Here's this week's choice:
Zorba’s Bar and Grill
Overview: Recently, Patch queried occasional contributor Rafael Alvarez, a former Baltimore Sun writer as well as the author of The Fountain of Highlandtown, for Greektown recommendations. In no particular order, he suggested Samos, Ikaros and Zorba’s. We tried Zorba’s first.
Décor: Busy, long bar, filled with regulars when you first step in. Several tables in the back on the first floor offer a glimpse of the kitchen and the rotisserie-style cooking over hot charcoal. Well-lit, noisy and casual downstairs. The upstairs dining room is quieter and more formal.
The Drinks: Full bar, including beer, wine and liquor.
Appetizers: First, great bread with a terrific crust. Must order: Melitzanosalata (eggplant salad), roasted eggplant spread with minced garlic, feta and olive oil ($6). Others include Tzatziki, Zorba’s famous cucumber dip, made with garlic and dill ($4.50); Spanakopita, spinach, onion, dill and feta baked in layers of crispy phyllo dough ($6.95); Grilled Octopus, grilled and topped with oil and vinegar ($17.95); Fried Calamari ($9.95); Dolmades, grape leaves stuffed with rice and beef, topped with avgolemono sauce ($6.95); Fried Zucchini or Fried Eggplant ($4.95).
Salads: Horiatiki Salata (Greek village salad), traditional village salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, kalamata olives and feta, served with Zorba’s house dressing (side: $4, small: $7.50, large: $9.50, extra large: $11.50); Zorba Salad, romaine lettuce with dill, scallions and olives with house dressing (side: $3, small: $6; large: $7.50; extra large: $9.50).
Dinner specialties: Pastito, noodles and beef topped with béchamel sauce and baked to perfection ($11.95); Moussaka, layers of beef, potatoes and eggplant, topped with béchamel sauce and baked ($11.95); Gyros, chicken or roasted pork topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatzki on warm pita with fries ($8.95); Chicken Souvlaki Platter, two skewers of marinated chicken breast, peppers and onion over rice with pita and tzatziki ($14.95); and Pork Souvlaki Platter, three skewer of marinated pork served with Zorba fries, pita and tzatziki and a side salad ($16.95).
Signature Dish: Chicken and Pork Souvlaki Platters.
Address: 4710 Eastern Ave., Greektown
Hours: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day
Cost: $$
