718 Restaurant

http://www.718restaurant.com/
35-01 Ditmars Blvd
Astoria NY 11105

(718) 204-5553

Ratings:  5 Stomachs - Blissfully Full

Nice French bistro located in Astoria where you would normally find Greek fair food.  The atmosphere is dark and a little noisy, mostly from the bar.  Parking is on the metered street but it ends at 7PM.  Side street parking is available with a little hunting.

Scallops on top of risotto.  Very good.  Risotto is cooked very well and the scallops are done just right.

Cerviche.  Very good.  Great lime flavor with a tomato based flavoring.

Mussels with bacon and melted swiss cheese.  Very good.  Lots of food for this plate.  Great sauce for dipping bread.

Sauteed spinach with garlic.  Very good.

Caracas Arepa Bar

http://www.caracasarepabar.com/manhattan.php
93 1/2 E 7th St.
NY, NY 10009
(212) 529-2314

Ratings: 5 Stomachs - Blissfully Full

A small restaurant with a few tables which fills up quickly after opening.  Parking is a hit or miss on the streets of the East Village.


Guasacaca and Chips, Venezuelan style guacamole with chips.  Very good fried chips like "TerraChips", not too salty and not greasy.

Arepa De Pabellón, shredded beef, black beans, white salty cheese and sweet plantains.  Very good.  Breading is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Arepa La de Pernil, roasted pork shoulder with tomato slices
and a spicy mango sauce.  Very good.  Pork is not dry and full of flavor.

Arepa La Sureña, grilled chicken and chorizo, with avocado
slices and the classic and always enigmatic spicy chimi-churri sauce.  Very good.

Don't know the name, it was the special of the day.  It was good, but not as tasty as the others.