Date Night In Astoria - NYC

Enjoy trend-setting sips and bites in the oh-so-cool and cozy neighborhood of Astoria.

For quite some time now foodies all over this great city of ours have looked to Astoria, Queens to discover exciting chefs and mixologists who blend both tradition and innovation in their fabulous creations. However, while most New Yorkers are more than familiar with the foodie scene along Broadway, Steinway Street and 30th Avenue, the Ditmars area of Astoria has, up until a few years ago, been an unsung gem when it comes to fine dining and great date spots. Located literally at the end of the line, ( it's the last stop on the N & W trains ), Ditmars has so much to offer in terms of diverse ethnic cuisine, hip bars, and old-school Mom and Pop restaurants. Whatever you're into, you'll find what you are looking for in Ditmars happening environs. No matter what locale you're coming from; be it the Upper East Side, Tribeca, Chelsea, Prospect Park, or Bed-Stuy, Ditmars is definitely worth staying on the train for an extra few minutes. And, the wonderful thing is, that almost all of this nabe's dining spots and watering holes are just a short stroll from the train station. How's THAT for convenience?

Porta 23  -  Ditmars, Astoria

A relative newcomer to the Ditmars restaurant scene, this dimly lit and cozy restaurant blends Brazilian fare with American and Italian classics, striking the perfect note on your tastebuds every time out. Your date will adore you even more for thinking to make reservations here. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive while the magnificent food and drink will totally get you in the mood, if you know what we mean !

Kick off the festivities with a cocktail from Porta 23's bar. Their mixologists really know what they are doing. One sip is the proof of the pudding, so to speak. One drink that has both sweet and tart overtones is the Lost Soul, whose ingredients are Empress 1908 Indigo gin, a splash of Prosecco, raspberry syrup, rhubarb bitters and freshly squeezed lemon juice. A cocktail that contains serene floral notes is The Vagabond. This cocktail will most certainly turn heads with its seductive blend of elderflower rose gin, lychee, lemon juice, St. Germain, tonic water and hibiscus.  Brazilian cocktails abound here, as you might expect. The barkeeps stay faithful to a classic rendition of Brazil's national cocktail, the Caipirinha. However, they do indulge their creativity with the whimsically named Cai[ifruta, made with passion fruit, tamarind, mango, strawberry juice, raspberries and lychee. 

Whatever you decide to order for a starter or a main, you simply HAVE to include a side of their baked homemade Brazilian cheese bread. This just might be the BEST bread you can order in any type of restaurant, anywhere! Yes, it is that good. By the way, the PDQ Bread pairs well with that Brazilian staple, Picadinho, a veritable feast on a plate with succulent diced beef in a Madeira wine reduction, with rice and beans, fried bananas and, to top things off, a poached egg. Another great choice would be the Gambas Al Ajillo which consists of seared shrimp dressed with herbs, and a touch of lemon and bathed in a mild garlic-infused olive oil. The Picahna, perfectly grilled top sirloin steak, is also not to be missed. This huge mound of meat is served with the chef's secret recipe Crazy Rice along with pico de gallo. The Chicken Pilaf Bowl is big enough to share, but, believe us, you won't want to! One forkful of this dish, made with lemon-garlic seasoned fried chicken over rice pilaf and pickled onions with a drizzle of lime zest and sour cream, will tell you why. The massive and juicy Porta 23 Burger is a sight to behold with a full half-pound of ground beef topped with melty blue cheese, bacon, crispy onions and French fries.

If at all possible and we know it will be hard, try to save some room in your tummy for dessert because they've got some good ones here including a cup of authentic Flan, Passion Fruit Custard Brulee' and a divine Frangelico Affogato with vanilla ice cream, Italian espresso, and crumbled chocolate bits and hazelnut. Enough said.

Location and Hours:
29-17 23rd Avenue
Astoria N.Y. 11105
(718) 777-9477
www.porta23.com

Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 4 PM -11 PM
Friday: 4 PM -2 AM
Saturday: 4 PM - 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM - 10 PM

The Bier and Cheese Collective - Ditmars, Astoria

Family-owned, The Bier and Cheese Collective has been a stalwart in the Astoria community since 2014. If you and your significant other love having fun, beer and tasty charcuterie boards ( plus a WHOLE lot more ), then this is your place. There is SO much to do here besides eating and drinking! Every month, they host Erica's Paint and Sip party. Weekly events include Trivia Thursdays and there is an upcoming tournament sponsored by the Astoria Chess Club. Play chess? Then sign up NOW. There's no reason why the two of you can't get a little friendly competition going at chess or trivia, right?

The service is very friendly and the staff can answer just about any question you may have about the up to 300 varieties of draft, canned and bottled beer that the Bier and Cheese Collective sells. The bier meisters will even let you know which beers go best with the particular dish you ordered. Not to mention an insane variety of locally crafted and imported cheeses that are available. The owners also pride themselves on hiring locals to staff their establishment. When you have a date night here you are supporting your neighbors. That's as cool as it gets.

On-tap customer faves include Finback The Shallows (an American pale ale), the Braven Bushwick Pils, (a Czech-style pilsner), Free Will C.O.B. (a delicious brown ale with notes of coffee and oatmeal) and the Boulevard Show and Tell ( oak-aged Scotch ale). Small bites range from a Kale N' Sprouts salad with toasted pepitas, cranberries and shaved Parmesan their signature Crispy Prosciutto-Crostini Salad and a creamy, made fresh daily Yogurt Parfait to the gigantic, warm Bavarian Pretzel accompanied by homemade cheese sauce and spicy Dijon mustard.

You can also indulge in a dazzling variety of not-your-mother grilled cheese sandwiches like Truffle Conundrum which consists of truffled Vermont cheddar and melted Mozzarella with a touch of truffle honey on fresh-baked bread. The Schmear contains smoked salmon, dill-caper Mascarpone cheese and pickled onions served between two slices of oatmeal pecan-raisin bread. The ingredients of Mr. Crispy are cave-aged Gruyere, rosemary ham and honey on that aforementioned pecan-raisin bread. The collective's cheese plates are well-priced and you get what you pay for. The large Cheese Plate features five different varieties of cheese and is priced at only $11.00. The Works ( priced at a mere $20 ) is just made for sharing with the one you love. The plate contains an array of meats and cheeses plus bread and pickles. Guaranteed, you will NOT go hungry.

Location and Hours:
35-11 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria N.Y. 11105
(718) 255-6982
www.bierandcheese.com

Hours:
Monday -Thursday: 12 PM to 10 PM
Friday and Saturday: 12 PM to 11 PM
Sunday: 12 PM to 10 PM

The Bonnie - Ditmars, Astoria

What can we say that hasn't already been said about Bonnie? This gastropub is simply one of the BEST places to dine and drink in ALL of the Big Apple, not just Astoria. In terms of helping to create a foodie scene on 23rd Avenue when most of the action was previously only on Ditmars Blvd., well, kudos to the folks at The Bonnie. If you haven't been there in a while, then we suggest that you make reservations pronto. The place has recently undergone a bit of a facelift. The black paint accents on the outside look fabulous. The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan, would be so very keen on the work that has been done, both inside and outside. But, honestly, the ambiance didn't need much renovation at all. The restaurant's beautiful and spacious garden, lit up at night, lends itself to romance as does the warm inner environs replete with candles, exposed brick and wood and, your date will love this: booth seating.

Bonnie's food and cocktail menus change seasonally so there is always something fresh and exciting to look forward to. And, let's not forget about their incredible brunch, served on weekends from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. The $25 bottomless brunch includes ninety unforgettable minutes of your choice of Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Sangrias, or Spaten Lagers. Menu highlights include French Toast Sticks accompanied by pumpkin latte maple syrup, Shrimp and Grits with a poached egg, Hot Honey Fried Chicken and house-made biscuits, Eggs Benedict and Skirt Steak and Eggs with frisee, Chimichurri, tater tots and a sunny-side up egg.

Working hard to make rent at a job in Manhattan? Your significant other is most likely doing the same. So, plan to meet up at The Bonnie, when you get off the subway and make the most of your time together. Connect with your love at Happy Hour, weekdays from 4 until 7 PM. The bar offers $2 off select draft beer, wine and well drinks. Every day from 10 PM until closing time, The Bonnie features their $10 After Ten Happy Hour. You can enjoy a spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini, or a beer and shot for just ten bucks. Sweet!

Whether you are taking advantage of Happy Hour or not, keep in mind that The Bonnie has a botanically-driven cocktail menu that will keep you coming back for more. This is elevated imbibing, to be sure. The bar's Draft Boulevardier just oozes a classy continental vibe with ingredients such as  Four Roses Bourbon, house-made vermouth, and Antica Torino Aperitivo di Stellare. The Gloria From Astoria cocktail is a merry and tasty blend of vodka, Cocchi rosa, lemon juice, ginger, agave and soda water. Share a carafe of Garden Sangria with the one who makes your heart beat a little faster. The ingredients are fresh and fruity: Rose' wine, peach, lemon and strawberry juice ( always FRESH ), honey, ginger and elderflower.

The kitchen specializes in turning out dishes that are cutting-edge yet comforting in their own way. The chef's Chicken Pot Pie throws in some very Autumn-like butternut Squash together with chunks of savory chicken, peas, carrots and mushrooms in a smooth as-silk cream sauce topped with a flaky puff pastry. Their Philly " cheese" Hoagie substitutes earthy mushrooms for the traditional steak and it loses nothing in the process, taste-wise. You will devour this hearty sandwich, complete with a bevy of Wood Ear mushrooms, " cheese" whiz (made in-house), caramelized onions and peppers and a very special secret sauce. Yes, this is technically a VEGAN dish, but if we didn't tell you, you wouldn't know it. Two of the chef's most popular dishes are the four cheese Mac & Cheese with Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Muenster and Cheddar mixed with fusilli pasta, scallions and breadcrumbs and the Brussels Sprouts covered in buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles.

Location and Hours:
29-12 23rd Avenue
Astoria N.Y. 11105
(718) 274-2105
www.thebonnie.com

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 4 PM to 12 AM
Friday: 12 PM to 2 AM
Saturday: 10 AM to 2 AM
Sunday: 10 AM to 12 AM

Botte - Ditmars, Astoria

When talking about romantic destinations for date night, one has to include an Italian restaurant. The Italians practically invented romance. And, when it comes to setting the table with delicious food and superb wine, they have few, if any, equals. Botte, which recently opened a location on Ditmars Blvd., celebrates Roman tradition. Originally hailing from Rome, Italy Botte's owners, Francesco Lauroni and Valerio Fuccilo are a true American success story. Starting with a small restaurant in Astoria, Botte now has locations in Brooklyn, the UES and Tribeca. Their motto is: " Do as the Romans do". So, make plans to join your date at Botte for the evening and become an honorary citizen of Rome.

Start the night off with a cocktail The bar at Botte offers a variety of delectable Negronis to choose from. Botte's signature Negroni is composed of Tanqueray gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. They also have a sensational Blood Orange Negroni that's made with barrel-aged Negroni. Other libations you might enjoy are  Disco Ibisco (hibiscus-infused Aviation gin, agave and lemon juice) and Just Take The Ferry, ( Bulleit Rye,  Campari, Triazzi sweet vermouth and Amaro Montenegro. Their Limoncello cocktail goes with almost anything on the menu with its taste-bud-friendly ingredients like Prosecco, limoncello and seltzer water. You'll also find imported reds, whites and sparkling wines on the drink list as well as Italian beers and lagers such as Peroni and Birra Moretti. Speaking of beverages, come by on Why Not Mondays? and receive fifty percent off selected bottles of wine. On Tuesdays, all Negronis are just ten dollars and every Wednesday, a refreshing Spritz is only ten bucks.

One of Botte's signature dishes is something that you won't find on any other menu. The Gnocchi al Profumo di Mare consists of handmade potato gnocchi topped with clams, octopus, calamari and bacon in a light cherry-tomato sauce. The chef's Lasagna Bolognese adds the flavor of bechamel to a hearty meat sauce for an unbeatable taste. Cheese lover? Then you must order the Rigatoni Quattro Formaggi which is made with a four-cheese cream sauce and a light touch of honey to balance the nuttiness and sharpness of the cheeses. A couple of non-pasta dishes that are worthy of your attention are the Pan-Seared halibut accompanied by a butternut squash caponata and Salmone arrosto which is specially seasoned Atlantic Salmon sided up with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes. All desserts are created in-house. Virtually nothing is brought in from the outside. You cannot go wrong with either the creamy Panna Cotta, old-school Tiramisu, or their outrageous Nutella tart. Just sit back and enjoy!

Location and Hours:
35-01 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria N.Y. 11105
(718) 360-9472
www.botterestaurants.com

Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 4 PM to 10 PM
Friday: 4 PM to 11 PM
Saturday: 11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM to 10 PM