Astorian Weekend Edition 23.07.09

Although the weather might be iffy, you can split your indoor and outdoor activities because there’s lots going on—and much of it includes yoga and eating.

Treat yourself to a relaxing yoga class or even a massage at the Giving Tree Yoga Studio. They’re offering a “new student” special that includes 3 classes for $25 or a month of unlimited yoga for $80. Get your Zen on! 22-56 31^th Street, Astoria. 718.728.0110

After yoga, walk just a few steps down to Mojave, which features delectable Southwestern cuisine and an intriguing outdoor garden. We recommend taking advantage of their $11.95 prix-fixe lunch special, which comes with a mini margarita. Que bueno! 22-36 31^th Street, Astoria. 718.545.4100

Check out the Astoria Music Now! Festival this Saturday in Astoria Park. An all day event from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., the festival will feature 50 acts on four stages with plenty of great local musicians of all genres. The day promises to be a boisterous gathering of song, dance and entertainment.

Getting back to yoga, but this time outdoors, enjoy a FREE class this Sunday in LIC's Gantry Park. The event, sponsored by The Yoga Room starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp and will go until 10:15 a.m. Get there early to get a good spot and make sure to bring your yoga mat and wear your comfiest garb. Walk behind 47-20 Center Blvd, LIC. 718.786.7962

If you get hungry after yoga, you can check out the Waterfront Crab House, which is rustic, charming and as its name suggests, right on the water. I enjoyed their baked clams and stuffed filet of sole with crabmeat. The crabs (entree portion - pictured above) are fresh and delicious—and come served on humongous trays. 2-03 Borden Avenue, LIC. 718.729.4862

Hello Out There, Astoria!

In honor of my first JIA post and in celebration of a big submission I just made on a project, I decided to treat myself to a nice little afternoon around Astoria on Wednesday. It seems the stars were aligned for me, because everything came up roses.

I started with a wonderful yoga class at the new Giving Tree Yoga Studio (22-56 31^st Street between 23^rd Ave and Ditmars). Co-owners (and husband-wife duo) Anne-Margaret and Anthony have created a space that is at once yoga (and pilates) studio, community center, and massage studio. I could go on ad nauseam about how amazing their classes are, and what a delight it is to be part of their warm, nascent community, but I’ll let you find out for yourself. New students can try three classes for $25, and their mid-summer yoga and massage specials (available through the end of July) include a month of unlimited yoga classes for $80, an incredible deal.

I followed my bliss down the stairs and a few doors over to Mojave (22-36 31^st Street), the southwestern restaurant I’d often passed with a shrug. I walked through their main restaurant area and was transported to Taos (seriously, it was a shock). Sitting in their charming garden area, complete with water fountain, I ordered the $11.95 prix fixe lunch and a side of guacamole. Now, I’ve kind of come to expect mediocrity from cheap prix fixe lunches, especially at 2:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. I was happily mistaken.

The menu included a tasty mini-margarita, and I chose the MotherRoad Roadhouse Chili (beef and pork braised in Dos XX beer and chile) and a spice-rubbed salmon sandwich on grilled sourdough with avocado, a southwestern aioli, and house-made potato chips. The chili was packed with tender pieces of meat and tomatoes that tasted like they’d recently been attached to a vine. The salmon was perfectly medium-rare and its accoutrements were all spot-on. As someone who fancies herself a guac artiste, theirs gets my whole-hearted stamp of approval: it was the perfect medium between smooth and chunky, with a kick of fresh lime.

In my sunny little garden paradise, I was tempted by the Invisible Rattlesnake (vanilla ice cream with D’Aristi Mayan honey, anisette, and crème de menthe), but got a hold of myself (and my distended abdomen), and took a raincheck. Mojave boasts 130 tequilas, happy hour specials ($5 wine, sangria, and house cocktails, and $3 beers) on weekdays from 4 – 7, and live music on Wednesday nights and during Sunday brunch. Yum.

Astorian "Spooktacular" Weekend Edition 30.10.08

Image by www.scholastic.com

Halloween is here so check out the many fun "tricks" and "treats" that Astoria has in store.

Visit the Jumping Bulldog (28-10 23rd Ave, 917-576-7380) this Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. for its Pre-Halloween Bash. Bring your furry friends and make sure they arrive in costume. There will be a raffle, as well as free doggie portraits, smoked organic doggie sausages, and doggie Halloween cookies.

Watch the Whiskey Dregs disappear on Thursday, the night before Halloween. Performances will include music, short stories, poetry, and even magic! Whiskey Dregs, The Great Disappearing Act, pre-party starts at 8 p.m. at Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd).

Halloween Specials:

Many restaurants are hosting costume balls. Cavo's (42-18 31st Ave, 718-721-1001) annual glam party offers some glitzy prizes, like a trip to Vegas, and Indigo's (28-50 31st St, 718-728-0050) more chilled-out party offers $250 in cash for the grand prize winner.

You can also check out my listings of more Halloween restaurant specials, including Meg's mention of Mojave's (22-36 31st St, 718-545-4100) "Day of the Dead" party.

Check out LIC Bar (45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, 917-254-8923) at 9 p.m. for a special Halloween live music show featuring Tool Tribute Band Schism.

Mojave Halloween Celebration

Apologies for the crappy cellphone photo, but I wanted to post about Mojave's Halloween celebration, "Day of the Dead". Now, Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated on November 1-2, but Mojave is not a traditional kind of place. I do enjoy their margaritas, and I'm sure there will be drinks galore along with the food - if you can't read the poster, it says Dinner; Dancing; Open Bar; Reservations Required. Festivities start at 10 p.m. on the 31st.

Mojave
22-36 31st St
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 545-4100

Astorian Weekend Edition 05.06.08

Start off the weekend this Thursday with a party at Bistro (19-33 Ditmars). Enjoy some free food and you'll find yourself coming back to try more of their goods.
If you didn't get full enough and want to continue the partying, it's Jueves Loco (Crazy Thursday) at Mojave (22-36 31st St.) You get a free margarita with dinner and a side of tequila tastings and live music!

There are baubles, shoes, and bags galore at the newly expanded Prima Donna (29-24 Ditmars). Great prices and very cute, girly stuff, I even picked up a pair of back-in-fashion roman sandals for under $25. Another shoe option is the new Payless under the Ditmars stop. It's oh-so-fresh-and-clean and easy access if you are running out and need some quick and cheap sandals.

A great free option for your summer Saturdays -- now through September -- is Capoeira in the Park at Socrates (Broadway at Vernon Blvd.) I must say I've been intrigued by this Brazilian-style martial art/dance for years and might have a go myself! Classes are taught by Professor Abará and designed for all experience levels.

Do good by hanging out all night long at the park: show your love and
appreciation in honoring cancer survivors and their care givers at the American Cancer Society's Astoria Park Relay For Life (Astoria Park Running Track, 19th Street and Shore Blvd.) The event supports cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient and family services. Get to the park at 5 p.m. on Saturday to register and get ready for a full evening.

It's time for another craft fair, Arts & Crafts Market #10 takes place on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You'll find original paintings, jewelry, photos, soaps, crochet, and children's clothing, among many more unique, hand-crafted items. There are going to be several prizes throughout the day too, yay! Find it all at the Queensview Houses (Building #7 on 33rd Rd, Building #14 on 34th Ave. - Bet. 21st St. and Crescent)

Astorian Weekend Edition 24.01.08

Oleput (31-13 Ditmars) reopened! I heard a rumor that the liquor license is in... let's check it out tonight!

Saturday stop in at Waltz at 8pm for some goodies and a "I'm New to Astoria: Meet and Greet Party". Go and represent the neighborhood and show some love to the newbs.

Seeds of Love are at it again with raising more cashola for a special family in need. This time the awesome crew at Curves (36-10 Ditmars) are setting up shop in North Astoria Saturday afternoon. They'll have tons of brand spanking new gear for you all to purchase and they still need donations as well, so check their website for the deets on how to help!

Try the Post Holiday Food Based Cleanse and Restoration at The Yoga Room (32-32 Steinway St) his Sunday! I did a full on cleanse a couple of weeks ago and I'm a fan. Maybe this one will be just as good? I'm willing to bet it is. From their mailer: "You will get to prepare, taste and take home recipes that will help you start the year with the clear, balanced energy needed for the cold winter months." It's 1 to 4 p.m. and $45.

There's a Sunday brunch being put together by the peeps over at Out Astoria at Locale (33-02 34th Ave). I know a couple of the members; a good time is pretty much guaranteed. Let them know you're coming in advance!

P.S. I finally made it to Mojave (22-36 31st St) and was quite satisfied. Hope to have them in the neighborhood for awhile so I can try more of the menu!

Agave is Mojave

This past weekend I pointed out the new restaurant under construction by the Ditmars stop on 31st Street. Well, they're open as of tonight! They've named themselves Mojave and apparently it's fantastic! There's a lot of chatter about it over on Astorians, so check it out. We'll be by soon and will bring you our own review as well.

Nice to see something really different and good come to town!