Back in NYC.straight from Brazil! Sorry for my absence. Miss Astoria!

MTA again

Can anyone tell me what heck is this?
It is a known fact that the N train is a mess during off peak hours. Now Spanish month???
This is hillarious!!!
Let's sign a petition and change the N train to nhein- n now,
Let's honor our Spanish residents!
What's next? Let's change the R to rrrrr, for the Greek month!!!

It's a very creative one!

Leblon Cachaca Visits Astoria

Who wants to sip in a caipirinha?

If you feel like drinking something refreshing during this sizzling summer, follow the Leblon cachaca truck.
You probably have seen this greene truck around NY. Everything is green resembling the tropical and green of Brazil where cachaca is from; the car, the fliers, the girl's t-shirts, the muddle...


Leblon Cachaca is a high end drink considered a rum; cachaca is made of natural sugar cane, fresh-pressed micro-distilled and rested for up to six months in vintage XO Cognac casks in Alambiques of Minas. The fruity nose drink with complex layers goes really well with herbs making up delicious drinks.
Many prefer to drink it neat, but in US, Leblon caipirinha has been promoted well for top-shelf cocktails.

Ramiro Silos(Cacharia Boteco) with Leblon Girls

The Leblon truck has arrived in Astoria, how cool is that! 

A Leblon canvassing girl went to Absolute Licor store this last Saturday giving out samples of cachaca freshly made it on the spot.  

According to her, you must follow the steps:

1. Slice a lime, and place three lime wedges in a glass
2. Add in 2 oz. of cachaca
3. Add 1 oz. or 2 tsp of sugar
4. Muddle all together to extract the lime juice
5. Fill it with ice and stir!
6. Bingo! Pour the liquid and enjoy the most famous drink of BRASIL!

Leblon Cachaca Girl does a taste at Absolute Liquor store- 34-13 30 av.

Joey Dee & The Startliters? how cool!

Astoria Park can be hard to get to if you have to use public transportation, but once you are there, summer offers you endless fun times. Today is the last day for concerts. 


But Yesterday, Joey Dee & The Startliters had an amazing performance. I know little about American culture but this band knows how to shake up a crowd.  The 70 years-old lead singer has more stamina than me and my generation together. Queensmites seat calmly with their chairs  and in the grass along Astoria Park in a nice summer breezy day. Astoria Council Member Peter Vallone join the band for 2 songs playing the drums.

Joey Dee shake up Astoria Park Crowd

I was glad to find out that Astoria Park will still held more fun events.
This year, they are enhancing a program that last year drew an estimated 2500 people over three Sundays, with additional family activities, a food tasting on August 14 featuring many local, ethnic restaurants and an extensive lineup of local musicians.  August 21st will be a day of music throughout Astoria Park from local bands.

Then The US open will held on August 27th from 9 to 4PM the Arthur Ashe Kids Day in Queens
where kids can play for free until 1.
US OPEN serious games, the tournaments will start on August 29 to September 11th.
Guarantee your seat now.
At Flushing Meadow - Corona Park
Flushing, NY 11368 

Let's enjoy Queens, take advantage of what summertime has best to offer! :)

Feeling like singing?

Feeling like singing?
Astoria can fulfill you

While looking for a hairdresser saloon, I came across Karaoke SHOUT, a place I could see by the sidewalk through the glass window used mostly by hairsaloons.
I took a second peek and thought it of a “special bar”. I don’t know if I can explain it well this special bar thought…

Sooner than I thought, the hair saloon looking-like place turned into a sexy something places to me.
I had a flash back of a peep show shop I visited nearly ten years ago near Times Square, in the theater district. It is not that these places don’t exist anymore. Mainly tourists or horny lonely workers walk in this ragged reddish shop through explicit XXX video tapes to reach a hall with several doors were they can either release tension themselves or ask for assistance that come via an inch whole in the wall.
My curiosity to walk in there was such that my inability to speak English didn’t hold me back. I needed to witness the place where the Isabelle Ruppert, a sexually repressed female on the movie The Piano Teacher had walked on and wasted so many tissue papers.
A place with a hall lining up the doors located on the heart of Steinway intrigued me. It sounded too fishy.


Not like the dirty peep stores, the Karaoke Shout is far from old looking. It is impeccably modern, sleek and futuristic; not like the ones I saw in the outskirts of Thailand neither the gigantic fancy ones of Tokyo.

The colors and modernity of it started to give me a better clue. On the entrance room, there were fliers stacked all over the walls.
Slowly I see Japanese signs and letters. Images of the “42nd of Tokyo” came out on my mind. Except that this one has the New York city style: small chic rooms with colorful neon lights that made the room appear enormous from outside. If wasn’t for the gray couches, the place would be like being one of the Jettison’s cartoon character.


As I walked in, the loud music held me back from asking anything. The bartender followed me with her eyes as I walked. I walked further and she shouted: “You can ask”
More embarrassed than anything I smirked at her.

I was glad to know that my neighborhood has a Karaoke place with music in 15 different languages. A group bigger than 4 people you will get 20%. The place charges $2/per song or $5/H and 15% gratuity included.


Karaoke Shout is an indoor Japanese best version of a Karaoke on the go available in several languages.
If you feel like singing, don’t hesitate to browse in and scream your lungs out!!!!

N,R and Q train services

Dear MTA
I want to express my gratitude for your awesome services! Saturday night, after 10 hours of outside work I rush home 10 minutes earlier and catch the n train at 42 nd st. The conductor murmured something. The train made its last stop at 57st. The passengers all seat there quietly, as if in a heat comma, without any energy. Not only the train didn't have air conditioning but also the awful speakers didn't provide a comprehensive sound. Some passengers took the train back to 42nd. Street station others got off the station and started cab disputes.

MTA possible response"
"Dear Passengers;
It is not MTA's problem if you have to work so hard. We tried our best by providing you with visual and audio warnings. We not only posted beautiful white signs prints in and out the stations but also announced in the speakers. We don't understand why you can't hear us. Maybe you should spend a little more money in better Q-tips.
Regarding the air-conditioning, the 102 degrees temperature it is only your minds. NYC has very affordable yoga centers where you can meditate and get rid of your horrible heat thoughts."

Sent from my iPhone

An Italian Taste- Locale

While Walking around my neighhood I came trough Locale. A restaurant  located right in the corner of 33th st and 34th avenue, a residential area with barely any commerce around.

Locale is an upscale Italian Restaurant with painted brick walls  and black canvas by the bar, and a area with puffy seats by gorgeous wallpaper.  The  indoor long wooden table is  perfect for snacks and appetizers. There are indoor and outdoor seating tables that  receive a nice breeze from the outside.

I brought my dog and seated outside while indulging myself in a delicious salad, and a cheeseburger followed by a yummy vanilla gelato.

 Cooling down our apathetic dog with some ice cream

The restaurant has gotten  4 stars  clients reviews  in many sites.

The only  rated  problem was service. Interestingly enough, I got great service from amicable waiters and hostess who even brought my dog water. But, my french fries was a little bit mushy.

I guess the rating is in  eye of the beholder. Or maybe in the hands of the chef who is also a son of God and does mistakes as well... Perhaps in the hands of a tired waiter who might abruptly reply to an unpolite customer. Who knows!!!!



Indoor seating with wallpaper view in the back



Outside view of the bar

The dessert Menu

The outside seating area

Quien quiere un pollo vivo?

Walking trough Astoria sometimes can be surprising. As MTA leave us hanging on the weekends,

I had to make my way to Astoria Boulevard.   Bellow the N train line on 31st st near 39th av.,

I suddenly came across POLLO VIVO.

They sell chicken alive, so if you ever want to adventure in the old school grandma style of chicken
slaughter you need to visit  the Pollo Vivo. And not to disappoint you they do accept credit cards
and food stamps! ;(    Believe me, the place wasn't empty.
Priceless. Isn't it?

hello

Testing blog via email.

So cool!
Liliana

SITES YOU MAY LOVE IT!

Astoria Queens have always been in my mind, but my mind has been away. Now that I am back, I have been thinking what to write. I though my readers would take advantadge of the sites I enjoy.

So, check it out all the social networking and discount sites available  to us Astoriamites!!!

1) LIVING SOCIAL:

If you sign up for it, you will receive daily emails with the daily deals near you or any part of NYC you choose. The deals are fantastic, ranging from 30 to 60% most of times. You will love to take your boyfriend for his birthday to a Brazilian barbucue all can eat restaurant for only $40 when regular price is $70. You can also dowloand a Living Social ap for your IPHONE.

2) MEET UP:

Here you can find any kind of group meeting, from Yoga to cooking. A wide array of options

for you to either sponsor or just participate. And the best part of it, you most of the times only

pay a small donation. It is time to shine and start you own yoga classes. You never know what's next, you might end up openning your own school soon!

3) QUEENS LEDGER MAGAZINE:

If you are feeling left out, as if NYC does not really provides any  news focused on Queens, the  QUEENS LEDGER weekly online magazine has all types of news you are craving for: classifieds, real state, breaking news, you name it!

The magazine is very interactive where readers can send a story, pictures, videos and much more.

Reasons to live in Astoria

Ny boroughs can be different but all share
The Duane Reads, Chase banks and the summer mister softy ice
Cream truck with its lullaby music as well.

Being ready to take my days off in Europe today I woke up gratefull
to be here(maybe it is my unconscious fear of plane foreseeing
A nostalgic feeling of NY). I then
Came up with 10 reasons to live in Astoria
1- you can shop at a Greek, Brazilian, Spanish or Italian supermarket.
2- you will pay less for more space
3- you can actually see a bigger sky than in Manhattan
4- you can shop at Cosco
5- you can get to La Guardia airport in mere few minutes
6- you pay only 70$ for an off the hook/ 5 stars fitness gym - club fitness
7- you don't bump on yellow cabs everywhere
8- you have a movie theater just across a moving image museum and a bowling house
9- You own a garage and your car being half way in the side walk is not a problem!
10- it is the borough with the least crime rates

Wow that was easy
Does anyone have anything else?
Please enlighten me!

Cafe Triskell- A hidden flavor in Astoria

      While walking through my neighborhood attempting to find an American diner to fulfill my craving for a fresh omelet, I came to a small, cute French restaurant at 36th Avenue in Astoria, Queens: Cafe Triskell.

       How lovely and cozy Cafe Triskell is! Customers watch the chef cooking while eating at the bar. The bar decor is filled with postcards from all over the world. The rest of the decor reminds me of Spanish drawings. The restaurant has no more than 10 tables. The menu is hand written on a blackboard, which for some reason makes me think that if the decor is so rustic, the food will taste homemade as well.

             

       The restaurant was packed for brunch the first time I went there.  As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by a man that did not look like a waiter at all. I was nervous since the place was packed and I didn't know what to get. Once I expressed my uncertainty to the "waiter," the serious look on his face quickly turned into this genuine, knowledgeable and willing smile of a man with a strong French accent who happens to be the owner and chef of Cafe Triskell. 

   I have since come back several times, and every time I am stunned with such delicious and inexpensive food. The dessert menu offers a nice variety of sweet crepes. The butter and sugar crepe was fantastic: perfect crunchiness and sweetness. Although French food tends to be a little higher priced than other cuisines,  Cafe Triskett's menu has French onion soup for $6.75 and salads for $8.95. Sooner than later I found out why.

      

     The sympathetic French chef, Philippe Fallait, whose specialty is in pastries, opened his business three years ago. His goal is to make peoplehappy. "Food business is about building relationships, and that is why we have to make people happy so that they will come back," Mr. Fallait said.

     In a capitalistic country such as ours, it is hard to find someone whose mentality is like Mr. Fallait. He impressed me as a generous, professional, sympathetic human being whose love for life is expressed in making people happy through his art of cooking!

    In a city like New York where friends come and go all the time, to opt for Cafe Tristell, you not only will be eating delicious french food, but you will also be making nice friends!

Omonia

A sweet adventure

            Omonia. Doesn’t it sound like ammonia, the chemical in cleaning product? Actually that is how your supposed to pronounce in Greek   Αθλητικός.  Keep this name in mind. You might need it once your sister’s birthday party is in two hours and you can’t order from anywhere else. I confess that I landed at Amonia Cafe by virtue of just that kind of conundrum. I must say that it was a great forced choice. The chocolate straweberry cake I got for my sister was delicious --- leaving me licking my  fingers  after few slices.  

OMONIA classy decor



             Omonia might not be news to Astoriamites after the movie BIG FAT GREEK WEDING featured its cake on it, but it is to me. The Greeks arrived in Astoria in the 60s, reducing its immigration in the 80s.  According to the Fact finder 2000 census, the Greeks account for 5% of Astoria demographics. Still up until now, with such a strong Greek foundation, Astoria remains a land of many Greek clubs, tavernas, restaurants as the Cavo club, Titan supermarket,   Opa Souvlaki restaurant   and  so on. 

 

Mr. John Artvantis, OMONIA Cafe

 owner  since 1977

           Just when I thought it was time to leave Omonia,  a smiley middle-aged  Greek looking man walked in checking out the display. I suspected he was the John Artvantis, Omonia’s owner of the 35 years. As soon as I could, I abruptly asked the charismatic business man whether Omonia was his wife or a  platonic lover. He didn’t  find it surprising that I assumed he was the owner. Within 5 minutes of conversation he impressed me as such a smart, business-oriented foodie person that surely deserves the success he has it now.  Impressively, Mr Avratnis started his business with his two brothers as partners and now owns four other establishments as well. For the sake of harmony and union among his siblings, he named his restaurant Omonia, which in Greek denotes togetherness and friendship.  His success is bright up on his happy being and its other GRAND OPENNING. Today,his  inaugurating just next door to OMONIA café bakery, the OMONIA NEXT DOOR. Yep, that is the name.

        
     
           Omonia is a promised land for the sweet tooth. It is impossible to let anyone down as it offers a big variety of American, Albanian, Turquish, Greek and a few Spanish flavored baked goods. With a  menu appealing to all tastes, Omonia has been getting great reviews. Having tasted the baklava in Rhodes, Greece last summer I conceitedly consider myself a strong judge, and fell in love with Omonia’s baklava, Greece’s famous honey-layered pastry. It is just amazing!!!

Baklava display



          
            If you have one of those midnight sweet cravings, you are luck to live in Astoria: you can just walk to Broadway and 33th ST and buy any sweet you might imagine. Omonia is open until 3 am.  Try it, maybe the sweet aura Mr. Artvantis has will be passed onto you via his sweet creations. 

OMONIA NEXT DOOR grand opening:  February 9^th

32-20 Broadway- Astoria

718-274-6650





OMONIA NEXT DOOR, an extension to
 OMONIA Cafe great success



Today, OMONIA NEXT DOOR inauguration!





                                                    

Chocolate strawberry cold cake

The sister after the wish.

Keila, Ana and Livia, happy girls ever since after tasting
the strawberry  yummy  chocolatecake.



Got meat? you gotta stop by 36st N stop in Astoria

N train outdoor style- 36st stop

 Carnivore? Astoria Calls You

          Imagine getting home starving  every day and as soon as the N train doors open, you instantly smell the inebriating well-seasoned meat coming up from the wide array of surrounding spanish restaurants. Because the N train line in Astoria resembles the one open air train in the industrial Chicago area,  I am able to get off and follow the aroma. It leads me to a Brazilian restaurant named after the most famous beach area in Brazil: Copacabana.
        The Copacabana Self Service Restaurant is well established with 8 years of service. It seems to me that its long lifetime is making justice: the restaurant is packed during the weekends.  It is not a surprise that Copacabana has gotten great reviews; it offers free deliver, fresh food,  and a very affordable price.

Mixed clientele

         If you are tired of American (sweet) barbecue  you must try Copacabana. The meat style is  offered in the skewer and it's called Churrasco. It provides a big variety of meats, from chicken heart to delicious sirloin steak. The carnivore crowd won’t be disappointed I promise.

       The Restaurant attracts all  kinds of crowd, from Spanish to Chinese, from American to Europeans. 

       Come and try it!!!

Copacabana Restaurant: 31-36^Th Ave

Astoria, NY 11106

Hours: 10am-10pm

Price: Meat $7.99/lb,  Salad $5.99/lb

The friendly staff- Churrasqueiro

My new home

Astoria's physical boundaries

  

     My boyfriend and I moved to Queens February 1st. He fell in love with the apartment right away. I still didn't bother going there before the moving day. Sad to leave Manhattan, to me any apartment would be the same in the Queens borough. However, I was surprised to find out how nice my apartment was and how diverse the area has become.  

    I grew up in Brazil dreaming of NYC. After saving for two years, I abandoned my college studies confronting my family cons of my departure, and arrived in the land of opportunities in 2001; the year which terrorism darkened NYC lives. Despite horrors of 9/11, I insisted in staying. I loved the big tall tall buildings of Manhattan and the English accent. I had no idea what Queens or Brooklyn existed. I innocently believed that homeliness was exctint in a first world country as US.

    My arrival in Queens with little to no english at all was filled with surprises. Firstly, the rainy April seemed to me like the bitter freezing December. I could not bear the cold. I also discovered that NYC had 5 boroughs. English speaking people were scarce there. Yet, I loved the accents of the ones who spoke english. I did't find big walls of tall buildings, instead I lived at Broadway avenue just above the train line. It took me about two months to have a full night of sleep. Every time the train passed,  every single wall of my five store building apartment shook. At last, homeless were all around speaking spanish mostly. 

   Ten years have passed along with my naiveness. As a mature women, I now  return to Queens where I first arrive with a sense of progress, belonging, and power; yet I still search for myself.

   I love the four full seasons of NY. I love all the English accents I hear around me. I love the greenery Astoria provides and  the upcoming cool inexpensive restaurants. Astoria's miscegenation, proximity to Manhattan, rent affordability, abundance of dinning option all sounds appealing to me. It is the closest to my  vision of ideal place I ever had If only I had a two bedroom penthouse apartment with Manhattan view...
   

   I wanted to start this blog because I saw an area that I loved and familiarize with so much not being served by informative sites. Now that I speak and write some english, I wanted to push myself to explore anything there is to see, taste and do in my area and I want to help others to get information on this great area as well.