Heads & Tales: Zen and the Art of Dining
Nov 29th, 2008 | By Peter Minakis | Category: Appetizer, Meat, Meze, New York, Recipe, Sauce, Spices, Travel
This evening in New York would cement the pace and tone for the rest of my stay in New York…
Meet more food bloggers, try out another Greek restaurant in Manhattan and enjoy the array of wines available to the discerning diner.
Through my contacts at the Pavlou Winery, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to explore the Greek food scene in New York through the eyes and stomach of Konstantine Drougos.
Konstantine distributes many fine Greek wines around NYC and he is familiar with the food scene and he was delighted to meet up and explore all the wonderful Greek food on offer in New York.
As an added bonus, this evening I was also to be graced by the hilarious, charming and Ace in the Kitchen, Stephane of Chef’s Gone Wild and ever charming and lovable Claire of Colloquial Cookin’.
Both had expressed their desire to learn & sample more Greek food and I did not hesitate to invite them over for some Greek food & wine.
Claire was the first to arrive, big smile, ice blue eyes and very open…she came up and introduced herself as Konstantine and Stephane were late (notorious habit of Greeks and French).
The venue for the the evening’s festivities was Kellari (cellar in Greek) and the hostess and manager made us feel very comfortable in an informal seating of a sofa, table and chairs.
What was to follow was an evening of making and cementing new friendships, sharing in some wonderful Greek food, paired with wines recommended by the expert himself, Konstantine.
From the moment I walked into the door of Kellari, I was going to enjoy this place. An array of Greek cookies was on offer at the bar along with platters of Greek olives.
We ordered some Pavlou P62 Xinomavro to wash down the array of appetizers that was to ensue:
First up was the Keftedes (meatballs) in a wine & tomato sauce that was very reminscent of Soutzoukakia Smyrneika. Next to arrive at our table was some of the most tender braised and grilled octopus I’ve ever had.
An interesting arrival of lamb riblets has us all licking our fingers and to help balance out our meal, we ordered some braised Fasolakia (runner beans in a tomato sauce) and some crispy fried zucchini and eggplants.
As Claire and Stephane were 
relatively Greek food virgins, a dessert course couldn’t be ignored. We agreed to an order of Loukamades which had a lovely undertone of Mastic and drizzled with a Greek honey/syrup. A Greek dessert is not complete without an array of fruits and some well-strained Greek yogurt with a dollop of sour cherry spoon sweet.
Konstantine affirmed his good taste in Greek food by taking us to Kellari first. This was a classy place but that laid-back, Greek hospitality was present, Greek music playing in the background and well-executed Greek food arriving before our hungry eyes.
In the coming days, you’ll see more of Claire, Stephane and Konstatine as I continue my gastromic tour of New York City. If you’re in New York, I highly recommend stopping by Kellari for a dinner and some wonderful Greek wine.
Kellari’s website by-line sums up the evening perfectly:
“enter as strangers and leave as friends”.
Allow me to leave you with a recipe for a much-loved Greek dish, Soutzoukakia Smyrneika (which are similar to Kellari’s meatballs). This dish can be served up as an appetizer or made into a main course with some fries or rice pilaf.
Soutzokakia Smyrneika
(serves 4)
1 lb. of ground beef
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 slices of stale bread
1 egg
1 tsp. of ground cumin
1 tsp. dried Greek oregano
3 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
4 Tbsp. of olive oil + extra for shallow frying
salt and pepper to taste
all-purpose flour
For the Sauce
1 onion, grated
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups of tomato juice
1 Tbsp. of tomato paste, dilluted in water
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. of sweet paprika
1/2 cup of dry red wine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 pads of unsalted butter
1 small cinnamon stick
pinch of sugar
salt and pepper to taste
- Soak the bread in a bowl of water and when it’s soft, remove the crust. Squeeze it in your hands to remove the excess liquid. Add to another bowl with your ground beef and the other meatball ingredients. Knead the meat mixture with your hands to blend and fry off a small piece to sample and in the end, adjust the seasoning of your Soutzoukakia.
- Mould the mixture into little quenelle or oblong hamburgers and dredge lightly in some flour and fry them off in hot oil. Set aside and reserve.
- In the same skillet, add the olive oil and butter along with the onions and garlic and saute for a few minutes or until the onions have softened (about 5 minutes). Add the wine and reduce for a couple of minutes and then add the dilluted tomato paste + tomato juice and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium an simmer for for about 15 minutes or until thew sauce has thickened.
- Carefully add the Soutzoukakia into the sauce and move the pot around in a circular motion to coat and warm the meatballs through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper (plus sugar if needed).
- Serve alone as part of an array of appetizers or for main with rice, noodles or fries.
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© 2008 – 2009, Peter Minakis. All rights reserved. If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://kalofagas.ca then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at truenorth67 AT gmail DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author.
I love greek food! Looks like you had a great time.
You got to met Zen. The dinner looks incredible. Did you go to Scores afterwards?
Peter,
Love the Greek meatballs, will try it your way.
Sorry about the spanakopita w/ puff pastry, but I had to try it!
It was good!
We are going back to Kefi tonight, loved it! See, I need you in NYC to direct me where to Go Greek!
Stace
You packed an impressive amount of fun into a relatively short trip – plus ate all that wonderful food. Sounds wonderful!!
Love the Soutzoukakia Smyrneika – Just don’t ask me to say it! LOL
Looks a lovely place to eat.
Ah, seeing pictures of those loukoumades… Even after stuffing myself this Thanksgiving I still have space for some of those pretty pretty babies. When are you posting a recipe for loukoumades?? I found ready mixed boxes at my Astoria supermarket, but that’s just not good enough. Besides I don’t think there’s a Peter in the box to prepare them for you. So it’s just rubbish.
Sounds like you are having a great time in NYC. This recipe sounds super tasty.
I’m visiting New York in February – can’t wait!
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
Those meatballs look particularly good! And what a wonderful dinner too!
Cheers,
Rosa
For you to say that it was the best grilled octopus is quite a comment. I think the restaurant may want to frame that and put it on the wall.
great food with great company – the stack of sweets is just up my alley
Those look tasty! Luckily I picked up some of that Greek oregano when I was in Greece.
There’s nothing like a good meatball! This sauce looks great.
You know, I love all, the food, you, the greeks etc.etc, xxxGloria
Great “gastro” adventures Peter. You certainly did the rounds! “Kellari” looks fantastic too!
Wonderful photos of NYC –I hope you enjoyed your visit! The grilledoctopus and meatballs look delicious.
That all looks so incredible! I don’t think I’d get sick of Greek food if I was eating with you and M. Zen. ;)
I can imagine that the conversation was sometimes hilarious with your AND Zenman in it!!!!
My daughter is hanging over my shoulder, screaming: “Mom!!!!! when are you making meatballs again!”
Those meatballs look wonderful!
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
Those look delicious and as always, you have me craving both the dish and a trip to taste the original (well, NYC and Greece, now)! Also, that trip sounds like a blast and I could only imagine with all the meet-ups (esp w/Zen!). And lol@glamah16′s comment about Scores
I don’t recall how I found your blog but I’ve saved it and in about a week’s time have already saved seven or eight of your recipes. Who knew I liked Greek food? This looks like another wonderful dish and I’ved saved it as well. Thanks for the great recipes.
Trish
Note to self: don’t look at Peter’s blog when you’re hungry. It looks like you had such a great time. That 3rd picture down – first cookie on the left – ya, the cocaine cookies – I’d kill for a recipe.
Hey Peter, you saved the pictures we took at Scores for your other blog, right? :-)
It was an honor to lose my Greek food virginity to you Peter (err.. that sounds really wrong!). I really loved that dinner at Kellari, the octopus, the riblets, the loukoumades, the company.. everything was sublime! I am now officially addicted to Greek food.
You’ll receive a bill from my therapist.
Peter!
Didn’t you hit any of the museums or art galleries?
What did you do with your time in NYC. EAT?
ha ha
Looks like you had a great time. I’m envious.
Paul
Sou-tzou-ka-kiaaaaa!! The best!!
And loukoumades, the best of … best;-)
That was a really great trip Peter, I think you really enjoyed it:)
Peter, the whole blogging world has been talking about your delicious visit to NY! Wow, love all that food you ate!
Can’t wait for ya to come to visit us West Coast folks!
Just made these meatballs last night! Delicious!! I think I need to look into purchasing a Greek cookbook. Cheers!
As if you’re recommendation wasn’t enough, now I have to try this place out, photos look amazing!
Mmmmm these look as our albóndigas… love them and the sauce… was there enough bread to clean the plate?
You don’t have any idea of how much I “envy” you… there you are meeting food bloggers all the time… do you realise how lucky you are?????? Good for you boy!
Photo #5 looks like more freakin octopus! Anyways if the lovely woman is Clair then good luck to her
Your visit to New York is the best!
Peter, it looks like you had a fantastic time!
I can’t begin to tell you how long it has been since I have had a meatball. I love this version and could go for a plate right now, and it is early in the am. Great job, Peter.
I love learning new things about food, and reading your blog is a sure way for me to do that. Thanks.
More delicious food and good friendships made in the Big Apple.
I have been craving some meatballs for awhile now and paired with an overabundance of ground buffalo I think you have decided my dinner this weekend.
Sounds like you had an awesome tour guide and most importantly great food.
I am lusting after that octopus dish. Love hearing your stories about forming friendships with other bloggers.
dining is an art, isn’t it! delicious post.
Those meatballs look good Peter. You’ve crammed so much fun into this break :)
Glad you enjoyed Kellari! We ate there back in January and enjoyed it very much as well. Looks like you had an amazing trip.
Kalo mhna!
Wow, I am absolutely drool looking at the photographs!
Now I am jealous!
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos from your trip! So cool that you hooked up with blogger friends.
hey I wanna see the pictures from scores! sounds like a wonderful time with wonderful food….
Those meatballs look like they are to die for. I’m learning more about NY dining from your blog in the past few days than I have known in the past (censored) years.
Looks like a fabulous meal!
Peter, it looks like you really enjoyed your time in the Big Apple. Good food, good friends and safe travels—you can’t ask for any more than that!
So cool to sit and dine with the NY bloggers, I bet you had some great conversations, along with all the fantastic food there!
Those meatballs look perfect. I’ll have to make them instead of waiting around for our local Greek Food Fest.
wow the dinner make me really hungry. I do enjoy reading your food journal. nice blog!
I already told you that I just love your cooking Peter.
You know how I love my sutzukakia! They look great, even if I do prefer mine with mashed potatoes. Hehe :)
Oh, wow! All this amazing food, and I really want one of the golden colored rolls!