Bistro 33

why is this here? astoria is a diverse family neighborhood being gentrified at an alarming pace and restaurants like this don't help. I tried to keep an open mind but found the atmosphere too park-slope like, and the food overpriced for the quality. there are so many delicious and affordable restaurants already, why run them out with another completely unneeded japanese joint? more

Went to brunch on Sunday there for my first time, and there were people there but it was not overcrowded. The menu was interesting, very eclectic (brie and sliced apple omelette), everyone could definitely find something they liked. I got the pancakes with blueberry compote and they were out of this world! A side of andouille sausage was delicious too! We didn't question the bill, but it seemed a bit high, but we didn't care. I definitely would go again, just to try the other items they have to offer! Pros: Food, atmosphere more

Bistro 33 is a great addition to Astoria. I'm so glad they relocated from 36 Ave! The space is more than double and there's an outdoor Bistro now. This weather is so perfect for outdoor dining and brunching!\r I have eaten several dinners and brunches at Bistro since they opened at the beginning of Summer. The sushi is excellent and now I can get it seven days a week. I usually opt for several rolls and/or appetizers. I like the variety. I've also sampled the sea bass and salmon entrees and they are both great choices. I love the desserts, but I wish they would bring back the banana crepes!! I hear the BLT Roll served at brunch is delicious, so I will probably try it soon...maybe today! Try Bistro33. Bring a friend, dine alone. It's great food in a relaxing atmosphere. Pros: Great food, great space Cons: Wish we could dine outdoors all year! more

What a great place to hang out. Stopped by Saturday night around midnight with a few friends. They have some interesting sake drinks and a pretty cool beer selection and the sushi bar is open late if you want a snack. The smokers in the group really appreciated that they could light up at the outdoor tables Pros: late night lounge Cons: no after hours more

What a great addition to the neighborhood. I saw this place on my way down to Astoria Park for some sun one afternoon and came back for dinner. We were able to sit outside and people watch while we enjoyed great food and drinks. I started with their sake mojito, which was great, really refreshing on a warm evening. The sushi rolls were fresh and original. The waitress recommended a new ""white"" roll that had white tuna, asparagus and some other stuff. All I know is it was really good.\r \r After sharing a bunch of appetizers, spinach salad, crawfish tempura and crab salad, we finished with a white chocolate cake with blueberries...sooo moist and delicious. Everyone was really friendly. I will definitely be back! Pros: Outdoor seating, sake drinks, cool staff Cons: don't accept Amex, no Corona on the beer menu more

Staff was rude. Chef is clearly ambitious and arrogant, but food is mediocre and overpriced. Atmosphere (or lack thereof) and ordinary food do not justify the price. Do not recommend eating here. Pros: easy to get to Cons: bad chef/food, bad service, bad ambience more

Come for the food, leave for the 'tude. That's what we did last night, our second and final visit to Bistro 33. Upon arrival of our appetizers, Crawfish tempura and Bistro's 3- yellowtail, tuna and salmon sashimi with a twist- of yuzu, ginger and truffle oil, we were met with an ornery chef. Who was our waitress last time? Ummm...? Who was it, because whoever it was I'm going to fire her. Ummmm...??!!?! Who gave you the sushi roll substitution last time? I would NEVER approve that flavor substitution, so whoever was your waitress went behind my back, and now I'm going to fire her. Well, we asked for a substitution due to a food allergy. I would NEVER approve that flavor substitution! Well, we have a food allergy, so could you be accomm- (cuts us off) In MY KIT-CHEN these are MY rules, and whoever went behind MY back BROKE my rules and will be FIRED. Who was it? You can't remember? (and we're thinking a simple I'm sorry, we don't make substitutions would suffice) Needless to say, we walked out. \r \r This is a nice neighborhood in Queens, not a Reality TV show recruiting Type A Narcissistic Michelin-star Wannabes. But what less could you expect from a Queens cook in a Yankees hat... Cons: Food not good enough to compensate for chef's Drama more

I am glad I did't read the last 2 reviews before going to Bistro 33 this weekend or I probably wouldn't have gone. My friends chose the place because they had been there before and everyone thought it was great! We shared a bunch of sushi and appetizers, the crab cakes were really tasty with just a little bit of spice and I loved the corn that came with it. We also had gyoza, the lamb chops (which I tried under protest and then ended up wanting more). I thought the sushi is some of the best I've had in Queens and even better than a lot of places in Manhattan. I tend to like the ""special"" rolls (with lots of different combinations) as opposed to being a sushi purist, but my friend ordered the sashimi and liked that as well. I had the sea bass with sunflower seeds for an entree and it was sooo good! The fish just melts in your mouth and the sunflowers seeds are crispy and a little salty, it's a great combination.\r \r We also shared a few desserts...the chocolate souffle was soft in the middle, warm and delicious, but my favorite was a white chocolate cake with blueberries. The prices are totally reasonable. We were full, happy and even had a few drinks (try the sake mojito) for about $40 bucks a person...a real bargain in my opinion. The chef even delivered our dessert himself and he was really nice. We asked if he was going to have brunch, because there aren't that many places around that offer it . He said they are starting this weekend and gave us a menu. It looks really good...they even have blueberry pancakes! I have to try that next time. Pros: Sushi, White Chocolate cake, friendly service, reasonable prices Cons: a little small, can get crowded more

Visited bistro a few nights ago.... all I can say is it is ""OK.""\r Although the chef has interesting ideas, one can taste the use of bottom-shelf ingredients... and pricing his dishes at Manhattan prices is a big turn off. \r I would suggest visiting some of the other superb seafood restaurants in Astoria, if you are going to make the trip out from Manhattan (as I did.) As far as asian fusion, trend-following places like these are a dime-a-dozen... if you want to spend 100+ on dinner for two, stay in the city!\r P.S. - Amenities include ""notable chef""? I have never heard of this guy, and apart from a certificate that looks like it was printed off the 'net and an armful of prison tattoos... there is not too much that is ""notable"" about anything at this location. Pros: desserts are OK Cons: cramped quarters, unsanitary conditions more

Of the two times i dined here, earch was marred by some of the most horribly prepaed food Ive ever seen. The title 'french-asian fusion' is trendy, and pulled off well by some, but not here. On my first visit, we had sushi apps, they were nothing spectacular. The entrees were two disasters. I had the cappuccino salmon. First off, the samlon was burnt. but you didnt notice the burn salmon unless you 1) tasted it, or 2) moved over the foamed milk part of the 'cappuccino.' It was served with bok choy. Bok choy that was so over cooked it looked like frozen spinach after youve defrosted it. Cappuccino does not go with salmon! this plate was not french. and the only asian thing about it was the bok choy. which any asian would cringe at it being so over cooked. My friend had the grilled hangar steak. The fries were good. the salad was overdressed, and the beef...the beef...the poor cow died to be used like this?! medium rare is apparently medium well in Astoria. My next visit began with a crab salad and ceviche. The ceviche was confusion in a martini glass...why was my shrimp and fish cooked? why was my octopus frozen? the crabcakes were decent. but the corn and salad made no sense. again...asian? the night our entrees were duck....served again with our soggy, limp friend formerly known as bok choy. and a cherry sauce. If you order a medium rare duck breast you get medium, oh! it also comes with a braised duck leg. which is dry, which leads me to believe if it was actually braised. Again, bok choy is the only asian thing. the other entree on our table was teriyaki chicken. With guess what? Soggy bok choy! The chicken was overcooked by far! it was dried out and tough. you can get better teriyaki sauce in a jar from your local supermarket. The desserts are afterthoughts - if even. 'Crepes' were a joke. Chocolate souffles are burnt. The menu seems like a failed attempt to be different. thank god it was cheap or it wouldve felt like an even bigger waste of money. Dont Go! Pros: uh...read above Cons: everything about the food, soggy bok choy in 3 of 4 plates, the lack of effort from the kitchen more

The food was amazing, and we love their new location. The interior is beautifully done--it's about 3 times bigger than the old place (which is not saying much)--and the atmosphere was simultaneously casual and romantic. It's a perfect date spot. The crab salad appetizer with mango and avocado is highly recommended, and all of the sushi was fresh and delicious. more

Seemingly everything is good at this place -- try the pan seared salmon, their roasted duck, or even simple dishes like chicken teriaki. You won't be disappointed. It was much better when it was a BYO place. It's much more expensive than it should be, but the food is certainly delish! Pros: Food is amazing. wow. Cons: Expensive, small, decor is nothing special. more

The 9.1 rating was way overrated. Ambiance was lacking. The place was very 'lil'. Tables were 5"" to 6"" apart (Do you like to whisper during your meal?). Prices were reasonable. The appetizer was OK. The salmon was very good. The menu seemed to have many tasty items. Pros: Food Cons: Ambience, tight seating. more

After reviewing best restaurants in Astoria on citysearch I chose Bistro 33 for a monday night after work dinner. My girlfriend and I had the most amazing dinner ever. We tried battered shrimp and seared tuna, just to die for. For the main course I had crab cakes with corn puree and she ordered Tilapia topped with crab meat. The portions were huge and the food just melted in your mouth. \r The place is closing on September 23 and they are relocating to a different area and will reopen by November. You still have time to enjoy it. I definitely recommend it. Was not costly at all! And the staff were so so nice. Just a great monday night experience of Astoria. Pros: Week nights you will have the place all to yourself. Cons: Sushi served only Thurs-Sat. more

I went into this restaurant on one of my infrequent trips to queens. My party split a few apps. a sushi roll, and my entree was great. It's small and a little cramped. An overall good dining experience was marred by our waitress' bad additudes. She acted generally annoyed and put out by us, even though we made no special requests, must have just been a bad day. Pros: food was great, found plenty of parking Cons: too cramped for more than 3 people, snooty waitress more

Chef Gary did it again the other night. We sat at the counter watching them prepare the meals. Best seat in the house for any foodie with dreams of grandeur.\r For starters we had the Crab avocado salad & ceviche. Crab was sublime and the ceviche was unusually prepared and unbelievably fantastic with japanese lemon & guava juices plus spices. Dinner was Goat cheese crab cakes (a must have) and the duck which my friend is still talking about. The best and most interesting dish of the night was a cappuccino roast salmon fillet. A perfectly roasted piece of salmon with crispy skin drizzled with a two tone cappuccino tasting sauce. Bizarre concept... maybe, Utterly delicious and fun... YES! What will this chef think up next? Can't wait to find out. Why go to Manhattan for cutting edge and yummy when its right here in Lil' ol Astoria! Pros: Creative chef, inspired cooking, cozy room Cons: not enough seating more

So glad to find a great brunch spot in Astoria. My girlfriend and I stumbled upon this place after an early Sunday movie, and were happy we opted to forgo the popcorn. We ordered truffled eggs with salmon and quiche Lorraine. Both were delicious, as were the Tokoyo Sunrises that came with brunch (think tequila sunrise, but with sake). I can't wait to go back for dinner. Pros: food, price, service Cons: small more

We live in Astoria and were so excited to try this place out! The reviews were very good but we were so disappointed when we got there! Svc was horrible and the food was overpriced. Not only for what you got, but for the location and the atmosphere. DO NOT RECOMMEND. more

After a crazy day @ work, & with no reservation, we were so lucky to score a seat at the bar on an incredibly busy evening. We had been there several times before, but never realized what a joy this experience could be. As always, the food was amazing (best in the 'hood), but we were also treated to the experience of watching Chef Gary in action. Not only did we have a top tier dining experience, but his charm & wit were enamoring. Bonus- Nirvana makes a fine soundtrack for a romantic dinner for two. Pros: good food, intimate environment, charming staff Cons: small, limited wine list more

I have been finding more and more places to eat in Astoria, but none better than lil' Bistro 33. It's small, romantic atmosphere is fitting for its addictive food. The service was great and if you get there a little early you find yourself with few other people. more