FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com march 28, 2013 • BUZZ • The Queens Courier 53 THE COURIER/Photo by Bradley Hawks Kangaroo steak with a pomegranate reduction over kumara (sweet potato) mash. From Queensland to Queens BY BRADLEY HAWKS The Thirsty Koala, Astoria’s new Australian restaurant, brings Queensland to Queens. Adorned with indigenous artifacts like boomerangs and didgeridoo (a long woodwind instrument) among vibrantly lit blonde onyx and pinewood-planked walls, the new menu reads like a comestible glossary of Australian terms, from jaffles and crosti to kakadu, kumara, and even kangaroo burgers with “the lot.” Filling a longtime gap in the Queens culinary landscape, the eatery is the collaboration of three Astoria mates, Katherine Fuchs (former FDNY chief turned executive chef), Alex Styponias (Astoria-born mixologist, raised in Greece), and Christine Chellos (Aussie native and financial advisor). According to Fuchs, the menu features “dishes that are familiar, but with an Australian flare” which she describes as “international…often British…with some Asian influences,” including herb-crusted lamb “lollies” over caramelized pumpkin; ginger beer-battered fish ‘n chips; boomerang tacos with grilled prawns (using Nixtamal tortillas); jaffles (Australian pressed sandwiches); and a variety of “crostis” (crostini). A must-try crosti is the kakadu, an open-faced toasted sandwich with sweet and tangy kakadu plums, prosciutto, kalamata olive tapenade, shallots, house-made goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Burgers come as sliders or 8oz. monolithic sandwiches, available in either beef or kangaroo meat. Order it with “the lot” and it will arrive stacked with goat cheese, beet slaw, grilled pineapple, bacon, and a fried egg. The hard-to-find marsupial meat is also available as a steak with pomegranate reduction over kumara mash. THE THIRSTY KOALA 35-12 Ditmars Blvd Astoria, NY 11105 (718) 626-5430 www.thethirstykoala.com Tue-Thu 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri & Sat 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sun 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The wild game meat is extremely lean, resembling a cross between bison and venison. The steak is best described as a sweeter filet mignon. On the flip side, there are several vegan and gluten-free options including an “Earth Chili,” loaded with edamame and black beans in a thick, piquant tomato stew. It has enough spice to warm you but not set you running to the fire hydrant. Desserts include a lamington, with strawberry jam sandwiched between slices of yellow sponge cake, rolled in a dark chocolate ganache, then dusted with fine coconut shavings. The sweets menu is rounded out with palova, a Tim-Tam tiramisu, and extensive array of “flat whites” (Aussie espresso with microfoam) and other java featuring Intelligentsia Coffee. Presently BYOB, the liquor license has been approved on its way. Coopers and Fosters will be served on tap, headlining a beverage program of Australian and New Zealand wines and craft beer. Aussie-inspired cocktails created by Styponias will include a Hooly Dooly caipirinha and the Gabba—a gin and honey blend named after the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Even without a bar, The Thirsty Koala has already proven itself a bloody fantastic addition to Ditmars Boulevard. View Over 200 Reviews at queenscourier.com dining out Georgia DINER & REstauRaNt -dinner includes- Choice of Appetizer or Cup of Soup or juice, celery and Olives, house Salad with Choice of Dressing, entree, vegetable, potato, challah Bread and Rolls, Any pastry and Beverage, dried fruit and nuts Appetizers Stuffed grApe leAveS with Rice • fruit SAlAd Cocktail Supreme ASSOrted juiceS • hAlf grApefruit Maraschino pickled herring Above Appetizer Selections Are Included with Your Meal Extra on Dinner 1. Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ..........$9.95 2. Filet of Marinated Herring .....$6.95 3. Baked Stuffed Clams ...................$7.50 4. Chicken Fingers ......................$5.95 Extra on Dinner 5. Mozzarella Sticks ...................$5.95 6. Buffalo Wings .........................$5.95 7. Potato Skins (6 Pieces) .................................$5.95 Beer 111. Budweiser ...................$5.00 117. Heineken .....................$5.00 118. Amstel .........................$5.00 119. Corona .........................$5.00 Wine by the glass 107. Classic Red .................$4.95 107. Classic White ..............$4.95 107. Blush ...........................$4.95 Soups creAm Of turkey • mAnhAttAn clAm chOWder chicken cOnSOmme with Rice, Noodles or Matzoh Balls entrees 11. Roast maRyLaNd tuRkey w/Apple Raisin Dressing ..... $25.95 12. viRgiNia ham steak served with Wild Berry Ragu ........... $24.95 12. Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Jelly ..................................... $26.95 13. Roast PRime Rib of beef Au Jus ...................................... $27.95 14. chickeN PaRmigiaNa with Spaghetti.................................. $23.95 15. Roast chickeN with Apple Raisin Dressing ......................... $23.95 16. bRoiLed veaL choP ............................................................... $32.95 17. bRoiLed heavy Ny cut siRLoiN steak with Mushroom Caps ................................................................................. $33.95 18. bRoiLed fiLet migNoN with Mushroom Caps .................. $34.95 21. bRoiLed fiLet of soLe aLmoNdiNe Topped with Roasted Almonds ................................................................. $30.95 22. bRoiLed stuffed fiLet of soLe with Crabmeat Stuffing .............................................................................. $33.95 23. bRoiLed seafood combiNatioN: Shrimp, Scallops, Filet of Sole, Halibut and Baked Clams .................................................. $34.95 24. bRoiLed LobsteR taiLs with Drawn Butter ..................... $45.95 beef & Reef: fiLet migNoN & teNdeR Rock LobsteR served with salad, Potato & Vegetable .................................................... $46.95 vegetABleS: Green Beans Almondine • Sweet Peas • Glazed Baby Belgian Carrots • Broccoli Spears • Creamed Spinach • Corn on the Cob pOtAtOeS: Baked • Fresh Garlic Mashed • French Fries • Candied Yams children’s menu 31. Roast tuRkey with Apple Raisin Dressing ................ $15.95 32. Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Jelly ........................ $15.95 33. cheese RavioLi Topped with Mozzarella Cheese ...... $15.95 34. chickeN PaRmigiaNa with Spaghetti ..................... $15.95 Beverages SOdA, juice, cOffee Or teA desserts Apple pie, cheeSe cAke, ASSOrted dAniSh, chOcOlAte lAyer cAke or Any Other pastry OUR NEW AND EXCITING MENU AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, OFFERS COCKTAILS, STEAKS, CHOPS, SEAFOOD, PASTA, POULTRY All Baking done on Premises • Private Parties Available Please Call For reservations 86-55 Queens Boulevard • Elmhurst • 718-651-9000 (one block west of Queens Center Mall) Large Free Parking Lot
QC03282013
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