Yefsi Estiatorio

I am a huge fan of Greek food, put tzatziki on anything and I will eat it. I have always loved Greek food but after my trip to Greece in 2009, that became amplified, and I have become somewhat of a Greek food connoisseur. 

 

It is well known that Astoria has wonderful options for Greek food (my fav being Agnanti) but Manhattan has some of the best Greek food I have had, and last week I went to one of my favorites:

 

Yefsi Estadiario

 

If you have come to visit and stay with me then you probably have been to Yefsi. Its one of those places that can please absolutely everyone and just so happens to be in my neighborhood.  The food is always fantastic, the service is very good, and they dont have an attitude.  Its a great date spot, great for friends, and also a place to take your parents.  In addition, the have outdoor space, in the front as well as in the garden in the back. 

They start you off with their hummus and bread, which I always smile and say, "Pita Please", who wants crusty bread at a Greek place, give me Pita! Which mind you comes to the table warm and cut into perfect triangles.

I always order the Pikilia which is traditional Greek spreads including: Taramosalata, Melitzanosalata, Spicy Feta, Tzatziki. If you get this you may want to smile and say "More Pita Please" as you will definitely need even more.

 

 

That night, we also ordered their Yefsi chips (above and below), fried zucchini and eggplant with tzatziki sauce which are wonderful, much better then fries and just alittle bit better for you :)

 

I also sometimes order extra Melitzanosalata because it is just so good.

 

 

Yefsi is also home to one of my other Top 3 octopus/calamari dishes, its called the Stifado.  This is one of the greatest things I have ever tasted. They actually braise the octopus in a tomato and onion sauce that has just the right amount of sweetness to it, you wont want to let this sauce go to waste so, "More Pita Please".  This dish is mind blowing...really, words cant even describe it, its just really, really, really good. 

 

I have been to Yefsi many times and have gone with many people, so I have had the chance to taste a lot of their dishes and I must say all of them have been delicious.  You really just cant go wrong here.

Yefsi Estiatorio - 1481 York Ave New York, NY 10075
http://yefsiestiatorio.com/index.php

Desnuda - A Wine Bar and Cevicheria

Oh how I love Desnuda, it is one of my absolute favorite restaurants.  It's a wine bar and cevicheria and only has about 17 seats; its second location in Williamsburg is much bigger and has cocktails.  I am a HUGE fan of tartares and ceviches, so this is my wonderland.  The dishes are brilliantly composed  and the casual atmosphere is perfect.  The truffle popcorn they give you as "bread" is also a big plus!

I love their bubbly rose, its refreshing and goes very well with all the dishes.  My husband got the Riesling.

 

 

 

I always have to get the Tuna Atun, its a spicy tuna dish and its out of this world. 

 

 

 

Salmon de Mango!  Very refreshing, makes you feel like you are on a tropical island.

 

 

 

Chef Peter torching the sweet potatoes in the Salmon de Atun.  This gives them a brulee providing a sweet taste and crunch texture that matches perfectly with the fresh salmon; the onions give a nice bite and the citrus slices are a cool sweet addition.  Love this dish.

 

There is no dessert at Desnuda but if you need a little something sweet after, Big Gay Ice Cream is right across the street (EV location) how convenient!

 

 

Desnuda East Village: 122 E 7th St (between Ave A and 1st Ave) New York City

http://desnudany.com/main.php



Mermaid Inn

So I am finally taking the plunge and starting a blog and in honor of my first blog post, I am dedicating this to one of the best restaurants in NYC:

The Mermaid Inn 

Now while there are MANY restaurants that I love in this city, Mermaid is definitely one of my true standbys, which means, I always leave there happy.   

Some of you may know that Mermaid also has one of the best happy hours ever created because their happy hour menu includes their delicious food, in particular, oysters.  They are always very fresh and at about $1 a pop, spring for a dozen, half east and half west (I am an equal opportunist).  And of course a glass of bubbly

 

 

Then onto the seared calamari app; I cannot leave Mermaid without eating this dish, its phenomenal.  You should know that octopus and calamari are two of my favorite things and it is fairly difficult for me to go to a restaurant that has one of those items on the menu and not order it but I have to say this is one of my Top 3 Calamari Dishes in the city....

 

Mermaid has created a masterful dish: frisee salad, some feta cheese, mushrooms, grilled calamari and some sort of vinegary dressing, its perfection. 

Shisito Peppers! My husband and I love these, love the salty, love the bite and love the grill marks.

Lastly, no meal at Mermaid Inn is complete without their signature chocolate pudding.  Mind you this comes complementary (which is awesome) and I always secretly hope that one of my accompanying diners doesn't want theirs so I can have seconds but that never happens, I mean, who doesn't like chocolate pudding!

 

So to all I say, swim over to Mermaid Inn stat (any of there 3 locations) and make sure you make it to happy hour.  The tacos and lobster roll are also quite delish!  (Both on their happy hour menu)

Mermaid Inn East Village: 96 Second Ave (5th/6th st), New York City
For their other locations, visit: http://www.themermaidnyc.com/
Happy Hour runs from 5pm-7pm, West Village location adds a hour Fri-Sun to start at 4pm