#InauguralReview @TavernaKyclades #TavernaKycladesAstoria #TerrificTakeoutQueens Since 2000 by #CaterinaSkenderi and #ArdianSkenderi #36-01DitmarsBlvd #Astoria #Queens #NewYork
Thanks to Taverna Kyclades, superior Red Snapper which we absolutely love is not only found in Florida anymore (but read our Florida restaurant reviews here!) but also in NEW YORK CITY, Astoria, Queens to be exact.
The superstar RED SNAPPER!
If you are new to Whom You Know, you need to know pictures are always unedited.
The truth is, it does look exactly this spectacular.
Peachy can only smile like that if she really means it.
It looks like Dorothy is not in Kansas anymore...but she IS in the right part of QUEENS for FISH, you know, YOU REMEMBER, we TOLD you this place should have its own zip code for fish like Saks has theirs for shoes.
Sadly, they closed in Manhattan.
Happily, guess who finally went to Astoria?!
We began with the Kyclades salad: Romaine lettuce, scallions, dill, Feta, olives and pepperoncini. Each element was robust and fresh, and representative of the quality we had grown to know and love ten years ago. We love it when quality does not change.
The assortment of dips, Pikilia, is a standout appetizer that is always inviting and sure to be a crowd pleaser: there is definitely something for everyone on this plate with the hot pita to dip it into:
meet skordalia (eggplant), tzatziki (creamy dill), tirokafteri (spicy feta) and taramosalata (fish)!
If you are as American as Peachy, you might find the Greek names to be challenging even after a decade and a half of eating them but you will find them incredibly easy to love.
The tzatziki and taramaosalata are Peachy's personal favorites but each is fantastic.
From every angle, the grilled octopus is a vision to behold and when you cut into it, you'll discover the perfect tenderness it possesses because of the skillful grilling and premium quality at Taverna Kyclades. It is exactly as magnificent as we remember and this is one dish we were always impressed with here.
When we say here, we mean the old Manhattan location but we also mean the brand as a whole carrying over to this location which preceded it but you know Dorothy lives in Kansas, not Astoria.
Now we have fewer geographic limitations: if you cook it, we will come!
Peachy's Picks span from Boston to Florida and we have waitlists in Europe... (London! Peachy once resided in London. Italy! To name a few...).
We believe in getting green vegetables in and the Sauteed Broccoli Rabe is not only a nutritional triumph, but also a delicious one in a generous size. Some places give you a tiny amount of vegetables but this serving is substantial!
Smile with the Spanakopita!
Can you hear it saying ENCHANTE!?
Again, the truth is it looks this amazing and especially when you see the closeup, you can see the care and attention to detail that Taverna Kyclades employs in crafting this Greek specialty spinach pie. If you don't eat meat or fish, this has your name all over it especially! Of course, it is served hot however when it is 100F outside, Peachy personally thinks this is great even at cooler temperatures.
Tomato sauce and Feta party hard with succulent shrimp to choreograph a dance of dinner called Shrimp Santorini! It awakens your senses on a rainy summer day and really, any time you visit with its layered robust flavors that are so well-married, similar to Caterina and Ardian.
Shrimp Santorini Glamour Shots
When we arrived, Vaggelis Tsakiris, server, was the nicest and had the absolute best hospitality skills. He told us his personal favorites were the Grilled Octopus, the dips that are hard to pronounce but easy to love, and the SWORDFISH.
WE LOVE SWORDFISH!
Many restaurants have the usual suspects like Salmon, Filet of Sole, etc but not all have this steak of the sea, which we adore, and especially adore here.
Swordfish is Ksifias in Greek, and we also applaud both the authenticity in the names on the menu and the English translation for the daft Americans like Peachy that you would think would know by now all of the Greek food names especially considering the amount of time she has spent at Greek restaurants overall!
Every bite of every fish we experienced at Taverna Kyclades was just as perfect as we remembered and their dedication to quality should make anyone else serving us fish in Astoria totally intimidated.
There are very few reasons to leave Manhattan and dine in an outer borough but this venue is in it to win it and based on our first and only experience so far at this location, Taverna Kyclades is the best reason to go to Queens at all thanks to the 25 ounce Swordfish that lords over the competition not only in quality but also in quantity.
Even the lemon potatoes and the fragrant yellow rice are standout performers at Taverna Kyclades in Astoria! Many lesser venues we see "mailing in" the side dishes, but that does not happen here at all.
The beets were Peachy's favorite side dish and the rice was her second favorite.
Not only are the beets delicious, fresh and nutritious, but they are also underrepresented on menus overall.
Ta da, the aforementioned RED SNAPPER!
We count eighteen choices on the menu for fish and if you can only pick one, this was our favorite this visit. In Greek, say Synagrida! Sweet and mild, the Red Snapper will swim into your favorite fish memory with ease and grace as each bite of the moist, flavorful poisson will leave you enraptured.
General Manager Nicholas Kefaliakos showed us he is a superstar fileter of fish:
Nicolas takes real pride in his vocation! Smiles do not lie.
It's even better with Assyrtiko:
Next, we heard the Black Sea Bass exclaim, "Remember me?!"
Yes, we absolutely do remember you and your delicacy is evident once again emblazoned in our culinary memory. And if you are of the ilk pickier than Peachy, and we know you are among our readers, allow us to remind you there are fifteen other main course fish choices on the main menu of Taverna Kyclades Astoria that are not featured in this post that we imagine will equally impress you. Finally, save room for dessert: galaktoboureko!
We are absolutely thrilled to return to Taverna Kyclades!
We can't wait to see what they do next and it is too bad it took Peachy over 17 years to get there in Astoria. It won't take that long again!
Yes, we always only work with the owners.
Yes, we know and love Caterina and Ardian from their previous Manhattan location.
And yes, if we know you and love you and you have proven yourself and are on the phone with Peachy when she is at your venue even if you are four thousand miles away, you can be successful in a review when you have the depth of staff that includes the caliber of server Vaggelis Tsakiris, native of Thesalloniki second largest city in Greece on the right and General Manager Nicholas Kefaliakos, native of Patros, third largest city of Greece on the left!
36-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105
Phone: (718) 545-8666
It was pouring rain but the fish selection is all sunshine.
Maybe Dorothy will leave Kansas again and go to Bayside someday.
Taverna Kyclades is there too.
About Kyclades
Kyclades are a group of islands, known for their wonderful beaches, unique sunrises and of course always tasty food. Visit any Taverna Kyclades location and enjoy fresh fish and tasty Greek food just as if you were on one of those islands.
