Kefi

I was there the other night with a friend of mine. She had been to the other Kefi and recommended we go there. I loved it . The restaurant although it is large and crowed it was still warm. Our server was very knowledegable of the food and wine. The food was fabulous. We started off with the spreads, and octopus which was so tendor and tasteful, and I had the dumplings with sausage for dinner which was exploding with flavor. the value and portions sizes are the best in town. I definately recommend this place and plan on going back soon.

The broken moussaka is on the menu, in the restaurant and right here on Menupages.

The new Kefi is just not the same. My favorite go-to meal, the broken Moussaka, was taken off the menu. Why? I asked the waitress who said everyone keeps asking for it and has no clue why the mgrs would remove it. My next favorite- the shrimp, orzo, feta. Sadly, the flavor I was so used to just wasn't there. Another amazing restaurant bites the dust after trying to expand.

I've been going to Kefi since I moved to 84th and West End in June 2007. I loved the charm and cozy character of the old spot on 79th and Amsterdam, but I hated the fact that they didn't take reservations or credit cards and wouldn't deliver. The new spot definitely lacks atmosphere, especially at the tables by the bar and on the top level, one flight up from the entry. It's crowded and chaotic. BUT... the portions are still large, the taste and value are still there, and now that they take reservations, book a table in the grotto-like basement, which is much calmer and more refined. If you are looking for elegant Mediterranean food, try Zeytin (up the block) or some of the Greek options in midtown. If you want a comfortable neighborhood spot where you can fill up on rustic fare at reasonable cost, give Kefi a shot.

I am always happy to see another restaurant open up in our neighborhood. However, after reading the online reviews I decided to pickup some dinner from Kefi rather than attempt to eat at the restaurant with my wife and two kids. Very good call. The place is an overcrowded, arrogantly and rudely staffed, mediocre restaurant. Their Grilled Hanger steak was incredibly tough and tasteless both times we tried it. The Grilled Branzino Fish was quite good but their Greek Salad was not. A couple eyed my takeout and commented, "You are the smartest person here". After tasting the steak at home I wasn't so sure but I was not eating in that place. Warning to the owners of Kefi ... The Upper West Side is very hard on mediocre rude restaurants.

Last night I met a friend for what I thought was going to be a great meal in a laidback environment after a stressful day at work. I was sadly mistaken. With the ridiculously cluttered way the restaurant is set up, the owners of Kefi are obviously prioritizing how much money they can make in one night over the comfort of their diners. Not only were we sat right by the front door where we were freezing and had to keep our coats on, but I literally was asked to get up out of my chair every time a server needed to get to the tables behind me. It does not take an experienced NY restaurant goer to know that is absolutely unacceptable. After commiserating with fellow diners who were also hibernating in their coats and in fetal positions in their chairs, my friend and I decided to leave after not getting much sympathy from our waiter, and after the hostess stared blankly back at us after we asked to sit someplace else.

I went to Kefi on 1/31 for a relaxing dinner with a friend. It would have been more relaxing to picnic by the West Side Highway. I know for a fact it is more relaxing to visit the Gristedes across the street. Since my friend had theater tickets, we went at 5:30 on Sat., thinking we probably wouldn't need reservations. We got one of the last tables, right by the door. There were lines of customers coming in the door right next to us all night, and a parade of people squeezing past our table on the other side, including the man who knocked a basket of sweetners off our table and all over the floor. It was also incredibly loud. I thought at least the food would be good. The soup was good, but the mezze plate was really disappointing. Much better at Uncle Nick's. Then, we waited about 15 minutes after our waiter took the check, finally reminding him that we were sitting there waiting for change. I kept wondering why people were lining up to eat here. I realized they must be the same people who wait outside for two hours for brunch at Good Enough to Eat. After living in New York for 12 years, I'd say this is definitely in my top 5 worst dining experiences. Never again.