Dining at Estia truly embodies an authentic dining experience in Greece. The restaurant’s atmosphere and decor transport you from Center City, Philadelphia to the Mediterranean coast. The homelike ambiance is accentuated with an indoor courtyard, complete with whitewashed walls, a deep blue ceiling and a living olive tree that symbolizes the Greek goddess Athena’s gift to the citizens of Athens. The fresh catch fish is displayed on a big ice display and there is exposed stone and thick wood tables and chairs.
The restaurant is huge, there is a bar upstairs and downstairs along with a private dining room downstairs next to the wine cellar. The restaurant is designed with materials such as hand-chiseled Jerusalem limestone floors, hand woven rugs, vaulted ceilings, antiqued stucco walls, wood plank floors and exposed wood beams to evoke the traditional atmosphere. A series of dining areas feature rustic farm tables, dark wood chairs with beige cushions and dining nooks with upholstered banquettes.
The menu itself is definitely upscale dining and the location across the street from the Academy of Music makes this restaurant ideal for dining before a show, especially with their $33 Theater dinner menu. At lunch time they offer a $19 Express Lunch with 2 courses or a $30 Business Lunch with 3 courses. They also have brunch on Sundays! Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 4-6pm at the bar and outside, including half-priced appetizers and drink specials. Check out their extensive wine list featuring Greek wines as well as Greek beer like Mythos.
Every table gets fresh bread and homemade hummus, then for appetizers we love the Cheese Saganaki, Spread Pilikia with your choice of three dips and grilled pita, or Octopodi. The Whole Grilled Fish, Roasted Chicken, and Moussaka are some of my favorite entrees. This Greek food is light and fresh as most items offered are simply grilled and seasoned with lemon or herbs and spices.
Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day coming up February 14th! Estia is offering a special menu for $145/couple including delicious options like:
- Charcoal Grilled Octopus– tender grilled octopus is sliced served over red and white onions topped with grilled peppers, capers and parsley
- Estia Chips– zucchini and eggplant fried crispy served with tzatziki
- Shrimp Cocktail– chilled shrimp served with cocktail sauce and lemon
- Horiatiki– classic country salad served family style with vine-ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, mixed olives and wood barrel aged feta cheese tossed in red wine vinaigrette
- Greek Surf and Turf– with lamb chops and grilled prawns served alongside roasted potatoes and wild wilted greens
- Trio of chef’s selection chocolate desserts
And always remember to leave room for dessert because the Salted Caramel Baklava and Karidopita walnut honey cake are both absolutely delicious. There is even a platter of complimentary cookies by the hostess stand for when you leave! Reservations can be made easily via Opentable and Estia is part of the Aegean Restaurant Group including Pietro’s and Estia Taverna, so gift cards can be used at all restaurants.
Don’t forget to stop by Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11 pm to enjoy authentic Greek music from one of the many, great local bands.
Estia is available for all special occasions including weddings, showers and corporate events. For groups ranging from 6 to 180. Speak to your server about creating a private dining extravaganza your guests won’t soon forget.
philmytummy.com 