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La Cevicheria by de Mole debuts new summer cocktails

La Ceviche by De Mole is turning up the summer in Astoria with a bright, beachy lineup of cocktails—and a marquee hire behind the bar. The neighborhood favorite, known for its vibrant Peruvian-Mexican flavors and relaxed, convivial vibe, is debuting four new warm‑weather sippers: La Toronjita, Coconita, Estrellita, and a Passionfruit Caipirinha.

The timing couldn’t be better: weekday Happy Hour runs a generous 1–8 p.m., and weekends bring a two‑hour bottomless brunch. Even better, the restaurant’s tapas, family‑style format invites lingering, mixing, and sharing—drinks included—for just $56 per person.

Watch the new cocktails in action by local Astoria food influencer, John Sanchez, on Instagram.

At the center of this refresh is Eugenio, La Ceviche by De Mole’s newly minted bartender, who arrives with serious pedigree: over 25 years at the famed Gotham in Manhattan. His move to Astoria is a win for cocktail lovers borough‑wide. Eugenio brings hospitality that’s confident yet unpretentious, coupled with a craftsman’s touch for balance and presentation. “I want guests to taste the seasons—citrus at its peak, herbs when they’re fragrant, and spirits that tell a story,” he says, setting the tone for a bar program that’s both polished and playful.

La Toronjita is a crisp, grapefruit‑forward cooler that lands like a sea breeze—bright, lightly bitter, and refreshing with a zesty salted rim that begs for another sip. Coconita leans lush and tropical, pairing coconut and lime with a whisper of vanilla for a silky, sun‑on‑skin finish. Estrellita—“little star”—twinkles with starfruit and pineapple, rounded by agave and a squeeze of lemon for a clean, high‑tone sparkle. And the Passionfruit Caipirinha riffs on Brazil’s classic with fragrant passionfruit pulp, muddled lime, and cachaça over crushed ice, the kind of golden, tangy cocktail that turns a table into a mini‑vacation.

Food remains the heartbeat here, with a menu designed for sharing and discovery. Think bracing, lime‑kissed ceviches that snap with freshness; crispy calamari and yuca that deliver satisfying crunch; and warm tortillas ferrying grilled seafood, citrus, and herbs. The family‑style, tapas approach encourages guests to try everything—and the mix‑and‑match drinks format means each course can meet its perfect cocktail partner. Whether you’re chasing citrus with La Toronjita or letting Coconita mellow the heat, every pairing feels intentional.

For planners (and spontaneous friends who become planners by 4 p.m.), the value is clear. Weekday Happy Hour from 1–8 p.m. stretches well past office hours, ideal for late lunches, early dinners, or that sweet in‑between. On weekends, the two‑hour bottomless brunch transforms the day into a leisurely feast: tapas passed around the table, cocktails refreshed with a smile, and the whole experience—meals served tapas family‑style plus mix‑and‑match drinks—priced at just $56 per person. With Eugenio steering the bar and summer in full swing, La Ceviche by De Mole isn’t just pouring drinks; it’s pouring a mood. Grab your friends, bring your appetite, and let the afternoon drift into evening—Astoria style.

TikTok Creators Bring Budget-Friendly Cooking to a New Generation

With food prices remaining a top concern for many households, a growing wave of home cooks on social media is showing audiences how to prepare affordable, simple, and satisfying meals.

Easy, recession-free recipes

One of the most popular voices in this space is Matthew Bounds, known online as Your Barefoot Neighbor. In a recent TikTok video, he declared, “Every day in August, we’re making an easy, shortcut recipe for back-to-school season. The goal is just to get dinner on the table.”

Bounds has built an audience of more than four million followers across TikTok and Instagram and has become a bestselling cookbook author, with his latest release titled Keep It Simple, Y’all. His recipes favor convenience over extravagance—think chicken casserole made with cream of celery soup and dehydrated gravy mix, reminiscent of the quick, comforting meals found in 1980s magazines. Each video delivers a complete recipe in under 90 seconds, making them ideal for TikTok’s fast-paced format.

But his work goes far beyond cooking tips. This summer, Bounds and his community joined forces with creator V Spehar of Under the Desk News to raise approximately $80,000 for Toups’ Family Meal, a New Orleans nonprofit that provides meals to food-insecure families, particularly children during school breaks. He also organized a food drive for the Knox Pride Food Pantry System, resulting in 15,000 packages of food being donated—enough to supply their pantry and four others in the area within just 48 hours.

Bounds attributes the success of these efforts to a desire for meaningful action. “People are looking for positivity. Many want to help but aren’t sure where to start. When I point them toward a specific need, they’re eager to step in,” he said.

Cooking Lessons from the Past

Another influential figure in the affordable cooking movement is Kiki Ruff, widely recognized as the “Recession Recipes Lady.” Ruff’s inspiration comes from history—she studies cookbooks from the Great Depression, wartime rationing periods, and previous economic downturns. “I figured I’d learn from the pros,” she explained. “If it worked during World War II rationing, I can adapt it for today’s economy.”

Her recipes are designed to be flexible. For example, a homemade hamburger helper can be made with beef, or swapped for chickpeas, mushrooms, or tofu to cut costs. If tomato sauce isn’t on hand, she encourages substitutions such as tomato paste, salsa, pasta sauce, or even ketchup.

Ruff has chosen not to monetize her content, emphasizing that she does not want to profit from an audience facing financial hardship. Her videos resonate with a diverse group—single parents, young adults aging out of foster care, and individuals coping with job loss.

She ends every video with a personal sign-off: “Please remember to eat, and also I love you.” The phrase originated from a note a friend gave her during a difficult time, a reminder to prioritize self-care. “It meant so much to me then, and now I see how meaningful it is for viewers who might not hear those words anywhere else,” she said.

From nostalgic casseroles to wartime-inspired substitutions, creators like Bounds and Ruff are doing more than sharing recipes—they’re building communities of support, offering both practical help and encouragement during challenging times.

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