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joeyz May 6, 2008 07:55 AM

Octopus as a main course.

I fell in love with Octopus at a Greek restaurant in the Tampa, Florida area that my family used to go to when I was a kid (yes, I clearly was not your average youth - I couldn't convince any of my family to try to it, but I loved it). I've looked at many Greek places in Manhattan and Astoria but it seems that the places serving Octopus always have it as an appetizer. What I used to get back in the day was very much a main course, with all kinds of pieces. Does anyone know a place (let alone a good place) that serves Octopus as a main course? Greek-style would be preferred but I'm open to anything. Thanks!

  1. j
    jklx2 May 9, 2008 07:59 PM

    Try Ortobello in Brooklyn on the corner of Bay Parkway and 64th St.
    Served in a marinara sauce it's excellent.
    Just make sure you call ahead to confirm they have it that day.

    1. p
      Peter Cherches May 7, 2008 05:57 PM

      If you love octopus, look for a Spanish restaurant that serves pulpo a la Gallega, Octopus in olive oil seasoned with smoked paprika and served with potatoes. The best I've had outside of Spain was at Casa Vasca in Newark. Not sure who makes a good one in NYC.

      http://petercherches.blogspot.com

      1. s
        shayne May 7, 2008 02:34 PM

        Yiasou in Sheepshead Bay (Emmons Ave.) serves as an appetizer which I have ordered with a tomato salad as a meal. It is deliciously grilled with good olive oil and lemon. Ymmm.

        1 Reply
        1. re: shayne
          m
          MShapiro May 8, 2008 02:06 PM

          We had it before as an appetizer at Noodle Pudding and it was great. Not sure if they serve it as a main dish.

        2. Astoria Lurker May 6, 2008 09:43 AM

          Zenon in Astoria has it I'm pretty sure.

          1. m
            myclawyer May 6, 2008 08:22 AM

            I can't give you specifics, (darn it menupages, when will you add Queens!), but I am sure that there are Korean restaurants that serve it as a main dish.

            3 Replies
            1. re: myclawyer
              y
              Yaxpac May 6, 2008 08:35 AM

              although in manhattan...Esca usually has it.

              1. re: Yaxpac
                c
                chow_gal May 6, 2008 02:26 PM

                I had it at Esca last Friday, but it is an appetizer. Delicious grilled, set on a bed of gigantes- white beans. Gusto has the best I've had in a long time, again as an appetizer, though their portion was larger than Esca's. All octopus too, no beans as filler.

                Uncle Nick's on 9th Ave has a very large portion. I don't recall if it is technically an appetizer or entree. I've always shared it.

                EDIT: Sorry, these are all Manhattan, forgot I was on OB.

              2. re: myclawyer
                r
                RedVelvet May 8, 2008 04:22 PM

                That would be Natural Tofu on Queens Blvd. - whole grilled octopus on a bed of thinly sliced onions on a cast iron dish, cut in pieces at the table.
                Easy ride on the 7 train to 40th st. stop.

                 
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