72 The Queens Courier • BUZZ • march 7, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com dining out A new generation of Greek at Thymari By Bradley Hawks A love affair with Astoria’s food scene would be incomplete without an appreciation of the neighborhood’s rich Greek tradition. Bringing that tradition into a contemporary light comes Thymari. The menu at Thymari, which means thyme, is peppered with the standard glossary of Greek cuisine: dolmades, feta, saganaki, spanakopita, and kalamata. But the chef carefully applies subtle nuances to the seemingly familiar recipes. The shrimp saganaki appears as a clay dish lavishly arranged with jumbo prawns in a robust vine-ripened tomato sauce with sequins of scallion and snowdrops of feta. The hint of anise comes from masticha, an oil drawn from raisinlike berries found in Northern Greece. An entirely different saganaki—this time as expected, with cheese—encrusts a delicately mild Arahova feta with sesame seeds, which is pan-fried, then ribboned with a sash of wild berry compote. Owner Konstantinos Batalamas designed the restaurant with one of his childhood friends from Greece. It spans from a sunny open-front café and bar to an expansive, dramatically lit dining room which also doubles as a photography gallery. A few flavorsome newcomers pop up, like a bouquet of mussels in a golden broth of krokos (Greek saffron). The Thalassinon orzo is studded with thyme-kissed medallions of shrimp and mussels in a rich tomato reduction. A Greek spin on chicken pot pie, kotopita, layers flaky country-style phyllo THYMARI 32-07 34th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106 718- 204-2880 Tuesday-Friday, 5pm to close Saturday, Sunday, 11am to close stuffed with spiced chicken and peppers in a creamy béchamel. Whole branzino (Mediterranean sea bass) is butterflied, seared, and served on a pedestal of roasted new potatoes, arugula, cherry tomatoes, capers, shallots, and olives shimmering in olive oil and lemon zest. Weekend brunch is heightened with a gorgeous strapatsada omelet, as well as traditional Greek sweet bread nuanced into French toast, served with a whipped dollop of homemade chocolate hazelnut Greek yogurt. Try a bellini with pressed sour cherry juice for a refreshing brunch bubbly. Desserts shine with a stemless martini glass of Greek custard made from homemade, strained, and whipped yogurt draped with a luxurious walnut amaretto caramel. And the classic baklava is practically unrivaled, even in this neighborhood. Thymari also boasts the largest selection of Greek wines anywhere in the area, with over fifty bottles, as well as a playful mix of cocktails, including a baklava martini. Acoustic pop and rock on Thursdays and Fridays turns the scene into a destination. Check the website for a schedule of upcoming artists. View Over 200 Reviews at queenscourier.com Serving Gourmet Italian & American Cuisine Established 1974 of the 2012 Celebrate Easter With Us! RESERVATIONS FOR ALL YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS 4 Course Dinner including Wine & Soda $31.00 Per Person (plus tax & tip) Catering up to 100 people IT’S RESTAURANT WEEK EVERY WEEK! 4 Course Complete Dinner $25 Per Person PARMIGIANA NIGHT 3 COURSES per person Daily Reduced Price Specials Live Music Every Thursday 110-80 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills 718.520.1123 Sun. thru Thurs. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. • Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 12 midnight LUNCH SERVED: Mon. thru Sat. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com $13 95 Every Monday & Tuesday EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $1695 Monday-Thursday from 3–6PM Seniors 65 +!!! Tuesdays get 10% off Wine & 5% off Spirits – any quantity!!! (Not combinable with other coupons or discounts.) The Largest Selection of Fine Wines & Spirits on Long Island Young’s Fine Wines & Spirits 505 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY (less than a mile from Macy’s in Manhasset) 516-627-1234 FREE Gift Wrapping • Gift Baskets Made To Order $2 OFF Any in-store purchase of Before tax. Not combinable with other coupons. Good only on non-sale items. **While supplies last. All items subject to inventory depletion. Not responsible for typographical errors. $899 Stone Cellars Merlot $1699 $19.99 Montinore Pinot Noir $3499 $3699 $2599 $2199 $1399 $10.99 $46.99 $29.99 $26.99 $16.99 $39.99 1.5L 750 ml Napa Angel Cabernet George Dickel 750 ml 750 ml 1L 750 ml 1L $20 or more. Good Thru 3/20/13. SALE DATES: 3/7/13 – 3/20/13 Rye Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon Jamesport Riesling Hendrick’s Gin Shop Online at www.youngswines.com
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