Although not technically within the borders of Astoria,
El Ay Si is worth a notable nod as a creatively comforting restaurant in Long
Island City. Located on Vernon Boulevard, and rubbing shoulders with a handful
of emerging restaurants and bars in the blossoming LIC food scene, El Ay Si
focuses their menu on comfort food classics such as Mac n’Cheese and Slow
Cooked Pressed Pork Belly while also experimenting with some not so traditional
combinations.
Considering how much I had heard about El Ay Si, I was
surprised at how small and narrow the restaurant was. Entering El Ay Si’s thick
velvet curtains, you are greeted with the bar area. Walking past the bar and accompanying
tables, you enter a narrow hallway filled with intimate, cozy, dark wood booths
for two, featuring high backs and set beside a brick wall. The ambience is
perfectly romantic and warm. Walking further back, you enter a more open bar
room, featuring a large table for six, a bookcase hosting memorabilia and a
collection of wine bottles, the restroom (which gains bonus points for being cute),
and a door to an outside area which may not actually be in use. Graffiti
artwork splashes the areas opposite the brick walls, a possible homage to the
graffiti scene in LIC (and home to graffiti Mecca 5 Pointz).
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| hallway |
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| graffiti + ceiling |
My companion and I looked over the drink menu, and being
fans of the deliciously white Sauvignon Blanc, ordered two glasses. Within a
few minutes, our waitress came back, apologizing that they had in fact run out
of Sauvignon Blanc but had this other white that we might like – Falanghina.
She proceeded to give us each a sample of the wine, which we fell in love with,
and also wrote down the name for us for future reference. This going above and
beyond typical waitress duties had a lasting impression, and is a definite
strength of the place.
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We started our meal with the Grilled Calamari Small Bites.
The calamari was fresh, and lightly seasoned with olive oil, garlic, lime, and
sea salt. The flavorings were subtle, and accentuated the taste of the squid
and olive oil. It was a great appetizer that did not leave us feeling overly
full. For our dinner, we opted for one of the specials of the night, a Brisket
Sandwich served with sweet potato fries (which we substituted for tater tots),
and the Pulled Pork Tacos al Pastor. The
Brisket Sandwich was perfectly spiced and seasoned, and the meat was tender.
The tater tots were also cooked perfectly - flawlessly crispy on the outside
and soft on the inside.
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| Grilled Calamari |
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| Brisket Sandwich + Tater Tots |
The Pulled Pork Tacos al Pastor featured grilled pineapple
and caramelized onions inside the soft tacos, and sat atop a market salad,
featuring pico de gallo, cilantro, and a flavorful citrus based dressing. The pork
tacos were very tender, however they were laden with grease. The grilled pineapple and caramelized onions both added a sweetness in flavor to the meat.
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| Pulled Pork Tacos al Pastor w. Market Salad |
The Cookies and Cream – fried Oreos with vanilla ice cream - was
our dessert of choice. This comfort food classic was a great end to our night.
Covered in a light, sweet dough, the fried Oreos were warm and reminiscent of
childhood.
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| Cookies and Cream |
The meals at El Ay Si offer a spin on classic comfort food,
executed with precise details to make each dish the best it can be. The
restaurant vibe leaves me craving more time in the private booths. El Ay Si features
brunch on weekends, and features a Kid’s Menu for tiny tots and full bar for
the big kids. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. This is a place I will
recommend for the great staff, relaxed environment, and fun takes on American dishes.
