Zodiac - Facelift-in-Progress

Zodiac - 30-15 Newtown Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102

718.726.3995

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

I noticed that Zodiac, one of Astoria's staple Greek cafes is out of commission for the time being. The signs in the window say "we are closed for renovation" and "we'll be back soon." Sounds promising and the community will undoubtedly welcome a new and improved Zodiac. This place is known to have good--and authentic--Greek food but it was starting to look a bit shabby with its fake palms and tacky electric blue seating.

I'm excited for a new Zodiac and will report back about its reopening. Stay tuned...

Uncle George's - New Menu Items

Uncle George's - 33-19 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.626.0593

N/W Train to Broadway

www.unclegeorges.us

I stopped by Uncle George's yesterday, the old-school Greek eatery on Broadway and saw a couple of new menu items that I'll share with you:

Shrimp Saganaki...$10

Seafood Salad Platter...$13

Grilled Chicken Breast Salad...$11

Shrimp Kebab...$16

Gyro Sandwich...$6

Gyro Platter...$8

If you haven't been there already, Uncle George's is as traditionally Greek as you can get. The food is simple yet satisfying and homemade. There are always plenty of regulars around and you can hear the beautiful Greek language spoken in all corners of the room. The service can be hit or miss and on the weekends, it could get pretty backed up.

I'd suggest it for a quick gyro stop but would avoid it if you're looking to sit down to a celebratory meal.

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

Pinocchio is Back

A couple of weeks back, I noted the close for renovation of 30th Avenue gyro and pizza king, Pinocchio Palace. Well it's back in action and as busy as ever, judging from what I saw this past Sunday. I peeked inside to see the new digs and liked what I saw--an airy, clean space with a modern flat screen TV, which was tuned to a soccer match. The interior redesign seems contemporary but not so much so that you wouldn't recognize this place. The exterior is still the same, with the exception of a new maroon awning--I don't think it matches with the blue Pinocchio sign but oh well.

I asked about the menu and it hasn't changed much since the renovation. There are a couple of low-sellers that were dropped such as the Doners and the sandwiches but the pizza and gyros continue to be their show stoppers. When asked about the pizza specifically, a Pinocchio waitress replied "Of course we'd never change that!"

Go on and check out the new space and let me know how it suits ya.

Pinocchio Palace - 32-02 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102

718.721.9636

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Zenon Taverna - A Scrumptious Taste of Cyprus

Zenon Taverna - 34-10 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106

718.956.0133

N/W Train to Broadway

www.zenontaverna.com

My colleague Meg from Joey in Astoria inspired me to come here. After reading her post about Zenon and the amazing value you get, I had to experience it for myself. Margot, Jen and I had a lovely and very peaceful dinner there on Tuesday night. Our wallets did not suffer and our bellies were quite happy in the end. I highly recommend visiting this Astorian well kept (until now) secret.

Atmosphere:

There's no other way to say it, Zenon Taverna feels like a home. Although the space isn't small it's on the narrow side, making it feel intimate. The decor falls very much in line with a Greek Taverna--lots of blues and whites and plenty of colorful murals depicting Greece and the Mediterranean. The back of the restaurant has a gorgeous, rustic credenza, with authentic clay trinkets from the home country.

Although we visited Zenon on a Tuesday, when it was quiet, I have a feeling that this place doesn't get too crowded. I personally love this kind of atmosphere and would be willing to try Zenon for a group birthday party. Something about the decor, which made me smile were their serving plates--all are vintage and different from one another. They really look like something that came out of my mom's or grandma's kitchen.

Food:

I've heard good things about the food and had high expectations, which were fully met. My dining companions agreed and we especially appreciated the freshness of Zenon's ingredients. Our dinner consisted of:

Bread (on the house) and Salad: I normally wouldn't write about a bread basket because it's so standard but this one went above and beyond the call of duty. The basket was generous and consisted of three bread varieties--Italian, olive focaccia and good ol' warm pita. The pita and olive focaccia were to die for and we kept dipping them into Zenon's fruity olive oil.

The salad was great too and came with Margot's and my dishes. It was a plain chopped Greek salad but the veggies were so juicy and fresh that I must make note of it here. The tomatoes and the olives were my favorite and while I'm not a huge fan of an ordinary salad, this one was exceptional.

Souvlaki kai Sheftalia (Pork Kebab and Meatball Combo) - I ordered the platter portion and Jen got the appetizer. Both were so generous that we couldn't finish them and had our respective man friends (Dan and Ted) polish them off at home. They tasted amazing and incorporated many fragrant Mediterranean spices such as oregano and cumin. Our platters came with chopped onions and fresh parsley, which were both excellent but one thing was missing--the tzatziki sauce!

We loved the sides that came with our meat--especially me. Jen chose the black eyed peas in olive oil and lemon and I got the Cypriot fries. The black eyed peas were creamy, light and a bit fruity from the olive oil. My Cypriot fries were by far my favorite food at Zenon. They looked like potato chips, except that they were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I've never seen these served anywhere else and highly recommend trying them. If you like fries, you will love Cypriot fries, which come seasoned with dried parsley, salt and pepper.

Octapodi (Octopus): Margot was brave and went for the grilled octopus. I tried it and it was fresh, not overcooked and much better than at Akti, which is not meant to be an insult. Margot seemed happy with it too and finished her generous portion, which came with a side of lemon potatoes. She wasn't wild about them and said they were pretty standard and lacked pizazz.

Fresh Fruit (on the house) - This was such a lovely surprise at the end of our meal--freshly cut apples and oranges were put on the table. We welcomed them, as they were succulent palate cleansers. Nice touch Zenon--thank you!

House Wine: The three of us enjoyed Zenon's house wine--Margot and Jen opted for the red and I got white. They were $5 a glass--what value! Margot and Jen got a small carafe, which was actually the same price as 2 regular glasses but it gave them an extra 1/2 a glass each. The carafe is worth getting not only for value but also for its charm--it was a beautiful hand painted clay mini-jug (see above picture). Too cool for words!

Service and Cost:

The waistaff did a good job and was unobtrusive. Our waiter was young and I suspect he was a son or a cousin of Zenon's owner. Just my speculation but it seems like this place is very much a family run business. Polite and attentive, our waiter made sure to wrap our dishes and we didn't feel rushed to leave.

The prices here are very reasonable and you've already heard about their generous portions. Appetizers run between $3.95-$13.95, entrees between $11.95 - $35.95 (a rack of lamb for 2) and dessert between $3.75-$3.95. Another thing which has to be touted is their unbelievable mezedes tasting--16, yes 16 hot and cold mezedes for $17.95 per person. Have you EVER heard of anything more indulgent and affordable?!

3 very effusive Mmmms

Kafene - All Day Breakfast and Burger Joint

Kafene - 23-08 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria, NY 11102

718.274.6525

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

Another fun spotting by Miss Margot, who jogs around the hood, doing double duty--staying in ship-shape and scoping out Astoria's new fooderies. Kafene happens to be somewhat near my place so I decided to take a detour there this morning before going to work. 2 words--so cute! Margot and I will be checking it out properly and treating ourselves to some of their grub, which smelled mighty fine.

Kafene is small and used to be a hangout for the old--literally older men--called Jerry's Place. It remains rustic and homey looking but has definitely been spruced up. There's one guy behind the counter by the name of Constantine. I'm not sure if he cooks and serves but it sure looked like it this morning. He was sweet and so welcoming when I came in--a toothy smile on his face, ready to make me the breakfast of my dreams. Maybe soon. Real soon.

The menu is displayed outside and is a fusion of American and Greek eats. Here's a glimpse of it. The prices look phenomenally cheap! Check it out on a lovely day--they have outdoor seating and they're open late, until 11p.

From the Grill: (served with hand-cut fries, lettuce, tomato and onions)

Greek Burger...$5.75

Italian Burger...$5.75

Western Burger...$5.75

Healthy Euro Toast...$4.25...Make your own option, add bacon...+$.75, add grilled chicken...+$1.50, add hummus...+$1.00

From the Sea:

Crabcakes (3)...$5.75

Shrimp (6)...$6.75

Salmon Burger...$7.75

All Day Breakfast:

2 eggs with bacon on a roll with coffee...$3.00

Greek Omelette...$4.50

Western Omelette...$4.00

Another positive is that Astoria Park is directly across the street--you can head on down after your meal.

Want to work at Kafene? See here!

Akti - Worth the Wait

Akti Restaurant - 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103

718.721.3530

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

I've been following Akti's big opening for quite some time and after much waiting (a year!), this new Greek eatery is finally here. I had the chance to sample their exquisite dishes last week and have to say that I will definitely return--and soon. Aside from my own experience, a group of my friends also tried Akti this past weekend and were very pleased.

Atmosphere:

Akti's decor is modern and clean. You'll notice lots of royal blues, symbolizing the ocean--this is after all a seafood restaurant. A really cool feature that goes along with the theme is the waterfall window at the front of the house--kind of psychedelic, it makes you stare in amazement.

Outdoor seating is available on nice days and I had the pleasure to experience it. While it's pleasant to enjoy the warm breeze and observe the happs of 30th Ave, I thought that the tables were a bit small--especially for larger parties. Akti's patrons vary in age but I definitely observed a predominantly young and trendy crowd.

Food:

Fresh, interesting and delicious are words to describe Akti's cuisine. The seafood, which is the specialty here is fantastic and I definitely recommend trying at least one fish entree. The fun thing about the menu is that you get one per table. It comes with a dry-erase pen, you mark your choices directly on the menu and then hand it over to your waitress. I really enjoyed this new way of ordering, especially because of the direct interaction with the menu and with my dining companions. And here's what we chose:

Tyrokafteri (Roasted peppers and feta cheese spread) - This dish had tons of flavor and spice but it didn't feel heavy. We started spreading it on our toasted pita and even continued to eat it with other dishes such as zucchini croquettes.

Haloumi (Grilled goat cheese with tomato in pita bread) - Wow! Another beautiful dish! The cheese had gorgeous grill marks and the combination of the tomato and the lemon gave this starter a zesty and refreshing bite. Because the cheese is filling, it's nice to share this with at least two other people.

Kolokithokeftedes (Zucchini croquettes with tzatziki sauce) - These were the best zucchini croquettes that I've had on 30th Avenue--hands down. I'm sorry to say but they beat Ovelia's version, which is pretty damn good. Akti's are crispy on the outside and deliciously hearty on the inside. They're seasoned beautifully with oregano and parsley and when dipped into fresh tzatziki, they're your mouth's best dream. This dish is a must!

Oktapodi Sta Karvouna (Grilled octopus) - I'm a fan of grilled octopus and it was done well here. It had nice char marks from the grill and was cut into bite-size pieces, which was convenient. While I enjoyed it, it wasn't my favorite grilled octopus because it was a bit chewy.

Tsipoura (Porgy) - We ordered this entree to share between the three of us and it was definitely enough. Presented in its full glory with the head, tail and bones in tact, this gentle tasting fish was grilled to perfection. Despite the bones, it was really easy to take apart and after we spritzed some lemon on it, it reached a whole new level of freshness. Our porgy came with a side dish of choice--the Patates Tiganites (Greek fries). Seasoned with oregano and grated cheese, they were definitely a step up from American fries. My only wish was that they could've been crispier.

The Wine: Akti has a wonderful selection of Greek wines, which are easy on the wallet. And since we didn't know too much about them, we asked our waitress for a recommendation. We ended up getting a sweet white wine with fruit undertones, which was so gentle on the senses and enhanced the flavor of our food and especially the fish. A bottle was only $24, giving us 2 full glasses each.

Service and Cost:
The waitstaff was especially attentive during our visit probably because Akti is so new. Our waitress was lovely--smiling and always ready to give us her helpful 2 cents. My only complaint was that it took a really long time (half hour) to get the check. I'm not sure if the staff was just letting us chat away leisurely or if they forgot about us.

The prices are definitely wallet-friendly, especially given the large portions. A full dinner with a bottle of wine, appetizers and an entree only set us back $32 each. Starters range between $6-$13, fish entrees are in the neighborhood of $17-$21 and wines generally range in the mid $20's. My friends who came here in a larger pack said that dinner for 5 was only $160--again, $32 each!

3 Mmmms

Pinocchio is on Hiatus

My 30th Avenue Bureau Chief, Kimberly has informed me that our beloved Pinocchio Palace is undergoing some needed renovations. Exciting news but also a bit sad, considering that they will remain closed until May 9th. We're looking forward to a new and improved Pinocchio but in the meantime wait impatiently until we can sink our teeth into their delicious brick oven pizza and killer gyros.

Vibe Cafe and Lounge - Another Newbie on 30th Ave

Vibe Cafe and Lounge - 40-11 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103

718.932.1212

N/W Train to 30th Avenue or R/V/G Trains to Steinway

www.vibecafelounge.com

Another cafe on 30th Ave? It's true that while Vibe isn't a unique concept--a Greek indoor/outdoor cafe--it's still a welcome spot on the Eastern side of 30th Avenue (past Steinway). Outdoor seating is located both in front and back of the house. The front seating puts you in the midst of the action on 30th Ave and the back garden seating is more private and guarded. I haven't seen this place too crowded yet, which is nice. You can count on Vibe for a laid-back Sunday afternoon coffee or a light sandwich with a friend.

The heat turns up on Fridays though, as Vibe presents Greek Nights with DJ Stamatis spinning "the best of Greek and today's hottest music." Check out this Mediterranean eatery and be prepared to shake it!

A sampling of the menu includes:

Appetizers:

Tiropita - Feta, manouri, graviera, wrapped in phyllo dough...$4

Grilled Octopus - Tender octopus served with roasted red peppers, onions, capers and red wine olive oil dressing...$9.50

Ktipiti - Traditional Greek feta spread...$4.50

Sandwiches:

Vibe Veggie - Grilled eggplant, arugula, red peppers, tomato, hummus...$9.50

Lountza Halloumi - Smoked loin of pork, halloumi...$8

Greek Toast - Tomato, kasseri (Greek cheese), ham...$6

Coffee:

Fredo Cappuccino...$3.75

Black Forest Delight - American coffee with cherry and chocolate...$5

Orange Truffle Mocha - With OJ, chocolate ice cream and milk...$5

Want to know more? Email me at critic@foodistanyc.com

Akti - Open at Last!

Akti Seafood Restaurant – 34-19 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103
718.721.3530
N/W Train to 30th Avenue

Akti is open at last--and you're probably sick of me counting down the days. After much delay, this Greek seafood restaurant opened its doors on Friday and is now fully functioning. They even set up a heated outdoor seating area, which is currently covered but still allows you to feel like a part of the action. The place looks cheery with a welcome table set up outside with flowers, business cards and menus. Walk by and grab one!

Here's what the menu offers:

Akti is after all a seafood restaurant so you'll find a lot of fish and shellfish. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the menu is made up of small plates or hot and cold "mezedes". Some of the more interesting ones that caught my eye are:

Tyrokafteri - Roasted peppers and feta cheese dip ... $7.00

Pantzarosalata - Red & gold baby beets, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, boiled eggs, oven roasted potatoes and green olives ... $9.00

Mydia Saganaki - Broiled mussels with scallions, fresh tomatoes and kefalograviera cheese ... $11.00

Oktapodi Stifado - Stew octopus with shallots in a wine reduction ... $12.00

Hortopita - Phyllo dough stuffed with greens and feta cheese ... $6.00

Horiatiko Loukaniko - Grilled Cypriot village sausage ... $8.00

All the fish comes at market prices and includes a wide selection such as porgy, black sea bass, red snapper, swordfish steak and more.

Want to see the full menu? Email me at critic@foodistanyc.com

Check it out and see what strikes your fancy.

Akti - When Will It Open?

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely among the curious Astorians who walk by this place weekly. And every week, I ask myself "when is this place going to open?" I tried calling the number on the sign but no one answers. If anyone knows the inside scoop about Akti and when they plan opening, shoot over a comment. What I know to date is that they'll serve authentic Greek cuisine for lunch and dinner. I spied a "help wanted" sign in the window about 3 weeks ago but it's now gone. I can just smell an opening! Stay tuned...

Akti Restaurant - Corner of 35th Street and 30th Avenue. 718.721.3530

Mezzo Mezzo Has a New Menu

Mezzo Mezzo - 31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11106
718.278.0444
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mezzomezzony.com

It's true, I've complained about this place in my past review but apparently Mezzo is making some nice changes to their menu--and adding some fun entertainment.

The new menu stays true to its Greekness and includes:

Appetizers:

Loukaniko - Flambeed imported Greek sausage...$9.90

Dolmades (a great veggie option) - Tender grape leaves stuffed with fresh mint, pine nuts, old spice, rice and Greek olive oil...$5.90

Kolokithi Scordalia - Pan-fried zucchini with garlic spread and fresh herbs...$6.90

Main courses:

Barbounia - Pan-fried red mullets served with horta (dandellion greens)...$15.90

Glossa - Fish fillet, broiled or stuffed with crabmeat, with olive oil, Greek herbs and lemon...$16.90-$19.90

Wood Grilled Specialties include beef, lamb, pork and seafood, grilled over woodchips and charcoal...$15.90-$24.90

Various Skewered Kebobs/Souvlaki - Swordfish, bifteki, chicken, lamb, pork and seafood, served with a choice of a side dish...$13.90-$19.90

Email me at critic@foodistanyc.com if you're interested in seeing the entire new menu.

And as for the entertainment, check out Mezzo's hookah lounge and a live belly dancer, Samantha every Saturday night. Enjoy Greek and Mediterranean music from 9p-1:30a.