Fresh From The Sea
Elias Corner: 24-02 31 Street,
Astoria. 932-1510
Cuisine: Seafood/Greek
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 4
p.m.-midnight; Sunday, 3 p.m.-midnight
Credit Cards: Not accepted
Parking: Attendant parking, street
parking
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Sometimes it’s late, and your stressed
out, and you just want to eat something healthy in a place that seems removed from the
daily rush and serves food that is out of this world.
Well, that’s what Elias Corner is for.
Without an ounce of pretentiousness, the
Corner instantly draws your mind and your taste buds into a ocean-side retreat where the
fishermen might as well be putting their hauls in front of you for you to choose your
dinner.
In fact, owner Elias Sidiroglou encourages
you to choose. As you walk through the door, a case of the day’s freshest meets you
so diners can choose what strikes them the best. There are no menus at the Corner, but you
won’t need one with helpful and patient servers like Sotiria Sotiriou. Elias
explained that if he had a menu, he would have to keep to it or disappoint his customers.
Without a menu, he can always select the best that the fish market has that day, and offer
it to his guests.
Sotiria explained the menu and fish
preparation carefully, including the entrée prices, which usually range from $12-$17
(depending on the fish of the day). Appetizers include a scrumptious and large serving of
grilled octopus ($9) and lightly breaded, deep fried cheese called Saganaki in Greek.
I also tried the grilled shrimp – one
of the few regulars on the "menu" – which were split and laid open
butterfly style and cooked to perfection. The baby lamp chops were also a hefty serving,
tender, flavorful and cooked to order.
Greek house wine by the glass or the carafe
adds the perfect light taste to accompany the bounty of the sea or the rich flavors of
Greece. |
