NYC Tastes

The Queens International Night Market returns to Corona Park for it's fifth season this Saturday, with an incredible line-up of food vendors representing over 80 countries.  Since it began in 2015, the market has welcomed nearly one million visitors; many drawn to diversity and affordability of the event where all food is capped at just $5 dish.  The price cap continues today with only a handful of $6 exceptions.   This year the Market is selling a limited number of tickets   to two "Sneak Preview" nights on  April 20th & 27th.  Guests can purchase a $5 ticket here for market entry before the public opening on May 4th, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit The New York Immigration Coalition and City Harvest. Here's a run down of some of the fantastic food you can expect this year: Native Noodles   Singaporean Laska Noodles- rice noodles, prawn and laska leaf in a coconut curry sauce ...

New York City has always been a pizza town.  Back in the day there were dollar slice joints on just about every corner with some sort of "Ray" attached to the name. Today the pizza scene is much different; restaurants like Pasquale Jones and Roberta's are the norm with toppings like arugula, artichoke are egg replacing the classic pepperoni.  It's just not as easy to find a classic NY slice anymore, but they DO exist!  And some of the best can be found in Astoria at Rizzo's Fine Pizza. This tiny little pizza shop on Steinway Street opened in 1959 by two brothers and is exactly what a NY pizzeria should be.  A few seats up front with a small selection of pies and incredibly friendly staff, so friendly they gave me a slice of their signature square pie for free. The pizza here is thin- not quite as thin as the Vezzo/Posto empire but definitely skinny with crispy brown crusts, a hearty sauce and a great blend of parmigiana and mozzarella che...

It's New Brew Friday and today we're checking out the brand new Fifth Hammer Brewing in Long Island City, Queens.  This enormous spot opened by former Gun Hill and 508 Gastorbrewer Chris Cuzme boasts 15 barrels and a huge tap room filled with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs perfect for lounging on a weekend afternoon. We tried out quite a few of their selections and our two favorites were the bright sour berliner weisse Cherry Giggle Gaggle and the crisp hoppy pale ale Tasty Feelings.  In addition to the awesome glassware all of the tap handles are made from actual hammers which makes for a fun unique atmosphere.  This area of LIC is becoming its own little beer hub with other great spots like LIC Beer Project and Transmitter just blocks away.  Cheers to New Brew Friday! Fifth Hammer Brewing 10-28 46th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101

Saturday I was invited to the charming new Tutti Matti restaurant in LIC for an afternoon of Italian cuisine with the Creative Shake & Eaters Drinkers group. Tutti Matti was showcasing some of their incredible cocktails including the Pinna made with Hendrick's Gin, Limoncello, Lemon Juice & Basil and the Borgo Rosso with Grey Goose Vodka, Basil, Strawberry and Prosecco; pretty much everything I love in one big martini glass. The restaurant specializes in all different kinds of wood fired pizzas done Amalfi Coast style with big puffy edges, fresh San Marzano tomatoes, Mozzarella Fior di latte and the perfect balance of char and chew in the dough. They also had a variety of pastas made in house including a hearty Lasagna with beef ragu and a spicy Maccheroncini Dello Stretto with Sicilian tuna, spring onion and calabrian sausage. The pizzas and pasta were delicious but my two favorites of the afternoon ended up being an a...

Now that I've been to Sripraphai five or six times I've got the perfect lunch order. To begin Papaya Salad with dry shrimp, crushed peanuts and tangy cherry tomatoes... ...a super spicy Tom Yum Shrimp Soup with sliced mushroom... ... and one of the best Pad Thai's in the city filled with fried egg, peanuts, tofu and chicken.   Not one thing greasy about this dish; just pure deliciousness . Sripraphai Restaurant 64-13 39th Avenue Woodside, NY 11377

Back in college there was a dive pizza joint called S&G's where everyone ended after a night of bar hopping.  They had all sorts of different pizza's that were nothing special but OMG their Mexican slice was INSANE!!  It was super thin, loaded with gooey cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, ground beef, a deliciously spicy salsa then topped with crushed tortilla chips. It was one serious sloppy mess to eat but nobody ever cared.  That slice was like winning the lottery at the end of a long boozy night.   Since graduation I've been searching for something that would compare.  The specialty pie game in the city is honestly pretty weak.  Most stick mainly to the classic Italian standards (remember when Kramer wanted to put cucumbers on his pizza).  Then I found Rosa's out in Maspeth where this taco pizza seemed to be calling my name.  It had most of the ingredients; the gooey cheese, the spicy ground beef and tomatoe...

New Yorkers are constantly debating the "best" of everything in the city.  The best bagel, slice joint, cold brew coffee and soup dumpling are constant topics of conversation.  So when I found myself out in Woodside for a full week of work I just had to check out one of the highly debated "best" Thai restaurants in the city SriPraPhai. This place is apparently packed on the weekends but my visits during weekday lunch were downright relaxing.  In fact on a sleepy Monday afternoon stop the restaurant was relatively empty. To begin delicious Shrimp and Chicken dumplings wrapped in a paper thin dough... Thai Salad with hard boiled egg, tofu and a spicy peanut dressing.  The tofu in this salad was so hard I probably could have chipped a tooth.  I have absolutely NO idea why I ordered this instead of the Papaya Salad...bad call on my part. For main course Drunken Noodles with Chicken.  I went medium spicy and it had just the right b...

I've always been a big fan of the Love Street Coffee truck so whenever I find myself in Astoria I swing by the brick and mortar shop for a bite to eat.  The cozy space has a takeout window up front for on the go ordering and a big space with outdoor seating in back for lounging the sun. My last visit I ordered a breakfast sandwich and it was incredible. Two eggs scrambled with a handful of herbs, three strips of crisp bacon, thick melted cheddar cheese and a touch of mayo.  This is the sandwich hangover dreams are made of...I'm pretty sure it could cure any bad morning. The Love Cafe 32-30 Steinway Street Astoria, NY 11106

Today marks the end of NYC Beer Week but really the fun has just begun.  That's because all those wonderful breweries have started to bottle/can their beers.  So it's entirely possible to crack open an amazing NYC beer in the comfort of your own living room.  Here's a few I'm especially excited about. The Finback Barrel Aged BQE is a big espresso imperial stout brewed with chocolate from Mast Brothers in Brooklyn and coffee from Native Coffee Roasters in Queens.  It's a pure NYC original and the thick bourbon flavor is perfect for this cold winter weather.  The two cans on either side are from Other Half Brewing, a session pale ale Super Fun on the left and the Double IPA Green Diamonds on the right.  These will be a permanent addition to my picnic supplies once spring finally arrives.  Cheers! Other Half Brewing 195 Centre Street Brooklyn, New York Finback Brewery 78-01 77th Avenue Queens, New York

Queens Boulevard is the last place I would expect to find such a homey little restaurant like Tuscan Hills.  Located just one block from the Union Turnpike train station this is a cozy oasis from the taco and bagel joints that crowd the street corners.  Go at lunch for the $10.95 special which includes soup or salad and any pasta, panini or pizza as an entree. Skip the measly Cesar Salad of yellow greens in favor of the Stracciatella loaded with spinach and Parmesan cheese in a light egg drop broth.  The pizza is a decent entree for big appetites.  It's large enough to feed two but the flavor can be a bit bland.  A much better choice is one of their delicious pastas like the Rigatoni Alla Norma tossed with eggplant, basil and mozzarella or the hearty Penne Alla Vodka made with tomato sauce, a touch of cream and salty pancetta. It's cheap and easy with quick service assuring a swift return to the office in the afternoon.  Tusca...

One of with my absolute favorite place for Greek food is out in Bayside at the incredible Avli.  I've mentioned this place once before showcasing their incredible  Tzatziki Sauce  and heart stopping Greek fries but let me introduce you to the gyro. This thing is freaking huge stuffed with gorgeous slivers of lamb, fresh lettuce, tomato and that incredible tzatziki sauce.  Even the pita bread is leagues above other pita I've had...somehow maintaining that soft fluffy exterior without falling apart or becoming to difficult to hold.  It comes with classic lemon potatoes, french fries or a traditional Greek salad.  The prices can't be beat and it's literally a 3 minute walk to the LIRR so no car is even needed!  Avli 38-31 Bell Blvd. Bayside, NY 11361

I don't make it to the far reaches of Astoria Boulevard much besides a quick trip to Triboro Beverage or a cab ride by on the way to the airport.  But every trip involves a quick pit stop at San Antonio Bakery, home to The "Completeo" a hot dog of epic proportions. This Chilean Dog is topped with chucrut (sauerkraut), diced tomatoes, avocado and mayonnaise all inside a freshly baked bun.  It's crazy delicious and insanely messy.  Don't come with anyone who doesn't love you with sauce all over your face and hands...and if spice is your thing don't forget to pile on the hot sauce. Mr. T thinks the topping to dog ratio is too much; the dog flavor getting lost among the condiments. I say order two dogs- one naked and slip it right inside the bun with the first. No reason not to enjoy this incredible creation to the full extent! San Antonio Bakery 3620 Astoria Blvd. Astoria, NY 11103

Astoria Bier and Cheese is always a pit stop I make in Queens.  They have an excellent selection of beer, friendly staff and a surprisingly awesome list of sandwiches like The Italiano. Thin ribbons of Prosciutto di Parma, fresh Mozzarella and marinated Piquello Pepeers piled high on a crusty baguette...it's salty and sour...perfect for pairing with a crisp local IPA like the Other Half Hop Showers. The best part is enjoying it on the patio out back with a craft beer in hand and sun shining bright.  One of the last places to catch some summer rays. Astoria Bier and Cheese 34-14 Broadway Astoria, NY 11106

New Park Pizza is a brick oven pizza parlor that's been operating out in Howard Beach for over 55 years. Right around noon each day a steady line of people stream in and out...some holding big boxes filled with whole pies but most just grabbing what New Park Pizza is known most for...the classic slice. It's thin and crisp...perfecting for folding in half with a slightly droopy middle.  There's a good amount of cheese (I like my pizza cheesy) and a really delicious sauce on top that's sweet and maybe a tad salty...but in a great lip smacking salty way. The bottom could be a bit more charred (extra crispy order for next visit) but this is still one of the best slices I've ever had in New York. I love my fancy pizzerias like DiFara's and Paulie Gees but when your looking for a delicious everyday slice this is the place to go. New Park Pizza 156-71 Cross Bay Boulevard Howard Beach, 11414

I love when a random day of wandering around turns into something delicious!  That's exactly what happened when I stumbled across LIC Market last week.  The cozy storefront wedged between two brownstones looked intriguing so I poked my head inside. There I found a cozy, narrow space jam packed with people enjoying a lively lunch.  I stood by the front door waiting for a hostess and perused the various items on display...honey and preserves, candles and cheese boards...all made local and all for sale.  The hostess spotted me after a moment and I was seated at a table up front.   The menu had an array of salads and sandwiches including some incredible sounding specials like Soft Shell Crab BLT and a Roasted Duck Spaghetti. It was so hot outside I decided to go light and ordered the Ricotta & Pignoli Salad with arugula and golden raisins. My salad was wonderful...the arugula was dressed in a bright sherry vinaigrette with slices of juicy orange a...

It was a celebration for all things Queens at Citifield last week.  The annual Taste event was held inside the ballpark Cesar's Club and was filled to the brim with all the wonderful and diverse food that makes up the borough of Queens.  I began with an old favorite of mine Mama's of Corona (Leo's Latticini) who put on an incredible spread of their hefty Italian sandwiches and delectable biscotti.   They also had fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and olive oil that was absolutely heavenly.  I could have spent the whole night eating at Mama's but there was so much more to try out- like Shepard's pie from Irish Circle Tavern out in the Rockaways. Filet Mignon with bacon, mushroom and Bearnaise from Christos Steakhouse in Astoria. A trio of Italian food from Sac's Place including a vibrant Red Pepper Ravioli and creamy Proscuitto Alfredo shells. Brooklyn Brewery was on hand promoting their line of canned bee...