The area around the Ditmars stop in Astoria is packed with fun restaurants and bars.  Since I was going to look at an apartment in the area, Matt, Karina, Leo, and I met for brunch at The Thirsty Koala before checking out real estate.  While I will probably not go back to that apartment building again, I would make a return trip to the restaurant.

The Thirsty Koala is an Autralian restaurant that is way healthier than I imagined.  With a sign that features a cartoon koala guzzling a sudsy beer, I figured this would be a bunch of heavy food.  Turns out, Aussies like to eat local and healthy.  The menu features enough items to keep the grease-seekers happy (burgers, waffles), but there are also tons of vegetarian, whole grain, and gluten free options available.

Matt went with the corn and jalapeno fritters benedict (3 corn fritters served with three poached eggs, avo salsa, and smoked salmon) and Leo got some grilled chicken sliders.  Karina and I both got the green bowl (3 poached eggs, quinoa, and kale), but I added avocado to mine.  I recommend adding the avocado; otherwise, it’s a lot of quinoa.  The portions were hearty (3 eggs on all items vs. the standard 2), the food was good, and it was definitely family friendly.