78 The Queens Courier • BUZZ • MAY 28, 2015 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com dining out Photo by Bradley Hawks A new party at Pachanga Patterson BY BRADLEY HAWKS Peyton Powell took over as executive chef in the kitchen at Astoria’s Pachanga Patterson, the third restaurant of the Mexican trio that also includes Vesta in Astoria and Venturo in Sunnyside. Powell had been the executive sous chef at Casa Mono since 2009 and also worked at DB Bistro Moderne, as well as Daniel. Powell met the owners of Pachanga by eating at Vesta and seeing them around Astoria, where he has been living for the last four years. “I loved what they were doing in the neighborhood and wanted to be a part of it,” explains the chef. Previously, Pachanga focused on serving “family meals,” incorporating nontraditional ingredients into classic Mexican recipes. A family meal, in the restaurant industry, is a staff meal served before a shift. While tacos stuffed with duck remain, the theme has moved from fusion to classic Mexican. “What I’m trying to do at Pachanga is not strictly Oaxacan,” says Powell, “even though it’s my favorite region of Mexico, foodwise. I want to incorporate traditional Mexican flavors and ingredients influenced by my background, in a local, seasonal and comfortable environment.” The result is some of the most delicious Mexican food in the entire city. A surprisingly light queso fundido arrives in a shallow clay dish, studded with hen of the woods mushrooms, tiny diced cubes of butternut squash, and pumpkin seeds. Guacamole is served in the classic style, or can be ordered jazzed up with pomegranate seeds, queso fresco and chipotle Pachanga Patterson 33-17 31st Ave. Astoria, NY 11106 718-554-0525 pachangapatterson.com pepper oil, making it sweet and spicy. Cabernet-colored beets are delicately charred on the grill and served with pickled apples, crushed peanuts and hibiscus. Grilled octopus is stewed with cannellini beans and jalapeno oil, giving just the right spark of heat to remarkably tender tentacles. If you order the fideos con mariscos, do not plan on sharing even a single bite, as these head-on prawns are sweet and tender, swimming with mussels in a pot of broken capellini, stewed with cactus paddles in a habanero aioli. From the land, never has pork belly been executed to such deliciousness, glazed with tamarind and served with crunchy chicharrones and tangy tangerines. “Pachanga” can loosely be translated as “street party,” which means there are plenty of unique cocktails to sip. Drinks range from a Coriander en Fuego to a Cactus Cooler, made from organic prickly pear puree, blended with tequila blanco. From appetizers to dessert, Pachanga Patterson is hitting it out of the park. Chef Powell is dishing out some pretty remarkable dishes worthy of at least a visit, if not two… or 20. If only all Mexican food could taste this fantastic. Adrian& Rocky’s CATERING EXPERIENCE “The Original” “FOR THE VERY BEST IN BUFFET STYLE CATERING” CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS Planning a Party? Our Specialties • Business Meetings • Engagement Parties • Cocktail Parties • BBQ’s • Christenings • Communions • Anniversaries • Showers • Sweet 16’s • Graduations BARTENDING & WAITRESS SERVICE AVAILABLE! Call 718.845.5525 or Fax 718.845.5643 132-08 Cross Bay Boulevard • Ozone Park VISIT US AT WWW.ADRIANSCATERERS.COM EMAIL ADRIANS1@VERIZON.NET All Major Credit Cards Accepted • DELIVERY IS FREE OF CHARGE WITH ALL CATERING PACKAGES SERVING QUEENS FOR OVER 20 YEARS View Over 200 Reviews at queenscourier.com QC Expires 7/5/15
QC05282015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above