mission: loi

For the past several days, I have been laying around the house sick with the flu. This has been tough on me because this lady has things to do! Patrick and I had just returned from a wonderful mini vacay in Cancun, Mexico, where we spent 5 days playing in the pool, eating lots of yummy Mexican food, and trying to find indoor activities as there was a tropical depression swirling around the Yucatan Peninsula. But this is another blog for another time....

So last night, Friday October 21, Patrick and I were trying to decide what to do, as I desperately needed a change of scenery and I was beginning to feel a bit more like myself. I suggested going to the movies. Patrick suggested going to Loi.

Loi is a new Greek cuisine restaurant that opened just last night, and it is located on West 70th Street just West of Amsterdam. Maria Loi is the owner and head chef, who we happen to know (and love), and so I slapped on some makeup, put on my best outfit (made sure I wore shoes I could walk in) and headed to dinner with my husband.

When we walked into the restaurant, the place was a soft glow of blue hues found on the coasts of Greece met with sandy brown accents and crisp white linens. A lovely panoramic picture of the Aegean Sea encompassed the entire back wall, providing a view for New Yorkers that you can only find in Greece. I felt comfortable in this atmosphere, but not only is the restaurant warm and cozy, but it has elegance and charm as well.

After perusing the menu and ordering our wine, we began the night with the tiri fournisto, which was a baked cheese with herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. I piled my cheese onto my fresh bread, and instantly I was taken back to one of my first meals I had in Greece. We polished off the cheese, and we were then greeted by Maria Loi herself. She was as bubbly and friendly as ever, and I was mostly glad that she remembered who I was! We caught up with her for a few moments before she greeted her other diners, making them feel welcomed to her new restaurant.

Our second course of the night, which Maria ordered for us, was a most delcious salad called the Roka. It was sweet, salty, peppery, and smoky. It was a great recommendation, and if you go, you should order it too!

My main course was the lamb chops and loin with lemon smashed potatoes. The portion was appropriate, not too small and not too big, and the flavor profile was balanced- full round flavor of the meat paired with the bright lemon flavor of the potatoes...perfect. Next time, however, I must order my lamb medium rare, and not medium.

Patrick's main course was the giant prawns in a caramelized tomato and pepper sauce with feta cheese. I had to have a taste and I was happy with the balance of the flavors yet again- butteriness of the the prawns (she does not use butter...prawns just naturally have that flavor I think), acidity of the tomatoes, sweetness of the peppers and savoriness of the feta...yum!

To end our meal, we were given complimentary desserts of an almond and honey cake and a custard cake, which unfortunately I cannot remember the names of, but they were tasty.

I am looking forward to going back to try Maria's famous Moussaka! I hear it is fantastic...and light! Patrick and I spent the subway ride home reveling in our friend's restaurant, wishing her all the best! Even if I didn't know Ms. Loi, I would tell you my friends to go check it out and enjoy the flavors of Greece in a new way (sorry...no Gyros or tzaziki here, but you won't miss it to be sure).

this is Beth signing off.
mission: accomplished

Patrick and I with Maria Loi in Greece!

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