Bany - Asian Fusion in LIC

Bany - 10-57 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.383.2388

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

On my way to the Slovak-Czech Variety Store last week, I discovered a new Asian fusion restaurant right next door called Bany.

With the many luxury high-rise buildings that are sprouting like weeds, this side of town is also flourishing with new restaurants. Bany looks like a good one to try--the interior is modern and the menu boasts a variety of Asian specialties such as seafood, duck, sushi and sashimi. The prices are inexpensive to moderate and are comparable to its LIC restaurant neighbors. A sampling of Bany's menu is below:

Appetizers:

Indian Pancake - Malaysia Indian pancake, served with chicken curry sauce...$3.50

Bany Summer Roll - Fresh mixed greens in a crispy roll with plum sauce on the side...$5

Rock Shrimp - Served with spicy mayo sauce...$8

Specialty Rolls:

Caterpillar - Crunchy spicy tuna inside, topped with avocado and spicy mayo...$8

Spicy Bad Girl - Spicy salmon, spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail, basil, topped with shrimp, avocado and jalapeno...$12

Fancy Dragon - Shrimp tempura, cucumber, caviar and eel topped with avocado and mango...$11

Entrees:

Mango Chicken or Jumbo Shrimp - Tropical mango, bell pepper, onion, jicama with mango chili sauce...$15-$17

Atlantic Ocean - Jumbo shrimp, scallops, fish, bell pepper, sweet beans, asparagus and onions in a butter cream sauce...$19

Duck Curry - 1/2 boneless duck, eggplant, potato, bell pepper and basil leaf...$17

Lunch specials are also available and include Bento boxes, stir-fry and sushi bar options.

Dorian Cafe - Superb Simple Food

Dorian Cafe - 10-01 50th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

718.937.1120

7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Ave

Dorian Cafe is easy to find, as it's probably the first thing you'll see when stepping out of the 7 train at Vernon/Jackson. While it may seem like an uneventful diner, I've been told that it's anything but ordinary. My cousin Vicky raved about it on our way back from Blend and I thought that I'd mention it here. In her words "Dorian's may seem like a diner that's nothing fancy but the food is amazing. They turn every simple dish into something extraordinary."

She especially complimented their brunch and I've also heard great things about their salads, burgers and fries. I'm going to have to get myself over there pronto. I'll follow up with a menu and a review but in the meantime, I wanted to put this place on your radar.

LIC Week on the Foodista

Image by www.timeout.com

I decided to make this week an official Long Island City week on the Foodista. Visiting this fun area recently got me very excited and I was amazed at how laid-back and culture-packed it is. The restaurants are trendy without being pretentious--they have that lovely, shabby-chic feel. The cost of dining in LIC won't hurt your wallet and the neighboring trendy boutiques and quirky art galleries might surprise you. I'll be covering eateries and watering holes primarily in the Vernon Blvd region, which is right off the Vernon Blvd/Jackson Blvd subway stop on the 7 train.

I hope that my LIC adventures encourage you to hop on the 7 and try it for yourself. You'll be pleasantly surprised--I guarantee it!