Psari Seafood Restaurant & Bar

I found this place after trying to get into a certain fantastic fish place on Ditmars on Wednesday night.  Unlike the other place, Captain Fish had no line, in fact it was a large place with ample room to accommodate the many families.  They serve huge portions, and it was exactly what it sounds like, a wonderful fish meal, Greek style.  I had recently returned from a week in Greece and this did reminded me somewhat of the food i had on the coast in Greece, although the selection of fish was expectantly different.

When you walk in it looks like a fish market at first, but around the corner are the tables.  Before ordering I walked over to the large selection of seafood and asked for recommendations.  I checked out the quality up close which is nice to be able to do, and the fish all looked very good.  They were very helpful and told me what was good and even what was not so good today, I appreciated the honestly.

As I mentioned, the portions are just massive, they do most items family style.  The garlic bread with herbs was fantastic and hot, great way to start off the meal.  The salad was simple but very good, huge again, lots of feta and olives.  The three of us ordered red snapper, lobster and I believe black snapper.  The fish in particular were recommended after we told them we wanted the whole fish.  Great recommendation, it was all very fresh.  Very simple too, not much added to the fish, just grilled, and some lemon.  Exactly the way to enjoy fresh fish in my opinion.  The sides were chips, really excellent homemade potato chips, of course with the salad and bread it looked like a feast on the table.  

If memory serves me correctly they do not serve dessert, but there is a Baskin Robins down the block which is nice on a summer night after a light fish dish.  Nice service, good staff.  Great food, simple, fresh, great. Decently priced and was there they did accept credit cards.  Its not fancy at all, nice relaxing place.  I recommend it.

Malagueta Restaurant

This place has fantastic food, very large portions and is an excellent value.  The ambiance is not great, simple lights and paper table cloth, but the food and service more than make up for it.  I've been here a few times and enjoyed the meal very much every time.  Yuka fries are so much better than potato fries, and here they are well fried  My father got a HUGE plate of garlic shrimp.  Massive portion for $7 and it was cooked perfectly, the shrimp had a bite. For the main course, I had the Pollock, made with a s fish paste sauce, very strange, and totally excellent.  Wonderful bold flavors, fresh fish and cooked very well.    My fiance had the duck with crispy skin the way duck should, but still a little pink inside, cooked perfectly.  She enjoyed it very much.  We had 2 desserts that were as good as the entree.  The passion fruit pudding was quite tart which I enjoy very much. There were many new taste experienced at this meal, Brazilian food is interesting, and I quite like it.  The Brazilian Tiramisu was light and airy, really surprising and enjoyable.  The staff was helpful and nice.  I highly recommend this place, they also have outdoor seating which is nice.

Taverna Kyclades - 5/13/2008

Might be my favorite restaurant in Astoria!  This place is fantastic.  Although its very busy and you usually have to wait a while.  The fish is very fresh and cooked to perfection.  I had the red snapper and it was excellent.  The lemon potatoes were great also.  The typical Greek complimentary was very good.  Very nice service, they asked if it was our first time there because they did not recognize us.  It was our first time there, and they said it in a nice way, implying that they know everyone who eats here because they all become regulars.  After that first meal, I will become a regular also.

Walima Restaurant and Cafe (CLOSED) - 5/13/2008

Three friends and i ate here a little back.  Great food, nice server.  We were the only ones in the place, but we did not mind.  The we ordered both types of Bastillas, they were excellent.  My first time having one, and i will order it again.  A chicken dish i cant recall the name of had an amazing sauce, very tasty moist chicken.  Recommended.  The second time i went the food was really good and it was much more busy.  The chicken couscous was fantastic!  Now they have couches and hooka's which is a nice touch.  The chicken shawerma is really moist and has fantastic flavors.  White meat, no fat, really good chicken dish, and i don't order much chicken.

Pollos A La Brasa Mario - 5/13/2008

The chicken is really amazing.  When they are done cooking it, instead of keeping the chicken under hot lights to maintain temperature, they keep the chicken in some kinda steamer.  The result is a very moist chicken.  Lots of flavor.  One of the best chickens i've ever had.  The yuka fried are great also, much better and less greasy than regular french fries.  I don't enjoy the soups or the rice porridge at all, but the yellow rice is very flavorful and moist.  I recommend this place for take out, i doubt i will ever cook a full chicken again, when this is about the same price and much better than what my oven could do.  Corner of 41st Street and Broadway in Astoria, 24 hours a day on the weekends.

Las Margaritas Restaurant Bar & Grill - 5/13/2008

I like the food a lot, but the service is a bit slow bad and the music is too loud.  I've been there about 5 times, always good food, although sometimes the portions seem small.  The ceviche is good, I always order the one with shrimp and fish.   I've been here with friends and family and everyone always loves it.  If you can get past the service and music, its a good local place for partially authentic Mexican food.  Not only the typical quesadillas but also mole, tamales, and tres leches desert.  Good stuff.