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| - I've passed by this place, ignoring it on several occasions. It's awfully hard to see scrunched into the corner of the strip mall and it doesn't draw you in with it's signage. I've seen it's poorly designed website and it's lack of reviews by people. Most of the time when I've glanced over I haven't seen anyone eating there either, so I shrugged it off. What a loss to me!
It was a Friday night and I was craving lamb so I cajoled my partner to at least go look at the prices posted on the door. Walking over to it I was drawn to the outside babbling fountain and greenery, simple, calming. They nodded form the door that the prices were within tolerance and we could head in. The seating area was light and elegant, folded napkins, music playing soft ballads. The mirrored area seemed to make such a tiny place truly expand, but we were comfortable not squeezed in. The proprietor, Frank was smiling and came over immediately. A lovely welcome, a drop of menus, a discussion of drinks. He showed my daughter how to make a folding napkin shape and asked some personal questions, but he spoke to us individually, including my child. He took stock of us and volunteered his insight outloud, that we seemed to be happy, good people. While it would have seemed strange and disconcerting in many venues for some reason it didn't feel intrusive here. It was ... pleasant.
We chose hot teas and enjoyed having a broader selection than in most places and he left the whole box right at the table in case we wanted others. We selected the Greek Combo appetizer with spanikopita, dolmodes and pita with tzaziki. It was simple fare, but a good indicator of the pita quality we would see later ~ fresh, not greasy. The dolmades were wrapped tight and flavorful. The grape leaves were properly seasoned so they just melted in your mouth. They were the best dolmades I have ever had. It did what an appetizer should do though and we got excited for the next foods to come.
I knew immediately that I was going to order lamb, but I wasn't sure which way. I ended up selecting the shank because the restaurant said it was their specialty, my child ordered the Keftedes appetizer as her main meal, and my partner the gyro platter. When the meals came everything was plated nicely. The keftedes were resting beneath a beautiful bechamel sauce that wasn't skimped on at all surrounded by more pita triangles. I had to steal one of her greek meatballs to cut in half and share with my partner. These were juicy and perfectly browned, no grease, no burned edges, no dryness. The texture was smooth and we were very impressed. But would the meatball connoisseur be happy? My talkative daughter didn't interrupt us so much as she was busy saying mmmm and yum and mmmm again. Smiling. Spooning some of the sauce onto the pitas when my daughter got full, was an added treat for the grown-ups.
My lamb shank was perfection, in seasoning, in cooking, even the bone marrow required sucking out. While the rice was nice and the kernals moist and fluffed, I didn't find any seasoning to it really. I'm not sure if that's traditional, but I liked it for it's simplicity against the lambs more savory parts.
My partners Gyro platter, was as standard as could be, but the serving was large, the rice was the same as mine. For them the real standout was the Pita itself which was fresh, warmed and easily folded into a it's implied role. We'd been to so many places where the pita's were terrible that I think we were extra happy about this. Although I think they were wistfully wishing for keftedes of their own.
Dessert was definately an option when I saw the chocolate mousse cake. I've been hunting for a mousse cake done right for awhile now. So many times these mousses disappoint me. This one came chilled and smooth drizzled with chocolate sauce, but not buried in it.. It had a fine layer of mocha, which normally my daughter would balk at, but she couldn't get enough. I would be happy coming here for some coffee and mousse cake alone! I think I found a new source of joy.
Fortunately other patrons came in and we got to see presentations of the the saganaki appetizer, baked kasseri cheese flamed with brandy and the seafood entree's which I must return to try. I noticed that Frank was equally personable with them and when he left the room the lady gushed over their food and whispered across to me, "Why is this place so empty, it's fabulous!" Why indeed? Give this place a shot if you're nearby.
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