Amylos Taverna is a wonderful new spot in Astoria, which blends the old with the new beautifully. Located just a walk away from the famous Omonia Café, the Arvanitis family attempts to combine traditional Greek fare with a contemporary sensibility at their newest venture.
Disclaimer: I was invited as a guest to this establishment for a complimentary meal. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
Food: ☆☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆☆☆
Cost: $$$
Must try: Any mezze, Kabab platter, Lamb special
Zaytinya is José Andres’s masterpiece in Washington DC.
Set in a striking space, Zaytinya offers modern mezze dishes from the cuisines of Greece, Turkey and Lebanon. The small plate fare here is exceptional. Dishes crafted with zesty vegetables, tender meats and a perfect balance of spices really keep both the palate and the soul gleaming.
The service was outstanding. Our dishes were brought in and whisked away with a gracious efficiency and the quickly disappearing basket of warm pita bread and drinks were constantly replenished throughout our meal. Everyone from our waiter to the maitre d’ kept tabs on how our meal was progressing. The head chef Michael Costa even created a special spicy dip just for us when we asked for a side of hot sauce.
My experience at Zaytinya was near flawless. Other than a slightly chewy octopus dish, there wasn’t a bite or a moment that I didn’t relish at Zaytinya.
Here is some of what we ate:
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Zaytinya | |
| * Overall | |
| ★★★☆☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| American New / American Traditional | |
| * Street Address | |
| 701 9th St NW , Washington, DC 20001 | |
| * Phone | |
| (202) 638-0800 |
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$
Must try: pita bread, assorted spreads, grilled fish
Christos Steak House in Astoria is a great spot for steak and more. Paying homage to its neighborhood, the talented Chef Mina Newman offers signature Greek appetizers and sides to go with an extensive selection of prime-aged meats and seafood.
The style of dishes served is very classic. The menu is rather extensive with many options, which is rather unusual for a steakhouse. I really enjoyed the grilled shrimp, seared scallop and the Christos salad as appetizers. The Lobster mashed potatoes is a huge favorite and comes loaded with chunks of lobster meat.
The service and ambiance at Christos is very pleasant. It’s no wonder that it is a local favorite in Queens.
Here is some of what we ate:
|
|
* Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| Christos Steak House | |
| * Overall | |
| ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ | |
| * Neighborhood / Cuisine | |
| Astoria / American Traditional | |
| * Street Address | |
| 4108 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105 | |
| * Phone | |
| (718) 777-8400 |
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆½
Cost: $$
Must try: Tatziki, Taramosalata, Melitzanosalata, Revithia, Mussels Gigante Beans,
Food: ☆☆☆½
Service: ☆☆½
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$
Dishes not to miss: Grilled Octopus, Tzatziki, Catch Of The Day, Lemon Potatoes.
Food: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Service: ☆☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆ ½
Cost: $$$
Dishes not to miss: Pan-Fried Greek Cheese, Grilled Porgie and Drurade, Galaktoboureko
If you are craving Greek food, then there is no better neighborhood to hit than Astoria in Queens.
Amongst the teeming numbers of Greek restaurants, Chef-Owner Ardian Skenderi’s Taverna Kyclades seems to be one of the more popular spots, offering the freshest seafood at very affordable prices. At peak times the waits can be very long but the food is very worth it. Continue reading
