I recently came across (OK, no, Peter forwarded me the links) two blogs doing reviews of Astoria restaurants.
Every Restaurant in Astoria seems like the more promising, if only because its authors recognize the sheer foolishness of their endeavor: “like Sisyphus, but with gyros,” as they put it. I like their moxie, and their attitude comes through loud and clear in their review of Sparrow, which pretty accurately gets at the hipster/no-hipster dilemma of Astoria.
I also appreciate that they’re willing to try some of the creepy old-school Italian joints (including one I’d really forgotten even existed), and the strip-mall Italian place that I’ve always been curious about. But I’m afraid they’re going to founder on the rocks of the cheap Chinese joints (couldn’t they have just written their ground rules so as to not cover them?). I wish them the best of luck…
The cleverly named New York Knife & Fork doesn’t seem quite so substantial. The reviews are a bit glibber and involve a few more food-writing cliches than I would like. Actually, maybe that’s not quite true–at least, I did a search for my hot-button hate phrase, “[X] was a revelation,” and I didn’t hit anything. I think what makes me skeptical of the reviews is that she speaks with incredible authority, but I can’t tell what that’s grounded in. Like, what’s her expertise in Southwestern food (uh, does that mean Texan? New Mexican? Arizonian?) that allows her to say “Best Enchiladas Ever” at Mojave?
Without knowing more about where this chick is coming from, I’m not sure I’d go anywhere on her recommendation, but I will read her review of the places I already know, for entertainment–sort of the same way Roger Ebert’s reviews function for movies.
Last time I visited, there was at least a good snarky post about the joys of Queens, but it seems to have been deleted. Odd. Well, I reprint it here:
I have often suffered the misguided criticisms of elitist Manhattanites (you know, those kids who just graduated from University of Michigan). “Oh, you live in QUEENS?! Isn’t it dangerous and God it must take you forever to get home.” So dumb. Corrections: Queens is not far, its actually closer to some parts of Manhattan than other parts of Manhattan. Additionally, Queens is still the real NYC, not the parody, caricature that Manhattan has become
Oh, snap.
Re: NYK&F – she posted on Astorians asking for feedback and got a mixed bag in return. I was irritated with her response which criticized the critics and asked for constructive criticism only (to be fair, understandable) by directing us to “try and keep up”. Hmm. Left a bad taste in my mouth, pardon the pun.
I also don’t think one can say “best enchiladas ever” at Mojave. They are tasty, but I’ve certainly had better (including enchiladas poblanas at Checandole in Cancun!). My fave enchiladas in the US come from Juan’s Place, a divey kitchy tex-mex place in Berkeley, CA.
I gotta get out to the ‘real nyc’ more often. I’m just a cartoon in the caricature that Manhattan has become 😉
Only having been in New York as a tourist, I guess I only know the caricature–that, however, did not make your last line any less funny. I’m glad I decided to stop by your site this morning. It has been a while, so I have plenty to read, and it is cracking me up.
Happy day.
And it’s ‘oh, snap’ in a Germanic deadpan, like in those VW commercials, of course.
Related to this, my friend AV pointed out that the new yellow-cab logos don’t look like real New York–they look like a rendition of NYC in the movies. With the cars now shaped all curvy and cartoony as well, I could see what she was getting at…
And megc, I too have a hard time believing the ‘best enchiladas ever’ are in Astoria. My favorites lie far, far to the west as well…
Hey! Thanks for writing us up! I’m Andy, the admin of New York Knife & Fork. Its a site that Marissa and I started together to showcase her writing, encourage ourselves to try more new restaurants in the ‘hood and to hopefully provide a valuable service to our neighbors. Making a buck or to wouldn’t hurt either. So far so good. We’re getting a great response from readers and potential partners! We’re looking to completely redesign and expand the site soon.
The post you were doting on is actually one that I wrote. Several weeks ago, when we first launched, I was writing some culture and nightlife related posts. We decided that a more focused approach is best for now. Thanks for appreciating my writing contribution though. Maybe I’ll be writing again in the future if need be.
Please stop in again to check us out.
– Andy http://www.nyknifeandfork.com
For real?