What's better than a romantic interlude on a Mediterranean isle? Friday night at the Athenian Corner. Slipping into the Market Street taverna around 9 p.m., we found a new blue room revitalized with authentic Greek folk music, a belly dancer and a brushetta that could rival anything under the Tuscan sun. Served on homemade pita (note to chef, replace the basket of white bread w/ this perfect pita for the love of Zeus) with ripe tomatoes, chunky Feta, olive oil and parsley.
This was part of the progressive dinner, a hold-over from the Doors Open dining deal, that included lemon soup, salad, a seafood pasta and a Greek yogurt dessert. All for something absurd like 20 smacks. We also ordered the famed horiatiki salad. A mountain of tomatoes, cucumber, Feta, peppers and onions infused w/ invigorating dressing gave me the veggie boost I sorely needed. And yet, I didn't feel like I was depriving myself. No, No, this is the BIG SALAD Elaine talked about on Seinfeld. Studded with texture-perfect Kalamata olives, this lettuce-free salad is an Aegean dream. All we needed was azure waters and 100 degree weather to complete the moment. As I sipped my palatable $5 house wine I kicked myself under the table for not coming here sooner. Dessert was a un-cloying cheese cake soaked in the house Greek Kiss liqueur sprinkled w/strawberries. I don't know what the bill came to because Gourmet Guy picked it up (another Mediterranean mirage), but I know it was reasonable.
The limping economy continues to be loaded with perks. Friendly's dishes out a free one-scoop dish or cone of any flavor June 6 from noon to 5 p.m.
I have yet to make it to Athenian Corner but after the sounds of that meal, it is def. on my list to try.
GG have you been back to the Village Smoke House? If so, do you like it? I have gone a few times and the steak tips are amazing. Just curious to see if those that went when they first opened have continuted to pay their tributes?
Here's my feeling on the VSH. The bar is stunning. The best place to watch a sport's game in the 978. And sometimes, that's enough. But if I was going for food alone, I would leave full, not ecstatic. I like the baked beans and sweet potatoes, but the ribs always leave me wishing they were better. And they need to beef up the beer selection. Throw on a porter, or at least a Guinness.
good new...Guinness is now on tap!
I was down at the athenian on monday, they had a movie night. It was great. The movie was about a hooker in greece who seduces a foreigner and then kills him in the end by feeding him to a giant octopus. Speaking of octopus, i tried the octopus dinner at the athenian corner and it was AMAZING. I've never tried it before. I saw the horiatiki salad you speak of GG, but it's a little too much roughage for me. I didn't see any brushcetta on the menu though. Maybe they just made it special for you. Anyway, the food is great down there and the belly dancers always leave me aroused.
i agree with gg's half-hearted endorsement. or whatever it was - a lack of enthusiasm. i've only been once, but the food wasn't good enough to make me excited about returning. which is disappointing, because i love red meat and was really looking forward to loving this place. my meal and everyone else's at the table was just so-so. not bad. but not good either. nothing i felt like i couldn't get at a ruby tuesdays or a bennigans. our waiter was fantastic though, which is always appreciated.
Try the Olympia. I think the food is much better. The Athinian has gone down hill food wise. I have stopped going after several awful meals. The microwave too much.
Hey john, i have to agree the food at the olympia is amazing. But, the service is not very good. They are fast and everything and the servers know their menu, but they can be downright rude at times. Actually, it's more an issue of management not being friendly than the servers. But the baked lamb is to die for. I haven't been to the olympia since they took cheeseburgers off the menu. Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, CHEESEBURGER!!!
GG, haven't had the Bruschetta you speak of and it wasn't on the menu when I was there two weeks ago. Did you try the mussels though? OUT OF THIS WORLD. Had those, the Hummus which was almost as good as what the old Bishop's used to serve, and a Salmon dish with scalloped potatoes done in Feta and some other cheese that I couldn't get enough of. Definitely a great upgrade with the new menu items, and the new decor has turned a previously drab building into a pleasant dining experience.
John, the Olympia? You're joking, right?
While the food at the Athenian and Olympia is almost similar in quality, with a slight edge to the Athenian, the Olympia's is so much more expensive only a fool would pay an extra three or four bucks per item to eat there.
There is also NO comparison between the two places when it comes to service. Unless you are Greek or sit at the owner's table drinking and smoking with them, their servers treat you like a nobody. Yes, I said smoking. I've seen them doing it twice with my own eyes, which is why together with rude service and getting my plate basically thrown at me, my family and I will never go back. I'll stay on the downtown end of Market Street, thank you.
I have to agree with you, GG. I was a frequent visitor to the Athenian, but hadn't been in 2-3 years. Then, two weeks ago, a friend convinced me to go for Jazz night. I knew some of the musicians and I went mainly for the music. I was impressed with the new look, and the large original paintings on the wall. I felt I was in Greece. I ended up trying some of their new dishes, and I am hooked, once again. It just became my GoTo place. Their mussels are to die for, but the waitress would't give me the recipe. I didn't try their cheese cake, but the honey-yogurt desert, is out of this world. And the wine with the picture that matches the original paintings on the wall (I forget the name) was terrific. There are other Greek restaurants in the area, and I have visited them all multiple times, and I am not a chef, or anything, but for a non-Greek, this is the ONLY place that is just as good, if not better, that many of the top restaurants I visited in Greece, a few years ago. I have been to Greek restaurants in Chicago, Montreal, Detroit, and many other places. The only place that is probably better than the Athenian, is Milos, in NY - but not by much.
On a different note, GG, what would be your recommendation for a good *authentic* Japanese restaurant within a reasonable distance?
I am Greek and there is no comparison between the Olympia and Athenian for food. The Olympia wins hands down. They have the best roast shoulder of lamb. Melts in your mouth. For lunch they have a lamb brioche which is like shish kaboab in a tomato sauce. I have never had any lamb dish taste so good. Problem is they usually run out.
Last time I was at the Athinain they served grape leaves that were awful. I should have sent them back but the person who I was with was not Greek and didnt know the difference and thought they were good. My wife went with friends once and got Pita with yellow cheese, I could go on and on. It may have nice atmosphere but if you want good food go to Olympia.
I have never had an issue with the service, they may not be as talkative but do a good job.
You must be one of the "chosen ones" who gets to smoke with the owners if you've gotten good service.
As I said, food is good at both places. Funny thing is, I agree with your comments about the lamb dish at the Olympia. Very good. The Athenian doesn't even have that. But the Spinach Pie at the Athenian blows away the Olympia's by a country mile. And there's no comparison when it comes to price or value. Olympia is overpriced for Greek food and lousy service.
You take your lunch lamb at the Olympia. I'll take my lunch lamb with soup and salad for $4 less at the Athenian. and we'll both be happy. That's why they make different ice cream flavors, I guess.
I used to work at the Olympia. They microwave everything. Seen it with my own eyes, so I'm not sure what you are talking about. Athenian food is better anyway.
Really? They must have better microwaves. The Athenian makes the lamb tough and gamey tasting. I still think the Olympia has better food..You dont thats fine.
I know several others that have stopped going to Athenian. Maybe they have new chef and it has improved. My brother in law went back with some friends recently and said it wasnt so bad.
Maybe Ill give it a try.
The Olympia vs. Athenian wars...it's a never ending debate in Lowell! I for one love both places and now I think I'm going to have some greek food this weekend! Which one will it be? I definitely want to see the new look of the Athenian so I think that may win out.