Winegasm: Come (Over) As Much As You Want

Many folks in Astoria are split on the name, but few can argue over the attention to detail that Winegasm bestows on its namesake drink. The interior of the restaurant evokes the feel of a rustic, mahogany-hued hideaway with enough liquid sustenance to keep a village afloat for years. Its menu is geared towards the wine sipping crowd, beginning with tapas style offerings like the delectable smoked bacon wrapped prunes and wild mushroom and truffle crostini which may prove to be your undoing. The cheese plates are delicious, if not exceedingly creative, while the meats are truly meant to be lingered over. The mortadella alone deserves an hour of your time. For entrees, the seared scallops with roasted garlic polenta garnished with wild mushrooms is a favorite whose essence can be savored long after the plate is tugged away from reluctant diners. Lastly, the winter pork stew is a hearty, homey take on the season’s traditional remedy for frigid nights.

There is a respectable collection of wines by the glass for the avid taster (and the unemployed). The menu for bottles is divided into Old World which encompasses Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Austria while the New World is populated by offerings from Australia, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and the U.S. The Malbec "Patriota" Tikal, a 2005 from Argentina, is highly recommended. By providing the community with happy hour, a wine school, wine tastings and open mic sessions, Winegasm seems poised to take Astoria to the next level. With a luscious array of food choices and impressive vino, this little hideaway just may paint the neighborhood red.

Winegasm:
3186 37th St.
(718) 932-3331

Official Website