Although the weather is dreary now, we’re looking at a lovely, sunny weekend ahead—a perfect opportunity to be up and about in the nabe. Start your Friday night with a Happy Hour at Mezzo Mezzo with cheap drinks ($4-$6), a free buffet and hookah for $12. They’ll be running this promotion every 3rd Friday of the month. 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. And if the buffet isn’t enough, you can also take advantage of their $12.95 four-course prix-fixe. Monday – Friday, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. (last seating is at 6:30p.m.) 31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.278.0444
One of my favorite pet shops in the nabe, The Jumping Bulldog has officially opened its second location for doggie daycare and they’re available on weekends. Check them out if you’re looking for a nice, fun and safe place for your pet to play and interact with other dogs. 26-11 23rd Avenue, Astoria. 917.576.7380
Meg and I had the pleasure to dine at the Balkh Shish Kabab House and I highly recommend it. Everything is super affordable (under $15 and mostly under $10) and so delicious. I urge you to try their fried pumpkin turnovers, scallion filled dumplings and the lamb kebab (pictured above). Baklava and pistachio custard should not be missed as a sweet finish. 23-10 31st Street, Astoria. 718.721.5020
Enjoy more yummy sweets at Ovelia, as they roll out new dessert items this week such as the strawberry banana crepe, “spoon sweets” served with Greek yogurt and delicious donut-like “loukomades” topped with Nutella or orange marmalade. They also have two new cocktails on the specials menu, so make sure to ask for them. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217
Two weeks ago, I told you about the amazing burek that I had at Djerdan. Meg also found them sold at Parrot Coffee Market on Ditmars Blvd in the frozen section. She praised them, saying how delicious and convenient they are to make. Check Parrot out this weekend and maybe you can discover other new treats you’ve never tried before. 31-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.545.7920
Labor Day weekend is here, and that means we get an extra day to relax and enjoy the fun that Astoria and LIC bring.
Saturday is the last day to enjoy P.S.1 MOMA’s Warm Up series so get yourself there and prepare to dance to the beats of DJ Spun, The Glenn Branch Ensemble, Lee Douglas, Justin Vandervolgen and others. 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. 718.784.2084
Speaking of more outdoor activity, you could toast to a fruitful summer at a beer garden of your choice. The original, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925) serves hearty pitchers of brew and Eastern European grub. Or…if you prefer something more modern, try Studio Square (35-33 36th Street, Long Island City. 718.383.1001) with its extensive domestic and international beer selection—and even sangria on tap. They’ll remain open late-night on Monday, so if you have an extra day off, you can party until 4a.m.
Now on to eating...
Enjoy the all-day Brazilian buffet at Point Brazil (38-01 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.278.1934). They have a separate offering for breakfast and then a combined one for lunch and dinner. Prices are ultra low at $4.99-$5.99/lb so you could fill up here and then head to a cafe on 30th Avenue for coffee or a cocktail. Here are some suggestions: Grand Cafe (37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.777.7321), Avenue Cafe (35-27 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.278.6967), Flo Cafe (37-20 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.204.6069), Ovelia (34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217)
A hidden treasure that I tried last weekend is Djerdan Serbian cuisine. They have the most amazing burek (pictured above) - which is a pastry filled with a choice of meat, cheese or spinach. Their grilled meats and traditional specialties such as goulash and stuffed peppers bring me back to my mom's kitchen. Simply amazing and very affordable. All entrees are under $15 and most are in the $10 range (34-04A 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.2694).
