So Little, So Long Ago

Yes, totally slacking off...

Busy with Jesse and Clayton...

Michael and I have been to:  Dani's, Station House, Dee's, Dirty Pierre's, Ayhan's Shish-Kebab (Port Washington).

I've cooked: Meatballs, Rigatoni, Pork Tenderloin with sauerkraut, Chicken Francese (I've been using boneless, skinless thighs instead of breast cutlets-more flavorful and juicy), Mahi-Mahi (some with tomato and capers, some with butter, lemon, capers), Chicken Wings, Chicken cutlets, Turkey tenderloin roll ups with ham and cheese, Filet Mignon and lots of different veggies.

Some weekends at the beach, some at friend's backyards, some at home.

That's all for now...

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!

 

 

OMG

I have been royally slacking off! Sorry.

Since December 18 (ouch) we have had many a gastronomic event.  Details aside, we have had dinner and holiday parties at the Creutz', the Carbones and the Figliolias.  We have had dinner and holidays with the Wisners and Brennans too.

We have been to El Quijote, Pio Pio, Dani's, Barosa, Artichoke Basille's, Blackwater Inn, Dee's and Katz' Deli. Whew.....

I have made chicken soup, pasta fagioli, gazpacho (summer I know, but Michael made a special request), lamb chops with rosemary, sweet potatoes, linguine with langostines, pork roast with sauerkraut, a pot of sauce, cookies, stuffed cabbage and other things I just can't remember now.

I have also received the first 2 of my vegetable shares.  I joined a food cooperative out of the Forest Hills Jewish Center.  Every 3 weeks organic veggies come from upstate to the center.  I go pick up our share.  So far we've gotten sweet potatoes, creamer potatoes, rutabaga, beets, carrots, parsnips, watermelon radish, leeks, white and green cabbage.  I also bought an organic bean share and so far I have black beans and pinto beans.  It's really too much food for me to use so I have been parceling out to Sue, Jill and my mother in law.  I love the idea and the freshness, etc...but I think I will not do this again next year.  Maybe I will try the summer share instead.

Anywho....Happy New Year to all and to all good health and happiness!

Since Forever :)

So...

We've been to Dee's twice.  Once for Michael's birthday and then again for Jesse's.  Their pizza is always good, service as well.  Michael favors the rosemary turkey burger and Jesse usually tries a new pasta dish.

We've had take-out Chinese twice.  Once from Panda (near the fields on Yellowstone) where they took an hour to deliver (I know, waiting for Chinese for an hour, unthinkable). And the food was cold, not surprising, and they wouldn't give us a discount.  They are on the boycott list.  The other time we ordered from Hop Bo Palace right here on Queens Boulevard.  Average food, quick delivery. Just what you think it will be.

Moving along, we had a night of leftovers and a pot of home made pasta fagioli.  Yum!  Then a night of take-out from Press 195.  Their Belgian fries are great with chipotle mayo (although they don't travel so wel).  We had two sandwiches:  Spicy Buffalo panko breaded chicken with blue cheese and julienne carrots and celery and a Grilled portobello, arugula, goat cheese and roasted garlic and  black olive spread.  You can figure out which one of us ate which one :)

We tried a new Greek place with Joe and Denise called Psari (www.psari-restaurant.com)  but I wouldn't recommend it.  Cute place, really good grilled octopus, but average everything else.

Michael and I went to the Smorgasburg (www.brooklynflea.com/smorgasburg) on a Saturday afternoon.  The day was beautiful, the food was great.  We had Sunday Gravy (just what you think it is) and way yummy! Chocolate coffee stout cookies from the Cookie Guild.  Great horseradish from ISH.  Iced coffee from Grady's cold brew coffee concentrate. A chicken sandwich from Schnitz (Michael liked it a lot).  A brisket sandwich.  A lobster roll (but they are better at the lobster joint in Greenpoint).  A lobster and shrimp ceviche Yum! And I can't remember anymore right now.  But well worth the visit.  Afterwards, when we were stuffed, we took the East River Ferry to Governor's Island and walked around.  On the island they were hosting a roaring 20's party.  It was so cool to see everyone dressed up like flappers and gangsters.  The ferry ride was great because the weather was perfect.  Later that night, Chrysalis came to stay over and we went out to dinner at Dirty Pierre's.  Chicken sandwich, salad and quesadillas!

We've also been to take Jesse up to school so we ate in Ithaca at Viva Taqueria and Yogurtland.  Both are good and just what you think they are.  We also visited Sarah at Oneonta on the way home, so we took her to dinner at the Red Caboose.  Good American food, nice bar, good service. 

Since we've been home I made turkey/Italian sausage meatballs with braciole in sauce and a pot of lentil soup.  And that's all folks...

Since July 24-Where the F Have I Been

Well...Sine July 24 we've been to the Shapiros, the Creutz', the Gandiellos and the Brennans.We've also been to Dee's and West End Bar & Grill.  I've also cooked.  So here goes:

I went to see Michelle Shapiro in her showcase.  She sang and danced with a cast of other children.  It was great.  Best kids show I've seen so far!  Afterwards, Michael took the train to Wantagh and we ate dinner at Steve and Lori's-Steak and shrimp and goodies from Iavarone!

Pizza night at the Creutz' is always great.  Pizza from Emilio's!!! We also watched the opening of the 2012 Summer Olympics.  We also went crabbing, but were not successful.  Glenn tied chicken drumsticks to long pieces of twine, we stood in the wavses and threw in our chicken and slowly dragged the line back.  Sarah caught two and no one else caught shit! We were going to eat our full bucket, but we didn't have a full bucket :) We will be back for more again.  It was really fun!

At the Gandiellos we shared in Joe's 50th birthday celebration and Diana's graduation from high school.

At the Brennans we had a BBQ with Tom at the grill.  Good conversation and the best shrimp I've had all summer-orange marmalade did the trick!

We had our Annual Polikoff Family Beach Day on August 2.  29 people this year, a record for us! Great weather, great friends, great drinks (pineapple vodka-two cut up pineapples soaked in vodka for 3 days in the fridge) and great food from Mother Kelly's.  We celebrated birthdays for Joe, Michael, Glenn and Jesse!

We went to Dee's on August 7 for Michael's 51st Birthday with the Wisners.  Pizza was great. Company was better :) Happy birthday Michael!!!

We took Michael's mom out to dinner on Wednesday.  It was a nice family evening!  We went to West End Bar and Grill on 48th and 8th.  Our friend Mike is the manager.  The food was really good and the service was perfect!  http://www.westendnyc.com/.  Their menu is perfect.  Not too many choices and not too little.  Total recommendation from me :) and we will be back with friends!

I also cooked a bit:  Kasseler Rippchen with Sauerkraut (smoked pork chops braised in sauerkraut, onions and white wine).  Got the meat from Fresh Direct, it was terrific.  Also made Pat LaFrieda's dry aged beef hamburgers (also from Fresh Direct).  They were a bit overdone (sorry guys) but the flavor and texture were awesome.  If you haven't cruised Fresh Direct's website lately, go back and look around.  I also made broiled chicken drumsticks in an Oaxacan bbq sauce.  Chicken cutlets, beet, bacon and goat cheese salad, a bit of take out and here we are.  Another Friday night and I am not cooking. 

Have a good weekend!

Dee's and Denise's

Saturday night Michael, Jesse and I went to Dee's.  Yum!  We shared a Caesar salad and a Margherita pizza, then we ordered another Margherita Pizza because it was so good.  Jesse had Argentine skirt steak with mashed potatoes (the steak was perfect) and Michael had a rosemary turkey burger with carmelized onions and no bun :)  A few margaritas (not the pizza kind) and a few glasses of chianti rounded out the evening!

Monday night Michael and I were treated to dinner at Joe and Denise's.  We had broccoli rabe and sausage and hummus and pita to start with, then the main event:  Mushroom Lasagna with bechamel and cheeses.  It was great!! And so was the company!!

Dee's

After our haircuts on Wednesday night Michael and I went to Dee's on Metropolitan Avenue.  We went to 5 Burro on Austin Street first, but I have to say it's the first time I've been treated rudely there. Marla needs to have a customer service meeting with her hostess.

Anyway, we left there and went directly to Dee's because even though it's always busy, we can always get a table with no wait.  We've even had a table and chairs brought out from a back room and set up for us when there were no tables available!  How's that for customer service?!

We shared:  Fall Mediterranean White Bean, & Vegetable Stew with Shrimp and Chorizo Sausage as an appetizer and then I had Rigatoni & Grilled Eggplant Rigatoni - Grilled Eggplant - DEE'S Marinara - Ricotta Cheese and Michael had a Rosemary Turkey Burger - Dee's Chipotle Sauce - Carmelized onions - Grilled Zucchini.  A glass of Chianti and a Meyer's rum and Diet Coke and we were very happy, and tired.  We went home and I fell asleep around 9pm...

Dee's

Dee's (http://www.deesnyc.com/) is probably our favorite Forest Hills restaurant.  We have NEVER had a bad meal or poor service or a long wait for a table.  The majority of their wait-staff  has been there for years, their brick oven pizza is second to none that I've had in the entire city.

Michael and I popped in for a quick meal on Saturday night before seeing The Lincoln Lawyer at the Cinemart.  We shared a Caesar salad and a roasted red pepper and fresh garlic pizza.  We finished off a bottle of Chianti and then had coffee.  It was a great meal!  We took a walk afterward, then went into the movie.

It was our first date night in quite some time :)

Since Valentine's Day...

We had a very nice dinner at Penny and Joe's with Joe and Denise for Post-Valentine's Day...baked salmon and halibut, eggplant rollatini, salad, appetizers, cupcake dessert and good company!

Chrysalis and Ryan visited with us for a few nights. On Saturday, Chrysalis and I observed her good friend Joseph in the Jessup Competition Moot Court. It was wonderful! I loved the banter amongst the judges and the responses and propositions from the "agents" (law school students). Later that night, Michael and I went to Dee's and had our usual-we shared a salad, this time it was tri-color, I had the Olive Delight pizza with kalamata olives and Michael had the rosemary turkey buger with carmelized onions. We shared a bottle of Chianti and also discovered that Dee's has paired up with the Wine Room of Forest Hills to prepare their new wine selections. Very Nice!!

Sunday, pleasantly unexpected, we were invited to Leslie's for Sunday dinner, which, of course, included a BIG pot of gravy with sausage, meatballs and pork. Way Yummy!! Great food and great friends!!

Monday night, as Michael wanted a certain kind of beer to bring to Leslie's ski house this coming weekend, we went to New Hyde Park to pick up Innis & Gunn-Scottish beer, then we went over to Eddie's for pizza. We ran into a friend of Michael's from his childhood, Erika and her family. We sat with them and ate. It was really nice to see them again.

Last night I made Michael wedge salad (iceberg, tomatoes, bacon and blue cheese dressing) along with chicken marsala (diet version-no butter, only olive oil, splash of marsala wine and mushrooms). Tonight's plan (ha) is turkey burgers au poivre and roasted fennel. We'll see...

Spanakopita

Chicken Marsala on Monday was good.

Spanakopita on Tuesday was better.

First I sauteed onions in olive oil.

Then I mixed the onions with spinach, eggs, feta cheese, salt and pepper.








Then I layered and buttered and layered and buttered 8 sheets of phyllo (or filo, if you prefer) dough in the bottom of a lasagna pan, added the spinach mixture, then layered and buttered and layered and buttered 8 more sheets of phyllo on top.

Then baked and ate and shared with Jill too :)

Last night we went to Dee's with Denise and shared an Aphrodite pizza (mozzarella, feta, tomato sauce, spinach and calamata olives).

Tonight Barbara and Jennie are taking me to Sato for my birthday!

Friday night we are eating at My Moon with Joe and Denise!

Saturday we'll be at Glenn and Eileen's for a birthday dinner for me and Leslie!

Sunday we are visiting my brother at his new house.

So busy, so nice!

Rest is for the weary...which I will be next week :)

Party at Dee's

Yesterday I was honored to be included in the graduation celebrations of Jackie, Joey and Katie. Barbara and Paul were wonderful hosts, as usual!

We had wine and cocktails, veggie pizza, meat pizza and plain pizza (Dee's makes GREAT brick oven pizza), then came the salad, then came the pasta: Primavera, shrimp with broccoli and I am drawing a blank (sorry). Dessert was this big, beautiful chocolate graduation cake and coffee.

I sat with Jennie, Jeffrey, Miriam and Carlos. I danced with Katie and Jennie (just once, a personal request from Katie). We had great conversation with great friends.

I walked to Dee's after Jill and I walked the Austin Street Street Fair. It was a really good day!

Matteos, Dee's and Theater Cafe

All in one weekend (and don't forget aged. on Friday).

I was obviously busy this weekend. aged. on Friday with Barbara, Matteos on Saturday(in Bellmore) with our very good friends Steve and Lori and their girls (Michelle and Alyssa) for Steve's 49th birthday! I venture to state that all the Matteos on Long Island are the same-food wise-so I guess you could go to one and feel as if you've been to all. The appetizers are great: baked clams (not as good as Don Peppe's on Lefferts, but nobodies are), fried calamari was super tender. Chopped salad was a bit weak (iceberg lettuce you know) and too many onions, and the artichoke was under cooked (we sent it back for more heat) and/or not ripe. The wine is $10 a glass for junk (that was totally unexpected), but the linguini with white clam sauce is nearly heaven.

We had 3 desserts and sang happy birthday to Steve. It was a great evening with friends!

But it wasn't over yet....afterwards Michael and I went to the Bad Moon Saloon in Merrick to see Todd Wolfe play. He's a great blues guitarist (from Forest Hills). Several friends were already there and we had a good time!

Sunday night (no-we didn't watch the Super bowl) we headed out to try Nick's Bistro on Metropolitan Avenue. We'd heard conflicting reviews and figured we'd try it ourselves, but they were having a private party and even though the kitchen was open, we decided this was not the night to check it out. We went to Dee's instead. Always a favorite with great service and brick oven pizza-I had olive delight and Michael had the lamb burger special with tzatziki and grilled veggies.

After dinner we met our very good friends Jill and Lenny for a drink at Theatre Cafe and then went to see The Blind Side movie (it was a well acted feel-good film) we all liked it and left happy (even better when the manager gave me a 4 ticket movie card to come back another time, because the screen was acting funky)!

It's Monday, back to cooking this week: Balsamic turkey burgers; chicken with rice and sausage with polenta.

Have a lovely week!