By: Markos Papadatos, Contributing Editor
The Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill continues to be my favorite Greek restaurant in Long Island, New York, and rightfully so.
It is located on 273 Main Street in Huntington, New York, and it is co-owned by Alex and Olga Moschos.
I was afforded the privilege to dine on August 29 at Neraki and was impressed yet again, with their exquisite traditional Greek cuisine, and the fact that at each visit, there is always something new to try, and it is ideal for the entire family.
I was in awe of their Greek salad, which was comprised of thinly-sliced heard romaine, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, spicy peppers, as well as their own stuffed grape leaves, which they prepare on their own, coupled with grilled chicken, which was tender made it the perfect meal. Even the presentation of each of their dishes was remarkable and creative.
Hand-cut Neraki fries were the quintessential side dish, and owner Alex shared this was the recipe that his grandmother would make the fries for him growing up. As one would say in Greek, “yeia sta heria tis,” which literally translates into “bless her hands,” a common expression in Greek culture, which pays homage to great cooking.
The importance of the Greek and Meditteranean diet was stressed throughout their lengthy menu of food offerings. All of their ingredients were some of the finest in Greek cuisine, and they were not overdone.
This time for dessert, I tried their “Rizogalo,” which translates into rice pudding, and it was a fitting choice for a Greek delight. It was warm, fresh and coupled with cinnamon, and not too heavy.
The Verdict
One cannot say enough great things about Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill in Huntington. The warm atmosphere makes you feel as if you were enjoying a summer stay at an up-scale restaurant on a Greek island. Their staff, from the waiters, waitresses, bartender and owners are extremely professional and courteous, which is all that you could ever ask for in any eatery. They deserve two giant thumbs up.
They were named last year’s winners for “Best Greek Restaurant” by the Long Island Press, and they most recently deserve to be nominated for that coveted title again this year, and subsequently win it.
To learn more about Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill, visit its official website and their Facebook page.
