KATIALLO

On a different day, my friend Nancy and I took in lunch at a Greek restaurant in Queens called Katiallo. Small and home style Greek cuisine located at 29-06 172nd Street off of Francis Lewis Blvd., just blocks from M&S Italian grocery. It’s an open kitchen. You can watch them cook behind the counter.

We shared (It’s easier that way) starting with a cold appetizer, Pikilia. It was a combination of Taramosalata (carp roe spread), Melitzanosalata (eggplant spread), Tzatziki (yogurt sauce with cucumber and garlic) and Skordalia (whipped potato dip with garlic). For some reason, the Melitzanosalata was substituted for Hummus (whipped chickpeas with sesame tahini, lemon and garlic). Nothing was said and I couldn’t figure out why the texture of the eggplant was so different until I asked about it. Oh well.

We then chose two entrees. Doner was a marinated rotisserie pork loin with herbs and served with Tzatziki, pita bread and lemon potatoes (you could opt for French fries). Loukaniko was a Greek style pork and lamb sausage spiced with oregano, orange, and wine and served with the same as the Doner.

We both agreed that the marinated pork was better than the sausage due to the sausage being quite dry. The sausage was served sliced up and lacked any juice. On the positive side, you could see those gyros rather than some places that buy frozen slices and heat them up.

I’m told that all food is made on the premises and from scratch, except for the desserts which are brought in. With the usual Baklava, I opted for one called Galactobouriko, a custard filled phyllo topped with a light honey syrup. Loved it. FYI. They have a backyard area for whenever Spring actually arrives.

There was a table of people that appeared to be celebrating. It was Lena Goren’s 81st birthday. She is a Greek Holocaust survivor, a former Miss Senior America contestant and a Rego Park resident. I understand that she also has a bit of show biz in her blood.