Dr. Paul (Apostolis Tsoumpariotis) in Glendale/Astoria

I have to rave about our pediatrician, Dr. Paul (aka Apostolis Tsoumpariotis). He is just the best! Besides being super kind, he is also incredibly patient with my husband and I and spends quality time with us and our son at each appointment, always finishing up by answering our questions and reviewing Andrew's development charts on the computer. And yet, we never have a long wait--must be magic!

He's also available via phone whenever you need him. We've already called him with a number of silly questions, but he never makes you feel stupid or as if you've disturbed him. I really appreciate that.

Maybe most importantly, Dr. Paul practices what he preaches--he has young kids himself and recommends for his patients what he does for his own children. Yet, he would never force you to do/not to do something that you have your heart set on like, for example, if you want to do a delayed vaccination schedule, which he doesn't really recommend. (Unless, you want to do something dangerous like have your kids wrestle alligators... he'd recommend you NOT do that, of course!)

If I had to say something bad, it would just be about his office in Glendale which is not stroller friendly (you walk down a flight of steps) and does not have separate well and sick waiting rooms.

In short, we love Dr. Paul! And, many other folks do too as Vitals.com notes he is the winner of the Patient's Choice Award for 2008 and 2009!

Dr. Paul'sinfo:

Glendale Pediatrics PC
7309 Myrtle Ave
Glendale, NY 11385
(718) 821-4200
*Call the office number for info about the Astoria office, which we haven't visited. :)

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The Best Meat Deal Ever!! N & V Meat Market in Glendale

My husband and I get frustrated by the "big" grocery stores near our apartment in Glendale, Queens. They are expensive, crowded, and don't have the selection of meat that we are looking for... and there's nothing that ruins your day/week more than a hectic grocery shopping experience where you don't get all the things you need!

Thank God, then, that a neighborhood friend just introduced me to N & V Meat Market! This butcher shop and specialty Italian food store at 66-03 Myrtle Avenue (the sign outside reads "Vinny's") offers special meat freezer orders that have blown our mind.

For just $29.95 you can get:

• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
• 4 pork chops (bone-in)
  
• 1 whole chicken (cut to your specifications)
  
• 4 chopped sirloin patties (hamburgers)
• 1 1/2 lbs thin-sliced chicken cutlets
  
• 1 lb stew beef
• FREE dozen eggs!

I calculated the savings using my local Stop & Shop and it looks like we saved about $15 at N&V. Equally important, we saved ourselves the stress of wading through the crowded, poorly-stocked aisles of the grocery store and can pat ourselves on the back for supporting a small local business.

You can order the freezer meat specials ahead of time so that you won't have to park your car or you can just walk in (which is what we do--its totally fine.) The meat is super fresh and you can also make substitutions if you like. We substituted 6 fat Italian link sausages for the whole chicken and made amazing sausage and peppers sandwiches. Yum!

Other freezer deals at N & V:

$46.95

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 2 1/2 lbs eye round
  
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
  
• 5 pork chops
  
• 1 whole chicken
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
  
• 1 dozen eggs
• FREE lb bacon
  

$59.95

• 2 lbs London broil
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
• 3 lbs eye round
• 1 whole chicken
  
• 1 lb sausage (any combination of sweet/spicy)
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 1 1/2 lbs stew beef
• FREE dozen eggs
  

$76.95

• 1 lb stew beef
• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 1/2 lbs thin sausages
  
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
  
• 3 lbs eye round
• 6 pork chops
• 2 whole chickens
• 1 1/2 lbs London broil
  
• 1 lb Board Head franks
• 1 1/2 lbs chopped meat
  
• 1 lb milk-fed veal cutlets
• FREE lb bacon
  

Go ahead and give this butcher a try... the deals are so good that my mom is even thinking of driving down from upstate to take advantage of them! But don't tell too many people or we'll all be standing in line! :)

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