Whether its a cheap diner or a high end restaurant, Greek people LOVE to eat out, which is kind of funny because Greek people also love cooking (but more about that later).
Nonetheless, Greeks enjoy little more than being served food and drink. Obviously nobody can eat out all of the time, but I know that my grandparents eat out about 5 times a week (not the best for their health). And who do Greek people bring their regular business to…other Greeks of course!
There are so many Greek restauranteurs, the most common being the “pizza greeks.”
But then there are those higher end Greek restaurants, usually run by some successful Greek chef. For example, the restaurants Anthos and Kefi, owned by chef Michael Psilakis.
Now, my mom and I go to New York City a couple times a year and last time we were with my dad and brother there, we went to this great Greek place called Molyvos, named after the village on the island of Lesvos (where we’re from). The first time we went there I got sick and wasn’t really able to enjoy my meal, although from what I did eat I could tell it was the best octopus that I had ever had. When we went back I got the same thing and, trust me, it was REALLY good. My mom also got a lemon drop martini that she said was “excellent.”
The next night, we tried to find a nice Italian place, but, being the Greek-Americans that we are, we just couldn’t resist going to yet ANOTHER Greek restaurant called Avra.
This place is ABSOLUTELY my new favorite place ever in my favorite city ever. My mom and I split two appetizers and each had another appetizer to ourselves. My favorite dish was the Ouzo Mussels – so delicious. And my mom had their lemon drop martini an said it was even better than the one she had the night before. In fact, she enjoyed it so much that she got two.
Anyways, I’m getting off topic. My point is, this second place, Avra, was even GREEKER than Molyvos. Even the bathrooms (which were super nice), were decorated in a way that reminded me of the χωριο, aka the village. I have a theory that if a restaurant can afford to make their bathrooms look just as nice as the dining area, then they’re doing something right. So I think it goes without saying that my mom and I couldn’t help loving this place even more.
Moral of the story: the greeker the restaurant, the more a Greek-American will love it, guaranteed.
