Fall Preview: 20 mouthwatering new dishes from 5 Astoria restaurants

Coca-Cola BBQ pulled pork po' boy at Sugar Freak

For a neighborhood that so often feels cozy and intimate in contrast with the frantic pace of Manhattan, it never ceases to amaze me just how rapidly and consistently things keep changing on the Astoria food scene.  Overwhelmed by where to focus for a post, I've instead narrowed it down to twenty new dishes I have tried during the past month from five different restaurants--including two newcomers.  In no particular order, here's a rundown of some of the best new bites definitely worth giving a try... As an added bonus, you'll also find Bear's new fall menu attached at the end.

The Queens Kickshaw
40-17 Broadway (half block east of Steinway M-R Station)
http://thequeenskickshaw.com/

I am absolutely an omnivore in the literal sense that I will try (and have) almost anything at least once; so when you constrict my options, I can feel claustrophobic.  That said, the vegetarian cuisine at The Queens Kickshaw is just so delicious, inventive, and lovingly conceived and prepared that I always forget the absence of meat on the menu.  Owners Ben and Jen are two of the kindest hosts you could ever hope to meet, and along with the talents of Chef Evan, they've recently expanded their menu with some superb new additions perfect for the upcoming months.

Basket of warm, golden, flaky mini knishes with celery root and blue cheese, served with beer mustard

Crunchy-coated tender cabbage croquettes, topped with melted asiago and roasted tomatoes in a cilantro-pepper sauce

Fantastically hearty wild mushroom shepherds pie, with red wine braised root vegetables and a cap of golden-peaked cauliflower mash

Crispy roasted ravioli with cheddar and fresh horseradish, cloaked in a tangy tomato and zucchini ragout

A whimsical ice cream beer-wich with a Coffee Labs macaron stuffed with Imperial Stout ice cream

Sugar Freak
36-18 30th Ave (five blocks east of the N-Q 30th Ave station)
http://sugarfreak.com/

Michelle Addeo is so passionate about bringing the foods of her childhood to Astoria, that she even had her mom stop in from Louisiana to make sure the kitchen was getting her recipes just right.  The new changes are drool-inducing, and unlike anything else in the neighborhood.  If you think you knew the menu at Sugar Freak before, I reckon you're due for a fresh gander.  They've even added popcorn alligator to the menu.  Word has it that their new sister bakery will be opening up soon (hopefully within the month) just down the street, featuring Addeo's boozy baked treats.  In the meanwhile, she'll be previewing some of the upcoming sweets as dessert specials at Sugar Freak.

Pulled pork po' boy with coca-cola BBQ and battered fried onion straws--grab a side of the pork and beef rice dressing

Gooey skillets of breadcrumb-crusted mac 'n cheese are now available mixed with jambalaya or succulent crawfish (pictured)

New starters included popcorn okra (pictured), hush puppies, and popcorn alligator

Buttermilk chicken is now served in 4 varieties: classic, spicy, zesty cherry pepper, or sweet & savory brown sugar-cinnamon (pictured), all of which can be drizzled with cheese sauce -- and hallelujah yes, that's deep-fried corn on the cob as a side!

A N'Awlins classic pastry treat: fried to-order beignets, served with a bananas foster rum sauce for dipping

Queens Comfort

40-09 30th Ave (between Steinway & 41st St)

http://www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com

It has admittedly become an addiction.  Each morning, before checking even e-mail or Facebook, there's an uncontrollable urge to visit the Queens Comfort website to see what crazy new dish they are serving up.  Chicken fingers coated in cereal with bacon caramel for dipping?  A gourmet take on a McDonald's classic breakfast sandwich?  Grape Kool-Aid ice cream?  They've tried all of that.  The menu rotates almost daily, and there's always a blend of down home comfort with good old-fashioned delicious creativity.  So if you like what you see below, go there soon.  Chances are some of these dishes won't be around next week.

The chicken and waffle has been a standard at QC for awhile, but it recently got an upgrade.  Formerly served with an Eggo waffle for the sake of nostalgia, they now make their own Belgian waffles, the bird glazed with Tabasco and maple syrup, then dusted with confectioner's sugar.

Atomic Fire Balls: take Queens Comfort's award-winning mac and cheese, rolls it in cayenne breadcrumbs, fry those puppies, drizzle with sriracha, and dip 'em in ranch dressing, and you've got a major hit.

The new billionaire bacon salad is topped with brown sugar candied bacon, blue cheese crumbles, a poached egg, and maple shallot vinaigrette. 

The bacon and chicken enchilada topped with bubbling browned cheddar, a fried egg, crema, and pico de gallo

Antika Family Style Pizzeria

36-08 30th Ave

http://www.antikapizzeria.com

Antika Family Style Pizzeria finally opened on 30th Ave, serving classic Italian-American dishes (try the provolone-stuffed meatballs!) in Individual & Family portions, as well as several varieties of pizza (yessir, they have brunch pizzas with fried eggs.)  Toppings range from classics like pepperoni, to broccoli rabe, grilled tiger shrimp, and even a drizzle of truffle oil.  The kitchen is open 'til 11PM, but the bar and pizza oven stay open 'til 2AM. Lunch specials Monday through Thursday include a personal round pie for $9.  The white tile floored dining room is pristine, and the service just as warm as the steaming pies.  Welcome to the neighborhood, Antika!

“Old Fashioned Grandma Style Square Pizza” with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, grana padano, pecorino, extra virgin olive oil, and oregano

These aren't just any meatballs... they are stuffed with gooey provolone cheese, blanketed in a bright, tangy marinara

Tobiko Asian Fusion Lounge

30-27 Steinway St (half block south of 30th Ave)

http://www.tobiko88.com/

Opening the doors to the place formerly known as Yamashiro Sake Lounge & Restaurant, this spot may not look much different to the untrained eye, but open the menu and it's a whole new ballgame.  To promote their opening as a completely new restaurant with a new chef and brand new menu, all sushi items are 50% off, and dishes from the kitchen are 30%.  Sound too good to be true?  The deal won't last forever--maybe just a "few months" according to management.  So run, don't walk while standard sushi rolls now range from $2.50 to $4.00.  Don't feel like running?  Order for delivery--the discount still applies!

Sushi Pizza -- a crisp scallion pancake spread with spicy tuna, then topped with tempura flakes, tobiko, avocado, sliced mango, and drizzled with eel sauce, mango sauce, and strawberry sauce.

This tuna dumpling, the size of a large grapefruit, is actually a thinly pounded slice of tuna carpaccio wrapped around spicy king crab, topped with avocado and bonito flakes, resting in an olive cilantro puree.

Just one of several varieties (try the dim sum sampler) these dumplings are stuffed with duck confit, and served with a thick hoisin sauce for dipping

Lunch specials are $6.99 and served with miso soup and salad, including this "Asian Grilled Chicken Pancake Sandwich", essentially a fantastic chicken teriyaki scallion pancake wrap

Bear Bar & Restaurant
12-14 31st Ave (a few blocks west of 21st St.)
http://www.bearnyc.com

A decadent chocolate cake truffle drizzled with raspberry port wine reduction, flagged with strips of candied bacon

Chef Natasha Pogrebinsky is turning out some of the most exquisite, meticulously plated, intricate dishes that Long Island City has ever seen.  But given her expertise and free-spirited culinary creativity, she recently decided to do away with a traditional menu, daily sourcing ingredients she has foraged from local green markets.  While the Bear website will display the final updated selections for each meal service, below are the sample menus she released today, offering a glimpse into what can be expected at brunch and dinner.  If you have yet to check out this true neighborhood gem, definitely schedule it into your dining plans soon.

click menu to enlarge

click menu to enlarge

Queens Comfort on Eyewitness News PLUS New Lunch Special

The new croque monsieur bread pudding with a fried egg is outrageously delicious.

Queens Comfort | 40-09 30th Ave, Astoria | 718-728-2350  www.queenscomfort.blogspot.com

It's no secret that Queens Comfort is one of my favorite places to nosh, so it was an honor when I was interviewed by ABC 7's Lauren Glassberg for her feature on the comfort kitchen which is scheduled to air today, May 18,  at 5 p.m. during the Neighborhood Eats segment (does this mean my mug might be menacing yellow cabs next week on Taxi TV?!)  The featured recipe for the segment: the Cap'n Crunch Chicken Fingers with red chili bacon caramel sauce, of course!  Just for the record, Lauren Glassberg seems extremely charismatic and pretty on television--but in person, she is actually stunning, and very generous in sincere conversation.  I was already a fan, but witnessing her work last week was affirming of her genuine talent.

After singing the praises of Queens Comfort, I was asked by a nearby diner if there is anything I don't particularly care for.  After all, you can't love everything about everything, right?  Upon consideration, I suppose my only criticism would be that the menu is sometimes overwhelming in options that make you drool.  Unless you come toting a gaggle of friends ready to share a smorgasbord, it's likely you'll walk away bummed you didn't have the ravenous hunger demanded to sample everything that catches your eye.

Biscuits & Gravy

Take, for example, two new dishes that appeared this week on the menu.  First comes buttermilk biscuits and a maple cheddar sausage gravy with cayenne, sage, rosemary, and thyme.  A decadently creamy, savory and sweet spin on the comfort breakfast classic (delightfully served here for lunch and dinner).  Or the real kicker that hasn't left my taste memory since I first devoured it--a croque monsieur bread pudding with black forest ham, gruyere, fontina, and a passionate kiss of dijon mustard.  Top it with a fried egg and turn that mister into a madame.  See?  How on earth do you choose which one dish to enjoy?

Egg McRuffin'... an open-faced English muffin with bacon, gouda, cheddar, béchamel, & a fried egg 

As if Queens Comfort read my mind, this week they launched a fantastic new lunch special.  For $14.95 you can choose one starter, one entree, and one dessert from a broad selection of menu items (items qualifying for the lunch special are denoted on the menu with an asterisk).  Slightly more manageable portions of a variety of delicious dishes at a great price is reason to celebrate.

Jalapeño Hushpuppies with lemon pepper ranch

The starters on the prix fixe included their grilled Mexican street corn, bacon scallion or three leek mac & cheese, or homemade jalapeno cornmeal hushpuppies.  Mains range from a fried green tomato sandwich to a peanut butter & jelly burger, as well as their famous chicken & eggo waffles.  Desserts, rotating frequently, vary from s'mores bread pudding to homemade ice creams, which have recently included walnut fudge brownie, or even a version with actual strawberry rhubarb pie mixed in, crust and all.

Strawberry rhubarb pie ice cream with actual bits of crust

Now that's real comfort food...