Vue Cafe Comes to Astoria

I had the pleasure of dining at the brand-spankin' new Vue Cafe. Opening just a week ago and located on 12th Street and 31st Avenue, it's on the border of Astoria and Long Island City in a quiet residential neighborhood. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of an upscale condominium building--talk about convenience for residents.

The atmosphere is modern but not pretentious--simple tables, good functional flatware and yes the walls are a bit glitzy but they give Vue attitude and its own voice. The space is intimate and an upscale touch is felt but not so much that you'd feel awkward dressed in comfortable garb.

Chef Randall Benjamin offers up an eclectic menu, focusing on hearty meat and seafood dishes. My fiancee and I shared the sweet and sour spare ribs, topped with sweet pickled onions and red peppers. The dish was also accompanied by cheesy jalapeno poppers, which were our favorite--crispy on the outside and silky smooth on the inside; they were a fun indulgence for both the eyes and the palate. Our entrees also didn't disappoint--mine was the lamb with zucchini croquettes, tzatziki and pita and my fiancee enjoyed a hearty steak. While he had to send it back because it was slightly undercooked, the staff was gracious, returning the steak cooked perfectly, satisfying him to the point where he cleaned his plate.

The service is friendly, attentive and eager to please--they are still very new so you could feel them on their toes, giving you that "special touch." Cost-wise, it's moderate and comparable to 30th Avenue prices. Some of the entrees might be a little more expensive ($22 for lamb chops and $25 for steak) but the quality of the food is good. Take a walk over there, especially on a weekend to unwind from a busy week.

Vue Cafe: 12-14 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.726.4400