Krasi: Celebrating the Cyclades

Last Friday, on May 1, I dined at Krasi, one of my Top Five Favorite Restaurants, and celebrated my mom's birthday. As usual, it was a superb experience, with the food, wine and service all being top-notch. It's consistently excellent, offering innovative Greek cuisine, compelling Greek wines, and true hospitality.  

May 1 was also the start of the month, so Krasi is now showcasing a new region of Greece, and this time they are highlighting the Cyclades, a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece. The group includes over 200 islands, but about 30 are considered main islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and Paros. So, for the month of May, Krasi will present four special dishes inspired by the Cyclades and showcase their wines at their weekly Symposium Wednesdays. I tasted three of the four Cyclades dishes and wanted to share my thoughts on these delicious choices. 

The wines of the Cyclades are said to ".... taste like the sea (in the best way)" and were "... shaped by wind, sun and sea. Assyrtiko at the front, with Aidani and Mandilaria not far behind." For the next four Wednesdays, the Symposiums, led by Wine Director Jeremiah Cates, will feature these wines, and the themes of the next four weeks will include: Taste of the Region, Santorini Showdown, Low-Key Legends, and Sommelier Picks. Check out the Symposiums and let the passionate and knowledge Jeremiah educate you about these wines from the Cyclades. 

I'll also briefly note that May 1 was the opening of their Patio seating, and plenty of people took advantage of the opening to dine al fresco. 

We began our dinner with glasses of the 2024 Kir-Yianni ‘Akakies’ Rosé of Xinomavro, a celebratory bubbly, which my mom loved. The bubbly possessed bright red fruit flavors, with a touch of sweetness which is well balanced by its acidity. It's a fun wine, which should appeal to many people.

During the dinner, on the recommendation of Jeremiah, we ordered a bottle of the 2024 Sarris Lygia Orange Wine, and it was a great choice. I'll note that the Sarris Winery also produces "V for Vostilidi," one of my favorite Greek white wines

The wine was produced from Tsaoussi grapes, made on the island of Cephalonia, which is thought to be the main home of the grape. Most often this grape is used in blends. This wine was fermented with wild yeast and macerated on the skins for about two weeks. The wine was complex and interesting, with a delicious melange of flavors, from baking spices to apricot, black tea and orange peel, with restrained tannins, good acidity, and a lengthy finish. Highly recommended! It also paired well with a variety of our dishes.  

We began our meal with Tiropita Rolls, Greek cheese bread with halloumi & graviera, served with homemade Greek honey butter and a couple olives. I love these rolls, which have plenty of cheese within them, and the butter is sweet and creamy. 

We next selected one of the Charcuterie, the Akrokolion, slices of lamb, with garlic & black pepper.  The charcuterie are served with carob bread, toursi (pickled veggies), caperberries and an olive tapenade. Their charcuterie is always a good choice, and this lamb is a winner. 

We then selected one of the four Cyclades dishes, the Kopanisti, a spicy Mykonian cheese, feta, serrano peppers, and crispy lemon potatoes. The potatoes were superb, such a crispy and tasty exterior with a tender, soft potato within. I could have eaten a large plate of just those potatoes! The Kopanisti dip was creamy and flavorful, with a mild spicy element, and well complimented the potatoes. I strongly recommend this special new dish.

The second Cyclades special we ordered was the Tomatokeftedes, crispy tomato fritters, with dill, mint, marinated tomatoes, and mint yogurt. The fritters had a nice crunchy exterior, and were filled with a well seasoned blend. They make an excellent dish for the Spring.   

We also ordered the Giouvetsi, as we wanted another dish with lamb. The dish consists of braised lamb shoulder, orzo, cinnamon, grated mizithra, and tomato sauce. Another compelling dish, with very tender lamb, plenty of orzo, and a delicious tomato-based sauce, accented by the mizithra cheese. A hearty and delicious dish, this definitely elated my belly. Also highly recommended!

We finished our savory dishes with another of the Cyclades specials, the Savoro, sea bream, smashed spring potatoes, horta, golden raisins, and rosemary-vinegar. A tasty and tender white fish, with a delightful crispy skin, enhanced by the touch of the acidic vinegar with notes of rosemary, with sweetness from the golden raisins.

So, all three Cyclades special dishes we tasted were excellent, and great choices if you dine at Krasi this month. We didn't try the fourth dish, the Xtapodi, a grilled octopus dish, but I'm sure it's quite good as well. 

Check out Krasi this month, and experience the delights of the Cyclades, as well as the rest of their delicious menu offerings. 

Rant: Xenia Greek Restaurants & the Michelin Guide

"Krasi is the modern word for wine in Greek, and it derives from the ancient, meaning a mixture of wine and water, which was indeed the way wine was drunk in antiquity."
The Food and Wine of Greece by Diane Kochilas 

Krasi: Meze and Wine, a superb Greek restaurant, opened in February 2020, and since 2020, it has continued to remain on my annual list of Favorite Restaurants. In 2022, I instituted my annual Top Three Favorite Restaurants (which has since expanded, in 2025, to my Top Five), and Krasi has been on that list since 2022. Its food, wine and hospitality has remained consistently top notch and each of my dining experiences there has been stellar. It's a place I frequently recommend to others, and those who follow my suggestion also rave about their experience. 

Krasi is part of the Xenia Greek Hospitality, a restaurant group which includes Kaia, Bar Vlaha, and Greco truly Greek, and Hecate. They have established a small Greek restaurant empire, providing quality and delicious cuisine, at various price points, from the high-end Kaia to the fast casual Greco. And excellent hospitality is essential to all of their restaurants. 

In my prior Rant: Without Proper Hospitality, A Restaurant Will Fail, I discussed their practice of hospitality. I stated, "Some restaurants only give lip service to the concept of hospitality, but the Xenia group truly embraces its spirit and practice. I have met many of the people behind the Xenia group, such as Stefanos Ougrinis, Demetri Tsolakis, Natasha Breshinsky, Brendan Pelley, Evan Turner, and Chris Marcin. And each and every one of them has been an exemplar of hospitality. In addition, they are truly sincere in their hospitality. It's not merely a front, but a concept they embrace heart and soul. They pass on their belief in hospitality to their employees, and it's evident as well at all of their restaurants. The level of hospitality at the Xenia restaurants is a significant reason for their success."

I also stated, "People dine out not just for good food and drink, but also for the experience. They want to be treated well, as a beloved guest, so if the hospitality is lacking, their experience suffers. And they won't want to repeat such a failed experience. Have your chef make the best food possible, have your sommelier compile a killer wine list, have your bartender concoct an awesome cocktail program, but without the element of hospitality, the experience becomes a failure." 

This all came together once again in my mind as a read a recent article in Estiator: The Restaurateur, by Theodora Tsevas, titled, The Michelin Guide Came to Boston. Why Didn’t Greek Cuisine Make the Cut? Restaurateur Demetri Tsolakis provided some insight into the recent Michelin Guide results in Boston, as well as the place of Greek cuisine in the country. 

The Michelin Guide came to Boston in 2025, announcing their results in November, and 26 restaurants received recognition. One restaurant, 311 Omakase, received a Single Star, while six received Bib Gourmand designations, and 16 others received Michelin Recommendations. Not a single Greek restaurant was included, which was surprising to me as I truly believe, as do many others, that at least one of Krasi, Kaia, or Bar Vlaha should have received at least a Michelin Recommendation.

The Estiator article, mentioned, "Demetri Tsolakis wasn’t surprised." He "has spent years watching Greek food struggle for recognition in American fine dining." He also stated, "Greek cuisine, as old and sophisticated as Italian or Spanish cooking, struggles for the same recognition in American fine dining....Greek restaurants remain largely unseen by the guide, facing persistent assumptions about what Greek food should be." 

The Michelin Guide has recognized only 43 Greek restaurants across the world, with a single Two Star spot in Greece and four One Star spots, all overseas. In comparison, the Michelin Guide has recognized 840 Japanese restaurants, 740 Italian, 613 French, 101 Barbecue, and even 50 Peruvian restaurants. So, for whatever reason, we can see that Greek restaurants don't fare that well under the Michelin Guide.  

16 Greek restaurants in the U.S. have received Michelin recognition, all Recommendations except for a single Bib Gourmand. The restaurants are in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina. New York has 5 Michelin Recommended Greek restaurants, including: Pylos, Kyma, Eléa, MP Taverna, and Taverna Kyclades. California has 4 Greek restaurants, Florida has 2, and the District of Columbia, Illinois, and North Carolina each have 1. 

The Michelin Guide provides their criteria for assessing restaurants. "Five criteria guide the Inspectors during their assessments: the quality of ingredients; the mastery of culinary techniques; the harmony of flavours; the personality and emotion that the chef conveys in the dishes; and consistency, both throughout the entire menu and across different visits." What's missing from their list? Hospitality. That aspect is ignored.  

In Estiator, Demetri stated, “I wish Michelin was also service-oriented, because a lot of our mission is philoxenia. The experience of eating out is not just taste but also feeling, connected and cared for.” On the Xenia website, it explains, "At Xenia Greek Hospitality, everything begins with philoxenia—the ancient Greek art of making a stranger feel like family. It’s more than a word to us; it’s the heartbeat that connects every table, every guest, and every one of our restaurants." And all of that connects back to the prior Rant I discussed above, especially as I stated, "The level of hospitality at the Xenia restaurants is a significant reason for their success." 

In addition, even with their strong dedication to hospitality, they do not sacrifice the quality of their cuisine. Hospitality is but one element of the entirety of the dining experience. Their different restaurants allow them to showcase different aspects of Greek cuisine, from more traditional regional dishes to more creative Greek dishes. As Demetri also mentioned in the Estiator article, the public needs more education about Greek cuisine, beyond the staple dishes found at many places. The public needs to be more adventurous with their palates, to be willing to experience something new and different.  

Will one of the Xenia Greek restaurants make the next Michelin Guide? It's certainly possible, and would be well deserved, but the restaurants shouldn't sacrifice their devotion to philoxenia. They should continue to operate their restaurants as they have always done, and hopefully the Michelin Guide will smarten up in the near future. 

Please read the full Estiator: The Restaurateur article, The Michelin Guide Came to Boston. Why Didn’t Greek Cuisine Make the Cut? 

2025: My Top Five Favorite Restaurants & Four New Restaurants

As 2026 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. It's the time for my Annual Year-End Favorite lists, from restaurants to wine. And I'm starting this year with my Top Five Favorite Restaurants of 2025 & Four New Restaurants. 

These end-of-the-year lists should provide a comprehensive summary of my favorites, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations. I'll note that last year this list included only my Top Four Favorite Restaurants. However, this year, I decided to add one more restaurant, which continues to impress me with its consistent excellence. It's more than worthy of being on this list, but the other four restaurants already on the list remain worthy as well. So, this year, there will be a Top Five list, to accommodate this new Top Favorite.

This list is also in no particular order, and is purely a subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. However, all of the restaurants here earn my heartiest recommendation and I hope you'll enjoy them as well, as so many others have done. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

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My Top Five Favorite Restaurants are those exceptional spots which are consistently excellent, offering great food and drink as well as top notch service. These are the five places which first come to my mind when I want a celebratory dinner, or just want a sublime dining experience. They receive my unqualified highest recommendation. These are also the restaurants I most frequently recommend to others when I'm asked for my top restaurants. And those people who then go to these restaurants usually become big fans of these restaurants too.  

Krasi Meze & Wine (Boston)

Part of the Xenia Greek Hospitality group, this Greek restaurant is amazing, where nearly every innovative dish is exceptional. Their menu consists of a wide selection of small plates, perfect for sharing, and offers creative Greek cuisine, with roots in tradition but it's not afraid to experiment. Their Greek wine list, the largest in the country, is superb with so many delicious and interesting options. Service is excellent, and the servers are very knowledgeable of the food and wine. Krasi never disappoints. This past year, I celebrated my Anniversary there, and it proved once again that it's thoroughly worthy of being one of my Top Five restaurants. 

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn)

Offering inventive and delicious French/Vietnamese inspired-cuisine, with their own unique spin, this restaurant offers Tasting Menus, of various number of courses. Their dishes are exceptional, bursting with flavor, and creatively composed. Plus, they have an excellent wine list and cocktail program. I like their homey vibe, service is always excellent, and they have an open kitchen, which I've always loved. Be adventurous with your palate and you'll be amply rewarded. This year, they were also awarded recognition, and duly deserved, by the Michelin Guide. 

A Tavola (Winchester)

This excellent Italian restaurant in Winchester is owned by Chef Joe Carli, who is very talented and personable. His Italian cuisine is as good as anything you'll find in the North End. The restaurant is relatively small and intimate, perfect for date night or a business dinner. Much of the sourcing is from local farms. I especially love their superb home-made pasta dishes, as well as when they have Duck Wings as a special. Their wine list concentrates on Italian wines, and there are many good choices. You also should check out their event list, which includes fun and tasty wine dinners and cocktail classes. Recently, they also introduced a special Pasta tasting menu on Wednesdays, but only for those seated at the chef's counter. 

Il Ponte (Woburn)
Chef Beni Kurti of Il Ponte has brought his deep passion, lengthy culinary experience, and charm to Woburn. It's a homey restaurant, with a casual elegance, and the Italian cuisine is top notch, from home-made pasta dishes to exquisite Neapolitan pizza. During this past year, I've thoroughly enjoyed so many different dishes here, such as the Lamb Lollipop Milanese. Their Swordfish Puttanesca, which is a Special all the time, is amazing, an ample piece of tender and moist Swordfish with a compelling puttanesca sauce. Service is excellent, the servers being genuinely personable and attentive, without being obtrusive. It's consistently superb and every person I've recommended has raved about their own dining experience.  

Row 34 (Burlington)

This year, I've decided to add Row 34 to my Top Favorites, as this seafood restaurant has continued to impress me since it replaced Island Creek Oyster Bar. Fresh seafood, from raw oysters and crudo to lobster rolls and fried clams. Every seafood dish pleases the palate, even something as simple as their delicious Tuna Melt. They have an excellent wine and cocktail program, and service is always top notch too. Whether I want a tasty lunch or a celebratory dinner, Row 34 doesn't disappoint, and is well worthy of being included in my Top Five.

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I want to now address four restaurants, which were "new" to me this year, and impressed me. One of these restaurants recently moved their location, and I hadn't dined there for several years, so I now consider it "new" to me. These four are definitely restaurants I want to dine at again, and which are worthy of a hearty recommendation. 

Karma (Winchester)

This high-end, Asian fusion restaurant is part of a small chain, with locations in Westford, Concord, Burlington, and Andover. Though each restaurant shares much in common with the others, they also have some of their own identity. They have superb Sushi, and many other delicious dishes, from Soup Dumplings to Wagyu Beef. They offer tasty and reasonably priced Lunch specials, a great way to experience their cuisine. 

Posto (Somerville)

Posto recently moved their location from Davis Square to Assembly Row. I hadn't been to the Davis Square location since before the pandemic, so had to check out their new location. And the food was just as delicious as I remembered, which is why it used to be on some of my prior lists of Favorite Restaurants. For example, their Roasted Garlic pizza was amazing, with maybe more garlic than any other pizza I've ever had. Thus, it has earned its space back as one of my Favorites. Posto has also recently opened a second location in the South End.

The Cormorant (Newburyport)

With a diner-like vibe, this small restaurant serves a killer burger and fries. The Brioche type bun was butter grilled, and was soft and flavorful. The large, smashed patties possessed a nice meaty, grilled taste, enhanced by the toppings, which added a touch of smoke and salt, as well as a mild sweetness. A top notch burger! The French Fries were also delectable, with a great salty crispness to them. They also serve alcohol, and I enjoyed their Bourbon and Cream Soda cocktail. They have other appetizers and sandwiches, but the burgers are certainly a star. I can't wait to dine there again.

Sung Kong Restaurant (Malden)

Though I haven't yet reviewed this spot, I plan to in the near future. The restaurant gives me a Chinatown vibe, and it's well known for its Dim Sum, which is available every day. I have enjoyed lunch there several times, and most of the food has been excellent, from the fried rice to the sesame chicken. It's very inexpensive as well, and they provide complimentary hot tea. I still need to check out their Dim Sum, especially as the menu is intriguing.  

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What were some of your Favorite Restaurants this year?

2024 Tetramythos Agrippiotis Orange Nature: A Unique Greek Treasure

On my anniversary, I celebrated at Krasi, a Greek restaurant on Gloucester Street in Boston. It's one of my Top Four Favorite restaurants, and is always consistently excellent. Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed dinner, from Htipiti (spicy whipped feta, roasted red chili peppers, rigani potato chips) to Xtapodomakaronada, Kotoleta Lemonati (fried chicken cutlet, warm Cypriot potato salad, lemon caper butter sauce) to Portokalopita (orange phyllo cake, syrup, manouri ice cream), and more. 

Krasi has an incredible and diverse Greek wine list, with so many delicious choices. I've long been a fan of Greek wines, and you won't find a better Greek wine list anywhere else than at Krasi. With some suggestions from their Wine Director, Jeremiah Cates, I opted for a bottle of the unique 2024 Tetramythos Agrippiotis Orange Nature ($85).

The Tetramythos Winery was established in 1999 by two brothers, Aristos and Stathis Spanos, who had been involved in viticulture and wine production throughout their lives. Working with Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos, an oenologist, they began producing their first wines. In 2001, they began planting organic vineyards, and in 2004, they completed the construction of a new winery. The winery is located in Achaea, in western Greece. They grow a variety of native and international grapes, including Agiorgitiko, Black Kalavritino, Malagouzia, Mavrodaphne, Roditis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. 

The 2024 Tetramythos Agrippiotis Orange Nature, which is certified organic and has a 11.5% ABV, is made from a rare Greek white grape, Agrippiotis (also known as Curisti). It grows in the Peloponnese peninsula and the Ionian Islands, and is known for its high acidity, low yields, and the ability to grow well even in challenging environments. Very few producers seem to be using this grape, and Tetramythos seems to best known for doing so. Papagiannopoulos was responsible for planting a small vineyard of Agrippiotis at Tetramythos, and eventually creating this orange wine.  

The origin of the grape's name is elusive, although there are a few theories. One is that the grape is named after the famed Roman general Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. The name "Agrippa" may mean mean "wild horse" or "born feet first." Another theory is that it's named after Caligula's sister, Agrippina the Younger, who was also the mother of Emperor Nero. There's also a theory that the grape derived its name from the Apidia tree, a name from Greek folklore that referred to a wild pear tree.

This wine underwent skin contact maceration for about 20 days, and was fermented with indigenous yeasts. It was bottled unfiltered, unfined and with the addition of minimal sulfites before bottling. The wine has a fine golden hue, slightly cloudy, with an alluring and complex nose of citrus, dried fruit, and floral elements. The promise of the nose is fully realized on the palate, which is elegant and complex, with bright acidity and an intriguing taste. The fascinating and complex flavors include citrus, dried fruits, baked apple, subtle herbal notes, and a touch of salted nuts. Each sip brought something new and exciting to my mouth. It's a well balanced wine, with mild tannins, and a lengthy, satisfying finish. An excellent food wine. It's a compelling wine that mere words cannot adequately describe, and which must be experienced to fully understand its beauty and wonders. Highly recommended!

Drink more Greek wines!

Agape Cakes & Confections: Unconditional Bakery Love in New Hampshire

I made a recent visit to Epping, New Hampshire, and prior to reaching my ultimate destination, I decided to stop in Raymond, New Hampshire, to check out Agape Cakes & Confections, a bakery with Greek influences. Overall, based on my initial impressions, I was very pleased with their delicious offerings and will return again to check out more of their baked goods. 

The bakery, owned by Reni, had its origins in 2020, when the company was run out of her home. In April 2022, Reni opened a brick and mortar shop, at 59 NH-27 Unit 5, Raymond, across the street from The Tuckaway Tavern. The name, "Agape," is a Greek word that is often translated as "unconditional love." Their website mostly has information about their Cakes, but their Facebook page has plenty of information and photos about their other baked goods. And those photos certainly enticed me to check out the bakery. 

Reni's website states: "My expertise lies in crafting custom cakes and cupcakes, each boasting a range of exquisite flavors. Drawing inspiration from my Greek heritage, we also offer a wide range of authentic Greek pastries, with a particular standout being the beloved baklava."

They offer Muffins, Scones and their own Pop-Tarts (in flavors such as Brown Sugar, Pumpkin, Apple Pie and Raspberry).

They also make Turnovers, Danish and Cinnamon Rolls (said to be one of their top sellers).

I was excited to see their Greek pies, including Ham & Cheese, Feta, Spinach, and Spinach & Artichoke. I bought the Ham & Cheese and Feta pies, and they were both ample-sized, with many layers of flaky pastry and filled with plenty of tasty meat and cheese. A hearty and delicious breakfast or lunch treat and strongly recommended. 

Plenty of other baked goods, such as Lemon Squares, Eclairs, Baklava Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie, and much more. I got the Galaktoboureko, a traditional Greek dessert featuring a custard baked in a crispy phyllo pastry crust, soaked with a sweet syrup. It was quite tasty, very flaky with sweet and creamy custard, and definitely was a fine example of this dessert which I have previously enjoyed at a few other places. They also sell Chocolate Whoopie Pies and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, and I got a few of the small Chocolate Whoopie Pies. The cake was soft and chocolatey, with a very creamy inner frosting. A good choice.

They have a few Gluten-Friendly items, such as Flourless Chocolate Cake and Lemon Squares. They also non-Gluten Friendly items such as Chocolate Sundae Case Cake, Chocolate Banana Cookies, and Pumpkin Maple Doodles.  

I had to try the Chocolate Banana Cookies, which are "Soft banana bread cookies topped with a swirl of rich chocolate ganache and finished with banana chips." The cookie possessed a more subtle, but tasty, banana flavor and the rich and creamy chocolate was a delight. The crunchy bananas chips added a nice textural contrast to the rest of the cookie. This also earns my hearty recommendation. 

They also sell a variety of Cupcakes, other Gluten-Friendly options, and more. 

Agape offers a diverse selection of baked goods, some Greek-inspired, and based on what I've tasted, they are generally delicious and well-made. No matter what your preference, you'll probably find something that appeals to you, and I strongly recommend you check out their Greek-inspired pies and desserts. Give some love to Agape. 

2024: My Top Four Favorite Restaurants & Three New Favorites

As 2025 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. It's the time for my Annual Year-End Favorite lists, from restaurants to wine. And I'm starting this year with my Top Four Favorite Restaurants of 2024 & Three New Favorites. These end-of-the-year lists should provide a comprehensive summary of my favorites, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations. 

I'll note that last year this list included only my Top Three Favorite Restaurants. However, this year, another restaurant has risen to the top of my attention, thoroughly impressing me with its consistent excellence. It's more than worthy of being on this list, but the other three restaurants already on the list remain worthy as well. So, this year, I chose to make this a Top Four list, to accommodate this new Top Favorite.  

This list is also in no particular order, and is purely a subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. However, all of the restaurants here earn my heartiest recommendation and I hope you'll enjoy them as well, as so many others have done. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

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My Top Four Favorite Restaurants are those exceptional spots which are consistently excellent, offering great food and drink as well as top notch service. These are the four places which first come to my mind when I want a celebratory dinner, or just want a sublime dining experience. They receive my unqualified highest recommendation. These are also the restaurants I most frequently recommend to others when I'm asked for my top restaurants. And those people who then go to these restaurants usually become big fans of these restaurants too.  

Krasi Meze & Wine (Boston)

Part of the Xenia Greek Hospitality group, this Greek restaurant is amazing, where nearly every innovative dish is exceptional. Their menu consists of a wide selection of small plates, perfect for sharing, and offers creative Greek cuisine, with roots in tradition but it's not afraid to experiment. Their Greek wine list, the largest in the country, is superb with so many delicious and interesting options. Service is excellent, and the servers are very knowledgeable of the food and wine. Krasi never disappoints.

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn)

Offering inventive and delicious French/Vietnamese inspired-cuisine, with their own unique spin, this restaurant offers Tasting Menus, ranging from 7-30 courses. Their dishes are exceptional, bursting with flavor, and creatively composed. Plus, they have an excellent wine list and cocktail program. I like their homey vibe, service is always excellent, and they have an open kitchen, which I've always loved. They recently instituted a 30 course tasting menu and one of my desires for 2025 is to partake of that epic dinner. Be adventurous with your palate and you'll be amply rewarded. 

A Tavola (Winchester)

This excellent Italian restaurant in Winchester first made my Top Three list last year, and it continues to impress. Chef Joe Carli is very talented and personable, and his Italian cuisine is as good as anything you'll find in the North End. The restaurant is still relatively small and intimate, although this year they enlarged their space a bit, adding a small bar and some additional tables. Much of the sourcing is from local farms. I especially love their superb home-made pasta dishes, as well as when they have Duck Wings as a special. Their wine list concentrates on Italian wines, and there are many good choices. You also should check out their event list, which includes fun and tasty wine dinners and cocktail classes, like the A Tour of Italian Noble Grapes and BBQ & Bourbon events I attended this year. 

Il Ponte (Woburn)
Chef Beni Kurti of Il Ponte has brought his deep passion, lengthy culinary experience, and charm to Woburn. It's a homey restaurant, with a casual elegance, and the Italian cuisine is top notch, from home-made pasta dishes to exquisite Neapolitan pizza. During this past year, I've thoroughly enjoyed so many different dishes here, such as the Lamb Lollipop Milanese (pictured above_. Their Swordfish Puttanesca, which is a Special all the time, is amazing, an ample piece of tender and moist Swordfish with a compelling puttanesca sauce. Service is excellent, the servers being genuinely personable and attentive, without being obtrusive. It's consistently superb and every person I've recommended has raved about their own dining experience. Besides dining there numerous times this year, I also celebrated my birthday there and it was a memorable event. Il Ponte also recently added a special Gelato machine, and the gelato is silky and delicious. There's no need to drive into Boston for Italian cuisine with restaurants such as Il Ponte north of Boston.  

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I want to now address those restaurants, which were new to me this year, and impressed me. These are definitely restaurants I want to dine at again, and which are worthy of a hearty recommendation. 

XOXO Sushi Bar (Chestnut Hill)

This high-end Sushi spot opened in March and it's a superb spot, offering some of the best Sushi in the area. They serve Edomae-style sushi, which includes the used of aged and preserved fish, and they even have an intriguing glass case behind the sushi bar showing the aged fish. They serve other Japanese specialties as well, and they are as delicious as their sushi offerings. Their beverage program, from Sake to cocktails, is excellent as well. This is a restaurant well worth a splurge. 

Greco (Burlington)

I was very excited this past year when a branch of the Greco chain opened at the Burlington Mall. I've been a fan since the first Greco opened in 2017 on Newbury Street. It's a fast casual restaurant, specializing in Gyros and Loukoumades (Greek donuts!). Everything is made fresh, so you can enjoy whatever your food preference. You can opt for a Pita, Plate or Salad, with both meat and veggie options. The Greco Fries, with French fries topped by feta cheese, are delicious. And you have to end your meal with sweet Loukoumades, available own three flavors. 

Pinoy Kabayan (Boston)

There's only 3 Filipino restaurants in the Boston+ area, and Pinot Kabayan is the only one in Boston proper. This new restaurant is a fast-casual spot which does plenty of take-out. The food is authentic, delicious and reasonably priced. Many of the dishes are very approachable, such as Tocino (sweet cured pork) and Tapa (Filipino jerky) while other dishes are for the more adventurous. For example, Dinuguan, which roughly translates "bloody soup or stew," is commonly made with pork, offal and pork blood. However, I found it delicious, especially atop some garlic rice. I eagerly look forward to dining there again soon.

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There are a few other new restaurants I've dined at this past year, but for which I haven't yet written reviews, but which are still worthy of recognition. They include Sogne (Woburn, Italian cuisine), Fiorella's Cucina (Burlington, Italian cuisine), Adega Restaurant (Woburn, Portuguese), Bar Mezzana (Boston, Italian cuisine) and Feather & Wedge (Rockport, Seafood). Reviews of these restaurants are likely to come in 2025.

What were some of your Favorite Restaurants this year?

Greco Opens In Burlington! Enjoy Gyros, Loukoumades & More

"Gyro, pronounced “GAEE-ro” in English and “GHEE-ro” in Greek comes from the Greek word “gheereezo,” which means to turn. As mentioned above, it’s a stacked rotating pile of thinly sliced meat, either lamb, pork, beef, or some combination thereof, with latter-day renditions that include chicken and even fish. As the tightly packed stack roasts upright, the layers meld together and the grill person manning the gyro rotisserie cuts of paper-thin slices, which he or she fixes in a pita wrap with tomatoes, raw red onions, parsley or lettuce, Greek yogurt or tzatziki, and sometimes fried potatoes and a sprinkling of paprika or cayenne pepper."
--Chef Diane Kochilas in History of Gyro, an Ancient Greek Street Food 

Gyros and Loukoumades! I'm excited that Greco truly Greek has opened a new location at the Burlington Mall this week. Greco is a fast casual Greek restaurant, specializing in gyros and loukoumades, and its first location opened in early 2017 on Newbury Street in the Back Bay. I've been an ardent fan of Greco since that time, and additional locations have since opened in Downtown Boston, the Seaport, Hub Hall, and two in Washington, D.C.  

In 2022, Demetri Tsolakis and Stefanos Ougrinis launched Xenia Greek Hospitality, a new restaurant group with Brendan Pelley as their Culinary Director. Under the umbrella of this group are Greco truly Greek. Krasi Meze + Wine, Hecate, and Bar Vlaha. As their website states: "At Xenia Greek Hospitality, we are inspired by the ancient Greek concept which is built on guest-friendship. Today, we often forget how important not only the food being served is, but most importantly how it is being served. With a single visit to any of our concepts, you can experience the highest level of hospitality, with care and attention to all our guests, so you feel welcomed in our home." I've found this to be true, that hospitality is essential to their restaurant concepts, from the casual Greco to the more high end Bar Vlaha.   

The new Greco, which opened on Monday, has ample seating inside as well as an outside patio. It's a bright and spacious spot, with a modern feel. You order at the counter and then bring your food, when it's ready, to any table of your choice. On my visit on Wednesday, it was a fine day so there were people eating outside on the patio. 

As for Beverages, there are a number of bottled choices, from water to soda, and most are of Greek origin. For example, the Vikos/Bikos Cola, produced in Greece, is made with "natural mineral water" and sugar (not HFCS). It reminded me a bit of Mexican Cola, with a nice clean taste and doesn't seem as sweet as Coke or Pepsi. Greco also has 3 other beverages, including Frappe (Greek Iced Coffee), homemade Orange Blossom Lemonade and homemade Greek Mountain Iced Tea. The Lemonade is floral, with a light orange flavor enhancing the lemon taste. I very much enjoyed the Iced Tea. Although I generally prefer unsweetened iced tea, the Greek Mountain Iced Tea is sweetened with honey but the sweetness is very subtle and it possesses a delicious taste. I'd definitely order it again on my next visit.
 
The food menu has three main options: Pita ($12.50), Plate ($15.50), and Salad ($16.00). As everything is made to order, you customize your entree, choosing your own sauce and protein combination. The Plate also comes with one side, onions, tomato and pita bread while the Salad includes your salad choice (Horiatiki, Cretan or Greco Caesar) and is accompanied by pita bread. Sauces include Tzatziki, Spicy Feta, Honey Mustard, Lemon Chive Yogurt, Charred Eggplant, and Garlic Skordalia. My favorite sauce is their Spicy Feta. Proteins includes Pork Gyro, Chicken Gyro, Lamb Gyro, Beef Bifteki, Loukaniko Sausage, Halloumi Cheese, Veggie Fritter and Vegan Meatballs. 

They marinate all of their gyro meats for about 24 hours, using their own house-made marinades. After the meats have been properly marinated, they are then thinly sliced and carefully placed onto the rotisserie. The stacked meats look so enticing in the open kitchen.

I opted for the Lamb Gyro, with Spicy Feta, which is served on a warm pita with tomatoes, onions and fries. The warm pita is thick enough so it doesn't tear apart, but not too thick to be overly chewy. It's a fine vehicle for the tender and flavorful lamb, crisp fries, spicy and creamy feta, and more. The ample-sized Gyro was as delicious as any I've had at the other Greco locations. And it's definitely one of the best Gyros that I've had at any casual Greek restaurant. 

The Menu also offers Souvlaki Skewers ($6.50 each), including marinated and grilled chicken or pork. You can order a skewer on its own, or as part of a Single Skewer ($16.50) or Double Skewer ($20.50) Plate. The Plate comes with horiatiki salad, Greco fries, tzatziki, and pita bread. There's plenty of nice charred meat on each skewer, and the meat is tender and flavorful. The chicken skewer was my personal preference of the two, but the pork was tasty as well. 

There are also three options under Feasts, large platters meant to be shared with family and friends. The Lamb Chops ($24.50) include four lamb chops, horiatiki salad, Greco fries, tzatziki, and pita bread. The Souvlaki Platter ($42) has three chicken and three pork skewers, with horiatiki salad, Greco fries, tzatziki, and pita bread. And the Mixed Grill ($45) has pork and chicken gyro, two lamb chops, bifteki, loukaniko, Greco fries, spicy whipped feta, tzatziki, and pita bread. 

As for Sides, you have eight options, including Greco Fries ($5.50, with feta & oregano), Avgolemono (egg-lemon soup, $4.50), Zucchini Chips ($5.50), Bean Salad ($3.50), Greek Slaw ($3.50), Lemon Rice Pilaf ($4.00), Halloumi ($6.00), and Pita & Dip ($4.50). The Greco Fries are excellent, with nice, crispy fries, enhanced by the creamy and salty feta. Even though I generally am not a fan of zucchini, their Zucchini Chips,  thinly sliced and fried, are excellent.  

The Halloumi cheese, served with a side of hot honey, has been fried, and has a crisp exterior and a firm interior, like the texture of cheese curds. The salty cheese pairs well with the sweetness of the honey, and the slight heat of the honey. I can see how the Halloumi would make a tasty Gyro too.

"The French have their beignets, Americans have doughnuts, but Greeks have loukoumades, round dough fritters drizzled with Greek honey and sprinkled with cinnamon."
--Chef Diane Kochilas

For a sweet treat after lunch or dinner, or whenever you have a craving for dessert, you can order their Loukoumades ($8), basically Greek donut holes. You have three options, including the Classic (Greek honey, walnuts and cinnamon), Yaya’s (hazelnut praline, oreo cookies, powdered sugar), and Tasos (tahini caramel, sea salt, toasted sesame). 

The Classic Loukoumades begin with a light donut hole, with a crisp exterior and a light, fluffy interior, and then are topped with a sweet and compelling mix of Greek honey, walnuts, and cinnamon. It's easy to devour one after another until you find the box is empty. The walnuts add a nice crunch to the donuts and the cinnamon is a nice addition to the sweet honey. 

The Tasos have that same donut hole, crispy outside and light & fluffy inside, with sweetness from the tahini caramel complemented by sea salt. The toasted sesame adds a nuttiness to the taste, as well as some crunchy texture. 

Greco offers reasonably priced, delicious and quality fast-casual food. There are plenty of tasty options for those who enjoy meat, to those who only want something vegetarian. It's a great addition to Burlington. Service was excellent, and even though the restaurant has only been open for a few days, everything seems to be working well. This location is as good as any of their other locations, and I'm so pleased that it's so close to my home. I'm in Burlington on a regular basis, and Greco will become one of my regular lunch spots. I strongly encourage all of my readers to check out the new Greco location. 

Now I can only hope that Xenia Greek Hospitality, in the near future, will open another Greek restaurant in Burlington, something more on the lines of Krasi Meze + Wine or Bar Vlaha.