Wikipages Blog

I’m always on the look-out for good small businesses in my neighborhood, Astoria. So I was happy when a new store, Inside Astoria, opened not too ago.

An interior home design store, Inside Astoria has an assortment of lamps, tables, candles, hardcover books, and gifts. It has many beautiful things, much cheaper than you’d find in any similar store in Manhattan (though I wouldn’t say exactly cheap), we’ve bought a bamboo side table, a pretty engraving of a fern, and a pair of pearl earrings for my mother.

The store’s a great place to stop by, if you’re in the area and need a quick gift or new home decor.

My friend from California came into town last Friday and I wanted to take him somewhere with a great happy hour. I decided on a chic Lower East Side spot called Verlaine that serves $4 Martinis till 10pm, even on Saturdays!

Verlaine is located in the midst of the fun that is the Lower East Side. The bar is not far from Moby’s Teany, which hosted an awesome Move On bakesale in 2004 where I was served a cupcake by Jeanine Garofalo. The bar’s interior has an awesome red-tinted lighting, a chic/ vaguely artsy atmosphere, with ample seating at couches, tables and the bar. They have a food menu which focuses on Asian delights with ample vegetarian options. Their martini specialty is lychee martinis, fruity and delicious. At $4 each, you can drink three for the price of one usual Manhattan martini (though I wouldn’t recommend doing that too fast!) And if you get the lychee martini, make sure to eat the lychee. It’s delicious!

Verlaine is a good happy hour bet since it’s got a good vibe, good menu, cheap drinks, and normally seats available. Last Friday, we managed to grab enough tables and chairs to fit our party of eight. While my new friends met my old ones, I relaxed with my martini and reveled at the thought of the long weekend ahead. You really can’t get much better than good friends and good $4 martini.

Ben and I had a lovely Valentine’s Day right in Astoria. We decided to go out to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner: Mezzo Mezzo. It’s a tasty, slightly pricey Greek place not far from the subway.

While the weather was pretty brutal on Wednesday, it was warm and cozy inside the restaurant. Mezzo mezzo has a bit of an odd decor with carved wood and almost a cabin lodge feel. A contrast to the Mediterranean menu.

We sat upstairs, which is normally quieter, with a nice view of the street. There’s a fake fireplace, which still adds to the warm atmosphere despite the slight cheesiness. We ordered a selection of appetizers, as usual. Haloumi (grilled goat cheese), of course, Greek salad, a selection of dips and spreads, and sausage for Ben.

The food was delicious, as were the two glasses of Savignon Blanc I drank. All in all, a romantic Valentine’s Day.

I’m home sick today with a cold and a sore throat. The cruel weather and dry heat have worn me down. And when I’m sick, I take my mother’s advice. Drink lots of liquids and eat lots of soup. Though I don’t eat the chicken noodle soup I grew up with; I settle down with a nice bowl of Udon noodles from Kwang Noodle House.

Located in Astoria, Kwang is a tiny little noodle shop that opened a couple years ago. It’s run by a very friendly couple who by now know us as regulars. They serve delicious noodles, miso soup, sushi, bento boxes, and bubble milk tea. It might grow into an eat-in restaurant, but for now you can pick up this yummy food or have it delivered.

I, personally, am opting for delivery. No way I’m going out there today.

I’m a big brunch fan. Ever since college, where it was the only decent meal that the cafeteria served, consisting of eggs, pancakes, donuts, french toast, and served until 2 in the afternoon (which is good since, during college, I just barely woke up before that time). Luckily there are some places within walking distance I can stumble over to now on a lazy Sunday for some delicious, thoroughly fatty food.

My favorite spot in Astoria for brunch has got to be Igloo. Igloo has an inviting interior, with windows, booth-seating, a garden-type room, and an outdoor courtyard, great for summer brunches. The menu is pretty broad, with tons of different omelet options (which I’m always tempted to get, but can never finish), smoothies, flavored coffees, and the usuals (pancakes, french toast, etc.). They also have plenty of lunch options, but I’m a firm believer that the first meal of the day should contain traditional breakfast foods: eggs, starch, and donuts.

Ben and I love to stroll over to Igloo for a brunch treat and sip our coffee, do some people watching. The food’s a little pricier than most Astorian establishments, but well worth it, in my opinion. Then an after breakfast walk to Astoria Park or the Steinway Mansion. Leisure should not be confined to one’s college years after all.