A tin and gold painted ceiling and a full view of the open kitchen is what greets you at The Little Owl. The cuisine is a mix of classical American and Mediterranean. The contemporary menu comprises of dishes made with seasonal ingredients of the freshest quality, which is always a good sign. Saying that The Little Owl pays attention to detail is an understatement. First timers and regulars will agree, the restaurant goes to great lengths to accommodate its patrons, whether it means customizing a dish which is not on the menu, remembering someone's favorite dish or even getting a particular bottle of wine from elsewhere. The pork chop is a special favorite at The Little Owl, as are the crispy soft-shell crab and the duck confit.
If Greek cuisine is on your mind, Pylos makes for an excellent venue. Moreover, a table on the sidewalk is great for fresh air and people watching. Patzarosalata, Greek village omelet, saganaki merakli and more whet the appetite as you read the menu. Seafood lovers can try psites garides (grilled shrimps) or kalamarakia tyganita (crisp fried squid), and there's lots in store for serious carnivores. Also featured are Greek sweets and a takeaway menu. Call to book your table.
Opened in 1983, Cafe Mogador is a family owned restaurant that has become a landmark of the East Village. The Mediterranean and Moroccan themed eatery is decorated with lanterns, black and white photographs and small spice jars that adds a elegant and exotic air to the small cafe. Traditional dishes like couscous, charmoulla, hummus and Tagine cooking are specialties here. Mogador also offers excellent brunch options and it stays open late, perfect for when you leave one of the many bars along St. Mark's.
In the heart of Greenwich Village is Extra Virgin, a small gem of a restaurant featuring a large selection of Mediterranean classics specializing in seafood. The tiny dining room and outdoor cafe are usually full, but the wait for a table is worth the tasty and enjoyable overall experience. Appetizers include fritto misto, curried mussels, and golden gazpacho. Entrees such as the pan-roasted striped bass in clam stew and the roasted branzino are reasonably priced. Choose from a brief list of desserts and wine to top off the meal.
At Barbounia, Chef Michael Cressotti carefully prepares an assortment of Greek dishes. Pop in at the bar, go for a cocktail or one of the Greek wines and order some fresh bread with a yummy dip to go with it. You can also relax at the cozy pillowed banquette and let your eyes wander before your order arrives. The preparations, especially the appetizers, are so tasty that you could keep ordering them and never make it to the main course! No matter what you order, do try the baked cheese prepared at the restaurant which is pure bliss! They also host a popular brunch with bottomless mimosas.
For those who think that Spain is only associated with sangria and tapas, Salinas uncovers the other delectable but lesser known gems of Spanish cuisine. One can choose from dishes like paella, patatas brava and porcella, apart from the usual tapas to enrich the plate. Each morsel has that inimitable Spanish magic to delight your taste buds. Complement your meal with cocktails and wine, and you're ready for a truly Spanish sojourn. There is a courtyard with dim lights that add to the enchanting air of the place. Sit next to the fireplace for an added effect on your visit.
The Turkish Kitchen has been in business for over a decade because of what it does best, cook Turkish cuisine. The unassuming ambiance, dimly lit with hues of reds, comforts you in its non-formal yet elegant approach. The menu is extensive, with an array of meats, seafood, flat breads and vegetables. New Yorkers frequent the Turkish Kitchen for business meetings as well, which is a testimony to the restaurant's quality and efficiency of service. If you're looking for a show with the dinner, Tuesday nights are live music nights.
A place that offers a variety of cuisines, you will be treated with authentic traditional delicacies from Italy, Spain and the entire Mediterranean. This restaurant offers you a perfect romantic setting for a date. The staff here is extremely warm and friendly. The interior evokes a sort of old-world farmhouse feel, very with warm lighting and dark wood.
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie brings the flavors from the Aegean and Suez to Madison Avenue and Soho. Both locations are great for eating meze, as this hors d'oeuvre is called in the Middle East. You will find traditional kofte and eggplant, but the kitchen still adds new twists on this ubiquitous appetizer, concoctions such as peeled oyster with juniper berry in a celery root mignonette or the anchovies with olives and grapefruit. During the week they have jazz and their happy-hour is spectacular, it consists of meze at rock-bottom prices and great cocktails like the Pera Rickey, the house specialty made from rum, sour cherries, rosemary and lime.
Opened in February of 2000, Avra Estiatorio is an entry into a grand Ionian home. From the limestone floors to the stonewashed walls and the massive French doors, one is overwhelmed by its luxurious yet homely decor. Come by to get an exquisite taste of the raw bar featuring littleneck clams, Malpeque oysters and so on. Be sure to taste the house specialties, as you wouldn't want to miss out on something special. A two-course Pre-Theater Menu is also on offer. This restaurant also gives you the liberty to create your own party menus, making it an ideal place for intimate celebrations.
A restaurant that serves only exceptional-quality Mediterranean cuisine, Limani is a place that can be a suitable choice for an intimate date or even a casual dinner. The fine-dining restaurant covers a large area with a simple and spacious seating arrangement. If you choose to have dinner here, you will find blue lights bouncing off clean white-washed walls, dominating the decor and setting the mood of the place, specially planned out for the evening meals. There is a small pool in the middle of the space, which adds even more elegance to this space. Chef Alam weaves magic with his recipes that subtly blend Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant comprises of private rooms for dining as well. Reservations are recommended for lunch or dinner and can be done through their website as well.
The exciting ambiance here places Greek cuisine in a whole new light. Customers are encouraged to select from among the freshest fish, seafood and produce in the recreation of a seaside marketplace. Soaring ceilings and marble accents make for a dramatic setting, and you can watch your food being cooked on an open grill. Try the Milos special appetizer, lightly fried paper-thin zucchini, eggplant and Saganaki cheese. Entrees include such exotic fish as Florida Pompano and Loup de Mer. The wonderful wine list features choices from Greece, California and Australia.