26 Corner Taverna, Astoria Bier and Cheese, Blue Bay Diner

Last week Michael and I went to 26 Corner Taverna in Astoria (http://www.yelp.com/biz/26-corner-taverna-astoria).  It's a very small place with outdoor seating when the weather is good.  There is one waitress and she handles it all really well.  I don't think I have ever been in a more accommodating restaurant.  It's like eating in someone's house.  Guests begin at their own tables, but end up with other diners when tables are pushed together to make room.  Food is decent but average.  Grilled octopus was good and chicken breast was moist. Jesse liked his take-home chicken souvlaki sandwich very much.

Michael and I had:  Grilled octopus, a small Greek salad, fried feta with veggies, grilled chicken breast with vegetables and lemon potatoes, tzatziki with pita, black olive dipping oil, a liter of house red and a medium Greek coffee.  Company was the best :) food was average, cute place, well managed.  I would go back to sit outside, but not for any other reason.

Afterwards, we went to Astoria Bier and Cheese (http://www.yelp.com/biz/astoria-bier-and-cheese-astoria).  Great beer selection with cheeses and small plates on one side, wine and liquor store on other side. 

 

This is a photo of the mural painted on the wall of the bathroom at Astoria Bier and Cheese!

 

They have a really nice staff, beer, scotch and wine tastings.  We got Joey's 21st birthday gift here!!

 

We also went to Blue Bay Diner for breakfast before looking at nurseries for plants and flowers for the terrace.  Busy joint! We had blueberry pancakes and eggs with bacon and home fries.  I like my coffee better :)

 

We went to Dee's also, the 3 of us. That was nice. Fried calamari, mesclun greens with beets and artichokes, pizza with kalamata olives and a turkey burger.  Yum!

 

 

Dirty Pierre's, Surf Bar and The Meatball Shop

Last Friday night Michael and I sat at an outside table at Dirty Pierre's.  Our first al fresco meal this season :) I had 2 glasses of their $5 red sangria which is pretty good and Michael had margaritas.  We shared clams and chorizo, which is really good and dipping bread in the sauce is even better.  Michael had grilled chicken on a muffin with caramelized onions and I had mesclun salad with goat cheese.  Great night!

Saturday night we went with the Wisners to Surf  Bar in Williamsburg (http://www.brooklynsurfbar.com/).  Sand on the floor! What could be better.  We walked in and got a table right away.  Half inside/half outside.  Margaritas, Red Stripe beer and vodka and soda all around.  We had lobster rolls (they were passable. but SO much better at Lobster Joint in Greenpoint); shrimp tacos; pappardelle with lobster and cherry tomatoes; monk fish in banana leaf and clams and mussels in white wine.  All yummy and what a cute place. Dominic our waiter was terrific.

Afterwards we walked to The Meatball Shop for ice cream sandwiches!  Another great night!

Eli's Vinegara Factory and The Lobster Joint for Mother's Day

Mother's day we picked up Chris (Michael's mom) and took her to Eli's Vinegar Factory on the UES.  The store downstairs is chock full of wildly expensive food and kitchen items, but fun to walk through.  The restaurant is upstairs and absolutely nothing to talk about. 

The host is a short, round, snooty man.  Immediate turn-off.  The atmosphere (well, there isn't any).  I had a mimosa and eggs Florentine and a cappuccino (I was sick to my stomach later-so needless to say, I would never eat here again).  Michael had an omelet and Chris had blueberry pancakes.  The presentation (well, there wasn't any).

Pass it by.  But the time spent was just fine.

Afterwards, we dropped Chris at home and made our way to the beach.  Michael hooked up the water supply, etc...Then I decided I wanted lobster.  Couldn't really locate anywhere special near the beach (as odd as that sounds) so we went to Greenpoint to the Lobster Joint.  It's great!  The other end of the spectrum from Vinegar Factory. 

Food is amazing.  Beer selection is good, atmosphere is shore-like and servers and customers are friendly.  I had the New England lobster roll (slight mayo, all lobster) with chips and Michael had the Connecticut lobster roll (warm with butter).  We shared fried calamari and some Alagash White.

Lovely end of Mother's Day (even if I missed having Jesse with us).

Station House

We went to the Station House near the Forest Hills Railroad on Continental Avenue last week with the Wisners and the Boyles.  We had a great time. Our server was Paolo and he was super friendly and took great care of us.  We saw a few other FH people and that was fun too.

Their wide beer selection is their draw and they don't disappoint.  Something for everyone, even me, the boring beer (Coors Light) drinker :)

We had ribs; arugula salad with beets; fried balls of brisket and pickles in a batter (funny, not much taste at all); fried meatballs; garden falafel burger; turkey sandwich; buttermilk chicken; decadent burger; roast pork tenderloin and the following beers:  All Day IPA; Hell or High Watermelon (that's what I had and I really liked it); Alesmith Speedway Stout; Evil Twin Femme Fatale Noir; Flying Dog something; Weihenstephen-a wheat bier; 2 shots of Patron (me and Jill).

Good music, no rap or any other bullshit.  Would definitely go back.

The Flying Pig

Saturday night we went to The Flying Pig (http://theflyingpigforesthills.com/) on Austin Street.

Our server was Izzy and she was great!  We sat at a bar height table with Jill and Lenny and Sue and Steve.  The beer selection is broad ranging and tastes are available before getting a whole pint.  I had Purple Haze (3 of them)!   Jill had All Day IPA, Steve had Heineken, Michael had Founder's Dirty Bastard (and tasted a few others), Lenny had All Day IPA and Purple Haze and Sue had a Blue Moon look a like, but I can't remember the name.

I have to say that although the food was good, the portions are very small and the check was very large.  Place is noisy too and the ladies room was out of order.  But I would try it again.

We had:  Charcuterie with bacon, sausage and prosciutto; cheese platter with Manchego, Menora and Irish cheddar wine; baked clams; bibb lettuce salad with bacon; seared Ahi tuna; asparagus salad with goat cheese and asparagus mousse; pan roasted duck breast with bread pudding (very good bread pudding); roasted salmon; french chicken breast and a side of fries made in duck fat. 

Dessert was:  Salty caramel pannacotta; peach shortcake and sorbet. 

Friday Night at Denise and Joe's

Yes, still our favorite place to eat in Forest Hills.
Top photo of mussels, clams and shrimp marinara and bottom photo of desserts made by Monica.
Denise also made guacamole, orrechiette with sausage and broccoli rabe, salad, tomato and mozzarella, cheese plate, olives, smoked salmon, and I can't remember what else :) Lots of wine and good friends!!