If you’re anything like me, when you think of Greek food, you’re mostly drawn to the typical Gyros and fries offered at the standard fast-food Greek restaurant in NYC. However, at Avlee Greek Kitchen in Carroll Gardens, they are serving up more than just the typical Greek fast food. Instead, this intimate, 25-seat restaurant offers an elevated, modern Greek menu with a wide range of options to please every palate from vegetarians to gluten free diners and beyond.
I was truly impressed with my dinner at Avlee last week. For starters, the food was both flavorful and fresh thanks to Andrew Poulos, the owner at Avlee who is also a Carroll Gardens native. One of Andrew’s mission at Avlee is to serve fresh and authentic Greek food. To do just that, Andrew ensures peak freshness of everything offered on the menu by making daily 3:00 am trips to the fish and vegetable market because using frozen ingredients at Avlee is a big “no-no”.
While my entire meal was fantastic, it was especially highlighted by the Yemista, which is lucky tomatoes, stuffed with rice, veggies, and herbs. My dining partner really enjoyed the Spanakopita, which is spinach with three cheese, cremini mushroom in phyllo and we both agreed that the cold spreads were also delicious, with the Tirokafteri (feta cheese, bell peppers, jalapeno,) being my favorite. Despite being completely stuffed, we managed to try a couple of desserts with the Baklava being our favorite.
If you’re ever in the area, I recommend that you definitely give Avlee a try.
Check out some pictures from my visit to Avlee Below.
Cold Spreads served with warm pitas and sliced cucumbers.
Fava Mani – Chick pea, garlic, lemon, tahini, cumin
Tirokafteri – Feta cheese, bell peppers, jalapeno, cayenne
Tzatziki – Yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic
Dolmathes – Hand rolled grape leaves, rice, vegetables, herbs, spices
Keftethakia – Beef pork meatballs, pan fired with tomato basil sauce
Spanakopita – Spinach, three cheese, cremini mushroom in phyllo
Yemista – Lucky tomatoes stuffed with rice, veggies, herbs, spices
Lemon Potatoes
Spanakorizo – sauteed spinach, rice, onion, dill
Gigandes – White beans basked in an onion tomato dill sauce
Galaktoboureko – Vanilla paste semolina layered with phyllo
Baklava – Walnuts & almonds wrapped in phyllo, honey syrup
Avlee Greek Kitchen
Where: 348 Smith Street
Cuisine: Greek, Casual
Cost: $25 per person AmEx, Disc, MC, V
Cross street: between Carroll and 2nd Sts
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-10pm Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm Sun: 11am-9pm
Menu here
Recommendations: Cold Spreads, Greek Meatballs and the Spanakopita. Also, sample the Greek wine, beer or sodas with your meal. Also order some Greek fries!
*While my meal was complimentary, the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
