Avli Estiatorio [Great Greek outside Greektown]

Nomination: Avli Estiatorio [Great Greek outside Greektown]

Avli Estiatorio isn’t in Greektown but rather in the sedate confines of Winnetka’s Laundry Mall, but the there’s no question about the terrific Greek food there. Even for us city folks, it’s worth heading to the North Shore to eat at Avli because the food, service, and atmosphere are all winners. Avli has become one of my favorite restaurants—I’ve chosen it for two birthday dinners in a row. Avli is warm and welcoming, and the service is gracious and professional. Now that they’ve added some brighter lighting, one can read the menu and then enjoy the high brick walls decorated with rugs and photos of Greece while eating the most consistently excellent Greek food I have ever had the pleasure of being served.

LTHers’ enthusiasm about the food, including my own, is easily seen:

• The grilled octopus is a favorite of many, including ronnie-suburban: “It's got a great crispiness on the outside and a perfect density to the bite. I love the hearty rings of grilled onion with which it's served."
• The Poseidon Plate, a huge platter of grilled octopus, calamari, and shrimp in an olive oil and lemon dressing, is an amazing dish, as gastro gnome says, “I had this the last time I went and will have a hard time ordering anything else. Charred octopus is a favorite, and so are acidic sauces. This has both in spades. Light, crunchy, perfectly cooked seafood.”
• The zucchini chips with skordalia, which my son swoons over, are also praised by stevez: “the closest I've ever found to my holy grail of the zucchini chips served at Harry's Bar in Venice.”
• The grilled whole fish and various lamb preparations are also delicious; AlexG notes that the lamb shank is “ rich and flavorful, expertly prepared and seasoned”; and Jazzfood says the grilled sea bass is a standout.

Although Winnetka isn’t my neighborhood, Avli Estiatorio is definitely a Great Neighborhood Restaurant.

Main Avli thread
Both the Evanston Lunch Group™ and the LTH North Lunch Group have eaten at Avli, and most of the comments are in the main thread, but there are some luscious ronnie-s photos in the North Lunch Group thread as well as in the main one.

Avli Estiatorio
566 Chestnut Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 466-9300
http://www.avli.us/