Anthos Restaurant, Delight in Greek Cuisine Experience

While out taking in the sights around Rockefeller Center with my brother and his girlfriend, who were both visiting, we decided to have dinner in the area.  We wanted Greek and started looking up places in the area that might be good.

We decided on Anthos Restaurant located at 36 West 52nd St, between 5 and 6. The restaurant, owned by Donatella Arpaia and Michael Psilakis, offers an amazing Greek Cuisine selection and a wonderful atmosphere.

The location’s design is soft, warm, sophisticated, and inviting. The staff incredibly hospitable and friendly. When we arrived, around 6:00 PM, the restaurant was almost empty. We were seated right away and tended to immediately.

For starters, we ordered to share the Greek Salad and Ricotta Dumplings. The Greek Salad was interesting in that it had elements I had never seen in a Greek salad before, such as beets, broccoli, and other ingredients, but it was still very good.  The Ricotta Dumplings are amazing. A creamy, flavorful treat balanced with spinach and leek, at first bite I closed my eyes and just savored each dumpling as it melted in my mouth. It was a wonderful way to start our meal.  We were also offered fresh breads, with cow’s and goat’s milk butter, olives, fried pita bread, and other little treats, all of which served to really excite us about our main courses.

I ordered a pasta dish that came with strips of thinly cut lamb belly, almost resembling bacon, and escarole. Heavenly.  My brother ordered a chicken dish, his girlfriend the roasted monk fish, and my husband the striped bass. Everyone really enjoyed their meal. The recurring comment was how flavorful every thing was. The use of figs, dill, sauces, cheeses…it was such an amazing culinary experience that we were still talking about it at the end of our evening.

At the end of our meal our server offered us a dish of sweets, “on behalf of the serving staff”, which we thought was so sweet, both in gesture and taste. It was a combination of cookies with chocolate and other sweets, but the most interesting one of all was the key lime cotton candy dish. I have never in my life tasted cotton candy this incredible.

It is a bit pricier than most restaurants we frequent on a regular basis, but then again, this isn’t your average Greek food. It truly should be added to your list of romantic dinner adventures or special gatherings with friends. They have a small but inviting bar. My brother ordered a specialty drink that they did not have on the drink menu, but which they happily made at my brother’s request.

As it got later the restaurant began to get crowded. Keep in mind we also went on a Monday night, so I would highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit on a weekend. The servings are enough, leaving all of us satisfied, and the presentation was artistic to say the least. Overall, an amazing culinary experience of Greek Cuisine.

Check out Anthos Restaurant website for more information. Their online menu differs a tad in content from the one we had at the restaurant, which had more selections. I will happily visit again soon.

Tags: Date Night, food
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