Ithaki, welcome to Mark's hall of fame! One of the places whose virtues I will extol to anyone who asks me for a recommendation. Other than a few minor notes, the food and the entire experience were sensational!
The good thing about going with family is you can try more food!
I had the distinct pleasure of trying:
- Tuna Crudo
- Lavraki Tartare
- Taramosalata (spread)
- Tzatziki (spread)
- Tirokafteri (spread)
- Moroccan Crusted Tuna
- Greek Coffee
- Galactobouriko
Overall, EVERYTHING was fresh and tasty, with the flavors being more subtle and nuanced than bold, brash, in-your-face, and it works!
The Tuna Crudo and Lavraki Tartare were great! The fish was very fresh and dressed/garnished beautifully!
Regarding the Crudo: The gentle acidity of the citrus juice, the briny 'bite' of the capers, the creaminess of the avocado, and the oil to bring everything together made the tuna shine.
The Tartare was like the Crudo's fraternal twin. Similar but very much its own dish. The lemon juice helped add a little acid and take away any fishiness. The pickled onions added some crisp tanginess, and the chimichurri some freshness and earthiness.
The three spreads were great! These felt like they were made to order, too! The tzatziki, for instance, was not watery (as happens when it sits for a while). Taramasalata was savory without being fishy, the tzatziki was delightfully garlicky, and the Tirokafteri had a nice kick from the jalapeños. The only note here is I found the Tirokafteri a touch salty for my taste. House-made pita chips were terrific, also!
The Moroccan Crusted Tuna was divine. The tuna had a tasty, not overdone, and not over-seasoned crust and perfectly transitioned into the raw fish inside. The spicy hummus was creamy and had an enjoyable kick. The chimichurri and couscous combination was a match made in heaven. The starch of the couscous with the earthy, savory, lightly acidic notes of the chimichurri went together like bread and butter!
The piece of chicken I had the opportunity to taste was incredibly tender and tasty. For this being from the chicken breast, this is really something! The only note is that the chicken was just a pinch over-salted for my palate.
For dessert, I had Greek coffee and Galactobouriko. Galactobouriko was terrific! It was thin, flaky, filo dough filled with a delectable and not over-sweet custard. Terrifically balanced all around.
Greek coffee (similar to Turkish coffee) was a unique delight also! It was bold and somewhat intense, not acidic, and had that texture characteristic of unfiltered coffee ground very fine. The amount of sugar/possible spice was also perfect.
What makes Ithaki so memorable isn't just the food; it's the service and vibe/ambiance.
Our server, Adrienne, was phenomenal. She was kind, professional, and attentive. The rest of the service staff was similarly professional and attentive. For example, some of the coffee spilled (not due to the server's fault - trickiness with the cezve). Our cups were wiped, saucers replaced, and spill covered with a napkin. Little things, but life is made of little things.
As for the vibe/ambiance, it is open, light, and inviting. The tables are spaced appropriately, so you are not bumping elbows or yelling over a table next to you. The music quietly playing can be heard but does not interfere with conversations. Everything was also immaculate. This brings me to my final 'note' - walking in, there is a faint smell of bleach/chlorine. However, I appreciate that they may have just started dinner service, and a distant scent of bleach indicates cleanliness, even though it's not the most pleasant.
Before, when people asked me about my favorite restaurants in/around Boston, I would give them a list of four. Now when people ask me, I will provide them with five. I already can't wait to go back! read more