26 | BOROMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2013 FOOD Stracchino Pizza from Venturo Thai iced tea at En(thai)ce Aditions to the community kitchen If you thought you were a fan of Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar or Pachanga Patterson, you will want to be sure to make a visit soon to the third restaurant in their family, Venturo Osteria & Wine Bar. Located in Sunnyside alongside the elevated train tracks of Queens Boulevard, Chef Michelle Vido brings her signature locavore approach to sophisticated Italian cuisine— but this time she has an extremely talented pastry chef on board, too. All breads, pastas, and desserts are made on the premises under the direction of pastry chef Eve Bergazyn. Pastas range from magenta beet and mascarpone pansotti to a FLOTUS pappardelle--inspired by Obama’s favorite pasta prepared by the First Lady- -with shrimp, fresno chiles, and blistered tomato petals. Entrees include pork shoulder Milanese and a giant steak-cut cauliflower, dredged in goat cheese and served over a brown rice puttanesca. The flavors are simple, bold, and downright delicious. The stracchino pizza with chantarelles, spinach pesto, and a fried egg is a must-order for pie lovers. A variety of cheeses are made in-house by Vido. New also to Venturo is a communitystyle dinner, with portions of whole roasted chicken and pork loin set to serve groups of 3 to 5. The dessert card reprises Vido’s Baby Jesus Cake--a warm date cake soaked in toffee sauce with a quenelle of fresh cream, along with some of Bergazyn’s own creations, including an espresso granita with mascarpone and cacao nibs, toasted almond semifreddo, and rice pudding arancini. Dinner service will soon be accompanied by brunch, and the 50-seat dining room and bar will soon be extended by a backyard dining area. Venturo 44-07 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside (718) 406-9363 / venturovino.com * * * If the crowds of Thai patrons already filling the rustic dining room is any indicator, it appears that the southwest corner of 34th St and 31st Avenue might have finally found a winner. The space previously occupied by the short-lived Eco Table and Aroma 31 has been transformed into En(thai)ce Thai Kitchen, with a diverse menu that offers up all of the classics, along with several Thai specialties laced with papaya, cilantro, curries, and a boatload of seafood. En(thai)ce Thai Kitchen 33-20 31st Ave, Astoria (718) 932-1111/enthaicethaikitchen.com * * * We had heard a few months ago that a new hot dog shop was set to open next to Butcher Bar on 30th Ave, and the owners of New York Dog House have now confirmed an opening is anticipated within the next few weeks. Hot dogs, sausages, drinks, and special events all promise to add yet another specialty hangout to a street that continually lives up to its name–Grand Avenue. New York Dog House 37-06 30th Ave, Astoria (718) 274-3647/www.newyorkdoghouse.com * * * While we are still excited to see what continues to roll out from Mar’s, the vintagestyled oyster bar has already gathered a steady following for its cold bar selections and classic cocktails. They just announced on Facebook that this weekend will kickoff their new brunch, as well. Dinner has showcased a granny smith apple laced lobster roll with lemon basil emulsion and steak frites with truffle butter. We can’t wait to see what they serve for a brunch fit for Neptune. Mar’s 34-21 34th Ave, Astoria (718) 685-2480/lifeatmars.com
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