Ovelia

The Scene – Greek restaurants in Astoria aren't usually known for their sense of style, but this corner spot is doing its best to change that. Earthy elements like naturally finished wood chairs, bright green plants and local artwork flow together with more industrial touches--slate colored walls, a bar twinkling with multicolored lights and a few lamps that look like design-school application projects. Facing a cutout onto the street, bar seats are perfect for enjoying sidewalk-theater. – – The Food – Sleek, white dishware upholds the modern aesthetic, although the…

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Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: A $30 bottle of the medium-bodied Tsantalis Syrah pairs especially well with the meat dishes, while the cocktail list includes a few not-to-sweet gems like the refreshing, cucumber-enhanced Agouri Saketini ($8).
Outdoor Seating:: In addition to the sidewalk seating out front, there are some stools alongside the cutout perfect for an afternoon drink and a snack.
Brunch:: The brunch menu ($11-$13) offers unique dishes like sandwiches made with tiropita (self-rising bread), and all dishes come with a bloody mary or mimosa.

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User Reviews (23)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Amazing food, service & atmosphere” “We always have alot of fun and love the food.” “The decor is beautiful and promotes a relaxing atmosphere.” “The decor is pretty cool too.” “Nothing like it in Astoria in terms of decor.” “The place is modern w/ nice decor & the bathroom is always clean (which says a lot about a restaurant).” “like the decor.” “Great for families, great for romantic nights out, great for girls night out!”
drinks	83.33000183105469% positive	“happy hour that includes drink specials and Greek tapas (some of their best app's offered at the bar, choice of 3 for less than 20 bucks).” “Looks like some beach bar in Greece or something.” “Love the bar!” “Cool R&Bish, world music w/ great cocktails at the crazy lit up bar.” “Coffee was disappointing - more bodega than cafe, but I would definitely go back to this place for brunch or a drink.” “The cocktails are great too, although the wine list could be a bit more extensive.”
food quality	93.99999618530273% positive	“The homemade sausage got good reviews, and I liked their option of braised fruit in lieu of home fries.” “We had the mousaka and just a grilled shriimp with sauteed spinach which was done nicely-I would have liked to see the what the spinach was cooked in strained from the dish a little more, but over all done well.” “came into Ovelia expecting to have some good food and enjoy the nice weather.” “We always have alot of fun and love the food.” “Between the music and great food we ended up staying for hours and went back for dinner the next weekend.” “Then, another 15-20 to get our cold appetizer (3 greek dips with pita bread, which was DELICIOUS).” “Every single time I've been to Ovelia, the service is excellent and the food is simply fantastic.” “The food, when it arrived was really good but to wait that long and be constantly fobbed off was not my idea of a nice relaxing brunch.” “Amazing food, service & atmosphere” “started going to this place right after it opened and I have never had a bad meal here.” “The Bloody Marys were nice & spicy.” “went tonight after hearing great things about the food (plus, I always see tons of Greek hipsters hanging out there, so I figured the food must be authentic and tasty).” “The "kafteri" spread (sauteed spicy green peppers, feta and olive oil) was a perfect starter especially with the seasoned pita they provided.” “Their specialty is meats but I had the best Red Snapper ever, AND they deboned it right at our table!” “Customers beside me had some beef-lamb donners/skewers which were describes as the best outside of Athens Monastery.” “Brunch is very original, tiropita toast sandwhiches and omelettes are unique and tasty.” “Beet omelet and eggs florentine are very good.” “Seating is crowded, food is overpriced and gross and staff is horrendous.” “If you say "fresh fruit", you should put slices of melon on the plate, not the same brown fruit you use to make the fruit compote.” “Excellent food” “The food was excellent and the service was quick.” “live on the same block as Ovelia and love the food.” “Friendly staff, great food, what's not to like?” “The food is delicious, the service is great, and the scene is even better.” “We had a nice meal a couple of nights ago when the weather was warm-sat outside, which may have attributed to the groups of LOUD people next to us.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“No lines, great service, and some really interesting menu items.” “The cocktails are great too, although the wine list could be a bit more extensive.”
overall	100.0% positive	“The place is modern w/ nice decor & the bathroom is always clean (which says a lot about a restaurant).”
return potential	0.0% positive	“Coffee was disappointing - more bodega than cafe, but I would definitely go back to this place for brunch or a drink.”
service	89.28999900817871% positive	“Great appetizers, insanely slow service” “great bartender, good bloodymaries!” “It is one of the more creative Greek restaurants in Astoria and everytime I've dined there the service was impeccable.” “Seating is crowded, food is overpriced and gross and staff is horrendous.” “We had a nice meal a couple of nights ago when the weather was warm-sat outside, which may have attributed to the groups of LOUD people next to us.” “The food is delicious, the service is great, and the scene is even better.” “The waitresses are always nice & attentive, even with me & my picky friends!” “Friendly staff, great food, what's not to like?” “(checking out the bathrooms is a must, very very cool) The servers were all friendly, knowledgable & prompt with service.” “No lines, great service, and some really interesting menu items.” “The service is great and the staff always entertaining.” “The food was excellent and the service was quick.” “Amazing food, service & atmosphere” “Every single time I've been to Ovelia, the service is excellent and the food is simply fantastic.”
value	50.0% positive	“Seating is crowded, food is overpriced and gross and staff is horrendous.” “happy hour that includes drink specials and Greek tapas (some of their best app's offered at the bar, choice of 3 for less than 20 bucks).”
wait time	83.33000183105469% positive	“Great appetizers, insanely slow service” “The food, when it arrived was really good but to wait that long and be constantly fobbed off was not my idea of a nice relaxing brunch.” “The food was excellent and the service was quick.”

03/04/10

Great brunch spot

by mington at Citysearch

Beet omelet and eggs florentine are very good. The side of fruit is also unique and tasty.

Pros: good food
Cons: tight seating

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02/07/10

re: going downhill

by curiousepicurean at Citysearch

This used to be my favorite brunch spot.

Ordered the mediterranean plate. The eggs were overdone, and more than hardbolied. Prosciutto was cut too thick, fruit on plate was 3 days old. Reordered the fruit, the grapes were just as rotten. There was no sauce or spread of any kind on the plate to bring the dish all together. If you say "fresh fruit", you should put slices of melon on the plate, not the same brown fruit you use to make the fruit compote.

And the coffee, clean the coffee maker, would ya? Undrinkable!

The bathroom needs to be upkept too, water was scalding hot in sink, the sink was really beat up, and in need of replacement too. The rain was clogged and the water, just kind of sat there in a brown muck.

Clean up your act Ovelia! I will give you one more shot, please make it better!

One good thing, tho... great bartender, good bloodymaries!

Don't let success let the restaurant goto your head, clean up your act Ovelia!

Will be back, one more time, see you again soon!

Pros: not as eurotrashy as the rest of 30th ave, good bloody mary
Cons: coffee, have let the place go.rotten fruit

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05/05/09

Great Place to Eat, Drink and Hang out

by Kleandrou at Citysearch

Ovelia is the only place in Astoria with an indoor and outdoor bar. We always have alot of fun and love the food. My favorite party nights have been spent there.

Pros: Friendly Atmosphere and Great Food
Cons: NONE

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05/01/09

Good dinner, warm night

by fionaswim at Citysearch

We had a nice meal a couple of nights ago when the weather was warm-sat outside, which may have attributed to the groups of LOUD people next to us. Not loud having a good time, but obnoxious loud. Started with the garlic potato dip which was delicious. We enjoy being left alone when having dinner, however sometimes the wait between checking in on the table was a bit long. We had the mousaka and just a grilled shriimp with sauteed spinach which was done nicely-I would have liked to see the what the spinach was cooked in strained from the dish a little more, but over all done well.

Pros: comfortable, friendly waitstaff
Cons: loud tables next to us

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04/07/09

Great Greek Fusion

by figaro67 at Citysearch

I started going to this place right after it opened and I have never had a bad meal here. I go here a couple times a month and I ALWAYS order the homemade Greek sausage...it is to DIE for! I almost always have the appetizer that has the dipping sauces and the pita is amazing. The cocktails are great too, although the wine list could be a bit more extensive. The only drawback that I found was the DJ. He doesn't start until after 10PM or so, but the music was so loud that I couldn't hear my friends that I was dining with. Just make sure you go earlier than 10PM and you'll be fine. Friendly staff, great food, what's not to like?

Ovelia

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What People Are Saying About Ovelia

Justin Hartung

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Editor's Tips

03/04/10

Great brunch spot

by mington at Citysearch

02/07/10

re: going downhill

by curiousepicurean at Citysearch

05/05/09

Great Place to Eat, Drink and Hang out

by Kleandrou at Citysearch

05/01/09

Good dinner, warm night

by fionaswim at Citysearch

04/07/09

Great Greek Fusion

by figaro67 at Citysearch

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