Showing posts with label brick cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brick cafe. Show all posts

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Astorian Weekend Edition 26.03.09

IvyThursday brings us the Carnaval a Brick Cafe, a fashion show featuring local designers. Stop by to check out the goods, have a drink, and maybe even buy something! Later that night head to Waltz for a musical benefit for Autism. $5 at the door and a $10 food/drink minimum. Festivities start at 8 p.m.

Maybe work on your Queens Sky postcard? What a cool project.

On Friday there's samba at Cavo (42-18 31st Ave)! Four amazing samba dancers start the show at 8:30 p.m. Come enjoy food and drink and dancing!

If you are curious about what's up with the Two Coves Community Garden, take a stroll down 30th Ave and check it out. They are doing a lot of planting right now, but being near a vibrant open space is always refreshing. On your way, consider stopping in Frank's Bakery (36-02 30th Ave) for some tasty apple strudel, or on your way back, drop in at Vesta (21-02 30th Ave) for a glass of wine and some food.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Astorian Weekend Edition 27.11.08 ::GOBBLE::

Happy Turkey Day all! You know this edition is of course going to be food filled... we can't help it: it's Astoria! Whatever your taste, you'll be able to find a place to break bread this weekend. Staying local? Fear not.

Astoria's newest Italian joint welcomes all for traditional Thanksgiving fare. Vesta (21-02 30th Ave) has a varied menu going on this Thursday to fit all tastes.


Brick (30 - 95 33rd St), a well-established spot, is offering up a top notch seasonal menu. Make sure to call for reservations; they are known to fill up.


A little goes a long way with the folks over at Cronin & Phelan's (38-14 Broadway). For $16 you get soup or salad and roast turkey breast with homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. When you can't get to mom's, they've got it for ya!


Also heard that my new little gem Seva (30-07 34th St) is doing a prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. There will be turkey tikka masala, cranberry saffron rice, and cashew pumpkin halwa for dessert. Talk about fusion cuisine!


Blackstone's (38-04 Broadway) is taking reservations for dinner. $18 for a full-on 3-course meal and a glass of wine.


Personally, I'd give Stove (45-17 28th Ave) a try. If I weren't going to be in NJ with family I would go there. The menu looks awesome and I've heard alot of good stuff about the place.


If you want a low key night, Mike's Diner (22-37 31st St) is advertising a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. There are different prices for different meal options, so bring an appetite or just nibble. You don't even have to brave the cold much; it's right under the train station!


OK, so it's not all about food. At Waltz (23-14 Ditmars Blvd) on Friday, after you've had your fill of turkey, check out the talent expo. From 8 to 10:30 p.m. enjoy 3 new performances at the weekly event.


Continue the long weekend on Saturday at Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd). Starting at 8 p.m., Astoria Music & Arts Presents: A Cornucopia of Conscienceness. Billed as "A night of very distinct local music and general revelry."



Whatever your plans this weekend, enjoy yourselves and be safe out there!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Funky Gifts for Mom (and More) a la Astoria

Image by: www.sitedesignnyc.com

Still don't know what to get Mom for Mother's Day? Go local! Support Astoria's businesses while treating Mom to something that she won't find anywhere else.

SITE Design - Funky design store with a mix of vintage and modern goodies. The prices are reasonable and you'll find lots of creative gifts for Mom. Suggestions include:

Bangle Jewelry or Ring Box - This is some cool jewelry storing device--it's made out of recycled bangle bracelets, giving it a vintagey, high-end look ($45).

Botanical Totes - Trendy eco bags that are sure to make a fashion statement. Use them for groceries, shopping or just your everyday needs ($16.95 each)

Retro Oven Mitts - Want Mom to bake in style? Get her these funky oven mitts, which come in four quirky designs: pear, owl, poppy peacocks or a flock of birds ($15 each).

Message Plants and Herb Kits (shown above) - These adorable little bean or herb plants have a message written right on the leaves--what a concept?! The herb kits come in basil, thyme or rosemary ($14.95 each).

Site Design: 35-11 34th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.626.6030

Activities with Mom:
  1. Take her to Astoria Park. Although it might not be sunny, it will be warm so you can have a picnic with Mom. Bring delicious homemade sandwiches too and enjoy some one-on-one time with mama.
  2. Take her to brunch. It's true that a lot of restaurants are having expensive prix-fix specials, but these cafes are offering their yummy brunch menu as usual: Ovelia Psistaria ($10 - $13 brunch) - 34-01 30th Ave. 718.721.7217. Grand Cafe ($11 brunch): 37-01 30th Avenue. 718.777.7321. Brick Cafe (brunch and dinner menu): 30-95 33rd Street. 718.267.2735
  3. Take her to a spa. Astoria has some fabulous up-and-coming spas that are serious competition for Manhattan relaxeries. My favorite is Spa Hydra, which gives amazing massages and their amenities are state of the art (especially the showers)! 35-11 36th Street. 718.267.7991. SPAce Salon is also a cool option in the Ditmars area. They give 8 different types of massages and various facials at a fair price. 29-09 Ditmars Blvd. 718.726.4477.

Happy Mother's Day Astoria!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Astorian Weekend Edition 27.12.07

OK kids, here we go. We here at JIA have gotten a little comprehensive list of all the go-to events in the neighborhood together for you. There should be something here to fit everyone's taste and budget... Get your clean duds out cause there are things to do and people to see this long weekend! (Yeah, ok, so these are all on Monday night, but you can hit these places up anytime you want! Give any of them a try any night.)

Bistro 33 (19-33 Ditmars Blvd.) is having a pre-fix dinner with two different seatings is what I am told. There isn't info on the website since it is still under construction, but because I have fallen in love with this place- I would say, just give them a call for the 411 and get in on it whatever it may be! If you're looking to eat magnificently on the last day of the year, look no further!
Brick Cafe (30-95 33rd St.) is doing a dinner and/or bar party. For the bar part of it, there is a $25 cover at the door starting at 9:30pm which covers your first drink as well. The restaurant opens at 6 for the first and less expensive of its two seatings. The second seating at 9pm also covers your entry to the bar party- so there you go, two birds with one $80 stone.
Cavo (42-18 31st Ave.) also has a bash to offer at $150 per person for 4-course dinner (3 seating times- 7, 8 & 9pm) If you don't want to eat, there is also just the party option which will set you back $50- but it's a cash bar, so not much of a deal. They've got their menu up for perusal too.
Central Lounge (20-30 Steinway) A cool $50 will get you entry and an hour of open bar. They have food and drink packages too if you are looking to splurge. The place is so cool looking that this could be the perfect reason to head all the way up there.
Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Blvd) Our always dependable good time go-to, doesn't disapoint with a no cover night full of music and entertainment. You don't even have to rush out there, the party goes from 10pm straight til 10am. There may even be a White Castle run for the munchies :)
Locale (33-02 34th Ave.) looks to have a low key and delectable eating event with two 5 course seatings, (6pm $90 pp and 10pm $100pp). Just last week I was told that I need to go there for some delish Italian, this would be a great opportunity to see what gives.
Riccardo's (21–01 24th Ave.) fills you up for $100 per adult and $60 per child. This may be a good all around party option for those of you toting some smaller folks :) They've posted the menu too if you want to make sure it fits your taste. If you want to get out of dodge before all the hubbub- they've also got a "matinee" option that doesn't sound too shabby.
Waltz Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd.) asks everyone to come decked in silver and gold. Dance and be merry from 9pm on.