Astorian Weekend Edition 28.02.08

Oleput (31-13 Ditmars Blvd), the former sweet shop in the Ditmars neighborhood, just revamped their menu. They offer lots of savory small plates, panini, desserts (they're serving Ronnybrook ice cream these days), and a nice wine and beer selection. The grilled cheese is awesome.

Over in LIC the Chocolate Factory (5-49 49th Avenue) presents Moliere's Don Juan, performed by the National Theater of the United States of America. The NY Time says "It may be the way [Yehuda Duenyas plays the great seducer], hops about and gurgles with glee after a conquest. Or maybe it's his mildly crazed eyes, or the pale, flat expanse of his stomach, which seems to be entirely muscle free. Whatever the reason, he's irresistible, as is the play." 8 p.m.

Also in LIC, PS1 presents WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution, "the first comprehensive, historical exhibition to examine the international foundations and legacy of feminist art." Concurrent events on Saturday include Faith Wilding performs Wait-With (location announced on day of event) from 12-2 p.m.; Women in Experimental Film, screenings of 16mm films by Peggy Ahwesh, Abigail Child, Barbara Hammer, Marjorie Keller, Marie Menken, Barbara Rubin, Carolee Schneemann, coordinated by M.M. Serra at 2 p.m.; and Women in Experimental Film, panel with contributors to the book, Women’s Experimental Cinema, with Carolee Schneemann, Peggy Ahwesh, Ara Osterweil, Melissa Ragona, moderated by editor Robin Blaetz at 4 p.m. Concurrent events on Sunday include Telepathe, a musical performance by this Brooklyn duo at 2 p.m. and Anna Oxygen, performing electronic music at 4 p.m.

Thursday and Friday night Bar 36 (36-05 30th Ave) has their own happy hour, going on from 6-9 p.m. Buy-one-get-one free for all martinis, cocktails, mixed drinks and beer. I hear the cocktails are very tasty.

On Saturday stop by Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street) from 1-4 p.m. Local Astorian artists Christiane Haber and Maria from Buyme Designs will be featuring their entire collections. There will be treats and drinks for all!

This weekend the always awesome Hellgate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) presents Rounders for their Sunday Night Cinema. It stars Ed Norton, Matt Damon and John Malkovitch, and it's all about gambling and addiction. Happy hour is from 7-9pm. I always recommend the Hellgate Lemonade, which is still fabulous as ever (I was there last Saturday and had it, yum). Movie starts at 8:30 p.m.

If you don't want to drink fun cocktails and watch a movie that night, try playing the Pub Quiz at the Irish Rover (37-18 28th Ave.). They pour a mean pint of Harp, I must say (how do they get it so creamy???). Quiz starts at 7:30 p.m. and it's $10 to enter. Winners get the pot. Get a group of four people together and rock out on the factoids!

Astorian Weekend Edition 31.01.08

Are you ready for some Football?! Well, I guess if you're from here or not, as long as you are living here, it will probably be a very entertaining weekend out and about with everything Giants.

I'd say if you're going for the typical grub, get out to McCann's- EARLY! I do love their wings.

Sunswick is having an Abitas beer promo & drink specials. They have awesome nachos, if you are looking for a winner. They didn't yet have the details for game day last night, but I'm sure there is some food thing they'll be offering. Can't go wrong with their zillion beers anyway!

• Check out the new face lift at Il Bambino.
• Sit around and grab a grilled cheese at Oleput.
• Or if the weather is cruddy: Enjoy Astoria on Flickr!

Update on Oleput :)

OK, so maybe they have their liquor license maybe not. Apparently it's still going through some red tape or something. I don't mind really as long as they are staying open so I can catch up on snack time!
Stopped over last night to check out the new diggs and found it quite cozy and warm (specially on such a blustery night) AND with the new menu. So now we can enjoy some freshly grilled cheese sammies along with the soup of the day (yesterday was mushroom bisque yum) and/or light salads. wow wow wow, let me know what ya'll think!

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!

Oleput Reopens Tomorrow!

Just heard it thru the grapevine - Oleput is opening tomorrow, Saturday the 12th. Hooray! Dang, it took long enough. Word on the street is that they got their liquor license, and they'll be offering beer and wine, along with savories like cheese and sausages. Plus everything else they had before (sweets). It all equals one big YUM.

If I can, I'll mosey over there tomorrow, check it out and bring back a report.

Astorian Weekend Edition 05.07.07

Hope everyone had a great Independence Day yesterday! I know the Macy's fireworks had some rain to contend with but I hope that didn't dampen anyone's spirits. I went to the beach and skipped the light display (but caught the Grucci show in Astoria Park last Friday). This week's end should have some nice weather mixed in with some thunderstorms - a typical summer in the east. This weekend (Saturday) also brings us 07-07-07. Cool! After Saturday, check out the flickr group called 07-07-07. People will be taking lots of pictures on that day, chronicling their lives. I'll be submitting a few myself.

Also on Saturday, Last Resort is having a rooftop party at 4pm their space... and there will be grilling involved, just bring your own grill-friendly food and/or a drink to share. At 9pm that night, they're having a rock show ($4 cover), including A Fistful of Dynamite, Suburban Riot, OUCH, and Blanketstatementstein. You can find Last Resort at 8-63 Astoria Blvd.

Hellgate Social, a great spot in western Astoria (12-21 Astoria Blvd), is active this week's end - Thursday through Sunday brings all sorts of live music, DJing, and a CD release party. No sign of a movie this Sunday, though (last week's showing of Dr. Strangelove was pretty awesome).

On Saturday, Waltz-Astoria is also holding a big bash at the beautiful Grand Ballroom upstairs at the Moose Lodge (did you know we had one?). There will be music, video-art, a funny guy emcee, and beer and wine to drink. The Lodge is at 41st and Broadway (down by Steinway). Get your $15 tickets at info@waltz-astoria.com.

Also, Thursday begins adult lap swim at Astoria Pool, too. You can swim in the mornings from 7-8:30am or in the evenings, 7-8:30pm. I hope to do some of the evening swims, myself. Lap swimming goes until August 31 this summer. After you swim, you can head over to a number of places in the area: Agnanti (Ditmars and 19th) and Bistro 33 (21st and Ditmars) come to mind, or you can walk a bit further and find yourself at the Beer Garden or Sparrow (across the street from the BG). Their burger sounds like a great ending to a nice swim. Head to Oleput (Ditmars and 33rd Street) after that for a shake or a float. Yummmm!

And remember Warm Up is this weekend. It's always a lot of fun at this event at PS1. You'll get a chance to hear some DJs and live music, dance, dance, dance, then head to Water Taxi Beach for Beach Party afterwards. Warm Up starts at 3pm and goes for 6 hours, until 9pm, and Water Taxi Beach will be all geared up by 9!

More fun, here.

Fireworks Photo Credit: Lia Pelosi

Astorian Weekend Edition 28.06.07

PitaPan (37-15 30th Ave) is back and I'm happy. Thursday don't bother cooking, but grab a yummy Power Meal for under $10 and walk away a happy camper. Word is they are building up the neighboring two spaces for a three-story foodie haven...with rooftop dining!
~That's the happy crew in the pic.

Thursdays and Fridays enjoy live jazz at Island Cafe Bar (35-15 36th St). Haven't tried them yet? Well, here's your chance to enjoy some music while you dine.

Friday night fly solo or take a certain someone with a sweet tooth maybe for a late dessert @ Oleput. Get your fill of pies and shakes and candy! Be glad you don't have to get up for work after that sugar rush.

The AstoriaPool opens on Friday with a bang (11 a.m.-3 p.m., 4 p.m.-7 p.m.). Swim and frolic all day then at 7:30 p.m. celebrate 25 years of Waterfront Concerts. There will be Big Band with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra then a spectacular Grucci fireworks display out on the lawn between the Hellgate bridge and the pool.

Sunday is The Astoria Race at Belmont. It's pretty close and there's a bus or two you can hop on for the sake of a day at the races!

Oh and this just in from our friend Annie - street food prices going up! The "kabob dude" on 31st Ave and Steinway in front of the Gap has a sign declaring Street Souvlaki prices are going up... just like the rent!

Around Town

Boy is it a hot day! It's been steamy all morning, and I've been outside, so it's nice to be home in the a/c before I have to head out in a bit. One way I've found to beat the heat is to drink lots of liquids, preferably cold ones. I've got the water on to heat up for tea, which I prepare in a very large mason jar. Three tea bags seems to be enough, I let it steep then put it in the fridge. Keeps me hydrated with some variety, as drinking just plain water gets a little boring for me all the time. I'm going to brew some "Thai Delight", an herbal tea I discovered via my housemate. It tastes a bit like thai iced tea when you put milk/soy in it.

While walking home, I discovered that Alba's Pizza (37th Street and Ditmars) serves pizza with a whole wheat crust by request. The other place in town that does that is Pizza Palace (31st and Ditmars), but there's been chatter that their pizza has really gone downhill. Plus they are truly annoying with that whole "freedom fries" crap. WTF???

Oleput (Ditmars and 32nd) is a fantastic new sweet shop in town. It's the brainchild of the guys behind Sparrow, my favorite bar in town. They sell Mary's Dairy ice cream, and make it into wonderful shakes ($4.50). They have the most magical pies in NY, Briermere pies, as well as baked goods from Tomcat bakery. They also have some homemade stuff. More delicious offerings of the savory sort are coming as well. Sooz and I checked it out last week and we both said thumbs up! Stay tuned for more talk about it, plus more pictures!

Stamatis has been working on their new building across the street from their current one (23rd Ave between 31st and 29th streets) for many months, and it's finally looking like an actual restaurant! I've peeked in while walking by and it looks really nice. Am looking forward to checking it out when it opens.

More to come!