This morning we were looking for a tastee breakfast, and we found it at Tastee Corner in Astoria.
(it's right under the N train!)
Tastee is a classic Greek-family-run Astoria diner. Regular diner fare at reasonable prices and quick, semi-friendly service.
I like the full-page ads that they have IN the menu.
(well, I wasn't thinking about selling gold today, but now that you mention it....)
I've dined at Tastee Corner a few times over the years, and it never disappoints. It also usually does not "wow" either, but today was an exception! I had banana pancakes with bacon on the side ($8) and I must say, they were some of the best pancakes I've ever had! They were awesome. My cohort had a Greek omelette (~$7.50ish) which was just fine, he said.
(bananas in pancakes is the way to go!)
All in all, Tastee Corner won't blow you away, but it is a fun spot to go to if you live in the 'hood!
There is not a more colorul and festive food spot in all of Sunnyside!!
(every day is cindo de mayo at The Haab!)
It is also possibly the greatest place to cure even the most raging hangover.
(jarritos decor)
I prefer to do so by starting with a tall glass of fresh juice- today we got fresh-squeezed OJ and also fresh carrot/OJ mix! Sometimes they have fresh Tamarind and Guava juices.
(fresh carrot-orange juice!)
I almost always order a breakfast sandwich here- that is because it is SO GOOD. Today's was a giant croissant with bacon, eggs (overeasy!!) and cheese. They serve it with a chipotle-mayo kind of sauce that is ridiculous. The egg goes everywhere and it is awesome. It's also like, $3.50 (what!?).
(before instantaneous inhalation)
They also serve Mexican-style breakfast which is greasy and spicy and delicious including Chilaquiles ($7.25) and Huevos Tapatios ($7.25)- crispy fried tortillas with Chorizo, eggs and homefries.
The Haab also offers more traditional "American" breafast dishes like pancakes and homemade waffles. We tried the French Toast Guayaba ($7.50) with apples, bananas and guava sauce (yum!). The French Toast part was incredible, and as a whole, it was delcious, albeit a little sweet. My bf described it as "French Toast with Jarritos sauce."
lol.
I love the upbeat, colorful decor and rather random music selection. It is a cozy place with a lot of spirit and a lot of really good food. I've never eaten lunch or dinner there, but they do serve a giant dish piled high in a big stone pot called El Molcajete that looks pretty much unbelievable.... !!!
The Haab 4722 48th Ave Sunnyside, NY11377(718) 729-4838
Are you looking to eat a gigantic, delicious pile of meats and foods tonight for around $10?!
Me too!
That's why I went to Point Brazil in Astoria. I've been hearing about this place for a while from friends in the neighborhood, and I have to say that I am impressed! It is a classic Brazilian pay-by-weight buffet and churrascaria.
(not one, but two buffets!)
There are two buffets- one with crisp, fresh salads and fruit and one with savory, saucy meat and fish dishes. Most outstanding were the chilled collared greens and the juicy plantains. Once your plate is piled high enough, you travel to the special grilled meat counter, where the grill-master pulls from a selection of juicy, roasting meats and slices them to your liking. I can highly recommend the flank steak!!
(roasted chicken... yum! also, some juicysirloin in the background...!)
Pretty soon you have an incredible assortment of treats on your plate! You pay by the pound, which in our case came out to about $10/plate (amazing!!).
(i would eat this again right now if i weren't so full!)
Add a can of Guarana and you are ready for a Brazilian feast. Enjoy the spunky wall art or people-watch out on 31st Ave.
All in all, Point Brazil offers fresh, flavorful food at a pretty spectacular price!
La Flor has been the culinary bridge linking Sunnyside and Woodside for 10 years, and it has lasted for good reason!
La Flor has drawn the attention of Yelping Manhattanites as well as locals looking for quality food and a quaint, neighborhood cafe setting where you could sit for hours if you wanted to.
(muffins muffins muffins)
The most serious reason to venture to La Flor is for the unbelievable banana muffin (which is toasted and you cover it in butter even though it is already delicious and buttery).
(MMMMMMM!!!)
Equally as appetizing are the other breakfast options, including Vanilla Bourbon French Toast ($7.95) and more traditional Mexican fare like Huevos Rancheros ($6.95) and their Puebla Breakfast ($7.95), a scramble of eggs, chorizo and potatoes littered with crispy tortilla chips (and served with red and green house hot sauces!).
They also serve good coffee. I can't say it's thrilling, but it is good (which, in New York, can be thrilling!).
Despite breakfast's deliciousness, Lunch and Dinner are quickly becoming my favorite meals at La Flor. Again the menu ranges from traditional salads and sandwiches to tortas, tacos and quesadillas.
(warm brie!)
Most recently we stuffed ourselves with the Warm Brie "Salad" with poached pears and mixed greens ($10.95), the Grilled Salmon Sandwich with pesto mayo ($10.95) and Baked Macaroni and Cheese ($6.95) (disclaimer: Mac n' Cheese in any/all forms is my favorite food of all time).
(grilled salmon sandwich)
(mac and cheese... obv)
The Mac and Cheese is really good and you can't really screw up warm brie! The salmon sandwich was really good, but could have been better.
All in all, La Flor is a great excuse to check out the amazing Woodside neighborhood (I think it was named the most diverse place on earth? If not, I will name it so).
It's never good when a neighborhood restaurant shuts its doors for good, but I can't say I felt all that bad about the end of Sonali Cuisine on Queens Boulevard... My roommate and I were the first to slam- er...review- it on Yelp. You can check it out here.
Anyway, RIP Sonali, better luck next time
(now let's hope a good Indian place opens in Sunnyside!).
For my first formal food post, I am writing about one of the most exciting new additions to Astoria.... The Queens Kickshaw!
The Queens Kickshaw has successfully filled Astoria's good-coffee-void and then some!
Aside from their plethora of kick ass "slow pour over" coffees, they offer a menu of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and a spattering of eclectic sides.
(slow pour over brewing stations!)
Starting in June (really soon!) they will start serving local craft beers as well as some delicious Belgians on tap. (disclaimer: I am a giant beer enthusiast.)
The Queens Kickshaw has ample seating and a simple, inviting, "reclaimed-wood-furniture" vibe (and, of course, free WiFi).
So far I've sampled a few of the grilled cheeses:
-the lone breakfast sandwich: eggs and cheese on brioche (aka fluffy Texas Toast that is soaked in butter in the best way) smothered in maple hot sauce. It's really different and really, really tasty. Slight sweet and spiciness with herb-seasoned scrambled eggs and a thin "cracker" of cheese. More gourmet than comfort for sure, but definitely delicious. ($4, served til 11am)
(eggs and cheese breakfast sanwich and a coupla coffees)
-the gouda: gouda, black beam hummus, guava jam and pickled jalepenos on brioche bread. This sandwich sounds a little bizarre- it's quite a leap from cheddar and tomato soup (which they also serve!), but it is AWESOME. It all works. And they are generous with the gouda, so I give them serious props for that! Served with a spicy little side salad. ($10)
-the gruyere: I just had a couple of bites of this one, but it was equally as delicious as the gouda. On Rye with carmelized onions and Napa-cabbage slaw ($8)
The Coffee:
I am from Seattle, so you could say that I am a bit of a coffee snob...! The Queens Kickshaw offers several blends that are all amazing. I personally love the Mexican and the Ethiopian. The slow-pour-over brewing method is something I haven't seen on the East Coast, and I welcome it whole-heartedly!
Also of note, their cold-brewed iced coffee is GREAT. And so far, consistent. I only wish that they would use coffee ice cubes like they do at Baruir's, my other favorite coffee supplier. Oh, and it's $3.50. But it's worth it!
(not a great picture, but you get the idea..)
All in all, The Queens Kickshaw is a great place to hang out if you live in the neighborhood, and absolutely worth traveling to Queens from another borough!
