Ithaka
“For a meal, I had the Arni Youvetsi (Lamb cooked in a clay pot with feta cheese and tomato sauce).”
“My husband had the Kotosoupa Augolemono, which he said was the best soup he ever had (see Gourmet G's review); then the lamb stew.”
“If you're REALLY hungry they also have a specialty called Loukoumades which resemble fresh made doughnut holes with honey syrup and walnuts.”
Ithaka
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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When it comes to Greek food I'm a pretty tough critic. Mainly because I grew up on the real stuff, straight from my Ya-Ya's kitchen. Unfortunately I don't get to enjoy that cooking as often as I did when I was a kid, so I'm always in search of a good alternative. Sadly this place didn't make the cut. The only thing that felt authentic was the interior and decor. I definitely felt transported. My friend and I split a ton of smaller plates and all the basics. I just wasn't impressed.
The search continues.
In all my NY trips I pay a visit to this humble Greek restaurant in the upper east side.
The service in nice and ambient is cozy but, most of all, their food is amazing and not pretentious at all.
I always order the feta cheese salad, the Classic spinach philo pastry, and the seafood orzo which is amazing.
And don't forget to pair with Greek wines. Their mineral touch accomplishes the best olive oil flavours in their food.
Stopped by on a Sunday in December for lunch. Place was not busy – chances are you don't need a reservation on weekends. I am not complaining. Decor is nice but just a little dated. Greek music in the background. Our server today was very good.
Food was on average good but not great – so only three stars.
Our table of three shared several small plates. Cold apps included the Tzatziki, the fava puree and a spicy Cretan spread called Tirokafteri. Nice. Good bread which was served with a red pepper/olive oil dipping sauce. Next we went with the Greek sausage which I thought was a little dry, scallops – just OK, gigantes – good, and finally the Tiganites Piperyes – the green peppers stuffed with cheese – again nice. Basically all good but not worth going more than twenty blocks in Manhattan.
For dessert the Reveni cake was good. Coffee and done. Chances are that I will be back to try more of the menu.
I love Greek food. I love lamb. I love seafood. I love everything the Greeks make. So yes, I have a weirdly high standard for Greek food (even though I really don't know anything about the cuisine other than I like what I've had). So this place did not impress me. Service was great though, but it doesn't make up for the food. Sure, they give you a big portion, but the price reflects it too.
Go to Pylos instead. yelp.com/biz/pylos-new-y…
I've walked by Ithaka dozens of times, but I never gave it much thought. For starters, it's on that construction-ridden part of 86th Street which I tend to hurry through, but the more accurate reason I've never tried it is that I always thought you just go to Astoria for authentic Greek dining. After a visit to Ithaka, my opinion has been swayed and it turns out we don't need to cross the river for great Greek after all!
I stopped in early on a Saturday evening and the restaurant was just beginning to fill up. I was quickly seated in the spare, bright and buzzy dining room and after a few minutes and a bit of deciding, a sequence of wonderfully prepared dishes was on the table. I started with saganaki which is of course a stalwart of most Greek menus and it was a standout here. The Greek salad came freshly prepared and well-dressed with what may be some of the best feta cheese I've had – lighter and less salty than the supermarket specials I'm used to, I was told it's homemade and it shows. For my main, I went with the lamb youvetsi which came presented in a clay pot – a flavorful stew with a generous amount of lamb, and orzo in a hearty sauce, and definitely enough for two or more! When the dessert menu came, it was hard to say no… The loukoumades were worth making room for! Piping hot, crisp and just the right amount of sweet, it was a fine finish to an excellent meal.
The restaurant itself is decorated with cool Mediterranean tones and is a pleasant place for a date-type of meal, or even to bring family or larger groups. Service was friendly and attentive, and special thanks to Joshua for diligently helping me order and find some excellent wines by the glass to pair with my meal. Overall, Ithaka is a great choice for a more upscale Greek meal in the neighborhood, and I'd even say worth going out of your way for!
Wonderful Greek food with outstanding service. My friend is Greek and was really happy with the menu selection, food and Greek speaking server who conversed in Greek throughout dinner.
The atmosphere was very nice – And was not crowded. The service was outstanding and friendly – both the sweet waitress and the Greek waiter.
All the food was delicious. What we had:
Tzitziki- this cucumber dip is soooo good.
Tomato and feta cheese salad- also very good
Egg lemon soup- I'm not a soup fan but this reminded my friend of Greek soup made by their mom
Grilled octopus – delicious!
Spanakopita/ spinach pie. A little salty for me.
Thalasino. Mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, mussels) with orzo. Fantastic !
Highly recommend as a nice restaurant for dinner with a date or family.
Great service and atmosphere. Solid food.
Each of the dips we had were amazing, and the pita was flavorful and warm. The Greek salad was pretty good as well.
My shrimp Grecolimano entrée (described on the menu as "jumbo shrimp, baked in a clay pot with fresh tomato, garlic, a splash of ouzo and topped with feta cheese") was a bit underwhelming. There is absolutely no way the shrimp served should be classified as "jumbo shrimp." I do not believe there is any regulation governing proper descriptions of shrimp size, but the menu was very misleading nonetheless. You basically get 5 medium shrimp and a lot of rice in a tomato-based sauce for $25. Not the greatest bargain on earth.
Overall, the size of my entrée (and the misleading description) is what bumped my review down from 4 to 3 stars. If I were to return, I would try the grilled whole fish.
I had walked past this place quite a few times traversing the Upper East Side via 86th St. It always enticed me so we dropped in for dinner last night.
Food: they bring out warm pita to start which was great. We got the spanakopita appetizer (good) and I had the baby lamb with orzo for my entree. The dish was very good and the lamb was tasty and tender. My fiancee's seafood dish was not as good. Each meal was a little on the salty side.
Service: our waiter was fine, but not terribly friendly. Most of the staff was pleasant.
This would be a good casual place for a group that could satisfy many tastes and allow for loud conversations.