Other than that, my friend and I went to Roxy's Delicatessen. This was after seeing a Broadway show (Shrek!) and we were very hungry. We both got breakfast food which tasted like any other breakfast food. It was a little pricey, but you definitely got the amount of food that you paid for! My omelet was the size of a platter! I do was to note that their cheesecake was amazing! Very creamy and thick, yet fluffy! We actually didn't have room for it after dinner and took it to go...didn't eat it until breakfast the next day for breakfast...and couldn't stop eating until it was gone! We tried Cookie and Cream and Strawberry. Try it! Roxy's is right at Times Square!
The following day (we stayed over the weekend), we decided to visit the great Greekland of Astoria...haha. Everyone told us about Athens Cafe, so we went. First, this place is gorgeous! Very clean and welcoming! Obviously, the first thing we order were our Frappes/Freddos (refer to GREECE blog!) lol. My Freddo was enormous and equivalent to one in Greece! I loved it! Then, I order the Halloumi and Tomato Crepe. This combination was perfect! The crepe was prefect! Thin and buttery sweet, and not rubbery (this happens when its over cooked). The Halloumi cheese was salty and with the refreshing juicy tomatoes, a flavor melody was created that took me right to Greece! I wish I wasn't stuffed so that I could try more of their menu! Definitely go! You could stay there for hours! In addition, the staff is super friendly and helpful!
Departing day, on our walk to the MegaBus station (our method of getting home after trip one), I was intent on finding a New York bagel... We finally found a cafe that looked good enough (unfortunately don't remember the name) and trotted in with all our luggage. I got an onion bagel with cream cheese (not my first choice, but they had run out of many of their other flavors :( ). I must admit that it was wonderful. I love my bread, and this bagel was dense but not overwhelming. It was light like sandwich bread yet a mouthful (for lack of better term) like french bread. Yummy! So glad I found one!
Astoria
So, the second time I went, we decided to spend more time in Astoria. When we first got up there (I drove from Baltimore for the first time! and my car made it!) we stopped a Souvlaki vendor that was on the side of the street. My sister's boyfriend recommended it and hit the nail on the head! I got the one on the stick, and the gentleman serves it with lemon and a slice of bread. It was perfectly marinated and juicy! The lemon juice just enhanced the flavor! The vendor wasn't the most outgoing guy, to say the least, but makes a heck of a Souvlaki!
Later on (after my sister and I went and saw Addam's family on Broadway) we traveled back to Astoria and searched for a place to eat. After being indecisive for about an hour, we decided to go somewhere tried and true (by our Connecticut tourguides) and went to the former "Stamati's", now called "Bahari". Again, this place is gorgeous and very Mediterranean. You walk in to a display of the meats they are featuring that evening. We sat down and ordered the Saganaki (melted Havarti with lemon) and Greek salad (the one with lettuce, not the Village one...haha) and the Sauteed Octopus. Everything was very good and rustic! And of course, our Greek waiter was very pleasant (even though the poor guy was REALLY sun burnt). For main entree, I order the Avgolemono soup, which was fantastic! Very consistent and not too eggy. The chicken was very tender and flavorful, and the rice was not mushy at all! I really enjoyed it! The best part (like always) was dessert, Bahari serves dessert to all customers. That night they offered Halva and Baklava. Both were sufficiently soaked in they honey syrup, and the portion was just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth! Overall, it was a wonderful experience! I would definitely visit it again!
One our way back to the car, we walked by Omonia Bakery and our faces lit up like little children! We had to go in! Again, with my sweet tooth, I couldn't resist and got a box-full over various desserts. Many of them were, unfortunately, monotonous in flavor (chocolate, honey, phyllo) and got "unexciting" after the first couple ones. However, I did enjoy their Kataifi (Shredded Wheat version of Baklava) which paired perfectly with my Vanilla Ice Cream! Best combination! Thanks Omonia!
http://www.athenscafeny.com/blog/
http://www.bahariestiatorio.com/
http://www.omoniacafe.com/
Keep craving,
Your Tasty Bud
