Aliki's near LAX: for Greek-- finally --

[epop]

There isn't much on the boards about Aliki's so I thought I'd pipe in, though I haven't had as much from the menu as I plan to. The owner (and/or his products) is a familiar face at farmer's markets. The Greek products that show up at many of the farmer's markets come from this kitchen.

Soon I will be going in for their Tsipoura, a bream fish brought in from Greece.

I went in for the gyros, left very pleased. Had lentil soup (fantastic) and
a traditional greek salad. I will report back on this post as I have more from their kitchen
but I wanted to get the ball rolling.
It is a quirky location and setting, half set into a motel with planes roaring overhead. I liked the surreal touch but it isn't your typical place.

Aliki's Greek Taverna

5862 Arbor Vitae St
Los Angeles, CA 90045-4731
[phone]

[Fresser]

We checked it out Friday night around 6:30 and it was empty and devoid of any atmosphere, except for the occasional plane flying over. Our server, the owner's daughter-in-law was very friendly. We had some hummus which was standard fare, with very good pita and a standard greek salad with very good balsamic dressing. The standout was the cabbage rolls or dolmades, very tasty with an avogolemeno sp? sauce. Lamb was tasty, but could have been more tender served with green beans and potatoes. A little yummy baklava for dessert, available ala mode. A nice change of pace from the other local restaurants. Will go back and try the mousaka or pastitsio.

[epop]

yes, not an ambience destination but great mezze.

[a_and_w]

Awesome -- thanks for the tip! Are the fries regular French fries or garlicky Greek fries? And is the tzatziki thick or the insipid dressing that passes for tzatziki at most places?

[annapurna7]

I've purchased their farmer's market products, but have yet to make it in the actual restaurant. Will have to make it in here soon. Thanks for the recommendations!

[Ciao Bob]

This sounds really promising. Thanks.

Did you try the octopus?

[epop]

Not yet, I wanted to. But after the gyros and fries and all the rest I decided to wait on the octopus.
The owner said it was very fresh. I tend to trust him. He's old school Greek so he'll tell it as it is. Refreshing.

[Ciao Bob]

Thanks epop. I am looking forward to trying Aliki.
Whether it is "right" or "wrong" I measure a Greek restaurant by grilled

Mollusca

Cephalopoda

Octopoda

Octopodidae

[epop]

I can see why. It relates to how fresh their product is as well as how well they know how to grill. There is an art to it. I've had plenty in Greece and that's why I wanted to try Aliki's. But gyros is gyros
and it is dangerous to eat too much with that as the center object.

[Professor Salt]

This gyro of which you speak - your standard industrial mystery meat pylon from Kronos Products Inc, or was it slabs of actual lamb chops stacked onto a vertical spit?

[Dommy]

Gyro is standard Gyro meat... It was good, but I prefer the one at Petit Cafe in El Segundo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dommichu/3096922442/

For actual lamb chunks, you have to order the Lamb Sandwich... And it was the reason to come here! Generous portion of well flavored and tender lamb...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dommichu...

We enjoyed our visit although the space is not much to sneeze at... but a nice escape cuisine wise for the area...

--Dommy!

[wilafur]

the lamb sandwich in your picture looks very good! will have to give them a whirl soon.

[Professor Salt]

Great, thanks for the photos. The lamb sandwich looks more my speed.

[jaymor]

sorrry to ask but this is confusing me.....are these pictures from petit cafe in el segundo or from aliki...... and is the lamb sandwich you refer to as well?

thank you

[Dommy]

Both pictures are from Aliki... sadly I have yet to take a picture of the Petit cafe Gyro... although with all the Gyro talk on the board today.... that might have to be remedied soon! ;D

[creamfinger]

The gyro meat in the sandwich in the picture seems incredibly uniform in size a shape. I'm curious if it is actually carved off a rotisserie or if it's just frozen prepackaged gyro meat slices reheated on a grill?

[Dommy]

Good question... I am not sure, it's table service and I ordered and it just showed up... Either way, the taste was okay and my main issue with it was the lack of REALLY fresh tasting ingredients that other places use like Petit (which DOES hand carve)... I kinda like my Gyros loaded... :)

--Dommy!

[a_and_w]

Dommy, those pictures are making me drool...