Symposium — Restaurant in New York

Recently, my wife and I discovered Symposium, a hidden gem in North Manhattan, while driving home. Its Greek sign beckoned us into an experience reminiscent of the cozy taverns in Athens, where entering feels like stepping into a secret cave or basement. Celebrating Greece’s Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25th, we were delighted by the traditional dishes that paid homage to these significant events, much like the celebrations back home in Greece.

The highlight of our meal was the cod with garlic spread (μπακαλιάρο σκορδαλιά), a signature dish for the day, embodying the essence of Greek tradition. Our feast also included crispy octopus, kalamarakia, French fries sprinkled with feta, shrimp saganaki, a refreshing Greek salad, authentic Greek coffee, portokalopita, and the sublime galaktoboureko. Each dish transported us to Greece with its authentic flavors, as if homemade.

Accompanied by a “Savvatiano” crisp, cold white Greek wine, served in an ice bucket to maintain its chill, the dining experience was elevated. The staff’s politeness and hospitality added to the warmth of the evening, and the generous aperitif of Samos wine from the manager before our departure was a gracious touch.

Symposium stands out not just for its genuine Greek cuisine but also for being the sole authentic Greek restaurant above 110th Street in North Manhattan, making it a perfect choice for our family. We are grateful for the memorable evening and look forward to returning. Thank you, Symposium, for a wonderful dining experience....

This place was an absolute gem! The service was beyond exceptional - with the chef Dan making sure my friend and I were well taken care of and served promptly. The entire we had was PATZARIA ME SKORDALIA, excellent and home made, and I had the AVGOLEMONO - creamy chicken soup with a dash of lemon. Then I ordered the chicken gyro plate (on pita with fresh chopped tomatoes,lettuce and the most dreamy tzatziki sauce with a large serving of rice from the prix fixe menu; my friend had the GARIDES MAKARONADA (shrimp, feta, tomatoes on ribbon pasta) which she said was tasty and truly flavourful followed by desert : PORTOKALOPITA which is was a dreamy pie with heavy orange overtones topped in a generous honey like sauce.

The bill for the two of us, with one Alpha beer each was truly reasonable - the whole dining experience reminded me of the beautiful Greek Tavernas I visited when I was in Athens - and the food was on parr with the city as well.

I’m from out of town but I will definitely make this my “go to” restaurant whenever I’m in...

Very good Greek food. The staff are attentive and friendly, and if you come more than twice they will remember you (or at least they remembered me) If it's your first time you have to try the flaming cheese (saganaki). I recommend the stuffed (with feta and spinach) flounder and the Greek salad (which is big enough to share). The house red wine (from Greece) is good. If you haven't completely overeaten (or even if you have) the Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts or the galactaburiko (sp? It's Filo dough filled with cheese and soaked in honey) are both terrific desserts. The restaurant is in the middle of a block of attached row houses (they were built as houses but now they're small multi tenant apartment buildings or student housing), in the lower floor (2-3 steps below street level) of one of these dwellings. It is a Columbia neighborhood institution, it's been there at least since the early 1980s. I miss the hand drawn...