Astoria Girls, I need your help! **UPDATED-Thanks girls!!

Original post by missliss

Jul 27, 2007 01:25 PM

FH's parents are coming over tonight to take us out to dinner for his birthday. They're not very....adventurous......w/food and everything around me (I live up by Ditmars) is very ethnic, greek, thai, spanish, etc. FH and I love these places, but they really don't. They're more American Continental type food or straight Italian so that's what I'm looking for. We usually go to Trattoria L'Incontro but they're closed for vacation. We went up to Christos last year w/them for his b-day and loved it so thats our fallback but i'd like to do something different. I just swung by Telly's on 23rd Ave and it's mostly seafood, not enough red meat/chicken options. Taverna Kyclades is the same (I LOVE that place) mostly seafood, but also you have to wait so long there since it's so popular and his mom can't stand (physically) for very long and wait...so it also has to be someplace that would be either way less busy on a Friday at 6:30 or that takes reservations.....

I'd like to stay as close as we can...maybe not go further south than Astoria Blvd if we can help it. Any ideas?? TIA
****************************************************
Hi ladies, Just wanted to thank you all for the fabulous recommendations! We ended up going to Piccola Venezia and it was INCREDIBLE. Really old school and just amazing italian food. Highly recommend now it as well, we'll def. be going back. FH had the Osso Buco and said it practically melted in his mouth (I'm guessing that's good) I had ravioli stuffed w/pumpkin and a brandy cream sauce, it was sooo good. FH's parents loved it as well, it was perfect. Thanks again!!!

Espo22 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:26 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Colette

We love 718 on Ditmars!!!
Also, slightly below Astoria Blvd there's a place called STOVE on 25th avenue and 45th street, GREAT food, the chef is an Irish guy that FH knows, they are great, and there's backyard seating too but its GROSS out today....

718

718 is great, FH and I LOVE this place...i didnt mention it bc she said she doesnt want ethnic, and its french and spaniard fusion

Espo22 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:29 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by missliss

Posted by Espo22

Posted by florezpeeps

Piccolo!

They are great! Luv their nocci~
Piccola Venezia
42-01 28th Ave (42nd St), 718-721-8470

pICCOLO venezia is amazing if you decide to go past astoria boulevard

THERES also this place called Arthur's on the corner of steinway and ditmars...its been there forever and alot of the younger ppl always forget about it, but the food is real good and its nice and cozy inside.

Other than that ditmars is very ethnic...like others mentioned you can try forna italia

I drive past Arthurs all the time and always wonder what it's like inside? So it's good??

And yeah, like I said FH and I love the restaurants by us, but his mom and step-dad aren't really so into it. Oh well.
But, I think I am going to call Piccolo, the menu on the website looks great. Thanks!

yeah Piccolo is very well known, even when you walk in you'll see a big wall full of all the celebrities that have been there.

yeah i havent been to arthurs in years but it was great. Sometimes you'll see on their roof parties going on

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:42 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Espo22

Posted by missliss

Posted by Espo22

Posted by florezpeeps

Piccolo!

They are great! Luv their nocci~
Piccola Venezia
42-01 28th Ave (42nd St), 718-721-8470

pICCOLO venezia is amazing if you decide to go past astoria boulevard

THERES also this place called Arthur's on the corner of steinway and ditmars...its been there forever and alot of the younger ppl always forget about it, but the food is real good and its nice and cozy inside.

Other than that ditmars is very ethnic...like others mentioned you can try forna italia

I drive past Arthurs all the time and always wonder what it's like inside? So it's good??

And yeah, like I said FH and I love the restaurants by us, but his mom and step-dad aren't really so into it. Oh well.
But, I think I am going to call Piccolo, the menu on the website looks great. Thanks!

yeah Piccolo is very well known, even when you walk in you'll see a big wall full of all the celebrities that have been there.

yeah i havent been to arthurs in years but it was great. Sometimes you'll see on their roof parties going on

That's so funny you say that about the roof because in all the times I've driven by I never noticed the roof, until today. I was coming from my grandmothers and I noticed the banner that said rooftop dining. I'll have to check it out one day.

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:43 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by florezpeeps

Posted by missliss

Posted by Espo22

Posted by missliss

Posted by florezpeeps

Piccolo!

They are great! Luv their nocci~
Piccola Venezia
42-01 28th Ave (42nd St), 718-721-8470

Ooh, the menu on here looks delish! And they have valet too which is great since my FMIL can't walk far (not that we wouldn't drop her in front, but you know what I mean). Thanks! Is it spacious in there or cramped?

you'll have space.

Great! Thanks so much ladies!!!

you will definitely have space & you're parents would like it, the staff is very old skool hospitable (i just made up that term, but hopefully you get what i am saying) they really cater to you~

ha! FH says I make up words all the time....he says I make up everything I say. He just doesn't want to admit that I'm right all the time.

I called Piccola and made a reservation for tonight! It sounds perfect for them. I'll let you know how it goes!

Espo22 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:43 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by missliss

Posted by Espo22

Posted by missliss

Posted by Espo22

Posted by florezpeeps

Piccolo!

They are great! Luv their nocci~
Piccola Venezia
42-01 28th Ave (42nd St), 718-721-8470

pICCOLO venezia is amazing if you decide to go past astoria boulevard

THERES also this place called Arthur's on the corner of steinway and ditmars...its been there forever and alot of the younger ppl always forget about it, but the food is real good and its nice and cozy inside.

Other than that ditmars is very ethnic...like others mentioned you can try forna italia

I drive past Arthurs all the time and always wonder what it's like inside? So it's good??

And yeah, like I said FH and I love the restaurants by us, but his mom and step-dad aren't really so into it. Oh well.
But, I think I am going to call Piccolo, the menu on the website looks great. Thanks!

yeah Piccolo is very well known, even when you walk in you'll see a big wall full of all the celebrities that have been there.

yeah i havent been to arthurs in years but it was great. Sometimes you'll see on their roof parties going on

That's so funny you say that about the roof because in all the times I've driven by I never noticed the roof, until today. I was coming from my grandmothers and I noticed the banner that said rooftop dining. I'll have to check it out one day.

yeah i used to live up the block going towards 21st avenue so i would always see balloons tied around the balcony and there were always parties there

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:44 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Colette

I can totally see that; we ate there on Valentine's day once and hated it. I swore i wouldn't go back after that. Most places just s*ck on major holidays!

We've gone back at a friends urging and enjoyed it so c'est la vie!

OK Stove is a basic continental menu; nothing too adventurous, and they have great steaks, and lots of seafood.The specials are always very fresh and well-prepared. I like my food plain (and my men spicy), so they are used to me tweaking everything, i.e., 'can you put the sauce on the side...?'

FH and I will have to check out Stove one day. I've heard from others also that it's worth a trip. Thanks!

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 02:46 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by felicita

I highly recommend the Brick Cafe on the corner of 33rd Avenue and 33rd Street. It has an eclectic menu - a little bit of everything and the atmosphere is very cozy and hip.

The Brick Cafe

I like Forno, but it's a little lacking in decor. I also haven't totally enjoyed every meal I've gotten there.
It's too bad about Trattoria L'Incontro being closed. That place rocks. We're actually having our rehearsal dinner there.

We were thinking the same about having our rehearsal dinner there. I'm FMing you.

MrsD71208 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:26 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by florezpeeps

Piccolo!

They are great! Luv their nocci~
Piccola Venezia
42-01 28th Ave (42nd St), 718-721-8470

MrsD71208 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:29 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Songstress1212

That Arthurs place always looks closed!!! FH and I always wondered about it. Now I wanna try

I <3 Just Arthur's!

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:32 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by MrsDtoBe

Posted by Songstress1212

That Arthurs place always looks closed!!! FH and I always wondered about it. Now I wanna try

I <3 Just Arthur's!

Have you been there recently? Is it worth trying one day?

MrsD71208 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:39 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by missliss

Posted by MrsDtoBe

Posted by Songstress1212

That Arthurs place always looks closed!!! FH and I always wondered about it. Now I wanna try

I <3 Just Arthur's!

Have you been there recently? Is it worth trying one day?

I was there last September for my Grandmother's surprise 80th b-day...it was so freakin' good! We didn't get ONE thing we DIDN'T like! I'd go there anytime!

Mizzdimple Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:42 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE TELLY'S...

And i love how they remove the fish bones for you.

Anddddddddddd they do have chicken and such

cherilicious16 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:49 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

I CANNOT even tell you how much I back up STOVE (Mentioned in the previous posts.)
There is a huge selection of food and it is ALWAYS AMAZING. We've had the mussels, the steak, the crab & spinich dip, salmon, gnocchi, etc.

There is an outside seating space that is really cute as well. No wait and not at all cramped.
LOVE it there!!

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:50 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Mizzdimple

I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE TELLY'S...

And i love how they remove the fish bones for you.

Anddddddddddd they do have chicken and such

I've never been though we've been to Stamatis a couple of times across the street from there. They de-bone for you too. I'm sure Telly's is great. I just popped inside and looked at the dinner menu and I just know FH's parents too well and there's not enough non-fish options for them. They have galaktobouriko (sp?) too. I LOOOOOVE that stuff. You get it for free after dinner at Taverna Kyclades.

Mizzdimple Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:53 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by missliss

Posted by Mizzdimple

I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE TELLY'S...

And i love how they remove the fish bones for you.

Anddddddddddd they do have chicken and such

I've never been though we've been to Stamatis a couple of times across the street from there. They de-bone for you too. I'm sure Telly's is great. I just popped inside and looked at the dinner menu and I just know FH's parents too well and there's not enough non-fish options for them. They have galaktobouriko (sp?) too. I LOOOOOVE that stuff. You get it for free after dinner at Taverna Kyclades.

I know what u mean though...sometimes I think they should put more on the menu.,
They give you free Loukomades which I ADORE

FH and I dont like Stamatis....forgot why lol..

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:54 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by MrsDtoBe

Posted by missliss

Posted by MrsDtoBe

Posted by Songstress1212

That Arthurs place always looks closed!!! FH and I always wondered about it. Now I wanna try

I <3 Just Arthur's!

Have you been there recently? Is it worth trying one day?

I was there last September for my Grandmother's surprise 80th b-day...it was so freakin' good! We didn't get ONE thing we DIDN'T like! I'd go there anytime!

Yeah, we're def. gonna have to check that out soon and sit on the rooftop while we're there! Thanks!!

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:57 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by Mizzdimple

Posted by missliss

Posted by Mizzdimple

I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE TELLY'S...

And i love how they remove the fish bones for you.

Anddddddddddd they do have chicken and such

I've never been though we've been to Stamatis a couple of times across the street from there. They de-bone for you too. I'm sure Telly's is great. I just popped inside and looked at the dinner menu and I just know FH's parents too well and there's not enough non-fish options for them. They have galaktobouriko (sp?) too. I LOOOOOVE that stuff. You get it for free after dinner at Taverna Kyclades.

I know what u mean though...sometimes I think they should put more on the menu.,
They give you free Loukomades which I ADORE

FH and I dont like Stamatis....forgot why lol..

You know what, Stamatis was ok the 1st time, and then worse the second. We were going to go back and give it another shot, because last time we went was a year ago, but we just haven't yet. FH's steak was soooo dry there the last time and I forget what we didn't like the second time...I think the grilled calamari was overcooked as well.

I saw the free Loukomades on the menu at Telly's. But, um....I don't know what it is. What is it? I've gotten to know most of the greek items on menus from living in Astoria for so long, but there's some I still don't know and I always feel like a dork asking....

missliss Posted: Jul 27, 2007 03:59 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by cherilicious16

I CANNOT even tell you how much I back up STOVE (Mentioned in the previous posts.)
There is a huge selection of food and it is ALWAYS AMAZING. We've had the mussels, the steak, the crab & spinich dip, salmon, gnocchi, etc.

There is an outside seating space that is really cute as well. No wait and not at all cramped.
LOVE it there!!

I just found the website. It looks soooo good. Sometimes I feel like FH and I go to the same places all the time. I mean, we love them, that's why we keep going back, but we def. need to explore more.

Mizzdimple Posted: Jul 27, 2007 04:05 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

Posted by missliss

Posted by Mizzdimple

Posted by missliss

Posted by Mizzdimple

I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE TELLY'S...

And i love how they remove the fish bones for you.

Anddddddddddd they do have chicken and such

I've never been though we've been to Stamatis a couple of times across the street from there. They de-bone for you too. I'm sure Telly's is great. I just popped inside and looked at the dinner menu and I just know FH's parents too well and there's not enough non-fish options for them. They have galaktobouriko (sp?) too. I LOOOOOVE that stuff. You get it for free after dinner at Taverna Kyclades.

I know what u mean though...sometimes I think they should put more on the menu.,
They give you free Loukomades which I ADORE

FH and I dont like Stamatis....forgot why lol..

You know what, Stamatis was ok the 1st time, and then worse the second. We were going to go back and give it another shot, because last time we went was a year ago, but we just haven't yet. FH's steak was soooo dry there the last time and I forget what we didn't like the second time...I think the grilled calamari was overcooked as well.

I saw the free Loukomades on the menu at Telly's. But, um....I don't know what it is. What is it? I've gotten to know most of the greek items on menus from living in Astoria for so long, but there's some I still don't know and I always feel like a dork asking....

I cant put my finger on Stamatis , I think FH saw a piece of hair in the food or something like that it just turned us off.

They are like Zeppoles are to Italians (round dough balls) except they are covered in Honey.instead of powered sugar..LOVE THEM.

Only thing with Telly's they are very cheap with them latley!!! They also increased their prices....and we dont go that often.

Espo22 Posted: Jul 27, 2007 04:08 PM

Re: Astoria Girls, I need your help!

greek captain down by 36th street and 36th avenue used to be the best...seriously it would be a line to get in, i used to go ALL the time with my family...their seafood is sooooo good and it was at such great prices...now its not as packed as it used to be but still good, they raised their prices though. It looks like a dive well not dirty but decor is all wood and has the red and white checker tables