Two wonderful summer foods:
Gazpacho: One 46 ounce can of V8 Juice, One 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes; Three large seeded, chopped small cucumbers; two stalks celery-peel the strings with peeler then chop small; one red pepper and one green pepper-both seeded and chopped small; 3 scallions-white and green parts chopped small; three garlic cloves chopped small. Add all ingredients in a large pot or bowl and mix. Then add a dash of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of dill. You can add chopped jalapeno or hot sauce if you like. Keep in fridge and serve cold.
Guacamole: Two ripe avocados-peeled and mashed; two garlic cloves chopped small; cherry tomatoes chopped small; red onion chopped small; one jalapeno seeded and chopped small; salt; fresh lime juice. Mix and enjoy.
Did I mention to chop everything small? :)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
After the Wake
Michael and I went to a wake last night for Michael's friend Benny's mom (she was 93). After the wake, Michael and I went to eat at Vincent's (http://vincentsclambar.com/) in Carle Place. PLEASE do not confuse this place with the Vincent's in Little Italy. The Vincent's downtown may very well be the "original", but their food sucks, their staff sucks and there is no ambiance at all. However, Vincent's in Carle Place, while claiming to be associated with the "Original" is nothing like it all.
We had: Calamari Arrabiata with cherry peppers (yum), an espresso cup of lobster bisque (it's small, costs $1.95 and is the perfect size so you don't get filled up on soup, but get to taste how good it is) (yum), a grandma pizza (way yummy) and a grilled chicken with roasted pepper wrap (yum-so Michael said). Glasses of chianti and red sangria too! I like the service, always accommodating and pleasant. The dark wood of the bar and other surroundings make you feel warm and cozy. Their desserts look fabulous, but we resisted :)
We had: Calamari Arrabiata with cherry peppers (yum), an espresso cup of lobster bisque (it's small, costs $1.95 and is the perfect size so you don't get filled up on soup, but get to taste how good it is) (yum), a grandma pizza (way yummy) and a grilled chicken with roasted pepper wrap (yum-so Michael said). Glasses of chianti and red sangria too! I like the service, always accommodating and pleasant. The dark wood of the bar and other surroundings make you feel warm and cozy. Their desserts look fabulous, but we resisted :)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Our 22nd Anniversary
On Saturday for our 22nd Wedding Anniversary, Michael and I along with Jesse and Chrysalis went to El Quijote (one of my absolute favorites). Not so much for all the food, but for the staff in their tuxedos, the statuary of Don Quijote over the bar, the decor which has not changed since they opened their doors 80 years ago! The front room is my favorite, but on occasion, I will settle for another room. I love the bar also (surprise).
We got a spot on the street (which included the obligatory u-turn by Michael on 23rd Street) and didn't even wait for a table. We ordered: A pitcher of red sangria (yum), grilled baby squid (yum), garlic soup (yum), prosciutto and melon, Arroz con polo, shrimp with garlic sauce, 1 1/4 pound broiled lobster, lobster meat out of the shell with white garlic sauce on the side (all yummy). It was just perfect!
Then we walked to Eataly and once again I loved it. So did the rest of our crew. Jesse has offered to drive back to the city anytime just to buy the prosciutto (aged 24 months) again! Chrysalis made a gift bag for her friends and Michael bought me a $15 chocolate bar filled with whole hazelnuts. More perfect!
We got a spot on the street (which included the obligatory u-turn by Michael on 23rd Street) and didn't even wait for a table. We ordered: A pitcher of red sangria (yum), grilled baby squid (yum), garlic soup (yum), prosciutto and melon, Arroz con polo, shrimp with garlic sauce, 1 1/4 pound broiled lobster, lobster meat out of the shell with white garlic sauce on the side (all yummy). It was just perfect!
Then we walked to Eataly and once again I loved it. So did the rest of our crew. Jesse has offered to drive back to the city anytime just to buy the prosciutto (aged 24 months) again! Chrysalis made a gift bag for her friends and Michael bought me a $15 chocolate bar filled with whole hazelnuts. More perfect!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Once Again, It Is The Company you Keep
I had dinner last night with two of my oldest friends (well, two of my friends that I've had for the longest time, is probably a better way to say it). Anyway...once again, it is the company you keep that makes the night (or day or whatever), and NOT the restaurant OR the food.
We ate at (aged.) on Austin Street. Yes, I have been here twice before and was not enthused with their food, but I thought to give it another try. Even sat at the same table all three times (hmmmm?). Pam and Randy and I have been friends since I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Yellowstone Park friends, Halsey Junior High and Forest Hills High School friends. Randy and I even went to Brockport together (me for 4 years, Randy for 1 semester). We had FUN, we LAUGHED, we REMINISCED and we totally enjoyed each other's company. It was a great few hours and we need to do it more often, but NOT at (aged.).
The waiter sucked. He disappeared for twenty minutes at a time (a few times), brought wrong drinks, didn't tell us that one of our appetizers was unavailable, until he brought over the other 2 we ordered. Didn't smile, wasn't interested in our table at all, well not until the manager got involved! Then he was solicitous and smiley, but you know me (and my friends are on the same page) TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.
We ordered: Mussels Luciano (Marinated artichokes, roasted tomatoes, gorgonzola & sweet shallots in white wine lemon sauce) VERY GOOD! Baked Clams (Topped with roasted red pepper, spinach, breadcrumbs and beurre blanc sauce) VERY GOOD, if a bit salty and Keftedes (Zucchini pancakes, feta cheese with capers & sour cream sauce) which was the appetizer they did not have. We did not replace it with another.
Then we ordered: Caesar Salad (Romaine lettuce with classic caesar dressing, croutons & shaved parmesan garnished with adriatic white anchovies and marinated cherry tomatoes). Part of my dinner along with French Onion Soup. Salad was average, but tomatoes were really good. Soup was, once again A BOWL OF SALT, cold cheese in a dark brown gravy. We sent it back and a new one came out hot, but was no better to eat, so i didn't finish it. Pam wanted the 22 oz. rib eye, but they were out of it (yes, we were in a steak house) so she had the Strip steak instead which came out practically raw, was sent back and the new steak Pam said was GREAT. Randy had Filet Mignon which he liked a lot. On the side we had: Weak mashed potatoes and pretty good sauteed mushrooms (whole, with garlic). The manager gave us additional sides of mashed potatoes (still weak)and creamed spinach (YUCKY) for our troubles. Thanks!
They also gave us Creme Brulee as a complimentary dessert and that was DELICIOUS!
Randy tweeted about our experience, Pam put it on Facebook and here I am writing about it. Please don't waste your time trying this restaurant. Go out with your friends and have a good time!
We ate at (aged.) on Austin Street. Yes, I have been here twice before and was not enthused with their food, but I thought to give it another try. Even sat at the same table all three times (hmmmm?). Pam and Randy and I have been friends since I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Yellowstone Park friends, Halsey Junior High and Forest Hills High School friends. Randy and I even went to Brockport together (me for 4 years, Randy for 1 semester). We had FUN, we LAUGHED, we REMINISCED and we totally enjoyed each other's company. It was a great few hours and we need to do it more often, but NOT at (aged.).
The waiter sucked. He disappeared for twenty minutes at a time (a few times), brought wrong drinks, didn't tell us that one of our appetizers was unavailable, until he brought over the other 2 we ordered. Didn't smile, wasn't interested in our table at all, well not until the manager got involved! Then he was solicitous and smiley, but you know me (and my friends are on the same page) TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.
We ordered: Mussels Luciano (Marinated artichokes, roasted tomatoes, gorgonzola & sweet shallots in white wine lemon sauce) VERY GOOD! Baked Clams (Topped with roasted red pepper, spinach, breadcrumbs and beurre blanc sauce) VERY GOOD, if a bit salty and Keftedes (Zucchini pancakes, feta cheese with capers & sour cream sauce) which was the appetizer they did not have. We did not replace it with another.
Then we ordered: Caesar Salad (Romaine lettuce with classic caesar dressing, croutons & shaved parmesan garnished with adriatic white anchovies and marinated cherry tomatoes). Part of my dinner along with French Onion Soup. Salad was average, but tomatoes were really good. Soup was, once again A BOWL OF SALT, cold cheese in a dark brown gravy. We sent it back and a new one came out hot, but was no better to eat, so i didn't finish it. Pam wanted the 22 oz. rib eye, but they were out of it (yes, we were in a steak house) so she had the Strip steak instead which came out practically raw, was sent back and the new steak Pam said was GREAT. Randy had Filet Mignon which he liked a lot. On the side we had: Weak mashed potatoes and pretty good sauteed mushrooms (whole, with garlic). The manager gave us additional sides of mashed potatoes (still weak)and creamed spinach (YUCKY) for our troubles. Thanks!
They also gave us Creme Brulee as a complimentary dessert and that was DELICIOUS!
Randy tweeted about our experience, Pam put it on Facebook and here I am writing about it. Please don't waste your time trying this restaurant. Go out with your friends and have a good time!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Busy and Not so Busy
Making soup: Jewish Wedding Soup (from Jill's Grandma)
4 large carrots
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion
1/3 head of cabbage
2 quarts chicken broth
1 qt. water
½ cup tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes
Salt, pepper, garlic
¾ barley
3/4 cup green split peas
½ cup lima beans
4 marrow bones
Boil bones and skim. Add all dry ingredients and cook for 2 hours on low, then add veggies and cook for 1 hour more.
Fried up chicken cutlets, made steak teriyaki, Greek chicken with feta, and stuff like that.
See you on the flip side...
4 large carrots
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion
1/3 head of cabbage
2 quarts chicken broth
1 qt. water
½ cup tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes
Salt, pepper, garlic
¾ barley
3/4 cup green split peas
½ cup lima beans
4 marrow bones
Boil bones and skim. Add all dry ingredients and cook for 2 hours on low, then add veggies and cook for 1 hour more.
Fried up chicken cutlets, made steak teriyaki, Greek chicken with feta, and stuff like that.
See you on the flip side...
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Okeanos OR Oceanos
I still can't figure it out. Saturday night Michael, Jesse and I along with Jill, Lenny and Brett went to Astoria to wait on line for Taverna Kyclades. The wait time for a table for six was over an hour and a half, but we left our name and cell number in any case. During holiday weekends the City is so quiet, we thought maybe the wait time would be reasonable. There were plenty of parking spots however! We walked to the corner and found a restaurant with an interesting menu and an open table for six right at the windows (which are actually huge garage doors that were wide open).
The awning on the restaurant says "Okeanos", the menu says "Oceanos", the website is http://www.oceanorestaurantastoria.com/ (which does not exist on the web, btw). The owner is a kooky old man who also clears tables. We had: Fried calamari (average), Grilled octopus (way yummy), Horiatiki salad (Greek salad, no lettuce) (good), mix of spreads-taramasalata, tzatziki, babaganoush, hummus, with warm pita bread (good). Jill and I shared a carafe of their house red. It was Greek wine, light and drinkable, nothing to write home about. Lenny ordered a red snapper but they ran out so he had black sea bass instead. Jesse ordered striped bass and they did not take the bones out (even though the menu states: Chef will remove bones unless otherwise instructed). This is when the kooky owner tries to explain that most customers prefer the bones in a whole fish. But why does the menu state otherwise? He says the customer has to know what they want and order it de-boned. Anyway.....I had a skewer of scallops (dry), swordfish (white ok, dark yucky) and one (yes, only one) shrimp) along with very limp dandelion greens. Jill and Brett had shrimp and Michael had chicken on a skewer. They did give us a complimentary dessert of Galaktobouriko (custard in phyllo) very good!
All in all...we would not go back. The check was $280 with a tip for six people, two of whom had no cocktails and the dessert was free. Taverna Kyclades would have been much better, however, by the time they called me on my cell to tell me our table was ready...we were just leaving Oceanos. Oh well. Astoria is always an adventure and there are many restaurants to choose from. After all, it is the company you keep that makes the day!
The awning on the restaurant says "Okeanos", the menu says "Oceanos", the website is http://www.oceanorestaurantastoria.com/ (which does not exist on the web, btw). The owner is a kooky old man who also clears tables. We had: Fried calamari (average), Grilled octopus (way yummy), Horiatiki salad (Greek salad, no lettuce) (good), mix of spreads-taramasalata, tzatziki, babaganoush, hummus, with warm pita bread (good). Jill and I shared a carafe of their house red. It was Greek wine, light and drinkable, nothing to write home about. Lenny ordered a red snapper but they ran out so he had black sea bass instead. Jesse ordered striped bass and they did not take the bones out (even though the menu states: Chef will remove bones unless otherwise instructed). This is when the kooky owner tries to explain that most customers prefer the bones in a whole fish. But why does the menu state otherwise? He says the customer has to know what they want and order it de-boned. Anyway.....I had a skewer of scallops (dry), swordfish (white ok, dark yucky) and one (yes, only one) shrimp) along with very limp dandelion greens. Jill and Brett had shrimp and Michael had chicken on a skewer. They did give us a complimentary dessert of Galaktobouriko (custard in phyllo) very good!
All in all...we would not go back. The check was $280 with a tip for six people, two of whom had no cocktails and the dessert was free. Taverna Kyclades would have been much better, however, by the time they called me on my cell to tell me our table was ready...we were just leaving Oceanos. Oh well. Astoria is always an adventure and there are many restaurants to choose from. After all, it is the company you keep that makes the day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.PNG){kind=small}