Estia Restaurant

04/17/08

It would've been nice if they were open.

by wickedana

We tried to go to Estia last night based on reviews and they were closed! The sign said that they are open Wednesday-Sunday but the lights were out and the door was gated. There wasn't even a sign on the door stating that there was an emergency or "sorry for the inconvenience." When we inquired next door at Viva to see if they were going to open they said "No, not tonight." Must be nice to not need the business and close whenever you want, but it's bad business because I don't know if I want to go back and try again. Word to the wise: call ahead to make sure that they'll be open!

• Cons: Closed when the sign said they'd be open.

02/15/08

Great Greek food + access to Viva menu

by rkishore

The chef is from the Greek island of Zakynthos. Good Greek white and red wine, a very good Greek salad, grilled salmon with vegetables, gigande (huge beans with tomato sauce), baklava (two big pieces served with chocolate strawberries), etc., which you would expect to find at most Greek restaurants. (Their Greek-wine list is exhaustive, though.)

Estia's specialties - that are difficult to find elsewhere in the Bay Area - include Santorinian fava (not the giant fava beans, but a mashed pea/lentil dish), (flamed) cheese saganaki that's like fondue, (Tyrokafteri) a delicious cheese and red-pepper dip served with doughy pita. They do their Melanzanosalata with smoked eggplant and green herbs, and it's served cold as it is anywhere else. You can also order from the menu of the adjacent Cafe Viva, an Italian restaurant. When they get waiting help from Viva, the service is fast. Otherwise, it takes a little time to take the order, but the food arrives fast thereafter.

• Pros: Greek food a rarity in North Beach; this is a restaurant, not an Americanized Greek deli
• Cons: A little slow in taking the order, but food is well worth the time

01/29/07

As good as Greek food gets!!

by pharnaces

Since 1981, my wife and I have gone to Greece nine times, and visited over 15 Islands - motivated in no small part by our love for Greek food. Until recently, the finest we had experienced was prepared by a wonderful restaurant located near Kokkari, on the island of Samos. That was until about June, 2006, when we discovered Estia! I have NEVER tasted Lamb and Orzo so savory and perfectly prepared!! In truth, everything we have tried has been put together with great care and obvious expertise, and the portions are extremely generous!! We loved the music as well, which is similar to what you'd hear in better places in Greece, and is not the often-obnoxious commercial "tourist" music. Bottom line: If you like Greek food, it does not get better than this; If you're not sure, there is no finer or more authentic restaurant to find out, in our experience!!