Lithos Estiatorio — Restaurant in Livingston

The place was basically empty on a Friday night ...need I say more? I won't be returning. Offensively bad experience. It's no longer owned by Greeks and it is very evident. This is absolutely not, in any way, shape, or form, a Greek estiatorio. It is overpriced Italian food masquerading as Greek food. You're better off going down the road to the fast food Greek place (Simple Greek is the name) -The dinner menu barely has any Greek dishes, other than the appetizers. All I could see was risotto this or bolognese that. -One of the members of our party wanted chicken souvlaki and the waiter (a brazilian guy who was extremely unprofessional) looked at her like she had 2 heads. "Oh, let me ask the chef if he has them.." Are you kidding me? What sort of Greek restaurant has to inquire whether or not they have CHICKEN SOUVLAKI? That's like a Mexican restaurant not having a burrito LOL -The risotto is overcooked and disgusting; if you can't get a risotto right, you are not putting in the time/effort to warrant the prices you charge. -Prices are exorbitant for the food they serve (Manhattan prices) -This Place tries REALLY hard to be upscale but they fail miserably. Don't clean the table with a crumb-scraper and then the next second have the waiter calling me "boss" or call me by first name - we are not friends. Call your patrons sir/madam and say "pardon my reach". I don't require such niceties, but if you're going to charge those prices and try to come off as fine dining, try to get the basics right and look the part. You are way out of your league. -The appetizers are the only Greek thing on the menu, and only in name. Take the spanakopita for example...it's almost certainly bought from Costco. Rather than being sliced from a tray out of the oven, they serve the pre-packaged triangle-shaped garbage. Embarrassing. -The lamb shank is doused with some sort of red sauce - one of the ugliest presentations of a dish I have ever seen. Not appetizing or tasty. -All the waiter did was up-sell, right from the opening offer of "what kind of water" would you like. I don't appreciate the "Oh, you want New Jersey water?" quip when we asked for tap water. You're not funny. There's actually another 1-star review further down with a customer complaining about the same thing (in his case, he ordered wine and the waiter implied that it was too cheap). Your job is to make your customers feel welcome, not like they are being cheap. You should be ashamed of yourself. -All this waiter (bald guy) did was promote the filet mignon, red snapper, buratta appetizer (Italian food) etc. How about naming a few GREEK specials? Pastitsio? Paidakia? Stifado? No? Just overpriced $50$ rib-eye steaks?

AVOID. You're...

We had the most lovely dining experience at Lithos in every way possible; the food, the drinks, the service. From the moment we walked into the door, we were greeting with a smile and given a comfortable booth. I wish I had gotten the man’s name, but I am 9 months pregnant and he was kind enough to even pull out the table out for me to get in to the booth easily. Right away he struck up a conversation with us and brought my husband a cocktail. Our dinner guests met us there and he continued to check on us throughout the night even though he was not our primary server. Our server, Beck, came promptly as soon as our guests did. He always came to check on us at the appropriate times and realized whenever we needed more time. All of the food we were served was absolutely exceptional. We ordered the octopus appetizer, which we had another time and it came out exactly the same as when we had it the first time. Our dinner guests are huge seafood lovers and both agreed that it was the best octopus they have ever had, with a good sized portion on top of it. We also had the lithos chips, which were also a big hit too. For dinner, our dinner guests both had fish, my husband had the lamb shank, and I had the lobster ravioli. Our guests seemed very pleased with their meals, again commenting on how they felt they received a really good portion. I tried my husbands lamb shank which was very tender and very flavorful. For desert, we got the lava cake and the feta cheesecake. I would highly recommend the feta cheesecake. It was very creamy and the flavors are definitely not would you expect. All of us tried it and felt it was not was we were expecting. It was absolutely delicious. Our service throughout the night continued to be above and beyond. It was evident to all of us how attentive our servers were. They were constantly refilling our waters for us, giving us fresh utensils, and making sure everything came out timely. Our dinner guests said they haven’t had service like that in a long time. Needless to say, we were extremely satisfied with our time at Lithos and truly can’t wait to...

When it comes to exceptional dining and unparalleled event planning, Lithos Estiatorio in Livingston, NJ, is in a league of its own. Our ministry recently celebrated our Pastor’s birthday, and we wanted it to be a truly special occasion. Thanks to Lithos Estiatorio, it was more than just special, it was unforgettable.

From the very beginning, Alban and his incredible team set a standard of professionalism, kindness, and patience that is rare to find. Every email, every phone call, every interaction was marked by warmth and genuine care. I could hear Alban smiling through the phone—yes, he is that kind of owner. His hands-on approach, leadership, and dedication are nothing short of inspiring. Watching how his staff responds to him with such respect and admiration is a testament to his exceptional character.

Alban and Liza (Lee-Zah) didn’t just work with our vision; they made sure that it was what we envisioned and thensome. They collaborated seamlessly with our vendors and decorators, accommodating every detail of our process to ensure everything was perfect. To say they went above and beyond doesn’t begin to capture the heart and soul they poured into making this celebration truly memorable for our Pastor. Alban, your unwavering dedication redefines what it means to be an owner who truly cares. Liza, your honesty, sweet spirit, and attentiveness made every moment of this process smoother than we could have imagined.

If you’re planning a celebration, a date night, or a family gathering, Lithos Estiatorio is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The food? Absolutely divine. The desserts? Heavenly. The ambiance? Perfectly curated to create an unforgettable experience.

To Alban, Liza, and the entire team—thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this celebration so remarkable. Your kindness and professionalism left a lasting impact on all of us. May God continue to bless your establishment abundantly.

To those reading this review, trust me when I say, Lithos Estiatorio is the GOLD standard in dining and hospitality.

5 out 5 in food, service, and...