Today is officially the first day of winter, but you wouldn’t know it from the weather. Today in NYC the high was 60, tomorrow’s is 63, and Thursday’s is 72! Even if it is unseasonably warm, it is still perfectly OK to enjoy the best cup of hot chocolate in Astoria. Speaking of which, the new BOAST: Best of Astoria Survey (winter 2015-16) is out now, so it would be great if you fill it out! We always appreciate if you add a short 1-2 sentence write-up. The last day to submit is Tuesday, January 12.
We’d like to get as many responses as possible, so please share it with your Astoria friends and family.
Also, please let us know if you’re interested in doing writing, photography, or sales for BOAST. You can reply to this email, or send us a note to [email protected].
Kurry Qulture, an Indian restaurant, just opened a couple weeks ago, and it’s well worth checking out. It’s located on 30th Ave between 36th and 37th St, in the space where Bourbon and Vine used to be.
For dinner, there is a pre-fixe seasonal menu of $33, and it includes soup, two courses, and a trio of desserts. However, if you want something lighter, you can order any side dish or bar bite item at the bar. There is a large wine selection, and a number of excellent cocktails.
The restaurant has a relaxed but trendy ambiance, and that contributed positively to our dining experience. For drinks, we had a glass of the Pinot Noir from Argentina, which was incredibly smooth; the Astoria of My Life cocktail (knob creek bourbon, sweet vermouth, homemade thyme syrup and figs); the Diya cocktail (Knob Creek bourbon, ginger beer, fresh ginger); and the mocktail (sweet lassi, mango lassi, nimbu soda), which is a great non-alcoholic option.
The service was excellent from start to finish, with our waitress checking in on how we were doing often, but not too much. Our water glasses were always filled, and the staff was considerate when clearing plates and glasses.
In terms of food, there was a whole lot of it, and we left feeling very full and satisfied. Between the four of us, we had a number of the dishes. For the first course, the ones that stood out were the lamb-stuffed tandoori chicken, creamy black lentils, butter chicken, Manchurian cauliflower, garlic naan, and spinach/goat cheese kulcha. For the entrées, we especially enjoyed the lamb chops, rogan josh (lamb shank), and turkey keema. We also got the sweet and sour eggplant, which was an excellent vegetarian option. The chutneys, which came with some of the dishes, were all very tasty. The small trio of desserts was a sweet way to finish off the meal, and we all really liked the Chai tea at the end.
The menu changes seasonally, and there is creativity and originality in the dishes, which are not usually seen at other Indian restaurants. Go for dinner, or just hang out at the bar for a drink or side dish.
On Thursday, November 5, from 7-11pm, Rèst-âü-Ránt will be celebrating its 8th anniversary, and they are inviting you to the party! Free hors d’oeuvres, drink specials, and live music. More information on the website, rarbarlic.com. The address is 30-01 35th Ave.
BOAST’s Best of Astoria Day was on Sunday, and we had a blast spending the day in Astoria, going to a number of BOAST winners. We had a bottomless brunch at Gastroteca Astoria, saw how cats took over the internet at Museum of the Moving Image, celebrated Oktoberfest with Purple Haze, Czech beer and a polka band at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, and ended the day with pizza, pasta, and salad at Tufino Pizzeria Napoletana. Check out a slideshow below for pics from the day.
BOAST’s Best of Astoria Day is this Sunday, Sept 27! We’ve got a full day planned, so please email [email protected] to let us know which part you’d like to join us for.
It’s Gastroteca for brunch at noon, MOMI around 2:15, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden to celebrate Oktoberfest around 4:30, and Tufino Pizzeria around 6:45. We had a tasting at Gastroteca the other day (picture below), so we are VERY comfortable saying that the brunch will be delicious.
You are invited to BOAST’s Best of Astoria Day! On Sunday, Sept 27, just as it’s becoming sweater weather, we are going to spend the day going to a number of the BOAST winners. Let us know which you’d like to join us for by writing to [email protected]. Here is the tentative schedule:
12:00pm: We’ll start at Gastroteca for a pre fixe brunch. We have a special discounted BOAST price of $25 (regular $35), and that includes a first course of family style food for sharing, and a second course entrée. This also includes a mimosa, lambrusco (Italian wine), beer, or juice, and coffee or tea.
~2:15pm: We’ll head to the Museum of the Moving Image to see the exhibit on how cats took over the internet. Meow!
~4:30pm: Our next stop will be Front Toward Enemy for some of their great appetizers and drinks. FTE was a multiple BOAST winner for bar with best atmosphere, bar with best cocktails, best Happy Hour, and best Trivia.
~6:45pm: We’ll head to Tufino Pizzeria for a number of pies (the more people come, the more pizza we get to try).
You can join us for as much or little of the day as you choose, but space is limited for some of the places, so RSVP here on the Facebook page and email me us [email protected] to reserve your spot.
After moving to Astoria and falling in love with all the neighborhood had to offer, Nicole Panettieri decided to open her own little shop of gifts and glam on Ditmars Blvd. The Brass Owl is located at 3619 Ditmars Blvd and is a fabulous place to buy a gift, a pair of shoes or something for the home. The store hosts a happy hour event every Friday, workshops with industry experts, and contests to win private shopping events. The Brass Owl will be celebrating its one year anniversary on September 13th complete with mimosas and a candy bar!
Last Wednesday, multiple BOAST winner Sanfords Restaurant reopened after many months of renovations. The restaurant will have shortened hours, 5pm until around 1am, until the Grand Re-Opening early next week. Sanfords expanded, and now has a whiskey bar with over 50 seats. Next week, when it gets to its regular hours, it will no longer be open 24 hours; now it will be open from 8am until around 3am. To check out the menu and other information, here’s the restaurant’s website: sanfordsnyc.com.
The new results were just published, and we used lots of write-ups from the survey. However, there were some that did not make it, and here are a few of our favorites:
“What’s more American than burnt ends, bourbon, and beer. So great that I had my wedding reception here!” (Butcher Bar | Best American Restaurant)
“Come for the egg sandwich. Stay for the waffle fries!” (Tastee Corner | Best Diner)
“After years of living in an area with many Greek restaurants, I recently went here for the first time and loved it. I can’t wait to go back!” (Stamatis | Best Greek Restaurant)
“Others may be better, but for quality, everyday Greek food, this is a great restaurant.” (Zorbas | Best Greek Restaurant)
“Another great place to get cheap, heavy-handed, delicious Italian food. Just like my grandmother used to make!” (Napoli | Best Italian Restaurant)
“It’s half-off sushi, but they don’t skimp on the ambiance, taste, or service.” (Aji Sushi House | Best Japanese Restaurant)
“Hidden in the back of a bakery is the best pizza in Astoria!” (Rose and Joe’s Italian Bakery | Best Pizza)
“Does vegetarian and vegan so effortlessly and without having to worry about that one friend who complains about the lack of bacon.” (BareBurger | Best Vegetarian Restaurant)
“Not sure if it counts as being in the area, but this place has some of the best cocktails in the city.” (Dutch Kills | Best Bar-Cocktails)
“I don’t watch sports, but it looks nice from the outside.” (Twist & Smash’d | Best Bar-Sports)
“Love the meat, cheese and wine special!” (Vesta Trattoria & Wine Bar | Best Happy Hour)
“When will Astoria get a Whole Foods….” (Key Food | Best Supermarket)
“They double my coupons. I walk a mile just to save money.” (Stop & Shop | Best Supermarket)
