Something For Everyone at The Shady Lady

Every now and then, the WHA team attends a tasting that is more than just a meal–a better description would be “an epic spread of every type of food we love to eat.” These are the tastings where the food (and drinks) just keep coming and coming, and every new dish that arrives is not only a delight, but a challenge. Just how much can we three Astoria-loving ladies eat? At our most recent visit to The Shady Lady, we were about to find out.

We were served a whopping SIXTEEN dishes (luckily we wore our eating pants!) and sampled some of their lovely cocktails. Join us for a rundown of everything we ate, with photos from the one and only Marielle Solan. I feel full just thinking about this.

First off, are you a white sangria person or a red sangria person? I always lean toward the white, BUT if you go during “Shady Hour,” when sangria is only $5, you might as well try both. When does this magical Shady Hour take place? Luckily, more often than just a typical Happy Hour–it goes down from  5pm-7pm on regular weeknights, 4pm-7pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and 10pm-close every night. Many great opportunities for great drinks on a budget!

Speaking of budget, make sure you take advantage of our special We Heart Astoria deal!

 

Next up, some cocktails. From left to right, the team sampled A Lovely Pear (Pear Vodka, mint, lime), Our Shady Lady (bourbon, pomegranate liqueur, lemon, cranberry, cayenne), and Spicy Ginger Kick (tequila, ginger, jalapeño, agave, lemon).

 

Even though we went for dinner, we couldn’t resist some brunch cocktails. You might say drinks like mimosas, Bloody Marys, and champagne cocktail Shady Royales (pictured far left) are only for daytime, but we’d have to agree to disagree. The Shady Lady sides with me, and have created a deal to prove it: They’ve created Bottomless Nights, where every night from 5-8pm, guests can enjoy unlimited sangrias, house wine, select beers, well drinks, champagne drinks for $19.95 or $14.95 with a $10 food purchase.

 

Now, onto the best part, the food! So we started off light, with new menu item Tuna Tartare. We were lucky enough to sample a number of new menu items, and this one is definitely a great addition. Real talk: tuna tartare never really photographs well, but please trust us that this was a perfectly delicious way to start a meal!

 

When you think of carrot sticks, you probably think “healthy,” right? Normally, yes. At The Shady Lady, they’ve turned carrot sticks into a craveworthy, but likely not-so-healthy new menu item. These (vegan!) Fried Carrot Sticks were a big hit among our crew, and are served with a spicy coconut cauliflower dipping sauce.

 

Embarrassing story time. I was really asked by a friend what the most recent emoji I used was, and it was the “hearts in eyes” emoji. What was I using it for? To comment on a picture of tacos. These Baja Fish Tacos are definitely worthy of your love and affection too!

 

Disco. Duck. Fries. I mean, does it get any more indulgent and YOLO than this? These mouthwatering fries are made with duck confit, rich gravy, and melted fontina. My manicure is not included :)

 

Next up, Spinach and Feta Fritters. I should note that our tasting was full of items that are awesome for vegetarians, vegans, and those avoiding gluten. This vegetarian appetizer is served with a nice cucumber yogurt sauce that’s perfect for dipping.

 

Another new menu item is the French Onion Flatbread with roasted bone marrow. If you love French Onion Soup, just imagine how much you’ll enjoy those flavors on top of some carbs!

 

Chicken and Waffles really need no introduction, but to sweeten the deal, The Shady Lady’s version is served with sriracha honey mustard and cayenne maple syrup. YUMMMMM.

 

Are the “Fried Chicken Gone Wild Sliders” a little crazy, and probably too much for one person to handle? Yes, absolutely. But will you want them on your table? Yes, absolutely.

 

Okay, let’s talk comfort food. These Meatloaf Meatballs, served over chive mashed potatoes, are an excellent chilly/rainy night dish that will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

For the next dish, they got a little fancy. We’re talking Braised Short Ribs, with an umami glaze, carrots, and basmati rice. One thing I love about The Shady Lady is that one person at the table can order something crazy like the Fried Chicken Gone Wild, and another can be classy with the Braised Short Ribs. You do you!

 

Now for something new, simple, and clean: the Chicken Shawarma sandwich. It’s served on a pita with tzatziki, Israeli salad, black bean hummus, and curry fried chickpeas. Even as the plates were being taken away, I was still going back and grabbing those tasty little chickpeas.

 

One of the most intriguing of the new dishes was the Lobster Fried Rice. If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your typical takeout fried rice, you’ve come to the right place.

 

Probably the most ambitious of the new menu items is the “Cauliflower Parm,” a vegan and gluten-free take on Chicken Parm. The pasta is gluten free, the cauliflower replaces chicken, and the “cheese” on top is actually a homemade cashew cheese. For those vegans out there that want to dig into a big hearty meal, The Shady Lady is here for you!

 

You might think it would be absolutely impossible to save room for dessert, but sometimes we made it happen. And first off, we have a gluten-free NY-style cheesecake! The sauce is made with a port wine/strawberry reduction, and it’s absolutely something you’ll want to split with the table (or keep to yourself).

 

My favorite dessert of the evening was the Banana Cream Pie with a graham cracker crust, Every time I thought I was completely done eating, my spoon somehow kept scooping up whatever was left.

 

Oh man, one more. Just when we thought the meal was all over, the Coconut Bread Pudding emerged, and we could’t say no. Just look at that caramel sauce drizzle!

In case you were wondering, yes, of course there were leftovers. We have big appetites, and we did our best, but ultimately had to surrender. Thank you VERY much to The Shady Lady for a wonderful meal!

This post is sponsored by The Shady Lady. Thanks for supporting the brands that support We Heart Astoria.

The Shady Lady (34-19 30th Ave, Astoria) | (718) 440-9081
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