Astoria Provisions

One of the perks of maternity leave is exploring new places in my neighborhood with Greta in tow. Earlier this summer we took a long walk down to Astoria Provisions, a restaurant that recently opened in the old Astor Bake Shop location. I first heard about Astoria Provisions on Instagram when their cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich popped up on my feed. Yes, you read that correctly, a cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich! Greta and I sat down for lunch together and enjoyed a delicious meal. I didn't have room for an ice cream sandwich after my French dip sandwich, so I opted to take home a cinnamon roll to enjoy at home later on. Everything we tried was delicious! I am looking forward to another long lunch at Astoria Provisions soon!

Scenes from the weekend.

This weekend was very low key. On Friday night Brian and I watched Emily perform in her school's production of The Sound of MusicT. She did an amazing job! The rest of the weekend I relaxed in Astoria. I had a delicious brunch at Sanford's with my friend Vanessa, did some light shopping at Lockwood (I can't wait to wear my first enamel pins!), and watched a lot of Netflix. I also drove to Target by myself for the first time since owning a car in NYC! I have been hesitant to drive here (the roads are a lot more stressful than the Minnesota ones I learned on!), but I finally ripped off the bandaid so to speak last week. I celebrated my successful drive by stocking up on several cases of La Croix. How was your weekend?

Gossip Coffee

Gossip Coffee recently opened on 30th Avenue in Astoria. I made a point to visit on opening day to grab a drink, and returned the following morning to try a donut. The space is beautiful and offers a variety of places to get comfortable, including an amazing backyard. They have ten house brewed iced teas on tap in additional to cold brew. I loved the white strawberry tea! It was a bit expensive, but a nice treat on a hot summer day. The key lime donut was also amazing. Welcome to the neighborhood Gossip Coffee! I am looking forward to many more donuts and drinks to come.

Scenes from the weekend.

On Saturday night my school held our annual Spring Fling fundraiser in Fort Greene. A bunch of us teachers met up beforehand for beer and pretzels at Black Forest Brooklyn before walking over to the event. Our parents put together an amazing evening including a silent auction, yummy appetizers, and a photo booth (which we took full advantage of!). I had a blast catching up with old parents and dancing with friends. On Sunday Brian, Emily, and I started our day with brunch at Queens Comfort. That afternoon I sat in Astoria Park correcting homework while Brian and Em ran and biked around. The weather was amazing and it felt so nice to lay in the sun in shorts and a tank top! I am more than ready for the warm temperatures this week. How was your weekend?

Twelve dates of Christmas: On our second date of Christmas...

... we ate a late-night dinner at our favorite Astoria diner. Steak, french fries, carrot cake, oh my! Our cake was so delicious, we got a second piece to go. 

Grilled Cheese for Grownups

As soon as my mom and step dad arrived in New York City on Saturday, we headed to my favorite local Astoria coffee shop, Kickshaw. I was eager for them to try Kickshaw's specialties: amazing coffee and the most delicious grilled cheese sandwiches in five boroughs (seriously). We chat as we sipped Guatemala coffee, cappuccino, and homemade sarsaparilla soda. But once the food arrived, our talking slowed as we devoured our sandwiches and soup. Seriously, the gouda sandwich with black bean hummus, guava jam, and pickled jalapenos is a little plate of heaven.

Kickshaw, you will forever have a place in my heart.

Twelve dates of Christmas: On our eighth date of Christmas...

... we had dinner at Sugar Freak, a New Orleans style restaurant in Astoria. 

I loved everything about this restaurant. The food was delicious- we chowed down on cheese fries with beef gravy, deep fried pork sausage rice balls, macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, and steak. Everything tasted just as I remembered it when I used to spend time with my dad in New Orleans. For dessert, we devoured popcorn pudding. I have never tasted anything quite like it; the pudding had shaved popcorn in it and was topped with salted caramel and Cracker Jacks. Oh my god, it was delicious. I also tried the Bailey's bread pudding, which was equally tasty. 

I enjoyed the decor just as much as I enjoyed the food. Different antique tables are scattered throughout the restaurant, lit by old milk jugs hanging from the ceiling and walls. There are little pieces of New Orleans' southern charm everywhere- old iron fence posts, Community Coffee signs, vintage cookbooks and recipes, and iron stoves. So much thought and care was put into the space, and it shows. 

If you are ever in Astoria and craving authentic New Orleans' style food, stop in at Sugar Freak. You won't be disappointed! 

Kicking It at Kickshaw

It's report writing time in my neck of the woods city. Three times a year, I buckle down and type for hours and hours about my lovely second grade friends. Thankfully, my school lets us work from home on election day to (try to) get them all done. 

I spent most of the day working at my favorite Astoria coffee shop, The Queens Kickshaw. There are so many things I love about the Kickshaw... 

Fancy cappuccinos...

My own personal nook...

The most delicious egg sandwich (ricotta, gruyere crisp, thyme, and maple hot sauce on brioche)...

The perfect atmosphere...

Curried pumpkin seeds...

My love...

And the most delicious pour over coffee (Honduras Finca Liquidambar Catuai)...

Reports can be stressful, but the perfect setting can really make all the difference.

A perfect coffee date.

There is nothing better than a coffee and dessert date on a Sunday afternoon with your girlfriends. Add to that a beautiful fall afternoon, sunshine, crisp air, sweaters and scarves, and you have a practically perfect day.

I met up with my friends Dayle and Meg last weekend for a much needed date at one of our favorite Astoria bakeries- Martha's Country Bakery. We sat outside for hours and caught up over giant sized mugs full of hot coffee. It was so nice.

After pacing the massive dessert cases at Martha's, we decided it was in our best interest to order three desserts and split them all. We chose Mississippi mudpie (with ice cream, of course)...

...apple pie with the most delicious cinnamon crumble...

...and a berry napoleon. All three were so good!

It was so good to catch up with my girls.