Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill
273 Main St. Huntington, NY 631-385-3473
Critic rating:
No question, this is one striking restaurant. Decorated in the deep crystal blue of the Aegean, its tasteful contemporary interior is hung with oversize photos of Greece — close as I'll get, for awhile, to climbing the Acropolis. And the house specialty is whole fish, the price of which usually hovers a little below or above the $20 mark -- a real value when compared to the price at fancier Greek restaurants.
Hours: Lunch, Monday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner, Monday to Wednesday, 3 to 10 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, 3 to 11 p.m., Sunday, 3 to 10 p.m. Ambience: Very Good Service: Good Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible.
Photo credit: Heather Walsh | Tsipoura, freshly caught porgy, grilled on charcoal served whole at Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill in Huntington. (July 16, 2011)
The sea, the sky, the clouds, the sand. These are the Greek island hues of the strikingly decorated Neraki Mediterranean Grill. Whatever the weather may be in Huntington, you've got a view of the cool blue Aegean.
Chef and co-owner Alex Moschos is a frequent presence in the dining room, where he explains the fish and meat on display in a showcase. His is a market-driven menu.
The house specialty is whole fish, the price of which usually hovers a little below or above the $20 mark -- a real value when compared to the price at fancier Greek restaurants.
GREEK GIFTS
If you've never before had octopus, you owe it to yourself to try the tender, smoky, lemony tentacles here. Grilled loukaniko (Greek sausage) is similarly smoke-infused.
Spinach pie proves flaky, its interior bright and savory. I take home leftovers and eat it cold the next day. So very good.
One dinner starts with a pikilia (a three-spread assortment) featuring an airy, briny taramasalata (carp-roe mousse), garlic-infused hummus (chickpea spread) and lively melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant dip).
The smallest, least-expensive of the whole fish is grilled porgy, with lemon slices tucked inside. Somehow, I finish it all -- crisp, smoky skin and delicate flesh. But I do take time out to taste my companion's Greek meatballs, which are moist, flavorsome.
Another time, a friend's chicken souvlaki (grilled skewered chicken) wakes me up with its lemony zing. A grilled pork chop, from the specials board, turns out to be juicy, informed with the flavor of the grill. House-made fries (actually thin potato chips) are appealing accompaniments.
Ending the meal on a pleasingly sweet note: galaktoboureko, phyllo-wrapped vanilla pudding.
GREEK GAFFES
A friend and I share a whole grilled white snapper, neither of us able to find a hint of flavor. A side dish of green beans with tomatoes is overcooked to grayness. Otherwise-fine lemon potatoes are drenched in oil.
BOTTOM LINE
A welcome addition to the ever-changing Huntington mix.
Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill is a family owned and operated business specializing in the true Greek Mediterranean way of eating. As the owner and chef, I feel it’s important not to be held hostage by a set menu. Bringing my customer the best products on the market has allowed me to achieve my goal of serving the best Greek food has to offer. We are located in the center of Huntington Village in between New York Ave. & New St. I learned these Greek cooking traditions from my grandmother, who in Greece would wait every day to hear the farmer, who was selling fresh produce from his truck, ring a bell or yell out he was in the town square. She then would go out and see what he had on his cart and buy the freshest ingredients available that day and cook the day’s meal. When I think about her poking and prodding the vegetables, meats, and fish all the while bartering for the best price it brings warmth to my heart. That is why our menu will constantly be changing on a day to day basis. I feel it is important to adhere to this type of buying and cooking tradition. We will accomplish this by doing all of the buying ourselves and personally inspecting our fish, meats and produce before it makes it into our kitchen and onto your plate. At Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill, an owner will always be on premise to make sure your dinning experience is all you expected it to be. We want you to feel like you are coming into our home.
Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill
