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| - I've been to Astoria Cafe & Market twice for brunch, twice for dinner, and a number of times to use the market section of the establishment. This review is based on the collective experience of all my visits. Reservations are recommended especially for weekend dinner.
Overall: highly recommended with some reservation for diners with food allergies as they may not be able to accommodate you.
Service: the wait staff is always wonderful. They are pleasant to engage with, attentive but not pushy/ hovering, and able to provide insightful recommendations on food or drink based on your personal tastes.
I did have one negative experience while seated at the bar - someone in my party sent back chicken to which the chef less than 5 feet away from us responded, "are you kidding me!" They remade the food and our server comped the dish, but the reaction of the chef within earshot of the entire party embarrassed the girl who sent back the chicken for being under-cooked.
Ambience: relaxed white tablecloth vibe... that's a thing, right? When you first walk into Astoria you are in the market section. Import goods like olive oil are all around you, a robust selection of wine and beer is to your right, and a deli case full of cheeses and prepared foods are in front of you.
To the left of the market is the restaurant and bar. Servers are dressed upscale casual while patrons range from prom night attire to workout clothes (I've dined in athletic shorts and a T-shirt for brunch after a 5k). Diners run the gamut - families with kids, date night, girl's night out, individuals at the bar. Overall, nice decor with a laid-back atmosphere.
Product: For brunch, I've tried the Brunch Board (a breakfast-y twist on a traditional charcuterie board with quail egg, bacon, breakfast sausage, fruits, and cheeses) and the Duck Confit and Hash. The duck was moist inside with a wonderful crispy crust on the outside. It was served over a bed of fingerling potatoes with two sunny side up eggs. The rich duck, crispy skin, runny eggs, and tender potatoes combined for an exquisite bite. Actually, everything I've eaten at Astoria has been fantastic. The dishes all pop with flavor and contrast - very well composed across the board. The standout dinner menu item that I still remember months later is the octopus alla karvouna - perfectly char-grilled with olive oil, lemon, white wine, and oregano - sublime.
However, those with allergies may want to phone ahead to confirm Astoria's ability to accommodate you. A lactose intolerant member of my brunch party was informed they could not substitute olive oil for butter in any of the eggs dishes which reduced her options to a tofu scramble or a fruit cup for brunch. If I were in her shoes, I would have been disappointed with the options.
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