Big Apple BBQ Block Party - That's Hot!

My Mom and I ventured out to the 6th Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park. I've heard a lot about this festive event but was never able to attend until now. It was a lot of fun and we met up with good friends Katie and Grant as well as my cousin Vicky. It was a nice group and we used our fivesome to our advantage when tackling the huge crowds at the food tents.

The event represented sixteen top BBQ joints around the country--NY to South Carolina, Virginia to Alabama and let's not forget Texas. The crowd favorite, which boasted the most obscenely long line was The Salt Lick BBQ from Driftwood, Texas. They served up a beef brisket with a side of sausage and coleslaw and even though I didn't get to try it, I managed to buy a bottle of their famous BBQ sauce. I'll be cooking with it soon and will probably start using it in place of ketchup--that's what happened the last time I got my hands on Texan sauce.

We hit up two places and got ourselves a plate of food, which was generally $8/portion at each food tent. Here's what we tried:

Beef Rib and Beans from Hill Country in NYC: I've eaten at Hill Country before and am a big fan. The beef ribs were gargantuan and had a lot of meat on the bone. Some of it was fatty but it was after all a BBQ pig-out, so we went for it all. The rib meat was salty and satisfying and it also came with a side of baked beans and sausage. The sausage was my favorite and it had a definite kick to it--spicy in a good way, it was fun to sandwich between bread or to dip it into the sweet baked beans. My mom and I shared this and I ended up finishing it by licking all the leftover meat off the bone--insanely good.

Pulled Pork Shoulder & Coleslaw from Ubon's in Mississippi: This was even better than the rib I just described. There was no visible fat on the meat and the sauce it was cooked in was tangy and sweet. The combination of pork and crunchy coleslaw was most delicious and I mixed the two together and put in a potato bun--heaven in between bread.

In addition to the food, there were pitmasters and other experts on-hand sharing tricks of the trade with curious New Yorkers. These seminars went down at the Everyday with Rachael Ray tent and this was also the place where we got free food samples.

Live music was also featured but because the weather was such a scorcher, we called it a day after about two hours. It was a fun event that's worth checking out--but be prepared to wait in lines. The BBQ party will continue through the weekend and you can enjoy its festivities tomorrow from 12-6p at Madison Square Park on 23rd - 26th Streets between 5th Avenue and Madison.

Bistro 33 and Fatty's - Astorians Hang Out (and Eat Burgers)

I went to the Bistro 33 Beer and Burger Birthday Bash last night with Dan. I was really looking forward to it but wasn't prepared for the large number of people that would be there. We saw a big crowd from blocks away and once we got there, it was one big party. Everyone had a beer in their hand, a friend by their side and a smile on their face. I didn't see any food but the beer was flowing.

I asked one of the waitresses about the food situation and she mentioned that the burgers disappeared after the first hour and half. Dan and I got there close to 8p so it was tough luck for us--we'd have to get our burger binge somewhere else. And we did.

We ended up going to no other than Fatty's Cafe just a few blocks down. They're known for their burgers and we were both craving, so burgers we got. I ordered the Charity Burger with Angus beef, sliced avocados, garlic aioli and anejo rum ketchup. It was awesome and definitely satisfied my burning burger desire--it was meaty, tangy and had a distinct kick from the rum ketchup. The avocados were good and once I sandwiched the burger patty in between the bread, they blended in with the other ingredients and had a lovely buttery, almost creamy consistency. I'd definitely get this dish again and would recommend it if you're particularly ravenous--the portion is big.

Dan and I got a side of tostones or flattened, fried plantains with a delicious garlic sauce. For those of you who've never had these, I urge you to try them--they're better than French fries and you'll enjoy longer chew time because of their wide oval shape.

The evening turned out to be quite eventful--we joined in the birthday celebration of our favorite and not so 'lil' anymore Bistro 33 and we ended up enjoying quality burger meat just a few doors down. Overall I'd say that the night was solid.

Bistro 33 - Reminder about FREE Burgers and Beer

I mentioned this amazing deal on Joey in Astoria last week, but here's a last minute reminder:

Join Bistro 33 for their Beer and Burger Birthday Bash!

Today from 6-9p

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria NY

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop) - close to Astoria Park

www.lilbistro33.com

FREE Food and Beer - Will include short rib burgers, fries and even a possibility of sushi (but don't hold me to that). Killian's Irish Red and Sam Adams Summer Ale will be on tap.

Enjoy the party and let 'em know who sent ya!

While you're there, throw this great establishment a bone. Order their amazing crawfish tempura (pictured above) or their inventive sushi rolls. Their soups are also terrific.

Lava Cafe - Molten Goodness

Lava Cafe - 27-03 23rd Avenue, Astoria NY 11105

718.777.1379

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

I've been looking forward to trying this newly opened neighborhood joint, which is just shy of a month old. The menu is simple, offering your standard cafe/bar food such as burgers, sandwiches, wraps and pizza. Sounds like a safe bet to me--and that's exactly what Dan and I were in the mood for last night.

Atmosphere:

The vibe is pretty cool and after a long, hard day it felt relaxing. Calming instrumental music, reminiscent of Enya penetrated every nook and cranny of the small dining room. The place is set up with tables on both sides of a rectangular room and with large firehouse-esque doors that open to the street, allowing you to enjoy the warm, spring air. I want to mention that Lava is directly connected to Remote Sports Bar and the two establishments have some sort of a partnership going--Lava uses Remote for their booze and Remote uses Lava for their food. Seems like a fair trade.

Food:

As I mentioned, the food options are pretty basic but we knew that coming in. Our expectations were low, especially at the end of a long day but Lava delivered and definitely gave us a run for our money. Here's what we tried:

Crostini with Pesto: This was our complimentary bread course and we were pleasantly surprised by it. It was excellent and the portion was generous--especially for something free. The bread was grilled perfectly--crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside--and the pesto tasted homemade. The two items were a great combination and we finished them quickly. Overall, this was a nice preview for what was yet to come...

Chicken Caesar Wrap: I ordered something safe and boring because a). it was late in the day and b). I didn't want to risk it in the time of ravenous hunger. My wrap was delicious and again, the portion was more than generous. It was your classic chicken Caesar, except it also had croutons in it. Now, I know that this is no surprise in a salad but I've never seen it incorporated into a wrap. The wrap also came with Terra chips, which were yummy. My only complaint was that the pieces were a bit small and looked like they were scraped from the bottom of the chip bag--but it was after 9p so I guess that sort of thing happens.

Chicken Fajita Wrap: Dan ordered this and it met his expectations. The best thing about it was Lava's zesty salsa that was slathered throughout its interior. I took a couple of bites and liked it even better than my wrap--it was juicier. The side of herbed fries were also delish and I liked that they had bits of crunchy potato skins still on them. Good stuff.

Service and Cost:

The service was absolutely lovely. While our table was one of only two occupied ones, we were still impressed by our waitress. Approachable and caring, she made sure that we had what we needed the entire time. She asked if we were happy and enjoying everything. We were and felt confident in her service.

The prices are inexpensive and especially for beer. Dan had a Bud Light for only $2.50 a glass--how great is that?! Our wraps were between $9-$11 each and our total bill came out to only $24! Not bad for a spontaneous late-nite dinner.

2 Mmmms

Thai Pavilion - Astorian Staple Has a New Look

Thai Pavilion Restaurant - 37-10 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

718.777.5546

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Walking back from Sunday's belly-dancing class, I noticed a shiny new restaurant facade across the street from New York Sports Clubs. That gleaming facade belonged to an Astorian Thai staple, Thai Pavilion. This restaurant has been around for more than fifteen years but I've always passed right by it. Its new sign, while a little flashy definitely grabs your attention. It certainly made me pick up a menu and marvel at its extensiveness and delicious-sounding specialties.

Below is a sampling of their cuisine. If you haven't done so already, check it out and keep Pavilion in your consideration set along with other Thai options such as Wave Thai, Thai Elephant and Leng Thai. And like most Thai establishments, this one won't hurt your wallet.

Appetizers:

Hoy-Ob-Mor-Din - Steamed fresh mussels with Thai herbs and lemongrass. Served with spicy lemon sauce...$7

Shrimp in a Blanket - Fried shrimp individually wrapped in egg roll skin with stuffing and pork. Served with spicy plum sauce...$6

Thai Tod Mun - Fried mixture of ground chicken and shrimp cake, curry paste and string beans. Served with peanut cucumber salad...$6

Chef's Specials:

Siam Beef - Sliced marinated beef with Thai herbs, sesame oil, spicy fried rice and pickled ginger...$14

Bangkok Lamb - Pan-friend tenderloin of lamb with basil leaves, chili pepper, mushrooms and garlic sauce...$16

Potek (Thai Tom Yum Soup) - A famous seafood combination with mushrooms, chili, lime juice, finished with lemongrass broth...$17

Entrees: Include your choice of chicken, beef, pork or squid

Kang Deng or Kang Kiew Wan - Curry (red or green) with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, chili pepper, red or green curry sauce...$10

Lad Prig - Sauteed with chili pepper, mushrooms, garlic and tamarind sauce...$9

Pad Med Ma Muang - Sauteed with cashew nuts, zucchini, mushrooms, scallions and chili pepper...$9

They also have a $7 - $9 lunch special, Monday-Friday from 12:00p - 3:00p. All lunch dishes are served with steamed rice, soup and a salad.

Bar 36 - $16 Brunch with Unlimited Cocktails

Bar 36 - 36-05 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103

718.715.4420

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

www.bar36.com

There are many weekend brunch specials on 30th Avenue but only one offers unlimited morning cocktails--Bar 36. This modern and not yet a year old bar and eatery offers a spectacular setting both indoors and outside. The inside is incredibly sleek with a simple black, white and gray motif and smooth wooden, asymmetrical paneling on the walls. You'll also find funky plant arrangements and a bathroom so stylish that it's worth a trip to the loo. The back of Bar 36 leads to an archway and when passing through it, you'll find yourself in a private outdoor garden, which is both intimate and charming.

I've tried their food before and while I wasn't overly impressed, I want to give Bar 36 another chance, as I sampled their cuisine just a couple of weeks after opening. Mistakes have a way of correcting themselves after some time and I've heard good things from other Astorians, which makes me hopeful.

So...when I saw that Bar 36 is offering a $16 brunch with unlimited cocktails, I was sold. I'll be checking it out soon and reporting back about the quality of food. I peeked over at a two-some enjoying their brunch and it looked pretty damn good.

Below is a sampling of their brunch menu:

Brunch: Saturday - Sunday from 11a-4p

Includes all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys and all you can eat continental buffet.

Classic Eggs Benedict - Poached eggs, Canadian bacon, English muffin, hollandaise with fresh fruit

Build Your Own Omelette - 3 eggs filled with your choice of mushroom, tomato, spinach, feta, cheddar, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, green pepper or onion

Pancake Factory - Plain or add your choice of chocolate chips, banana, strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon apple, and mango

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad - Romaine, croutons, parmesan cheese

Three Eggs Any Style - Prepared your way, hash browns, choice of bacon or sausage

Chicken Pallard - Grilled chicken breast, spinach salad, goat cheese, warm bacon vinaigrette

36 Mega Burger - 12 ounce sirloin, fries

Pita Pan - Mini Gyros at Mini Prices

Pita Pan - 37-15 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103

718.204.1633

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

www.pitapanny.com

I've been a fan of Pita Pan for a while and continue to support them after their move just two doors down on the same block. Make no mistake about it, this move isn't recent, as Pita Pan has been in this spot for almost a year now. The space is welcoming and upbeat with an orange and green color scheme, techno music pumping and mini palm trees blowing in the wind--it's all very Miami-esque.

But what I really like about Pita Pan are its gyros. Since its mini move, the menu has also been revamped, offering smaller portions and healthier alternatives. For example, their gyro is about half of its original size and price. Served on your choice of white or whole wheat pita bread, the gyros come with meat such as lamb, beef and even chicken--stuffed with tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce and the piece-de-resistance, french fries. I absolutely love this combination in a gyro, which makes it heartier and authentic--Dan told me that's the way they do it in Greece, incorporating the fries.

On nice days, Pita Pan opens up its front window like most 30th Avenue eateries, offering casual outdoor seating on high tables and stools. Check it out for some trusty Greek fast food--it's the White Castle of Greek food if you will. Below is a sampling of their menu, which you can also access online. The cool thing about their website is that you can view pictures of the food before you order. And...you can even place your order online--now that's good service.

Pita Sandwiches: Served in pita (regular or whole wheat) with tomatoes, red onion, fries and your choice of tzatziki sauce, yogurt, mustard/mayo or Pita Pan sauce.

Pita Pan Gyro - $2.90 (1) sandwich, $5.55 (2) sandwiches

Loukaniko Sausage - $2.90 (1) sandwich, $5.55 (2) sandwiches

Falafel - $2.25 (1) sandwich, $4.25 (2) sandwiches

Zucchini Fritters - $2.50 (1) sandwich, $4.75 (2) sandwiches

Souvlaki Sticks - Your choice of pork or chicken...$3.00 for (3) or $1.50 each

Burgers:

Greek Burger - Feta & kasseri cheeses and tomato with tzatziki sauce in a pita...$5.35

BBQ Burger - Melted Swiss and cheddar cheeses and bacon with BBQ sauce...$6.25

Pita Pan Burger - Avocado, bacon, mushrooms, fried onions and melted cheddar cheese...$6.95

Pizza: Your choice of regular or whole wheat dough

Hawaiian - Pineapple, ham and shredded cheeses...$7.25

Greek - Olives, fresh spinach, feta cheese, fresh tomatoes and shredded cheeses...$7.75

Gyro Lovers - Beef gyro, Pita Pan gyro, chicken gyro and shredded cheeses...$8.25

Mucho Meat - All 3 gyros, bacon, pepperoni, ham, loukaniko and shredded cheeses...$9.25

Panini Wraps: Your choice of regular or whole wheat or panini bread

Breakfast Wrap - Bacon, egg, tomato, choice of cheese and choice of sauce...$4.95

Pita Pan Wrap - Pita Pan gyro, feta, tomato & yogurt...$5.95

Veggie Wrap - Grilled mushrooms, roasted peppers, grilled onions, tomatoes and hummus...$5.95

Croque Monsieur - Ham, your choice of cheese, tomato and light mayo...$4.95

Fresh Fruit Smoothies: $4.95

Energy Elixir - Mixed anti-oxidant berries, blood oranges, bananas and cherries

Tropical Tango - Mango, banana, pineapple juice and fresh low fat yogurt

Honey Berry - Strawberries, bananas, honey and fresh low fat yogurt