Entries from July 2008 ↓

Aegean Cove

Address 20-01 Steinway Street, Astoria, NY 11105

e-mail admin@aegeancove.com Web: www aegeancove.com

Phone 718-274-9800

Specialty Fine Greek Cuisine

Schedule Open seven days; Mon-Wed: 4:30-10:00 pm, Thurs-Sat:

4:30-11:00 pm, Sun 4:30-10-:30 pm

Chef

Christos Christou, one of the chefs during the opening of Milos and Avra, former owner of Athina (Astoria) who recently was the chef for Gus’ Place (Manhattan.)

Capacity 80 on 1st fl, 65 on 2nd, 60 in terrace-third fl not ready.

Opened April 29 2008

Plastic All Major cards accepted.

Parking Valet Parking Thurs (when music avlbl,) Fri & Sat from 4 pm.

Price range $10.00-$36.00, (whole fish charged per market price.)

Ownership Constantine Blafas (formerly of Titan) & George Neofytides

Former owner of the Aegean Breeze in the Berkshires.

Features Live music & singing Thursdays during the winter months. Lunch will be featured starting September.

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Review by Nancy Walman

Aegean Cove is the new breed of Astoria Greek restaurants. While the food focuses on traditional Greek specialties with a contemporary bent, the atmosphere looks to Manhattan’s burgeoning upmarket Greek restaurants. The French designer who created the space, which encompasses three floors of dining rooms as well as a terrace on the second floor, has a flair for subtle colors, mixing contemporary hues with classic ornaments for doors and walls.

Peripatetic executive chef Christos Christou, one of the chefs during the opening of Milos and Avra, former owner of Athina (Astoria) who recently was the chef for Gus’ Place (Manhattan), knows his way around the stove. You can count on excellent quality, coupled with care in cooking and a creative touch, without destroying the authenticity.

What’s Greek food without spreads and chef Christou’s are the best. So is the warm pita that arrives with gratis Hummus to spread it on. Octopus has never had it so good, fork tender and brimming with flavor. Traditional Greek Salad could be an afterthought, but Aegean Cove’s the best you’ll ever taste. Simple. Let’s repeat that. SIMPLE. Ya can’t cheat when it’s simple!

Fresh cod & shrimp croquettes are served with skordalia (potato garlic dip) & luscious red beets, while specials like stuffed peppers are mind blowing. By all means, sample the Loup de Mere, done whole on the bone, it is lovely. But the evening’s masterpiece was another special: A whole lamb shank, cooked for six hours with salt, pepper and love. Never will you taste one so succulent.

The wine list is short, well selected (many fine Greek choices) and inexpensive, as is the food. The helpful manager recommended a California organic red. It was stellar. The chef makes his baklava with olive oil and not butter, but we won’t tell if you don’t. It’s delicious. Don’t leave without checking out the excellent Greek cheese.

Aegean Cove has a classy look and feel thanks to the warm service and hands on, friendly family attention of the two owners (George Neophytides and son Peter and Kostas Blafas and daughter Despina Synodinos). Aegean Cove offers world class Greek dining in Astoria. Now that’s the real accomplishment.

Copyright 2008 by Punchin International. All Rights Reserved.

Radio Version

Award-winning website, Punchin-dot-com, features the Walman Report and reviews of restaurants, travel, wine and theater. Aegean Cove is the new breed of Astoria Greek restaurants. While the food focuses on traditional Greek specialties with a contemporary bent, the atmosphere looks to Manhattan’s burgeoning upmarket Greek restaurants. Executive chef Christos Christou, knows his way around the stove. What’s Greek food without spreads and chef Christou’s are the best. So is the warm pita that arrives gratis. Octopus has never had it so good, fork tender and brimming with flavor. Fresh cod & shrimp croquettes are served with potato garlic dip & luscious red beets, while specials like stuffed peppers and mind blowing. By all means, sample the Loup de Mere, done whole and on the bone. But the evening masterpiece was a whole lamb shank, cooked for six hours with salt, pepper and love. The wine list is short, well selected and inexpensive as is the food. A California organic red was the star. The chef makes his baklava with olive oil and not butter, but we won’t tell if you don’t. It’s delicious. Aegean Cove, 20-01 Steinway Street, Astoria, has a classy look and a friendly family feel. It offers world class Greek dining in Astoria and rates “A Major” on The Walman Report. For a free subscription, visit www dot Punchin dot com on the net. (Please Spell Out) That’s www dot p.u.n.c.h.i.n dot com.

ST. REGIS® MAKES THE NEXT STOP ON ITS GLOBAL EXPEDITION WITH THE DEBUT OF THE ST. REGIS DUBAI

Opening in 2012, The St. Regis Dubai and The Residences at The St. Regis Dubai Will Offer Guests Superior Design and Unparalleled Service in One of the Middle East’s Most Exciting Metropolises

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the introduction of its renowned St. Regis brand to the rapidly growing city of Dubai. Scheduled to open in 2012, The St. Regis Dubai and The Residences at The St. Regis Dubai will feature 220 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 44 Junior Suites, and 80 branded residences as well as three world-class restaurants, two bars, a fitness center, swimming pool, shops and more than 4,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Reaching new heights of modern luxury, The St. Regis Dubai will introduce an unrivaled dimension of luxury and bespoke service at one of the world’s best addresses.

Offering sweeping views of the Dubai Creek, The St Regis Dubai will be just a short walk from the city’s bustling commercial center and main shopping districts. The magnificent new property will be a featured component of the Starhill Towers & Gallery, a high-rise, mixed-use development owned and developed by ETA Star Property Developers.

Featuring world-class retail, office, hospitality and residential components, the mixed-use project will occupy prime real estate in central Dubai within the multi-billion dollar Business Bay development, a nearly 21 million square-foot master plan by Dubai Properties.

“The signing of The St. Regis Dubai is another sign of Starwood’s commitment to develop all its brands in a fabulous destination like the Middle East,” said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and Middle East. “We are delighted to be working with ETA Star Property Developers on this new project and we hope this development is the beginning of a long-term partnership.”

Meeting the city’s heightened demand for state-of-the-art meeting facilities, The St. Regis Dubai will offer more than 4,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space, as well as a business center, shops and private parking area. Adjoining and serviced by the hotel, the separate St. Regis ResidencesSM will offer 80 luxury residences consisting of one, two, and three bedroom layouts. Featuring an exclusive private entrance, The Residences will provide access to the hotel’s luxury facilities including the fitness center, swimming pool and spa.

“We wanted this prestigious luxury brand to be part of our project and are proud to bring St. Regis to Dubai,” said Mr Abid Junaid, Executive Director ETA Star Properties. “We are sure Dubai will benefit from the acclaimed luxury hospitality experience provided by St. Regis.”

Following in the tradition of the legendary The St. Regis New York, The St. Regis Dubai will feature the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travelers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest and resident needs and customizing each stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit: www.stregis.com

About ETA Star Property Developer
Today, ETA Star Property is developing over 30 millions of square feet of premium property in countries across the Middle East and South-East Asia, including UAE, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Turkey. That translates into thousands of beautiful homes and living communities, as well as, world-class business and commercial developments across the globe – all superb investment opportunities, which are fast reshaping the urban skyline.

All ETA Star Property projects have unique design features, high quality finish, world-class amenities and the backing of the multi-billion dollar ETA Ascon Group. A rare promise to keep in today’s swarming real estate market, every ETA Star Property property is on schedule and construction is progressing at an aggressive pace. Forever in pursuit of better customer service, ETA Star Property introduces revolutionary and innovative investment opportunities for their customers with unique partnerships with leading financial institutions across the world; be it a unique Bizort or the region’s first condo-offices.

With the robust backing of the ETA ASCON and Star group, ETA Star Property Developer has the ability to source all areas of expertise in-house, from conceptualizing, designing to construction and property management. Each division boasts of seasoned professionals and apart from an experienced team of in-house architects, ETA Star Property also works with renowned architects and building specialists bringing the best of technology to developing properties. For more information, visit http://www.etastar.com

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining timeless sophistication with modern luxury, the St. Regis brand is uncompromising in its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor with the landmark St. Regis Hotel, New York over a century ago, the St. Regis brand is known for delivering an unrivaled dimension of luxury, bespoke service and refined elegance at the best addresses in the world. The brand plans to further its legacy globally and will unveil highly anticipated St. Regis properties in Atlanta-Buckhead, Baha Mar, The Bahamas, Bahía Beach, Puerto Rico, Bal Harbour and Deer Crest in North America, and in Buenos Aires, Costa Rica, Mexico City and Punta Mita in Latin America. In Asia, the St. Regis brand has announced plans to open properties in Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta, Lhasa, Kuala Lumpur, Macao, Osaka and Tianjin. In the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will expand in Cairo, Doha and Bahrain. Personalized service and amenities, enviable locations and luxuriously localized design are recognized worldwide as hallmarks of the St. Regis experience. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub

Oak Grove Steals the Show

Part 1 of 2

2007 Oak Grove Reserve Pinot Grigio

Oak Grove believes that the best wines are made in the vineyard. Since 1999 their winemaking staff has taken great pride in searching out the finest grapes from California’s cool appellations.

Oak Grove is a line of California Reserve wines, made with grapes grown in the Monterey, Arroyo Seco and Paso Robles appellations. Produced in a rich, fruit forward style, Oak Grove consistently over delivers on quality.

We tried four and liked them all, but this one (the 2007 Oak Grove Reserve Pinot Grigio) won our hearts. If you agree with us that the overpriced Santa M. sets the standard for mediocrity, try this one for a fraction of the price. Delightful!

Tech Data

Appellation 100% California
Alcohol 13.2%
pH 3.49
T.A. 0.61
R.S. 0.5%
Case production 4,000 cases
Suggested retail $7.99

Winemaker’s Notes

One of the more popular wines in Italy, the Oak Grove Reserve Pinot Grigio is the perfect wine for entertaining with family and friends. Its flavors are light and lively on the palate with lemony citrus notes, and has a refreshing, very clean finish.

Food & Wine Pairings

Lighter bodied yet full of flavor, try as a first course with chilled prawns, or serve along side antipasti in a festive setting.

Suggested Retail

$7.99 per 750ml bottle

2007 Oak Grove Reserve Viognier

At Oak Grove, we believe that the best wines are made in the vineyard. Since 1999 our winemaking staff has taken great pride in searching out the finest grapes from California’s cool appellations.
Oak Grove is a line of California Reserve wines, made with grapes grown in the Monterey, Arroyo Seco and Paso Robles appellations. Produced in a rich, fruit forward style, Oak Grove consistently over delivers on quality.

Tech Data

Appellation 100% California
Alcohol 13.8%
pH 3.53
T.A. 0.66
R.S. 0.6%
Case production 2,000 cases

Winemaker’s Notes

Sometimes compared to Chardonnay, the Oak Grove Reserve Viognier has a perfumed and floral character with a slightly oaky finish.

Food & Wine Pairings

Rich and full bodied, this excellent white wine has the body and flavor to stand up to full flavored dishes. Pair with cheese tortellini in a light cheese sauce for a memorable experience.

Suggested Retail

$7.99 per 750ml bottle

NEWLY OPENED SEASIDE ESTATE L’AUBERGE DEL MAR PRESENTS

SPECIAL MID-WEEK OFFER
Sensational Stay Rates at Premier SoCal Coastal Retreat

Following an extensive $26 million renovation, the luxurious new L’Auberge Del Mar opened its doors on June 6, 2008. In honor of this monumental transformation, the seaside estate is presenting travelers with an enticing promotional offer to visit the property and see the incredible makeover for themselves.

The coastal retreat has long been the premier boutique hideaway for celebrities and discerning business and leisure travelers in the San Diego area and the new Sensational Stay rates will surely solidify that standing. From now until December 31, 2008, L’Auberge Del Mar is offering Sensational Stay room rates starting at $265 per night for a Sunday through Thursday stay, plus tax and resort fees.

To book these rates, future guests can simply book this online, or over the phone using the promotional code G10215. For reservations or more information, please visit www.laubergedelmar.com or call 1-(800) 245-9757.

About L’Auberge Del Mar
L’Auberge Del Mar is located in the heart of Southern California’s most picturesque coastal village of Del Mar. The historic seaside resort, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, will set a new standard in Southern California coastal hospitality as a result of a $25 million comprehensive property scheduled for completion in June 2008. The revitalized L’Auberge will introduce an upgraded resort that is reminiscent of a welcoming, private coastal estate, including a redesign of its 120 guest rooms and suites, lobby, pool deck and more. Upon reopening, the property will also feature a new restaurant with James Beard Chef Paul McCabe at the helm. For information or reservations, call (800)245-9757 or (85 259-1515 or visit www.laubergedelmar.com
About Destination Hotels & Resorts

Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With more than 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 7,000 guest rooms, 10 golf courses and 11 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Houston, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.