We waltzed into the Decarie Arahova for a late dinner on a cold Wednesday night and we were pleasantly surprised from the moment we walked in the door. The decor is ultra modern Greek isles feel with the deep sea blue and white overtones blending into a modern Hellenic 21st century metro feel; all Humming to a soundtrack of authentic Greek radio that is streaming non intrusively on the speakers. We started with a Tzatziki dIp appetizer ($5). You can tell the authentic recipe was used as it was 100% yogurt, I get really earked sometimes as I am really sensitive about some establisHments and fast foody places that use sour cream as a filler; that's a big time No!
And Oof!!!!..:next came the sesame feta appetizer which at first glance looked smallish but ended up being perfectly shareable for three people ($10). Oh my goodness, this is #FoodPorn on a plate! A light baked filo dough oozing with semi softened feta cheese with roasted sesame seeds and honey drizzle; oh yes! Oooh!oaoh! Yes,Yes! Right after, we kept getting impressed as a heaping shareable plate of the chargrilled octopus ($20) landed on our table. The octopus was perfectly grillled and ultra tender, you would swear it was some tender lobster-ish something as there wasn't not a single rubbery anything, a dash of the Lemon and pickled thinly sliced onions made this another highlight dish for sure!
Next came the Calamari shareable appetizer ($18) which at first glance, looks very ordinary like it is served at most eateries- but wait! that was just the first impression. I mean, we had to let the waiter finish putting the plate on table for a moment, because our forks were lifted in the air at elbow level, ready to dig in! Oof I can honestly say that it is the best calamari I have ever had, ultra light, non grEasy, non- rubbery, super fluffy goodness. oh yes...it was that good!
Now for the mains, First, the dazzling platter of whole chicken cut into pieces and chargrilled to
Perfection ($24) was fantastic. It had a genuine fire grilled taste, a subtle yet not overwhelming marinade that didn't hide the super tender and juicy meat pieces that were fall off the bone, yum!
Our final main showcase, and it felt like a food show as we were mesmerized and we got to unbuttoning our belts to make room to take all of these flavors in; was the meat platter for two ($35.95) and this was a feast for at least 4 people. Listen to this, no not the bouzouki guitar sounds playing on the speaker, no hear, I mean herto what you are reading, ok so we got a super large plate with several minced meat keftedes cotelettes, amazing tender chicken breast skewers, pork souvlakii brochettes, chargrilled shredded chicken and beef gyro with a heaping bowl of tzaziki sauce. Everything on that plate was sitting on top of a bed of grilled pita bread wedges that were soaking all the juices from the charbroiled goodness.
Oh my! Speaking for myself, I was so full, yet I just had to eat a few of these slightly meatjuice-drenched pita wedges, that's the oh-so-good part; just because the Sicilian in me will always take some bread to mop up the sauce goodness at the bottom of my nona's dishes at home, yes we do that, nothing to be ashamed about that on my end hahaha (!) well it turns out the Greeks must be doing this too! Oh yes they must! and it's impossible that they don't, not when it is this good; I mean come on, you know you do it too...that's ok, don't worry, it will be our little secret!
Anyways, needless to say, we had no other choice but to ask for take out boxes and continue this fantasy fanfare at work tomrrow over lunch, I mean all of us will line up at the microwave with this feast while our coworkers will have Wendy's and Tupperware somethings to eat....and I Know my coworkers will attempt to take a wiff to smell the chargrilled vapors when we take the leftovers out the microwave while they are reaching for their keurig coffee by the sink, with the temptation to pick a sample from my styrofoam leftover container. Usually, I'm very nice and of course, I'll say "yes! Have some..." but tomorrow will be a definite "No!", for once, quickly followed by "...but don't worry, I'll get you a sandwich tomorrow, promise, I swear, I got you!..."
After all this and the take out boxes, it is because of places like this specific Decarie Arahova eatery; that companies like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Weight Watchers rebrand to names like KFC and WW. I mean seriously, Oprah is Not keeping her curves and double chin munching on ww 100 calories frozen tv dinners! See you again very soon Arahova! read more