Kefi

I've been to Kefi three times and have always loved the food: octopus, sweetbreads, mussels, branzino, pork, swordfish, etc. are all excellent but I have to agree with the previous reviewer that the moussaka is very weird. The description was exact: itlooks like chili, and in my case the potatoes and eggplant were totally absent. Maybe it's a modern take on this classic but I prefer the traditional one. I have to say a word about desserts though, since the yogurt with fruit (very Greek) and the chocolate mousse with halva are both excellent and so is the sorbet.

The reviews in Menupages and NY Magazine enticed us from CT. Lovers of Greek food, it's a family favorite. Not this time. Feeling in the mood for a traditional Greek meal, I ordered the Moussaka. Essentially the presentation resembled chili - - a huge pile of meat, with a bechamel sauce on top - - not baked in a casserole. Thinly sliced potatoes and eggplant were virtually non existent - - I think I counted about 4 slivers of each (and that took some serious searching!). It was plentiful with meat and SALT! Did I receive the bottom of the barrel? Perhaps. (If I hadn't been with another couple, I would have questioned my meal - - not something I choose to do in a restaurant. It's just easier not to return.) Maybe a good Greek dessert will save the meal........but there were none on the menu. Where was the baklava? Instead mundane desserts.......walnut cake.....chocolate cake, no classic desserts. It was easy for all 4 of us to pass on dessert, instead finding a local bakery (which incidentally served baklava!) to top off a disappointing dinner. The dessert elsewhere was the best part of the evening! This is my first review of any restaurant.......It was a huge disappointment!

We had been at Onera many times and loved it. Therefore, we tried Kefi (on a Wed. evening) knowing it was the same owner. The menu was exciting but the service was ultra rushed. Our entrees were served while we were still eating our appetizers. Attempts were made to clear the table while we were still eating. We felt we were getting the "BUMS RUSH". Note....our neighboring table was asked to leave and take their wine with them....they just were taking too much time....maybe 1 hour 10 min.

I'm from Astoria and the land of all things Greek, and can tell you that this Greek restaurant definitely puts itself on the map. These are dishes and names you will recognize, but with a much smoother and updated style. It's not the same Greek food, prepared in the exact same way as every other taverna style restaurant. The meze our party started with was fabulous: Greek salad, spreads, warm feta, grilled octopus, mussels, and sweetbreads - all extremely delicious! Our main course of Branzino, Swrodfish, Lamb Shank, and Pork Medallions, was extremely fresh and incredibly flavorful. We even topped off the night with some excellent desserts - again, names you know, with a slightly updated twist. Some people seem to be in a rotten mood when they write these reviews (yeah, the place is a little tight, but is every place in the city enormous?) but I can tell you that you will definitely be getting some excellent Greek food for an incredible value. I've been here several times, and don't have a bad thing to say.

What's the big deal? This is below-average Greek. Even the talk-about meatballs were unexciting. The dips were the worst part of the meal.

I came in the other night with 2 friends and it was a fabulous experience. The food was outstanding, just exploding with flavor. The dumplings just melted in your mouth. The meatballs were the best in town, and the branzini was excellent. The service was friendly. The dining area is a little tight but it reminded me of a Tavern I visit when I am vacationing in Greece.

I never travel to the UWS, but a friend invited me to Kefi last nite: what a fantastic place!! Tha host sat as very quickly and we god a great cosy table. Our waitress was so professional and nice to advice us: we had the best octopus ever, crispy cod and spreads..the choice couldnt be better! As a main course, she told us about the branzini and the lamb chops: wow, the chops were so tender, the branzini fresh and filet!! We had a white wine, crispy and dry, perfect for a summer nite.. for a great value ( under 60 $) Kefi is a fantastic place, great food, professional and high end service in a cosy setting! Will be back as soon as possible.What a hidden diamond on a UWS! Bdw, the desserts: cheese flan and chocalate mousse were to die for!