Ovelia: 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103
718.721.7217
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
I'm always looking for an excuse to eat at Ovelia every since the day that it opened. The staff here is young and fun to talk to. They often socialize with patrons and always make sure that everyone is happy. My personal favorite dishes at Ovelia are the bifteki monastiraki (lamb kebobs without the skewers) and the mousaka (potato, eggplant, beef and really yummy creamy sauce!). I highly recommend trying this place for brunch. For less than $15 you get a great brunch dish of your choice, a morning cocktail and coffee. You cannot go wrong with this place.
718.721.7217
N/W Train to 30th Avenue
I'm always looking for an excuse to eat at Ovelia every since the day that it opened. The staff here is young and fun to talk to. They often socialize with patrons and always make sure that everyone is happy. My personal favorite dishes at Ovelia are the bifteki monastiraki (lamb kebobs without the skewers) and the mousaka (potato, eggplant, beef and really yummy creamy sauce!). I highly recommend trying this place for brunch. For less than $15 you get a great brunch dish of your choice, a morning cocktail and coffee. You cannot go wrong with this place.
I have had their brunch and it was great!
ReplyDeleteHi Foodista,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Ovelia. I have found it to be consistently good.
My personal favorites include the chicken with lemon potatoes (how can you go wrong), the kafteri appetizer (feta cheese with green chili peppers, tomatoes, some spices and olive oil made into a chunky spread that is served with warm pita bread) and the calamari which is light and tender and served with lemon and red sauce.
For dessert, try the nutella/banana crepes or for something simple but special go with the loukoumathes (light, balls of fried dough drizzled with honey). They remind you of balled up funnel cake with honey instead of powdered sugar. They are delicious and enough for a few people to munch on.
Although I have heard mixed reviews from some patrons, my experience has always been positive. Some people have cited inconsistent food preparation, feeling that a dish was better prepared on a previous day. I have also heard from one or two people that sometimes the staff is rude. It may be the case, but I have not experienced this. Because many of the wait staff is foreign there may be cultural differences or language discrepancies which are not indicative of an abrasive attitude and are not intended to be rude, but seem abrupt to more sensitive diners.
Later in the evening Ovelia tries to create a bar/club atmosphere. Instead of a mirror behind the bar is a large window which opens directly onto 34th Street, where additional outdoor seating is available. In warm weather there is no glass covering the window so drinks can be ordered from outside and around 11:00PM a DJ comes in and plays some records. There’s no room to dance, but they try to create a bit of a club vibe – it’s anyone’s call if this is successful.
The staff is young and because of this seems to turn over not infrequently. This is not bad, but it’s not the kind of place where you will be known to the staff unless you frequent the joint -- frequently!
Aaron
Thanks Aaron. You should read my other review about Ovelia's brunch--it's one of my all time favorite places here in Astoria. http://www.foodistanyc.com/2008/03/ovelia-brunch-overload-in-good-way.html
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a bad experience with the service either but they do tend to switch around a bit, like you say.