Bistro 33 - Superb Food and Service Save the Day!

Bistro 33 - 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.721.1933

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.bistro33nyc.com

This was my second visit to Bistro and besides being impressed, I wholeheartedly support the way they run their business--and treat their customers. I came here as part of a double-date foursome on a Saturday night. Needless to say, Bistro was busy and we had to wait long--but they took such great care of us that we're already looking forward to going back (and soon).

Atmosphere:

Bistro exudes simplicity and un-pretentiousness. And although the place is very small, seating around 20-25 people, you don't feel cramped--the floor to ceiling windows also help, giving the place a very open and inviting feel.

The dining room consists of small wooden tables mostly for two and some for larger parties. There is a cool little nook in the front left corner that provides more privacy--and from a design perspective, it looks serene, facing a hand-painted wall with falling leaves.

Food:

Bistro 33 is run by classically trained chefs from the French Culinary Institute--and it shows. The food is not only superb tasting, it's presented impeccably and offers a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine.

We got to sample a bit of everything, as the girls went for the sushi and the guys got the hearty meat dishes. Here's what we feasted on:

Crawfish Tempura: This was a complimentary starter that was offered to us while waiting for our table. We were pleasantly surprised at this offering and especially at its generous portion. The crawfish was crispy and spicy--not so much that you had to wash it down with wine or water, but just enough to get the tastebuds working. It was perfect and scarily addicting--I highly recommend it for a starter.

Corn Soup: Veggie soups get a bad rap for being bland but not this one! This creamy concoction included roasted sweet corn, red bell peppers and crispy prosciutto. Dan and I shared it because it was so hearty, but we both secretly wished we got our own. The texture was luxurious yet chunky and the prosciutto flavor was very pronounced. It tasted like a sweet corn on the cob wrapped in bacon--unreal and a must in my book!

Island Roll and Dragon Roll: To say that Bistro excels in sushi is an understatement--the freshness, inventiveness and flavor of their rolls blow my mind. I ordered a combination of the Island (mango, avocado, red peppers, cilantro, cucumber and tomato) and the Dragon (eel, cucumber and avocado) rolls. Where one provided a hearty bite (the Dragon) the other presented a burst of freshness and sweet flavor (the Island). They're a fun combination that will leave you super full.

Other Dishes:

My dining companions shared my enthusiasm of Bistro's food. Dan ordered the lamb which came in a port wine reduction and garlic potato gratin. He's usually the first to complain when a portion is small--as this one was--but he loved the lamb so much and appreciated its taste that he just nodded and smiled happily. Jay got the braised shortribs, cooked alongside a Granny Smith apple. Wow! I wish I ordered this, as Jay boasted about the tenderness of the meat and the juiciness of the apple. Lisa went for the spicy tuna roll--tempura style--and the red spider roll (with soft shell crab). She's sometimes a tough critic of sushi but this foodie was enjoying her sushi and smiling from ear to ear.

Service and Cost:

The service and overall treatment of customers was phenomenal. To be honest, we were a bit put-off for waiting an hour for our table, but Bistro made it up to us. They not only provided us with a free appetizer, but they also comped our drinks (that's $10 a piece). We were so delighted about this that we almost forgot about the wait. Besides that, our waitress was pleasant, knew what she was doing and did an all-around good job.

Cost-wise, it's pretty moderate--not cheap but not overly expensive. Appetizers range from $3-$11, entrees from $9-$25 and sushi from $4 for a basic roll to $10 for a speciality roll. Bistro also offers a $14 brunch which gets you an entree, coffee/tea and a cocktail. Not as cheap as some Astoria specials but this food is on a way higher level.

3 Mmmms

Christos Steakhouse - A True Hidden Gem

Christos Steakhouse - 41-08 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

718.777.8400

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.christossteakhouse.com

Dan and I came here to celebrate his 29th birthday last week--and man, were we impressed! Although somewhat hidden in our 'hood, this old school steakhouse really shines in all areas--the food, the service and the atmosphere are all fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone for a special occasion or just an all around great meal. Watch out Peter Luger, Christos is a serious competitor!

Atmosphere:

Christos is the epitome of a good, traditional steakhouse. The decor is simple yet classic with a lot of wood embellishments and simple wooden tables and chairs. The coolest part about the front of the house is the huge lobster tank, which separates the lounge area from the formal dining room. Sitting right next to this thing, we saw lobsters being fished out and brought straight into the kitchen for preparation--this way you knew you were getting fresh seafood.

Another interesting thing about Christos is that they have a butcher shop, offering raw cuts of meat for sale. How cool is that? The beautiful red meat greets you as you walk in--you see it in the front window with the prices and all. While some would find this a bit too raw and real, I loved it--the gorgeous meat communicating a sort of authenticity and confidence to the customer.

Food:

The food here really surpassed our expectations. And in addition to traditional steakhouse dishes, they also offer several Greek specialties such as assorted Greek spreads, Saganaki--a pan fried Greek cheese, Loukaniko--Greek sausage; and so much more. Dan and I stuck to the basics and here's a taste of our celebration dinner:

Christos Baked Clams: A combination of clams oreganato and clams casino, this starter blew us away. We couldn't decide which we liked better because both were superb-ly hearty and fresh--and had a great salty but not fishy taste. The clams casino were topped with crispy bacon which was definitely the piece-de-resistance, while the clams oreganato had a refreshing citrusy essence with a loud crunch from the breadcrumbs. Far out!

The Steak:

Dan went for the big boy--the 24 oz Ribeye--and I got the 18 oz. Steak au Poivre with Metaxa Brandy sauce. Once again, we scored with these, and demolished them vigorously. Dan got his steak medium rare and boasted about its soft texture and juicy interior. And although it was a 24 ouncer, he was able to finish it because of the bone that ran down the middle.

My steak was also something special. The cut of meat was a Ribeye, infused with extra deliciousness that came from the sauce. The concoction included peppercorns, shallots, Metaxa and the luxuriousness of cream, which brought it all together. And again, while the portion was large, I finished it with grace--and with the help from an outside bone.

The Sides:

We ordered creamed spinach and fried onion rings for our side dishes. The creamed spinach was nice and silky while still earthy. It came topped with crispy shoestring onions, which we both couldn't get enough of.

The onion rings were beer battered and presented beautifully in a size order stack. While they tasted fine, this was the only dish we weren't impressed with. The batter was a bit bland and didn't do much to enhance the steak. We much rather prefer the bodacious onion rings they serve at Ruth's Chris.

Dessert:

Dessert was da bomb and included a silky creme brulee with dark chocolate, lining the bottom of the bowl. We both thought this was the most exceptional creme brulee we've ever had--no exaggeration. The custard was decadent, creamy and tasted of fresh vanilla. And the chocolate on the bottom was a fun surprise that we both looked forward to and devoured ridiculously quickly.

Service and Cost:

The service was impeccable. All of the waiters looked and sounded serious about their work and we held them in the highest regard for expertise. Every time we asked something, it seemed like they anticipated it beforehand and had an answer or a recommendation lined up. Our waiter was polite, proper and knowledgeable about the different cuts of meat offered. He made a great recommendation for our steaks, getting us genuinely excited for our meal.

Christos is definitely a splurge. For a three course dinner, including an appetizer, main course, dessert and a drink, I paid $65 per person. Appetizers go for $10-$20, steaks range from $28-$96 and desserts are mainly in the $8 range.

3 Mmmms

Riverbay Seafood Bar & Grill - An Island Treat

Riverbay Seafood Bar & Grill - 700 Willis Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596

516.742.9191

www.riverbayrestaurant.com

We tried this place for the first time, celebrating a double dose of birthdays--Dan's 29th and his dad David's 60th. Although Riverbay happens to be on Long Island, it's in Williston Park, which is only about a 25-30 minute drive from Astoria--so don't be shy to venture out there. The owner also runs Major's Steakhouse in East Meadow, Long Island as well as the legendary The Boathouse Restaurant in Central Park.

Atmosphere:

This large, no frills brick building looks like a rustic house on the bay--hence its name. And even before you go in, you start to develop a mental picture of what awaits inside. As the exterior implies, the interior is also simple, yet elegant--decorated with rich wood moldings, fish sculptures and plenty of old photographs depicting life at sea.

The dining room itself is separated into three sections--all are very open and designed to hold a mix of tables both large and small. The great thing about Riverbay is that it accommodates large groups very well--as a party of six, we scored a round table in the far back corner which was both relatively quiet and private.

Food:

Wow! Simply put, the food blew me away and everything I tried was fantastic. Just have a look at a sampling of tonight's dinner:

New England Clam Chowder: Creamy but not too thick, this soup was the perfect starter. It was mixed with fresh ingredients like celery, potatoes and onions which intensified its deliciousness even more. And once I put those beautiful puffy oyster crackers in, I was in creamy soup heaven.

Grouper Gratinee - This happened to be tonight's special and what drew me to it was the topping of crispy breadcrumbs and lump crabmeat. The breadcrumbs formed an airy peak on the grouper and I ate them immediately, enjoying their crunchy, buttery taste. The fish itself-- despite being served in cream sauce--was really light and flaky. And although the portion was more than generous, I finished it to the last bite simply because it was so superb.

Aside from Riverbay's traditional fish dishes, they've also infused their menu with modern sushi alternatives. Here's what Diana and Vicki tried--and loved!

Volcano Roll: I'm nicknaming this the "big kahuna" roll because of its overwhelming height and its myriad ingredients, including king crab and cucumber wrapped in avocado and topped with scallops, octopus, king crab, masago and mayo. I had the chance to taste this dish and the mayo was my favorite ingredient--it not only seasoned everything nicely but also bound it together, creating a super creamy mound.

Spider Roll: Also a lovely plate, this one combined deep fried soft shell crab, lettuce, cucumber and masago. I didn't try this but it looked a lot lighter than than the Volcano roll and the portion was also substantial. Diana enjoyed it very much but she said that the Volcano Roll was slightly better.

Service and Cost:

Our waiter was very competent and brought an element of humor to the table--he had fun with our group, playing off the already sarcastic vibe we created. Good dinner recommendations were made and our waiter made sure we were all happy with our choices. I like that the waitstaff here looked the part--dressed in white overcoats and dark ties. They looked very official and portrayed their roles as seafood experts perfectly.

In terms of cost, this place is definitely a splurge. A three course dinner with an appetizer, entree, dessert and a drink will cost you about $60-$65 per person. Appetizers run from $4-$15 and the seafood entrees average somewhere in the mid $20's.

3 Mmmms

Sparrow - My First Disappointment...could it be?

Sparrow - 24-01 29th St Astoria, NY 11102

718.606.2260

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

www.queenssparrow.com

I'm in love with this neighborhood bar/cafe that always delivers--especially on the food. Sadly, I encountered a little hiccup last week when dining with Joey in Astoria companions Megc and Floozigrl. Here's what went down:

I ordered the special of the day--cream of onion soup. And because Sparrow's soups have been so spot on in the past, I didn't think twice before ordering it. Meg and Floozigrl too liked the sound of this, "oohing" and "aahing" in unison when the waitress announced it as a special. But despite the suspenseful lead-up, here's what arrived:

Cream of Onion Soup: Looking at the picture, this dish looks wonderful but its taste unfortunately did not match its appearance. The liquid was thick and flavorless--and it lacked salt which I thought was a quick fix. Nope, I was wrong--still bland and murky tasting even after adding salt. I'm sorry to report that the essence of onion was completely lost in this dish. My favorite part was the beautiful crusty bread that accompanied it.

Fortunately, my companions' meals were a success. They both ordered burgers--chef Reyes' specialty--and were fully satisfied. Meg's burger was topped with gruyere cheese while Flooz went for the brie. A side of herbed fries came with these lovelies--and before you could do a double take, they were so gone!

Despite the small glitch in the soup, of course I'll come back--but next time I'll stick with the items I know are a sure thing.

Ovelia - Brunch Overload--in a Good Way!

Ovelia Psistaria - 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217

N/W Train to 30th Avenue

www.ovelia-ny.com

I'm a bit partial to this more-than-just-a-cafe eatery, owned by Astoria natives--and two sets of brothers--Chris and Peter Giannakas and Elias and Mark Mandilaras. Thanks to them, Ovelia emanates energy and style to the max--and it has the customers to prove it. Although we had to wait more than 40 minutes to be seated for brunch, as always it was well worth it. The place was even busier than usual because they supported Time Out For Hunger where 10% of proceeds went to help relieve hungry New Yorkers.

Atmosphere:

Modern and welcoming, Ovelia certainly falls out of the 30th Avenue cookie-cutter cafe mold. The decor is eclectic and interesting--and varies depending on where you sit. The front is open and bright with traditional tables, the middle is funky with Picasso-esque art and brass tables and the back is more private with contemporary art and marble tables. So basically, you could choose your setting based on your mood that day--there are plenty of options.

The coolest part of Ovelia in my opinion is the bar--it's made of concrete and subtly shines with fiber optic lights. Yet another non-food piece-de-resistance is the garage door window that opens up on warm, sunny days.

Food:

The extensive brunch is what draws in a lot of customers. Ovelia does a great job of mixing traditional Greek cuisine with modern American tastes. Think French toast stuffed with Greek yogurt and honey or pancakes paired with homemade sausage--made from a family recipe. Here are the dishes we enjoyed this past Sunday:

Tiropita Toast - Served with sliced apples, bacon, cream cheese and apple chutney, this is yet another interesting specialty I haven't seen at other Greek joints. What makes the "toast" special is the homemade bread--a flatbread made with what else but Feta cheese. The result is crispy and flavorful and I loved the pairing of sweet (apple) and savory (bacon). The cream cheese melted nicely and the apple chutney was gentle on the tongue, seducing it completely!

Turkey, Mushroom and Bechamel Crepes - I split these with Kimberly and they were truly amazing, my favorite part being the creamy bechamel sauce on top and on the inside. The mushrooms were a lovely surprise in the middle and the dish was light despite its hearty ingredients. You get three huge crepes with this order so be prepared to share with others.

Our other dining compadres were also loving their dishes. Joe ordered poached eggs on English muffins with crispy hash on the side--and his clean plate was proof of his satisfaction. Same went for Maria who stuck with a lunch basic of chicken Caesar Salad and also had an empty plate by meal's end. Shaya got the stuffed French Toast and I heard no complaints--I think she was especially impressed by the homemade sausage.

Service and Cost:

As always, the service here is super quick and efficient. Although our waitress was new, she was competent and friendly--often cracking a smile and offering as much advice as she could. One thing to note is that because we waited so long, we were offered a free round of morning cocktails on the house. This meant a lot to us, and we happily waited another couple of minutes while toasting to a fun get together with our sweet Mimosas.

The prices here are excellent and yet again offer great value. Depending on what you get, brunch will cost you between $10-$13 per person. This includes coffee/tea, an entree and a morning cocktail--good stuff.

3 Mmmms

Omonia Cafe - My Big Fat Astorian Brunch

Omonia Cafe - 32-20 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.274.6650

N/W Train to Broadway

Crystal and I scoped out the amazing brunch deal at Omonia last week and this past weekend I went over there to check it out. The special consists of coffee/tea/juice, an entree, dessert and a morning cocktail for just $12.95. Incredible but is the food good? I give it a confident yes...check out my commentary below.

Atmosphere:

A trademark of the neighborhood, Omonia has been in existence since 1977. It's famous for elaborate Greek desserts--so much so that it baked the wedding cake for the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. They proudly display this accolade in their window--a worthy bragging right in my opinion.

Omonia has recently gone through a redesign and the decor is now cheery and contemporary. I have to admit that I used to stay away from this place in the past because of the smokers--despite the law, you could find an occasional smoker in the main dining room and that just ruined my appetite. But I'm happy to say that this is no more and Omonia is now a lovely, clean and smoke free environment. The space is open and very colorful. A tad on the cheesy side but still endearing and really friendly. We sat in the covered area near the windows, which is opened up in the summer. It made for a fun experience and made us feel in the center of the action.

Food:

There were so many choices to make for brunch--between all the entrees and desserts, everything sounded so appetizing. My cousins Tibor and Stephanie (and I) all ordered the Strapatsada and Dan got the Western omelette. Both were generous sized dishes and their taste was delightful.

Strapatsada: To give this dish a nickname, I'd dub it the "Grecian Scramble." It consisted of rustic scrambled eggs, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives and Mediterranean seasoning. A side of grilled pita accompanied this beauty and all three of us finished it to the last bite. Unlike some scrambled egg dishes which could be bland, this was anything but--and what I think made it awesome was the fragrant seasoning and the sauce. I certainly tasted oregano and a tomato-based sauce which hit the spot and made this dish ethnic.

Western Omelette: This sounds too ordinary right? I thought the same and personally didn't even think about getting it at a Greek place. Dan was really happy with it though and I could tell you why. I think the trick was that all the ingredients were fully integrated into the egg. And as you see from this picture, there were huge hunks of onions, peppers and ham nestled in every nook and cranny of this thing. I tasted it and it was right on--my favorite part being that it was slightly well done, giving the outside a yummy brown crust.

The Desserts: I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed in this area. The desserts we ordered were just OK, aside from Tibor's flan, which he loved. My Baklava was on the dry side, Dan's Black Forrest cake was bland and Stephanie's Amygdalou was just not what she was expecting--too nutty! To be extra gluttonous, we also ordered the DaVinci crepe. This, unlike the other desserts was spectacular--maybe because it was on the entree menu. The whipped cream was really fresh and reminded me of the fruit cup topping from my childhood in Europe. The filling was also luscious and creamy--with strawberries and silky Nutella. How could you go wrong?

Service and Cost:

We were very happy with the service and our waitress was friendly and kind. She gave us recommendations and even laughed with us when we tried to pronounce some of the hard-core Greek dishes. Overall she was a good sport and a pleasant server.

The cost, you already know is dynamite. $12.95 will get you a coffee/tea/juice, an entree, dessert of choice and a morning cocktail such as a mimosa, bloody Mary or a screwdriver.

3 Mmmms

Sakura - Decent but Floating in a Sea of Sameness

Sakura Japanese Cuisine - 35-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.777.2188

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

Sakura is a fairly new Japanese restaurant in Astoria, opening its doors just last summer. And given its rough location--just two short blocks from Watawa, Astoria's best sushi restaurant in my opinion--I have doubts about its long term survival. Eager to visit Sakura, I was curious to see how it stacked up against its tough-act-to-follow neighbor. As suspected, it didn't come close but despite this I'd be lying if I said the food wasn't decent.

Atmosphere:

As every new restaurant in Astoria lately, this place put effort into its ambiance. The dining room is designed in a minimalist style--light wood paneling, simple white lanterns and ethnic Japanese art deck the walls. The whole space feels very airy and in fact, they open up the front of the house windows in the summer for a nice free-flow effect.

My only complaint about the atmosphere is that they didn't have background music. I really feel that music sets the mood for a restaurant and the lack of tunes just fell flat for me. Sakura needs to work on this.

Food:

We ordered edamame for an appetizer and scarfed it down. It's hard to mess up broiled soybeans but these really were very good--warm, salty and crunchy too.

For my entree I went for the sushi of course. My roll of choice was the Green Dragon and I really cannot believe I got this adventurous--I usually order a boring California, Philadelphia or cucumber roll. The Green Dragon--eel wrapped with avocado and topped with caviar--was a beautiful windy monster with a colorful shell. It almost looked too pretty to eat but I managed somehow. The eel tasted fresh and the nicely ripened avocado was sliced generously. A refreshing topping of caviar was lovely--with every bite, it felt like I was popping an infinite number of crunchy little juice balloons. It was yummy and legitimately fun to eat.

Service and Cost:

I'd rate the service similarly to Leng Thai--efficient but sans personality. The language barrier was once again there and I felt uncomfortable asking questions. I received blank stares when I ordered just the appetizer so I basically kept things simple as to not screw up the order.

The prices here are very reasonable. Sushi and sashimi range between $1.75-$3.50 per piece, rolls go for $3.50-$6.95 and specialty rolls range between $6.50-$11.95. Their lunch special includes various Bento boxes served with a choice of meat, shrimp or veggie; shumai, California roll, salad, soup & rice. Another lunch option is a roll combination--any two rolls for $6.50 or any three rolls for $9.50.

I'd recommend this place for takeout.

2 Mmmms

Leng Thai - A New Place on Astoria's Block

Leng Thai - 33-09 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.956.7117

N/W Train to Broadway

www.lengthainewyork.com

Crystal and I lunched here on a Sunday and it was simply scrumptious. We were in the mood for something light, and hearing a lot of good things about this place--and Crystal being a veggie--we decided it was time to explore it. And yes...I've raved about Wave Thai in the past--but watch out Wave because Leng is definitely on a path to win over my palate.

Atmosphere:

Modern, sleek yet comfortable, Leng right off the bat sets the mood for a pleasant dining experience. A big, cushy leather couch welcomes you--and is especially relaxing to lounge on when waiting for your dining companions to show. And while you’re waiting, you can’t help but stare at the intricate wall installations—the most noticeable being a collage of wine bottles, embellished with gorgeous silk flowers.

The inside is equally lovely and while colorful, it remains tasteful and pleasing to the eye. The seating is cushiony and especially comfortable for your back—you feel like you’re sitting on a soft couch without the sinking feeling. The kitchen is semi-exposed but in such a way that it’s endearing. The area around it is designed in a beautiful rich wood and embellished by jars of various things like spices, veggies and fruits; colorful teapots and other clever tchotkies.The walls are decked with canvas photographs of the owner’s parents—one of them being Leng himself.

Check this place out in the summer—Crystal spied an outdoor seating area in the back!

Food:
Leng offers some great traditional plates such as Pad Thai—of course—lemongrass soup, various dumplings and such. But they also have several non-Thai surprises up their sleeve—think Korean beef, Vietnamese ravioli or grilled fish wrapped in a banana leaf. So you see, the menu is definitely not boring.

Both Crystal and I chose specialty drinks. I got the Thai iced tea—red tea, sweetened with sugar and condensed milk—and Crystal had the Green tea iced tea. Of the two, hers was much better. Mine tasted good for about 2 short sips and then got too heavy and potent—and the muddy-red color was a bit unsettling.

For a starter, we shared the sweet and sour vegetarian rolls. These were typical spring rolls that you can also find at Wave Thai or Thai Elephant. But despite a lack of originality, they were absolutely delicious—and the sweet and sour sauce was delightful. I would definitely get this again next time—one serving comes with four generous pieces.

I wanted to try something different and ordered the Korean beef for my entrée—it was sautéed with veggies and served with clear noodles. Besides the beef being a tad overcooked, I loved this dish. The noodles were my favorite part because they looked like glass—hence the name glass noodles—and so light. The veggies were chunky and savory—I especially liked the big hunks of onion and mushroom. My portion was more than generous and although I started hungry, I couldn’t do damage to more than half of my plate.

Crystal’s veggie dish of eggplant sautéed with fresh basil and chili garlic looked absolutely gorgeous. It was even served on a stylish flower plate and we were both impressed. Again, the portion was large so she devoured as much of it as possible and took the rest home.

Service and Cost:
The waitstaff was efficient and fast but their demeanor wasn’t overly charming. Don’t get me wrong, they were kind but unfortunately didn’t speak English too well to describe or recommend anything to us. I wanted to ask questions but felt awkward to approach the waiter in fear of getting a quizzical look.

The value here is incredible and if you’re looking for something inexpensive and delicious, I would strongly suggest coming to Leng. Appetizers range from $5-$8 and entrees go for $9-$18 (but mostly in the $9-$10 range). I also noticed—and Maria told me about—a fabulous lunch special they offer. $7 for an entrée, soup or salad—how great is that?!

3 Mmmms

Mombar - Triple Tajine Slam-Dunk

Mombar - 25-22 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11103

718.726.2356

N/W Train to Astoria Blvd

Mombar has been on my must-list of restaurants for quite some time. Margot and I have been meaning to try it for the last year or so and finally made it here just yesterday. Dan joined us as well, not knowing what to expect and surprisingly he was the one who liked it most.

Atmosphere:

The most impressive part of the look-and-feel of Mombar is the evident sweat and tears that went into it. I can't stop thinking about what Kari--a fellow Astoria blogger--said about the decor and mosaics in this establishment. "...the beautiful dining room and the mosaics were all decorated and made by Moustafa (the owner) himself. Apparently, it took him seven years to finish while he ran a copy machine repair shop to finance it. SEVEN YEARS." That's absolutely incredible and the hard work really shows.

Our mood immediately transformed upon walking into Mombar's relaxing, dimly-lit dining room. The cushy seating with colorful pillows and the mosaic work-of-art tables made us stop and take everything in. I tell you...we didn't feel like we were in the U.S. anymore and if Egypt is anything like Mombar, sign me up. But what brought us back to reality and made us realize we were still in Astoria was the diverse clientele. In front of us was a middle aged man who was clearly a regular, speaking to the waiter in Arabic and to our right was a young couple, decked in some pretty trendy garb. So, as you can see--like typical Astoria--anything goes!

Food:

I had really high expectations in the food department--and after so many stellar reviews from Astorians, I couldn't imagine how any of them could be wrong. After my experience here, sadly I cannot join the raving. While I did think the food was good, it wasn't exceptional and Margot agreed. Dan on the other hand loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. Here's what we tried:

Complimentary House Bread: By far my favorite dish of the night. The bread was fried and had a flaky consistency. The inside reminded me of "pao de queijo"--Brazilian cheese bread. Although Mombar's bread did not have cheese, it was luxuriously soft and stretchy, the best part being the spicy, sesame dip that came with it. The three of us devoured it quickly and if this was a preview of what was to come, we couldn't wait.

Mombar Sausage: Also very good stuff and not heavy. The sausage was soft and very different from the Greek homemade sausage I've tried at Ovelia. The filling had both beef and rice and various fragrant spices. Margot and Dan both noted that the filling reminded them of the guts of a stuffed pepper or cabbage--and I tend to agree. What I also liked about this dish was the soft garbanzo bean and tomato sauce that was poured over the sausage. It would've been so perfect for dipping but our bread was looong gone.

Lamb Tajine: I was looking forward to this and I cheated by looking at the menu ahead of time. I love anything that comes in a tajine--clay pot--and is falling off the bone. The lamb itself was tender and juicy and the veggies that surrounded it formed a mouth watering stew. The dish was served alongside a pyramid of couscous with dried cranberries--a good idea and I've tried this myself before. Although I couldn't finish my entire clay pot, I managed to pick out all the meat and share a bit with my companions.

Chicken Tajine and Rabbit Tajine: Margot and Dan both got their own tajines--Dan opted for chicken and Margot got adventurous with the rabbit. Both enjoyed it and I had the chance to try them too. Of the two, I liked the rabbit better and as Margot pointed out, it tasted like chicken. Although Dan loved his chicken dish, I thought that the actual meat was very dry.

Overall, while the food was tasty, I couldn't help but compare it to the Moroccan restaurant, Walima. Margot and I both agreed that the food was far better there and especially their tajines.

Service and Cost:

Our waiter was wonderful--a portly man with a friendly disposition. All dishes arrived in good time and were steaming hot. He was polite about taking our order and when the check came, we didn't feel pressured to leave. All in all, a very relaxing and pleasant meal.

In terms of the moolah, it's moderate and in my opinion a little overpriced. I can't help it but once again, I compared it to Walima. Mobar Tajine--$18, Walima Tajine--$12.95. I'm not lying when I say that the portions at Walima are bigger too. Dinner at Mombar will cost you about $30 per person--including a drink and an appetizer. At Walima, you are looking at $20-$22.

2 Mmmms

Trattoria L'incontro - Second Take (and still loving it)

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

718.721.3532

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.trattorialincontro.com

I reviewed Trattoria back in November and went back this past weekend. Did I rave to you about how much I loved it? Probably; and I will continue to rave some more. If you haven't tried it yet, I strongly suggest it--you'll make your tummy very happy. And for you Manhattanites, it's definitely worth the short trip on the N/W--last stop and you barely have to walk a block.

Trattoria was also on my recent list of V-day recommendations so if you're going there, here's a little taste of the menu.

New Things I Tried:

Grilled Calamari Salad: This was part of an appetizer special and we ordered it to share for the table. The calamari was light and very fresh tasting. Its chewy texture was paired well with the buttery flavor of white cannelloni beans and tangy, raw onion. A great starter, it didn't weigh us down and in fact made us hungry for more.

Delle Valli: This basically sounds like your standard antipasto platter except it's anything but standard. It comes with several varieties of cured meats, wonderful fresh cheeses, fragrant calamata olives and roasted red peppers--great for whetting your appetite. The dried sausage and pepperoni were big hits for me--and I could've polished off a whole plate of them. Of the cheeses, the muzz was exceptional and a delight to bite into--airy, fresh and super milky. My dining companions all agreed--this dish was truly excellent!

Caprino Pizza: I was eager to try Trattoria pizza, as I've been hearing good things about it. And I have to say that the Caprino did not disappoint. It consisted of fresh prosciutto and two kinds of cheeses--mozzarella and goat cheese. In a way, this was like a white pizza--no red sauce in sight, which was fine with me. While I loved the toppings, I have to admit that the best part was the dough and the crust. They weren't greasy at all and had that wonderful brick oven taste--I adored the delicious char absorbed in the dough.

Green Apple Ravioli: This was Kimberly's dish and she let me try it because I just couldn't resist. WOW! I absolutely have to get this next time I come here. It's such an awesome--and unusual--combination of sweet and savory. You taste subtle hints of the green apple in the filling but the pasta is nice and hearty. The sauce is creamy and goes down so smooth--oh and it's sprinkled with poppy seeds! You won't find this dish on the menu but look for it in the specials--it's one of a kind.

Chocolate Mousse and Lemon Tarte with Raspberry Sauce: As you can tell, dinner was pretty indulgent so why forego dessert? We clearly weren't messing around and instead of one dessert, we got two. I'm a huge chocoholic so the chocolate mousse immediately spoke to me. But Kimberly was in the mood for something fruity so we also chose the lemon tarte with raspberry sauce. Both were delightful and worked well together. The mouse was decadent and rich--it also had a hint of rum essence, which I was into but our friend Maria didn't care for. The lemon tarte on the other hand made everyone happy. It was super citrusy, sweet and the crust tasted homemade--I just wish there was more of it. Getting a bit gluttonous? I think so...

3 Mmmms for all dishes

Service:
The service is always impressive and our waiter was especially cordial. I have to fess up that we were being "difficult customers" but he handled us with charm and a lovely smile. I also found out that he was Hungarian--and so is my dad--so I felt the need to impress him with some lingo. He took it like a champ and I stand by my original review--the waiters here are "ambassadors of delight."

3 Mmmms

Mezzo Mezzo - Just Barely So-So

Mezzo Mezzo Restaurant - 31-29 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

718.278.0444

N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)

www.mezzomezzony.com

Mezzo is a longtime Greek staple in the neighborhood. It wasn't our first choice for dinner when on Ditmars--we were actually trying to eat at the well-known Taverna Cyclades but the wait was too long. We settled for Mezzo--and unfortunately endured an evening of culinary disappointment.

Atmosphere:
The wonderful atmosphere is what persuaded us to come here. Outdoor seating is inviting, especially in warm weather and the rustic taverna exterior has a home country feel. The interior is even more interesting--you'll find unique wooden tables and chairs that almost look hand crafted. It kind of resembles a cabin from Goldilocks and the Three Bears, where you never know what you'll discover next.

The crowd at Mezzo ranges from young twenty somethings to older patrons who've been coming here for years. Everyone dresses casual to match the comfortable, homey scene. And you can be sure to hear some beautiful Greek spoken--both by the patrons and the waitstaff.

Food:

Judging by the authentic atmosphere, I thought the food would be spot-on but I was so wrong. Click for menu. We started with a seafood appetizer of stuffed clams. These were filled with breadcrumbs and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, served on a bed of salad. Let me just say that the only good thing about this dish was the salad. The clams were so salty and so fishy that we had to request more pita bread to get the rancid taste out of our mouths.

Next came my lamb souvlaki and Dan's seafood souvlaki. It's a Greek place so how could they mess this up? Lo and behold, they were both disasters. My lamb was too thick and chewy--I had to drink a lot of water to get it down. The only good part about my dish was the white rice--and because I was so hungry I polished it off quickly. Dan's seafood souvlaki was no better. He said the seafood was too salty and tasted unfresh--clearly a bad sign. The veggies and lemon potatoes were to his liking but that could've been his hunger talking.

The only thing that I liked here was the complimentary dessert that came at the end of our meal. It was called "ekmek" (not sure of the spelling) and consisted of semolina cake topped with Greek yogurt and cinnamon. It was light, had interesting texture and tasted fresh. I would certainly recommend it!

Service and Cost:
Despite our disappointing food, the service was impeccable. Our waiter was on-point with every aspect of service--great attitude, efficient, perceptive. He clearly saw that we weren't liking our meal and offered free dessert to lift our spirits--this really scored points with both of us.

I expected Mezzo to be cheaper than it was. Dinner for two including an appetizer and two entrees (no alcoholic drinks) was almost $70--not worth the money, in my book. Appetizers range from $5.90-$10.90 and entrees go for $13.90-$20.90.

Luna de Juarez - Not Your Typical South of the Border

Luna de Juarez - 25-98 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103

718.274.4350

R/V/G Train to Steinway Street

I decided to try this place after reading a review of it on Joey in Astoria--one of my favorite local blogs. And while it didn't disappoint, it wasn't overly impressive either. I'd come here again but it wouldn't be my first choice for Mexican in Astoria.

Atmosphere:

The look and feel of Luna is pretty nice and you could tell that its owners strived to make it trendy. However, just like Table 30, I think it tries too hard--the sleek lighting at the bar especially could be seen in any cafe on 30th Avenue.

The seating is spacious and it's fun to sit towards the back, where the tables have more of a booth feel. My only complaint about the tables is their odd proportion to the chairs--I felt that our table was too high, making me reach far for my food.

Food:

My expectations were high in this department after reading Joey's fantastic review. But I was strangely underwhelmed in some areas. The chips and salsa were great--especially the salsa which was lime-green in color with a slight throat-tickling kick. Like Joey, we also ordered the Aguacate--fried, cheesy avocado stuffed with shrimp. And although it sounded amazing and exotic, I would never order it again. The sauce that it rested on was watery and bland, and the avocado also lacked proper seasoning. I thought that the price, $9.95 was too steep for this underwhelming dish.

For my main course, I ordered a chicken and beef enchilada combo with tomatillo sauce. Now this, I really liked! The portion was enormous and the sides of maduros and refried beans were stupendous. The maduros in particular impressed me--I loved their soft texture and their salty-sweet taste. Kimberly also liked her enchilada combo but said she wasn't crazy about the red sauce they floated in.

Service and Cost:

The service was fine but we kept getting different waitstaff, which was confusing. Our first waitress seemed too green, leaving our table to check back on basically every food question that we had. The next waiter was more knowledgeable but seemed too cocky and flirtatious--both Kimberly and I were NOT in the mood for flirting.

The prices at Luna are moderate but in my opinion, should be cheaper. A full dinner will cost you about $30 to $35, including a drink, appetizer and an entree.

Cinema Paradiso - You Asked for Italian but Do You Really Want to Know?

Cinema Paradiso - 36-02 35th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103

718.786.6400

R/V/G Train to Steinway Street or 36th Street

Cinema Paradiso is an Italian restaurant inspired by a 1980’s film by the same name. Sure, the film is authentic and beautiful but what happened to the restaurant?

Atmosphere:

Cinema's atmosphere immediately draws you in, especially the interesting artifacts such as the old-school film reel, a real live Vespa scooter and the impressive balcony that resembles a theatre mezzanine. It all looks super charming and so cheery that you can't wait to go in and try their food.

Food:

From start to finish, the food point-blank strikes out. The dry bread basket drizzled with olive oil feels forced. The entrees, while expensively priced, arrive drenched in flavorless sauces or are so overcooked that you can’t help but wonder, “do they expect me to eat that?”

Margot and I ordered the eggplant appetizer, which looked good but was disgusting and drowning in a heinous marinara sauce. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew that at least one of the ingredients in this dish was not fresh. My pizza arrived with a black crust—it was dry and inedible with sad-looking wilted veggies.

Service and Cost:
The service started out well but turned schizo—a different waiter every 15 minutes; what is this? Cost-wise, not even sure it’s worth mentioning but appetizers range between $9.00-$12.00 and entrees from $12.00-$18.00.