Gardens of Salonica Traditional and modern Greek cuisine

Guess who sliced 30lb of Gyros for Steve Zeece III graduation? Lazaros! Yep, Steve had his own personal carver and the skies cooperated. No rain fell. Top photo Steve Zeece II, Steve Zeece III, Lazaros, and SZIII's mom, Amy. Build your own Gyros or Chicken Pitas, Pilafi and, of course, Greek Salad, with a bowl of Tzatziki that rivaled the swimming pool in girth, attracted the guests who could not help but focus on the food rather than the gray, threatening skies.

It's true! The Gardens' Party Platters have been a favorite addition to Patio Parties, Reunions, Rehearsals, Charitable Events for almost two decades now! Look for a top tab page on our website coming soon with more photos and detailed pricing. Until then call for additional info. Pictured here is the small Tyro Platter with grilled pita. For $20 it feeds 8-24. Large platters ($40-$50) serve up to 50. Options other than grilled pita: pita chips or raw veggies.

Every Wednesday the Gardens pours a select wine flight special. Three 3oz pours for $6! For the month of August we are featuring the white varietals: Levkos (Skouros): a light, crisp, well-balanced blend of Roditis and Moschofillero, Roditis (Vastistas) fuller bodied, wet and floral--one of the "classic" (1970s that is) varietals and most often requested. For our final selection we offer Moschofillero (Haggipavlou), an elegant, not-quite-full-bodied, but a stand-up wine to lamb, seafood, even Mousaka!

Westcott and Calder visited us tonight with their parents, long-time server, John, and Dena. After an appropriate amount of "good boy behavior" the two set out for their favorite rock pile--Zoran's "Table and Chairs" installation. The sun was casting its "Golden Hour" and, hey, who can resist two charming articulate boys, blasting their energy on a heap of inert stone? To wit they named them: "The Fish," The Saucer," "The Motorcycle," and "The Surfboard." There were any number of sequences, hop-scotch-like, with ensuing story lines....the night was young.

In the sun-drenched Green Room of the Gardens Brian and Lauren celebrated their rehearsal dinner. Mom and Dad with sister, Meghan, all the way from Kentucky, orchestrated the night of festivities from afar with Anna, who was in Greece. But when the day came everything fell into place. It was nearly midnight when goodbyes were said. Seems like everybody had a good time. Photos are the bar, with visiting bar-tendress, Sophia and brother and sister, Brian and Meghan.

On Friday, May 7, all 21 members of Anna's Tour of Greece 2010 met for the first time for a 15 bottle wine tasting complements of Boutari Winery, Santorini. Talk about an ice breaker!

Thirty guests (Zander counts as two...in more ways than one!) tabled up Friday night to dine family-style the feast prepared by Anna and Lazaros. Starting with grilled octopus, Kolokithopita, Tzatziki, Souvlakia and Greek wine, they finished with Boughatsa crema, a large cream filled pastry sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Afterward they watched the first showing of "Small Crime", a wonderful, funny, dark and tender film that was sold out. Highly recommended it will be shown a final time during the "Best of" the International Film Festival, May 1-5. Check postings for the time.

That's how we said goodbye at the final meeting for Anna's Greece Tour 2010 this past Saturday. For the first time since the trip was closed, all fifteen of the in-state travelers met together for a family style "info-dinner". They sampled three different indigenous wines, 5 appetizers, two Boughatsas, finished with platters of lamb, pork, and chicken skewers and Yigandes. While eating, Anna explained toasting and eating customs, and basic vocab expressions. It was a chance for everyone to ask questions and to start to get to know each other.

Pita chips are a hit! We have been sampling our fresh pita chips now, complimentary at the bar...and now we're offering them for sale. $5/lb. Come in and try them!

Oh boy! Together with the AC which we kicked on yesterday, we made this year's first batch of Arni me Anginares! Lamb shanks braised with fresh, organic, globe artichokes in avoglemono sauce--that wonderful lemon sauce made with Larry Schultz's organic eggs and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Infused with fresh dill that was picked when the temps hit 77" and you know this dish is a winner!