East of NYC - The Buzz

Citi-Field: Go There to Watch TV!

One of our favorite tech blogs, Gizmodo, has the low-down on all of the tv's that are in Citi Field.  Haven't been to the stadium yet, but can't wait to check it out very shortly and report back.

Notable Opening: 718 Restaurant in Astoria

Queens is a diverse borough with nooks and crannies filled with distinct cuisines from all over the world.  It seems fitting that a restaurant with the name 718 Restaurant has opened for business in Astoria with a flair for the European palate. 

The chef, Rafael Sutter is Spanish in heritage and his wife is Latin in background.  With this combination, there's sure to be a level of creativity and fireworks in the kitchen unlike anything Queens has seen before.  Seafood seems to be the choice at this romantic restaurant that will have you and your date comfortable and able to concentrate on each other while enjoying the fine backdrop provided by the elegant decor.

Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week as well as a new brunch menu on the weekends, we've found our new must-have for Spring: the wonderful stylings of Mr. Ralph Sutter & Co.  718-204-5553

35-01 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11105
{GMAP}

Red Mango: Now in Pomegranate Flavor

With two locations East of NYC (Flushing and Brooklyn Heights) and a third soon to open in Plainview, red mango has just launched a limited run of their first new flavor, Pomegranate by POM Wonderful.  In addition to this new flavor, red mango has taken it one step further and began to introduce a brand new pomegranate topping that adds to the excitement of their lineup of fresh fruits already available.  If you're in either of these areas (or near any of their locations in Manhattan,) we strongly suggest that you sample our favorite dessert out there.

Cavo in Astoria

What used to be called Cavo Cafe Lounge & Garden is just now "Cavo."  If you haven't been to Cavo, you should make your way out to Astoria to enjoy what it has to offer.  In the warmer months, an impressive outdoor garden lit by candles on the tables is the highlight.  This restaurant / bar is open from 5pm - 4am nightly so make sure that you bring a few of your best friends to sit and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere as well as the wonderful Mediterranean food.  Live music is often playing in the background during the week and the weekend nights.  718-721-1001

To view their menu, click here.

East of NYC Beer Roundup: First Edition

Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the history of the world.  With thousands of restaurants to pour through (pun intended,) we've compiled a list for you highlighting the best places this side of the city to sit down and have a brew.  Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or just a leisurely drinker, we hope that you'll get out and partake in the many offerings available at these noteworthy establishments. 

Brooklyn:

Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Bierkraft
Brooklyn Brewery
The Brazen Head

Long Island - Nassau:

Waterzooi in Garden City
Croxley Ales in Franklin Square
Effin Gruven in Bellmore
Mr. Beery's in Bethpage

Long Island - Suffolk:

Blue Point Brewery in Blue Point
BrickHouse Brewery in Patchogue
Southampton Publick House in Southampton

We'll have detailed writeups in the future, but we encourage you to get out there and explore these as well and to let us know what your experience is like!

Queens:

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria

[Image via Ben-Harris-Roxas on Flickr]

Upcoming Event: Free Ice Cream Day at Cold Stone Creamery

On Thursday, September 25th from 5-8pm, you'll be able to stop by any local Cold Stone Creamery to receive a free 3oz. ice cream.  Benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation, this national event will have selections of ice cream which include Wish Child Emily (Nutter Butter ice cream with yellow cake, Kit Kat, and white chocolate chips) or Wish Child Jack's creation (marshmallow ice cream Oreo cookies, chocolate chips and fudge).  Of course, a donation is encouraged to go toward the charity.

Update: Not only is this taking place at Cold Stone, but each brand owned by their parent company is also taking part.  On Tuesday, September 23rd, Blimpie's is offering a free 3-inch sub and on Friday, September 26th, Great Steak & Potato is offering a free large fries (all offers are from 5pm-8pm.)

Notable Opening: MoCA Asian Fusion in Forest Hills, Queens

Way back in March of this year we wrote about our experience at MoCA Asian Fusion in Hewlett. We have just learned that their first endeavour has been so successful that they have just cut the ribbon at their newest location in Forest Hills. Look for more of the same; beautiful decor, trendy bar area, cool lighting an great sushi and Japanese fare. Our inside source has been there to sample the cuisine and came back enjoying it even more than the original. 718-268-3333

Thanks to Melanie L. for the tip.

Nathans Hot Dogs - The Hot Dog Guy - Mezzanine Section - Shea Stadium

By Sam Jacobs, Brooklyn Correspondent

For a long time running, ballpark food was nothing to write home about.  You had your usual hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks (I don't care if I ever get back...).  However, with Baltimore's Camden Yards leading the way with others following suit in Houston, San Fransisco, and Pittsburgh to name a few Major League ballparks have begun to offer more variety in cuisine including local favorites and national chains.

For example, Kristina & I went to a game in her hometown of Pittsburgh this past Memorial Day.  There, they served up the legendary Primanti Brothers sandwiches...one of three reasons I would ever more to Pittsburgh. 

Lucky for us New Yorkers, the new Yankee Stadium and Mets' Citi Field are being designed with the same amenities in mind.  Citi Field will have Madison Square Park's famous Shake Shack, Blue Smoke BBQ, plus a taqueria, and a Belgian frites stand.  But that's next year...

For the few remaining games at Shea Stadium I will continue to enjoy the true ball game classic, the Nathan's hot dog.  It's what I like to call perfection on a bun.  Served hot out of murky water slathered with ketchup and mustard and devoured in less than a minute followed by spells of heartburn it's what makes the ball game experience The Ball Game Experience. 

Next year I plan to indulge and take advantage of the new choices in ball game cuisine.  But for these last few weeks (and hopefully into October) the Nathan's hot dog (and the peanuts, Cracker Jacks, cotton candy, ices, ice cream, beer (here!), and pretzels will suffice.  And after Shea is gone they will always hold a special place in my heart(burn).

~Sam
www.mets.com

Knish Nosh in Forest Hills, Queens

When driving through Forest Hills on Queens Boulevard, it's hard to keep your temptation at bay when passing by Knish Nosh. I personally have fond memories of stopping there when I was younger with a friends family as we made our way back from a long afternoon in the city. The Potato Knishes were always hugely popular with my friend, and we always enjoyed splitting a few between us.

Fast forward a few years (ok, maybe 15 years is the actual number) while a colleague and myself are in Forest Hills for a meeting. He's Italian and we often do dinner at italian joints throughout the entire metro area. He told me that since we are heading towards Queens Boulevard that he'd like to take in a good Jewish deli for a nice change. Hence, we found ourselves drawn back into this Forest Hills staple. As soon as we walked into the door we were bombarded by the man behind the counter with "try the soup" and "the perogies are just made, you must try them!" All I kept wanting to say was "Oye Vey" but I held myself back. Taking his advice we both ordered up a container of chicken noodle soup, fresh brisket perogi and a Dr. Brown's soda. Our guy behind the counter slipped the soups into the microwave and we were good to go. After finishing off what we had ordered on our first round, we decided to go halves on a potato knish to encounter the true deli experience.

Knish Nosh has been open since 1952 and is a real testament to the community that it serves. Queens Boulevard and Forest Hills have changed a lot in that time, but Knish Nosh has always been the same as it is today; quality kosher fare and a no-frills atmosphere at a price that can't be beat. The two of us left feeling full and only $21 lighter when all was said and done. 718-897-5554

ERAWAN in Bayside, Queens

Although I've lived here for the better part of my life, I've really never ventured to Bayside. Work frequently takes me to Queens, past Bell Boulevard, but I've never made the turn onto it and explored all of the restaurants and shops located on those few blocks just off of Northern. Last night, that all changed and I was amazed by the sheer volume of restaurants that were located within such a small area. We stopped by ERAWAN, a classy multi-level, Thai-infused restaurant located just off of Bell Blvd. on 39th Ave.

We entered the restaurant at 5pm, before a late night meeting and were the only ones in the restaurant for the entire duration of our meal. With an empty restaurant always comes a great level of attention from the restaurant staff. I ordered the Crispy Lychee Duck (Crispy Duck with Lychee, Pineapple, Cashews in a Lychee syrup) and my dining partner ordered the Koong Kana (Shrimp with asian broccoli and shiitake mushroom in an oyster broth.) Although rushed for time, we were able to enjoy the ambience of the restaurant, with the low lights, many gold figurines adorning the walls and the elegant decor. The food itself was great, pairing ingredients that we thought went well together, and the duck that I consumed (rather quickly) had deep flavor, not a lot of fat and was accompanied by the sweet lychee sauce, as promised. Had we a little more time available to spend here, we definitely would have dove head first into any one of their delicious desserts. 718-229-1620

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