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Greek Delights - Astoria, NY

Greek Delights - Astoria, NY

Who doesn't like a nice slice of Spinach Pie?

It's got everything you need for the perfect comfort dish; flaky, tasty phyllo dough, oodles of savory feta cheese, a tempting array of delectable herbs, extra virgin olive oil and, of course, mounds of luscious spinach.

It's got everything you need for the perfect comfort dish; flaky, tasty phyllo dough, oodles of savory feta cheese, a tempting array of delectable herbs, extra virgin olive oil and, of course, mounds of luscious spinach.

Like pizza, spinach pie tastes great, either hot or cold. And, whether you favor the traditional square slice or triangle shape, spinach pie makes for a convenient snack on the go.

The Greeks have been devouring these savory pies almost since the beginning of time. Well, at the very least, since right around the fifth century B.C., which is long enough to create a culinary tradition that few can match.

If you were lucky enough to be raised in a Hellenic household, then you probably have fond memories of visiting the grandparents for Sunday dinner and enjoying an endless feast that was, usually, kicked off by a tray of Spinach Pie.

You also might recall your grandma shooing pappous, (grandfather), out of the kitchen so she could work in peace.

Throughout the ages; the filling for spinach pie has basically consisted of chopped onions and spinach, feta, eggs and seasonings such as dill.

Some chefs ( and Yia-Yias) will get a bit more daring and introduce non-traditional ingredients into the mix like mint, nutmeg, parsley, Swiss chard, or field greens.

You might even come across a Vegan version of this old-school favorite, which leaves out the dairy and substitutes tofu.

No Greek blood in you? No problem! Not if you happen to live in Astoria.

There are a plethora of wonderful restaurants and cafes here that serve, not only a mouth-watering spinach pie but many other Greek pastries and specialty dishes that your taste buds should promptly get to know.

TO LAIKO - Astoria

Near and dear to the hearts of Ditmars locals, To Laiko has been serving up

one of the best spinach pies outside of Greece for many years now.

Also known as "the little coffee shop", To Laiko is quite literally a hole in the wall. But a very charming one, at that.

Part of the appeal lies in the owners and counter staff. They truly appreciate your business and take pride in the food that they serve.

No matter how busy the team may be during the morning rush, you can count on receiving a warm smile and a hearty "thank you".

But, whatever the time of day, it is hard, if not impossible, to pass by the shop, without pausing to glance longingly at the selection of delights that are on display in the front window.

One of To Laiko's best-sellers is, without any doubt, spinach pie. You get a generous slice that'll keep you going for a long while.

The crust is flaky and firm and the spinach to cheese ratio is absolute perfection. You'll find that the feta is relatively mild; not too salty or overpowering as can be the case in some preparations.

As great as it is, though, one can't eat spinach pie seven days a week, (well, maybe five, right ?).

Fear not, however, To Laiko's got you covered with everything that's good from savory to sweet; zucchini pie, an all-cheese pie, ham and cheese, a pie that stars the underappreciated veggie, Leeks as well as New York-style bagels that are fresh-made.

In the AM, they've also got humongous donuts that have to be seen to be believed.

And, if you are craving a galaktoboureko fix, then you have come to the right place! It's addicting!

While you're here, don't forget to grab a cup of the cafe's fantastic coffee. Hot or iced, this beverage will give you the flavor and jolt of energy that you are seeking.

Step right up to To Laiko's cute take-out window and throw caution to the winds.

Grab a bagel or donut to eat on the train to work and a hearty slab of spinach pie for your lunch.

Contact Info

29-29 23rd Avenue

Astoria, N.Y. 11102

Hours

Monday to Saturday 5 AM to 8 PM

Sunday 7 AM to 8 PM

TAVERNA KYCLADES - Astoria

Perfectly suited for the new, COVID-style of dining in NYC, Taverna Kyclades has always had an abundance of outdoor tables.

And now, they have amped up the look and space of the sidewalk and patio outdoor dining options.

Let's face it; even in the past, if the weather was nice and you had a choice of sitting inside the restaurant or at their sidewalk cafe, alfresco would win each and every time!

Authenticity is the keyword here, in terms of both the menu and the ambiance.

Okay, maybe the scenery on Ditmars Blvd. is not as compelling as the sun-splashed sights in a village taverna on one of the Greek Islands.

But, we DO have some great people-watching here in Astoria.

 

greek delights astoria kyklades

 

In any event, the food that comes out of Kyclades' kitchen is so good, you won't really care where you are.

Taverna Kyclades is celebrated for its surf and turf entrees and larger than life portions.

Whatever you fancy, they've got it, from succulent lamb chops, tender souvlaki and a juicy Greek burger to melt in your mouth salmon, Mediterranean sea bass and red snapper.

Aside from the above dishes, though, it's the chef's outrageous spinach pie that receives a ton of plaudits.

You get a nice slice of pie for the money and they don't stint on the ingredients. You won't feel as if you are just noshing on Phyllo dough.

The menu allows you to order Spanakopita two ways; as an appetizer or as part of their daily lunch specials, where your slice comes with a bountiful Greek salad.

Pro Tip: If you come here for dinner with friends or family, order up a selection of appetizers and share everything as they do in Greece.

The grilled octopus, Gigantes (lima beans in tomato sauce), stuffed grape leaves,

Cyprian sausage and Skordalia (mashed potatoes with garlic) all go well with spinach pie.

By the way, Taverna Kyclades still does not take reservations. It's first-come, first-served. However, the hostesses are very nice and will steer you to a table just as soon as possible.

Contact Info

33-07 Ditmars Blvd.

Astoria, N.Y. 11105

( 718 ) 545-8666

www.tavernakyclades.com

Hours

Monday to Sunday 12 PM to 9 PM

CAFE BOULIS - Astoria

This cute little cafe has been satisfying the sweet and savory taste buds of Astoria locals for several years now and it shows no signs of slowing down.

The talented and hard-working trio behind Cafe Boulis consists of Mom and head pastry chef Lemona Peikidou together with her son Panagiotis and daughter Eugenia.

There's always an owner on hand and they place the family name behind everything that they serve here.

As far as Lemona and her offspring are concerned, you are treated as though you were a guest in their home. Nothing but the best, from coffee to pastries that will tantalize your sweet tooth and satisfy those cravings we all have, from time to time, for meat and cheese.

Cafe Boulis combines both respects for tradition and innovation. The family is always adding new items to the menu.

Panagiotis, also known as "Pek" to friends and loyal customers, worked in the video game industry for five years prior to opening the cafe, so the creativity you find here is not at all surprising.

Be advised; you definitely can't stop by here without trying the sinfully decadent Loukoumades.

Shaped like a donut ring, Loukoumades are fried dough, made with a variety of ingredients, ranging from Nutella and sour cherry to honey and cinnamon.

They are fantastic at any time of the day!

 

greek delights astoria boulis

 

As good as these delightful donut morsels are, the spinach pie at Cafe Boulis is just NOT going to play second fiddle on the menu. It makes for a superb savory counterpoint to the Loukoumades.

Lemona bakes her spinach pie two ways; by the square and spiral-shaped. Each version is stuffed with mounds of spinach, premium feta and just the right amount of seasoning.

You can also order Bougatsa, which is a sweet custard pie , Sfoliata pie with, not feta, but Gouda cheese, loukanikopita (sausage wrapped in phyllo dough) and their newest hit, peinirli, layers of ham and cheese folded right into piping hot fresh-baked bread.

Getting hungry? We thought so!

To wash it all down, Cafe Boulis offers a wide selection of drinks from Greek frappe and freddo espresso to cappuccino and strong imported coffee.

Contact Info

30-15 31st Avenue

Astoria, N.Y. 11106

(718) 806-1014

www.cafeboulis.com

Hours

Monday to Saturday 6:30 AM to 7 PM

Sunday 10 AM to 7 PM

BAHARI ESTIATORIO - Astoria

A delicious part of the Astoria foodie scene since 1999, Bahari Estiatorio

offers authentic Greek cuisine and a hearty welcome that reflects the owner's belief in

philoxenia, which translates to a love of strangers.

The ambiance is cozy and the dishes are quite rustic. The emphasis in the kitchen is on using only the freshest ingredients.

Although you can't, for the moment, dine indoors and enjoy the show that their chefs put on in the open kitchen, there is ample outdoor seating available.

In fact, a portion of the sidewalk outside the restaurant has been transformed into a very attractive patio, with ocean blue canopies providing shade for your table.

Bahari Estiatorio does their spanakopita with GREEN onions, which gives this dish a very distinctive taste. The feta is plentiful and the spinach is fresh, never frozen.

One bite and you'll know that this is one of the finest spinach pies that you'll eat anywhere in Astoria.

For a light lunch or dinner, try teaming up your spanakopita with a bowl of avgolemono soup.

Made with chicken, egg, celery, carrots rice and a squeeze of lemon juice, this soup will warm your soul.

Aside from spanakopita, there is two other signature meze that you should look into.

 

greek delights astoria bahari estiatorio

 

Feta Ceramic consists of mounds of feta cheese, juicy, red, ripe tomatoes and peppers that are baked inside a ceramic dish.

Always popular is the broiled kefalograviera cheese and mushrooms in a light tomato sauce.

The fish here is straight off the boat and is reasonably priced. You can't really go wrong with any of the fish selections. However, the swordfish steak dressed with herbs and the grilled prawns in a simple mixture of lemon and olive oil is both standouts.

Unlike many Greek restaurants, nowadays, Bahari Estiatorio still does casserole dishes and they do them very well.

Options range from a simple but flavorful plate of orzo in the sauce to pastitsio,(pasta layered with seasoned beef and topped with bechamel), and cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and beef, topped with a sensational egg and lemon sauce.

The restaurant is doing pick-up and delivery if you want to accentuate your date night at home or are just too tired to walk over.

On the website, Bahari Estiatorio's tag line is "the all-spice of Greek cuisine."

We're not quite sure what that means, but it sure sounds tasty! Needless to say, you won't be disappointed with the food here.

Contact Info

31-14 Broadway

Astoria, N.Y. 11106

(718) 204-8968

www.bahariestiatorio.com

Hours

Monday to Sunday 12 PM to 12 AM

ALIADA - Astoria

Specializing in Cypriot cuisine, Aliada is considered to be meze heaven for foodies in the know.

On their menu, you will find an almost endless variety of inviting small plates,

as well as salads and entree-sized temptations. There is something here for everyone, from carnivores and seafood lovers to vegetarians.

And, of course, you can enjoy it all, plus refreshing glasses of Greek wine, outdoors at Aliadas' sidewalk cafe.

If possible, try to snag a table on the side of the restaurant, where trees provide plenty of shade.

But, let's get back to those tantalizing meze we talked about earlier.

 

greek delights astoria aliada

 

The halloumi fries are outrageous. Direct from Cyprus, halloumi cheese is made of sheep's milk and is relatively mild in flavor. The chef grills up chunks of halloumi and tosses the cheese with pomegranate seeds, fresh mint and a lemon tahini sauce.

A must-have is the swordfish kabob. Pieces of center-cut loin of swordfish share a skewer with chunks of veggies, making for a healthy and satisfying bite.

For vegetarians, the menu offers a Spinach Pie whose crispy-style phyllo crust is filled with creamy spinach and herbs.

There are also falafel patties that are made with chickpeas and fava beans.

Summer is a great time to sample salads that may be a little bit different from what you are used to eating.

Aliada's purslane bowl contains wild Cypriot purslane, ripe tomatoes, caper berries, shaved onions and black olives.

The watermelon salad blends baby arugula with watermelon bites, red onions, mint and feta cheese. The juicy ice-cold watermelon plays beautifully against the slight saltiness of the feta.

Tap into your adventurous side and see what the grilled quail are all about. The meat is succulent and not at all gamey in flavor.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by this dish. The birds are grilled on an open flame and dressed in a lemon-herb vinaigrette. The quail is accompanied by seasonal greens.

At Aliada, the service is as good as the food, which is really saying something.

Contact Info

29-19 Broadway

Astoria, N.Y. 11106

(917) 905-3492

www.aliadarestaurant.com

Hours

Sunday to Thursday 11 AM to 11 PM

Friday & Saturday 11 AM to 12 AM

Now, more than ever before, we all should be out there supporting our neighborhood businesses.

When you are craving something delicious, the above-mentioned restaurants and cafes make for a good jumping-off point.

Don't limit yourself, though. Get out of that apartment and take a walk and get re-acquainted with your neighborhood.

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