All I can say is WOW ! If I lived near this place, I would be here frequently. We walked in on the early side.... before any kind of rush...and we had the restaurant to ourselves. There's a lovely rustic, yet high end vibe. It's also immaculate. Our server was fantastic...just the right balance of friendly, attentive and helpful. It was hard to choose appetizers because I actually wanted one of each. There aren't a lot of Mediterranean choices near where I live currently so my eyes were definitely WAY bigger than my stomach. That said, we shared the halloumi and three different dips served with warm pita. Then we added a last minute choice of grilled sweet sausage for my stepdad. Before we even received our appetizers, they brought a lovely pile of warm pita with delicious sides to accompany: olives, white bean spread, and red pepper hummus (I believe... whatever it was, it was delicious!). The appetizers were outstanding and it was really hard to pick a favorite. Each one of the dips was delightful: taramasalata, hummus, and eggplant. I tasted a bite of the sausage and I understood why my stepdad enjoyed it so much (perfectly cooked and just the right amount of seasoning). The appetizers were new to my mom and she truly enjoyed everything. Her main course was crabcakes and she raved about those as well. I chose the Souvlaki with a side of grilled vegetables and it was exactly what I wanted with perfectly spiced and not overcooked cubes of chicken. The other grilled chicken dish got a huge thumbs up...and that's from a super picky eater. We topped everything off by sharing a large piece of cake that was very decadent....and even though I love chocolate,.... no way I could've finished it by myself. It had an Oreo crust and the rest was a rich chocolate mousse. Next time? Baklava. Looking forward to going back to visit the fam and enjoying Maria's again. Maybe they can open up a location near Saratoga? Just saying... read more

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Outstanding food and fabulous service. Came for dinner with friends on a weeknight and had a wonderful experience. We ordered the scallops, Bronzino, chicken shish kebab, and lamb shish kebab--each served with lemon potatoes and a fresh Greek salad. The portions were huge and perfect for sharing. We even brought home enough for another delicious meal. For dessert, we shared their signature baklava with blueberries and a scoop of homemade ice cream. Always exceptional. The servers were attentive, warm, and genuinely welcoming. A lovely evening all around with consistently fabulous food. read more

Move over Tavernas, there's a better Mediterranean spot in town! Ok so there are a few stand out dishes here that is in our rotation and that we randomly crave and just have to get every so often. Pita chips and dips: omggg the fried pita chips are so addictive, the only problem is they don't give enough! Not even a huge fan of hummus but they do it so well, I generally get the potato one, eggplant, and hummus! So yummy Chicken souvlaki: Cooked to perfection!!! But why oh why we do we get only two slivers of lemon potatoes, cmon guys that's like half of one potato. Potatos are cheap! Have tried a few other entrees before and while good, we always end up back to the souvlaki. Last but not least the standout star is the blueberry baklava with a generous heap of tahini ice cream that is just to die for. Ugh, craving it just talking about it but I can see why she won an award for this. It's super sweet and I don't generally like super sweet things but it's not overpowering and it works so well together, the tahini ice cream helps tamp the sweetness down to a perfect melody. I think I'm overdue for another visit to Maria's honestly... read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Blueberry baklava with tahini ice cream - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

Love the ambiance and the food was really good. I like the service provided. The only thing is the food took forever to get. Since it tasted so good all was good. read more

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Ordered take out for my moms bday. The order took longer than expected time. Overall it was okay. I think they rushed our order bc it sounded like it was the same time with a catering order. They forgot a side salad that we added on to order, the pork souvlaki was over cooked so the meat was very chewy. Branzino was good but bit under seasoned, lemon potatoes and the dip appetizer were delish. Felt like it was an off day so hopefully I'll have a better taste next time around. read more

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Came here for a special occasion. The wait for our server was long but when he did come over he apologized and brought us complimentary sangria made in house. The branzino had two sizes, I ordered the larger size and it was a great portion because I had food to take home. Calamari and octopus was good. I was told that the lamb was taste as well. The Greek salad, not pictured, was fresh as well. Overall, the place was nice and good family setting. read more

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We came on a weekday where there were only 2 tables with customers when we arrived. We were seated next to the window. The waiter kept focusing on the table behind us that already finished eating and were just getting to go boxes. We hadn't even been given water or menus yet so it took a while for someone to finally get to us. It also took a long time for the waiter to take our order. I had to ask the busboy if we could order food. We ordered the grilled calamari, chicken souvlaki, and the bifteki. It took half an hour for our appetizer to come out. I didn't understand why it took so long if there weren't any customers. We had pita bread and only olive oil, carrots and olives to dip. If you want hummus you have to order that on the side. The calamari was the best thing we ordered. When we finished eating, it was hard to flag down the water to get the check also. At this point there's only 3 tables in the whole place and it was hard to get anything from him. I'm kind of done with this place, it takes too long to get service or food on rainy day. read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

Our group ordered the pita chips with three dips, rib stew, stuffed flounder, and blueberry baklava. The pita chips and dips were better than the actual dishes. The chips were fried to have a crunchy exterior with a soft, cheesy like consistency inside. The dips were all fabulous. Perfectly seasoned. We got the flounder with the lemon potatoes which I think was the right pairing. Flaky fish with a mild stuffing. I think the acidity of the lemon potatoes went well with it. The rib stew came with vegetable rice. Although not very unique in terms of its taste profile, it was a very nostalgic. I think the proteins fell a tad short compared to the pita chips and dips. They weren't terrible, but definitely not memorable. The blueberry baklava was the star of the show. The tahini ice cream had a nice mellow but nutty flavor. The honey drizzled on top gave it a nice sweetness that varied from bite to bite (which I prefer). The acidity from the blueberry compote complimented the richness from the ice cream and the sweetness of the honey. Then you also have this variation in textures from flaky to crunchy and then to creamy. It was a very well thought out dessert. The staff was very attentive and polite. We were seated right away and they constantly made sure to refill our glasses. They happily answered our questions as we were not to familiar with Greek food. We appreciate their patience. The restaurant itself was cute and clean. It had a bit of a rustic feel to it. However it was very organized and refined. read more

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It was a very cold winter day and I decided at the last minute to try this place after seeing that the reviews were good. It was nice and warm here and I loved the ambiance. After being seated, you are given warm pita with three different dips. I don't know the names, but I like the one with the chickpeas a lot. For my entree I had chicken souvlaki with a side of lemon potatoes. It was cooked to perfection and everything was so flavorful! For dessert, we was recommended to try the Blueberry Baklava. I love how flaky it was and how there was ice cream on top as well. The perfect dessert after a delicious dinner. read more

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On behalf of The Center for the Women of New York, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Maria's for their generous and delicious donation to our Taste of the World at Fort Totten gala. They provided spanakopita that was absolutely delightful. The phyllo dough was perfectly flaky and golden, and the filling of spinach and feta was savory, well seasoned, and wonderfully creamy. Each bite was a perfect balance of crisp pastry and flavorful filling, and it was clear that this was made with care and tradition in mind. Our guests couldn't get enough of it! It is because of wonderful local businesses like Maria's that we are able to successfully raise vital funds for our mission of supporting women in the New York community. Their commitment to giving back shows a genuine care for the people around them, and it is exactly the kind of business I want to support. We highly recommend Maria's Mediterranean for their authentic and delicious spanakopita and their tremendous generosity. Thank you for your kindness and for helping make our event a success. read more

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Great food all the time. Always amazing service. Ambiance is always great whether you dine in or out. read more

Came here on the day of Halloween and it wasn't crowded. We were welcomed by the restaurant staff and also owner, Maria. Everybody was so nice, especially the owner who took her time to talk to us and chatted with my 2 little kids who are 3 and 5. Before we left, both my kids felt so comfortable and gave her a hug. The food was great, the lamb shank which was my personal favorite fell off the bone, there really was no need to cut it with a knife. Poking and slicing it with your fork was all it took to get the meat off the bone. My kids ordered the pork skewer, which they both enjoyed. The dessert was quite a bit to handle, because it was bigger than expected. Wished I paid attention to the names of the desserts, but both were very good! The one that is topped with ice cream is what allowed the owner, Maria to become a champion on the show Food Network series: Chopped. Overall, an amazing experience. Will definitely come back soon. read more

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My friend and I had such a great meal at Marie's Mediterranean! The food was packed with flavor and great portion size for sharing. We were stuffed by the end of the meal but were determined to try the blueberry baklava, which was the highlight of the night! The service was just as great as the food. Our servers and staff were all attentive, kind, and genuinely wholesome. See you again! read more

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This place took me to the Mediterranean. The staff was quality. Saki and Maria were gracious and kind. The staff works hard here. The drinks blew our minds. Know they self cocktail and better late than never were insanely good. Both I will definitely order again. They have gluten free options too. The dips and chips blew my mind. Fried pita with quality dips. Best thing i ate this month. Yhe stuffed baked clam and crab cake were fresh. The lemon potatoes are insanely good. Memorable. The meat platter is massive. The stewards and chicken yummy over perfectly seasoned fries. The lukomad stuffed with cheesecake devine. Best I've had. The blueberry baklava was the best dessert of the year. read more

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The food was very flavorful and the service is on point. My friend and I wanted a place to eat and catch up so we stayed for quite some time chatting. The restaurant did not mind and left us alone and we didn't feel rushed to leave. The restaurant itself is spacious and comfortable. Nice place to come with large parties as well. We had octopus which was nicely grilled. Also our gyro/diner platters were good. The dessert was the bomb cus I'm usually not a fan of blakava but this dessert was not too sweet and hit the spot. read more

One of my favorite spots! My family and I come here often, even after we moved from the area! The food is fantastic, the decor is cozy, and the staff is friendly. I had my son's baptism reception here and we've kept coming back. Please give this place a try if you haven't already! read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Bifteki - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

I'm no expert in Greek cuisine however I fell in love with this place the minute I walked in. Smiles allover the place, beautiful tables, great choices on the menu, then came the food! The octopus, shrimp, lamb. Everything was cooked to perfection, flavors that I never experienced before. Time for dessert, everything looked like a work of art and tasted amazing. Best business meeting I ever had! The service was great and for a moment I thought my waiter was a mind reader. I'll be back with the family. read more

While the place was somewhat small and intimate with a large party the staff was very attentive and friendly. Seafood was fresh and nicely cooked, there was no wait for the appetizers and entrees to arrive at the table. One minor thing that was left out was the cocktail had no garnish for the presentation it just looked like a blue drink. If you're there for the Greek ambiance and the food and in the neighborhood give it a try. read more

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Expensive/ pay for Ambiance. No parking area. Park @ the road pay online or @ the machine. Limited choices of food. read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Arabic Food - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

We had an almost five-star experience here. (4.8 stars) To start with, we arrived on a busy Saturday night in July without a reservation. Despite the restaurant being packed, the host was incredibly accommodating. He offered to find us a table shortly if we didn't mind waiting at the bar, and even treated us to a cocktail while we waited. We were genuinely impressed by the excellent service. Once seated and given the menus, we were delighted to be greeted with a basket of hot, char-grilled pita bread. Alongside, we received a plate of Greek olives, sliced carrots, and a wonderfully aromatic chickpea salad. The batter on the fried calamari was spot-on, with a delightful flavor enhanced by just a squeeze of lemon. I was torn between ordering the Moussaka or the swordfish. My friend reminded me that I'd regret not choosing the Moussaka, especially since it's a favorite of mine and, being non-Greek, I don't get to enjoy it as often as I'd like. I'm glad I took her advice--it was an excellent choice, and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. The lemon potatoes were well-cooked, though they could have used a bit more lemon flavor. She decided on the shrimp scampi, even though it's not Greek (but hey, we all have our preferences, right? ). The shrimp were sautéed in a rich butter and garlic sauce and were impressively large. She chose the lemon potatoes as her side as well. I paired my meal with a glass of Greek white wine, recommended by our exceptionally friendly and attentive waiter. It was crisp with just the right hint of sweetness, exactly as I had hoped. The chef's signature dessert is a blueberry baklava paired with a generous scoop of tahini ice cream. Although we were quite full from our meal, we decided to share one after a bit of relaxation. The phyllo dough was layered in rounds, but even after removing the scoop of ice cream, it proved tricky to eat and ended up falling apart. While the dessert was visually appealing and the ice cream was enjoyable, the overall experience was a bit underwhelming. The tahini flavor was quite subtle--if I hadn't read about it online, I might have mistaken it for vanilla. When I'm in the mood for Greek food again, I'll definitely be returning to this gem of a restaurant. By the way, Chef Maria Petridis, co-owner of the restaurant, is a former "Chopped" champion from the Food Network. NOTE: Finding parking on Bell Blvd can be quite challenging, so it's a pleasant surprise when a restaurant offers free parking. The lot is located on 213th Street between 38th and 39th Avenue, right behind the church. With only five designed spots available, we were lucky to snag the last one. A short stroll through the church grounds led us directly to the restaurant's entrance. There are additional parking spots available, but they are designated for other businesses. Without an attendant I feel it's a bit of a gamble if you're not using Maria's designated parking as the signs do indicate you would be towed. read more

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Delicious pita bread and dips; fresh salads; excellent attentive service. The dessert (blueberry baklava with tahini ice cream) was huge and homemade! Beautiful decor and friendly waitstaff. read more

Marias Mediterranean has definitely become one of my favorite spots. I've been there many times, and my usual orders--the Grilled Chicken Breast, Beef Souvlaki, crispy Calamari, or the small meat platter--are consistently fantastic!!!!! There's something magical in their seasoning which makes every dish amazing. What truly makes Marias Mediterranean stand out though, besides the wonderful food, is the incredible hospitality from Maria and her staff. Their customer service is outstanding, and they make everyone feel genuinely welcome. You really do feel like part of the family when you're there. This warm atmosphere, combined with their consistently delicious food, makes it a place I always look forward to returning to. Food - 5 Service - 5 Decor - 4 Cost - ~35.00 read more

Came on a Friday afternoon and it was not too busy. Service was attentive and our waiter advised us that the small meat platter would be enough for 3-4 people. I loved the pita and tzatziki sauce and the chick pea side they had. The kabobs in the platter were also very good with the pita. I don't remember what meats were part of the platter but it was definitely enough for 3 people. read more

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I came here twice this month because my first experience was pretty good, so I went back again, but the second time around, not so much. I've tried their meat platter (no substitute, they said), branzino, grilled octopus, and pork souvlaki. First time, I really enjoyed the octopus appetizer, chicken breasts, sausage & pork souvlaki from the meat platter- they were flavorful and tasty even though some of the meats were a bit dry- the tzatziki sauce made it all better. The branzino was also very good- it tasted fresh and tender (can also be filleted). However, I didn't like the lemon potatoes, bifteki (beef patties)- it tasted gamey & tough, and french fries were soggy. Second time, I called in my order at 11:10 am, and the employee quoted me 20 minutes. I arrived 40 minutes later, and my food still wasn't ready & had to wait another 10 minutes. The food was sorta overcooked & still tasty, but the portions were quite small for the high prices (as you can see from the pics). All in all, not worth it for what it is imo, unless you're michelin rated or a high-end restaurant, which this is not. read more

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Food was amazing, service was exceptional. I had the dip sampler, my fave was the cheese one it had a great spice. read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Dips and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

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Really wanted to like Maria's more than I actually did; it was just okay. While Maria's serves up a yummy tzatziki, everything else bordered on just average for me. Their pita and spreads are good for sure, and perhaps the highlight for me. Meat platters, while abundant, did not quite impress. Some meats were well seasoned and tasty, but some were a bit gamey for my liking and the chicken was dry. A healthy dollop of tzatziki saved the meat platter for sure. There was a lot of potential here, but overall did not impress. The interior was cozy though, with remaining Christmas decor and cozy lighting throughout. Service was attentive without being overbearing. read more

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Step into Maria's Mediterranean Restaurant and embark on a culinary journey through the sun-kissed flavors of the Mediterranean. Our passion for authentic cuisine shines through in every dish, from the savory layers of moussaka to the delicate flavors of freshly grilled seafood. Whether you're craving the vibrant mezze platters perfect for sharing or indulging in our gluten-free pasta creations, there's something to delight every palate. Our warm and inviting atmosphere, paired with attentive service, ensures a memorable dining experience for every guest. At Maria's Mediterranean, we're not just serving meals; we're sharing a taste of tradition and hospitality that keeps our patrons coming back for more. Join us and savor the essence of the Mediterranean, right here in Queens. The meat platter was a bit dry although it is packed with flavor. What we ordered: Meat Platter Calamari read more

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Food OK service is terrible. Won't be going back. There are plenty of other places you can go to and get better food and Service overrated.

Great lunch deals and delicious food. My friends ordered the baklava dessert and really enjoyed it. Service was great and the restaurant was very accommodating to a larger group + baby. Parking can be tricky but it's worth the trip. The staff even ran out and returned my friends phone when she left it inside. read more

Maria's Mediterranean - Baklava Dessert - Seafood Near Me - Bayside, New York

Food was amazing, environment was amazing and the service was great. My friends and I had dinner over here for the first time, not knowing how the experience was, we were told by one of our friends the the chef was one of the participants from the tv show chopped. So, we came with higher expectations of course. We started off with appetizer the six spreads dips and chips and calamari, best choices ever. The dips came out in a huge plate with fried pita bread. The calamari was so on point, tasty and juicy. As an entree, I ordered the baby lamp chop medium over veggie. My friends ordered the sword fish and beef souvlaki, we all really really enjoyed our entrees. We ended the dinner with some delicious desserts. Overall this is one of the best Greek Mediterranean spot I've been to, definitely met it's expectations. I will be coming back soon. read more

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I came here a few years ago to celebrate a birthday, but revisited Maria's this past week. To start, the chef that opened this restaurant is a Chopped Champion, so you walk in with high expectations. As soon as you enter, the greeters are welcoming and warm. Since we visited in the holiday season, a highly decorated tree was up and made the restaurant feel festive and warm. Our waiter was very helpful with guiding us through the best of the menu, and we did a family-style meal trying multiple dishes. Starters: - Dips & fried pita: delicious. We tried the pureed potato, bell pepper, and tzatziki dips. The most delicious was the bell pepper dip, and the potato puree one was a close second. - Maria's oysters: I'm not much of a seafood person, and this was my first time trying oysters. The oysters were adorned with a spinach dip and it was definitely very tasty. - Fried Calamari: a classic - Fried Zucchini: tasty, and a little simple compared to our other dishes - Lemon potatoes: potato wedges, delicious as a side. - Octopus: again, not a huge seafoodie, but the octopus was a delectable surprise for me. Main Course: - Stuffed chicken is my mainstay, it is a dish for those who don't venture out for food, yet it is flavorful - Fish: this was also flavorsome, and would recommend Dessert: -Lemon Pie slice: I'm typically more of a chocolate for dessert person, but this lemon pie was a refreshing end to the meal - Ekmek: THIS. This dessert is what took it home. Its a vermicelli base with a custard on top. Although we were all full, we continued at it because it was so delicious. Highly recommend Maria's for my Mediterranean lovers! It's a bonus for seafood lovers! read more

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Three stars because it's somewhat average all around. 4 stars would have meant very good. We were basically happy with everything but nothing was stand-out. Service is ok. Nothing exceptional. Nice and friendly. Reservation held. They start every table with yummy warm pita and chick pea salad, olives and carrot slices. tzatziki was good with chunks of cucumber but not enough (or any) garlic. Avgolemeno soup was hot. Very important. Needed more lemon but good nevertheless. Horiatiki salad was delicious. Nice feta and tomatoes with stuffed grape leaves. Whole small branzino was very good but had bones even though asked to be deboned. Lemon potatoes were delicious. Crisp outside soft and flavorful inside. Chicken souvlaki was good by slightly dry. Steamed veggies were tasteless. Greek coffee to end. One mythos beer and one sour cherrry, vodka and soda cocktail. $155 with tip for 2. Not liking that so much. read more

Excellent appetizers- pita chips with various dips out of this world. Fresh fish, short rib stew, skewered chicken...everything was so good! And don't forget to get the lemon pie which was light and palate cleansing. There are a few parking spots behind the church across the street otherwise there was street parking. Service was super friendly. Ambiance is peaceful, restaurant is nicely decorated. Drinks were very good too. read more

I stopped in here for dinner this week all in all everything was delicious. I tried the lamb shank which was very good more bone than lamb it would have been nice for some more lamb. The oysters were delicious also very good I would def order again. Our waiter was very good as well we will def be back. read more

We were the only people in the restaurant and it took 40 minutes to get our food. Our server was nice but not attentive as he should've been since he was so busy chitchatting with some other member of the staff. The food was ok when we finally received it. I liked the pork souvlaki, but there is nothing special about it. My husband's lamb bifteki although cooked tender, didn't have much flavor. The lunch specials were a joke as the "platter" only comes with fries. Where is the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, or pita? Just the meat with fries does not make a platter. Or were the pita breads served at the beginning of the meal with the complementary amuse-bouche supposed to be saved until we got our actual meal? At $20, for a lunch special I would expect a little more food. read more

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Food was okay. Skip zucchini for $20 not worth it. Prices are high for what you get. Hard to find the swordfish on skewer

We tried Maria's for the first time tonight and it was sooo good. Our food was incredible and the staff was amazing. We sat outside (my husband, me, and our little dog). 10/10!! read more

Delicious meal from an unassuming spot! We rolled into Maria's on a Monday after figuring out that some of the other local restaurants were closed on Monday nights. We ordered the feta saganaki and the fried calamari for appetizer. The saganaki was salty, creamy, and a little bit sweet, everything you could hope for in a saganaki. The calamari was really tender. Like, I wasn't supposed to chew on anything, and it was tender enough for me to eat kind of tender. (Don't tell my dentist) I had the mousaka for my entree. I was pretty stuffed by the time it came around, and the portion was pretty big. The potato layer was a little more crispy than I expected, but the dish was otherwise smooth and creamy, very comforting. I did regret not getting the lemon potato as the side, but the rice was fine. It was such a nice atmosphere and a great service. I wish the parking instruction was more clear, as I couldn't really figure out which parking lot the website was talking about. I did go on a very not-busy week day, so I found street parking fine. read more

In the past, I have had Maria's only as take out/catering. I have finally decided to give Maria's an in-store try and it did not disappoint. Their fried pita chips along with their dips are one of my favorite dishes. The texture and flavor are always on point. Apart from the chips and dips (sorry I forgot to take a picture), we ordered their chicken souvlaki, bifteki and pastichio. The chicken was soft and moist, I ordered lemon potatoes as the side and it was not dry as some other places. The bisteki was tender and flavorful. The pastichio was chewy and delighful. Overall we were very satisfied with our dinner choices. The ambiance of the place is alright, as it does seem like a place that's been in business for years. read more

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I come here a lot for family Sunday dinner when we are in the Bayside area. The chef has won top chef & it's very fresh Mediterranean food. The waiters are all very nice & welcoming. The service is great. They will make sure your dining experience is top notch. My favorites are the fried zucchini, Greek salad & grilled octopus! They also give a lot of pita bread which I love. Can never go wrong with pita! Last but not least, dessert! Try the blueberry baklava .. you will not regret it! read more

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