| Pithari Taverna | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | September 2006 |
| Owner(s) | Tassos and Chrisanthe Stefanopoulos |
| Food type | Greek |
| Street address | 28 Woodbridge Avenue |
| City | Highland Park, New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex County, New Jersey |
| State | New Jersey |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 08904 |
| Country | United States |
| Website | http://www.thepithari.com/ |
Pithari Taverna is a Greek restaurant located in Highland Park, New Jersey. The restaurant was founded by Tassos and Chrisanthe Stefanopoulo in 2006; the two had gained experience after operating a Greek foods store next door, New Athens Corner.
Reception of the restaurant included multiple favorable reviews in The Star-Ledger,[1][2] the New Jersey section of The New York Times,[3][4] and New Jersey Monthly.[5]
History[edit]
The restaurant was founded by Tassos and Chrisanthe Stefanopoulos.[3] They gained experience in the food industry by operating a Greek foods shop, called New Athens Corner,[6] and opened the establishment next door in September 2006.[4] The indoor dining room of the facility sat 60 people in 2007.[4] Tassos Stefanopoulos commented to The Star-Ledger on the opening of the restaurant in 2006 that he wished to share the tradition of Greek cuisine with others.[7]
Cuisine[edit]
The establishment is a neighborhood restaurant; Greek food is prepared in the form of an open kitchen.[3] Dishes include "grilled octopus in oil, vinegar and oregano ... lamb-and-orzo casserole sealed with Greek cheese and baked" and "yogurt with nuts and honey".[3] Eggplant is a frequent ingredient on the menu at the restaurant.[8][9] "Ultimate Greek Spread" dishes include "dolmades (grape leaves), tzatziki (yogurt-based sauce), taramosalata (caviar dip), and melitzanosalata (eggplant)".[6] For the recommended seafood option, the restaurant displays the "catch of the day", on ice in the dining room.[10]
Reception[edit]
In November 2006, The Star-Ledger highlighted Pithari Taverna as a local Greek restaurant and among "favorite places to eat" in Highland Park, New Jersey.[1] In a December 2006 review of the restaurant for The Star-Ledger, Peter Genovese commented, "The appearance of a Greek restaurant is welcome news enough; the fact that Pithari Taverna serves up top-notch food in a colorful, casual setting is cause for celebration, with or without a bouzouki."[2] A 2007 review in The New York Times included the restaurant in a piece, "Standouts Among the Year's Best", giving the restaurant a rating of "very good".[3] Zagat Survey listed Pithari Taverna as "top listed" in "Greek Tops".[11]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Lardizabal, Yvonne (November 30, 2006). "Town snapshot: Highland Park". The Star-Ledger. p. 2.
- ^ a b Genovese, Peter (December 22, 2006). "A taste of the glory that is Greece - Salads, grape leaves, spinach pie, gyros on the menu". The Star-Ledger. p. 44.
- ^ a b c d e Corcoran, David (December 30, 2007). "Standouts Among the Year's Best". The New York Times. p. 10; Section: New Jersey, Dining. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
- ^ a b c Cook, Karla (April 8, 2007). "In the Grip of Octopus at a Greek Taverna". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ "2010 Readers' and Critics' Restaurant Poll". New Jersey Monthly. njmonthly.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ a b Genovese, Peter (2008). Food Lovers' Guide to New Jersey. Globe Pequot. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7627-4775-7.
- ^ Qarooni, Nawal (October 5, 2006). "Highland Park residents savor an expansion of local offerings". 'The Star-Ledger. p. 1.
- ^ "In Season". The Star-Ledger. August 6, 2008. p. 39.
- ^ Fusco, Mary Ann Castronovo (August 5, 2008). "Get fresh with eggplant". NJ.com. www.nj.com. Retrieved 2010-08-03.
- ^ Fusco, Mary Ann Castronovo (April 22, 2009). "Jersey's Bumper Acropolis". New Jersey Monthly. njmonthly.com. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
- ^ "Zagat Rated – Pithari Taverna". Zagat Survey. ww.zagat.com. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-04.