Artopolis is a hidden gem of a Greek bakery if you live anywhere but Astoria, Queens. If you live in Astoria, you are very likely to have visited once, and then quite often. Perhaps we are the only ones who live in Greenpoint, Brooklyn who know Artopolis, or at least I'd like to think so. They have so many tasty treats including every Greek dessert from galaktoboureko to baklava and even have special displays for the melomakarona and kourabiedes (pictured above). They must be extra special cookies in the Greek pantheon of cookies, I would gather.

But what we come for, most frequently, are the mini spinach pies. They will heat them up for you. They are only $1 each. They have cheese pies too. What could be better? Their coffee, iced coffee, iced frappe (Greek style, view here) is tasty and reasonably priced too. Four spinach pies, a coffee and an iced coffee is just $7.50. What are you waiting for? Meet me for coffee!


Artopolis
23-18 31st Street
Astoria, Queens
718.728.8484
Take the N to the end of the line

Galaktoboureko. Now that is a great name for a dessert. 'The best dessert in the whole Galaxy' is how I like to think of this Greek dessert which combines a semolina custard, flaky phyllo dough and honey drizzle. Yum! Here is a recipe. Not that I am suggesting you make one. I am suggesting that you take yourself to Astoria and share a galaktoboureko and a frappe at an outdoor cafe with the one you love. I did!

When I was writing about Demetris last night in the post below, I read on Chowhound that Anna's Corner may be closed for good. I didn't want to break the news to you then, until I had more time to investigate. I don't like what I am reading.

Anna's Corner was one of our all-time favorite restaurants! We went their for New Year's Eve and to celebrate birthdays! It was always an amazing festive time. And their mezze were so fantastic. The only bright side is that the Chowhound thread talks a lot about how the place will reopen with a seafood focus and drop the meat, which would work out perfectly for me. But what about the mezze? I will try to keep you posted on these developments.

my branzino, as lit by the blue light of Demetris Seafood Restaurant

Speaking of fish, lately I am most enthused to find branzino on a menu, and order this meaty, tasty white fish from the Mediterranean (sometimes referred to as Meditteranean sea bass or Venetian striped sea bass) whenever I get the chance.

I supped on the branzino pictured above (I opted for whole fish, grilled) at one of the best fish restaurants I have possible ever been to in my life. It was certainly one of the more pleasing dining experiences I have ever had, due to the company, the atmosphere and the appetizers. The restaurant is Demetris, located at 32-11 Broadway in Astoria, Queens, just down the street from the Broadway stop on the NW.

For the record, we love Anna's Corner at the Ditmars stop for their fantastic mezze, and we have tried Taverna Kyclades on Ditmars for fish; but Demetis tops Taverna Kyclades for variety of fish, atmosphere and service. If you love fish, you will not be disappointed.



A trip to Astoria never disappoints. We go regularly to visit the Greek grocery stores and bakeries and purchase feta, fresh mizithra, olives, grape leaves, breads and more, have a coffee frappe at an outdoor cafe, dine, and even join religious processions when we are lucky. And that is just the Greek section of Astoria. Don't get me started on the tamales for $1.25. I love Astoria!

The Frappe is almost like a good Guinness.
2/3 foam when it arrives at your table.
And look at the beautiful cascade.

There is a mysteriously good coffee drink served up in every cafe in Astoria. One sip and you will say goodbye to Starbuck's forever and start embracing local color again (which you should do anyway, sip or no sip, in my humble opinion...) The drink is called a frappe (pron. frappay). Take the N or W to Queens and get off at Broadway or 30th Avenue where the Greek cafes are most plentiful. Just walk the neighborhood a little and you will see many people enjoying these drinks.

Order your frappe with milk or without, with sugar or without. The coffee beverage is made with a special kind of Nescafe instant coffee which you can buy at Titan Foods or Mediterranean Foods, should you want to continue the coffee fun at home. The ingredients (instant coffee, water, milk optional, ice, sugar optional) are mixed together in a milkshake machine or a blender. My husband and I started drinking these last summer, became obsessed, and then started making them at home with a martini shaker. They are quite caffeinated and as it turns out, much more enjoyable when someone else makes them. This year I think I will save my coffee treat for the cafes, and enjoy a leisurely chat n' sip outdoors with my hubby.

You can buy a can of Nescafe Classic at nearby Titan Foods
and make Frappes at home.

Or just leave it to the experts.

I am pleased to say that after several posts about The Greek Cup, some readers have begun to associate me with The Greek Cup. Some have written saying that whenever they see The Cup, they think of me. Now that is flattering.

Recently, my husband and I stopped in to Laziza Sweets on Steinway Street in Queens to sample some of their fantastic pastries. 'Beyond Baklava' doesn't begin to describe the vast selection. Like the tiny date- and pistachio-stuffed cookies in the window. There were so many varieties I have never seen before. Because when do you really find yourself in a bakery in an Egyptian neighborhood, after all. As I sipped my small coffee, which was served in The Greek Cup, I thought to myself, how funny. I guess all ancient civilizations use The Greek Cup.


Laziza Sweets
25-78 Steinway Street
Astoria, Queens
718.777.7676