We were on the Upper West Side and in need of a place for dinner. I had heard very good things about Kefi, and realized they were still running their Restaurant Week special. This Restaurant Week menu had a lot of items off the regular menu, and I realized the regular menu was also very well priced.
Mike started with the Kefi salad. It had feta cheese and was dressed very well.
I chose the grilled octopus with bean salad. Now this… this was a show stopper. I like octopus just fine, but it’s never something I LOVE. This octopus? I wanted to take it out to dinner, buy it wine, and beg it to come home with me at night. It was perfectly grilled, with a bit of char, and not a hint of chewiness. If this is what octopus always tasted like, I would probably eat it exclusivity.
For our entrees, Mike got braised lamb shank with orzo. The lamb shank was tender with full flavor and an awesome sauce. I usually would have been very jealous of this entree, but mine was even better.
I got the shrimp, orzo, feta, tomato, and spinach. It was all baked into a delicious bowl of amazingness. It reminded me a bit about very adult mac & cheese made Mediterranean style. It was sensational. I was stuffed half way through but wanted to finish every last bite and lick the plate.
For dessert, Mike got ice cream. One was toasted sesame and the other was maple walnut. Both tasted homemade. Delicious!
I chose the chocolate mousse and halva with sesame ice cream. I love halva and as thrilled to have it in the dessert. The mousse was delicious and rich, but I had eaten so much of the previous food that I really didn’t have room for it.
Overall, Kefi was a surprise and a delight. I cannot believe people are flocking here in herds. Especially after I learned that it was opened by Michael Psilakis and Donatella Arpaia. With heritage like that, and food this good, Kefi should be packed every day. But it wasn’t. So go there. Now. Before the secret is out!
And bring me back some of that octopus.
Total Nom Points: 7.5 out of 10
