Jazz &Jill photo
Nabe bloggers Jazz & Jill report on the opening of Athena Mediterranean [213 Smith Street, 718-625-2616]:
Jazz & Jill: Spiro Hiotis chose the perfect name for his restaurant. Athena is the virgin goddess of wisdom. Well, Spiro was wise indeed for choosing Cobble Hill for his third restaurant. The area has been in desperate need of Greek cuisine.
Last night Athena Mediterranean officially opened for business and it was quite the family affair. Spiro’s sister Helen introduced herself, showed us the space & offered us a glass of wine. We had just met, yet magically she knew the way to our hearts! The perfect start!
Although the restaurant is narrow, they handled it well. A few small black leather mini booths (very comfy!) are across from the bar. About six more booths are in the back, as well as the ‘vip’ area. This lounge section has white banquet seating with crisp blue walls, it feels like a little piece of Santorini. Although pretty and and a welcome concept, it honestly had us a little perplexed until Helen told us some fabulous news: on weekends they will be open until 4am and serving food until 1am. Aha! That explains why WKTU & Mediterranean house music were coming from the speakers! (note to Spiro: we much prefer the Mediterranean house music)
Usually the thought of Greek and open till 4am stirs up bad memories of a Long Island diner – chicken fingers, a guy with spiked hair hiccuping somewhere, pastel mints near the register. Not here. Everything was phenomenal.
Athena makes some good Greek! We’ve been going to the Park Slope one for years. Glad to see they expanded into Cobble Hill.
I was so glad to hear a Greek restaurant was opening in the neighborhood. The fact that they will serve until 4am is much needed. However, I took a look at the menu on Friday night and I was disappointed – $26 entrees and absolutely no late night, lighter options. Are people in the neighborhood really looking for a $150/couple dining experience at 2am? How about fine dining early and something lighter and less expensive late night options for those who have been out enjoying Smith Street and just want to grab something and go home? Athena has opened as one of the most expensive restaurants in the neighborhood and it is going to take more than a (very) friendly face at the door to get me to come inside