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We are located at 287 Central Avenue in White Plains, NY 10606.

The goal of our restaurant is to provide the most authentic Greek family experience possible. This includes of course, the food, the wine, family, friends, atmoshpere, decor, and friendly, welcoming attitude that the Greeks are known for.

this paragraph is only a test to see if my wordpress plugin was configured properly.

I have a cold today so staying home. My 2 daughters are also sick but my wife has eluded the germs thusfar. Let\\\'s hope that she does not get sick like the rest of us because that is a big workload to have to pick up the slack for. ugh


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

greek restaurant

We are located at 287 Central Avenue in White Plains, NY 10606.
The goal of our restaurant is to provide the most authentic Greek family experience possible. This includes of course, the food, the wine, family, friends, atmoshpere, decor, and friendly, welcoming attitude that the Greeks are known for.

this paragraph is only a test to see if my wordpress plugin was configured properly.

I have a cold today so staying home. My 2 daughters are also sick but my wife has eluded the germs thusfar. Let\'s hope that she does not get sick like the rest of us because that is a big workload to have to pick up the slack for. ugh

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Greek Wines – A Gift from The Gods

Do you think people have wondered where the reference to wines being the “nectars of the Gods” comes from? It comes to us from the myths of the ancient Greeks of course where wine was revered as part of many ancient religious festivals known as Bacchanals and where it was a wonder cure all that was also known to restore virility, bestow mortality and revive the dead.

Perhaps this ancient Greek population knew how healthy red wine really is for you and that is why their citizens revered it so much. In fact the reason that many Americans seek out eating in a Greek restaurant such as the beautifully rustic Niko’s Greek Taverna in White Plains, New York is to sample the healthy wines which also have the well-known side effect of making you feel quite euphoric, robust and nicely settled as well.

Greece in general boasts an extensive roster of popular wines that features classic wines from Nemea, Pelopponese and other famous parts of the country especially in the southern part. These delicious wines feature grapes grown in salty seaside air on mountain slopes. The finest Greek wines are made of different Greek grape types such as mavrodaphne,moschofilero, agiorgitiko, assyrtiko, moscato and xinomavro and you can sample them in restaurants like Niko’s where the management goes to the trouble of collecting the very best Greek Wines possible.

Dionysus – The Greek God of Wine.

They say that whenever you drink red wine you are getting in touch with the spirit of the Greek God Dionysus. He is the ancient Greek God of the grape harvest and the ruler of madness, ecstasy, festivals, celebrations, dining well and the theater.  Aside from grapes and a big goblet of wine he was also thought to rule over with Satyrs – the mythological half man, half goat creatures that were known for being overly romantic.

Once you get over the drama, the romance and the exaggerations in the Greek myths you come to know that in the end, drinking red wine is about what it always has been – celebrating and having a good time with your loved ones!

The Famous Wines of Greece

If Dionysus had wines he preferred back then they would have probably been wines that come from the Pelopponese region that has a history of wine cultivation that goes back as far as 7,000 years.  The wines made here come from seaside vineyards that are located on the slopes of nearby mountains. A couple amazing ancient grape varieties, known as the Agiorgitiko and the Moschofilero come from this area.

Argolida is a area in the northeast part of the Pelopponese that is also known for excellent wine made from Agiorgitiko grapes.  The Meden Agan, which was created in 1979, is now one of the most famous contemporary wines in foodie history.

In Mantinia which is at a higher elevation than Nemea there are fertile plateaus at 600 meters above sea level that produces fine wines made from at least 85% Moschofilero grapes.  One highly renowned products of these nectars is a wine named Cambas.

More modern wines come from the region of Nemea which is in the southern part of the country. It is famous for the Agiorgitiko grape which is grown in a mountainous zone vinyards.  Nemea is one of the oldest locations in ancient Greece and a place where many bacchanals were held in honor of the Greek God Dionysus.

There are many more vineyard areas in Greece that historically supplied a nectar to humans that was also fit for Godly consumption.

You may know that olive oil was also considered to be one of the nectars of the Greek Gods. No wonder red wine just seems to go down so well with so many of the great tapenades, salads, bakery products that are associated with traditional Greek cuisine.

If you enjoyed this article then check out the website of the best Greek Restaurant in Westchester County, NY maybe even the world by clicking on the link in this sentence.  You may also visit their blog over here: Greek Restaurant.

Olive Oil – From Greece To the World

 Olive oil is a staple in Greek culture and food. Greek food was constructed on olives and olive oil. Greece is home to more types of olives than any other country. From Kalamata to Peloponessos, no matter the variety, you can be sure you will be getting a different and exquisite experience each time you bite into a Greek olive.

                                           

From all these wonderful olives comes olive oil - an olive oil so wonderful, that the Italians actually used to buy it from the Greeks. Olive oil is used extensively in Greek cooking, and it is also wonderful to drizzle over salads, dip bread in, and use in stews.  

People eat more of the delicious oil in Greece than any country in the world - about 26 liters per person, every year. Just to compare, people in Italy and Spain eat an average of 14 liters a year per person.

Health Benefits of Greek Olive Oil

All of this olive oil is perhaps one reason that Greeks often remain so healthy - olive oil has a staggering amount of health benefits. Olive oil has a component that is called monounsaturated fatty acid, which can reduce your cholesterol. Antioxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin E also can help prevent heart disease, increase digestion, reduce inflammation and even help fight colon cancer. And, it tastes good too! It's no surprise that olive oil is such a popular ingredient in Greek food.

Olive Oil Has A Special Place in Greek Mythology

The goddess Athena planted the olive tree as a way to get in good with the people of Acropolis. Acropolis quickly became known as the birthplace of olive oil. While the Armenians and Egyptians were aware of the olive tree, the Greeks were the first to pioneer the full scale cultivation of the olive into olive oil, between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC.

According to mythology, the goddess Athena created the olive tree to grow up so that she could win the favor of the inhabitants of Acropolis. Hence, the Acropolis is always depicted with an ancient olive tree growing on it.

Olive Trees Are Revered In Greek Culture and Families

In many Orthodox religion, olives and olive oil were a symbol of peace and love. These were a part of many religious rites, such as baptism. Olive trees are planted when a child is born, as a symbol of something that will grow and develop like the child will. When children grow enough and start school at age seven,  the trees start producing olives.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The Best Greece Has To Offer

There are many kinds of olive oil, used for different things. Extra virgin olive oil has always been known to be the best class of Greek olive oil. It is used on salads for dressing, for dipping bread into, and sometimes for simmering at low heat. It is made mechanically instead of being chemically created, and is known to have the best taste of any olive oil. When extra virgin olive oil is heated, it can lose its flavor and start to break apart, so it is not generally used in cooking. Extra virgin olive oil is the least acidic of any kind of olive oil.

Virgin olive oil has slightly more acidity, but still a tiny amount; and is still thought to have a good taste. Olive oil is refined and usually chemical extracted from the olives. This is the form of olive oil usually used in cooking.

Different olives create different flavors in olive oils, and most Greeks have their favorites. No matter what type of olive oil you choose, though, you can't go wrong. Olive oil lends a delicious and polished taste to almost any dish. Greek food would not be Greek.

If you enjoyed this article then check out the website of the best Greek Restaurant in Westchester County, NY maybe even the world by clicking on the link in this sentence.  You may also visit their blog over here:  Greek Restaurant.

Westchester Lunch Spots – The Best Sandwich Maker I Know

Normally, I don’t do this.  I hardly ever do a restaurant critique because I own Niko's Greek Taverna, which is also in White Plains.

Today, my wife had a craving for a sandwich from Melt on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains so I told her to call in the order and I would pick it up.

I drove home, which took approximately 30 minutes, and totally devoured the sandwich.  It was so good that I am now inspired to tell you a little bit about this place.

I have probably eaten at MELT about 20 to 25 times now since they opened less than a year ago.  I am friendly with the owner but I don’t know his name, I just call him as “Chef."This guy is an expert sandwich maker.

I have frequented delis and restaurants since I was a child.  My family operated the Purchase Deli for years until it was sold last year. My aunt also ran 2 delis in Cennecticut.  Even so, no one makes a sandwich like my friend Chef.  Believe you me, this man can cook.

Let me tell you what makes his sandwiches so great.  I put sauces such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ, Tabasco, mayo and steack sauce on everything I eat.  By the way, it drives Stacey crazy when I dip her cooking into a condiment….She thinks it's insulting.

Anyways, the sandwiches.  Sandwiches are my favorite food, just like they were for Joey from Friends.  Melt utilizes a good step by step ordering process.  You start by choosing one of the "smoked on premise" meats.  Then you figure out which of Chef's sauce/topping combos you want.  Lastly, you chose what bread you want it on.

I typically get the Brown Sugar Rubbed Brisket with BLT topping on a wedge; it's a more recent menu addition. There is also chopped iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber slices on top.My wife, Stacey, always orders the Turkey Melt Mac. It is soooo good!  My brother would call it a classic "fat boy" sandwich.  The bacon is chopped up really fine like bacos and mixed into the mayo.  . It also comes with chopped iceberg lettuce, sliced cucumbers, and tomatoes.  Just imagining it, my mouth starts watering!
The Turkey Melt Mac is my wife, Stacy's, favorite sandwich.  It’s Chef’s version of McDonald’s special sauce.  My wife is always very picky about food, but she can't get enough of this sandwich.  There are a few times, during each month, that she gets a craving for it.

So, see my homie Chef; let him know that Niko gave you the recommendation.  You won't be sorry!  I'll bet that I have already created ten new regular customers.  I can't stop myself.  When I find something to be delicious, I pass the word on to everybody I see.

If you enjoyed this article then check out the website of the best Greek Restaurant in Westchester County, NY maybe even the world by clicking on the link in this sentence.  You may also visit their blog over here: Greek Restaurant.

Greek Restaurant - The Benefits of Greek Food

Anyone who has ever been to Greece will smile knowingly each time the topic of Greek food is brought up. There is nothing like Greek meals any place else in the world. Filled with the freshest of greens, unencumbered by spices that hide the flavor of the components, and full of beef and lamb dishes that can tempt any palate, there is something in Greek delicacies that will tempt anyone.

One of the simplest ways to get a feel for Greek meals is by understanding the food that makes up most of its dishes. Olives are everything in Greece. There are so many forms of olives, that the Greeks like to say that saying you don't like olives is like saying you don't like candy: should you not love one variety, there are lots of other ones to decide on. From black olives to green, Kalamata to Peloponessos, there is an olive for everybody. In addition, when you think of olives, you have to think of olive oil, and this is an important part of Greek cuisine as well. In fact, olive oil is used in cooking almost all foods, and is used as salad dressing or garnish on other dishes as well.

Bread Is a Highlight at Greek Meals As Are Fruits and Vegetables Great Greek bread is normally served at each meal, and is dipped in olive oil or the sauce of whatever you had for dinner. Local bakeries prepare fresh, hot breads of all types and flavors.

Fruits and vegetables are always served fresh; the Greeks take great pride in their fruit and vegetables. Tomatoes are the main ingredient with many dishes. It can often come steamed with meat or rice and onions, or sometimes is just cooked plain with olive oil. They are very popular when they are even mixed with flour and egg, deep fried and called "tomato-keftedes."Green peppers are another popular choice of Greek cooks. They too can be stuffed with either rice or beef, or grilled with olive oil and eaten plain.

Potatoes are an ever popular ingredient in Greece. They are found in stews, and are often made roasted with olive oil, onion, garlic, lemon, salt, pepper, and oregano. Potatoes deep fried in olive oil are often prepared as a side dish. The Greek people make liberal use of garlic and onion in their food. Fresh fruit, including figs, is a common dessert.

Greeks are traditionally big meat eaters. You name it they eat it. Lamb, beef, pork, chicken, and even goat and rabbit are all consumed regularly. Meat is often made into a stew with garlic, onions and potatoes.

Lamb Is Perhaps the Most Popular Meat Choice in Greece

Roast lamb is the meal of choice for Easter. Roast lamb and potatoes are a popular Sunday evening meal, and open flame grilled lamb chops are popular anytime. Being on the Mediterranean Sea, it only makes sense that seafood is popular as well. Calamari, sardines and smelt are some of the affordable fish eaten. Lobster is perhaps the highest priced. Before you eat fish in a Greek establishment, you will often be encouraged to go back into the kitchen to inspect the fish and make sure it is fresh. It is there that you can decide what you want to eat for dinner. Octopus, mussels, shrimp and cod are other common Greek seafood choices.

For dessert, baklava, which is made from dough called phyllo, is the most popular. Baklava is made with nuts, honey, and sugar, and is a layered pastry.

Greek food offers something for everyone. It is also a very healthy diet, mostly because of the liberal amounts of olive oil in it. People of Greece, who eat the traditional Greek foods, have been known to live on average quite a bit longer than inhabitants of other countries. Greek food is tasty and good for your health and you won't find a better combination than that.

If you enjoyed this article then check out the website of the best Greek Restaurant in Westchester County, NY maybe even the world by clicking on the link in this sentence.  You may also visit their blog over here: Greek Restaurant.