Finally Fridays - Best Bar Food

Feliz Friday readers!  Hope you're enjoying the last couple of hours before the snow. 

We wanted to headline this Finally Fridays with the best bar food in honor of the Superbowl this Sunday.  We hope you have plans to do something fun, and if you're still unsure about what that something is, maybe these five suggestions will sway you. 

Gleason's - Honey mustard chicken wings, smothered in thick, slightly sweet sauce that hits the spot.
33-08 Broadway, Astoria.  718.626.5393

Astoria Brewhouse (previously Indigo) - Sliders with delicious, juicy beef (and pulled pork) topped with cheese and sauteed onions.
28-50 31st Street, Astoria.  718.728.0050

 

Sparrow -  "A burger that exceeds expectations - perfectly cooked meat, gruyere melting excellently, with the exact right amount of onion on top," says Meg.  

24-01 29th Street, Astoria NY. 718.606.2260

Dillinger's - Wings, wings, wings - fresh, piping-hot and really meaty.  You won't get any puny poultry here.

46-19 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.956.5601

Studio Square - Pardon the phallic shot but this Schaller & Weber Kolbase is just delectable. 
35-33 36th Street, Long Island City.  718.383.1001

Finally Fridays - Brunch

Wow I thought the weekend would never come...but finally it's here.  In this edition of Finally Fridays, we reveal five great picks for brunch.  As always, chime in with your two cents.

Sparrow - Leeks and fried eggs with sweet potato hash and crusty bread

24-01 29th Street, Astoria NY. 718.606.2260

Cafe Henri - Mushroom and goat cheese crepe with mixed greens

10-10 50th Avenue, LIC.  718.383.9315

Bistro 33 - Cajun fritatta with andouille sausage and crawfish

19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.721.1933

Sage General Store - Ranchero Burrito with organic scrambled eggs, onions, smoky ham, tomato & cheese

24-20 Jackson Avenue, LIC.  718.361.0707

Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company - Fluffy, humongous cinnamon raisin and plain bagel

35-05 Broadway, Astoria.  718.204.0141

35-09 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.932.8280

36-14 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.777.1121

Finally Fridays - Burgers

Friday is here and we couldn't be happier. This week's Finally Fridays focuses on a comfort food that's hard to beat--burgers. Here are our top 5 picks for traditional and not-so-ordinary boighahs.

Sparrow Burger - Grass fed burger with thick-cut bacon and herbed fries
24-01 29th Street, Astoria. 718.606.2260


Sweet Afton Burger - Organic beef, Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, sweet brioche bun
30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570


BareBurger Lamburger - Lamb patty, yogurt sauce, caramelized onions, 7 grain bun
33-21 31st Avenue, Astoria. 718777.7011


Indigo Turkey Burger - Turkey, toasted sesame seed bun, hand cut fries, cranberry mayo
28-50 31st Street, Astoria. 718.728.0050


Fatty's Turkey Burger - Turkey, jalapeno mayo, peppers, onions and a side of house salad
25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.267.7071

Enjoy these fun varieties and let us know your personal burger faves.

April is Grilled Cheese Month

Um, so I just learned that April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Wish I'd known it sooner! My pick for the tastiest grilled cheese in Astoria is from Sparrow, pictured above. It is truly delicious. Another good "grilled cheese", though it's not in the classic style, is the mozzarella, tomato, and pesto panino at Il Bambino.

Where is you favorite grilled cheese sandwiche in Astoria? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Susan Vasconcelos

Astorian Weekend Edition 16.4.09

This Thursday, join Jimmy van Bramer at The Creek for a fundraising party for his candidacy for the 26th City Council district. Apart from the interesting discussions that will no doubt crop up during, The Creek has some tasty food. The guac and salsa app is good, and I've enjoyed the fish tacos as well.

This is Eastern Orthodox Holy Week, so in Astoria, Greek Easter is just around the corner. But you can see an amazing procession on Friday evening, around 8 p.m. To see the Good Friday procession/epitaphios that involves congregants from three local Greek churches (St. Catherine, St. Markella and St. Irene), stand on the corner of 31st Street and 23rd Avenue. Make sure you have a delicious loaf of tsoureki on hand to celebrate this weekend, too.

Saturday is chock full of fun! Head over to Astoria Park around noon for the Astoria Park Alliance Earth Day celebration - meet up by the butterfly garden under the Hellgate Bridge. At 2:30 p.m., stop at Soleil Cafe (37-14 Astoria Blvd) and meet up with the Astoria Artists are Awesome group to discuss the future of the arts in town. At 6 p.m., the Queens is Green Fashion Show starts up at Green Space in LIC (37-24 24th Street, #301). And finally, AMandA in Wonderland (38-01 23rd Ave), with its myriad music and arts, goes on for 12 hours (starting at 4 p.m.), into the wee hours of the morning.

The next morning, er, afternoon, you can find tasty grub nearby at Sparrow for brunch.

Sparrow Kitchen Hours Extended

I was recently at Sparrow and noticed that they have extended their kitchen hours:

Sunday-Thursday until midnight
Friday and Saturday until 1:30 a.m.

Nice! And yum, of course.

Psychic Burger Experience

This afternoon my guy and I had an early dinner at Sparrow, which has always provided great food and cozy atmosphere. We've written about them here many times, as we're all big fans, especially of their burger.

Today the burger exceeded any and all of my expectations. It was as if the cook had read my mind and provided me with exactly what my burger-heart desired - perfectly cooked meat, gruyere melting excellently, with the exact right amount of onion on top. The bun, baked by Pain D'Avingon, rounded it all out. Fries were delicious, too. It was a burger experience par excellence. I maintain the Sparrow makes the best burger in Astoria.

For dessert, we tried a new (to us) dessert, something called a "Chocolate Marquise", which was a lovely, rich chocolate item. Light thin slices of chocolate cake in between thicker slices or chocolate mousse, with fresh whipped cream and a balsamic maple reduction on the side. Certainly enough for two people, and perhaps even four if you just want a little bit of sweet to round out the evening.

I also tried the Old Brown Dog Ale from Smuttynose brewery (they are located in New Hampshire). Wonderful, slightly sweeter than Newcastle Brown Ale. I'd drink it again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended. Actually, everything I ate is highly recommended.

Photo credit: (cc) Meg Cotner

New Menu Items at Sparrow

I was just at Sparrow this afternoon for brunch (which was fabulous, by the way), and noticed they have some new menu items advertised on the chalkboard above the kitchen area. The menu is definitely fleshing out (no pun intended! you'll see...). Here are the additions:

sweet potato fries ($7)
tater tots ($6)
mac n' cheese ($9 - made with fontina and parmesan - bacon or speck can be added for an additional cost)
blackeye pea and barley salad ($9)
ribeye steak and fries ($26)
baby back ribs ($18)

There are also some new wines on the menu, too. Sadly, the Malbec I loved so much is gone, but a tasty Minervois ($10/$35) is on the menu, and it is terrific (I tasted it at brunch). On their list of whites is an off-dry Riesling from Washington state called Kung Fu Girl ($11/$39), which sounds delicious (and I love the name). There are 6 reds and 6 whites to choose from.

Just a brief note about brunch - it is one of the best brunches I've had in town - simply delicious food and service that was not rushed, but she attended to us in a timely manner. It was amazing that she was able to do so, as the place was very busy and she had a lot on her plate (so to speak).

I had eggs scrambled with potatoes (all eggs are organic, by the way), T had the brunch burger (topped with a fried egg on a lovely brioche bun), and we split some leek sausages which were very good. The sausages were rich and savory without being overly salty. Oh, we started with a warm croissant that came with homemade blueberry jam and some maple syrup. Coffee was great. It's all worth a return visit.

Photo credit: (cc) Susan Vasconcelos

Astorian Weekend Edition 22.05.08

Looking forward to Memorial Day weekend? We are! The weather is looking sunny and warm and that means plenty of fun outdoor activities in the 'hood, such as…

This Saturday, May 24th, get in touch with your creative side—build a recyclable kite at Socrates Sculpture Park, using old shopping bags. This workshop is lead by artists, Miwa Koizumi and Marco Scoffier, starting at noon.

Not into recyclable art? You can also stop at Socrates Sculpture Park for a Saturday workout session. Choose between Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts). Most classes last for one hour. Socrates Sculpture Park - 32-01 Vernon Blvd. 718.956.1819

Looking for something cultural to do after the park? Visit the Noguchi Museum, directly across the street. It's a neat little museum (as in literally, small), which focuses on Japanese modern sculpture and design. If you're interested in a free tour, make sure to arrive by 2p. The Noguchi Museum - 9-01 33rd Road (at Vernon Boulevard). 718. 204.7088

Brunch it up, Astoria style and finish off with something sweet. Try 718 for their spectacular prix-fix brunch. It's a bit of a splurge for $22 but the quality of the food is worth it. If you skipped dessert at brunch, walk a couple of blocks down to Ditmars and 29th Street and visit La Guli Pastry Shop—their cannoli kiss is to die for. 718 – 35-01 Ditmars Blvd. 718.204.5553. La Guli - 29-15 Ditmars Blvd. 718.728.5612

Enjoy some nice, cold "bruha" at The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden but beware of the holiday weekend crowds—they'll be enormous so the earlier you get there, the better. Interested in working at the Beer Garden? Click here. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue. 718.274.4925.

Can't get into the Beer Garden because of the crowds? Visit The Sparrow across the street, a local neighborhood bar owned by the same people who ran Tupelo and also the ice-creamery, Oleput. They have great beer on tap and a fun, laid-back atmosphere. The Sparrow – 24-01 29th Street. 718.606.2260.

Burger to Burger: Sparrow vs. Fatty's

In honor Dish du Jour's first ever "The Burger Battle of the Boroughs," I'm dedicating this post to Astoria's burgers--and shining the spotlight on two places that do them very well. Let the face-off begin...

1. The Sparrow - Astoria's beloved casual bar and eatery found directly across the street from the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Sparrow has gotten so popular lately that I'd urge ya'll to get there early--even if you're using it as back-up when the Beer Garden gets crowded. Its loyal fan base has no doubt grown from its homey atmosphere, good music and of course its flourishing food cred. The burgers are a particular must and Reyes--Sparrow's head chef--has them down to a science.What makes the Sparrow burger a plus for me is the brioche bun--always fresh with a hint of sweetness. The burger meat itself is yet another masterpiece. It's juicy, seasoned well with various fresh and dried herbs and is generous in size--you won't get slider portions here! Pair it with your choice of cheese (gruyere, fontina, brie or cheddar), a side of their crunchy fries (herbed or spiced) and you got yourself a killer Sparrow Burger. Happiness and gluttony on a plate for $9-$12 (depends on your choice of toppings).

The Sparrow: 24-01 29th Street, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.606.2260 www.sparrowbar.com

2. Fatty's - Also a small neighborhood gruberie, which offers its own spin on American and Latin bar food--think empanadas, croquetas, burritos and of course the mighty burger. Fatty's is known as a laid-back spot on Ditmars Blvd not far from Astoria Park. It's especially a hit in the summer, offering a nice outdoor garden with a backyard feel. You'll find people hangin' out all day and night. If you want to chill with the locals, go to Fatty's.

The Fatty's burger is complex. There are five varieties including a salmon burger and a Jalapeno turkey burger (shown here). Like at Sparrow, the portions are generous and I'd say even more so. The actual burger meat is fantastic--also moist, hearty and packed with fresh ingredients. Fatty's burgers are "glitzy", illustrated by this turkey burger. They're accompanied by a lot of crap--the mayo, the veggies, the salad, the list goes on. While I enjoy these embellishments on their own, they sometimes steal the burger's thunder. But if you fancy a fancy burger, I highly recommend Fatty's. The prices are wallet friendly, ranging from $7-$11.

Fatty's: 25-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105. 718.267.7071 http://www.fattyscafenyc.com/

Which burger wins? I'm biased and choose Sparrow (I have a soft spot for Reyes) but you be the judge. Visit these neighborhood joints and let us know what you think.

Astorian Weekend Edition 06.12.07

Dang it's cold! But I have to admit, the snow has been very pretty and I enjoyed the manageability of the first snowfall this winter. However, it will warm up a little this weekend, for which I'm grateful. There's a lot going on this weekend!

Thursday brings us lots to do. At 7 p.m., Hellgate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) is hosting an artist reception for the exhibit 2 Live & Paint in Astoria. This new exhibit features the work of Ralph Almeida & William C. Lindsay. Bar 36 (36-05 30th Ave) is again hosting their Martini Thursdays - $2 off every martini on their menu (or create your own). Can't beat the free snacks, too! I just wish their website was more useful. Island Cafe Bar (35-15 36th St) has Jazz every Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to midnight.

If you're not into the bar/cafe scene on Thursday, head over to Laguardia Community College (31-10 Thomson Ave.) in LIC for the opening celebration/reception for the exhibit Edge of the City, the Waterfront Paintings of Gregory William. From 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. meet the artist and enjoy the art.

Starting on Friday, stop by the Brickhouse Ceramic Art Center (10-34 44th Drive) for some holiday shopping. They are holding their annual holiday sale and open house Friday through Sunday. They offer one-of-a-kind handmade crafts from jewelry to ceramic. Their hours are Friday 4-8 p.m., Saturday 2-8 p.m., and Sunday 12-6 p.m.

Saturday night Hellgate Social presents a night of Japanese punk rock! Expect live music by The Yuharis, Uzuhi, and B.C.P. Conversely, Waltz (23-14 Ditmars) presents a twist on karaoke - jazz! Come and sing in front of a live jazz band. Set list will be provided, sign-up is at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 9:30.

Find some calm on Sunday at Grace Lutheran (31-20 21st Ave) for a weekly Buddhist meditation with Luis Villalon. The subject for this weekend is The Healing Power of Love. Beginners are welcome.

A friend of mine told me all about Rest-au-Rant, a new wine bar on 35th Ave and 30th Street. He told me, Essentially it's a wine bar, with about 30 wines, so far, though they're aiming to increase that number to 50. They also have tasty beer on tap, from Germany, New Zealand, Hawaii, Belgium, France, Weissbier and a slew of others. They also offer hummus, cheese and fruit platters and paninis. Definitely worth a try. And best food I've had out this week was at Sparrow (24-01 29th St) - their burger, which is excellent, was particularly good, as were the fries and olive plate. Don't forget to try the hot chocolate - warm, chocolately, and creamy, perfect on a cold evening.

Photo credit: Harris Graber on Flickr via a Creative Commons License

Pain Perdu and The Sparrow = Crazy Delicious

This weekend I had a late lunch/early dinner at The Sparrow, one of my favorite bars. They have pretty good food (great grilled cheese) and drinks and the location can't be beat, at least for me. For dessert they offered pain perdu, which means "lost bread" in French but usually means french toast.

When the waitress told me they had pain perdu with butterscotch sauce, I decided to try it (I love butterscotch sauce). I expected it to be just regular old french toast, but it was way more than that. It was basically a grilled chocolate croissant with homemade butterscotch syrup on it, with a dollop of real whipped cream on the side. It was excellent! It totally hit the spot. My dining companion and I both loved it. Definitely worth a try.

Note: The Sparrow has updated their website and they also have a site for Oleput (their other venture).

Astorian Weekend Edition 19.07.07

Even the week's end starts out rainy, we should have a beautiful weekend. On Saturday, there are a couple of Trunk Sales going on. The Trunk Sale put on by the Astoria Craft Collective will have jewelry, accessories, and clothing. It will be at the patio on the corner of 29th Street and 35th Avenue, 11am-5pm, plus there will be refreshments! It goes on rain or shine, but it looks like a dry Saturday. Candy Plum (30-98 36th Street) has a lot of t-shirts to offer with a 10% discount. 1-3pm and they'll have sweets and snacks. If you can't make it to either of the Trunk Sales, you might consider the Blooming Company at another time, a cute little boutique on 31st Street between 23rd Ave and Ditmars.

There's always plenty of music happening in Astoria, and this weekend is no different. Stop by Waltz on Thursday for Samba music, performed by Anthony Lanni and friends ($2 cover and a $7 drink minimum). Check out their newly renovated digs, too. Hellgate Social that same night presents indie punk rock in the form of The Johns. HGS also has a movie planned for Sunday around 9pm.

Time Cafe (44-18 Broadway) this weekend has live jazz during brunch on Sunday. Hear the Jacob Varmus Quartet from 12-3 while you enjoy some tasty food. And if you were thinking of heading to Sparrow (across from the Beer Garden) for brunch at 10:30am, you might want to reconsider - I tried eating there last Sunday at 11am and they were still closed! Best bet - check them out at noon. I also hear Ovelia (34-01 30th Avenue) makes a superb frappe.

Head to the AMMI for more horror films, including 1970s classic Carrie and 21st century Japanese film Itchi the Killer. Warm Up at PS1 is Saturday from 3pm-9pm, and particularly interesting sounding that afternoon is Eric Singer's LEMUR (League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots)

More fun, here.