What's for dinner.....Greek anyone??

If you need to know anything about Astoria, Queens- know that it has the largest Greek population in New York City. Being that there are so many Greeks there- it comes with the territory that there are also very many Greek restaurants and I have grown to love and appreciate Greek cuisine!! I don't know if it's the Greek wine, olive oil, bread, saganaki (fried Greek cheese served atop bread), lemon potatoes or fresh fish- everything is just DELISH!!!There were not that many Greek restaurants that I was able to enjoy growing up in Chicago- but in New York- there are many DELISH spots you have to check out in and out of Queens.

I need to start with the best and most popular spot on this list- Taverna Kyclades. Or the "blue awning restaurant" as I use to call it until I learned how to actually say the authentic Greek pronunciation. :)




WOW......just.....WOW




This small Greek establishment located in Astoria has caught the liking of not only Astoria dwellers but people from all over. It is authentic, fresh, simple and perfectly made. Provided you make a reservation or not- be prepared to wait quite a while and I mean wait- the last time I went on a Wednesday night and there was a 2 hour waiting list. This place is always busy no matter what day it is, but its worth the wait.  You don't just have to stand there- grab a drink at one of the bars nearby and they will call you when your table is ready! This place is a definite MUST TRY.

Second on my list:
Kellari Taverna

This adorably designed and decorated Greek restaurant is on the top of my list for their gorgeous display of imported fish, delish saganaki and great menu. They also have a Greek wine cellar with a selection of 250+ bottles to choose from and yummy desserts. It's a great spot to go on a date or with a group of people.

They have two locations in New York and one in Washington, DC. They offer great hospitality and don't let you leave until you are fully satisfied. :) I have been satisfied every time I have been here- so go and check it out for yourself!

My third choice on this list is Barbonia.

Not sure if it's the rustic setting, romantic candlelight, or the overall feel of this place but it's got my vote. This restaurant serves more of a Mediterranean-style menu but very much like Greek food. They offer special happy hour deals during the week, are a part of Restaurant-week, and offer a very unique menu. One of my favorites was the Colorado Lamb Kebab that is cooked to order and baked inside of a terracotta covered flat bread. I had no idea what they were bringing over to me but it was a very cool served entree and you have to break open the bubble that bakes over the lamb to get to the lamb. Very cool!

Lastly, one more place that has gotten me to want to go back is Estiatorio Milos.

This Zagat rated restaurant offers the finest of everything and pride themselves on it too. From the organic produce, to the freshest fish and ingredients they can offer.  It is more upscale than then the other three restaurants and the prices speak for themselves, but if you can make a trip to eat here- you won't be disappointed. They have a large array of fish to choose from, 100% pure goat cheese made Tzatziki spread and other great appetizers, and also a large wine selection. They have a bar, private rooms, open table seating as well as open views of the kitchen, salad bar and a large fish display.

There are very many other Greek Restaurants to choose from but these 4 are topping my list. Greek food is unlike other types of cuisine and if you have never tried it- LIVE A LITTLE! I very much enjoying dining on Greek food and don't mind a good glass of Greek wine any day of the week either. :)

ENJOY!!

XO

Tina



Frost it up at Butter Lane!!!!!!

If you are a foodie, have a major sweet tooth or want to know how to make a cupcake like a pro, THIS is the thing for you! My roommate and I received a Groupon offer a few months ago to get 50% off at Butter Lane to learn how to make homemade cupcakes. We both have never done something like that before so we said- what the heck- who doesn't LOVE a good cupcake??

Butter Lane is located in the Lower East Side in Manhattan on 7th Street near ave A and they offer daily baking classes. The class provides you with all the tools, ingredients and aprons so all you need to do is bring yourself(and perhaps a bottle of wine, which my roomie and I did and it was HIGHLY welcomed by the staff~!!) They also do private parties if you were interested in that. It takes between 2-3 hours for this class and costs $50. They provide you step by step instructions and use only the purest ingredients. For chocolate lovers, they use pure cocoa- not the melted "Hersey's" kind. By the end of the class you will have had an opportunity to make chocolate, vanilla and banana flavored cupcakes! They also give you special tips for general baking ideas and things to do to make whatever you are baking- taste even better. You can be your own Betty Crocker!

This is a definite MUST TRY and believe me- totally worth it. Once the cupcakes are baked, you make homemade frosting which, I think, blows Magnolia Bakery out of the water! Think you may be able to bring a dozen home? Nope! Try like 2 dozens.... We had so many cupcakes we didn't know what to do with them all so you definitely get your money's worth.

Grab a few friends, sign up and ENJOY!!!

XO
Tina

My top 5 most favorite Mexican Restaurants in NYC!!!

One of my most favorite meals to eat when I go out for dinner is....MeXiCaN!

Who doesn't love a great batch of guac, a frozen margarita, or SIZZLING fajitas!?!?!

It is my GO-TO!

I have been to quite a few delish Mexican Restaurants in NYC and I have also gone to some not so good ones....I pooled together all my favs and came up with the IDEAL 5.

1. Rosa Mexicano

Let’s just start with this restaurant; IT'S SO GOOD!!! Not only do they make your guac table side how you like it-but they make an amazing Pomegranate Frozen Margarita. The menu is not your standard authentic Mexican, they have a more unique menu but it’s a great place to expand your taste buds! The ambiance in the Union Square location is very nice and it’s a large restaurant so great for a large group of people. They often get very crowded so it may be best to make a reservation and you can grab a drink by their bar while you wait. The other good thing about this restaurant is that there are THREE! For people who don’t live near Union Square, they also have one on 1st ave and 58th St. and one at Lincoln Square.

2. Dos Caminos


Another one of my favorite Mexican spots in NYC! It's probably just as swanky if not more swanky than Rosa's. They have both an excellent lunch and dinner menu and another very distinct menu. They serve wonderful margaritas with over 100 selections of tequilas and also make a mean guac. I love the fish tacos and they have excellent entrees. They just opened a brand new location in the Meatpacking District, have a location in Soho, one on Park near Union Square and 3rd ave. Dos Caminos is a part of B.R Guest Restaurants consisting of 20 total hospitality destinations not only in New York but Las Vegas and Florida. Dos Caminos is also known to service the likes of many celebrities at all of their locations.

3. Mojave/Agave

Mojave is another great spot! Its more of a southwestern-type of Mexican food, but they do have some traditional dishes as well. If you want some great sangritas(margarita and sangria mixed) or if you want a great brunch; they have a delish menu on Sundays. I love their guac too and they have a great happy hour deals during the week. This restaurant is located in Astoria, but they also have a sister restaurant called Agave in the West Village. Both are equally as nice and not very pricey. The Astoria location also offers outside dining in the back so it is great when the weather is nice!


Do you DARE a PUNISHER shot?

The Punisher
100% agave tequila infused with Habanero Peppers.

If you can drink it (and keep it down without any help), it's on us... ( 5 minute rule applies) After drinking the punisher, one can be immortalized on the wall of FAME, or reside with the masses on the wall of SHAME.. it all depends on who is drinking it.

Are YOU brave enough to take on the challenge of THE PUNISHER?
GOOD LUCK!


4. Sinigual

 New to the scene is Sinigual. Its located on 41st and 3rd ave, its super cute inside, and has a great menu. My personal favorite is the Lobster Quesadillas; it may not sound good but OH it IS!! They are DELISH! They have a happy hour with $3 off margaritas during the week and serve great sizzling Fajitas; you cant go wrong with their fresh guac there either!!! (can you tell I LOVE guac yet??)

5. Toloache

Last but not least is Toloache! Another new fav on my list and it is a place I would definitely recommend, especially if you are in the Time Square area. Toloache has a more contemporary flare with an excellent list of cocktails, wood burning oven, even has a vegetarian menu for any of you vegan's out there! The restaurant is two floors and they sometimes have live mariachi bands that play too!


There are also many other great spots in NYC for Mexican food so if you need any more suggestions- just ask!

All this talk about Mexican- may have to be on my menu tonight....

Would love to hear any comments- if you so choose to visit any of these!


XO
Tina