Neo Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

My wife and I made reservations at this restaurant for Mother's Day around 1pm, so we could take my mother-in-law to celebrate.

When we called to make reservations, we were told that they usually serve brunch (i.e., breakfast food) on Saturdays and Sundays, but they would not be doing so on Mother's Day because... well, Mother's Day. My mother-in-law doesn't like eggs, so totally fine! We proceeded with excitement.

When we drove up we realized it was right next door to Greek Family Kitchen on Union Turnpike; a restaurant we've been to many, many times. It turns out that this restaurant is by the same owners. This was promising news, as we've always loved the food there!

We were initially seated at a table at the front half of the restaurant, but another (very large) party was seated next to us and one of the children was watching cartoons loudly on an iPad with no headphones, so we asked if we could be moved outside or to the other end of the restaurant so we wouldn't have to be near the untenable racket. The staff was very kind and understanding, and moved us to the patio.

There was a small hiccup with service, in that we were given a warm bottle of rosé — I've worked service industry before, and I know how to chill a bottle in about five minutes (the old "spin it in the ice bucket with water" trick). I also know you shouldn't put a warm bottle of white or rosé wine at the table in front of a customer. The bottle should've been chilled in the kitchen, the wait station or behind the bar before it was taken to our table. But this is really a small matter — not even worthy of docking half a star.

We ordered zucchini chips, saganaki and a caesar salad to start — splitting all. Delicious! We knew the dining experience would be elevated compared to the sister restaurant next door just by glancing around the dining room, but the food told us immediately that we were in for an upscale experience that rivaled the food we've always loved at the more down-home Greek Family Kitchen.

Our mains arrived shortly thereafter (the Linguini Puttanesca and the Pear & Gorgonzola Ravioli) and did not disappoint. The food was light but also satisfying.

Of course we sprang for dessert, too (it was Mother's Day, after all!). We got the Dubai Chocolate, which was rich but light all at the same time, replete with a snaking line of chocolate sauce across the plate which was interrupted at intervals with sprinklings of edible gold.

Couldn't have been more pleased with what turned out to be a fantastically appropriate Mother's Day locale.

We will definitely...

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From the moment we walked into Néo, we knew we were in for something special. The atmosphere strikes a brilliant balance between elegant and relaxed — modern Mediterranean vibes with just enough warmth to make you feel instantly welcome.

We ordered the Branzino as our entree, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Freshly sourced, grilled perfectly, and served with delicate Mediterranean accents, it was moist, flavorful, and flaky in all the right places. The skin had a lovely crisp, giving way to tender flesh that melted in the mouth. The seasoning—just enough herbs, citrus, and olive oil—allowed the sea bass’s natural flavor to shine through. It wasn’t just a dish; it was a whole experience.

But what truly elevated the evening was the service—and especially the bar. Stephanie, our bartender, deserves serious applause. Attentive, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about her craft. She guided us through the cocktail menu, suggesting pairings that complemented the branzino. Her signature drinks were creative without being showy, and each sip was beautifully balanced. More than that, she made us feel genuinely taken care of: timing, personality, cheerful presence—she brought it all.

If you’re looking for a place in Queens where the food (especially the seafood) is top notch, and the drinks and service are equally excellent, Néo is absolutely worth a visit. Stephanie alone makes it a destination; the branzino...

Potential New Gem in Queens!

We had the pleasure of stopping by last weekend and had an amazing time. This place just opened but we think it has the potential to be a gem in Queens, a borough with no shortage of great food already.

Service

Our server, Casey, was a joy to meet. He was incredibly personable, and was willing to answer any questions we had. He was super attentive and made sure we felt like we were taken care of throughout the meal!

Food We ordered the Tuna Tartare, the Octopus, the Lobster Pasta and the Diver's Scallops. Every dish we ordered screamed fresh, whether it was the seafood or the other ingredients such as the avocado. Our favorite dish was the Diver's Scallops, which were cooked to absolute perfection.

We ordered the Neo Rocher for dessert which was their fancy Ferrero Rocher, and it was just chocolatey goodness. It was incredibly rich, and was a strong way to end the dinner.

Drinks We ordered 3 drinks, and unfortunately can't remember the names of them all. Each of the drinks we ordered were presented beautifully with great flavor. I especially liked the Wake Up in Ibiza which seemed to be their take on a martini espresso. The flavor was smooth, and the vanilla they added was super pleasant! My wife ordered a drink that had a candied pear that was also quite delicious, but I am blanking on...