. It's rumored to open next door to the restaurant, which will be a lovely addition that will get Gary's followers--and new customers--visiting more frequently. Stay tuned for more details but in the meantime...get excited!

Coming soon next door to Bistro 33

19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
http://lilbistro33.com/index.shtml

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Still My Favorite of its Kind

2009-06-25T16:47:00.004-04:00

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102

718.274.4925

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

www.bohemianhall.com

Despite new competition from the Studio Square Beer Garden, Bohemian is still my favorite, mostly because of its Eastern European heritage and the food they serve. My cousins, brother and I went there recently and despite the rain, we had a blast. I sampled a couple of new things, spotlighting them below:

Halusky (Spaetzle) with Sauerkraut - One of my favorite Slovak dishes, I prefer to eat them with "bryndza" or sheep's milk cheese but they ran out. The sauerkraut version was just as good and the spaetzle were bite sized and quite light. They could sometimes feel too bready and heavy but that wasn't the case. Sprinkling this dish with bacon is traditional and while I liked it, it didn't stand a chance next to the thick-cut bacon at Koliba.

Classic Beef Goulash - This was Matt's choice and I'm so glad that he insisted on it. Served with knedle (bread dumplings), it was incredibly hearty and comforting. I loved how the slow-cooked beef fell apart upon contact--and it was infused with a lovely, pungent beef gravy that seeped into the bread dumplings. Unlike with the halusky, I think that this dish was better done here than in Koliba.

Fried Muenster Cheese - Bringing me back to my childhood when my dad made this for us, I simply devoured it. Sure it looked like an ordinary fried cheese block, but it so wasn't. Gooey on the inside, it had perfect consistency and was really enhanced by the side of tangy tartar sauce. If you aren't entirely brave enough to try Slovak food, get this, as it appeals to an American palate.

Service and Cost:
Notorious for bad service, the Beer Garden has turned things around. We didn't have to beg to be served and our food arrived in about 20 minutes. One thing that's slightly disappointing is that the personnel is no longer all Czech/Slovak. It was nice--and fun--to be able to speak your native tongue there but that's no longer. Oh well.

While costs go up each year, it's still a very affordable establishment, setting us back about $76 total for 5 entrees and some sides.

3 Mmmms

Malagueta - The Steak was a Hit

2009-06-24T16:43:00.008-04:00

Malagueta - 25-35 36th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
718.937.4821

N/W Train to 36th Avenue

I recently had a romantic dinner with Dan at Malagueta, mainly because I wanted to introduce it to him and also because I was craving their Moqueca de Camarao (shrimp stew, palm oil, onions, peppers, coconut milk and cilantro). Besides getting that and the already-tried Brazilian sausage with fried yucca, Dan ordered the most delicious steak that I wanted to highlight here:

Broiled Steak - Brazilians are known for their steak so Dan, a serious meat eater, was eager to try it. Malagueta's broiled steak over-delivered on all counts--presentation, taste and texture. The cut was a classic filet mignon and it was cooked perfectly, medium-rare. The mashed potatoes were also nice, although not overly exciting--again seasoned well and not too heavy.

The sauteed spinach was my favorite component and I pretty much finished most of Dan's portion--it was so crispy that I thought it had been fried. It tasted more like spinach chips rather than unexciting sauteed spinach--I asked how the chef prepared it but I didn't get a straight answer. I would definitely like to make this style of spinach at home if I learned how.

Service and Cost:
Our servers were hospitable and friendly but also lax. We liked that, as we were looking for a romantic evening without too many disruptions. Just perfect--I'd highly recommend it for an intimate meal.

A lovely dinner consisting of an appetizer, two entrees and two drinks set us back about $35 per person including tax and tip. Muito sabroso!

3 Mmmms

Bistro 33 - Best Dish Battle Recap

2009-06-23T17:22:00.009-04:00

Last night, I judged a cooking contest at Bistro 33 called The Best Dish Battle. The event showcased three talented home cooks, who took over Chef Gary's kitchen for the night and produced delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy.

Even before going into some of the food descriptions, I must give praise to each finalist for doing a bang-up job! I, along with my fellow judges were incredibly impressed by the professional way in which everything was handled. Not only is it hard to cook for a handful of people, but to successfully serve a full dining room of 30+ is quite the achievement. So...congrats to all!

The Judges:
My colleagues came from all sides of the food spectrum, including a chef with a catering company, to a freelance writer for TimeOut NY and amNew York and even two passionate neighborhood foodies. They were all wonderful, providing lively commentary and fun stories throughout the evening--a dull moment never existing.

The Food:
There were three main dishes served last night, providing a little bit of everything--pork, poultry and seafood.

Asian Chicken Dumpling Soup - The first dish of the night, we were careful in judging it because we wanted to see how it'd measure up to the rest. Right from the beginning, I liked the broth. It had a lot of flavor and wasn't too heavy--it was salted generously but that didn't bother me. The dumplings were lovely on the outside and generally pleasing on the inside too. I thought that the chicken filling was a tad dry but it wasn't a deal breaker. My favorite component was the lime for spritzing the broth. It gave the senses a jolt, making this soup sing with freshness.

Salmon Packets with Black Bean Sauce - I was a tad underwhelmed when the salmon came out because it seemed small and there also was no "packet." But I was impressed that the fish was cooked perfectly and that the black bean sauce wasn't overpowering, gentle on the palate. However, the dish begged for something else...something crunchy or zesty to give it that much needed freshness. I'd gladly eat this with a side salad of crunchy slaw and maybe even a fruit like mango.

French Onion Pork Chops - This was innovative and interesting because it was virtually a deconstructed french onion soup, complete with bread, cheese and plenty of onions. Out of the above mentioned dishes, this felt the most cohesive, presenting a complete meal that didn't beg for additional ingredients. It did however have faults - one being the toughness of the pork and another the lack of caramelized onions. I, along with my fellow judges thought that the onions could've been fried and the pork perhaps served off the bone. However, we enjoyed this option immensely, especially loving the flavorful broth, which soaked up the bread beautifully.

The Winner: French Onion Pork Chops!
Will be featured on Bistro 33's menu this Saturday, June 27th

Kudos to all participants and to Bistro 33 for hosting this wonderful event, which promoted a sense of community as well as much-deserved recognition for passionate, home cooks. Thanks everyone!

P.S. - I think that a video of the event will be available soon on Bistro's website - stay tuned for more details.

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

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

NYC Food Film Festival - Good Flicks and Great Eats

2009-06-22T16:37:00.002-04:00

This past Friday, I had the great fun of attending the Closing Night and Awards Ceremony of the 3rd Annual NYC Food Film Festival. The films were screened in three venues--the Astor Center in Manhattan, The new Water Taxi Beach in South Street Seaport and the original Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City.

Friday's awards ceremony and screenings were held at the Water Taxi Beach in LIC and Dan and I were so glad to finally check it out.

Atmosphere:
Really staying true to its name, there's no shortage of a "beach" and that means everything that comes with it like tons of sand. We didn't mind the rustic surroundings and once we took a look at the beautiful skyline, we knew why so many people cram in here on a Friday or Saturday night. There were plenty of picnic tables to grab a seat and enjoy the food films, Harry's famous noshes and drinks.

Food:
In addition to the Harry's menu, which includes his famous hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and other grilled specialties, there were free nibbles to taste, courtesy of the festival. These included:

Okra Shrimp Gumbo - Based on a James Beard Recipe and prepared by Chef Harry Hawk and Sous Chef Katherine Dunn. Unfortunately, this went way too fast and I didn't get to taste it at all--it sounded good though.

Swedish Meatballs - Inspired by the film, In the Kitchen with Marcus Samuelsson. We found out that these were in fact IKEA meatballs, which are as Swedish as you can get. They were soft, yummy and flavored with strawberry preserves. I couldn't get enough so I helped myself to two servings.

Peeps - In honor of Friday's feature film, The Power of the Peep, thousands and thousands of marshmallow peeps were handed out for everyone to enjoy. I took a couple of boxes home and plan to share them with friends.

Buttermilk Ice Cream - From the Cruze Family Farm in Knoxville, TN which was showcased in the film, Buttermilk: It Can Help. Again, I didn't get a taste, which was a bummer.

Other grub that we had included Harry's classic eats:

The Burger - While I didn't try this at all because I was waiting in line for my pulled pork, Dan said that it was good but that it didn't quite live up to its "Best Burger of the Boroughs" title. I did however taste the fries and thought they were fantastic--crunchy, well done and seasoned to perfection.

Pulled Pork - Although a messy sight (see above picture), it tasted absolutely spectacular--marinated in a smoky, pungent barbecue sauce. I loved the tenderness of the meat, which was incredibly juicy and succulent. The bun, holding this goodness together was sturdy and slightly sweet.

Grilled Corn on the Cob - I had to wait about 20 minutes for this baby but it was well worth it. Once I bit into its sweet delicious kernels, it was heaven. Glazed with sweet butter, it presented a wonderful combination of savory and sweet. I'd order this again in a heartbeat, despite the possible wait.

The Films:
In addition to enjoying the goodies, we watched the following food films, of which Mr. Okra was my favorite. Everyone agreed, as Mr. Okra won the Audience Choice Award.

Come Have an Omelette With Me
Save the Honey Bees
Mr. Okra
In the Kitchen with Marcus Samuelsson
Mandarin
Power of the Peep

Hope that you got to catch some of these flicks--you can see several of them online. Check out my links.

Bistro 33's Best Dish Battle - I'm Judging!

2009-06-21T23:41:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow night is Bistro 33's Best Dish Battle, and yours truly will be judging along with three other neighborhood foodies. The event will showcase three best amateur cooks, showing off their most impressive skills. Everyone's invited to join in the fun, sample the food and put in their 2 cents by voting for their favorite. I'm expecting it to be a fun evening filled with tons of yummies. Below are the details if you're interested in attending:

Bistro 33 Best Dish Battle

Monday, June 22nd at 8:00 p.m.

$33 per person - includes three courses (one by each contestant) and one vote

19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY
718.721.1933
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.lilbistro33.com

Celebrate the Summer Solstice--and The Taste of Astoria

2009-06-19T15:53:00.006-04:00

Socrates Sculpture Park will host a fun celebration in honor of summer (eh hem, I think they mean rain season). Despite the rough weather this year, the event should be a lot of fun, featuring live music, art-making workshops, face painting and let's not forget food! Several Astoria restaurants will be on-hand, featuring nibbles of their signature dishes from $3 and up.

Featured Restaurants:

Vesta - Rustic Italian fare with a modern twist

Wunderbar - LIC German grill and bierhaus

Sparrow - Shabby-chic bar with fantabulous burgers

Fatty's - Latin inspired, casual cafe with killer burritos and yummy burgers

Bistro 33 - Japanese-French fusion with personality

Artopolis - Traditional Greek bakery serving beautiful--and delicious--breads and pastries

Hell Gate Social - Under-the-radar Astoria bar with an inventive nosh menu

Here are the exact deets about the event:

Summer Solstice Celebration at Socrates Sculpture Park
Sunday, June 21, 2009
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
FREE - Rain or shine

Happy Father's Day Astoria!

2009-06-18T17:42:00.007-04:00

My dad and me (pictured above)

This Sunday is Father's Day and I'm surprised that only one restaurant on my round-up list is doing anything special. Father's need some love too! In any case, check out these good eats that you can hit up with Dad.

Vesta - Impress Dad with rustic, Italian dishes from Vesta. Personal favorites include the sheep's milk ricotta crostini, interesting pizzas such as the potato, pancetta, caramelized onions, apple and goat cheese pie, as well as hearty pasta dishes. For traditional eaters, steak with red onion and blue cheese butter is available. 21-02 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.545.5550

Ovelia - The only eatery with a Dad special, it includes robust entrees such as surf and turf with Greek coffee skirt steak, a stuffed lobster tail, and a Kobe burger and beer combo. Both options are reasonably priced, especially the burger. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.7217

Christos Steakhouse - A perfect place to take meat-lover Dads, Christos' high-quality food and impeccable service offer a memorable experience. I'm a big fan of their steak au poivre and the seafood is top-notch. You can probably imagine that an exceptional experience comes with a higher cost--but as far as steakhouses go, this one is affordable. 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.777.8400

Trattoria L'Incontro - Shocked to find out that they aren't featuring a prix-fixe this year, it's probably for the best. Known for their fresh pasta and delicious antipasti, it's hard to go wrong with anything here. The specials are Trattoria's main attraction, and I'm sure they'll be even heftier on Sunday than usual. 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.721.3532

Lucas Steakhouse - The newest steakhouse in Astoria, it promises a chic, modern atmosphere. The prices reflect its avant-garde-ness, but judging by the fact that they share owners with Locale , I trust that it's good. The menu is traditional, featuring New York strip steak, clams casino, New York cheesecake and more. 34-55 32nd Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.786.5200

Malagueta - Another good option for steak lovers, my husband enjoyed a classic broiled steak with sauteed spinach here. The Moqueca de Camarao (shrimp stew, palm oil, onions, peppers, coconut milk and cilantro) is their signature dish and quite delicious. Price-wise it's affordable, especially considering the nice atmosphere. 25-35 36th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106718.937.4821

Taverna Kyklades - Taverna doesn't feature any specials nor take reservations, but you can always count on it for exceptional Greek dishes such as spinach pie, grilled octopus, all sorts of grilled and fried seafood, chicken kebobs, Greek-style hamburgers and much more. It's hard to get in so if you decide on this place, get there early. 33-07 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105. 718.545.8666

Koliba - My favorite Slovak/Czech restaurant in town, they serve the most delicious bacon that I've ever tasted on top of hearty potato and cheese spaetzle. There's also a plethora of beef, pork and chicken dishes with dumplings to choose from. Everything is flavorful and super filling--and a nice, tall glass of beer makes this cuisine complete. 31-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.626.0430

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Take Dad to the original Beer Garden, which despite a worthy adversary (Studio Square), is still my favorite. You can enjoy a variety of international beers, grilled food such as kielbasa, burgers, chicken as well as homemade Czech and Slovak specialties such as goulash, dumplings, fried cheese and more. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925

Studio Square Beer Garden - The new beer garden in town will have appeal for modern dads. They have over 18 beers on tap and serve grilled meats such as sausages, burgers, chicken and even pulled pork. The fries are particularly delicious and super crispy. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106718.383.1001

Paprika Shrimp and Sweet/Savory Polenta

2009-06-17T15:40:00.002-04:00

I love cooking with shrimp--a). because it's easy b). because it's relatively healthy and c). because it's darn tasty. The following is a recipe for paprika flavored shrimp over a sweet/savory polenta. My inspiration came from two recipes from the June issue of Bon Appetit, but I altered them so much that they became my own. Here they are--and the beautiful thing is that this meal will be ready in about 30-40 minutes tops.

Paprika Shrimp (serves 2):

Ingredients:
12-14 shelled and deveined shrimp
1/4 cup of chopped scallions
Paprika
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Directions:
Brush shrimp with a thin coat of olive oil and sprinkle well with salt and pepper on both sides. Then rub with paprika on both sides. Sautee on medium heat (in olive oil) for about 2 minutes on each side or until the shrimp curl slightly. Let cool for a few minutes and sprinkle with fresh scallions.

Sweet/Savory Polenta (serves 4):

Ingredients:
6oz - 8oz package of polenta (not precooked)
A handful of chopped scallions
1/3 cup of golden raisins
1 1/2 tsp of lemon zest (you can add more or less, depending on your preference)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook polenta according to directions. Stir in scallions, golden raisins, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Let cool for a few minutes. Spoon into a deep dish and top with paprika shrimp.

Bon appetit!

Da Franco - Uncomplicated Italian Food

2009-06-16T18:36:00.009-04:00

Da Franco - 23-92 21st Street, Astoria NY 11105
718.267.0010
N/W Train to Astoria Blvd
www.dafrancoitalianrestaurant.com

Da Franco has been in the works since March and opened about a month ago. Meg and I ventured over there last week and were pleasantly surprised by the food. The restaurant itself is generic but I'd turn to it again for good, uncomplicated Italian food.

Atmosphere:
Located in the Pistilli Riverview East building near Astoria Park, Da Franco is convenient for residents and park goers alike. It seems very much like a family environment, and Meg and I saw a handful of families with kids eating dinner. The space itself, although large is simple with a little too much red and gimmicky touches such as tables with maps of Italy on them.

In addition to the dining room, there's a large outdoor patio with about a dozen tables, shielded by umbrellas. I'd like to sit there next time, as it seems conducive to people watching, albeit you yourself might feel a tad exposed, facing the busy 21st street.

Food:
We heard mixed things about the food but weren't disappointed with our options. I think the key is to stick to simple basics such as pizza, salad and sides.

Insalata De' Medici - We were immediately drawn to this salad because it contained beets, our beloved vegetable. Other ingredients included orange zest, pine nuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese. It all worked well together and stood out as one of the best dishes of the night--the orange zest was especially pleasing, as it added freshness and zing.

Sauteed Mushrooms - Served alongside our salad, the mushrooms were a perfect complement. They were tender, meaty and marinated in pungent garlic that gave them an enticing smell. I loved mixing the salad with the mushrooms and they were also nice when paired with Da Franco's soft pizza bread.

Pizza Alla Modena - Meg and I just had to try Da Franco's brick oven pizza. We gravitated to this option with cherry tomatoes, fresh homemade mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, arugula and parmigiano cheese. The pizza dough was nice and light, with a slightly crispy crust. I liked the sauce and the mozzarella but thought that the prosciutto was a tad fatty and the parmigiano sliced too thick (not shaved as the menu promised). Overall it was a safe choice but I'd skip the parmigiano next time.

Dessert - We ordered two desserts - the pecan pie and homemade coffee gelatto. The pie was disappointing because it was a small piece and the pecan filling was dry. I liked the dough but didn't love the pie enough to get it again. The gelatto was pleasing - not the best that I've had but pretty good. The coffee flavor was gentle, whereas I would've liked it to be stronger and on the whole, it was too sweet. Meg loved it though and I think that it'd appeal to the majority of palates.

Service and Cost:
The service at Da Franco was good - friendly, informative and very attentive. Our water glasses were always full and we never felt like we weren't paid attention to. It was refreshing and welcomed--and characteristic of a new establishment.

Costs are moderate and for the above-mentioned dinner, we paid $28 per person with tax and tip. Just to give you an idea, appetizers range between $9.95 - $15.95, Primi Piatti (homemade pasta) cost between $13.95-$21.95 and traditional main courses will set you back between $15.95-$27.95.

2 Mmmms

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company - Now Open on 30th Avenue

2009-06-15T15:22:00.003-04:00

It's no secret that the Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company is my favorite bagel shop in Astoria. That's why I was thrilled when I found out that a new location would open on 30th Avenue. That happy--and much awaited--day has come today, when Brooklyn Bagel opened its 30th Avenue doors. Check it out - it resides near Grand Cafe and the New York Sports Clubs.

I'll be getting my carb fix from them soon--and you can too. Enjoy!

30th Avenue between 36th and 37th Street, Astoria NY 11103

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

www.brooklynbagelcoffeecompany.com

La Papa - Veggie Papa-licious

2009-06-14T17:31:00.003-04:00

Not long after mentioning the opening of La Papa baked potato bar, I decided to try it. Quite a meal, for a mere $6, I'd recommend it for a quick dinner or a hearty lunch.

Atmosphere:
La Papa occupies the old Pastalicious space, and not much has changed. The dining area is small and like Pastalicious, it's better suited for an impromptu meal or take-out rather than for a sit-down.

I like the festive Turkish music, influenced by the owners' heritage. The decor is playful with an oversized stuffed potato greeting you out front, and fun vibrant colors used throughout the establishment.

Food:
I chose the vegetarian papa because it seemed like the lightest option. They offer plenty of meat variations as well and you can choose virtually any combination that you could conjure up from the 18 or so offered toppings.

Vegetarian Papa - My veggie potato included the following: corn, Russian salad, green olives, beets and mushrooms. The combination was delicious but what I liked best was the oversized potato, whose contents were mashed with olive oil and kasseri cheese. The mashed guts were pureed so carefully that you couldn't find any inconsistent lumpy parts, and the overall mixture was extremely moist and creamy. The mushrooms were my favorite, as they added a meaty texture to the dish, despite it being vegetarian. I was nice and full after finishing my portion, with about half to spare--this is more than enough for a dinner serving.

Service and Cost:
My server was friendly, welcoming and quick to prepare my potato. Since I was the only one there at the time, my potato was done in about 3 minutes - quick, easy and effortless.

The entire dish cost $6 and with tax $6.50, which is a deal for a satisfying dinner. I can't wait to check out their other options.

3 Mmmms

Taste of LIC - Dessert Overload

2009-06-12T16:15:00.009-04:00

For the second year now, I attended the Taste of LIC event. I thought that last year's venue, the rooftop of the East Coast Tower apartment building was spectacular, but this year at the Gantry Plaza State Park it was just as (if not more) beautiful. It was fortunate that the event was tented, as the weather was soupy and on the brink of rain. But that didn't stop people from leaving the tents for a much needed food break, enjoying the beautiful city view near the East River. It was gorgeous and relaxing.

I sampled so many yummies that night that it was hard to decide what I liked best. But alas I chose a couple of favorites below that I'll be checking out again - and I encourage you to try them too.

Communitea - They impressed me with their sweets last year, and this year it was the hummus/avocado sandwich I was after. It was unfortunate that the bread got a bit soggy from the humidity but the hummus/avocado spread was delightful - light, creamy and also filling. I liked that it was healthy and you could tell that they used good quality ingredients. They also had various wonderful desserts; one of which I tried was the mini-brownie and it was pure decadence. 10-10 50th Ave, Long Island City, 718-383-9315

Manducatis Rustica - Wow, the offering here was impressive! In addition to savory dishes such as their signature mushroom/spinach quiches, they had a plethora of desserts. I simply couldn't refuse them and tried the walnut cake and a cup of chocolate mousse. I liked both but preferred the walnut cake, which had a soft consistency and a floral, honey finish. It tasted very homemade and I loved that. The chocolate mousse was a winner too but was just a tad too sweet for my tastebuds - the texture was lovely though. 46-35 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, 718.937.1312

Testaccio - This was an exciting discovery, as Testaccio hasn't yet opened (but they plan to in early August). So even though it was a tease, this Northern Italian restaurant offered a lovely starter of figs topped with mascarpone cheese and pine nuts. It was a clean, smooth bite and slightly decadent from the dessert cheese. I could see myself making it at home and especially for guests. 47-30 Vernon Boulevard, LIC, info@testacciony.com

Tom Cat Bakery - There's a reason why movie studios use Tom Cat to do their catering - their products are fantastic. Although known for their breads, they also make spectacular pastries and I tasted their raspberry bar at Tuesday's event. Yowza! Out of this world - the crumbly top was crunchy and buttery and the raspberry filling was just the right amount of sweet and sour. I wanted to have a mere half but couldn't leave it uneaten because it was that good. 43-05 10th Street, Long Island City, 718.786.7659

Foodcellar - Look I know what you're thinking, it's a supermarket...but I had something really, really delicious there, the quinoa salad. Mixed with pistachios, dried cranberries and a citrus dressing, it was a wonderful side that I'd definitely buy or make for myself. A healthy dish, I loved the heartiness of the quinoa (starchy) mixed with the sweet dried fruit and the savory nuts. Fun and imaginative! 4-85 47th Road, Long Island City, 718.606.9786

I hope that you have an opportunity to visit some of these places because they really are great.

Mundo Introduces La Papa - Baked Potato Bar

2009-06-11T18:16:00.007-04:00

Image courtesy of Mundo

When Meg told me last week that a baked potato bar was opening in Astoria, I got mighty excited. And when I heard that it's from the owner's of Mundo, my enthusiasm grew! Introducing, La Papa in the old Pastalicious space on 30th Avenue.

La Papa's show-stopper is the mighty baked potato (apparently a popular fast food in Turkey), which after baked, its contents are mashed with butter (or olive oil) and kasseri cheese. The rest is up to you, as you can choose unlimited toppings or you can go with a suggested "papa," such as:

LaPapa Classic - Beef franks, Russian salad, pickles, green olives & corn

LaPapa Chili con Carne - Chili con carne with beans, jalapeno, tzatziki, corn & tortilla chips

LaPapa Vegetarian - Corn, mushrooms, Russian salad, beets & green olives

LaPapa All-American - Corn, sour cream, bacon bits, fresh broccoli & pickled cucumbers

Or you can choose any of these toppings: artichokes, bacon bits, beef franks, beets, black olives, black olive paste, corn, green olives, jalapeno, mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, roasted red & green peppers, Russian salad, sour cream, sweet & sour red cabbage, tortilla chips, tuna salad, tzatziki

If you're not in the mood for a potato, they also have soups, a jumbo hot dog and Turkish-style paninis. A sweet treat that caught my eye was the Supangle (dark chocolate pudding).

Prices are very affordable with all baked potato options being just $6 (except for the chili con carne, which is $6.50). In fact, nothing on the menu is over $6.50, which is quite the steal.

I plan on trying them soon and will let you know my thoughts.

LaPapa - 25-13 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102

718.777.7879

N/W Train to 30th Avenue
www.lapapaonline.com

Bistro 33 Celebrates Birthday!

2009-06-10T16:41:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to Bistro 33! If you remember, they celebrated their birthday last year with burgers and beer. Sadly, the burgers ran out quickly so they changed things up a bit and are now charging a $20 cover, ensuring that you will get what you pay for. Below are the details - it was quite fun last year but I'd suggest getting there as early as possible.

Bistro 33 - Beer and Burger Birthday Bash

Thursday, June 11th from 6 p.m. - close
$20 per person

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY 11105
718.721.1933
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.lilbistro33.com

Cherry Mania - 3 New Recipes

2009-06-09T16:52:00.015-04:00

It's lovely that cherries are now in season, and while they aren't always as sweet as in the middle of summer, there are plenty of things to do with them. The below three recipes offer a couple of unique ways to use cherries, especially ones that are a bit sour. Two of the recipes come straight from my grandmother's kitchen and the other is from my great uncle Simon. From our Slovak kitchen to yours...

Cherry Compote - This dish can be eaten in many ways - as a dessert, a side or even a snack. It's super simple and can be stored in an airtight container for months. You can substitute cherries with any fruit of your choice.

Ingredients
A bowlful of fresh cherries (3-4 cups), pitted
2 tbs of sugar

Directions
Place cherries, sugar and water (enough to cover cherries) in a deep saucer on medium heat. Let boil and then simmer for 15 minutes or until cherries are soft. Remove from heat. Let cool completely and then transfer to an airtight pickling jar. Store for up to 4 months.

Cherry Soup - I remember this soup from my childhood, eating it on warm days for lunch or even dessert. My grandma made it best and she finally revealed her delicious yet simple recipe. I altered it a bit with cinnamon and you can add spices of your choice too (cloves might be nice).

Ingredients (serves 4)
Bowlful of fresh cherries (3 - 4 cups), pitted
2 tbs of sugar
2 eggs
A dash of cinnamon

Directions
Place cherries, sugar and water (enough to cover cherries) in a deep saucer on medium heat. Let boil and then simmer for 15 minutes or until cherries are soft. Remove from heat. In a separate container beat both eggs well. Slowly and gradually add the cherries to the eggs and keep mixing - the warm cherry liquid will cook the eggs. Continue until you've added all of your cherries. Add cinnamon and let cool completely.

Cherry Cake (Bublanina) - Another dessert from my childhood, it's made by each member of my family and everyone has a slightly different version. This one comes from my uncle Simon and while it's simple and quick, it's quite delicious and will make your whole house smell divine. Enjoy it with a lovely cup of tea or coffee - for the morning or a late night snack.

My uncle's recipe follows the metric system so I didn't want confuse anyone. Use the recipe here instead.

Enjoy cherry season!

Cactus Pub - The Mighty Slovak Burger

2009-06-08T16:09:00.005-04:00

Cactus Pub - Zamocnicka 1, 04001 Kosice, Slovakia

While in Slovakia, I made a couple of visits to Cactus Pub, a hangout where my friend Ivanka is a regular. Cactus always promises a good, relaxing time and I find it slightly amusing that even Eastern Europe celebrates Mexican culture and the fun that goes along with it--beer, tequila and delicious food.

Atmosphere:
Located right off of Main Street (Hlavna Ulica) in the Kosice city center, Cactus is easy to get to. The main venue lies in a building cellar (sounds uninviting but is quite the opposite) but there's also a nice outdoor garden available on sunny days.

Decked with Mexican embellishments such as sombreros, tequila and colorful wall art, Cactus is cheery without being too gimmicky. The middle sitting room is modern-rustic with simple wooden tables and chairs, sleek lamps and exposed brick wall. It feels homey and you quickly forget that you're in a cellar.

On weekends, they pump up the volume with catchy, pop hits that elevate the atmosphere--and their customers' mood.

Food:
While drinks are their specialty, Cactus also offers simple nosh food such as burgers, tortilla chips and salads. I was curious and maybe a little skeptical at first, but my doubts quickly melted away as I sank my teeth into a delicious version of the Slovak burger.

Cactus Hamburger - True that the above picture of Cactus' burger looks a little disheveled, but don't be fooled by its appearance, as this burger was phenomenal from first to last bite. The bun played a major role in its success, as it was slightly toasted and warm, with a hint of sweetness, topped with crunchy sesame seeds.

The meat, while a lot thinner than American burgers (I'd say half as thick) had spectacular flavor and couldn't be more juicy, despite that it was on the well-done side. Unlike in the States, Slovaks don't ask how you'd like your burger cooked because there isn't such thing as a "medium" or a "rare" burger. Americans might get turned off by this but it actually doesn't matter as long as the meat is of good quality, and it was.

Another lovely aspect was the dressing on top. Again, unlike an American burger, there was no ketchup but instead a creamy Russian-esque dressing--just fantastic and such a welcome difference!

Service and Cost:
The servers at Cactus are as friendly as can be, and especially because my friends are regulars. Our burgers appeared in about 15 minutes, carefully presented with a knife and fork (just in case). I thought that was a cute touch.

In terms of cost, you can't get more affordable than 2.20 Euro for a burger (that's about $2.86 in dollars, depending on the exchange rate). The beer is cheap too and a small glass (which is actually quite normal sized) is under 1 Euro (or about $1). Velmi dobre!

3 Mmmms

Back from Eastern Europe

2009-06-07T22:49:00.004-04:00

Pictured above - My home city of Kosice, Slovakia

Hi Readers,

I'm officially back in town as of yesterday - a special thanks to Guest Foodista Vicky for holding down the fort so well. I hope that you've enjoyed her excellent content.

I had a great time visiting my home country, Slovakia, where I was seeing family and dear friends. While the weather wasn't ideal, I made the best of my experience and have tons of delicious tid-bits to share with you. From delicate ice cream to homemade Hungarian cherry soup and even an Eastern European spin on the classic burger, I'll cover my many food adventures from abroad. But, I'll also make sure to keep you abreast of the latest and greatest Astorian developments, as I had a chance to explore several restaurants this weekend. It'll be a rich week so I hope that you read up.

Yours,
The Foodista

The New Truck on the Block - Moshe's Falafel

2009-06-04T21:14:00.019-04:00

Moshe's Falafel - b/w 27th & 28th on Park, New York NY 10016
6 Train to 28th Street

I only had a few dollars in my wallet and no packed lunch, so I figured my best bet would be to stop by a food truck--preferably for falafel--during my lunch break. I had noticed a week or so ago that Moshe's Falafel was a new rolling establishment in the area, so I decided to give it a shot. Moshe's is already a recognized, and reputable, entity around the city, so my expectations were kind of high.

Experience

Stopping at the truck was actually pretty fun. The guys working there were so friendly and seemed like they were having a good time serving the lunch crowd. They were even offering free falafel samples to some loiterers and really anyone who stopped to ask for one.

Food

I wasn't too hungry, so I went with a half pita, filled with about 3 falafel balls, lettuce, tomato, tahini, a little bit of hot sauce, and a spicy pickle on top. This may have been half a pita, but it was pretty filling. Though I have to say, I was kind of disappointed with the falafel. It was definitely fresh and crispy on the outside, but it was lacking the flavoring and spice that I was hoping for. And, unfortunately the pita itself was drenched with tahini, which I wasn't too fond of. Overall, it was fresh, kind of sloppy, and maybe a little bland for me. But the price was definitely right--you can't beat a $3.25 lunch.

Moshe's Falafel truck has a few other food options to offer, including fries, which I think I will definitely sample at some point over the summer. The service at the truck is so great, I have faith that another go around might prove more satisfying!

Oh, and for those readers who might be interested, I'm pretty sure Moshe's is strictly parve. If I'm wrong on that, let me know.

2 Mmmms