Table for Two

Cooking from the heart, with a taste of Greece

Posted

Lynbrook Eats
245 Merrick Road, Lynbrook
(516) 887-4932

Your first visit to the new Lynbrook Eats may well have you thinking of a second. There is so much to choose from. Taking over the space that housed the former Metro, which was totally renovated inside and out, it’s a friendly neighborhood eatery with a vast menu of American diner fare mixed with Greek cuisine. Food is top notch in many respects … and a bit more esoteric than you’d expect.

Owners are Spiro and his father, Timmy, a talented chef. Spiro’s mother, Stella, will impress you with her authentic Greek specialties. This family is passionate about what they serve, starting from the organic ingredients they purchase. They have had restaurants throughout Manhattan and Queens.

We opted for a booth. Warm crusty bread arrived with beverages. Over a dozen unique salads are listed, with numerous add-on options. Lynbrook Salad — a platter heaped with mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, mozzarella cheese (or feta), sun dried cranberries, walnuts and huge filets of freshly grilled wild salmon drizzled with fig balsamic glaze — was outstanding.

Stella’s Moussaka — a fluffy wedge of ground beef, sliced potatoes and eggplant, covered in béchamel sauce, served with a Greek salad — is as good as it gets. Her Spanakopita (spinach pie wrapped in phyllo) is equally great, and comes with rice and Greek salad. Stuffed filet of sole boasted a hearty crabmeat filling. Chicken Toronado, a popular Timmy special, offered tenderloins sautéed with mushrooms, artichokes and Marsala wine, blanketed with melted mozzarella.

With coffee we enjoyed homemade desserts. Cinnamon dusted rice pudding was creamy, and bread pudding, airy and delicious. Galaktoboureko, a traditional Greek pastry with custard and phyllo, was right on target.

Portions are generous, from cage-free three-egg omelets to salads that could easily satisfy two. Items like quesadillas, wraps, hot heroes, Paninis, and sandwiches generally come with fries. Entrees - roasts, steaks, chops, seafood, chicken, stuffed, sautéed, etc. include soup or salad, and potato and vegetable. Check the appetizers for some true Greek indulgences, like Grilled Octopus, Saganaki (fried feta), or Pikilia — assorted spreads. From desserts to complete dinners, prices are $3 to $25.

Lynbrook Eats stays open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Take-out is always available, and they will begin local delivery in June.

Recommendations:
■ Lynbrook Salad with Grilled Salmon
■ Moussaka
■ Spinach Pie
■ Chicken Toronado
■ Stuffed Filet of Sole
■ Rice Pudding
■ Bread Pudding
■ Galaktoboureko