Guest Foodista Vicky on LIC's Excep-SHI-nally Good Food

SHI - 47- 20 Center Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101

Reservations: 347-242-2450 Take Out: 347-242-2448

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.shilic.com

Impromptu guest post to give you the good word on some good food. This past weekend, I (Vicky, cousin of Judista the Foodista) found myself in Long Island City. I've been keeping an eye on the opening of a new Asian restaurant in town, SHI, and this weekend I was finally able to try it out. Here's a quick synopsis of/commentary on my meal.

Note: I ordered in, so I don't have full details on ambiance, service, etc. Sorry kids.

Double note: I am not as skilled as the Foodista in the art of foodie-ing.

Seafood tom yum soup w/ noodles ($9): I'm usually a non-liker of all things spicy, but things seem to have changed. This soup is an awesome combination of spice, fire, and flavor. And it comes with a really good ratio of seafood drowned inside, which really balanced out the heat. The vermicelli noodles, which were given in a separate plastic tin, also served as a good soaker-up-er of the spice.

I think why I was able to eat/enjoy this soup as much as I did, despite its heat, was best described by my co-eater at the time (whatup Eric): "the heat doesn't linger." Mm, so true.

Heads up if ordering in: This portion is gynormous. Share share share. Or don't, whatever.

Mango chicken w/ jumbo shrimp ($16): This dish is on the complete other end of the flavor spectrum (in relation to the tom yum). The sauce was sweet and light, the chicken and shrimp were perfectly cooked. And they totally didn't skimp on the shrimp, like I've experienced at other restaurants. What I enjoyed most were the thinly shredded pieces of cooked mango and pepper strewn throughout the dish. In the words of renaissance woman, Rachael Ray (whom I prefer watching on mute), "yum-O."

The truth is, SHI's menu is packed with lots of good stuff, and I am not the most decisive of people. Choosing my dinner was not an easy task, but I was, and still am very happy with the choices I made. I'll be back there for sure.

2 Mmmms

Guest Foodista Courtney Gets It On At Marvin

Courtney is a hip NYC chickie. She's passionate about food--especially bananas! "I eat a banana every day. Whether it’s part of my breakfast in my cereal, my lunch on a sandwich or fried up with ice cream as a dessert--bananas are my favorite food." Courtney enjoys cooking for herself with top quality ingredients and even considers herself a "vegequarian" (cross between seafood and veggies--go figure). Below she reveals her unique experience at an inventive and elegant Washington D.C. eatery called Marvin--feast your eyes and enjoy!

Marvin - 2007 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

202.797.7171

www.marvindc.com

I had the pleasure of dining at Marvin in the ever so hip and historically rich U street area. Eric Hilton, one of two DJs that make up D.C.’s famous music group Thievery Corporation, opened up the restaurant in October of 2007. He named it Marvin after Marvin Gaye, a perfect fit for the corridor which has apartment buildings named for Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington just a few blocks away. Gaye, a native Washingtonian suffering from bankruptcy and drug addiction moved to Belgium to clear his mind, relax and refocus. The restaurant boasts a Belgian theme in his honor.

Atmosphere:

Like Hilton’s other business, the 18th Street Lounge, Marvin has no sign other than a simple metal plaque on the door (see above). The first floor is covered in rich cherry wood and smells like oak and cinnamon. Its warm and relaxing environment is paired with an equally friendly staff and warm comfort-food like cuisine.

Food:

The menu, prepared by Executive Chef James Claudio boasts a variety of European delights such as a moules frites (mussels and fries) and duck confit. For the southern soul foodies, not only can you order shrimp and grits, but also fried chicken on Belgian waffles. I shared a cheese appetizer which came with fruit and nut bread, honey and three different types of cheeses, including the best brie I’ve ever enjoyed. My friend Will ordered a steak which came smothered in blue cheese (his favorite) and an accompanying basket of crispy red peppered fries and a salad. My Alaskan halibut was a delicate dream accompanied by onion puree, tomato confit and beurre blanc.

Service and Cost:

I heard that the service was poor and the staff not so nice before I went, but this was simply untrue in my experience. The waiters all look like they had once been Malcolm X’s personal assistant. They were cool and formal, but attended to our every need and offered great recommendations for food and wine.

The appetizers were around eight to fifteen dollars and the main courses were all under thirty. The wine and beer menu is full of rich flavor and decent prices, particularly the premier Belgium ales (around $8-$10)—a must have treat at Marvin.

The Perfect Night Cap...
After two Irish coffees, we strolled upstairs to check out the lounge area. We found a long, fully stocked bar and large outdoor patio space with plenty of mushroom shaped heat lamps to keep the winter loungers warm. The lounge is a laid back, emerald colored and perfect for philosophical musings or just catching up with old friends. Marvin left us feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside and I intend to go back there many times to enjoy the comfort food and the promise of Thievery Corporation’s excellent music under D.C.’s night sky.

3 Mmmms

Foodista's Brother Peter does V-Day in Beantown

I'd like to introduce my brother Peter to the Foodista crew. Although he's six years my junior, many mistake him for being my older--and more responsible--brother. Could it be my precocious attitude and looks? Maybe.

Peter is a senior at Boston University and what can I say...he's a well-rounded mensch and at the same time a mischievous co-conspirator. Despite the fact that we have different personalities, we enjoy each other's company very much. Peter wholeheartedly supports my food obsessions--whether by tasting my food creations or trying different restaurants with me. Below you'll find his rendition of this year's homemade V-day, which he spent with his charming girlfriend Fiana. Take it away Peter...

Hello foodies. First and foremost, let it be known that although the Foodista and I come from the same gene pool, we are polar opposite people. She’s more creative while I’m more structured. She likes pretty things; I like useful things. She can cook, and well … I can eat. I am not much of a chef, besides the sporadic gastronomical adventures I undertake in my dorm room kitchen that occasionally set off the building’s fire alarm (ok, only twice). With that being said, although this meal seems fancy-shmancy it was extremely easy to make thanks to the likes of Rachael Ray (ugh) and Giada (wa wa wee wa).

For Valentine’s Day I was stuck with the decision of either taking my girlfriend Fiana out to an overpriced price fixe dinner (ranging around $50pp here in Boston) or making a concerted effort to show her my skills and cook for her; I opted for the latter. I decided to pick up some higher-end ingredients (for a college student at least) from Trader Joe's. Including a bottle of wine, the tab ran me up at about $45, which was significantly less than the bill at [enter generic North-End restaurant here].

Appetizer: Jumbo Shrimp Wrapped in Arugula and Prosciutto

Total time for this was about 20 minutes. Being that I had a difficult time zesting a lemon with a butter knife, it would take you significantly less time. Fiana ended up loving this dish. We both agreed that it had a nice sweet and salty taste with the shrimp and prosciutto competing with the grape tomato and zested lemon. Furthermore, I was able spice up the décor of the dish by placing two rounded shrimp together in the middle of the plate in the shape of a heart.

Entrée: Grilled Swordfish with Lemon, Mint and Basil with a side of Frisee Salad

Since I figured the old Foreman grill would put the swordfish steaks to shame, I used a grill pan and covered the steaks with a large plate. This encapsulated the steam and let the fish cook more fully throughout. Once again, this was a huge hit! We both loved the mint seasoning on the swordfish (again unconventional but worthy of Foodista’s 3 Mmmms). On top of the frisée salad I put some mixed pesto and lemon juice topped off with unsalted roasted almonds. This turned out to be another easy, but fancy-looking dish.

Dessert: Gourmet PB&J
At this point in the meal, I figured we would both be stuffed and not even want to look at dessert. To end the night off with something sweet, I slobbered on some store-brand (shh) chunky peanut butter and strawberry jelly on two pieces of wheat bread and cut the sandwich in the shape of a heart. I garnished the plate with some more jelly for style and extra dipping action. GENTLEMEN BEWARE: if you intend on avoiding a sticky situation, do not cut the heart in half! Instead of ending the night off with a broken heart, rather take turns biting into the sandwich in a show of everlasting love and unity.

Guest Foodista Kimberly Reveals Her Italian Delight

Kimberly is a dear friend of mine and is my partner in crime--in basically everything. She resides in lovely Astoria, loves it and appreciates it so much. Kimberly is one of the most adventurous gals I've ever met. She managed to move herself (as in one woman for the entire task) from Houston, TX to Astoria, NY--not a small feat. Trattoria L'incontro happens to be one of her favorite restaurants in Astoria and she tells you why below... Oh and she'd like to give a shoutout to her main squeeze, Jonathan aka J-Man Conan!

Trattoria L’incontro – 21-76 31st Street, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.3532

N/W Train to Ditars Blvd (last stop)

www.trattorialincontro.com

Mmmmmmm...Italian food! As a gal of 50% Sicilian heritage, I must admit that I often fantasize about my next meal, especially when Italian is on the menu. Trattoria L’Incontro is one of my favorite Italian restaurants from the U.S. to Italy, and here’s why.

First of all, the company we had at dinner was impeccable. Foodista joined us, in addition to my roomie Maria, future brudder-in-law Garett, and future groomsman Eric. I have been raving about this place for a while to Garett + Eric, so I was thrilled when two completely random (and possibly drunk) women announced loudly that we were about to enjoy “the best Italian food in all of Astoria—nothing like it!” as we walked in the door. It’s always nice to have an unbiased source ratify your choice of restaurant.

Atmosphere
Having traveled extensively throughout Italy, I like that Trattoria has mastered the authentic feel of a local restaurant in, say, Vicenza. While the décor is not spectacular, it is perfectly en pointe for what you will find at a nice, but off the beaten path, family restaurant in Italy. It embodies a simple elegance with a touch of rustic embellishment that makes you feel instantly at home. We’re told there’s a wine cellar in the basement—it would be neat to inquire to check that out next time (and there will be a next time!!).

Food
Trattoria is unique in that the list of specials can sometimes equal the regular menu offerings in quantity! That’s because the chef plans dishes according to what market-fresh ingredients are available. This time I sampled several repeat favorites along with a few new dishes.

Appies included…

Delle Valli: Repeat. This is an excellent and traditional charcuterie-type platter to share with a group of hungry friends. Homemade roasted red pepper (one of my favorite ingredients of all time), peppercorn cheese, fresh mozzarella, and several types of cured meats are arranged bountifully on a generous sized platter. It is a dish suggested for 4 people, but we easily accommodated our group of five. Pure, simple, and delicious way to begin a meal.

Cold Calamari Salad: New. A healthy alternative to fried calamari, this seemed like a refreshing way to begin the meal. I ordered this for myself specifically, but when it came out, there was so much and it looked so yummy that we passed the plate around the table! The calamari was lightly tossed in oil along with white beans, and could be improved with a dash of lemon juice, in my opinion.

Baked Clams: New. Very tasty and exactly as expected—stuffed with garlic, bread crumbs, and drizzled with a bit of oil. Exactly as a stuffed clam should be!

Main dish...

Green Apple & Marscarpone Ravioli: Repeat. I was originally attracted to this dish because it reminded me of a pasta we (me + fiance’) tried in Italy called Faggotini, which is more like a stuffed shell, with a traditional filling of pear and marscarpone. Hoping to recreate the memory, I opted for Trattoria’s green apple ravioli version. YUM the first time and YUM again! The apple flavor is subtle and the light cream sauce that accompanies the pasta is perfectly equipped to offset the sweetness of the fruit with a bit of butter/garlic balance.

Dessert...

Lemon Tart: New. All I can say is DELICIOUS. This tasted, to me, like a lemon Linzer tart on crack. The combination of lemon + raspberry secured by a graham cracker crust was divine.

Chocolate Mousse: New. Very rich and extremely chocolatey. Everyone seemed to enjoy it just fine—but I would order the lemon tart again before going for the mousse.

Service and Cost
Our waiter was lots of fun, although apparently we distracted him during the 10 minute recitation of the daily specials, causing him to start laughing and take a breather. He engaged us with banter throughout the meal and tolerated our slightly buzzed sense of humor as we made our way through two bottles of wine, which definitely earned him brownie points in my book! I also liked that, when learning that our first wine choice was unavailable, he recommended a bottle that he thought would taste better—AND it was definitely not an up sell! Molto bene!! A meal at this establishment—with shared appetizers, a main dish, and some wine—is not cheap, but at $45-60 per person, I didn’t see any complaints at our table. It’s well worth the price.

Tips
1. Always make a reservation—the secret is out on this place!
2. Checks can be split on three credit cards—no more than that

Buon Appetito! 3 Mmmms from this signorina!!

Dan's Superbowl and Grub Ruminations

Super Bowl XL II was a week ago, and this year we went to my brother and sister-in-law’s apartment. We did the same thing last year (And the year before that. And that. And that…).

This year’s event was probably the most memorable one. A big part of that reason is of course the monumental and rousing achievement of the New York Football Giants as they beat the stuffing out of Tom Brady’s butt-chin, and shocked the world by slaying the un-slayable dragon that was the New England Patriots. I think it is safe to say, without the slightest bit of exaggeration, that Eli Manning’s performance in that game is the single most impressive feat in the entire history of human evolution to this point. (Okay, perhaps with a slight bit of exaggeration).

But as this is Foodista’s blog, I must also make mention of the other reason that this party was more memorable that the others. I am talking about the food. The food was good. Delicious in fact. Almost as delicious as, say, the taste of the Giants stunning upset over the glorious and unstoppable juggernaut that was the New England Patriots. Eff the Patriots. Eff Tom Brady. Eff Bill Belichick. ELIIIII!!! ELIIIIIIIII!!! E—

Sorry. Back to the food.

Delicious. It seemed as if Josh and Di stepped it up a notch from previous years. The four-foot hero was an obvious hit--can’t go wrong with a big sandwich. Another surprisingly good contribution was Carla’s Jello shots--pineapple Jello with coconut rum. Another new addition to the party this year was Diana’s queso fundido—and she purchased a crock-pot specifically for this reason. Melted cheese, salsa, nachos--a timeless classic, it works well. My cousin Lauren’s cupcakes were also sensational. They were light and fluffy, soft-ball sized, and covered in dark chocolate/buttercream icing. The only problem with the spread was the way in which Blondies, the bar that Josh and Di visit at least 3 times a week, totally screwed the pooch with the Buffalo wings. The order was in days prior to the game, and when they called and asked why the wings hadn’t shown up yet; Blondies lied and said they were en-route. Then they said they lost the order, and sorry, that’s a shame isn’t it. Eff Blondies. Eff Blondies, Eff the Patriots. Eli.

Relief from total wing disaster came when we ordered from a different bar around the corner--The Crow’s Nest. They came through in a hurry, which was fortunate. Alas, they were not as delicious as Blondies wings, but as I said a moment ago, Eff Blondies.

Now, though, I must get to what I thought was the best and most enjoyable dish at the party: Foodista’s mac and cheese of course. And I know you all think I am biased, and Foodista is in fact looking over my shoulder as I write these words. (Really, she’s right here). But in all honesty, and with the same level of exaggeration as before, her mac and cheese is a culinary miracle on par with—yes, I dare say it—Eli “Jesus Christ” Manning to David Tyree. The greatest play in the history of sport, the miracle of miracles, undeniably thrilling to all who witnessed it. Much like Foodista’s mac and cheese and all the delicious Super Bowl food we gorged on, it was truly memorable.

Go Super Bowl Sunday food.

Go G-men.

Eff Blondies.

Eff the Patriots.

Eli.

Melody Cafe - Margot's Sneak Peek

Melody Cafe - 25-95 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103
718.777.1514
N/W Train to 30th Avenue stop

Margot has been telling me about this place for a while and every time I look it up online, it's a mystery--cannot find it! I happened to walk by on Sunday and immediately did a double take after seeing the ornate brass doors--how cool do they look? They give Melody a secret feel--it's almost as if you're entering a forbidden vault. While I haven't unlocked that vault just yet, Margot has. Here is her quick recap, which is helpful and has peaked my curiosity even further.

Margot's Sneak Peek:
It was a lot of fun. It's a HUGE space. They have both Greek and Moroccan dishes on the menu (I assume to draw in some of the Greek community from the 30th Ave area).

The hookah... Mmmm we had blueberry--it was like having a little bit of pie aftertaste in your mouth. SO good. I had a lamb kebab platter. Soooo juicy and delish. It came with pilaf and veggies. I didn't try the pilaf because well - I'm laying off the carbs this week. Jen and Ted both got lamb sandwiches (made with the same type of lamb from my plate, so I can only imagine they were just as good - we were pretty much too hungry to talk). Their sandwiches came with fries which they devoured (must have been good). The place is pretty cool. The hookahs are fun and they even do fresh fruit hookahs - hard to explain, but they take a huge fruit, stick it on the top, and stuff it with tobacco. I like the place--it's no Dandana's but it's a lot closer! :)

Sfoglia - By Guest Foodista Lisa

Lisa, today's guest reviewer is a good friend of mine who also shares my love for food. Italian food is Lisa's first love--she comes from a big and extremely close Italian family who is always cooking up amazing specialties. So needless to say, this foodie knows good grub when she sees it! Lisa lives in NYC with her lovely soon-to-be hubby Jay.

Sfoglia - 1402 Lexington Ave (at 92nd St), New York, NY 10128

212.831.1402

4/5/6 Train to 86th Street or 6 train to 96th Street

www.sfogliarestaurant.com

I heard about Sfoglia from New York Mag & saw that Sfoglia was named critic's favorite twice in a row. I read so many amazing reviews about this place that I had to try it. This place has two locations one in Nantucket and the more recent NYC location. It was interesting to read from their website that both husband and wife attended the CIA and they went into business together. Being from a family that loves food and having a brother who is aspiring to attend the CIA made me really want to try this place even more.

Atmosphere:

This is a charming, small restaurant situated on a corner street on the Upper East Side. When I walked inside I found my friend "the Foodista" sitting cozily on the small couch which is in the little waiting area of the restaurant. We had made a 1pm reservation and we were seated promptly. For lunch time, this restaurant was hopping. There was not an empty seat at the bar and mostly all of the tables were full. We were seated at what looks like a long sturdy wood kitchen table where three people were sitting at one end and Foodista and I sat on the other. I didn't feel too close to the other people at all and it was not cramped. The table had a big bowl on it with pineapples in it and some mixed type fruits for show. Next to our table were many different wines displayed, which I thought added to the decor. The bar area had high seats and had a rustic Italian flare to it. There was tons of light coming through the large windows and this just gave the restaurant a very open airy feeling.

Food:

When we arrived, the waiter bought out some olives and bread. I did not try the bread but the olives were seasoned well and were a nice little treat. I have heard rave reviews about the pasta from restaurant critics and knew already that I would order a dish from the primi section of the menu. This restaurant unlike many others in NYC does not have a separate lunch menu, so we went in knowing that the portions would be more than filling.

I ordered the "pappardelle alla Bolognese.” The Foodista ordered the "potato gnocchi, fonduta, leeks." We also ordered a side dish to share of the "sweet potato salad with balsamic.” Drink-wise we saw a large array of different types of wines to try but being that it was early afternoon we opted not to have a glass of wine and asked if there were any other drinks. The waiter mentioned that there was a house soda which was grapefruit and sage so we both decided to try it because it sounded very different. It was very good and not too overpowering nor sugary, it almost tasted like a seltzer mixed with fruit, very refreshing.

Our dishes came out simultaneously and in nice portions. My pappardelle alla Bolognese was simply delightful. The pasta was so fresh and the meat that was mixed in with the pasta was ground well enough that the meat wasn't overpowering. The pasta was cooked to perfection and was not chewy or too al dente--it was just right! The sauce was also delicious. I tried a small taste of the Foodista’s potato gnocchi and I must say this was amazing. It melted in my mouth and the sauce had such a nice taste to it--definitely will be trying this next time. The sweet potato salad was very light and paired well with the pasta.

Service & Cost:
The service was good. When we came in the woman who sat us took our heavy coats to the back which was nice. The menu while limited did offer some dishes that I think the average person would enjoy. When the waiter took our order he mentioned that the bread pudding would take 20 minutes to cook so if we’d like to order it, it had to be in the beginning of the meal. While this sounded amazing, we did not order this for lunch--it was too much food for us. For dinner we would definitely order it and the people across the table from us got it and it looked amazing.

They do not rush you here at all and you are able to sit at your table for awhile and really enjoy your meal and time with your companions.

Cost-wise I thought this place was a little expensive for lunch. My "pappardelle all bolognese" was $20.00 which for lunch I thought was a lot--although the portions are generous. When we got the bill, we noticed a charge of $16.00 for two of the sodas mentioned above. $8.00 each for soda!! That was a bit unexpected and will probably not get that next time. While it was good, we thought that was a little much.

Tips:

A great spot for a date--ask to reserve the small pink booth near the bar which seats two. It looks very cozy for a twosome.

Do not order the soda--although if you are not a drinker I would recommend this as a substitute to wine. Try the pasta dishes mentioned above, you will not be disappointed.

Make a reservation well in advance. There is about a 4 week wait to have dinner here--that is why we opted for lunch. For lunch, we waited about 2 weeks. It is a small place so reservations are a must. Do not get discouraged if you cannot make a reservation right away, the restaurant makes it very easy and has an email system where you can inquire about certain dates to make reservations. I suggest going for dinner and a nice glass of wine.

3 Mmmms