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

LOST in Astoria

Why Leave Astoria?! is holding a LOST viewing party at Studio Square (35-33 36th St.) tomorrow night. Looks like it's going to be a lot of fun! It's always a good time watching such things surrounded by other fans. Great drink specials, and more! Details:

Join fellow Lost fans this Tuesday for the borough's best (and only) official Lost viewing party. Watch the final season premiere of Lost like you've never seen it before--on a 60" plasma screen and five mounted 42"...all in surround sound!

We'll have Lost trivia at each commercial break and give away free beer and gift certificates throughout the night.

We'll have $12 pitchers of Dharma beer on tap and $5 Dharma sangrias...in addition to a full island cocktail drink list. We'll have lots of surprises in store, so stop by and see what everyone will be talking about next week.

The series catch-up airs at 8p, then the new episode at 9p.

Astorian Weekend Edition 03.09.09

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 24^th 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 36^th 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).

Astorian Weekend Edition 09.07.09

We've finally hit summer! There's nothing better than chillin' at a fabulous outdoor venue in the sun, whether a cafe, a bar, a beer garden or a new park.

Join the Drinking Liberally group this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden for some good-natured fun and potent brew. They’ll meet outside where you can spot them, sporting their black t-shirts with a blue bottle logo. Cheers! 29-19 24^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925

If you’re in the mood to check out a new beer establishment, visit the Studio Square Beer Garden. They’ve made some changes in the menu, now also serving sushi and festive homemade cupcakes, which are perfect if celebrating a birthday. They even supply candles—how thoughtful! Tip – get their as early as you can, as this place gets packed after 8 p.m. 35-33 36^th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001

Looking for a delicious summery brunch? I recently tried Vesta’s offering and loved it! Besides the scrumptious whole-wheat French Toast with apricot preserves and the Hangover Pizza, I enjoyed the summery white grapefruit sorbet (pictured above). It’s paired with fresh fruit and is simply to die for. 21-02 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Another great brunch option is Ovelia, featuring tasty Greek omelets and interesting alternatives such as the Tiropita Toast. They were recently the runner up in DCA’s 4^th Annual Sidewalk Café Mix Off with their signature drink, The Sikatini. Made with dried figs and Metaxa, this refreshing concoction should not be missed. 34-01 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217

Gantry State Park in LIC is the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon. In the words of an enthusiastic resident, "it’s simply delightful. They have wooden lounge chairs, hammocks, lots of grass and even a cool concession stand, which will open soon.” Sounds like a winner to me! 474 48^th Avenue, Long Island City. 718.786.6385

Astorian Weekend Edition 05.28.09

Another nice weekend with plenty of sunshine and mild weather produces the perfect opportunity to relax, check out a rooftop bar or even the new beer garden in town.

The rooftop at the Ravel Hotel in LIC is now open. From the pictures, it looks swanky and the drinks are fancy too—they serve frozen blueberry mojitos. Yum! 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City. 718.289.6101

Check out the LIC Artists Open Studios this Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. This opportunity offers a peek at hundreds of artists’ works at 11 major studio buildings that are in easy walking distance of each other. Click here for participating artists.

Although there is now a new Water Taxi Beach in Manhattan, let’s not forget who started it all—LIC baby! Water taxi rides from Midtown to LIC are now free every Friday and Saturday night from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Take advantage of it! 2-Borden Avenue, Long Island City.

Want to sample a delicious slice of pizza for just 50 cents? Visit Rizzo’s Fine Pizza this Saturday between 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. where pizza, Italian ices and soda will all cost 50 cents in honor of their big 50^th Anniversary. 30-13 Steinway Street, Astoria. 718.721.9862

Raise a glass of cold brewski (or sangria) to the new beer garden in town! Studio Square (pictured above) is not only gargantuan in size, it’s modern, comfortable and a perfect way to enjoy a Friday or Saturday night. With over 18 imported, domestic and craft beers on tap as well as their homemade sangria, you won’t go thirsty and neither will your friends. 35-33 36^th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001

Studio Square Beer Garden Pics

So, Judith and I took a look at the new Studio Square Beer Garden. Nice place! Really liked it.

Here are some pictures, for those of you that haven't yet made it over there:



I'm sure I'll be spending some time there this summer!

Studio Square, New Beer Garden in Town, Opens Today!

There's been a lot of talk about Studio Square, the new beer garden in Astoria/LIC, and today is their official opening! I plan to check it out tonight, hopefully take some snaps to share with you all. Here's some of their official PR, check it out:

THE MENU
S2’s menu reinvents the traditional flavors of a German beer garden. The beer garden’s self serve cash only menu features German and American grill favorites. Served with sauerkraut and rustic country white bread, the menu offers high-quality German Bratwurst and Weisswurst and Polish Kielbasa from Schaller & Weber, Queen’s own legendary meat purveyor. S2’s grill menu also features Certified Black Angus Hamburgers; Chicken and Pork Souvlaki; and Pulled Pork Sandwiches made with S2’s signature BBQ sauce. Oversized soft pretzels are also offered, served with two different dipping mustards.

THE BEER
Boasting several indoor and outdoor bars, S2 offers over 18 imported, domestic and craft beers on draft, including German favorites such as Spaten Oktoberfest, Franziskaner Hefe Weiss, regional U.S. standouts such as Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA from Delaware and Stone Levitation Ale from San Diego and local brews such as Captain Lawrence Freshchester Pale Ale from Westchester, NY. To ensure the perfect pour, all beers are served from a temperature-controlled tap system designed specifically for S2 and served in traditional glassware in liter and half-liter sizes. Other beverage highlights include wines by the glass and an impressive list of spirits as well as S2’s housemade Sangria served on tap.

THE SET UP
Devoid of coo coo clocks and lederhosen, S2 complements the creative culture that is Long Island City. Neighboring the acclaimed Kaufman Astoria Studios, the contemporary art center P.S.1, and the internationally renowned Museum of the Moving Image, S2 brings a parallel level of energy and excitement to the neighborhood.

S2’s indoor bar features vibrant urban murals by the acclaimed artist Louie "KR One" Gasparro, industrial fixtures, exposed brick walls, rare African Wenge Wood bar tops and large communal tables hand carved from pine, maple and cottonwood trees. The open-air square of the beer garden beckons festive gatherings with large handcrafted communal picnic tables made from pine and an expansive stone fire pit. A cobblestone courtyard constructed from over two hundred tons of authentic Belgium stone blocks is surrounded by ivy, lush vines and unique River Birch trees, recalling S2’s German beer garden influence. A covered patio hugs the edge of the courtyard, featuring an 80-foot long bar behind a series of glass garage doors.

If you go, let us know what you think!

Studio Square
35-33 36th Street (between 35th & 36th Avenues)
Long Island City
Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, 12 p.m. - 4 a.m.
718-383-1001