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24 | BOROMAG.COM | APRIL 2014 Story + Photos Bradley Hawks FOOD Chef Pete Giannakas It’s All TO ME Greek The Giannakas brothers are the powerhouse duo who have been running one of the most innovative and original Greek restaurants in Astoria for the better part of the past decade. The two men work alongside their mother and father, and the harmony is borderline tangible. Chris runs the front of the house with effortless charisma and charm, while Chef Pete orchestrates delectable and creative spins on traditional Greek dishes. They certainly have lemon potatoes, skewered meats, and plenty of fresh seafood—even a raw bar. Or try their Rock n’ Ribs Wednesdays, featuring a barbecue smorgasboard. But the real magic is found hidden throughout the Greek menu in the recipes often masked with the most deceptively simple names. “I was inspired a lot by our childhood home,” Pete explains. It was his mother’s cupboard that suggested the marriage of java and skirt steak on the Greek Coffee Steak. The beef is dusted with Greek coffee, and served with a skillet of fresh mushrooms and halloumi poutine. It is a little Hawaiian, a little Canadian, a little Greek, and 100% Ovelia. An old favorite, the Lambourghini Burger, has been replaced with a Saganaki Burger. “Everyone started doing pretzel rolls,” laughs Chef Pete, “and so I knew it was time to do something different.” The new burger features a patty of chopped veal, cucumber, fried kefalograviera, and a creamy slathering of Greek yogurt tahini spread, all stacked on a bun of Turkish pide bread. Another Ovelia signature is the Parea—a Greek word referring to a group of friends. What better comrades than a carving board loaded with pork souvlaki, chicken breast, monastiraki bifteki, grilled links of loukaniko, steaming pita triangles, and french fries sprinkled with oregano. Easter in the Greek community is one of the most revered holidays of the year, and Ovelia certainly plans on celebrating it with several specials—possibly even a whole grilled lamb prepared outside. Regardless of what comes from the kitchen, they always offer a broad range carefully edited international wines and liquors, featuring an impressive selection directly from Greece. At Ovelia, the best thing you could possibly say is, “it’s all Greek to me.” Ovelia Psistaria & Bar
 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria
 718-721-7217
 www.ovelia-nyc.com


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