Grand
Quality
Doesn't Have to Mean Grand Price
Astoria World Manor:
25-22 Astoria Boulevard; 278-7766
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Credit Cards: All major
Cuisine: International
Most people walking or driving by Astoria World
Manor would not think to stop in for a bite to eat, assuming that they are solely a
reception hall. Wrong. Probably one of the best kept secrets in Astoria, one of their
reception rooms is a makeshift dining hall on Tuesday through Friday, serving on Tuesdays
and Wednesdays an international buffet, on Thursdays and Fridays a seafood buffet.
The idea came about a year ago when executive
chef Greg Rabusa came on the scene. Rabusa, who has worked previously at such esteemed
eateries such as Tavern on the Green and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute, makes
the mark in his field as a talented, competent Asian chef preparing European cuisine. The
dining hall seats 150, and is bustling with community groups hosting their monthly
meetings, young couples, and business executives. The buffet is open between the hours of
6:30 and 9:30 p.m., with prices fixed at $16.95 for the European buffet, $19.95 for the
seafood buffet.
One can't help but appreciate the graceful
ambiance of the Astoria Manor. Despite being situated on busy Astoria Boulevard, a gentle
peace will surround you once you enter the door, and thoughts of being in the city are
dispensed. A swift and courteous staff escort you to one of numerous intimate tables, and
remain faithful to accommodating all of your dining needs, whether for a drink refill,
additional bread, all with a genuine smile and concern. If you're up for a little ballroom
dancing afterwards, you can head over for an additional $5 charge with dining at the
buffet, $10 for persons just interested in dancing. A full bar is available and is the
only a la carte aspect of this wondrous dining experience. However, coffee and tea are
complimentary with the meal.
As is tradition with a buffet, the policy is all
you can eat, and for sure many a person's eye will become bigger than their stomachs.
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, the selection is vast, the taste, fresh. At the
beginning of either buffet is a selection of appetizers and salads or the raw bar;
oysters, calms, shrimps and Alaskan king crabs claws presented on ice served with a
cocktail sauce; marinated artichoke hearts and hearts of palm, sliced mozzarella, basil
and tomato; macaroni salad with sliced tomatoes and ham; anchovies and red peppers, and
customized salads, with a selection of dressings, croutons, radishes, and other garnishes.
Every buffet offers a soup of the day, 2 entrees,
2 starches, 2 vegetables, and always to selections at the carving board. On this night,
there was medallion of chicken breast alla tuscanni (with mushrooms, artichoke hearts,
prosciutto and mozzarella), sautéed Boston scrod with a creamy dijon sauce, baked turkey
breast and roast prime ribs of beef au jus at the carving table, as well as baked ziti,
linguini alla luciano (seafood variety with clear broth over linguini); honey glazed
carrots, string beans almondine, and some excellent "turned red bliss" roasted
potatoes. Again, all selections were fresh, sufficiently seasoned, and hot. For those
coming for the seafood buffet, expect a range poached bass, bouillabaisse marseillaise
with saffron, baked salmon en croute with bernaise sauce, new england clam chowder,
amongst other tasty platters to choose from.
Save a small pocket of room, (if possible) for a
bevy of tasty desserts-including chocolate dipped juicy strawberries, chocolate mousse
served in a chocolate crust, cheesecake, carrotcake, and more. The cappuccino is also
excellent, served with a touch of cinnamon.
Make a date with friends or business partners one
weekday for a memorable, pleasurable dining experience at Astoria World Manor that will
only be grand in quality, not in price.
— Linda Sheridan |
