Peachy Picks Rafina
It's not who you know, it's Whom You Know and we are psyched to say we now know Denis Spilios, and also his red snapper which was so fresh Peachy almost thought he caught it right out of the beautiful fountain behind him right before she arrived.
Rafina was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
The outstanding cuisine, the gorgeous atmosphere and the genuine hospitality of the staff make Rafina one of Manhattan's best-kept secrets and definitely now a Peachy's Pick, and we think you all ought to make a reservation for tonight, or the next night you are in Manhattan!
At the suggestion of our host, we sipped the splendid Amethystos 2008 from Drama, Greece.
Peachy Deegan is not yet an expert on Greek wines but she is well on her way...
It was smooth and full and had a nice finish. It was versatile as well as it was a lovely complement to a wide array of dishes sampled by our panelists.
We have heard tremendous things about the octopus at Rafina, and now that we've tried it, we can verify it is true. Many places do not do justice to this sea creature and this photo does not do justice to this octopus in particular. Rafina makes the best octopus that we have tried, period. The Octapodi Scharas: Octopus in red wine marinade, charcoal grilled and served hot, was succulent, fresh and tender. The quality of the octopus, its consistency, and the fact that they grilled it to perfection make this the octopus to beat in Manhattan.
This is the appetizer you want to order and is a complete delicacy.
Our table shared the Kolokithakia Tiganita: fresh zucchini fried and served with a garlic creamy spread. This is absolutely addictive if you are a fan of anything crispy paired with garlic, and Peachy wishes she was eating it right now:
Unlike lesser places, Rafina has truly crisp zucchini and a fabulous consistency to the dip.
The slices were sliced just right: not too thick, not too thin.
Continuing along the seafood theme, Peachy opted for the red snapper for her main course.
Not since the Branzino at San Pietro has Peachy had a fish worth bragging about this much.
If you see how wide that fish has his mouth, you should have seen Peachy's mouth once it was filleted. In fact, once it was Peachy and her fork got down to business before a picture was even taken. The Red Snapper, Synagrida in Greek, was flaky, moist and literally melted in your mouth. The pure size of it was impressive and Peachy could not eat all of it at once.
It was joined by some perfectly cooked rice and marinated string beans which were the perfect sides to this total winner. Miguel and Melinda were gracious hosts as well as Dennis of course, and everyone we encountered was totally on the ball at Rafina.
The people that reside around 1st avenue and 37th street have got it made in the word of dining!
Don't just listen to Peachy...the esteemed panel says:
Greek cuisine is usually not my first choice when going out to eat. After this week, however, all that has changed. I had the great pleasure of dining at Estiatorio Rafina this week, and I am already looking forward to my next visit. The evening began with a warm welcome from the Rafina staff. Their friendly service lasted throughout the night and created a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere that can be very difficult to find in a New York restaurant.
My meal began with the Pantzaria Scordalia. This appetizer consisted of fresh beets and onion tossed in a delicious vinaigrette served with a mouth-watering, homemade garlic spread. I love beats, and this dish did not disappoint! It was so fresh and tasty. I made the other people at my table try it, and even the ones who do not like beets were raving! For my main course, I had the Solomos, or fresh salmon steak. The fish was so tender and flaky. It practically melted in my mouth. You could easily tell that Rafina makes sure to use only the freshest of fish. It was one of the best salmon steaks I have ever had.
Charcoal grilled with olive oil and a lemon-herb sauce and served with succulent sautéed potatoes and green beans with tomato, this dish is hard to beat! Finally, when I thought it couldn't get any better, we were served three fantastic desserts. The baklava was probably the best I've ever tasted. It was a perfect pastry, and not too sweet, as you'll often find. The Greek doughnuts covered in honey and walnuts were out of this world, and should not be missed! Finally, the chocolate mousse was absolutely superb - a classic dessert perfected by Rafina. The next time you are wondering where to have dinner, don't give it another thought! Head directly to Rafina's! You will be so glad you did!
Ever feel like when you're walking around the city with the hustle and bustle you just sometimes want to escape to a serene beautiful place? Well you don't have to go far when you go visit the wonderful Rafina restaurant. As soon as you step into the Greek restaurant, you're surrounded by beautiful decor and very nice staff to greet you. If it's a nice night out, head to the back onto the patio where you can sit by a fountain as you enjoy your meal and escape to a greek island. In addition to the beautiful atmosphere and decor, indulge in their heavenly greek food.
For an appetizer, the "Keftedakia", or Greek style meatballs are very juicy and flavorful. I was really pleasantly surprised at how many meatballs you get with the appetizer. If you want to go with something more traditional, try their Kolokithakia Tiganita which is fresh zuchinni frieed and served with a garlic creamy spread. The zucchini was so fresh and the breading wasn't too heavy and had just the right amount of crisp to it. To make it even better, the creamy garlic spread added a nice flavor that just pops out at you when you take a bite into it.
For your main course, if you have a craving for steak, you won't be disappointed with their prime aged sirloin steak. This entree came out with rice and vegetables which were so good; and to top it off, the steak was seasoned just right and melted in your mouth with tenderness. From the friendly wait staff catering to your every need, to the succulent food from Greece, this is one restaurant you don't want to miss out on!
Rafina's Greek restaurant offers authentic Greek cuisine with the freshest seafood available in Manhattan. The food bursts with as much flavor and zest as the restaurant owner Denis who is one of the best personalities we have encountered. With one single seafood and meat supplier for over 20 years, it's no surprise Rafina's has been in business for so long.
As an appetizer the Loukanika Laconia, or Greek sausage, tasted like a one way ticket to Greece. The portion size was excellent to share for a table of 4 or makes for an excellent entree as well. As a main course I had the Garides "Rafina" which was a delicious take on shrimp casserole.
The fresh tomatoes and feta cheese made this dish much more than just another shrimp entree. The side of rice and fresh vegetable of the day (string beans in this case) complimented the casserole very well. If the night is not too windy I suggest sitting out on the lovely patio as the building's fountain and tree lights set the mood. With a team of responsive staff, prompt waiters, and a friendly bartender people need to know the old wonderful Rafina's has remained completely the same with a simple change of location.
***
The night was not complete without a beautiful array of desserts and Muscat, and we are pleased to say we were even introduced to the finer points of Ouzo. Though Rafina has been in Manhattan for 12 years total, previously at another location, they have been at their current location for 14 months and you should all give it a try because you'll be sold on coming back.
Peachy Picks Rafina!
Rafina is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
