09.19.08
Review of Periyali, Saturday August 2008
35 W.20th St. & 5th/6th Aves., 212-463-7890
Great for: introduction to Greek food, a nice quiet date
I was too stressed out to pick a restaurant, so Midtown Hedge Funder said he’d give me a shortlist and I could pick from there. The sheer number of restaurants in Manhattan is quite overwhelming. Narrowing it down to five or so for a given night is the best balance between overabundance of choice and the guy surprising me with a place I’ve already reviewed or been to and hated (I’m pointing the finger of shame at you, Rayuela, The Smith and Peasant).
MHF had a strawberry champagne cocktail waiting for me when I sprinted in 15 minutes late. I promptly spilled some of it on him. Thankfully, everyone was very kind about getting me to the table without further mishap. For apps we tried the keftekadia saltsa, Greek meatballs stewed in tomato sauce, which were five small crumbly bundles of tastiness and abundant sauce. The calamari was good as well. It came in crispy, small rings with a yummy dipping sauce and a nice salad. We cleaned both plates.
MHF’s lavraki plaki (striped bass) baked with tomatoes, vegetables and garlic could have been cooked less. We both liked it but he felt the spice overpowered the flavor while it wasn’t spicy for me. My kouneli stifado, rabbit stewed in tomato with red wine and pearl onions, was absolutely delicious. I was puzzled to find the rabbit on its bone though. Other than at Falai, I’ve never seen a rabbit dish with any bones. The meat was soft and very similar to chicken, though more tender. I really liked the sauce and there was enough of it for once.
Our half bottle of retsina Malamatina was sour but pretty good. The waitress was nice and helpful. Interestingly, though this is a supposed to be a Greek place, they played all bellydance and Arabic music. Plus the menu seemed kind of Mediteranean/Mideastern, not specifically Greek. I don’t know much about Greek food though. I liked it, and if you’ve not had much Greek food either, I think this is a lovely introduction.
Rating: 7.5
Our cost: $115 ($16 1/2 bottle of retsina)
Noise level: quiet
Chance of walking in: good.
