I’m Becoming a Cave Man

On Saturday night, I was having a very typical debate with my beautiful wife: what should we do? Comedy? Dinner? Games? Drinking? Then we decided to do them all, and the only place you can accomplish that in Long Island City is The Creek and the Cave at 10-93 Jackson Ave and 48^th. One of LIC’s originals, like its other founding father,  Sweetleaf, this one-stop shop for a great evenings worth of activities has no trouble balancing its life as a stand-up comedy venue, a Mexican restaurant, a bar, a theater and a pinball alley.

As we walked into the space, we made a left-turn one door too soon and walked into their comedy venue; a dark, low-ceiling space that was warming up for the evening’s main attraction: “Old, New, Borrowed and Blue” a set of seasoned improvisation vets coming together. Later on that evening, around midnight, was a live reading of the movie Resevoir Dogs. As it was only 8 o’ clock, and we were starving, we retraced our steps and walked into the second door, which lead us into a brighter Mexican Restaurant, notable for its burritos, delicious margaritas and lively scene.  The place isn’t decorated with particular flair – it relies on its Cal-Mex menu and its surroundings for its scene. The bar and kitchen were towards the back of the space;  a stair case lead downstairs (more about that later) and there was a door that lead into the comedy venue. The night was tee’d up for us to have a great time.

Upon sitting, we were immediately given chips and salsa – a nice way to start the meal. We ordered a large guac ($6.95) to accompany it. There were some drink specials for the evening, including a free PBR for any attendees of the comedy (very special note: otherwise, tallboys of PBR were $3!). My friend ordered an $8 Pineapple Margarita which actually appeared (and tasted) to be fresh. Something that caught our eye immediately was the menu’s explicit mention of the fact that substitutions were ok. It reinforced the idea that everyone was just here to have a good time. The rest of us each ordered a Singlecut Lager ($6). A respectable amount of time later, we each received our food: me the “Taco Al Carbon” platter ($12), three generously filled tacos served with brown rice and beans; my wife the Yoga Burrito ($10) served with avocado, corn, red onions, tomatoes, black beans and chicken; and for my friends an order of more-Texas-than-Mexican chili ($8) and an extremely large “Burrito Extremo” ($9) served with flavorful ground beef, cheddar and jack cheeses, pico de gallo, lettuce and sour cream.

Just a few more words about the food, since this review is trying to be encompassing of the experience. It was all delicious. Really fulfilling – both sating and satiating.  I think that when a person or a place tries to be a jack of all trades, it becomes the master of none. In this case, the Creek and the Cave hasn’t mastered Mexican Food per se, but it doesn’t want to be. It just wants to be great and that it is. None of us were able to finish our plates and we all agreed that Cave food is worth coming back for. But we were ready for more.

So we ventured downstairs with full stomachs seeking out a way to digest, and we found it in the form of seveb pinball machines, all in pristine condition. Each game was $0.75 or three credits for $2. The nerd in me immediately went to the Star Trek game, but we also went to town on the Simpsons machine, the Walking Dead and the Wrestlemania game. There’s something about playing an old-fashioned pinball game that brings back that inner kid in you; it’s that sense of tangible satisfaction that no ipad or xbox game can give you.

Behind was a well-stocked bar with a few choice beers and a delightful assortment of tequilas. The entire basement had a cozy, if not somewhat crowded feel to it, but not obnoxiously so. There were frames of the original brick, but otherwise, the place was renovated with painted dry wall to complete the ‘cave’ effect. Adjacent to the bar was a closed-door, but completely transparent room, about 200 sq. ft, that was home to an ongoing open-mic night for aspiring comedians.

The Creek and the Cave was a success for us: a delicious, affordable and extremely filling meal, tasty drinks, fun pinball, hilarious comedy and an easy walk home. It’s rare to wrap that all up into one place and do it well, but I guess they have the benefit of time on their side and I can only hope that the proprietors continue to offer it all up to LIC’ers, both new and old, for many years to come.

I Can’t Believe that I haven’t Eaten at Testaccio Yet.

Last night, I put to rest my curiosity about Testaccio Ristorante, the unassuming Italian establishment on Vernon and 47^th. Lured by the menu displaying items such as “Calamari in Gratella” and “Chitarra Alle Vongole e Bottarga,” we ventured in past the bar that hosts a happy hour worthy of its own review and into the spacious and rustic main dining room towards the back of the space.

The space is lit, but on the dimmer side, just enough to accent the white bricks and wooden beams. It’s a good clean and spacious restaurant, a place where you can carry on a conversation with your family, friend or better yet, date.  What’s refreshing, especially compared to many of the Italian spots in Manhattan, is the quality of the service. Our waiter was friendly beyond the call of duty, extremely knowledgeable about each item on the menu (and between my mother and my wife, we grilled him) and patient, a trifecta of virtues that is rare in the service sector.

After putting our waiter through the ringer, we settled on the Minestrone soup ($8) made with wood-oven roasted veggies and an order of meatballs ($9) as appetizers. Not that I had orders’ remorse, but I could have been easily talked into the Carpaccio di Pomodoro ($12). After taking our order, the waiter thoughtfully brought out an assortment of breads with olive oil as well as three different bruschetta: a traditional tomato, extremely fresh pesto and mozzarella with truffle oil. We each knew that we were filling up on carbs, the classic rookie mistake, but we didn’t care. We were pot committed. The Minestrone soup was a delightful balance of hearty vegetables and lite tomato broth and tasted the way you would expect your Italian grandmother to make it. The meatballs came served in a dish smothered in tomato sauce. The serving of two could easily have fed a family of six on their own.  Likely a blend of veal, pork and beef, the texture was more solid than fluffy – the kind you would want stuffed in a perfect hoagie or hero. I can’t even imagine having a full serving of the delicious meatballs, I was happy for the help.

Just as my stomach was giving me very explicit indications to stop eating, a 12” Diavola pizza ($15) was placed in front of my bulging eyes. Served on a very thin crust, the tomatoes, freshly sliced (and not shredded) mozzarella, spicy Italian Salami and oregano melded into an elegant, authentic and supremely tasty pie of happiness.  My wife ordered the “Baccala in Umido” ($22), a chunky codfish steak sitting a fresh tomato broth with onions, potatoes, capers and artichokes swimming around. The broth makes the dish look more like a stew or chowder, but it was actually really light and approachable. Normally, I wouldn’t want to mix the tomato broth with the fish, but they blended well together, almost as if the piece was braised. The order winner for the evening was my mother who naively thought she could take down an eggplant parmigiana with a side of angel hair pasta ($18). Now most things that are breaded, deep fried, topped with rich tomato sauce and include generous portions of fresh mozzarella are delicious. This was no exception, but it wasn’t heavy as I expected. Quite the opposite in fact – almost dainty. Despite being feverishly full, the flavor profile was so vivid that she couldn’t stop, and neither could I.

By the end of the meal, we were each inadvertently leaning back, rubbing our bellies, relishing a fantastic meal and looking forward to a digestif that would help us get home. The meal came in under $100 for the three of us (without drinks) and we all agreed that we would happily return. I’d recommend that you give it a shot if you haven’t already.

An Oldie But a Goodie

On my way to someplace else, my wife and I walked by Brooks (on Jackson Ave and 45^th Rd), the same way we’ve each done a thousand times, but this time was different. This time we stopped mid-stride, looked up to the sign straight out of the 1950’s and decided to go in and have an old fashioned dinner. An old-fashioned it was. Everything about the place, inside and out, speaks of good Italian-American comfort; it’s the kind of place that would be your first choice if you can’t go home to your mother’s cooking.

The façade at first glance, and the ambiance, at second, especially when compared to the recent openings in and around LIC, belies the food that’s served. Upon entering, your eyes are drawn to the bar – the MASSIVE bar that must be at least 30 or 40 feet long – it runs most the length of the room. The centerpiece of it, and indeed of the entire restaurant, is a custom built saloon unit with a glass overhang that tops three shelves of respectable liquors, including a great selection of bourbons. A decent selection of beers, including a few local microbrews, is also available for those so inclined. We sat at an old wooden table at the far side of the restaurant and were given very well used, laminated menus. I started with my favorite, Widow Jane Bourbon, a very generous pour that cost $10, which is about $3-5 less than any other bar I’ve seen it at. We see traditional Italian appetizers, such as calamari ($9), Antipasto Italiano ($11), and staples like homemade lasagna ($13) and gnocchi caprese ($14). On the other hand, you could order a Caesar salad ($8), a 10oz burger for $10, a BLT for $9 or a New York Strip for $21. Granted, this is a not a steakhouse and so ordering a strip would give me some trepidation, but I watched as one was carried to our neighbors, and it looked spot on. I was afraid of suffering from orders’ remorse.

We opted to start with a bowl of the Italian Wedding Soup ($5), and one serving was big enough for us to share. Rich, full flavored and certainly hearty, this soup tasted of love. One spoonful gets you a few of the tiny meatballs floating around, delightful little noodle balls and a meat broth so appetizing you could call it a night after just the soup. My wife ordered the California burger ($11) served with guacamole, tomato, chopped red onion and chipotle aioli under a tender brioche bun.  It was ordered medium, and sure enough, served medium with just a little bit of redness in the middle, but juicy, fresh and lightly spiced to bring out the flavors in the meat. It was just delicious.  I opted for the Chicken Hero ($9), a massive grilled sandwich served with zucchini, roasted tomato and pepper, and pesto. The chicken was prepared fabulously, with a few thinly cut breasts accompanied by a mole hill (ie normal portion) of French fries.
As the meal was served, our waiter chatted with us. He mentioned that the bar had been untouched since 1890, when the restaurant originally opened. It had been through a few different lives under different management. Before its current occupants, it was an Irish Pub. While the nationality of the menu had changed, the old world charm was intact. It works as a good pub, a better restaurant and a fine place to chill out at if there’s a game on. For a meal, Brooks offers up a thoroughly satisfying experience, certainly one worth repeating. When there are so many restaurants trying to reinvent the wheel, sometimes the best meals are the ones that are tried and true. That’s what Brooks offers.

Bareburger Hits LIC – But Will It Be a Hit?

  If there’s a saturation of one thing in Long Island City – it’s burger joints. With kingpins like Corner Bistro, the fast and furious keepsakes including Burger Garage and Petey’s and just about every other restaurant offering their own take, one might argue that the addition of another hamburger purveyor is overkill. This reviewer, however, thinks quite the opposite. In fact, as the population continues to swell, the demand for more variety coming from more restaurants will grow in tandem. And so enters the popular Astoria chain Bareburger onto the corner of 49^th and Vernon.

The ostentatious sign on the façade is enough to draw you into the restaurant, where you will immediately notice a chic collaboration between restored and reclaimed Barn wood tables, floors and high exposed ceilings and recycled vinyl-laden booths. Looking around, the entire place is covered in cute framed pictures of cow heads on human busts. You then notice how deceptively small it actually is: there is only space for 40 diners at once. The bar is towards the back of the space, but it is currently dry, as they don’t have their liquor license. Little known fact: they will never be able to serve hard liquor (only beer and wine) since they reside within 200 feet of a church. We get seated after about a 10 minute wait into one of the booths for four and are greeted by possibly the friendliest server in the history of the service industry. He’s wearing a shirt that ironically points out his love of grass (a pun on the restaurant’s certified organic status), and I wonder where I can get whatever he’s been having.

After quite a while deciding which among the numerous very tasty looking bareburgers we should order, I land on the Matador, a bison meat burger served with  queso fresco, jalapenos, guacamole, green leaf, spicy pico de gallo and brioche bun ($12.65). My companions both ordered the Socal, a turkey burger served with aged cheddar, pickled red onions, alfalfa and guac on a sprout bun ($10.85). The beauty of Bareburger lies in their comfort level with altering the order. The first Socal was changed to include vegan cheese (extra charge) instead of the cheddar and to be served in a kale wrap. I fought off my inclination to make a snide remark, which I would have lived to regret, because it was delicious; even the vegan cheese was perfectly melted. Now, it’s easy to come off sounding like a burger snob with so many neighborhood alternatives, so it will suffice to say that the Matador was refreshing in its use of alternative meat, but not altogether worth repeating. The bun was soft and welcoming, but oversized relative to the patty, which was warm, not hot. It was spiced in a way to accent the leanness of the bison meat, but the mountain of guac almost entirely eclipsed the sandwich. Each component was pretty good, but when assembled as a whole, it gets demoted to alright.

As sides, we got the wasabi carrot slaw, a mayo-based concoction with a little heat and not too creamy and the combo of onion rings and sweet potato fries. The onion rings maintained a great batter to onion ratio, were crisp and large enough to be very satisfying. The sweet potato fries were ok. Just ok. The highlights were the dipping sauces that included a habanero mayo, a smoke sauce (aka bbq sauce) and ginger ketchup that was rich and chunky. These were additional complements to the table standard Sir Kensington Ketchup and Mustard that were similarly rich and perfect additions to the burgers.

Finally for dessert, we get suckered (and by suckered, he asked if we wanted to try an ice cream sandwich) into the highlight of the meal – the ice cream cookie sandwich. We four-way split a snickerdoodle which was nothing short of spectacular. Just the perfect dessert, no matter how cold it is outside.

You could make a very good argument for going to Bareburger for a milkshake and ice cream sandwich and it being a very successful meal.  I’ll chalk it up to new jitters, but the burger portion of the meal left a little to be desired if it’s going to fight in the same ring as Corner Bistro. But for the sake of having alternative places to dine or to get delivery from – Bareburger is another refreshing add to the neighborhood and I wish its staff and owners luck. Based on my experiences at other locations, they’ll come around quickly to become one of the neighborhood’s staples.

Getting Juiced in LIC

It’s a New Year, and for many, the resolution of losing weight or getting healthy is still top of mind. There is an endless supply of information, blogs, magazines, commercials, people and media hammering all kinds of messaging into our minds about the right and wrong things to do to be a better version you. Personally, I think it’s all BS in that the amount of raw information is overwhelming, everybody has their unique set of facts and what’s right today is likely to be proven wrong tomorrow. I digress. Eating ‘properly’ and exercising are at the core of any healthy lifestyle (we all know that) and it is with that in mind that I visited a few LIC spots to sample their juices and smoothies as I explored my own desire to be healthier.

First on my list was Food Cellar, the all-too-familiar super market. Walking up to their smoothie counter that shares space with their coffee, pastry and bakery counter, I noticed what appeared to be a well-curated, but somewhat expensive smoothie menu. Amongst the various choices are the Soy Protein Vanilla Smoothie ($6.99) that was made with Vanilla yogurt, soy milk and protein powder and the Iron Fist Smoothie, made with blueberries, raspberries, soy milk, strawberries, chia seeds, protein powder, bananas and flax seed oil ($9.99). I went with the Protein Breakfast Smoothie ($6.99) that was blended with Acai berries, nonfat vanilla yogurt, peaches, bananas and juices.  Now, it was tasty, but pretty much anything can be made tasty with enough sugar (care of the juices). The texture was grainy and I was left wondering what I just spent $7 on. It wasn’t filling, so I couldn’t count this as a meal supplement and it wasn’t particularly healthy in terms of additives (like antioxidants or vitamins). My first impression was that particular drink wasn’t a good fit for Food Cellar. I’d be better off at a JambaJuice or my next destination on Jackson.

And so, the next day, I ventured to Natural Frontier Market, a health food store at 12-01 Jackson Ave. (at the corner of 48^th). This place epitomizes the organic, healthier food trend in a store, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, the place offers a great alternative to Food Cellar in its selection and variety of staples. There is a dedicated smoothie & juice stand, which looked promising, but in reality, was somewhat of a letdown.  Upon ordering a Tropical Tango smoothie, made with orange juice, strawberries, bananas and non-fat yogurt ($6.99, scratch-written over an older, and probably cheaper price), the second of two employees in the whole store went downstairs to grab the ingredients. At least five minutes later, the drink was ready, but in abundance. In fact, I was given two glasses for the overflow. The result was closer to a juice than a smoothie, dyed red by the strawberry, and noticeably less grainy than Food Cellar’s. Notwithstanding all of the above, the drink was very sweet, and again, probably miles away from being the healthy alternative to a traditional meal or snack. Perhaps some of the other offerings, like the Green Machine ($6.99), made with Soy Milk, Green Powder, Spirulina and soy protein powder, or the Mother’s Milk ($8.99) made with coconut water, coconut meat, avocado, raw agave nectar and ginger offered more nutrients for my dollar. Here’s the thing, if I don’t know what it is, I don’t want to ingest it. For example, what is ‘green powder’ or coconut meat (isn’t coconut a fruit)?

Finally, the Paris Health store at 49-11 Vernon Blvd offered up my last hope. As I walked in, I couldn’t help but notice how unpretentious it was, how opposite it was in every respect to the counters at Food Cellar or Natural Frontier. This place was legit. Looking around, you notice a massive fridge with a (understated) broad assortment of commercial drinks and another fridge with nothing but raw ingredients. Upon ordering a Super Detox Smoothie ($5.25) blended with anti-oxidant berries, Acai, strawberries, bananas, blueberries and my choice of milk (skimmed, in this case), I was astounded by the fact that 95% of the blender was raw fruits; the remainder was the milk – no juice, no added sugar, and not artificial sweeteners. I think I had found the real deal. Then I started looking around the unassuming storefront and noticed upwards of 50 variations of smoothies, including an Oatmeal Smoothie, consisting of Flax seeds, oatmeal, soy milk, bananas and protein powder, or their version of the Green smoothie, consisting of spinach, kale, pineapple, banana, grapes and either water or aloe! The green coloring was explained! That was number 50 by the way. Not only was this an actual healthy smoothie, but it was delicious. Actually rich in texture, flavored by the fruits and not the juices and satisfying, owing to the proper ratio of ingredients to juices.

Unless you happen to find the unicorn (in this case, the Paris store), my quest yielded an interesting result to me: make it yourself. The best way to control your quality, your calorie count and your quantity is to just buy the ingredients and hold yourself to proper standards. Otherwise, you’re flying blind and likely to fall prey to an overly-juiced, deceptively-delicious calorie bomb that will undue your other efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.

Station LIC on track to be one of the better watering holes in Long Island City

I recently had drinks at the newly opened Station LIC and I must say, the experience was surprisingly groovy. The railroad themed bar (although any real resemblance to the MTA/Amtrak is coincidental) has this Manhatteny-type vibe to it, but it checks the condescension at the door in favor of a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Located at 10-37 Jackson Ave (just one block from the 7 train exit on 50^th), you can’t miss the railroad light pointing out the miniature barnyard door. Upon entry, you’ll notice exposed brick, high ceilings, a suave glass bar, high tables & chairs in the middle of the floor coupled with with normal seating along the walls. The owners spent an inordinate amount of time ensuring the perfect balance was reached between a lounge and a restaurant. On any given night, you get the impression that you could walk in and hear a jazz trio or find a DJ spinning; either way, it works.

On the lounge side, it’s easy to get comfortable at the Station. The lighting is cast low and when reflecting off the already dark tones of the renovated walls and the exposed brick, you feel welcomed to spend some time and do some casual damage to your liver. What’s nice, and perhaps this is a reflection of the demographic (ostensibly above the age of 30, teetering on 40), the music was lounge- or acid-jazz, but not too loud; just enough to have a good chat. For those looking for some liquid courage or to enjoy the art of imbibing,  there is a specialty cocktail menu with drinks such as the “derailer” consisting of bourbon, maraschino cherry liquor, simple syrup, absinthe and bitters or the “corpse reviver #2” made with gin, Cointreau lillet blanc lemon and absinthe. I had a “whizz bang” which was described as ‘pretty’ but with a bang! With scotch, dry vermouth, grenadine and absinthe, it wouldn’t take too many of these to get you to your happy place. The beers were equally eclectic, with Green Flash IPA, Bells Porter and Smuttynose Brown Dog in bottle.  Beers were a bit pricy at $7 and $9 respectively, but the cocktails were relatively cheap when compared to a similar bar in Manhattan ranging from $9 – $11.

As the whizz bang wasn’t taking very long to get to my head, I ordered the Rice Fritters ($8) and my company ordered a grilled cheese sandwich ($13) with fries and we all shared a slice of cheesecake ($8).  Of the latter, they’re hard to screw up but it takes a good chef to elevate these to new heights. The grilled cheese was properly pan-seared with the appropriate amount of butter and a good cheese to bread ratio. I’m a bit old-schooled when it comes to these things, so this sandwich was just plain delicious in hitting its spot. I won’t get into the cheese blends or whathaveyou – it’s not important. The overall focus on clean, substantial and tastiness left my friend fully satiated. With a mountain of accompanying string fries that resembled McDonald’s in form, the overall meal was a delight. The highlight though was the chef whipping up a ranch dressing on the fly. The dish was served without any sauces to dip, but upon requesting, the creamy and fresh ranch delivered was the perfect antidote. The risotto fritters (billed as rice fritters) were appropriately sized for an appetizer. I always say that you can deep fry a shoe and it’ll taste good, but in this case, this was pretty damn tasty.  Served with 6 in a tin can, there was an elegance in the dish that one can’t find in its cousin – the mozzarella cheese stick. Unlike the cheese sandwich, it was served with a tomato-based dip, but it wasn’t a straightforward marinara. This place is too classy for that sort of thing.

With the full round coming in at less than $70 for the three of us (see how the bill is presented to the left), I’d chalk this place up as a win for Long Island City. Relative to the spots along Vernon, it’s unique and it resembles just enough of the many Manhattan lounges, but without the snobbery, to make you feel deeply satisfied just for walking in.  I, for one, look forward to returning as soon as an actual trio takes a corner and further heightens an already relaxed, but invigorating mood.

A Tale of Three Breweries

With every new café, restaurant, bar or in this case, brewery that opens up, Long Island City grows its stature. I recently completed the trifecta of micro, nay, nano-breweries in Long Island City after having sampled the Octoberweizen at Big Alice Brewing. This brewery, on 43^rd and Vernon, was the northern most of the three; with Rockaway Brewing Co on 46^th and Vernon and Transmitter Brewing on 11^th St and Borden. Each is unique in its approach to brewing, but common in their passion for beer.  Relative to the larger Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg or Heartland in Manhatten, you can walk in to any one of these, speak with the owner, who is often the Master Brewer and really get a sense for the love and respect these owners possess for their craft and for their products.  Even if you don’t like beer, which is unfathomable, the tour of the three is really a tour of the city; a tour of everything that’s right about living in a time when and place where you can quit your day job to open up a brewery.

I digress. Octoberweizen. This somewhat untraditional seasonal beer clocks in just north of 7% ABV with a very mellow Octoberfest taste that dances a romantic tango with a more traditional Hefeweizen. The result is a lasting bold taste that is dangerously delicious. I remarked somewhat outloud that I would definitely drink this again, and a gentleman standing around remarked, “no – you won’t!” Somewhat taken aback, the (unknown to me at the time) Co-Founder Scott Berger told us that every batch is different and every time you come back, there will be a new keg pouring samples. In all likelihood, they’ll never brew this batch again. I was saddened by the loss, ecstatic with original find, and hopeful for the future. Their story is listed on their website, but to sum up the experience, “We won’t have the same beer produced over and over but instead will provide an ever evolving line of unique and interesting one-off beers. We can do things the big boys can’t.” And I agree with them: “That’s the really cool part.”

The Big Alice tasting room had at least ten taps, but only one pouring. With a recently acquired license to dispense farm distilleries’ liquor and other New York State beers, Big Alice will soon open its doors on Thursdays and Saturdays to hold tastings, bigger samplings and other great events to really take advantage of the crowd that is thirsty for this nano-brewery’s beers. For now, the very recently renovated warehouse space welcomes patrons (and their dogs!) from 5 – 8pm on Friday nights to sample their current brew and buy bottles of any of their recent batches. With John Brown’s Smokehouse so close-by, it’s the perfect way to kick-off the weekend.

On the south side of the beaten path is Transmitter Brewing. A similarly small operation with big aspirations. The focus here is on Farmhouse ales, that is, “yeast-driven beers with complimenting grains and hops.” You can read more about their unique contribution to the craft beer scene on their website. After crossing over the old LIRR tracks on 11^th St, you find the warehouse waiting for you with open arms. The front reception, no more than 75 square feet, is where the loveliest of Beer Advocates pores samples from three open bottles. Each had a strong inclination towards the fruity, but depending on the level of hops added in and at what time during th e production process, you could find yourself with an IPA styled Belgium beer. I got the impression that this was a take-out only. Sample the beers, choose one that you like and grab a few bottles. There was only one bench to sit at at the front end of the warehouse, and it was taken by thirsty revelers. Similarly priced as Big Alice, $17 is a significant investment for a 750ml bottle, but when it’s delicious, high-quality beer, you can justify supporting your local brewer!

Lying smack-dab in the middle between the two is Rockaway Brewing Company, the oldest of the three having opened way back in 2012! With a more traditional tasting room boasting 8 open taps, Rockaway invites you to come in, stay a while and enjoy the art of brewing. What the tap room lacks in décor it makes up for with Hendrix on the speakers, free chips to nosh on and of course, a constantly changing selection of solid beers. According to their website, “Our brewing process is very simple, there are no tricks or gimmicks we make it the old fashioned way, with a passion for fresh beer and a lot of elbow grease.” I went with a few friends and ordered two flights in order to sample all the beers. My favorites were the Black Gold Stout Nitro and the Old School IPA. On the latter, they used west coast hops which produced a drier and more piney tasting beer, the opposite of the IPAs produced by east coasters like Dogfish Head. On the former, we tried both the original and the Nitro to see the difference. The original was meant to be enjoyed later with a steak and the nitro immediately with your friends on a cooler day.  Go in; they will definitely explain the difference better than me. A 32oz growler costs $10, including the growler but only $7.50 to fill up again later.

The Long Island City nano-brewery tour is one meant to be enjoyed with friends and fellow beer enthusiasts. Each indulges people like me who have become beer snobs, or rather, have become particular about the beers they enjoy. With three very high quality breweries so close to home, there is never a reason to settle for a Stella or a Bud. Spend a little bit more and try something that is unique, both to the world of craft brewing and to Long Island City. You won’t regret it.

LIC Burger Showdown

It seems like everyone and their brother has an opinion about the best burger in the city these days.  Just typing in “Best burgers, nyc” will give you pages upon pages of peoples’ lists. And in Manhattan, there are chefs putting the burger on such a high pedestal that eating one no longer becomes about the joy of something delicious, but about attaining the unobtainable, like driving a Maybach or winning the lottery.  The DB Royale Double Truffle Burger at DB Bistro Moderne in New York is $140! Are you willing to shell that out?

Luckily, we’re not there (yet?) in Long Island City. We still have classic burger joints that cater to those people, like myself, that are just looking for a delicious patty between two buns and to hopefully share that with like-minded individuals.   With that in mind, I went out to try, compare and contrast the house specials at Long Island City’s three dedicated burger spots: Burger Garage (25-36 Jackson Avenue), Petey’s Burgers (46-46 Vernon Boulevard) and Corner Bistro (47-18 Vernon Blvd – and yes, it’s the same as the West Village historical location).

A true burger enthusiast is probably thinking that I’m an idiot (my wife will undoubtedly agree); comparing the pub-style burger at Corner Bistro to the fast-food style burgers at Lucky’s or Petey’s is like comparing coffee to tea. Let’s face it though: both coffee and tea are delicious, and like these delightful beverages, these three burgers may appear at first glance to be dissimilar, yet each has a unique taste, serves its own purpose and deserves its place in LIC’s burgeoning culinary scene.

Burger Breakdown:

B.G Burger at Burger Garage is a ¼ lb patty served with a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and the “B.G. Sauce.” Along with fries and a can of soda, total cost was $10.

Bistro Burger at Corner Bistro is an ½ lb burger served with lettuce, tomato, cheese and a heaping pile of bacon.  $9.75 before tax, tip and not including fries.

The Petey Melt at Petey’s Burger is a ¼ lb patty served between a buttered and pressed bun with two slices of cheese, a slice of tomato  and their own version of a secret sauce. $5.00 after tax.

Let’s start with the bun. I’m of the personal belief that a bun is like sauce on brisket: good meat doesn’t need it. However, if done right, a bun becomes like a tomato or a slice of onion: a good complement to the meat and perhaps not a necessity, but a powerful force that completes the package.  Burger Garage’s 1/4 lb patty is flanked by a perfectly moist potato bun that adds more than a hint of sweetness to the burgers. The Bistro Burger is your typical sesame seed bun and Petey’s steals home by evolving our primitive notion of a bun into a grilled cheese. They take their normal bun, butter it up and press it in their panini-press so that it is extremely flavorful, crunchy and simply delicious.  This round goes to Peteys.

Corner Bistro focuses solely on the burger meat itself and ensures that all of your attention is on the patty and not the accoutrements.  It obviously prides itself on the simple. The meat is flavored with a bit of salt and pepper, AND THAT’S IT! What follows is that each bite is the same as the last: just divine. The earthiness of the meat, the fact that it’s char-broiled to ensure an even cook throughout and the chunky texture of the beef make this patty the best of the Long Island City Burgers. Petey’s burger is all but drowned out by the overly rich flavors of the grilled cheese sandwich in which it is housed. Once you dissect it and taste the patty, you’ll find nothing to write home about. It’s tasty, grilled on a flatbed but not really satisfying to a discerning palette. Burger Garage takes a giant leap ahead of Petey’s by using a blend of chuck, brisket & short rib. The fattiness of those cuts lends extra flavor to the patty and makes it worthy of a return trip. The common factor underlying each of these is that the quality of the beef is really high; each place prides itself on all natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat. It makes a difference.

Finally, the other stuff. By other stuff, I mean what else comes on the burger besides the meat. As noted above, the sandwich that is each place’s specialty is prepared somewhat differently. Petey’s separates itself from the bunch by not only creating a delicious grilled cheese, but by adding in sautéed onions along with its signature sauce.  Corner Bistro ignores saucy additions and delivers a massive pile of thick cut, smoky bacon, fully melted and very high quality cheddar cheese and a slice of tomato with lettuce.  Burger Garage was the only to put the pickle in the sandwich (Corner Bistro added it to the side) and included a signature sauce that was not markedly different than Petey’s, or Shake Shack, or McDonald’s.  In fact, anyone can mix Ketchup with Mayo, add in one or two other ingredients and call it special sauce too. As much as the onions at Petey’s are important, when you toss bacon into the mix, you’ll always win and so big points to Corner Bistro for keeping to simple and creating the extravagant.

When push comes to shove, I’d much rather wait the extra 10 minutes and pay the extra $4 for the superior patty at Corner Bistro every day of the week. However, after a long night or to satisfy a fast-food craving, I’d go to Burger Garage before Petey’s. Each spot is putting out delicious fare in their own right and each should be tried at your earliest convenience, if not for the simple joy in life of eating a good burger.

This Little Piggy Went to LIC Market… and Never Had to go to Another Brunch Spot Ever Again

   It is inevitable that every conversation between New Yorkers turns to the topic of restaurants. “Have you tried [insert famous chef’s name]’s new restaurant?” or “Have you been to that new burger joint on [insert name of avenue here]”. And so it was one day while watching our dogs have more fun than we were having that the topic of LIC brunch spots came up. I was asked if I’d tried LIC Market, to which I replied in the negative. At that point, every head in the dog park turned to me and looked at me as if I was an alien. How could I not have tried LIC Market yet? Rarely is there consensus amongst so many people on such a contentious topic: this was the best brunch in LIC.

   This was a situation that I rectified late on a very sunny Sunday morning. Not quite comfortable amongst its neighbors, LIC Market is flanked by old industrial warehouses just a stone’s throw from the 7 and G subway tracks. What really catches us off guard is the crowd of people waiting. This isn’t Good Enough to Eat on Columbus or Bubbe’s in Tribeca…. Was it? We enter to find a gracious host that casually informs us of the 30-45 minute wait. We couldn’t believe it. And then, we experienced a miracle, like a sun parting grey clouds, when we saw two spots open up at the bar.  Done.  We sit down on stools very close to the closed off kitchen but in front of the staging area for drinks.  The hustle and bustle of the staff showed us that they were all aware of the lineup and the pressure and were handling it. And quite well I might add. They knew that they were in the brunch business, and it was a boon. 

   Taking a look around, there’s a comfortable harmony between a low-ceilinged homey restaurant with exposed brick (painted white) and some renovations no-doubt made to modernize the place, bring it up to code and into the 21^st century. While we didn’t get to sit outside, there was a very attractive outdoor patio at the back of the restaurant as well as a main dining room. Total occupancy couldn’t have been more than75 people. We take note of the constant flow of dishes being rushed out of the kitchen, and immediately decide to come back for another brunch as well as dinner – everything looked damned delicious. This wasn’t your typical home cooking atmosphere.  We could tell by the presentation of the dishes that the chefs took their trade seriously.

   Eggs were not just eggs here. On offer was a “Dirty Rice” Frittata made with long grain rice and sauteed with chicken livers, chorizo, onions & peppers in an open face omelet. I personally ordered a dish called Shirred Eggs made with two eggs baked in braised green lentils with roasted zucchini, chorizo and manchego cheese. My wife ordered Slow Roasted Duck Hash: crisp potatoes, red onion, peppers, dried cherries & pine nuts with two fried eggs.  I mean c’mon – this place wasn’t giving any of the other brunch spots a chance. Compete with duck hash… I dare you. Her meal was complete – perfectly tender potatoes with a lot of paprika; crisp and rich chunks of duck, partially shredded and exquisitely prepared and the mixture of the other ingredients made it just the most delightful of experiences. It would be impossible to have a bad day after eating the Shirred Eggs. Baked in a cast-iron skillet, the lentils were obviously prepared by someone with many many years under their belt. Throwing in small chunks of salty chorizo into the mix was just the right complement to the earthiness of the lentils. These dishes were rounded off with a tasty, if not somewhat watered down latte and a tender, moist and very inviting home-baked chocolate chip cookie for dessert.

   At $33 including tax and tip, LIC Market is an approachable, well-balanced, warm and welcoming restaurant that sits very pretty amongst the other brunch alternatives in LIC. In fact, having gone to the some of the best that Manhattan has to offer, LIC Market competes strongly. The only thing I can say more is that I can’t wait to try their dinner. If LIC is characterized by restaurants like LIC Market, I can feel very safe in saying that this will become the next culinary destination in New York.

Sweetleaf… More Than Meets the Eye

You wouldn’t walk into a coffee shop and order a burger, would you?

In the case of Sweetleaf on Center Blvd in Long Island City, I did just that… and you know what? I don’t regret it. Not for an instant. In fact, I’d do it again.

Against the odds and your instincts, the chef in the kitchen at Sweetleaf, using only a frying pan and a panini press, managed to prepare a very respectable burger. In the words of the bartender (not the barista, but the bartender), he “MacGyver’d the fuck out of the place,” paying his respects to the chef’s inventive use of the space. Speaking of which, the proprietor is trying to change the casual, if not dark house of caffeine into more of a lounge that serves coffee and pastries by day, and innovative cocktails, limited but well-curated beers and delicious bar eats by night. And somehow… it all works.  Even the website is dominated by a picture of the single malts available. Walking into  a space where “you will find a lot of reclaimed wood, antiques and a nod to Long Island City’s industrial roots” (from their website, I couldn’t have described it any better), you immediately feel relaxed and at home; the perfect place to indulge and imbibe. Ignoring your urge to order their famous Rocket Fuel Iced Coffee or Voodoo Child signature drink, you broaden your mind and explore the other menus.

I entered the place around 5:30 and there were a few others inside enjoying their Americanos and Lattes. I asked the gentleman behind the counter if I could see their menu. He had to ask his associate to come on over to assist me. Evidently, the coffee side of the house and the bar side of the house don’t chat. A more seamless ordering experience is needed. I digress. A jovial if not spacey, but informed bartender talked to me about the 4 beers on tap, and I opted for a Smuttynose IPA. In retrospect, for the happy hour deal at $7, I should have ordered one of their delicious sounding cocktails, like the Revolver, made with Bourbon, house-made coffee liqueur and orange bitters, or a  Long Island City Special, made with Blackstrap rum, house-made coffee liqueur, fresh lemon juice, agave and seltzer. The beer was served in a frosted glass, all the more special because it was a rather warm day outside. Nice touch.

I ordered the Burger with bacon and a plate of the curried artichoke heart hummus. It seemed necessary as the Burger was unaccompanied by fries, veggie sticks, chips, etc. About 15 minutes later, they were delivered to our table and what I saw resting in front of me belied the coffeeshop environment in which I was sitting. This was legit. And by legit, I mean large, juicy, smelled of delicious beefiness and topped with thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon that was not from an Oscar Meyer package. My first bite confirmed my initial reaction. My senses are bombarded with the taste of salty and smoky bacon: chewy, not crispy, and substantial, but not overpowering. The burger itself was pan-fried as opposed to grilled, thus sealing in maximal moistness and flavor. It was cooked through, but I didn’t mind knowing that I wasn’t compromising the texture. Strong hints of the butter it was fried in and the salt and pepper used for flavoring, the end result commanded my respect and my continued patronage. On the liberal side of 6 oz’s, this one held its own against the more traditional burgers served locally.

The hummus was another good choice. What it lacked in bold flavors, it made up for with its chunky texture and very delicious, house-made pita crisps. I’m not saying it was bland, but most of the hummus plates these days are served very spicy or overly garlicky. This was just right. What I appreciated was that the ratio of hummus to dipping apparatus was such that each bite held a weighty amount. It can be disappointing when the ratio is off and you’re left with too much of one or the other.

All in all, Sweetleaf does a great job transforming itself into a cocktail lounge serving up delicious eats. Points to the chef for innovative use of the space and to the proprietor for re-engaging the locals once their caffeine needs have been met. According to the website, “Owner Rich Nieto reached out to his friend Rich Boccato of the acclaimed Dutch Kills bar to design the cocktail menu and train the bar staff.”

At $30 all-in for a refreshing beer, a delicious burger, a satisfying hummus plate and an easy-going ambiance, Sweetleaf becomes a repeatable spot based not on its convenience factor, but on the quality of its food and drinks.