Thursday, June 27, 2013

Elias Corner




Very disappointing Greek food.  As others have noted, there is no menu, nor will they tell you everything they serve.  We had to ask for sides specifically (as the waitress walked away), and saw delicious items on our neighbor's table that was not offered to us.

The bread was stale, although served charred (a pattern emerges...).  The octopus appetizer, expensive at $17 (though a good portion) was beyond charred to the point that it was bitter.  The appetizer of 3 huge pork sausages was also burnt, but a better match for the high heat.  Juicy sausage, paired well with lemon (as everything is at Elias), but a bit bland and missing many of the Greek elements I was expecting.  Tasted more like traditional Italian sausage.

Our main courses were more of the same.  Burnt, bland food, cooked poorly.  We asked for Lemon Potatoes and Fries.  With less than 15 tables all night (that we could see) they were out of Lemon Potatoes.  Ok, no big deal, we ordered both types of fries (regular and sweet potato) and asked for them well done.  When they arrived, not only were they soggy and oily, but they were clearly thrown in a ball into the flyer, leaving many of them to stick together and remain soggy.  They were not busy, so this was just poor cooking.  I don't think either had any salt or pepper either, which was another theme.

The fish itself was fresh but very bland.  I've been to Greece, and I often eat fresh fish in Astoria so I'm used to and welcome a simple grilled fish accented by lemon (perhaps grilled as I had recently at MP Taverna), salt, pepper, perhaps dash of garlic oil or paprika.  At Elias's the fish is served bland.  Really bland.  My father said it had "no taste".  I'd disagree with him, it tasted once again, burnt.  The salmon fillet (the size of my arm) was so black on the bottom that I thought perhaps the kitchen was full of interns learning to cook.  The Branzino was decent, but also lacking seasoning.

Our waitress did not smile once during our meal, not even when we thanked her in Greek.  Really cold, unfriendly service, pretty much guaranteeing I will not be returning.  They need to improve in almost every facet of the restaurant.