By: Markos Papadatos
On December 20, I had the pleasure to dine at Santorini Restaurant, a Greek restaurant in the heart of Merrick, New York.
It is a family-owned Greek restaurant that is located four blocks north of Sunrise Highway. It has been around for over 23 years, and this year they earned their third “Best of Long Island” nomination in the “Best Greek Restaurant” category.
The owner noted that it was named after his “favorite place in Greece,” the mystical island of Santorini, which is known for its “amazing landscape.”
Their lemon chicken soup with rice (“avgolemono”) is a popular offering as their daily soup, and their “Lavraki,” or Mediterranean sea bass “Bronzino” is their most popular seafood dish, the latter of which is served with Greek salad, rice pilaf and vegetable of the day. For patrons over the age of 21, a glass from their wide selection of wines is ideal.
Due to its elaborate menu, at Santorini, there is always something new and different to try at each visit. Their gyro sandwich consisted of sliced lamb and veal that was served on pita break, coupled with lettuce, tomato, onions and tzatziki sauce. It was served with a side order of lemon potatoes, both of which arrived in a swift fashion.
They have an array of traditional Greek desserts including baklava, “yiaourti me meli,” which translates into Greek yogurt, “rizogalo” or rice pudding, “kataifi” (shredded wheat stuffed with walnuts, topped with honey syrup), as well as “galaktobureko” (custard in filo dough with honey syrup).
The Verdict
Overall, Santorini Greek Restaurant in Merrick, New York, is a pleasant restaurant to dine. All major credit cards are accepted, and catering is available for any occasion. The staff and owners are extremely friendly, thus showcasing their Greek hospitality. It garners 4.5 out of 5 stars.
For more information on Santorini Greek Restaurant, check out their official website.
