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pinch of that, never using measuring cups
but instead cooking with her instincts, and
with love.
“When I got older I would go for
weekends, spending time in the kitchen
with my grandmother as she was sifting
flour for the pancakes for breakfast and
making everything from scratch,” he said.
“She would show me what she was doing
and even taught me how to make her
famous cookies.”
Classic New England cuisine and
his grandmother’s use of fresh, quality
ingredients played a huge part in Lyman’s
menu development for The Freckled
Moose. There are traditional items like
New England Clam Chowder, of course,
but also more creative takes like crab
tater tots and lobster ravioli. You can
even order “Baba’s Melt in Your Mouth
Cookie Plate” for dessert—a delicious
batch of brown sugar-based cookies that
caramelize and fall apart in your mouth as
you savor each bite (or shove the whole
thing in right away).
“I was just driving by and the moose
with freckles on the sign really stood out,
so I knew I had to stop by and check it
out,” said Eddie Lopez, an Astoria resident
who sat at the bar during the restaurant’s
soft-opening at the end of July. “The crab
tater tots are phenomenal — I’ve never
seen these anywhere else before.”
The rest of the recipes on the menu
are ones Lyman has been working on for
years and all fit into home-style, comfort
food. Grilled cheese takes a turn with
gruyere, fontina and cheddar on toast
slathered with garlic butter and paired
with homemade tomato soup, and one of
his favorites is “Pete’s Stuffed Chicken” — a
chicken breast loaded with baby spinach
and goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto
and served with garlic lime green beans.
Lyman plans to establish a savory brunch
menu (with possible rosé deals) over the
next few weeks.
Alcohol was also an important
element of the eatery, as Lyman is a selfproclaimed
“beer guy.” Coming from a fan
of supporting local business, expect draft
beers from LIC Beer Project and Big aLICe
Brewing, as well as more New England
fare like Smuttynose. Happy hour is from
4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and offers $1 off
all draft beers and wine — which, with beer
hovering around $6-7 and wines at $8-9, is
quite a good deal.
The cocktail list is also nothing to scoff
at, with a diverse range of classic recipes
made with select local and specialty
Photos: Claire Leaden/BORO
liquor. Lyman is fond of the aptly named
“Pample-Moose,” a combination of
Schofferhofer Grapefruit Beer, rum and
Crème de Pamplemousse.
If you’re looking for a new go-to spot,
The Freckled Moose might be the perfect
place for you — Lyman said he can’t wait
to have regulars.
THE FRECKLED MOOSE
33-17 31ST AVE., ASTORIA
718-433-9933
THEFRECKLEDMOOSE.COM
INSTAGRAM: @THEFRECKLEDMOOSE