Comestiblog

QEDC Entrepreneur Space Celebrates Its First Anniversary

The Queens Economic Development Corporation celebrated its Entrepreneur Space's first anniversary on 25 January 2012 with an open party featuring clients' food samples, lively interaction, and a collector's frozen birthday cake.  It was an occasion to speak with numerous business owners who have utilized the E-Space to launch or further their food ventures.

Situated Long Island City, Queens, the Entrepreneur Space opened officially on 19 January 2011.  One year later, the 12,500-square-foot, city-sponsored, food-and-business incubator boasts roughly 175 clients.  Many take advantage of the round-the-clock commercial kitchen (replete with culinary essentials ranging from a walk-in refrigerator to basic utensils), while others avail themselves of the workstations and classroom space.  In addition, many participate in free business counseling, technical assistance, and financial classes.

My tour began with Dan and Rebecca Dengrove's refreshing frozen Brewla Bars.  Unlike many iced fruit pops, these are produced from brewed beverages and, most important, are not overly sweet.

The Hero: Cherry Pomegranate Red Tea

While I didn't taste the next product myself, Comestidog wagged with approval upon taking a bite of the all-natural Ruv Roos from Woofshire Farms.

Among the standouts of the afternoon was the all-natural skordaliá from Samios Foods.  The vegan Go Go's Garlic Dips were simply delicious!  Happily for me, they're available at Whole Foods Markets in the Tri-State Area.

Left to Right: Original, Olive & Rosemary, Roasted Red Pepper, and Dill

As I continued to wend my way through the E-Space, I tasted samples at nearly every table.

Larry's Mix, Gwen's Batch, and Original MIx from Brooklyn Nuts

In the large kitchen space, I found Viva Natural's pão de queijo.  The yummy Portuguese baked cheese rolls beckoned me to return for seconds, thirds, …

At the next table, I slurped Lane Li's delicious Sichuan-style Dan Dan Noodles: egg noodles served with a bold savory sauce and chili oil, topped with sautéed minced pork, Sichuan pickled vegetable, bean sprouts, and scallions.  This dish delivered a spicy burst of flavor with every bite.

Lane Li, founder of Noodle Lane, serves Dan Dan Noodles

A few more tastes …

Grown in Brooklyn: Barry's Tempeh

The Chocolate Swirl's Double Decker Brownies

And a potent cocktail made with artisanal confiture from Josephine's Feast!

One of the catchiest names I encountered was that of Texas-native "Super Duper" Mary Cooper.  Her HappySnax were simple, yet enjoyable.

Super Duper Mary Cooper's HappySnax

Going for the gold …

Zoha Hopps uses "a secret family recipe" to make his Goldleaf toffee

Goldleaf showed off some of the event's most elegant packaging.  Their toffee was rather good, too.

Dark Chocolate with Cayenne

More sweets …

Chee Bonnet's Ultimate Cheesecake Balls

Artisanal gluten-free baked goods from Krumville Bake Shop

And something spicy.  The handcrafted sauces of NYC Hot Sauce Company ignited my palate with their piquancy.

Jon Bratton's fiery NYC Hot Sauce

I was delighted to spot a couple of familiar names from last year's Queens…A Taste of the World.

Award winner: Bonne Fête Baking, 2011 Best Dessert at Queens…A Taste of the World (video)

Bianca Naclerio of Sweet N Salty By Design

The festivities also included the unveiling of a chocolate cake—roughly four inches in diameter, topped with a sugary violet flower and a green leaf—from Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor's 60^th birthday party in February 1992.

The pastry was frozen soon after the gala, and remains in excellent condition.  It was lent to the Entrepreneur Space by author Jane Scovell.

Entrepreneur Space

36-46 37^th Street
Long Island City, NY  11101-1606  (map)

(212) 452-1866

http://www.queensny.org/qedc/entrepreneur_space/

A Taste of the World in Queens 2011

The ninth Queens…A Taste of the World took place Tuesday, 10 May in the Caesars Club at Citi Field.  Beyond celebrating the borough's gastronomic variety, this annual event raises critical funds for Entrepreneur Space (E-Space) Incubator, a partnership between the Queens Economic Development Corporation and Mi Kitchen es su Kitchen®.  This innovative project provides commercial kitchens, small offices, and classrooms to emerging businesses and organizations.  In addition to space, clients can avail themselves of business counseling, technical assistance, and networking opportunities—all at a reasonable cost.

And now, Queens…A Taste of the World through the lens and palate of Comestiblog:

The Venue:

Citi Field, Flushing Meadows Corona Park

The Appetizers and Entrées:

Among my favorite starters was Gabbana's Ceviche, a seafood mix in a red spicy mojo.

Gabbana's Ceviche

Chef Jimmy Canora's Spice Seared Filet Mignon Carpaccio made Valentino's On The Green an estimable contender for the "Best Appetizer" award.

Valentino's On The Green: Spice Seared Filet Mignon Carpaccio

La Fusta: A Taste of Argentina

La Fusta's Matambre (veal roll) was helped with a good dose of chimichurri.  Though a bit less interesting, their chorizo (above, left) was tastier.

La Fusta's Matambre

Two Steak & Sushi Den: Mixed Vegetable and California Rolls

Three samples from Two

Vetro by Russo's on the Bay served a delicious Yellowfin Tuna, topped with a fresh fig and a sauce of balsamic vinegar and honey.

Vetro: Tonno Con Fichi (Yellowfin Tuna with Figs)

One of the most interesting sample plates came from eXo: a deviled egg, a homemade pickled potato chip, and an "unwrapped" dolma served on a bed of homemade tzatziki.

eXo Greek Mediterranean Restaurant

Strawberry's Sports Grill, Pop Diner, and Leo's Latticini (known locally as Mama's of Corona) served some familiar favorites.

Strawberry's Sports Grill: Pulled Pork Slider

Although Pop Diner's Plátano Relleno received the event's "Best Appetizer" award (see below), I thought their other offerings were superior.  To wit, I found the slow-roasted pork with Latin seasonings—accentuated with a hint of sour orange, and served with chimichurri atop jalapeño corn cakes—to be tastier.  Even more delicious, however, were the  beef short ribs in Cabernet sauce, served over mashed potatoes, and topped with crispy fried onions—I asked for seconds!

Pop Diner: Latin Roast Pork and Short Ribs of Beef

It's hard to imagine a more attractive sandwich than the one from Leo's Latticini (Mama's of Corona):  peppered ham, salami, and fresh mozzarella piled high in a sesame-seed hero, together with roasted peppers and mushrooms, topped with a slice of pepperoni and an olive.

Leo's Latticini: Peppered ham, salami, and mozzarella hero

A sandwich such as the one above goes well with pickles—especially hot-and-spicy ones.  Using his great grandmother's recipe, Michigan-native Bob McClure and his brother, Joe, started McClure's Pickles five years ago.  While the company has a location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the main manufacturing plant is in Troy, Michigan.

McClure's Pickles: Garlic & Dill and Spicy

The Libations:

From Brazil: Caipirinha made with Soul Cachaça

Soul Caipirinha recipe:

• 2 oz Soul Cachaça
• 5 lime wedges
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Combine fresh lime wedges with sugar and muddle well.  Add Cachaça and shake well.  Serve in a rocks glass filled with ice.

The aforementioned McClure's Pickles created a piquant Bloody Mary Mixer by combining leftover spicy pickle juice with tomato juice and black pepper.

McClure's Bloody Mary

McClure's Bloody Mary recipe:

• 4 oz McClure's Bloody Mary Mixer
• 2 oz vodka

Pour into rocks glass over ice.

And a few wines:

Left to Right: Mionetto Prosecco Brut, St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc, Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir, MontGras Antu Ninquén Cabernet-Carménère

The Desserts:

Sherry Rousso calls her short cakes "reponsibly healthy" because they contain no eggs, no cream, and no butter.  The chocolate, spiced, and fruited confections from Sherry's Short Cakes are as delicious as they are healthful.

Sherry's Short Cakes

Though Debbie Brenner's treats from Las Delicias Pattiserie are gluten free, they didn't taste that way.

Las Delicias: Gluten-free goodies

Gotta Eat Sweets offered their Truffipops, a fusion of truffle and brownie.

Gotta Eat Sweets: Truffipops

Pilar de Guzman won top dessert honors for Bonne Fête Baking (see below) with her signature Date & Walnut Thins (called "Food for the Gods" in the Philippines).  The flavors were vaguely reminiscent of butterscotch.

Bonne Fête Baking: "Food for the Gods"

A few more favorites:

Cascon Baking Company: Carrot Cake

WannaHavaCookie: Whoopie Pies

The Chocolate Swirl: Mini Cupcakes

The Taste Masters:

Chef Marcus Samuelsson is an internationally acclaimed chef who was born in Ethiopia and reared by adoptive parents in Gothenburg, Sweden.  He has been celebrated as one of "The Great Chefs of America" by the Culinary Institute of America, and honored by the James Beard Foundation as "Rising Star Chef" (1999), "Best Chef: New York City" (2003), and for "Best International Cookbook" (2007).  In 2009, Chef Samuelsson served as guest chef at the White House for the Obama administration's first state dinner.  Last December, he opened his newest restaurant, Red Rooster, in Harlem.

Chef Anita Lo, a second generation Chinese-American, grew up in Birmingham, Michigan.  Having earned numerous accolades for her inventive contemporary American cuisine, she is one of the most respected female chefs in the United States.  After she opened annisa (an Arabic word meaning "women") in the West Village in 2000, FOOD & WINE named Lo one of ten "Best New Chefs in America" (2001), while the Village Voice declared her to be the "Best New Restaurant Chef."  She was also the first challenger to defeat an Iron Chef (Mario Batali) on Food Network's Iron Chef America.

The Awards:

Best Appetizer:

Pop Diner: Plátano Relleno

Best Entrée:

Strawberry's Sports Grill: Championship Chili

Best Alcoholic Beverage:

McClure's Pickles: Spicy Bloody Mary

Best Dessert:

Bonne Fête Baking: Date & Walnut Thins

The Iconic Restaurant Awards went to Dazies and Papazzio.

The Conclusion:

The ninth annual Queens…A Taste of the World was a success.  What a marvelous evening of international food sampling at Citi Field!

Queens…A Taste of the World

Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Avenue (126^th St)
Flushing, N.Y.  11368   (map)

Tuesday, 10 May 2011, 6:00 P.M. till 9:00 P.M.

Links:

http://www.discoverqueens.info
http://www.queensny.org/qedc/
http://www.mikitchenessukitchen.com/
http://www.facebook.com/discoverqueensny
http://twitter.com/qedc

Queens…A Taste of the World 2011

Mark your calendar for Queens…A Taste of the World, a one-night-only foodie event taking place Tuesday, 10 May, from 6:00 P.M. till 9:00 P.M. at Citi Field in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.  Now in its ninth year, this gastronomic journey brings together the international flavors of the borough's best restaurants.  Celebrity Chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Anita Lo will host the event, and television personality Tamsen Fadal of PIX 11 will serve as Master of Ceremonies.  In addition, Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson will share her wine-pairing expertise.

This comestible extravaganza will feature tasting-sized portions that showcase the ethnic diversity of Queens.  Owing to the various pockets of world culture in this borough of 2.2 million, the cooking tends to be more authentic than that found in Manhattan, and often rivals the cuisine of the particular homeland.

This year's participants include The Astor Room, Austin's Steak and Ale House, Bantry Bay Publick House, Bourbon Street, Carib Delights, The Original Cascarino's, Cascon Baking Company, The Chocolate Swirl, Cocina Latina Bar & Grill, Creative Concepts NYC, Dazies Restaurant, Douglaston Manor, eXo Restaurant, F. Ottomanelli Burgers and Belgian Fries, Gabbana, Gotta Eat Sweets, Hispaniola Mamajuana, Leo's Latticini (Mama's of Corona), La Fusta Restaurant, Las Delicias, London Lennie's, McClure's Pickles, Mulan, O Lavrador Restaurant & Bar, Papazzio Restaurant & Catering, Pavillion Grille, Pop Diner, Riverview Restaurant & Lounge, Sherry's Short Cakes, Strawberry's Sports Grill, Sweet N Salty by Design, Tequila Sunrise of Bayside, Two Steak & Sushi Den, Valentino's on the Green, Vetro by Russo's, WannaHavaCookie, et alia.

While Queens…A Taste of the World is a celebration of cultural diversity and gastronomic variety, it is also a key source of financial support for the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC).  This event raises critical funds for Entrepreneur Space (E-Space) Incubator Project, which provides entrepreneurs with kitchen facilities and other resources to help them launch their businesses.  Situated in Long Island City, the incubator is home to most of New York's celebrated food trucks and mobile bakeries.

Tickets are priced at $100 for one, or $150 for a pair ($185 after 4 May), and may be purchased online by sending email to events@queensnyc.org, by calling Michelle Stoddart at (718) 263-0546, or by mailing a completed registration form.

Queens…A Taste of the World

Citi Field
123-01 Roosevelt Avenue (126^th St)
Flushing, N.Y.  11368   (map)

Tuesday, 10 May 2011, 6:00 P.M. till 9:00 P.M.

http://www.discoverqueens.info
http://www.queensny.org/qedc/
http://www.facebook.com/discoverqueensny
http://twitter.com/qedc

By train:  or LIRR to Mets-Willets Pt
By bus: Q48

Is Five Star Punjabi Diner Stellar?

Situated in the shadow of the 59^th Street Bridge, across the street from Silvercup Studios, Five Star Punjabi Diner is one of the great luncheon bargains of New York.  Though it may be a bit out of the way, it's worth a trip to Long Island City for this good—and very spicy—Indian buffet.  From 11:00 A.M till 4:00 P.M., Punjabi offers an array of appetizing selections that includes five dishes from the steam table, as well as Chicken Tandoori, salad, rice, naan, and dessert for $8.99.

Punjabi's is neither the best nor the most elegant Indian buffet I've ever sampled, but it manages to satisfy nonetheless.  The Chicken Tandoori, for instance, was less flavorful and less succulent than I might have liked—though I hasten to add that few restaurants get it right.  Furthermore, the spices generally seemed less fresh than I had hoped for them to be.  (Whence Punjabi's five-star rating comes is unclear.)  That said, however, the items from the steam table were rather tasty and unusually spicy-hot.

On the day of my visit, the buffet included the ever-popular Chicken Tikka Masala and Goat Curry, as well as vegetarian dishes Aaloo Gobhi (a spicy combination of potatoes and cauliflower), Sag (a concoction of spinach, mustard, broccoli, onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes), and Dal Makhani (slow-cooked black lentils with fresh ginger, garlic, onions, and tomatoes).  It goes without saying that the foregoing items are best enjoyed with naan.  Warm, and having just the right consistency, Punjabi's version of the flat, leavened, tandoori bread is better than most.

When it was time for dessert, I cooled my palate with a small helping of Malai Kheer (rice pudding).  Perhaps owing to satiety, I found the sweet dish to be unremarkable.  A tiny amount was ample.

Malai Kheer

Unless one is completely blinded by love, Five Star Punjabi is not a venue for a romantic lunch.   Inadequate lighting cannot conceal the dining room's tired and worn appearance.  On my visit, the service was somewhat slow, and tables weren't cleared promptly—or at all, in some cases.  The lone waitress was by no means at fault, however.  Without anyone to assist her, she seemed overwhelmed and unable to keep pace with customers' needs.  It's all part of the bargain, I guess.

Five Star Punjabi Diner

13-15 43^rd Avenue (near 21^st St), Long Island City, Queens

(718) 784-7444

By train: F to 21^st St-Queensbridge;  7,N,W to Queensboro Plaza
By bus: Q69

Chicken Tandoori

Chicken Tikka Masala

Goat Curry

Aaloo Gobhi

Sag

Dal Makhani