GOLD STAR DINER:
42-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside 428-8224

CUISINE: Classic diner menu with Italian and Greek specialties

HOURS: Open 7 days a week starting at 6 a.m. Closes Monday through Thursday at 10 p.m. Continuous (24 hour) service from Friday morning until Sunday night at 9 p.m.

PARKING: Curbside or nearby municipal parking lot

SPECIAL SERVICE: Free local delivery and office catering

CREDIT CARDS: Major cards accepted

Just two years ago, Chris took over this 43-year-old restaurant and, since then, has renovated the place, outfitted it with comfortable banquettes, lengthened the hours and added to the lengthy menu. His personal style has also added to the appeal of this convenient eatery where he is the affable host and a believer in delivering value for your money. When you visit the Gold Star, bring either your appetite or a hungry friend. The servings are enormous!

We started with an Avgholemono, rice cooked in chicken stock with egg and lemon sauce - a great start on a cold rainy night. The next course was a large platter of Finger Food called the Choo Choo. It includes Chicken Fingers, French Fries, Mozzarella Sticks and Buffalo Wings with two dipping sauces on the side- Blue Cheese and Marinara ($8.95). Accompanying the platter was a glass ($3) of California wine- Chardonnay or Burgundy.

The evening special was two tasty Filet of Soles stuffed with crab meat ($15.50) served with a potato (we chose mashed) and a vegetable (we chose fresh peas and mushrooms). Our other entrée from the regular menu was the Greek Spanakopitta or spinach pie accompanied by a Greek Salad complete with anchovies.

Rose, our waitress, gave us her full attention and added little nice touches such as refilling our coffee and presenting the chilled water with a segment of lemon on the rim of the tall glass.

Although we chose to take some of our entrées home (some people do and others share the entrée), we couldn’t resist desserts- a light white cake with a fluffy lemon coconut icing and a slice of blueberry pie with vanilla ice cream.

With the many offerings on the menu, there is sure to be something to tempt every eater. For example, there is a section of the menu devoted to wraps to a current food fad  - offering everything from a Southwestern Style to a Philly Steak to a Greek Style Wrap. There are also sandwiches galore: hot, cold, triple-decker, hamburger, best sellers and chicken deluxe. Do try one of the great salad platters.

Whether you come for breakfast, a snack or a four-course meal, you will enjoy the fresh, tasty offerings at the Gold Star where the price is right and the service is attentive.

– J. Davis