Astorian Weekend Edition - February 7, 2008
By Meg of Joey in Astoria

I'm back! Thanks to flooz for covering last week - I learned this week that a tree knocked out my internet: 7 days without internet is like an eternity! Oh, well, I did catch up on my Netflix queue...

Now, if you're of the romantic persuasion, this is the time to make your Valentine's Day reservations. Astoria has a lot of lovely options, including Bistro 33 ($50 prix fixe), Mundo ($65 prix fixe) 718, L'Incontro, Stove, and Locale. More on this subject next week.

Take a visit to the Czech Republic this weekend at the Beer Garden. Thursday night at 7 p.m. the Laco Dezci Jazz Orchestra plays in the Beer Cellar restaurant. No cover, no minimum. Then on Saturday at 7 p.m. they're showing a selection of recent Czech films by director Jan Sikl (in Czech with English subtitles): With Kisses from Your Love and Low Level Flight.

On my way back from voting Tuesday, I walked by Inside Astoria (37-20 Ditmars), and noticed they are having a sale. I love that place, and they always have interesting stuff.

I've also been spending some time at Cafe Soleil (Astoria Blvd South between 37th and 38th Sts) and love it. They've got free wifi, tasty snacks, and normal-sized lattes. Small means small, Starbucks! But my favorite thing at Soleil is the fresh juice. I had apple, carrot, orange juice last weekend and it was fantastic! The space is really cute, too.

For something completely different, attend either the Yixing Teapot or Chinese Brush Making Workshop at the Brickhouse Ceramic Art Center (10-34 44th Dr). Registration Fee is $110 for each, and that includes lunch.

Last, our friend Zora mentions Leng Thai (33-09 Broadway), which has been open for about a month. I peeked in the other day and it looked really nice. I hear the food is pretty good, too. Check it out and let us know what you think.

• Previously on Joey in Astoria
• Neighborhood Profile - Astoria, Queens