No5 at Studio Nova Is a Must-Visit

You know how there are some places you’ve never been, and the first time you finally visit, you can’t believe what you’ve been missing? That’s how I feel about No 5 at Studio Nova on 36th Ave, which has evolved from a food truck to a delightful fully-functioning restaurant. The WHA team was lucky enough to be treated to a fabulous outdoor dinner here recently, and we’re excited to share some of our favorite dishes with you.

Join us as we eat our way through their offerings! As always, major thanks to Marielle Solan for the beautiful photos.

Let’s start with the cocktails, shall we? We sampled, from left to right, the Blushing Bride (champagne, peach schnapps, and grenadine), the Elderflower Cocktail (champagne & St.Germaine), and the Kir Royale (champagne & creme de cassis). These are some of the most photogenic drinks I’ve seen, and they tasted just as lovely. My personal favorite was the light, refreshing Elderflower Cocktail, which I could enjoy for hours on a sunny summer evening.

Up next, how can you go wrong with sangria? Whether you’re into white, red, or rosé, you’ll find something fruity to sip on.

 

Okay, let’s dig into the food. One thing that really stands out here is the fresh, high-quality ingredients. Everything is hearty, but doesn’t weigh you down. You feel like you’re making a healthy choice with most, if not all, of the menu items.

Case in point: the Red Lentil & Shrimp Salad, which includes crunchy red cabbage, sweet dried cranberries, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and avocado. It’s a great way to start your meal with a variety of textures, colors, and flavors.

 

Another healthy option to start things off is the vegan Black Bean Cakes, made with sautéed spinach, adzuki & black beans, vegan parmesan, and served with a blackberry salsa. These little bites are a great way to pack in the veggies, and paired great with our cocktails.

 

 

As someone who loves big, juicy cheeseburgers, but not the stomachache that can come from wolfing down a quarter pounder, I’ve grown to love quinoa burgers. Putting a quinoa patty between cheese and a bun and adding fries is a great way to enjoy one of the most classic comfort foods, but feel a little bit better afterwards. The quinoa sliders here can be made with regular or vegan cheese, and satisfy those burger cravings nicely.

 

If you’re a meat eater, the ABF Steak Salad With an Egg is an egg-cellent choice. (Sorry, I had to.) It’s a combination of everything that makes salads sexy: arugula, avocado, red onion, capers, pecans, Parmesan, a fried egg, and an olive oil/balsamic dressing that lets the veggies and meat shine.

 

Okay, this one was a major crowd favorite: the Vegan Creamy Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles. It had all the decadence of a big bowl of carb-y pasta, just with zoodles rather than normal spaghetti. The long strands of zucchini seemed to never end as we twirled them around our forks, which we were more than okay with. If pasta is your jam and you’re looking to enjoy something a little lighter, this is a stellar choice.

 

One of No 5’s signature menu items are their Tartines, also known as French-style open-faced sandwiches. They have ten varieties, all worth sinking your teeth into. One vegetarian-friendly tartine we tried was the Avocado and Asparagus option, which featured arugula, parmesan, pine nuts, a poached egg, and truffle oil. I can’t believe how much beautiful greenery they fit onto one piece of bread!

 

A heartier option is the Shrimp & Manchego tartine, which piles shrimp, cheese, sauteed spinach, roasted bell peppers, marinated beets, and edamame mayo onto kalamata olive bread. The plump, succulent shrimp atop salty, melty cheese and a healthy serving of veggies makes for a very satisfying bite.

 

A sweet/salty option is the Prosciutto & Fig tartine, which layers gorgonzola cheese underneath the meat and fruit for a fantastic combination of flavors. It’s my personal opinion that figs make everything delicious, and this sandwich is no exception.

 

Somehow, we saved a little room for dessert. On the left, you’ll find a Carmelized Apple Tart. This baby features sauteed apples in Grand Marnier, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a generous scoop of vanilla gelato. Not your mama’s apple dessert. On the right, for the chocolate lovers, we have the Banana, Strawberry, and Chocolate Crepe, made with organic eggs, almond milk, and quinoa flour. The airy-ness of the crepe combined with the rich chocolate was a stunning flavor mashup.

You could pick between these desserts, but why not end on a high note and order both?

 

Thanks again to No5 for hosting us! If you haven’t stopped by yet this summer to dine outdoors, make sure to plan a trip to enjoy the weather and menu offerings.

This post is sponsored by No5 at Studio Nova. Thanks for supporting the brands that support We Heart Astoria.

No5 at Studio Nova (35-43 37th St (@36th Ave), Long Island City | 718.361.6930)

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