Friday, September 16, 2011

Welcome...the New Bear of LIC!

Image by Bear Restaurant


Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939

N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com

It’s always a pleasure to discover the wonderful, new changes happening around the nabe when food is concerned. And since Astoria/LIC is such a hoppin’ place, there’s never a shortage of it. One area in particular, which I’ve been noticing is at the forefront of action is 31st Avenue. While it’s mostly the upper part of that Avenue that’s budding, the lower part is slowly but surely waking up too.


That’s why I was so excited to hear about Bear, a new European-style restaurant that’s opening up this fall on 12th Street and 31st Avenue, very close to the Noguchi Museum, Socrates Sculpture Park and The Piano Factory.


Even though I haven’t yet been there, I must confess that I had a sneak peek at the menu and it sounds fantastic. Constructed by Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky, you can expect some familiar European-style eats with a new twist. Here’s a sampling of the menu to whet your appetite:


Appetizers
:


Three Shot Vodka with Three Zakusky – Caviar on bliny, house-pickled vegetables, house-made sausage


Charcuterie and Cheese Plate – Butter, bread, cornichons, and mustard with cured meats, house lardo, chicken liver pate and pork jam


Herring – Marinated in white wine sauce, served with steaming potatoes, poached in dill butter


Mackerel Sashimi – Served with lemon ginger pate


Entrees:

Roasted Duck – Slow roasted duck with apples pulled off the bone and served with pan-seared potatoes


Chicken Rissole – Breaded and fried, served with yams and mushrooms


Pork Sausage – House-made sausage, braised in white wine, garlic and ginger, served with parsnip puree


Ricotta Dumplings – Fresh ricotta filled into house-made pasta with red watercress and candy cane beets


Sides and Bar Snacks:


House Pickle Plate – Cucumbers, mushrooms, tomatoes, eggplant


Roasted Croquette – Potato and roasted onion croquette with white wine sour cream


Eggs in a Nest – Eggs mimosa with smoked sprats and mushrooms in a nest of carrot straws


It should also be noted that both vegetarian and vegan options are available. YUM – I can’t wait to try it!

2 comments:

  1. We are so curious to see what they have for vegans and vegetarians. Thank you so much for keeping us up to date on the neighborhood!

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  2. This part of town will likely see an uptick in bars and restaurants to serve all the new residents on 21st and Vernon. This is a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

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