Brikka's Profile
Anyone been to Queens Comfort in Astoria yet?
We went last Thursday. It was quite good, and we'll be happy to go back, though it wasn't the transcendent experience described in the blog post I read (I've learned to take that blogger's reviews with a healthy shaker of salt—his photographs are lovely, but he's a bit too effusive in his praise, which reads more like publicity to me than the work of a reviewer).
But, back to Queens Comfort: They did a great job of cozying up the former Blue (RIP) space. Friendly service; they're obviously eager to do a good job. My fiancé enjoyed the pea soup topped with pork belly, although it seemed to have been sitting on a burner for a bit too long—that's the sort of thing that'll get ironed out as a brand-new restaurant finds its legs. I had a housemade biscuit—scallion, iirc—that hit just the right combo of flakiness and moistness. Mac and cheese had lots of texture and a zippy flavor—it was served flat, in a baking dish, and didn't look anything like the tower of noodles on the aforementioned blog. The wedge salad was nicely if a bit heavily dressed, though the lettuce remained satisfyingly crunchy (I tend to take a lighter hand with dressing and condiments than many people, so "heavy" isn't really a criticism). I believe my fiancé also had the pulled-pork sandwich; I didn't try it but he liked it just fine.
Upshot: I'd recommend it, as long as you temper expectations to suit a brand-new restaurant that's clearly trying to please. I'm eager to try it again, and looking forward to their opening for brunch sometime—Stumptown coffee!
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Queens Comfort
40-09 30th Ave, Queens, NY 11103
Tiffin/Lunch box service
Just found out about this—haven't tried it yet:
http://tiffinnewyork.com/
Has anyone ordered from them?
If Cookshop served breakfast...
Thanks for reporting back! I'll definitely try it next time I have a breakfast meeting.
Really great TOFU?
Try Kyotofu on Ninth Avenue:
http://www.kyotofu-nyc.com/
The warm simmered tofu sounds like what you're looking for. I had it at lunchtime and as I recall they poured liquid into the simmer pot at our table, then we waited a bit (15 minutes?) for it to gel. Silky, just like you described.
Cuban Place on 45th between 6th and 7th?
Are you thinking of Margon, south side of 46th betw 6th and 7th? I haven't been in years but here's their number: : 212-354-5013
Cheap eats in Stockholm
I was in Stockholm for a few days a few years ago and had a fun meal at this century-old beer hall: http://www.pelikan.se/
Friendly atmosphere, helpful (and patient!) wait staff, traditional and (relatively) inexpensive menu, generous portions. My boyfriend ordered a lamb special they had that day—five different cuts. He adores lamb and thought it was excellent. A sausage or two, a chop, and what he described as the filet mignon cut. My experience in Stockholm is very, very limited, but I'd recommend this place.
Leng's Thai - Astoria - Broadway
I suppose it's possible that in the half-dozen times I've been to Leng I've been lucky with my various choices, and I'm not sure I've had any of the above disliked dishes. So, my two cents: The massaman curry is complex and subtle, the whole fish (a few different ways) very fresh, and the tamarind duck flavorful and not the least bit greasy. (It's been a few weeks so my memories aren't too specific.)
Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?
Hi, all,
Just want to say thanks for the input.
We only had time to try one of your suggestions—Chef Carlin—in between meals with my great-aunt, who likes to stick to her basics. Mom and I split a media noche and some sweet plantains (so sweet! almost carmelized). My great-aunt took us to Inverrary Diner a couple of times, and the Greek dishes were quite nice. I think one of them was called Greek-style snapper—just lemon and olive oil, very simple and tasty. There also is a shrimp dish with tomato and very assertive (in a good way) feta. Definitely worth a try if you find yourself headed toward a diner—but longer lines, I swear, than places I go in NYC!
Thanks again,
B.
If Cookshop served breakfast...
Oh! That looks like the right idea—I hadn't realized they serve breakfast. Thanks!
If Cookshop served breakfast...
Funny—I'd been considering Le Gamin, which I believe used to be in the same spot. Guess this replaced it. Are they crowded during the week, too? Thanks!
If Cookshop served breakfast...
Thanks! Probably should have specified that this is a weekday breakfast....
If Cookshop served breakfast...
Thanks! It looks as though Marseille doesn't open until 11, unfortunately—it would've been a great choice. I work right by HK and had breakfast there recently—yum—though sometimes the neighborhood construction hindered conversation.
If Cookshop served breakfast...
...I'd be headed there with an out of town business acquaintance for a 9am meeting (she and I have had some good lunches there). But they don't, so I'm looking for a breakfast place with a similar feel. Any suggestions? Chelsea or Midtown West would be ideal. Thanks!
Mexican in Astoria?
Devastating! I'm not sure I have the heart to go in there now, but if I work up the courage and have the same experience as you did, I'll be sure to let them know what I think. Sigh.
Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?
Oh, yum. Thanks John—and everyone! I'm feeling better about my food options on this trip....
Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?
Thank you! I suspect we won't be straying too far, but if we do get to Ft. Lauderdale we'll check out Suko Thai.
Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?
Hi, Lisa,
This is very helpful—thanks so much!
Just curious: What's scary about Chef Carlin's location?
-Carolyn
Non-chain restaurants in Sunrise?
Hi, all,
My mom and I are flying down from the NYC area to Sunrise at the end of April to visit my great-aunt. I know nothing about the area but it seems that there are a ton of chains, and I'd prefer to avoid those. We're up for any cuisine and any type of place, from holes-in-the-wall to high-end restaurants. Thanks so much!
Quality Bakery in Queens
Re: La Marjolaine. I haven't been to the Skillman one but a bakery by the same name either just opened or is about to open on 36th Ave at about 33rd St in LIC/Astoria. Will report back....
Good beer selection (store) in Astoria?
Third Heliopolis (huge fan of the Rasputin). Also, Bravo supermarket on 34th Ave/35th St (the old Tupelo space) has a small but decent selection. Bargains: Fuller's pint bottles are $3.15, Samuel Smith Nut Brown and Oatmeal Stout also in the low $3s. Everything else is priced as anywhere else—Dale's Pale Ale, Blue Point blueberry. OK, now I'm thirsty.
Carlo's in Hoboken
Don't know whether they still do it but Carlo's used to do something they called an "Italian birthday cake"—had sort of a tiramisu feel to it. Definitely not your average bakery bday cake with rosettes.
Must Eat In Astoria/Queens?
Here's the website, with new address:
http://lilbistro33.com/
A promising-sounding creperie is moving into the old 36th Ave space.
Need recs for W. 46th and 9th Ave. please!
Wholeheartedly second Market Café. I work in the neighborhood and am there once every week or two, either for a lunch meeting or for dinner with friends. Simple, tasty, well-prepared Continental food (the homemade pizzas are fresh-tasting and very generously portioned), nice wine list, good cheese selection. It's bright and cheerful at lunch, cozy and tealight-lit after dark.
Aces- Long Island City/Astoria
Funny, we were there last night, too -- took my parents. And my bf had the striped bass and said he prob. wouldn't get it again either (first time he's ever said that about anything he's had there). Agree that the rib-eye is terrific (the mashed is spiced with chipotle, I think). I had the skate, with came with a couple of sides as I recall. So you're right -- upon reflection, I agree that some of the entree sizes are a bit unequal. But maybe they'll work that out....Glad your overall experience was good!
Aces- Long Island City/Astoria
You're welcome! Please report back -- I'd love to hear about your experience.
Aces- Long Island City/Astoria
Here'a what I wrote after my first time there:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/352279
Been back four or five times since, and the food's been consistently excellent. They have a bar menu that includes cornmeal-crusted calamari. Yum. Oh, and mojitos (I've had plain and blackberry, both crisp and just sweet enough). Really, I can't say enough good things about it; the owner really seems to care about the details and about making his customers happy.
Looking for Belgian style Frites, any part of the city. Anyone?
I typically enjoy Vol de Nuit, but I had a really strange experience there a couple of months ago. It was on the early side -- maybe 6:30. My friend and I sat down and said that we'd like to look over the beer menu (she'd never been to VdN before) but that we knew we each wanted an order of mussels and fries. The waitress said that they didn't have any mussels that night. I expressed surprise, and she repeated that there were no mussels. No "I'm sorry, but..." or anything like that, which I found odd as mussels and fries are the only food on the menu. But we figured we'd roll with it, so I said I'd like a cone of fries with the curry mayo. She said, "We don't have that tonight; we only have ketchup." Again, no expression of regret. As we hadn't ordered our beers yet and were (more to the point) hungry, we left. And the waitress seemed surprised to see us go!
Mexican in Astoria?
Glad you liked! I've tried the mole since my original post and agree with you -- it's really complex and tasty. Never had the tacos (referenced below) so I can't speak to their quality, but we often sit there for breakfast on Saturday or Sunday, when I'll usually have huevos a la mexicana with lots of little zingy little chilies (and a Spanish-language variety show on the TV).
Aces: Terrific new Astoria/LIC restaurant (long post)
Stumbled across a brand-new Astoria restaurant called Aces tonight. Loved it. Miguel, the owner, has been working in the restaurant industry for a number of years, and his experience shows. He and his staff are friendly, enthusiastic and competent, the menu reasonably priced and inventive. The place is unassuming from the outside (and, truth be told, I'm not a big fan of the name), comfortable if unremarkable inside: Low light, a bar area at the front and comfortably spaced seating for about 28 at the back. But oh, the food: I had the sautéed Atlantic salmon, braised fennel, caramelized grapefruit, steamed arugula and grapefruit "gastrique" (OK, i had to look that up: it's a grapefruit reduction). My boyfriend had the slow-cooked short ribs in mole, roasted root vegetables and sautéed spinach. It was all delicious and the portions are just right. We split a sweet and airy tres leches for dessert, and Miguel threw in a glass of Riesling for each of us to go with (can't, of course guarantee that this will be everyone's experience, but it was ours). The bill, including a glass of wine for me and a scotch and soda for my bf, came to $55. Anyone mourning the neighborhood's loss of Li'l Bistro 33 -- or, really, anyone looking for a great meal -- should go. 32-07 36th Ave, 718-287-0143.
