Brunch On Austin Street
Agora Taverna
70-09 Austin St., Forest Hills
(718) 793-7300
Hours: Mon-Thur: 11 a.m.-11p.m.
Fri: 11a.m.-midnight; Sat: 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Credit Cards: Yes, All Major
It was on a Sunday afternoon when I decided to take a stroll down Austin Street in Forest Hills for a day of shoe shopping.
As I passed by several eateries on the way to the local fashion boutique, my hunger began to set in. On my left was a burger joint, to my right a pizza parlor and straight ahead, like a beacon of light, was the Greek restaurant Agora Taverna.
With smells of fresh seafood wafting from the ocean blue doors, I knew I had to make a stop.
My courteous hostess promptly sat me in the front patio and handed me a brunch menu. A long list of Mediterranean specialties stared back at me as I carefully made my choice.
The Greek Toast piqued my curiosity and I knew I had to try it.
While I waited for my meal, I sipped on a mimosa and enjoyed my favorite pastime – people watching. As crowds of families, couples and solo diners flocked to the entrance, it became clear that this restaurant appealed to just about everyone.
The broad blue awning provided a welcome shade on the warm day and as a cool breeze glided by, I felt like I was on the shores of Mikonos.
Before I knew it, my Greek Toast was ready. The buttery, crisp tsoureki bread tasted scrumptious. Vanilla honey smothered the toasted bread and proved to be a much better sweetener than the traditional maple syrup.
The fresh strawberries on the side added a refreshing balance to dish as I savored every morsel.
Hankering for something more savory, I decided to continue my dining experience with a couple selections from the appetizer menu.
The homemade Loukaniko sausage and stuffed calamari jumped out at me. As my waiter placed the dishes in front of me, I was overcome with excitement.
The plate presentation and aroma were simply exquisite, and the taste was unlike anything I’ve ever had.
The calamari was grilled and stuffed to the seams with feta, manouri and kefalograviera cheeses, and with every bite of Loukaniko, flavors of orange zest and Greek spices burst through.
With such great opening appetizers as these, I can only imagine what the chefs conjure up for dinner.
After my meal, I left the restaurant feeling simply divine and completely forgot the original reason I went to Austin Street in the first place. I never did get those shoes, but my dining awakening had more than made up for it.
-Megan Montalvo