Daily News Review
It's All Greek (and great) to us
Tempting Souzoukakia at new Greek eatery
This city loves Greek food. On Quinpool Road alone, we have the Spartan, the immensely popular Athens and the excellent Greek Village. Who would think there's room for another? In mid-September, It's All Greek to Me decided to find out in the former l...
Read Moreocation of The Nail and Kneecap.
I had driven and biked by several times noting that it's awfully busy for a new restaurant. I could wait no longer to find out why.
The door is opened for us as my pal and I approach: turns out the young man who exuberantly greets us is Jimmy Zelios, one of three co-owners. He proudly announces that my companion was his high school math teacher years ago. He obviously learned his numbers well. I mumble my first name in introduction, hoping my cover hasn't been blown.
I feel like I've entered a taverna on a Greek island. The two rooms have white stone walls with bright blue trim; there's a bar of wood and stone, and new tile flooring. The tables, with seats for about 60, have blue tablecloths. There are two huge windows and a fireplace on the far wall.
Our cheery young server knows and loves the menu. She brings us a Greek red wine called Boutari ($17 half litre). It's a bit thin but nice. She also brings a basket of warmed bread flavoured with oregano and olive oil.
Impressive menu
The menu is impressive and unlike any other in town. There are more than 25 appetizers, so we take our time and finally settle on sharing three. Souzoukakia ($5) is our favourite. There are five small seasoned and grilled meat patties. Much like the Lebanese Kefta, they are delicious. Gigantes ($4) are large and soft lima beans in a flavourful tomato sauce. We don't leave a drop. The Kopanisti ($5) is the least enjoyable. This dip of feta cheese, roasted red pepper and olive oil, served with pita bread, is fine but filling. Perhaps this rich dip is best shared among more people.
For entrees the menu includes the usual Moussaka and Pastichio, but also features several grilled meats and fish. My companion has the Solomos Skaras ($18), fresh grilled salmon. For one dollar extra, he substitutes a Horiatiki Salad for rice and potatoes. The salad is a colourful and fresh mix of tomatoes, cucumber, excellent black olives and chunks of quality feta. The large portion of fish is perfectly grilled with lemon and olive oil.
I choose the Paithakia Arniou ($24), rack of lamb. A generous serving arrives atop a heap of roasted potatoes and rice. (Hand-cut fries are another choice.) The lamb is cooked medium rare as requested. While it is tender and tasty, I find it very delicately flavoured. The rice and potatoes have a hint of lemon. There is also a serving of the vegetable of the day - peas in a tomato sauce. Peas shouldn't taste this good.
Since we're too full for dessert - there are five temptingly decadent offerings - we plan to return. It's been a lovely meal and it is all Greek: the decor, the music and the food.
The Halifax West Clayton Park Weekly News
When Amy Aalders and Jimmy Zelios decided to open It's All Greek To Me, they wanted their restaurant to offer a more sophisticated level of dining to the Quinpool Road area.
Greek restaurants seem to come and go in Halifax, but this latest offering may have something the others lack.
Since opening o...
Read Moren Sept. 17, It's All Greek To Me, located at 6196 Quinpool Rd., has been bustling with customers.
"It's been completely overwhelming. We were expecting a gradual progression, but it's been packed every night," said Zelios.
The secret of their success? Both owners say they wanted to offer the experience of downtown dining in the west end.
"There are a lot of great restaurants in the downtown core, but we wanted to open something a little bit more neighbourhood-focused," said Zelios. "We're not diner-style, but we're not fine-dining, either. Ideally, everyone from students to local residents should feel welcome here."
The menu offers a plentiful selection of Greek morsels such as octopus, calamari, moussaka and paithakia arniou (rack of lamb). Prices are across the board, ranging from $4 to $24, depending on the size of one's appetite.
"Everything on our menu is homemade," said Aalders. "Our chef, Helen Kapsales, is from Greece, and she insists everything be made from scratch."
Kapsales is also co-owner.
The location was previously home to The Nail and Kneecap, and has been transformed from a traditional English pub to a clean and crisp Mediterranean-style eatery.
Zelios describes the culinary style of the restaurant to be on par with the restaurant's decor.
"Our style is simple and fresh. Our food is uncomplicated and not made with heavy sauces. We tend to grill many of our dishes, and use a lot of lemon and olive oil. It is very crisp and healthy eating."
So far, Aalders and Zelios are thrilled with the customer feedback and plan to stick to their recipe for success.
"Our space is small, we can only seat 50 people, but we have no plans for expansion. We are happy with what we have and want to keep it cozy and thriving," explained Zelios.
"People work hard all day long and we want them to know that if they come here they can sit back, relax and let us take care of them," he added with a warm smile.
ntrask@dal.ca