Went here with my mother for my birthday! They have a lovely wine selection and allow you to sample the wine before ordering. Food was incredible, I come from a Greek family and was not disappointed! Portions are on the smaller and pricier side, definitely more of a "special occasion" dining spot for me at least. Staff were friendly and helpful. Atmosphere was cozy and rustic. Overall great experience :) read more

Cocktails were great, and the wine was good. I found the good to be either bland or bitter, and for the price I felt it wasn't worth it.

We were delighted to eat out on the back patio on a beautiful evening. Jaxson was our server and he was top notch. He had wonderful stories about each menu item. We loved the Grecian - a Greek themed mixed appetizer plate with yummy pitas. The only addition that would have been good was a wedge of lemon but we devoured it before asking for one. LOL. We shared the shrimp appetizer- Gamberi e Agrumi- which was cooked perfectly but honestly it was the sauce that stole the show! Pistachio orange honey sauce - mmmm- so good. Then we shared Keftedes which was nice - half vegetarian for me and half lamb/beef. They were good but we couldn't stop thinking about the shrimp sauce. I had some Greek red wine which was fabulous!! We made a note to ourselves to be sure and stop here anytime we are in Brunswick. read more

Enoteca Athena - Gamberi e agrumi - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

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Served here is an eclectic mix of Greek and Italian food. Not just the same tired old standards (Parmigiana, Bolognese, Gyros), though they have these as well. The menu is pretty small and the dishes are not fancy, but this is more than made up for by the bold, fresh flavors, less-common ingredients, artful presentation, and generous portions. And equally importantly, creativity. Take the parmigiana, for example. Rather than boring, dry chicken breast theirs are made with boneless thighs, a much more interesting choice. In the carbonara, where you might expect bacon, something better: guanciale. Decorative herbs? Not the common parsley sprigs, instead beautiful purple micro-basil. The pastas: every one is made fresh in house, not dried. Excellent service as well. My waiter, Lucas, could not have been better, in every way. As for the bartender, Russell, the specialty cocktails are his own creations, with whimsical names, ingredients many of which I've never heard of, and the two I tried were fantastic. And he seemed genuinely pleased when I complimented him on this as I was leaving. The only service flaw - minor - was a delay in getting my first drink, which arrived after my appetizer. Appetizer was Arancini. Crunchy coating, and inside a risotto-style rice, al dente, along with asparagus, guanciale, and two cheeses for added interest. A beautiful presentation, artfully drizzled with lemon aioli (the lemon too subtle) and purple micro-basil. Two large pieces, and because I was dining solo I took one home for breakfast - along with half the generously-sized dessert cake. My cocktails: Eve's Temptation: Caraway-thyme infused vodka, Oloroso sherry, Dolin dry vermouth, apple, lemon. Hattan Bow Tie: Basil Hayden bourbon, Cocchi Barolo Chinato, Pernod Absinthe Superiore, flamed orange. Wish I could have tried every one! There's also a very interesting-sounding wine list including a red sparking Lambrusco dessert wine, served chilled, that I wanted to try but didn't. Lucas recommended the special pasta of the day, a simple dish of house-made spaghetti, romano, Calabrian chilis, garlic (lots and lots of it!), parsley, and bread crumbs. I don't normally go for pasta entrees, especially simple ones like this, but in this case it sounded interesting and I trusted his recommendation - after adding the optional grilled shrimp and guanciale. These additions raised the price considerably, but it was so worth it. The fresh pasta was perfectly cooked and the cheeses and bread crumbs added body without making it too heavy. The shrimps were very large, not overcooked, fresh, and loaded with more garlic flavor. The tails were not removed, which always slightly annoys me. The guanciale added smokiness and textural interest. More purple micro-basil for garnish. Pretty to be sure but disappointing to see it again; they used that on the arancini. As for the heat: it was more than mild from the chilis but by no means hot. The most assertive flavor was the garlic, much of it raw. Maybe a bit excessive but I'd rather have too much than too little. A good-sized portion but not huge, just the right amount to feel satisfied but not stuffed. And I left room for dessert! Dessert options were limited, even more so than the entrees. I decided on the pistachio olive oil cake. My take is it's like a pound cake but made with olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil was also drizzled on the plate and over the whipped cream; interesting. Lots of pistachio flavor, in the cake itself and also in the candied pistachios mixed in and sprinkled over the whipped cream which was flavored and firm. I ate one of the two slices and that was enough, taking the rest home. When I opened the box the next day I saw that they had even packed the leftover whipped cream in a small container, and it was still firm, not runny. Impressive. Disappointingly, there are no ice cream or gelato offerings for dessert. Lucas agreed with me that it seems a strange omission for an Italian restaurant. The room is comfortable and attractive, natural wood, old-fashioned cabinets, cork and burlap dominant in the decor. Plant prints, mosaics made from wine corks, an antique dresser in the men's room. The bar, dominant in the room (no TVs - yeah!), is apparently the place to meet and greet in Brunswick. I lost count of the number of hugs exchanged between the many people coming and going over the 90 minutes I was there. No hugs for me but I enjoyed watching the activity. read more

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We went to this restaurant for my daughters birthday, 5' s all around! First we had the coolest table in a small private room. We had Jackson as a server, who was excellent! We ordered food and drinks all was great ! Restaurant was awesome and drinks were fire Dessert we split nonni cake so good!! THANKS JACKSON read more

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We hosted a reception at Enoteca Athena, and it was amazing from start to finish! The entire staff was so kind and on top of everything, making sure our guests were happy and the event ran smoothly (no one went without a full drink in their hand)! And the sommelier had an amazing wine selection and also helped us pick out some great signature cocktails. This entire event would not have been possible without Carla, the owner of Enoteca Athena. She was wonderful to work with--super responsive, flexible, and clearly cares about every detail. The food was incredible (everyone is still talking about it!) and the drinks were just as good (highly recommend the strawberry fields cocktail in the summer). Everything was spectacular, but my personal favorite was the halloumi! The atmosphere was perfect for our celebration: cozy, lively, and full of charm. It honestly felt like the whole team went above and beyond to make our afternoon special. We couldn't have asked for a better place to celebrate and may have to do this again every summer! read more

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Delightful staff with a comfortable restaurant. Tables are well separated and there is a nice patio that we took advantage of. Wine list was varied and reasonably priced. The food we delicious. So happy to have a Mediterranean restaurant in Brunswick. read more

This restaurant is so cute and inviting as soon as you walk in. My daughter wanted us to eat as a family here after having a wonderful time here for her bday w friends. I had the Prosecco on tap to start and my husband and daughter tried mocktails . We began with the plate that had a variety of olives feta, and spreads it was delicious. I chose the GF pasta in a gf sauce, both my daughters had the mushroom cream sauce pasta and my husband the gyro. We all loved our meals! I highly recommend. read more

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I went on a date here the other night and was really very impressed with the food and the ambiance. The whole restaurant is really very beautiful and the menu is tantalizing - short, but every item called to me. It isn't a cheap restaurant, but compared to the prices you'll find at many places in Portland, this is a steal. I ordered a glass of rose, and the putanesca with the addition of sausage, which was an excellent choice and worked so well in the dish. The sauce was pleasantly spicy (mild), and just delightful. For dessert we ordered the cannoli with dark chocolate. It was good - I am not much for cannolis, myself, but then I'm not dating myself anymore. But it was good. There is parking on the street and at the back of the businesses on the block. I'm very glad I chose this place! read more

We had decided that we needed a night out - been a busy and crazy wet early summer! Enoteca was the choice - we started with yummy martinis - just right, dry and cold, and were perfect with the deep fried artichoke hearts - they were light and delish. We followed that with the caesar salad - aptly described on the menu as complete with real anchovies! We then moved to a lovely Piedmont Rose and a couple more small plates - Arancini and then the gyro special. I was full before the gyro, but it traveled well and was great the next day (according to Wayne!) Bonus - we didn't spend a ton, had great food, wonderful and attentive service. The dining room is also a treat - they have outside tables, which we may try next time! read more

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Best Mediterranean food I've had in Main by FAR. The service is great and it's a cute spot. Didn't get into the wine bar but it looks great too. Highly recommend. read more

Decided to order family style since we were having a rough time deciding what to order with so many great options to choose from. Got a special pasta dish with guanciale , carciofini fritti, cesare salad and tagliata di manzo. Everything was delicious but that carciofini with the lemon garlic aoli made me want to lick the plate. Steak was perfectly cooked and the salad was tasty. Service was great, cocktails tasty and wine list was a great accompaniment. I love this vibe here and every time I come the food is so good. Great place to enjoy! read more

I ate here twice during my week long stay in Brunswick. The first meal was good enough that I wanted to come back, but the second meal was a big disappointment. For the first meal I started with the Soup of day, onion leek. It was creamy and tasty The ashes to ashes specialty cocktail is scrumptious. Shout out to bartender Henry for a perfect rye cocktail Mediterranean pasta was good. Portion is quite small, but nice blend of flavors and I added guanciale which helps bring more flavor to the dish. Second meal. We started with the same cocktail, yum! We split a Greek salad which was very good. Unfortunately, we went with the waitresses recommendation and both had the Maccheroni allá chiatarra (Haddock over pasta). After two bites my dinner companion, a Brunswick local, looked at me and said "It's tuna casserole. And it needs salt." She was right. The dish looks and tastes like a regular tuna casserole you make at home. And it was under seasoned. $26 and not worth it. I wish I'd gone with my first choice and tried the risotto. Bread side was cold and just a few pieces for $5. We also tried the orange cake which was described as moist with oranges in it. It was a basic bundt cake with no fruit in it. Kind of dry and without much flavor. They do have a nice choice of digestives. Waitress was not very attentive. She never asked us how our meal was, etc. Best thing about the second meal was the cocktails. read more

Enoteca Athena - Mediterranean pasta - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

I just enjoyed a lovely dinner at the bar. The bartender, Russell, was very attentive despite serving food to a full bar and providing wine and cocktails to the entire restaurant. I had the carciofini fritti (fried artichoke hearts), funghi con panna (mushroom pasta), joyful tidings cocktail and cannoli with pistachios. All were clearly fresh made and simply delicious. I've been working my way through the Brunswick restaurants since my son started college here last fall, and this was by far the best meal I've had so far. Fresh ingredients and a friendly staff--a perfect combination. read more

Enoteca Athena - Joyful Tidings cocktail and the funghi con panna (mushroom pasta) - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

Great atmosphere, wonderful menu, open kitchen. Food was very good and the bartender/sommelier was so knowledgeable on the amazing wine list and the food menu. I would suggest a reservation, we really lucked out by getting there at opening and they had two bar seats available. read more

Half the restaurant on a Wednesday evening was empty and walked in for dinner. Was turned away by maybe the bartender or owner saying they were at their capacity. However I was able to go on Resy and make a reservation for 15 minutes later, I wasn't going to bother completing the reservation since it just seemed rude. So I can't comment on the food, but service was really lacking and I wouldn't bother going back. read more

I was in town for an Alumni event and took myself out the first night in town. I sat at the bar. Great food. Superb martini. Cool vibe. Attentive bartender. I was quite pleased. Go visit! read more

Enoteca Athena - Dry martini with a twist - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

My husband and I went to enoteca athena for dinner last night. I really liked the vibe, the bartender seemed affable, the space is cozy but also expansive. We had the fried artichoke appetizer. There were 6 artichokes for $10. It was delicious. We also split a bottle of the cheapest red wine ($30), which had a nice but not overpowering sweetness to it. I had the maccheroni with added prosciutto. I was pleasantly surprised by how many scallops were in the dish. The prosciutto made it a little salty but I'd get it again. My husband had the bolognese. He said it could have used a little more kick. The tiramisu and chocolate cake desserts were great as well. We'll definitely return. read more

Enoteca Athena - Fried artichokes (this isn't the full serving, we'd already eaten some) - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

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This was our first visit to Enoteca Athena since the new owners took over and it really could not have been better. Outstanding service (thanks, Jackson!), great atmosphere and absolutely delicious food. A true gem of a place in the heart of Brunswick. read more

Great food and service! Our salad was delicious, the arancini balls were yummy, and the pasta with a red sauce/pork was very good. The decor is farmhouse lovely. I'd eat here again. read more

Good experience, but have to say that the bruschetta was sad. (This was on Wed 7/24, in case the owner wants to track down who the chef was.) The mozz balls and cherries tomatoes were whole, so when you picked up the bread they rolled off. Come on, you're better than that! Still 4 stars as the entrees were good.s read more

This was our second time going to this restaurant. I was disappointed the first time, but I blamed myself for not reading the menu carefully. I had a meal that I always like, but here It was a hybrid , and I found it unpleasant. If you have a meal that surprises you since it is different from what you expect, it should be "wow, unusual but really good". Here I felt "this is unusual, but really not to my liking ". Tonight I was careful to read the details on the menu and avoided the hybrid Italian/Greek offerings. I went with a Gyro and it was good, a bit bland, but generally well prepared. My wife had a dish with Greek marinated chicken, and it was really tough and overcooked. Our waitress was good, the table was clean, and it was quiet enough to talk comfortably. The wine was a Nebbiolo blend, and was lacking any interesting subtleties, light and thin, but again not bad. read more

I've come here 2 times when I have been in Brunswick, and both were thoroughly enjoyable. My favorite dish is definitely the halloumi in the Calabrian chili honey--it is so flavorful and I have to fight my fiance for the last bite! The arancini is also very good. The ambiance is befitting for a date night. Plenty of vegetarian options! read more

Total ripoff! My wife's meal chicken parm was tolerable. Didnt have anything on menu that I liked. Told waiter I just wanted some pasta with red sauce. Said they could make me that with sausage. Brought out a big bowl with a very small portion at the bottom. Tiny shells with specs of sausage in a sauce that tasted like Chef Boyardee. At 27 bucks despicable. When I complained he said he was sorry. Also charged 8 bucks for an order of bread. Wish we had kept driving. read more

Food was disappointingly underseasoned and service was extremely slow. The only saving grace was the dessert. For being labeled as a wine bar the wine choices were limited in selection and variety. Disappointing overall. read more

Review for dinner on 5/30/2021: Interesting mix of Greek and Italian cuisine. We ordered the honed dates, gravlax salmon and torchio pasta with oyster mushrooms, and had the pistachio cake as dessert. All were very delicious. Would love to come again. read more

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I had a delicious dinner last night. I ordered the chicken Ragu and it was quite delicious. Henry, the bartender and part owner, was very friendly and helpful. The restaurant was busy, so he was busy as well. I would make a few suggestions for the ragu, however. The first suggestion would be to plate the Ragu on something other than a white bowl. The pasta was white and the sauce was a light color, so having a contrasting color for the plate or bowl would be attractive. I would also suggest parsley for a garnish and maybe cracked pepper as a garnish to add more color. Not to mention some freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino...However, over all, everything was delicious! We shared a loved custard-y dessert with hazelnuts that went down pretty easily! read more

Amazing place: such delicious food, great proportions. Lovely service and decor is so creative and fun! Great cocktails!

Wonderful service !!! Great Greek Italian restaurant. The other Greek restaurant in Brunswick has the worst customer service so go to this place !!! Food is amazing here !! read more

Walk in & was denied seating because of a new chef was limited & over 1/2 the tables were empty,,, no thanks to this place!!!! Can't handle 2 people on walk in, said!! Went to the Greek place Tavern Knonie,, who was half full in tables and full bar available , who told use to wait on the street to see if they have anything available,,, so ent to The Great Empasta who was full & was told only 5-10 mins & who did seat use very nicely!!! read more

The staff at Enoteca went above and beyond to make our meal super enjoyable and personal! They had a seasonal cocktail with apple cider and bourbon (delicious) that I asked if I could have warmed up as opposed to iced... and they did it no problem. I came to find out that they actually put my mug in the oven, as opposed to zapping it in the microwave (which I assumed would be the way the did that). The server told me they don't even have a microwave, which is a great testament to the freshness of their food! The rotating seasonal menu is always fun to come in and sample - and especially right now with all the fall-inspired dishes. Loved the squash and sausage dish and the fall-flavored risotto. Arguably the best ambience on Maine Street in Brunswick! read more

Enoteca Athena - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

This place is very proudly gluten free-inclusive. Their web presence doesn't make that obvious, so I almost didn't come here. I'm so glad I called, because the person answering the phone was enthusiastic about their gluten free pasta. The menu also very clearly states what can be made GF and also lists *every* ingredient in each dish. Our server, Amy, even let us know that a different lettuce was being substituted for her dish when she ordered it, making sure that was okay with her. I feel much better about eating here knowing that servers are so educated about the ingredients of their dishes. I'll be back! read more

Enoteca Athena is one of the best restaurants in the area - delicious Italian food and wine with so much flavor. Each dish is expertly prepared and served - we've had things that weren't our favorite (but we're glad that we tried them) - but nothing has been badly prepared or low quality. The negroni bar is one of my favorite bars in greater Portland...so many combinations to what is normally a simple cocktail. read more

Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes. I had no expectations coming into my dinner at Enoteca. Actually, I was expecting it to have more Greek food but it's an Italian Greek FUSION restaurant. So here I was, kinda disappointed I wasn't going to have a gyro or spanikopita, but then I start looking at teh menu and I hardly know what anything is because it's soooo Italian. Not Olive Garden Italian, or even good Italian restaurant in Portland Italian. No, this place is fresh off the olive truck hand me an Aperol Spritz and Cicchetti kind of Italian. We started off with the fried artichoke and lemon aioli app and HOLY SMOKES was that good. It had the consistency of tempura frying but soooo richly flavored and the sauce was a perfect companion. Next, I had the special which I can't even begin to remember what it was called but basically it was fresh made (all their pasta is made fresh in house) pasta infused with white truffle oil in a creamy cauliflower sauce, finely shaved brussels, roasted hazelnuts, and HUGE foraged mushrooms. I added chicken. It was amazing. My mom had the spaghetti and meatballs which were something you'd expect to eat in Rome from your old Italian Nona. We ended with the flour-less chocolate torte. Now, most flour-less torte dishes are punch you in the face rich and end with an OH MY GOD SUGAR RUSH type of feeling. But this torte was balanced out with a sea salted ganache, some kind of cherry liqueur infused into the cake, and an orange flavor that I couldn't quite pinpoint, as well as a caramel and cherry syrup of sorts and fresh. whipped cream. It was so good and decadent without leaning heavily on just being a rich chocolately dish. The atmosphere was also adorable, our server was attentive and they always made sure our water glasses were full. Can not wait to go back and try some of their negroni bar and the chicken parm. Ugh my mouth is watering already... read more

Enjoyed dinner, last night, with a friend. The ambiance is perfect. The wine and food were delicious. Our waitress was personable- attentive but not over-bearing. Thank you for a fantastic evening that will be long remembered. read more

Enoteca Athena is delightful. A mix of Italian and Greek foods, the menu is a pleasing amalgamation of both culinary traditions. In house hand made pasta, creamy whipped ricotta with honey and black pepper, bread crisp on the exterior, airy and pillowy interior, there is so much to say about this restaurant. An inviting, open space. It is tastefully decorated, simple yet evocative of the Mediterranean. The bar, a beautiful long, wooden bar, that looks aged to have spent a lifetime bathed by the warm mist and salt spray of the ocean, a patina soft and gentle, wise and aged. The barware is eclectic and original, antique barware holding the delightful cocktails in elegant silver rimmed coupes. Each drink has its own personality as the glass itself adds to the experience. True bartending is all encompassing, from the liquors on the shelf, to the appropriate mixing of ingredients, to final presentation. Enoteca Athena captures this, especially with Katie, their bar manager, slinging drinks behind the bar. The food is delicious. The Osso Bucco was a little tough last time, the only time I've had a negative critique of any food I've consumed there. The chicken parm was heaven. A warm, sweet red sauce, served over house-made creamy frascarelli pasta, the exterior breading of the chicken crisp yet yielding to the fork, the interior of the thighs soft and tender. A perfect balance between the often over dry, stringy, tough center or the undercooked chewy sponge that chicken can be. This hit the mark. Fried chicken skins was a special appetizer last time; called Chicken Chips. Fantastic taste, crisp, salty, and seasoned. Service. This restaurant is a restaurant. You should make a reservation ahead of time. The bar gets full quick, so get early if you want to belly-up. This is an enjoy your meal, sit down restaurant. Don't expect to dine quick and run. There are plenty of options around town for that. Come here to enjoy the meal and walk out sated. read more

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My wife and I returned to this restaurant after a gap of six years. Last time we visited, the focus seemed more on Greek cuisine as I remember. The current menu seems to have more of an Italian bent. Regardless, we enjoyed the experience this time as much as we did years ago. The young woman who waited on us was delightfully charming and competent.... and it irritates me I can not remember her name, but she was wonderful. We started with the fried artichoke appetizer served with a lemon aioli which was fantastic. The honeyed dates we shared were very good, but almost too rich combined with the other dishes we ordered. For an entree, my wife ordered the risotto with roasted beets, etc. which she said was awesome. I followed the recommendations of fellow Yelpers and chose the chicken parm which was unconventionally made with thigh meat but turned out to be a clever twist. The coating was delightfully crispy and the meat moist and delicious, which paired very well with the soft homemade pasta underneath. We will definitely be back. read more

Enoteca Athena - Specials for 1/25/20 - Wine Bars Near Me - Brunswick, Maine

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So, I found myself on Maine street in Brunswick, exhausted from some early holiday shopping and starving. I Yelped Enoteca Athena, which ended up being right across the street, and to my surprise and delight, noticed they opened at 3:30 on Saturday nights. It was 3:29. Score! I walked across the street, checked out the menu (which looked fantastic) and went right in to ask for a table. Once seated, I found out that from 3:30-5:30 they serve a very limited menu with wine and beer specials. Since I was starving, this was a pretty big let down, yet I decided to stay anyway. The table next to us, on the other hand, left once they realized they really couldn't get a meal. Anyway, my daughter and I settled on a Greek appetizer platter for $19. This platter included spanakopita triangles. I asked if we could get a separate order of triangles and really got the sense that this was not a request that was going to be an easy do. While we waited for our platter, another party of 2 came in and asked the bartender if they could order something off the regular appetizer menu. The bartender, seemed way more chill and said she would see what she could do, returned and told them the kitchen said ok!!! This left us in a uncomfortable situation. Our waitress did not seem like someone who would take the mention that the other table got special ordering privileges well. So...we just shut up and watched the other table eat delicious things that we were not allowed to order. Our greek platter came and while everything was really well prepared and very delicious, it was overall a very small serving for 2. There was a nice portion of marinated vegetables, a pretty good sized hunk of feta, 4 olives one pita cut into triangles a smear of hummus and three small (1 1/2 inch long) pita triangles on another smear of tzatsiki. We ordered an additional pita for $2. Has the high price for very small portions trend come to Brunswick?? Overall, I would be willing to try them again for real dinner. It is unlikely we would get the same server again. I thought the kitchen turned out great stuff, and would like to find out if the food off the menu is more reasonable portioned. read more

We are really hoping that it was just an off night at a place we've enjoyed in the past. So first the good things. Great wine list. Dessert was over the top. The pear in honey rum sauce, white chocolate strawberry zabaglione, and a flourless chocolate cake all were delicious and disappeared. The fried artichokes were their usual crispy selves. It is great when you can substitute eggplant or other items to make a dish suit individuals in a group. Even though they were not particularly crowded nor did the staff seem run off their feet, our service was cheerful, but inattentive. We had a 15 minute wait to make our orders. Our wait for food was very long-- maybe twenty minutes for the artichokes and another 25 for our main courses. We had to ask to have our water glasses refilled twice. When the food finally came (we were not in a hurry), it was very uneven. The meatballs were crispy and hot. The pasta that was underneath it was not even warm. The side of string beans was excellent. The side of eggplant was too. We'll probably try again, but it was an expensive disappointment. read more

Stopped in as part of our date day, and were pleasantly surprised by this little gem. The food and atmosphere was great. My husband had the chicken parm, which was super yummy! I chose an appetizer of spanakopita, and was not disappointed. read more