Pithari Taverna — Restaurant in Highland Park

Three hours after I placed a negative review, I am forced to place yet another merely to respond to the restaurant owner's unfathomable reply to my review. I could not figure out how to do it directly on the first review so here it goes. I hope everyone gets to read my review and especially the owner's response. It's all in there; the disrespect, the twisting, the brattiness, the audacity. Instead of being apologetic, he has the courage and audacity to attack customer and calling them racist! (My comment on the cook not being Greek did not refer to the nationality of course, but the cultural culinary expertise - everybody with a sane sense understand that but not the owner). But since he even challenged that I had been in his place - despite the fact that I post reviews with full name/surname - let me give here a few more info on what happened that evening. Of course, I have better things to do, but people should know. In fact, people can just go around HP asking locals what they think of this place. Alas, I did so AFTER I visited it. Big mistake. So: Here is a list of things that we ordered and did not taste at all like anything Greek: avgolemono soup, ntakos salad, kritharaki. In my review, I mentioned ntakos in particular because it was the straw the broke the camel's back. Instead of rusk, it was served on biscuits; instead of fresh tomato, it had tomato paste. No olive oil whatsoever. Ntakos is supposed to be immersed in oil so the rusk can melt. What you offer is not twist on ntakos dude, it is simply twisted. I could write more, but I am not enjoying this. I am only sorry that you react like this to well justified critic. If you don't believe me, go around HP and ask people what they think about it. Those who - unlike me - "have been in this...

Been going to Pithari since it was one-third its present size. It grew for a reason: great food, lovely interior, and great service drew the crowds. It's not uncommon to walk in at 4:30 in the afternoon and see most of its tables filled.

Pithari features a broad selection of authentic Greek appetizers and entrées.

For those who have already had Greek food, this will soon become your favorite.

Recently, I've noticed the addition of more "earthy" Greek dishes that are featured on a separate menu. Go with them if you'd like a taste of what I can only describe as Greek country cooking. Everything I've tasted has been wonderful. One exception: the "flown-in-from-Greece" Bronzini. It was bland and a little dry. But I'm spoiled: I'm a fisherman and I eat what I catch the same day I catch it.

The prices at Pithari are on the high side of moderate but well worth it as the portions are huge.

Make sure you leave room for dessert. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of my favorite, but it's a scrumptuous custard topped with phyllo dough and honey. Mmm.

No liquor license at Pithari but conveniently there's a Greek food and wine store next door. They feature a wide selection of Greek wines if you're into that sort of thing.

I'm a food snob. I don't trust most reviews. But Pithari is the real deal. Great Greek restaurant. Excellent service. An owner who is a real restauranteur, and a friendly one at that.

If you love Greek food, Pithari is definitely worth up to a one-hour drive.

Hope you enjoy Pithari as...

I’m almost afraid to post given the responses I see…

This place is beautiful and the servers are always very kind. Sadly, whatever is going on in the kitchen these days swings wildly between hit or miss.

We ordered two of the saucier chicken dishes last night. I should know that a simple grill is better here but one of the specials sounded so good. It wasn’t. I’m pretty sure what I was served was pre-cooked chicken thrown into avgolemono soup with some dark greens and romaine lettuce. Yes, they served me stewed romaine lettuce. I didn’t know if this dish was soup, stew or what. And very little chicken. My husband’s kotopoulo was also really off and bland last night, and they were busy. They should have been going through stuff, not serving us what seemed like leftovers from an instant pot experiment.

The meatballs we received as appetizers here were tasty… until we found the piece of plastic wrap that had been accidentally cooked inside. I don’t even bother with salads here anymore. Can you imagine? A Greek place that can’t present a beautiful salad.

Anyway, I guess last night was the final straw for me. I’ve had too many misses here and they need to address it. It’s a shame, because the location and atmosphere are really great.

(Also, they are still packing leftovers in styrofoam in a neighborhood that prides themselves on being eco-progressive. Sadly, the packaging AND the food will just get tossed because I have zero interest in revisiting it. I know that they have six months to comply but that’s not a way to...