rev:text
| - Ilios Noches is my favorite of the tri-fecta (Nolen, Ilios and Big View Diner) because everything I've tried here is fresh, well made and the happy hour (mezze menu) ROCKS!
For $5 you can choose from a HUGE list of appetizers and mini-versions of dishes. Wine is $5 too.
Spreads are $3.50 each during this time, and I truly recommend them all. the Roasted Eggplant with toasted walnuts and red onion and mint is delish-- the Roasted Red Pepper which features aged feta and olive oil are two of my favorites. Get the cucumber yogurt tzatziki, but just know you'll get a side of it with other menu items, so you may end up with too much. (These spreads come with super soft pita...NOMMMM.)
Some of the standouts (AKA I'd order these again) include the trio of Mini Cheese Pies. These are little bite-size flaky, crispy filo wrapped cheese delights that are salty and crunchy and utterly delicious. The burrata and saganaki too is fantastic...heck, all their cheeses are!
The shrimp, chicken and lamb souvlaki are good staples, served with that tzatziki and pita. The pork ribs are savory and tender. All the salads are fresh and well composed too.
As for the pizzas, I've never had them, and would like to try next time I go for dinner. Some of the pastas are just...good, nothing special, like the spahgetini. It almost makes me think the menu is too big and only the stars should remain.
Desserts. This needs to get it's own section. There's a berry dessert I MUST get no matter what. It's this portion of fresh berries, drizzled with this sweet balsamic glaze and served with BASIL ICE CREAM! I even asked for what kind of balsamic they use, and bought a bottle of it for myself!
Ilios would get the full 5 stars if a few of their menu items were omitted, or executed a bit better. (The lamb pie, which is great on concept, my husband is Greek and his family makes AWESOME lamb pie...but this one has thick dough surrounding it, and it was still a bit raw in places.)
|