Tinos — Restaurant in New York

Whether a foodie, connoisseur or just an average lover of wholesome, fresh food prepared to perfection, the place to dine for lunch or dinner is Tinos. We were a foursome with divergent eating likes and dislikes. Yet each of us could not stop raving about the impressive quality of the food and service at this professionally managed family owned and operated Greek restaurant. When we sent our compliments to the kitchen, the owner came out and spoke with us. Not at all surprisingly to us, we learned that she has been a restauranteur for the past 20 years after growing up in her family’s restaurant business as a little girl. It was apparent to all of us that her genuine love for bringing delicious food to the table has been her longstanding birthright, and passionate destiny. When we commented on the eclectic artwork that adorns the dining area and how it reminded one of us of the colors of the waters of the Greek islands, we learned that the owner was the sole artist of all the artwork. I then took a closer look at the owner’s rendition of a typical Greek island street scene, whereupon I suddenly became aware that one half of the painting projects an ethereal quality that also generates movement even though a still-life painting! This discovery capped-off my dining experience, convincing me that the delicious food we had devoured with gusto was not accidental, but rather the reliable and predicable outcome of the woman who makes it happen day-in and day-out as the matriarch of a family operated business. In my brimming over with gratitude for having had such a splendid time, I could not help but give the owner a big hug of thanks upon leaving...

Yoooo, I never write reviews for restaurants, even for Michelin starred jawn, but Tinos deserves one. It's that good.

When I came in with a party of three pretty late about an hour and half before closing (we were their last dine in customers), the owners Yannis and Lia were welcoming and quickly seated us. They recommended we try to the lamb (Arni Souvlaki) and branzino (i forget name of it). We ordered some other appetizers and the Greek salad.

The food did NOT disappoint. EVERYTHING was good. Yannis saw how much we were enjoying the dishes so he graciously offered us three dishes free of charge (lemon potatoes, calf liver and a greek yogurt covered in honey and granola for dessert). I could tell he was a fellow foodie. I'd say I have a pretty discerning palate and don't like food if it's overly salty or sweet. Unfortunately a lot of restaurants douse their food in sugar or salt, as if they believe it makes up for the lack of flavor, but the chef at Tinos definitely knows their way around seasoning! The seasoning on each dish at Tinos was complementary rather than overpowering.

The music they played wasn't too loud or dizzying--when I went, it was mostly bossa nova renditions of current pop songs. The interior felt very cozy and aside from a few two seat tables, it felt much like a family dining room.

All in all, a place I'd HIGHLY recommend if you live in the UES or are in the craving for some authentic and tasty af Greek food. I'd recommend ordering the food and sharing it family style (it also makes for a better meal I think). I live in LIC and I'd come here for the food and the...

BEST IN TOWN

There's been a rapid rise in the number of Mediterranean restaurants in Manhattan, in some parts of NYC, if it weren’t for the loud traffic and smelly trash, you could maybe close your eyes, pinch your nose and pretend you’re in Santorini, Greece…

But Alas, even then, the Mediterranean food in NYC is never quite as good, as fresh, or as carefully prepared as their counterparts in Athens, Meteora or Santorini… (other than in the priciest Michelin starred establishments, fast paced NYC could never stomach the slowly prepared, cook to order, dining experience found in places like Meteora, Greece, where time moves slower than molasses)

But Tinos? Tinos is an exception.

The food in this humble establishment stands heads and shoulders above its NYC competition. Dishes that are typically rushed to the table at other restaurants are meticulously cooked to order - prepared with care, with patience, and with excellent ingredients that speak for themselves.

As you slather a piping hot piece of pita bread in your favorite freshly prepared Mediterranean dip and chomp away at its flavorful goodness, you start to wonder…

why is everything here so good?

is the olive oil here different too? (Yeah, it is)

And then for a brief moment, in a food induced trans, you start to imagine yourself in Santorini or Mykonos but without the crazy tourist crowds outside… if only.

Don’t miss out on this place - Ask Giannis (he was our waiter, and I suspect the owner) about the dessert in this place, best sweet I’ve had in...