Sunday, September 29, 2013

Ethos Greek- Murray Hill

Looks nice, Yelpers say it IS nice-- ( OK, one review is not so good but that is about it)

Ethos

3.5 star rating
234 reviews Rating Details
Categories: Greek, Turkish
495 3rd Ave
(between 33rd St & 34th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill, Kips Bay
(212) 252-1972
Nearest Transit Station:
33 St. (4, 6, 6X)
28 St. (4, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
Good for Kids:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
No
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
No
Good For:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
No
Caters:
No
Wheelchair Accessible:
No

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234 reviews in English

  • Review from

    Brooklyn, NY
    5/11/2013
    Tasty foods...lively vibe... Nice spot to hit for dinner with friends, or a very casual date, in midtown east.  The grilled octopus appetizer was delicious... Not chewy or tough... a little smoky, and a little touch of tang with the vinegar and capers. The octopus app was pretty big... Could be a nice light meal with a salad, or pita and hummus. My friend and I also ordered two clay pot dishes, the artichoke and the lamb. The artichoke was very tasty. The braised lamb was phenomenal. So. Good.

    We didnt get drinks, but lots of folks had sangria and fruity looking martinis. Our meal, without alcohol came to $30 a piece... A little pricey for a casual dinner (or maybe I'm just cheap), either way, I'm looking forward to trying Ethos again.
  • Review from

    Hoboken, NJ
    9/3/2013
    I vaguely remember my first experience at Ethos several years ago.  I recall the slow service and mediocre food we encountered.  Needless to say, I was hesitant to return.  However, after reading the positive reviews, I thought that this spot was worth another shot.

    The second that I walked into the cozy, Mediterannean restaurant, I instantly had deja vu and was transported back to my first visit.  I pushed any expectations to the back of my mind and crossed the dining room to meet my friends, who were waiting for me at an extremely cramped booth.  I squeezed in beside one of them while bumping feet under the table with the other.  Our server continued to check on us and remained patient and friendly despite our delayed decisionmaking.

    The meal began with a basket of complimentary, doughy pita bread, which we complimented with a order of the creamiest, well-seasoned hummus.  The elaborate menu made it very difficult to choose an entree, so I wound up compiling a meal from the appetizer seafood mixed grill plate and a side order of sauteed spinach blended with rice.  The shrimp, squid, and calamari plate had great flavor, but the calamari was a little tough.  The infused rice was garlicky and spectacular.  I also had a bite of the delicious orzo that accompanied my friend's chicken dish that was cooked in a clay pot and served with a rich tomato sauce and topped with cubes of salty feta cheese.  Lastly, we received two pieces of Galaktosuriko (semolina custard wrapped up with phyllo dough) for dessert, on the house.

    The above average food and efficient service warranted Ethos 3.5 stars. The restaurant made an easy and ideal destination for a casual dinner in the Murray Hill-area.
  • Review from

    • 60 friends
    • 58 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/1/2013 1 check-in here
    SO good. I mean, I-need-to-order-the-Avegolomo-soup-every-day-for-­lunch-good. (Seamless delivery guy, if you're reading this, it's me! Melanie from 475 Park)

    It's hard to find great, authentic Greek food in the city. Jaded by my BFF growing up, who is Greek, her dad (and his love for olive oil... on everything), and our trip to the Greek Islands two summers ago, I am ga-ga for greek food.

    The Octopadi salad is wonderful, the greek salad is great too (but, please, MORE FETA!) When it's nice out, they open the windows in the front.

    Definitely a good place to know if you live in the area.
  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 27 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    8/26/2013 Seated via OpenTable
    Really great greek food....and I love how close it is to my house.
  • Review from

    • 13 friends
    • 69 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/23/2013
    I've been about 4 times in the past three years and it pleases every time.  Don't expect Milos, AVRA or Pylos.........Ethos is basically a taverna. Casual food in a casual setting.... I had the lamb with orzo, and it was like eating in my mom's house...yes, I am Greek and I think the place is not only way more than passable but very authentic......
  • Review from

    • 67 friends
    • 16 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/27/2013
    Reasonable prices, lively atmosphere, and passionate staff. This is one of the few restaurants my snooty taste buds approve of. The food is consistent and usually exceeds expecations The only con is the dishes takes a while to prepare, but it's worth the wait. I highly recommend making reservations during peak hours. Ethos is one of my favorite restaurants in New York - I'd recommend it to anyone.
  • Review from

    • 185 friends
    • 194 reviews
    New York, NY
    7/10/2013
    Very good dishes, and I am not particularly fond of Greek cuisine, so it was much more difficult to impress me. The staff was extremely warm and helpful as well. I ate here as an homage to a friend from Greece who passed, and as silly as it sounds I felt connected to the Greek spirit here...and I've stood upon the Acropolis. So, I'd say, definitely good Greek soul.
  • Review from

    • 15 friends
    • 35 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    4/4/2013
    DISCLAIMER: THIS REVIEW IS LONG BUT DETAILED!!! SORRY!!!

    Absolutely, by far, the best Greek food I have ever had before in my life. Seriously. I HATEEEEEEEEEE Murray Hill, this particular section to be exact, but I will venture here SOLELY to come to Ethos. and I love Andres, the waiter. If that was not dramatic enough, I can honestly say, if the appetizers and specials I ate at Ethos were the last things I could eat on this earth, I would literally be in heaven.

    SERVICE: Quick and extremely accomodating. Their one curly haired waiter Andres is my FAVORITEEEEE. Love him!

    WE ORDERED:
    Ortikia Sta Karvouna, Imam, Special of the Day (delicious smothered boneless lamb in a tomato based, chunky, mushroom and vegetable sauce, lightly seasoned with cinnamon (and possibly nutmeg), served with vegetable rice and garnished with fresh rosemary) Arni Giouvetsi, Complimentary Dessert

    PITA BREAD - AMAZINGGGGG. Where is this stuff FROM!?!?! Ugh, it's just indescribably perfect. It is literally the most succulent, amazing, delicious, warm, buttery, soft bread I have ever had the blessing to ingest. We had 4 orders of it during the course of our meal, and had some to take home.

    IMAM (EGGPLANT):  Took every ounce of restraint not to devour the whole thing (wasn't even my appetizer smh) and not lick every droplet of sauce off of the plate like a disgusting barbarian. Best thing on the menu!

    ORTIKIA (QUAIL): The waitress advised us that the quail "did not have much meat on it" (and no, she wasn't fat) but it came out and had plenty of meat. I mean, come on, it's a quail, not a turkey. It was PERFECTLY seasoned, crispy, lightly oily skin, coated in spices, served halved, meaty, and delicious.

    Things only got better when the entrees came out.

    LAMB SPECIAL: My lamb special was seriously the most delicious lamb I have ever had before in my life. Yes, it is even better than the $5 halal street meat. (read above description)

    ARNI GIOUVETSI (LAMB): fan-freakin-tastic! Never disappoints!

    DESSERT: First of all, I ALREADY loved it because it was complimentary. Two huge pieces of the most delectable, sugary Baklava came out, complete with even larger creme pastries. Absolutely delectable.

    Perfect. Will be coming back as often as my arteries can take it.
  • Review from

    • 24 friends
    • 18 reviews
    Brooklyn, NY
    3/7/2013
    My favorite Greek in the city .. Found this gem by chance probably over 10 years ago. .I used to live in Cyprus so I know about Greek food . It is pricy if you order like you would there. Meze is like tapas ...It involves a bunch of appetizers expect it also involves a main dish,salad and desert.. lots of fruits and sweet cakes..
    Just go there with a few people so you get to taste as many different things .. I llove the taramasalata , the grilled octopus is amazing , the fried cheese, the hallow I, the lamb chops and I could go on ...
    The service can be slow at times but it is worth the time .  Might have to go tomorrow after writing about it now ! Opened up my appetite ..
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    1/6/2013 1 check-in here
    Ethos, I really wanted to like you.  I did!

    My father loves nice restaurants but is also a bit of a picky eater.  For his birthday recently, I gave him a few choices and he went with Greek.  Ethos is the only "authentic" Greek restaurant in Murray Hill so we decided to head over there.  When we first arrived, we were the only ones there.  It was that odd time between lunch and dinner so I shrugged it off.  We chose a booth in the back and a waiter quickly filled our glasses with water and gave us menus.  The prix fixe lunch menu didn't offer too many options so we stuck with the regular menu instead.  We started with some stuffed grape leaves.  They were decent but tiny.  The waiter also didn't bring our drink order until AFTER the appetizer, which is a no-no in my book.

    For our entree, I wanted the oven baked chicken with orzo.  The waiter said they "ran out" but didn't specify if they ran out of the chicken or orzo.  I decided to go with the grilled chicken with avocado and rice instead.  I guess it wasn't the chicken that they ran out of because they had that.  My father ordered the lamb chops.  Our food came out relatively quick but I had already been eating the warm pita.  Their pita bread is AMAZING and probably the best thing they offer.  My plate of food looked extremely pretty.  My father received 6 whole lamb chops, which should have came with rice but didn't so we had to ask for it separately.  My chicken was grilled to perfection, the Greek salad on the side was decent except they only include a sliver of Feta cheese.  The avocado was relatively fresh but not a huge slice, by any means.  The rice was Spanish rice.  Trust me, I know.

    My father enjoyed his lamb chops, and they did look good, but I don't eat lamb for various reasons so I didn't try any.  I only ate about half my meal because the sides were disappointing and I was full from the pita bread.  Once they cleared our plates, they brought out a dessert that was on the house.  That's nice of them but a small Greek pastry for two people doesn't really cut it.  The pastry was good (phyllo dough with custard inside) but the custard could have had a  bit more flavor.  Service was also very spotty once we finished our entrees.  Our waiter forgot about us, I think.

    More of a crowd started to come in as we prepared to leave.  When the check came, I saw they charged us for the dessert that they previously claimed was on the house.  I mentioned this and it was removed, but still.  Also the prices are a bit ridiculous.  $21.95 for two pieces of grilled chicken and 2 sides?  I get the same thing for lunch at a deli by my office for $11.  Overall, Ethos is nowhere near worth the price they charge for their food.  The food is mediocre, at best.  Everything needed more flavor.  The service was a little spotty and abrupt.  I noticed the waiters hanging out by the bar non-stop the entire time we were there.  I would like to try Ethos again someday but not anytime soon.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    12/23/2012 1 check-in here
    This place was packed! Luckily we didn't wait long 'cause it was freeeezing.

    Why is their bread so addicting??? Chewy, sticky, something about it that leaves me wanting more. If I didn't have any will power, I think we would have asked for a 3rd basket.

    I am in love with this place. By far, this is my favorite Greek restaurant.

    Biftekia - charcoal grilled ground lamb mixed with fresh herbs and spices.
    The herbs and spices are like an explosion in my mouth. So moist and distinct, you can't say no.

    Kotopoulo Giouvetsi - boneless chicken breast, oven baked in a clay pot with orzo, fresh tomato sauce and feta cheese.
    I was actually jealous of my date because he ordered this. I took one bite, then another, and another! I couldn't help myself. The chicken was juicy, and the orzo, OH THE ORZO! Great flavors.

    We received a complementary pistachio baklava dessert, woohoo!

    Service was average. Our server seemed always in a rush (understandable bc it was so busy) and just wasn't very friendly. She wasn't mean, but I didn't feel any warmth from her either. Ok, I'll forgive this time, since my meal was so spectacular.

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