Astorian Weekend Edition 10.12.09

Man oh man will it be cold this weekend! But don’t let a little chill stop you from enjoying these fun (indoor) “social sports.”

Ornella is a great new Italian restaurant worth trying, and all dishes are derived from deeply cherished family recipes. Order the imbustata (pictured above), a specialty pasta “envelope” with roasted veal, chicken, wild mushrooms homemade mozzarella, spinach, mascarpone cheese and tomato sauce. As you can see, it’s an all-inclusive type of dish that's absolutely scrumptious. 29-17 23rd Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.9477

Take a farm to table cooking class this Thursday (or next Thursday) at the Sage General Store. This week’s theme is “Trade Secrets from the Professionals” and covers topics from handling poultry to making the perfect pie crust. $80 per person – includes dinner and you get to take home a pie. 24-20 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. 718.361.0707

In the mood for casual tapas or just good and inexpensive Latin food? Blend in LIC is a yummy option, and I had a wonderful dinner there last week. Top picks include the arroz con pollo, which is generous in portion and features the most aromatic seasoning, as well as the ropa vieja, served in a crunchy plantain cup. 47-04 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. 718.729.2800

Indulge in a holiday specialty drink at Mezzo Mezzo--some of the creative concoctions they’ve devised especially for the holidays include martinis such as the chocolate peppermint, nuts-n-berries, an oatmeal-cookie latte and others. You can sample a drink for free with a purchase of an entrée. The special promo code is “holiday cheer” and it can be used on all days except for Saturday. 31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.278.0444

If you like to play pool or ping pong and appreciate a relaxing, low-key setting, check out Break Bar on Broadway between 32nd and 33rd street. It’s pleasantly full but never too crowded on weekends, and the bartenders make you feel like part of the family. Pool is free until 9p.m. and they feature happy hour from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. on the weekends with $3 beers and $5 spirits. 32-04B Broadway, Astoria. 718.777.5400

Astorian Weekend Edition 28.08.08

Start the Labor Day holiday early with a drink and a song. Sunswick (35-02 35th St) has karaoke and some good bar food on Thursday.

Speaking of karaoke, Friday at Albatross (36-19 24th Ave) lube your vocal chords with $7 pints and check out the face lift on the cute corner spot.

The lunch specials at El Jamon (25-51A Steinway) are seriously -- no joke -- out of this world yum! It's even on the weekends, so if cooking is out of the question, pay them a visit.

Skeeball, foosball, ping pong or pool, find it all at Break (32-08 Broadway) along with your everyday happy hour! Enjoy the drinks and play pool free til 9 p.m. This could make for a fun and relatively inexpensive Saturday night.

Sunday join the gang at Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) for a no-fuss, no-muss Labor Day BBQ. They'll be opening early at 2 p.m., to celebrate the holidays with free burgers and hot dogs. Stick around for the apple pie eating contest at 6 p.m., too; better yet, sign up for it! They are looking for some hearty contestants.

Whatever you are doing this weekend, have fun and be safe out there! There's tons of stuff going on, check out more here.

Astorian Weekend Edition 18.10.07

On Thursday from 7-9:30pm, join a new division at Break (32-04 Broadway) and earn yourself a free cuestick! The APA meets up regularly on thursdays there anyway- but get there today and score a stick :)

So there is more then corporate coffee making going on at the Starbucks on Steinway! Who knew? Coffee Tub Productions is presenting the 4th edition of their monthly musical showcase series. It's going on from 7 to 10pm on Friday. The event's organizer Sean Tubridy says "The Showcase has become a hot spot for local talent to hone their chops before moving up to the Manhattan and Brooklyn open mic scene". Personally I think its funny that alot of the artists are current/former employees of the joint! Are we looking at a retro beatnik coffeehouse jam? Not sure, but at least its something.

I went to the NY Cares back in the spring and found it very "neighborhood-ingly" fulfilling. If you missed out on the fun- you've got another chance this Saturday. Check the site and look for a local group and location and jump right in!

Just an FYI, Il Bambino (34-08 31st Ave) is ripe for the eating :) The menu has changed up a bit since I last visited, so maybe you'll want to stop over and pick out new favorite or two!

On Sunday, if the "Fall" weather stays friendly- go check out the uber cool installation at Socrates (Broadway @ Vernon). The Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition has some of the most interesting pieces I have seen at the park. Like this huge metal crow- i'm totally fascinated!

foto credit Newell the Jewell - The scarecrow is part of Groundswell by Rachel Owens at Socrates Sculpture Park