Cozying up with a Shiitake Mushroom Soup

One of my favorite things about fall is eating hearty foods, and soup is one of them.  There's nothing like coming home and cozying up on the couch with a warm bowl of delicious soup.  Since mushroom season is upon us, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to use some nice local mushrooms available now, such as the organic shiitakes I got today.  Since I only had a little, I supplemented the recipe with some baby bellas too, and the result was rich and comforting.

Getting inspired by a recipe I found on my Rustic Eats Pinterest board, it came to me by way of Julia's Album blog.  Using a simple recipe with fresh and natural ingredients, I created my own veggie stock, which was then thickened a bit with half and half (but the fat free kind - weird...I know).  Julia recommends using regular half and half, which I can appreciate, but I already had the fat free stuff on hand from a previous soup dish I created not long ago.  A topping of fresh thyme served as a nice garnish, which you can later strip of its little leaves, further flavoring the soup and making it smell divine.

Here's Julia's recipe for a Creamy Mushroom Soup with Shiitakes

Cafe Boulis - Loukomades to Die For

Tonight, I had the distinct pleasure to try out an Astoria sweet institution otherwise known as Cafe Boulis.  Known for its famous loukomades dessert (aka Greek donuts), I was eager to see what the hype was all about.  Happy to say that Boulis satisfied my sweet tooth and then some, I'll certainly be going back and buying some of these sweet goodies in bulk.

Atmosphere:
Situated just around the corner from the Astoria Bookshop, Boulis Cafe was the perfect place to stop after tonight's reading of Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking.  While it's just a small storefront, it's hard to miss from the street, as the signage is nice and bright.  

Once you walk in, you're welcome by a narrow but cozy space that emanates with amazingly sweet smells.  You'll notice a display of pretty desserts such as cookies, baklava, cakes and other yummies, which are modest in volume but look oh so inviting.  The fresh loukomades are made to order in the back of the cafe to make sure they come out piping hot and fresh.  Although they have a few tables out front in the semi-covered seating space, my friend Emily and I sat inside on the elevated counter stools.  Since it was a little late, we were the only ones in there and enjoyed some peace and quiet.

Loukomades - The piece-de-resistance here was truly stellar, and something I'm already dreaming of getting again.  Shaped unlike the traditional donut holes, but instead looking more like a donut with a hollow middle, they were the lightest, airiest loukomades of their kind.  Each bite was truly a pleasure and exposed the airiness inside.  The outside was slightly crispy and glazed perfectly in a delicate simple syrup concoction and then sprinkled with cinnamon.  A light dusting of powdered sugar added that extra indulgence, which we certainly weren't opposed to.

Service and Cost:
While the service isn't as sugary sweet as the loukomades, the staff is relatively nice and accommodating.  I like that we were left alone to enjoy our sweets and didn't feel the least bit rushed to leave.

Loukomades are affordable!
6 pieces- $4
12 pieces - $8
24 pieces - $15

3 Sticky Mmmms

Cafe Boulis - 31-15 31st Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.806.1014
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.cafeboulis.com

Fancying a Delancey Pizza

I had quite the adventurous week last week, as I got to spend it in Seattle, amongst its many culinary gems.  Never having been, I was excited to explore this city's many culinary-rich neighborhoods that are known for high quality, sustainable cuisine.  In fact, I've been hearing so many great things from friends who've either lived there or had visited, that I had a packed agenda planned.

One of my big highlights from this trip was visiting Ballard, a neighborhood known to be sort of like our Williamsburg, BK.  While it's a little bit out of the way of Downtown Seattle, it's not too much of a hike, and if you're someone who's up for adventure, you'll love it.
Lucky enough to hitch a ride with one of my lovely co-workers, I took some time to explore "the main drag," as she called it and then went a bit off the beaten path to have dinner at Delancey.  

Dreaming of visiting this place for quite some time, I'm a big fan of Molly Wizenberg through her Orangette blog, which I've been a loyal reader of for a number of years.  Also following Molly's adventures on Instagram recently, I'm always endeared by her adorable pictures of her little daughter, June.  Needless to say, I was thrilled to be visiting Molly and Brandon (her hubby's) pizza restaurant.

Atmosphere:
After I arrived at the residential block that housed not only Delancey, but Molly and Brandon's other establishment, Essex, I took a quick look around and noticed a few other interesting food establishments.  It was great to see that Delancey was in good company, and my excitement began to grow by the minute.

Once I walked in, I noticed the front and center bar area, with simple wooden stools and a pretty counter top, at which I situated myself.  The restaurant was quite busy and bustling for a Wednesday night, as the seat I grabbed was the very last one, and for which I was grateful.

It couldn't have been a better place to sit, as I got to observe all the action at the pizza oven, and even got to meet Brandon, Molly's husband, who was really easy going and friendly.  We got to talking, together with my other bar companions, and he even threw some interesting restaurant recos my way.  I felt fortunate to get some of this insider scoop from a respected Seattle chef, and I made sure to properly use this intelligence to my advantage (more on that soon).

Pizza - Being the main menu item here and the reason to come to Delancey, I of course went with a personal wood fired oven pizza.  Seeking help from my dining companions, they recommended the crimini mushroom pizza with prosciutto on top, which is exactly what I got.

Sprucing up this pizza with a few salty hunks of crimson prosciutto made my night.  I loved how the melted cheese hugged the crimini mushroom slices, which rested on a thin, airy dough that was so easy to devour.  In fact, the dough was so light and pleasant, that I could've polished the whole pie off just by myself - only if I didn't just a have a dark chocolate sandwich at Hot Cakes an hour before.  

I spied a few other pizza varieties such as the classic Brooklyn with aged mozzarella, fennel salami, and the white pie, which all looked heavenly.  The chocolate chip cookies with gray salt also came recommended (and looked divine), but I simply didn't have room.

Service and Cost:
As I just mentioned, the service was personal, and added to the whole homey atmosphere of this place.  Not only was the waitress friendly, she definitely elicited a nice conversation with me that got me talking to my bar buddies, and made my night of dining solo more social.  Chatting with Brandon, Molly's husband was also a special treat.

Costs are pretty fair, given the high quality of food and for Delancey being a total foodie playground.  My dinner with pizza and a glass of vino set me back about $33 with tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Delancey - 1415 NW 70th Street, Seattle WA 98117
206.838.1960
www.delanceyseattle.com

The Food Film Festival Brings on the Almighty Ramen Burger

Tonight, I attended one of my favorite foodie events in NYC, which is the 7th Annual Food Film Festival.  Attending the event now for five straight years, I always look forward to the enticing food films they showcase, as well as to the novelty of tasting the foods featured in each film.

Dan and I attended the official wrap party event tonight, which featured the world premiere of the film Biting into the Ramen Burger - a short documentary about the food phenomenon that is the ramen burger.  For those of you who've been following the mania around this culinary fad, you'll know how hard it's to come by, as hungry (or just curious) New Yorkers wait for hours just to sink their teeth into this thing.  It's been compared to the Cronut phenomenon, and the film touches upon this in a cheeky, endearing way.  Here's the trailer for all you ramen fans.

The Verdict - I liked that our path to the almighty ramen burger was a pretty civilized one, as the awesome Food Film Fest organizers got everyone to cash in their Ramen Burger tickets, which were called up in 20 person increments. Sure this resulted in a lot of anticipation and chatter, but it also avoided the chaos that often ensues at Smorgasburg, where this burger is regularly sold.

And now for the taste? Well...I'm happy to say that the hype was totally worth it.  Not only did I get to meet Keizo Shimamoto, the mastermind behind the Ramen Burger phenomenon, I got to sink my teeth into it.

Don't let its conservative size fool you, as this is one hearty burger that will definitely tide you over for the night.  The ramen buns are of course the most interesting part, as they're a little well done on the outside and really soft and spongy on the inside.  While the film talks about how crunchy the outside is, we unfortunately didn't get this at the festival, but I presume it's a lot crispier when you get it on a regular day at Smorgasburg.  The burger patty itself was juicy and flavorful and glazed in a secret soy sauce that Keizo came up with himself.  I like that you get a little bit of greenery and earthiness from the fresh arugula and the scallions, creating an overall well rounded bite.

Other Goodies:
In addition to the burger goodness, we also got to indulge in other tasties you see above such as fresh oysters from Open Oyster, shaved ice from Woolys, ice cream pops from La Newyorkina as well as the most bodacious black & white cookies from Leske's Bakery.  Sure there were a lot of sweet bites, but the following two reigned supreme:

La Newyorkina - Loving the concept behind this company, which was started by Fany Gerson, it brings Mexican style frozen treats to New York palates.  I've seen these guys (or ladies rather) selling their colorful "paletas" at the Highline, which has often piqued my interest.  Happy to see them at the Food Film Festival, we got a bite of their horchata paleta that was also glazed in some silky milk chocolate.  Savoring its comforting flavors, which weren't too sweet, I can see it being the perfect antidote on a really hot day.

Leske's Bakery - Spying the large and beautifully glazed black and white cookies, Dan and I decided to share one.  Immediately falling in love with its texture, they were really soft and crumbly on the outside.  Their almost pudding-like glaze created the most indulgent bite, which was nice to enjoy after the chill of the above mentioned paleta.

I'd like to thank the Food Film Festival for another smashing showcase of culinary creativity.  As usual, it's opened my eyes to the amazing food artisans who are creating little bits of magic in this fantastic city (and beyond).  I hope you get to check out the films featured in this year's festival.

Stand-Outs at Queens Tech Bash – Arrogant Swine, Bear, Ice and Vice

Last week, Meg and I attended the Queens Tech Bash, a fabulous event at MOMA PS1, which was organized by the Coalition for Queens. Holding a mission to “foster the Queens tech ecosystem,” I learned a great deal about the amazing tech companies springing up right in LIC and about the talented people behind them.

Loving the creative setting of this event, which was held in the MOMA PS1 performance dome, I was happy to see a few of Queens’ culinary influencers there—serving up delicious food and drink to the participants and honorees. Amongst them were hogmaster, Tyson Ho of the Arrogant Swine; Natasha and Alex of Bear Restaurant; Lisa and Alex of LIC Market; Paul and Ken of Ice and Vice as well as the awesome guys behind the Korilla BBQ truck.

I enjoyed everything I ate that night, and appreciated the diversity in cuisine. 

Arrogant Swine – Indulging in whole hog BBQ just about a month ago at my friend Adam’s pig soiree, I couldn’t wait to do it all over again with Tyson’s version. The beauty of Tyson’s offering is that he makes use of the whole hog and mixes all the different cuts into one plate. The result is a rich, moist plate of pork goodness that just coats your insides with love.

Bear – Since the amazing press Bear has been getting lately (Chef Natasha was featured on Food Network’s Chopped, the NY Daily News, Village Voice, Edible Queens, the Fancy Food Show and more!), it was fun to see these guys in action. Offering a little bite of Ukrainian flavor, Chef Natasha composed a pretty plate of deviled eggs, cured meat and a toasted dark bread cracker.

LIC Market – Loving the healthy spin Lisa and Alex brought with their heirloom radish salad, it was nice to see some local freshness on a plate. Thinly sliced, colorful pieces of radish adorned each plate and were bound together with a creamy, smoked trout dressing.

Korilla BBQ – Really excited to find out these guys were here, I immediately went to find the truck and get myself a Korean taco. Since I’ve already had several meat variations of this dish, I opted for the spicy tofu instead and wasn’t sorry. The tofu held its own and was strongly supported by the spicy hot sauce, crunchy veggies such as carrots, cilantro and squash. It was the most substantial plate of the night and made me pleasantly full.

Ice and Vice – We couldn’t resist capping the night off with something sweet and moseyed on over to the Ice and Vice cart, which is a charming little push cart filled with creamy goodness. Featuring three ice cream flavors, including the pumpkin seed, Coffeed, and goat cheese ice cream, I tried a sampling of each one. The goat cheese and the Coffeed were my faves (in that order), the former having a little bit of tang but not in an overpowering way.

We had a great time at this event, and it was awesome to see the many talented people of LIC collaborating and celebrating each other. I look forward to supporting the Coalition for Queens and its tech community efforts in the future. A big congrats to all the honorees that night including Elias Roman from Songza, Marleen Vogelaar from Shapeways, and Dion Ridley from CreativeWorx.

American Cut Steakhouse – Celebrating 5 Years of Bliss

I can hardly believe it, but Dan and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary last week. My how the time has flown in a good way, both us reminiscing on the fun adventures we’ve had these past couple of years, appreciating the good times and having a laugh about the challenges too.

We wanted to celebrate this little milestone by getting out of town for a bit, so we headed to classy Atlantic City, where we spent our anniversary weekend. Knowing what we were getting into, we did as the natives did – walked on the boardwalk, tried our luck at casino games, and explored some restaurants.

One in particular I want to tell you about here is Marc Forgione’s, American Cut, which is located in the Revel Resort & Casino– the newest high-rise construction in the area and also our home for the weekend.

Atmosphere:
While you can find most restaurants at the Revel on the casino level, American Cut is located one level below and provides a bit of seclusion and privacy from the hubbub. This was a welcome respite, especially since we were looking forward to enjoying a quiet romantic dinner.

Upon walking in and being greeted by our host, we were glad we came. The main dining room was long and spacious, boasting high ceilings and dark, deep hued furniture. I noticed a lot of leather and mahogany embellishments, which gave off a luxurious vibe and indicated to us this was exactly the place to spend a special occasion.

Once we settled into our table, we felt comfortable and close enough (I strongly dislike when I feel so far from my dining companion that I can hardly hear him/her). The acoustics were good, and we felt comfortable having a close conversation without getting the impression that our neighbors were eavesdropping. I also liked the dim lighting and candlelight, which further added to this sexy scene.

Food:
We knew what we came for, which was the steak. While the menu isn’t overly extensive, it features lots of steakhouse classics such as the ribeye, porterhouse, filet mignon, as well as seafood classics.

Crab Cake – Starting off with a lump crab cake, we were happy to see it was large enough to share. Consisting of chunky pieces of crab that were bound by a spicy aioli, we enjoyed every bite. I especially appreciated the crunchy cabbage and mango slaw that served as the bed for this dish, and that also helped cut the richness of the mayo.

Steak – Dan’s favorite cut of steak is the ribeye, and that’s exactly what he got at American Cut – a 20 oz to be exact. While most of this was the bone, so it seems larger than it is, Dan devoured it to the last bite, proving that they really did justice to an already good quality cut of meat. I tried it as well and enjoyed the juiciness and the caramelization of the outside. The steak was nicely marbled, which added extra flavor and juiciness.

I chose to go a little less traditional for my dinner and went with the beef short ribs instead. Immediately, loving its presentation, it came in a pretty red Le Creuset pot, which was dramatically uncovered by our waiter for an added effect. Loving all of this, I stared at the chocolate brown short ribs, which were topped with a satchel of fresh herbs. Once I dug in, I was in heaven, loving the thick, slightly sweet reduction that coated the tender short ribs, which surrendered immediately upon contact with my fork. Dan was impressed as well and I shared my treasure with him, both of us agreeing it was very special.

Side – Although we ordered just one side, and therefore saved room for dessert, we didn’t skimp out on richness with the potatoes au gratin. It’s rare that we have this dish at home, as it’s quite heavy and creamy, and this one also came with a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Describing it in one would be perfect, as it boasted beautifully roasted potatoes, a creamy, luxurious binder and some nice crunch from the herby breadcrumbs.

Dessert – Yes, we did save room for dessert, and couldn’t resist the AC Carbomb, which was American Cut’s version of a boozy bread pudding. Appreciating its intricate presentation, it was a layered chocolate bread pudding dish, topped with Guinness ice cream and a rustic, dark chocolate slab sticking out of it. The whole thing was then slathered in a Jameson butterscotch sauce and looked after by a perfectly bruleed banana. While Dan could’ve gone for more Guinness in his ice cream, it was perfectly balanced for me, and I especially devoured the dark chocolate bread pudding that had a tender and moist middle.

Service and Cost:
Just like the food, the overall service at American Cut was on-point. Our waiter was super professional and knowledgeable about the food and seemed to understand we were celebrating something special. Pacing out our courses in a way that we felt relaxed, we indulged in an evening of culinary and romantic bliss.

Costs are expensive, but not surprising for a high-end restaurant in a newly built Atlantic City resort:

Appetizers - $13-$42
Steak - $33-$110 Sides - $10-$11
Dessert - $10-$22

3 Blissful Mmmms

American Cut (at Revel Resort & Casino, Atlantic City) – 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 855.348.0500
www.revelresorts.com/dining/american-cut

Coffeed $10 Lunch Specials are Here

This past weekend, Meg and I went to check out the new Qns Urban Mkt inside the (fill-in) building, which is also the home of Coffeed independent coffee shop. Even though the locale is in no man’s land, customers reap the benefits of a spacious building with high ceilings and plenty of room to hang out.

Once we walked in, we were hugged by a potent aroma of freshly brewed coffee, which brought me to my happy place. It was nice to observe the laid back vibe and the many folks who chose the space as their afternoon work haven.

After we walked around the market (more on that soon), Meg grabbed a coffee, and that’s when I noticed their interesting lunch specials. If you find yourself in the nabe, you may want to take advantage: Coffeed

Lunch Special - $10
All items are served with a side of a Brooklyn Grange salad

Feta Artisanal Pizza:
Choice of Brooklyn Grange Vegetable pie, Prosciutto, or Genoa Salami

Sandwiches/Wraps:
Hail Caesar – Grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, lettuce, tomato
Chipotle Grilled Chicken Wrap – Grilled chicken, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato
Very Veggie Burger – Veggie burger, lettuce, tomato, choice of mustard, mayo or ketchup
Avocado’s Number – Ham, lettuce, tomato, avocado, chipotle mayo
Steve-O – Turkey, avocado, melted cheddar, olive oil, hot sauce
Crispy Vegetarian – Crunchy fall vegetables (carrots, cabbage, peppers, cauliflower, cucumber) with balsamic
Northern Lox on toasted 7-grain or bagel – Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, onion
Egg Salad Sandwich on toasted 7-grain or bread – Organic eggs, mayo, scallions, celery, Brooklyn Grange lettuce, tomato
Big Tuna Sandwich on toasted 7-grain or wrap – Tuna, mayo, celery, Brooklyn Grange lettuce, tomato Hummus Cheddar on toasted 7-grain or wrap – House-made hummus, Brooklyn Grange tomato, lettuce, cheddar, pesto

Panini:
Milano – Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, Provolone, greens
LIC Turkey Club – Fresh turkey, crispy bacon, greens
Three Cheese – Provolone, Swiss and cheddar

Coffeed – 37-18 Northern Blvd, LIC NY 11101
718.606.1299
R Train to 36th Street
www.coffeednyc.com

Gnocchi Carbonara Coats the Soul

After a long work week, I'm always in the mood to indulge in some good ol' fashioned comfort food.  And because I had a package of John's Ravioli gnocchi (started in Corona, Queens), I wanted to put it to good use and create a homemade sauce to coat its beautiful ridges.  

Spotting an enticing recipe for Gnocchi Carbonara on the Simply Delicious blog, it inspired me to recreate it with my own spin.  Instead of bacon, I substituted in crispy cubes of pancetta that I rendered down, along with a mixture of fat free half and half (I know...that sounds like heresy), eggs and a mixture of romano, asiago and parmesan cheese.  The whole thing took about 15 minutes to make, which was totally awesome, and I just loved watching the sauce turn into thick, creamy, cheesy goodness.  The eggs cooked in a matter of seconds and served as a thickening agent for the already velvety sauce.

Once the sauce was done (less than 2 minutes), I mixed in the gnocchi and let it sit for about a minute or two.  Embellishing this already delightful mixture with some fresh herbs such as freshly chopped parsley is always a good idea.  Fresh basil would be nice too.  Bon appetit, friends!

Gnocchi Carbonara recipe, as adapted from the Simply Delicious blog.

Astoria Mac N' Cheese Delight Round-Up

Thinking about how much I love a good mac 'n cheese, I was inspired to put together a quick round-up of Astoria and LIC eateries that are doing it a little bit differently.  So here you go, a non-traditional take on our beloved nostalgic treat:

Image by Queens Comfort

Queens Comfort - When I spotted this enticing picture, I immediately thought "why haven't I thought of this before?!" - a chicken parm in mac 'n cheese format?!  Don't walk.  Run.  40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.728.2350

Sweet Afton - This tangy, well-done mac 'n cheese comes piping hot in a cast iron skillet.  Once you dig in, you'll enjoy the medley of sharp cheeses including Irish cheddar, gruyere and muenster.  30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570

Queens Kickshaw - Known for their expertise in grilled cheese sandwiches, the Queens Kickshaw's mac 'n cheese is a big standout as well.  Loaded with a hefty combination of gruyere, cheddar and smoked muzz, it's then topped with French beans and caramelized onions.  40-17 Broadway, Astoria.  718.777.0913

Sage General Store - My We Heart Astoria colleagues and I loved sampling the legendary mac 'n cheese at this LIC staple.  The well-done, crunchy crust is impeccable, featuring cayenne breadcrumbs that give this 5-cheese mac a nice punch.   24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.361.0707

Image by Meg Cotner

The Shady Lady - I have to give a nod to Meg's awesome write-up of The Shady Lady, and especially as it relates to mac 'n cheese.  There are three different types to choose from including the classic, carbonara and truffles and shrooms.  Sign me up!  34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.440.9081

Giano's Sultry Italian Eats

One of my favorite neighborhoods to explore, besides Astoria is the East Village, more or less for the same reasons - diversity and uniqueness of food.  That's why I was delighted to be invited to a press dinner at Giano, a quaint and contemporary Roman restaurant run by two genuine Italians, Paolo Rossi and Matteo Niccoli.

Atmosphere:
I can almost always expect a level of uniqueness and intrigue out of an East Village spot, and Giano is no different.  Located on a delicious block, with other heavy food hitters such as Pylos, Caracas Arepas Bar, Table Verte, Butter Lane and others, Giano is in good company. 

Loving its open air atmosphere, which boasts an open facade and a lovely backyard garden, Giano occupies a cozy, comfortable space.  The inside is modern, with a few rustic touches such as exposed brick walls, wooden wine racks and vintage mirrors, while there's also a few modern elements such as the deep red ropes that separate the front and back of the house.  Our party sat at a long communal table that allowed for a lot of cross chatter and the acoustics were good so you don't feel like you have to shout.

Food:
Appreciating the way the tasting menu was paced, our courses were very much a smorgasbord of the regular dinner menu, just in smaller portions.  I liked the portion control a lot, since in this way, I was able to try everything without getting excessively full.  Here are my stand-outs:

Grass Fed Meatballs - Even though this may appear to be a simple, Italian staple, it was executed really well.  The sauce was rich with a nice amount of acid, and evidently something that was homemade.  I loved the way it permeated the already moist meatball that surrendered upon contact with your fork.

Medieval Pasta - I couldn't stop talking about this dish during and after I ate it, clearly making a big impression on me.  Overall, I think it's the most unique item on the menu and something that should be celebrated.  Consisting of thick homemade spaghetti enveloped in a flavorful lamb ragout, it's every pasta lovers' and carnivores' dream.  A delightful crunch of walnuts that were interspersed throughout the sauce made each bite extra special.

4 Cheese Gnocchi - Another successful rendition for all you carbies out there, the 4 cheese gnocchi was also divine.  Loving the soft, pillowy texture of these potato dumplings, the four tangy cheeses including gorgonzola, parmesan, fontina and ricotta set us over the edge.  Just a little portion of these were enough to satisfy the cheese lover in us.

Cappuccino Dessert - Although the name of this dessert sounds ordinary, it was anything but.  A thoughtfully stacked cup of coffee gelato, paper thin wafer cookies, ricotta cream and cinnamon coffee foam, it made for an elegant nightcap.  The wafer cookies were an especially nice touch of texture that came unexpected.

Service and Cost:
Reflecting its intimate setting, the service was also very personal and welcoming.  Paolo and Chef Matteo spent a lot of time with us, ensuring that they answered all questions and provided their unique commentary about each dish (and wine). I was also glad to see that they graciously accommodated one of our gluten free dining comrades with slightly tweaked versions of each dish.

Costs are wallet friendly and offer a nice option to dine in style without breaking the bank:

Antipasti - $10.95 - $13.95
Pasta - $12.95 - $16.95
Secondi - $19.95 - $22.95
Dessert - $7.95

3 Mmmms

Giano - 126 East 7th Street, New York NY 10009
212.673.7200
L Train to 1st Avenue
www.gianonyc.com

Bantam Bagel Balls Made My Morning

Who doesn't love a good bagel, people...especially here in NY?!  Being a staunch bagel fan, I try to limit my intake since they're quite impactful on the waistline (and thighs).  The bagels I'll tell you about here aren't like that at all, as they're little bagel balls filled with a shot of cream cheese in the middle.  I'm talking about Bantam Bagel balls that are the newest innovation in bagel technology and they hail from the West Village.  

Atmosphere:
Occupying a tiny storefront on Bleecker Street in the West Village, Bantam Bagels are easy to miss if they're not on your radar.  It's very much a take-out type of place, as there's nowhere to sit down, but you always the option to stroll down Bleecker street, find a nearby bench or park and enjoy a little bite of carbie goodness.

Bagels:
Ordering an assortment of 24 bagel balls, I loved the variety of savory and sweet bagels, including their fun, whimsy names such as the hot pretzel, cinnamonster, vegesaurus rex, grandma jojo, the hangover and more.  Each bagel ball has a unique spin, whether an innovative bagel topping or an injection of a flavored cream cheese (and in some cases butter).

Personally trying three of these varieties, including the Grandma Jojo, Everything Bantam, and the Pumpkin, I enjoyed them all but certainly had my favorites.  Grandma Jojo stood out the most, both with its beautiful presentation (boasting a marinated tomato on top) as well as its slightly crispy exterior.  The inside was soft and doughy with a pop of earthy basil pesto that was nestled inside.

The pumpkin, which is this month's special was delightful as well, with black sesame seeds on top and a slightly sweet pumpkin custard middle.  If you have a penchant for sweet things with a cinnamony flavor profile, you'll love it!

Service and Cost:
Bantam's staff was a pleasure to deal with this morning, as they were cheery and very accommodating to my indecisiveness.  They had a good way of giving me the right information about their bagel flavors and even managed to sell me a delicious cup of Gorilla coffee (roasted in Brooklyn).

Costs are expensive for little bagels but totally worth it for a novel and flavorful product.

1 Bantam - $1.35
3 Bantams - $3.50
6 Bantams - $6
12 Bantams - $11.50
24 Bantams - $22
38 Bantams - $42

3 Creamy Mmmms

Bantam Bagels - 283 Bleecker Street, New York NY 10014
646.852.6320
1 Train to Christopher Street
www.bantambagels.com

Greek Pizza - Dan's Newest Pizza Innovation

It's no secret that Dan has seriously amped up his homemade pizza making skills lately, and today's creation just topped it off.  In addition to making traditional red sauce pizzas, Dan recently had a the great idea of making his own rendition of a Greek pizza - incorporating quintessentially Greek ingredients such as olives, halloumi cheese and octopus.  Although it may sound odd to a pizza purist, I was sold immediately and had a good hunch that it'd be delicious.

We stopped in at Mediterranean Foods II to get most of the ingredients including a variety of black olives, halloumi cheese (Chorio brand) and marinated octopus.  All ingredients were fresh and delicious and essential to the success of this pizza.  Here's how Dan constructed it:

Dan's Greek Pizza (serves 2-3)
1 lb of store bought dough (or you can do homemade)
1/2 lb of halloumi cheese cut into 1/4" squares
1/2 cup of freshly made olive tapenade (see method below)
1/4 small red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup of marinated octopus, sliced into small pieces
Olive oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 525 F.  Place pizza stone into the oven.

Make the olive tapenade by chopping 1 cup of mixed black olives and 2 cloves of garlic.  Mix with a glug of olive oil (about 2 tbsp), pepper and coriander to taste.

Roll and stretch out the pizza dough until you get an 12 inch pie and top with tapenade, halloumi cheese, octopus and red onion.  Set the oven to broil and put in your pizza.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is fluffy and golden brown.

Make sure you keep a good eye on the pizza because it cooks faster than you may think.

Telly's Taverna Masters Greek Food

A few weeks ago, Meg and I spent some time at Telly's Taverna - a Greek Astorian institution in its own right.  It's bizarre to me I've often overlooked Telly's, especially when I lived in this neighborhood, but after our delicious experience, I can confidently say that won't happen again.

Atmosphere:
Pretty traditional as far as Greek restaurants go, Telly's is set up not unlike a lot of its neighboring comrades.  The kitchen (including grill) is situated up front, accompanied by a more casual dining area, while the whole left side of the restaurant serves as the formal dining room, and it's where all the action takes place, so to speak.

Loving the spacious room that accommodates both large and intimate parties, Meg and I sat at a four top table towards the back.  Even though the front of the room was more appealing, and buzzing with energy, it was quite chilly due to the open windows.  The open air atmosphere is great during warm summer months though, and gives diners a good opportunity to observe the goings on on 23rd Ave.  It's not unlikely to see a lot of large parties dining at Telly's during the weekend or a weeknight, celebrating a holiday or a special family occasion.

Food:
Although we came hungry, we were so not prepared for this giant feast.  Needless to say, we walked out happy and had plenty of leftovers for the upcoming week.

Mezze - Interested in trying a variety of mezze, we went for veggie centric dishes as well as seafood.  The veggies were fantastic, and stood out to me both during this course as well as when paired with entrees.  The green salad and the tomato cucumber salad were fresh and zesty, and topped with plenty of milky feta.  Dressed simply with good quality olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice, it was the perfect way to whet our appetite.

The other big app standouts were the grilled octopus and the gigantes beans in tomato sauce.  I loved the slightly crunchy exterior of the octopus and the melt-in-your-mouth middle, which was cooked just right.  Surprised by the burst of flavor in the gigantes beans, this was a real comforting dish, as it was stewed in a homemade tomato, garlic/onion sauce that conjured up memories of grandma's kitchen.

Main Dishes - Pleasantly overwhelmed by the rich spread of meat and seafood in front of us, we tried a little bit of everything and had a hard time deciding what we liked best.  If I'd have to choose, I'd give the standing ovation to the grilled biftekia and the juicy lamb chops.  Both were simple, but beautifully executed dishes that were flavored with fresh herbs and lemon.  Paired with classic side dishes such as thin Greek chips with oregano and perfect lemon potatoes, they'll satisfy even the most discerning customer.

Although we couldn't finish everything at that moment, we took a lot home, which made for great leftovers - especially the biftekia, which I later tore into salad.

Dessert - I love me some loukomades (Greek donuts with honey) and these looked and tasted impeccable.  Boasting a beautifully golden brown exterior and a soft and airy interior, they were pure heaven with a little bit of cinnamon and honey on top.

Service and Cost:
The staff at Telly's is made up of experienced and friendly waiters who are knowledgeable about the food and pay a lot of attention to diners' needs.  We always felt well taken care of, our glasses of water refilled frequently and our sharing plates refreshed periodically.  It was nice to know that we could hang as long as we wanted to without being bothered.

Costs are really fair given the high quality of food, and Telly's is a restaurant I'd happily return to in the near future:

Mezze - $4 - $16
Meat - $12 - $24
Seafood - $12 - $24
Dessert - $6

3 Mmmms

Telly's Taverna - 28-13 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105
718.728.9056
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.tellystaverna.com

4 Random Creative Croissants

Just because I've been spotting some randomly cool food things around Astoria, I thought I'd round them up here for a little quickie inspiration.  A mixture of food deals, special menu items, contests and more, I hope you enjoy these creative croissants.

So fun! SingleCut Beersmiths is running a caption contest on their site.  You'll notice their mascot, Rulpsen popping up on their homepage, so why not give him something to say?  Submit your caption directly on their site or through Facebook or Twitter and you can win a 64 oz growlrrr filled with your favorite brew.

Have you checked (or downloaded) the awesome Scoutmob app? I've gotten tons of great deals out of it in Astoria, including a discount at Crave Astoria, Winegasm, the Mad Donkey, and now the latest discounts for Saffron Indian Cuisine, Ovelia, Latin Cabana, Astoria Bier & Cheese and more.  Remember that these are 100% free coupons that don't require a pre-payment.  Bottom line - they're awesome!

Did you know that 5 Napkin Burger is featuring a special Oktoberfest inspired burger? I've never had a German-style burger, but this one sounds pretty unique, as it's packed with lots of hearty ingredients such as ground beef infused with Knockwurst spices, munster cheese, smoky bacon, mustard, onions all enveloped in a pretzel roll. Sounds pretty awesome, especially when paired with a fall pumpkin ale.  35-01 36th Street, Astoria.  718.433.2727

Oh and how can I forget that my fellow foodie comrade, Tyson Ho, the hogmaster behind Arrogant Swine is in a great Arby's commercial.  See him giving expertise about the almighty pig, specifically Carolina style BBQ.

Sippin' on Strawberry Iced Tea at Sweetleaf

After what was a pretty long hiatus, I found myself at Sweetleaf, which is one of my favorite LIC coffee spots.  Loving the original location on Jackson Avenue, I knew I was in good hands when I spotted their Center Blvd outpost while on my way to the LIC Flea.  

Atmosphere:
It's strange to think of Sweetleaf situated on the ground level of a luxury apartment high rise, given its dark, grungy, indie aesthetic.  I was wondering how they'd pull all that off in this modern new locale, but I was surprised at how well their original concept comes through in this space.

For starters, it's a lot more spacious and there's plenty more places to sit down and spread out (this is especially great when you have your laptop and a load of work with you).  I love that you don't feel cramped and that the wifi works well, which isn't always the case with the other coffee shops in the vicinity.  

A beautiful antique bar dominates the space with a vintage gilded clock as its center piece.  I like that you can position yourself at the bar if you like, making you appreciate this coffee shop/cocktail bar hybrid. 

Strawberry Iced Tea - Even though it's hard to pass up Sweetleaf's Stumptown coffee, I chose to go for the iced tea instead.  Listed in their specialty drinks section, along with the Iced Rocket Fuel, it sounded refreshing and interesting, made of unsweetened iced tea, simple syrup and fresh strawberry puree.  It totally delivered, and then some, providing you with a hint of natural sweetness from the puree, which was swirled throughout.  Although I didn't get one during this visit, it would've been nice to pair it with Sweetleaf's freshly baked scones.

Service and Cost:
The service very much mirrors what you get at the old location - laid back, friendly but not in-your-face. All good things.
Costs are expensive but totally worth the quality.  My iced tea set me back $4.25.

3 Mmmms

Sweetleaf - 46-15 Center Blvd, LIC NY 11101
347.527.1038
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave
www.sweetleaflic.com 

Spicy Tomato Soup a la Farmgirl Gourmet

I gotta admit, I've been a bit lazy in terms of cooking this week, so I decided to change that by making a comforting soup that should last us through the week.  As I've been having luck with getting great inspiration through my Pinterest boards, I once again turned to them - specifically my Healthy Eating board.  

The recipe I'll tell you about comes from a fabulous blog called Farmgirl Gourmet, which I follow on Pinterest, and it's all about wholesome, responsibly grown food.  This particular recipe also happens to be gluten free, so to all my gluten free friends, this one's for you.

Although, I followed Farmgirl's recipe almost to a t, there's a few things in there that I switched around, such as substituting fat free Greek yogurt for the cream cheese that she recommends.  I also omitted the sour cream and added some fresh basil and a little bit of parmesan cheese instead.  Both worked beautifully, and so did the little drizzle of truffle oil that I put on top.  The smokiness from the chipotle peppers and the adobo is divine and nicely clears your sinuses.  

The soup is enjoyed with a warm piece of pita bread.  Happy fall, Astoria!
Chipotle Creamy Tomato Soup recipe, courtesy of Farmgirl Gourmet blog

October Specials at Bear

Photo credit: Bradley Hawks

Loving all the attention Bear has been getting lately through their interesting foodie collaborations and most recently through a nice piece in this month's Edible Queens, I was happy to see that they've got interesting food specials this month.  With all that hype, which the restaurant lives up to, it's nice to know that they're mixing things up and offering some great deals for people to come in and enjoy their food.  Here are this month's specials:

October Specials at Bear:

Wednesdays
$18 - Include 2 house pork sausages, sauerkraut, smashed potatoes and a pumpkin pie.  All this also comes with an ice cold Yuengling beer

Tuesday - Friday
$25 - 3-course dinner special

Saturday/Sunday
$15 - brunch includes coffee, toast and your choice of entree

Bear - 12-14 31st Avenue, Long Island City NY 11106
917.396.4939
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.bearnyc.com