Neptune Diner

Neptune Diner
3105 Astoria Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 278-4853

I can count on one hand the number of times I have visited Astoria, Queens and not at least walked past the beer garden. But tonight there would be no pitchers of Brouczech. Mint and the St. Mark's crew had only one destination in mind: Neptune Diner, a familiar sight to anyone who has climbed down the N train steps at Astoria-Ditmars Blvd.

That said, it's a diner. I'm guessing it would be a pretty familiar sight to anyone who loves French toast. As a lover of the breakfast arts myself, but never previously a patron of the Neptune, I for some reason skipped the "served all day" morning menu and chose a crab-stuffed mushrooms special.

The Neptune is, in case you missed it, a diner, so as you might expect the mushrooms involved a certain level of frying, were served with a healthy helping of visible butter, and their arrival was heralded by a side salad with oil and vinegar. They were also delicious, in their own greasy spoon way, and large enough to require a greasy knife and fork to manage.

MIKE EATS NEXT TIME: Nothing against the Neptune, but not without first having a few pitchers down the road.

The Beer Garden: Reason No. 1 to Visit Astoria, Queens

The Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 274-4925
www.bohemianhall.com

THE BEER GARDEN is one of the only reasons I visit Queens. No offense to Ms. Cha and fiance Mr. Blakeman, or to Chef Giacchino, but while the G-train to 7-train to N-train sequence is not the worst of all possible triple-transfers, it's not one I seek out often. Unless, of course, the Beer Garden beckons.

Do not be fooled by other NYC bars that promise such green pastures for pouring pitcher after pitcher. The only authentic beer garden in the five boroughs, built in 1910 and surviving near on a century later, is the Bohemian Hall. It not only remains a mecca for Czech culture but has become a destination point for those who desire to gather in the great outdoors. And get smashed.

Ms. Jeanie Cha, responsible for arranging this particular gathering of former work friends and assorted other individuals, provided the games; the Bohemian Hall provided the eats: huge piles of potato pirogies heaped on sauerkraut, enormous potato pancakes with both applesauce and sour cream provided, and lengths of kielbasas sliced and grilled to delicious. All of this is washed down with glass after glass of the draught beer of your choosing, all them a mere $14 per pitcher at the bar. Drink up!

It was such a good time that Mint and I passed up the chance to go watch Real Madrid stage a 'heart-stopping' comeback against Mallorca to win the team's first Spanish league title in four years. But when Brian and Sophie are attempting to figure out the best way to drink a triple shot of Jager, why would anyone leave?

MIKE EATS NEXT TIME: Yes, and perhaps drink a little less? Nah.