I Didn't Want to Like the Place that Killed Piu Bello's.... but I Do :}
I have fond memories of Piu Bellos. I had my first "date" when I was 15 there. It also was the place where I had my 1st date with my now hubby. I was never in love with the food but it's still sad that it moved and is now currently closed. Sigh.
For those reasons, I wanted so much to dislike Agora Taverna (irrational, yes I know:} ). However, stuck in the rain the other day with my mother-in-law we ran for cover and found ourselves having lunch. I must say- I was impressed. Sigh. :}
You are brought grilled pita with hummus covered in bright olive oil. It was very good for greek hummus. (I say that because I'm partial to Middle Eastern hummus with tahini). I had the psarosoupa, a delicate fish broth with halibut. Perfect for spring rain; light but warm. My MIL had the Avgolemono; she enjoyed it. By the way I should warn you that the soup (which comes with the lunch specials) is served in a gigantic bowl as opposed to the more ubiquitous dinky cup:}
We both had salads and again I was impressed. I had the Agora salad which featured arugula, roasted carrots, avocado and crab meat. The crab meat was definitely fresh and this salad was very unique and delicious. My only complaint is that they gave me 3 measly slices of carrots. My MIL's salad was far more impressive though. She had the seafood salad which had grilled vegetables, olives, potatoes and big chunks of seafood; fresh tuna, scallops and a large grilled shrimp.
The best was dessert. Since we were about to have a huge seder meal later that day I didn't order a rich Greek pastry (mmmmm sigh). Instead we got 2 fruit plates. Oy vey. I should have asked how big they are; out comes 2 HUGE platters with strawberries, raspberries, mango, grapes, watermelon and honeydew. In the center was a cup full of freshly made whipped cream. People were oggling our plates. The waitress was nice enough to take one plate away- she said she'd eat it herself.
In summation, I am still irked about my Piu Bello's. However, I would happily return... and I must try the sangria! Although I must wonder what will happen to Corfu which is on the same block and much smaller.
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Agora
70-09 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375
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Agora Taverna is wonderful! Had the opportunity to eat dinner there shortly after it's grand opening.
Dinner for two, including a glass of wine, appetizer (baked clams which were outstanding), two entrees (stuffed shrimp and swordfish kabobs; also outstanding) plus sides (lemon potatoes and greens. The sides come with the entree and are very generous in portion, so plan on sharing!), two coffees and one dessert cost us $90 (that included the tip), which I find reasonable for a quality fish/seafood restaurant (especially when you don't leave the place hungry!).
My only complaint ... I can no longer seem to get in! Tried going last Tuesday night and at 7:45 pm there was a minimum 30 minute wait for a table for two.
Just goes to show that this neighborhood will support quality restaurants. Good for Agora.
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I have also been there with my wife soon after it opened and was impressed. I forget know what we ordered, but everything we had was excellent - especially the octopus app. The only disappointment was the quality of the wines offered, especially by the glass. My wife's white was barely drinkable and my red was forced down. We mentioned it to the waiter who was a bit surprised because one of the investors is a wine guy.
My wife, who grew up in the area, was not sad that Piu Bello is gone - although isn't it around the corner? The food was bad and the gelato was horrible. She was surprised that it lasted as long as it did.
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Piu Bello
107-02 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375›2 Replies-
re: dynastar
I agree that Piu Bello's gelato was horrible, but as I already said, I miss it for nostalgia reasons. My husband and I found the exact spot we had our first date at Agora Taverna- now it's a wall, not a table. Piu Bello's is technically around the corner now but it hasn't been open in months.
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Piu Bello
107-02 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375
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janie
Apr 24, 2011 07:14 PM
thanks for the review...am glad to hear some feedback about this place other than yelp...Has anyone else been to Agora Taverna on Austin St in Forest Hills? I passed by there today and grabbed a menu, and see they have very reasonable lunch specials--place was very busy, in mid afternoon, and it had a very inviting atmosphere..also, grabbed a menu from Exo down the street another new spot..,which was so oppressingly loud with blaring music in the middle of the day that I would never eat there. ---Corfu's lunch special is still best deal in Forest Hills, $6 --don't think this will affect his business too much, but it might make him up his game a bit, in terms of seafood offerings ----------------
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Corfu Grill
70-17 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375Exo Cafe
70-20 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375Agora
70-09 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375›1 Reply-
re: janie
I agree that Corfu's lunch deal is incredible for the price. However, for only a few bucks more I do have to admit that I get a far superior lunch at Agora Taverna. I stopped in today and for under $9 had a massive bowl of white bean soup (I am not exaggerating by saying it's one of the best soups I have ever had) and their seafood salad. My only complaint was that the salad was a bit heavy on the oil... oh, and their bathroom door is tricky locking. A bus boy walked in on me- did he realize it was the ladies bathroom? :} I was salivating for dessert but I'm trying to lose a few pounds. Ergh.
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