AGORA, ASTORIA’S GREEK RIVAL

One unpleasing Greek restaurant in Forest Hills doesn’t spoil it for another.  In fact, Agora Taverna residing at 70-09 Austin Street may surpass many of the eateries located in Astoria.  Astoria has long been known for having a large Greek neighborhood, thus markets, restaurants and bars to sample the cuisine.   Total authenticity and freshness reigns at this great lunch and dinner spot.   Having a location on the corner allows for some outdoor café space as well as large windows to bring in the air when it’s the proper temperature.  

To learn even more about Greek products I went to Krinos, the manufacturer of Greek food and distributor for many of the imported ones.  That’s another story.  I was more curious as to whether some of the Greek restaurants made their own rendition with all of the ingredients and none from a jar or can.

Peter Mastoros is the owner of Agora Taverna and an accomplished chef as well.  He said that he prides himself on having a restaurant that focuses on fresh seafood and a cuisine that he learned growing up in Greece. 

Put your boasting where your mouth is and let’s sample the menu as I begin with the famous Avgolemono, Greek Chicken Soup.   Mmmm…I detect chicken broth, “pulled” white meat chicken, Greek Orzo and lemon.  

Must try the spreads.  Peter tells me that they are all made without prior preparation.  They area called “spreads” for a reason.  “Tarama”, as it is stated on the menu, consisted of red caviar (he buys the caviar), olive oil, lemon and bread all processed together.  

Skordalia is basically potatoes, garlic and almonds.   Not being a garlic eater, it wasn’t my favorite.  However, I did taste it one a piece of pita bread and it’s a thumbs up.  Pass me the water.

Tzatziki is another garlic delight.  It’s more of a sauce made from yogurt and cucumbers.  Great for topping gyros and kebabs.  

Melitzanosalta consisted of roasted eggplant and herbs, none of which is garlic.   Loved this one.

Ktipiti is made with Holland peppers and feta cheese.  I also detect some hot peppers as well.   Although I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor, “hot” is not my thing.  Not hot enough to “pass me the milk”.   

Roasted beets were quite surprising in that they did not have the “root” taste.  Excellent choice of spices such as dill to enhance it and just a touch of garlic.  If I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t have noticed.

Now here is one for the apps.  Agora Chips.  Instead of indulging in freshly made fried potato chips, they use extremely thin slices of zucchini, eggplant and kefalograviera cheese.  Bet you can’t eat just 10!  

Speaking of kefalograviera cheese, Saganaki is the pan fried version.  I found the cheese to be quite mild and not salty as I did when I sampled the feta cheese that topped the Greek Salad.

Peter said that the saltiness of the cheese depends on the quality.  I guess quality is important here.  The Greek salad had some of the most delicious vine ripe tomatoes going.  Onions, cucumbers, green bell pepper and a perfect dressing to enhance the produce….do I detect fresh oregano?   

Grilled Octopus.  OMG.  Grilling alone made it savory.  Cooked perfectly…not chewy or overly soft.   Could make for a great meat substitute.  No bones about it.  

There is quite a difference between the sardines that come out of a can and ones that are fresh from the Mediterranean.  They are not “packed” or tiny.  With a choice of fried or broiled I opted for fried.  Bone down the middle and with the right seasoning, as done here, there certainly isn’t any “fishy” taste.  

Speaking of bones…out came a whole Branzini imported from Greece.  It was not deboned but cut open to allow the fish to be broiled inside with capers atop.  The skin is seasoned and a must to enjoy.   I had a vegetable that I had never eaten before called Horta.  These particular dark greens had a consistency of a “bok choy”.  Not bitter at all.  Cooked just soft enough.  Herbs, spices, or whatever was added gave a perfect flavor pairing with the Branzini.  A dry Greek white wine was a great choice. 

Did I save room for dessert?  Is the Pope Catholic?  Does skordalia have garlic?  “Sometimes you feel like a nut….”.   All of the desserts are made in house as well.  There were two desserts with nuts, one of which is the famous Baklava.   Phyllo dough, walnuts, honey, sugar, cinnamon.  That thin Phyllo on top is crunchy with the bottom soaking in a combination of Greek honey and sugar.  Walnuts just soft enough to chew as if it were a meat.   

   

Ekmek delivers a layer of shredded phyllo dough that builds with pistachios, custard, whipped cream and topped with more pistachios.  It is certainly not a one-step process.  I found it less sugary sweet than the Baklava or “sometimes you don’t” Galactoboureko, a dessert using a milk farina custard wrapped in phyllo with cinnamon and powdered sugar. 

Say “Opa”, have a glass of ouzo, listen to the music, but don’t even attempt to break a plate as the food will defy Agora Taverna as an upscale restaurant, not a “joint”.   

www.agorataverna.com

 

CLEANING DAY DIRTIES MY GUTS

There is a lot of space in my home occupying two floors of a house, one of which is a finished basement with that basic cemented tile floor.  It accumulates the most dirt and dust as well as the location of my bathroom and the kitty litter area.  Not only did I want that cleaned, I wanted the floors of my kitchen and dining room done.  The living room has carpeting and I have no problem in using a vacuum.  As far as the kitchen, I don’t need anyone to wash my dishes or clean the top of my stove.   I get in touch with nymaids to make an appointment.

They are sending one person for four hours.  I am making a priority list and viewing a checklist of what I need to supply. It tells me that the person can shop for the items and give me the bill if I choose.   I have all but a large bucket.

She shows up, sees my cats and tells me that she is allergic to them.  She then asks if I have a mask.  Not on the list, but I happen to have some dust masks.   Now she asks if I speak Spanish and tell her that I don’t.  She is speaking to me in English so I am making the assumption that she understood English as well.  Wrong assumption as I later find out.

I tell her that I have priorities on what has to be done.   She begins to go the kitchen sink as I tell her that I do not need that area cleaned but do need the floors cleaned.  I then tell her that it is the basement that needs to be cleaned first.

Due to my needing a cane to walk, it is difficult for me to go up and down the stairs often.  Her first upset was seeing the floor that surrounded the cat litter.   She asked for the vacuum cleaner and I told her that she first needed to sweep the floors.  

She used one of those Swiffer type mops.  There were places that the cats had thrown up and the stuff had hardened.   I pointed out that she did not clean it well but she ignored it.   At another point I watched her clean one area and it was obviously not cleaned up.  She was trying to use a soft brushed broom dipped in water and it just did not work.   I told her that she needed to use a brush (of which it was listed as supplies).   I got that she did not want to get down on the floor let alone do any bending.  I gave her a broom with a hard brushed bottom of which could be screwed off so you can dip it into the sudsy water. 

When she went to do the bathroom I told her that she needed to do the corners signaling the direction with my hands.  I later found that it wasn’t done.

I pointed to an area just under the stairs that needed to be swept and washed.  It didn’t get done.   It was basically that I would ask, she would say “yes” and not do it or the opposite.

I could hear the vacuum going in the basement as she kept it on even when she wasn’t using it.  I told her that she had to clean out the vacuum so that it would not accumulate.   That didn’t happen. Both vacuums needed to have the dirt dumped. 

As I sat in the living room I told her that I did not need the carpet vacuumed as it was something I could do myself.   She nodded as if she understood and then began vacuuming the carpet.  I had to repeat myself.

As she was ending her time I asked if she did the stairs which accumulates cat hair and kitty litter from their paws.   She said that she did and again later found that it wasn’t done.

I had also already told her that I needed the cat carrier cleaned out.   She kept washing around the outside. I told her, “no, I need the inside cleaned”.  She was not a happy camper as it needed a bit of scrubbing and she was ready to leave.   She used a lot of paper towels and finally used a sponge. 

She then called to her office telling me that I have to speak with her manager to tell her if everything was okay.   Now, she’s handing me her phone and standing right there.  Am I going to go through the entire scenario?   I also figured that if she said she did something it was done.

Having been tired and going out for the evening, I did not check all.  The next morning I look around the basement to see that things are moved.  I call the office to speak with the Sandy Galetovic, the General Manager and relate the experience.   One of her conclusions seemed to rest on this particular employee not begin requested as she usually was.   Perhaps it is time for her to take on another job. 

CANCELLATION TURNS FOOD AND FUNNY

I was all set to see Craig Meyer do his show, Almost Elton John, at QTIP when I received an email informing me of the cancellation.   Along with looking forward to seeing the show, I needed a night out.   What is there to do in Queens?  Engine search to discover a comedy club in Long Island City and not the one that seems to find its way on the Queens Tourism website and calendar of events.   Club is called Creek and Cave at 10-93 Jackson Avenue. 

Free comedy show on a Saturday evening?  What’s the catch?  None.  Not only is there no cover, there is no minimum.  My friend and I decide on the 8 p.m. show as well as sampling some of the Mexican cuisine menu.  

Deveka sets her GPS.   I think the “annoying lady voice” wanted us to get there later than we wished to be as she first took us to an address that wasn’t placed.   Heaven’s knows where “farkin annoying lady voice” was trying to do with directions.   We finally arrived to nearby street parking and entered the restaurant as there is a separate door for entrance to the club.

Seated, menus given, Brian warmly greeted us asking the age old question, “What would you like to drink?”   One called Soder read, Muddled cucumber and Simple Syrup, Soda, Lemon, Lime. Served with cucumber” sounded tasty as well as being decorating with a sprig of mint leaf.   No alcohol, but I guess with the lemon and lime I could say that I was “on acid”.

Must try the made from scratch guac!  Thumbs up! Out comes the chips and salsa.  

I was interested in that Chef Victor de Larosa

makes his own pulled pork. Ordered a flauta to find that the tortillas are made on the premises.    We shared the app (short for appetizer, not the computer thing) and each delved into our own  Steak Fajita Platter of steak and veggies with added shrimp.  Platter came with tortillas, black beans, rice, cheddar cheese and sour cream.   We probably could have shared this one but Deveka wanted hers with roasted jalapenos.  

Desserts are a treat here!  Creations with churroz.   Two circular with ice cream in the middle.  Choice of Mexican chocolate that has a kick of cayenne or salty caramel.   Another dessert utilizes a tortilla stuffed with banana and pineapple.  

 

Time for the show, Brian offered to bring in the desserts.   You can go through a door that leads into the club.   Seating is both chairs in the back and cabaret style with small round tables.  We sat in the front.  Menu of app food and drinks in case you wish.   Someone quietly comes around taking your order during the show.

This show called “Shoot the Shite!” that had a few comedians doing the emcee position with their comedy as well as four other comedians.  

All of the shows here are free of charge, but I suggest you take advantage of the food and drink menu. Prices are pretty reasonable. Food is quite good.  There are some shows that do charge to include food such as a “BBQ” listing when for $5 you get a hot dog and fries.  A VIP ticket of $40 will get you seat in the studio, food and unlimited drinks. 

I also brought Esther and Eunice, my rubber chickens.  In response, one of the comedians slipped out to buy me a huge whoopee cushion, which which after testing, got autographed.
  www.creeklic.com