I Travelled to Greece through food.

I travelled to Greece through food. ( Taverna Kyclades) Astoria, Queens. 

I have to thank my good friend Gabriel Sierra for showing me the way to this "Astoria Gem". I'm not one to go to a restaurant because of their famous chef, or based on how fancy they are, however I like to go places where their biggest advertise are people that have enjoyed their food.
We parked in Ditmars Blvd. between 33rd street and 35th street, you will find a conglomeration of cars and people , that is because they are all waiting to get into Taverna Kyclades. It seems that it doesn't matter at what time or day you show up , there will be a wait.

Taverna Kyclades is very rustic with brick walls , wooden table and house ornaments all around that makes you feel comfortable, no pressure, no pretensions as you walk in. Inside the restaurant is very energetic , servers going right and left , hostess trying to get tables ready while joking, smiling and conversing with the customers waiting to be seated. The hostess told me 45 minutes , I was seated in 30 minutes maybe because I kept reminding her how hungry I was every 10 minutes, but she was doing a great job and sit us right away.

Seafood is the main theme in Taverna Kyclades, I may as well say see food is what they are know for. we order a bottle of an assyrtiko from Santorini, rich mineral profile that blends perfectly with seafood and fresh vegetables. The bottle of wine arrived with a delicious half loaf of bread already soaked in very rich olive oil and oregano, just damn delicious , make little sandwiches out of pieces of bread and grilled octopus and you will be in heaven .

Swordfish 

Presentation is rustic but flavors are amazing , it feels like there is an army of grandmothers cooking in the line making every dish just for you, swordfish was smoky, juicy and it was a pretty big portion with a side of buttery vegetable rice, nothing was over seasoned but it was cooked with a home feel to it. 

This restaurant was filled with customers that were coming from as far as Manhattan just to eat authentic Greek food, plenty local customers and big families enjoying a great meal. Taverna Kyclades has a summer feel to it , don't miss visiting this restaurant in a beautiful day with your family or that girl that you want to impress with a non pretentious environment inviting to relax and enjoy. 

Enjoy it ! 

http://www.tavernakyclades.com

Address: 33-07 Ditmars Blvd Astoria, NY 11105 Phone:(718) 545-8666 Prices: $$$$ Hours:   Wednesday hours 12:00 pm–11:00 pm  -  See all Transit: Ditmars Bl/35 St Menu: allmenus.com

Salumi Tapas

Meat, Cheese and wine , that may as well be my diet. I've been to Salumi Tapas plenty of times, and every time I like it more.I always start with one of the meat and cheese boards, very frequently I found my self ordering the spanish board, why? Because it comes with Asiago, manchego cheese and serrano ham, my favorites. Now if you are in the industry you know how expensive cheeses and cured meats are, there for you always get very little in restaurants and you pay a lot to eat it , but in Salumi tapas their boards are priced appropriately and are pleasing to the eye.

I always order the marrow bone with onion jam, the pork belly bocadillo, which is this little messy sandwich ; home baked buns holding slow cooked spiced pork, some cilantro and carrots ( thinking about it makes my mouth water) just succulent. I never forget about the polenta with truffles mushrooms , so creamy , flavorful , earthy and aromatic, this dish will over power other flavors there for I always eat it on its own , or at the end.

My last visit I order plenty of food to need two tables, but I was influenced to try a dish that for some reason I avoided before, the lamb meat balls... O.M.G!!! They are amazing. The lamb meat balls woke up all my taste glands , little sweetness from the meat , I felt a little coriander, cumin, garlic, scallions , I never really asked but that is what I tasted, absolutely a must eat.

I also tried the Brussels sprouts for the first time , see sometimes is not about having something completely different in your menu but doing it better than others, these Brussels sprouts are just better than the average . they are garlicky , salty, caramelized and yes! covered in cheese, under the Brussels  you will find a creamy fine almond pure , the pure its self might appear a little bland but it is meant to be eaten with spoons full of Brussels sprouts.

Just to finish my review Salumi Tapas has a very decent wine list and if you don't know what to order ask for Diego, he is a server whose I-pod you will find playing during his shift in the restaurant, he will always find the right wine for you as well as offering a friendly and attentive service.

Salumi Tapas is located at 5600 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY.