Great restaurant with a posh atmosphere, yet reasonably priced. Excellent service, delicious food, and a varied menu that can meet the needs of low-carb, vegetarian, and anything in between. Delicious!
I enjoy writing great reviews for great dining experiences. I do not like writing about negative experiences. We've dined here more than a few times, but for us there's no reason to go back when there is excellent quality Greek food at Psistaria on Touhy. The service was the main problem. We were told as we sat down to hurry up and order as the kitchen was closing in 10-15 minutes. No hello or welcome. So we made our decisions and then watched as our waitress folded napkins and we waited for her to remember us. While that was happening a couple came in and sat down behind us. We ordered our food and then watched as the late comers were served ahead of us. Our food arrived just after that, my gyros were luke warm. I didn't complain, b/c at this point (after 9) I was hungry. My plate was set up in such a weird way, with the gyros on top of a pita and the tomato and onions underneath it all, so I had to figure out how to make this work with out spilling things off my plate. Wouldn't it make sense to put it all on top of the pita? By the time I finished it, it was cold. My wife ordered their lamb burger. It came on a plate, the bun and the burger nothing else...no garnish, tomato, lettuce anything else. I find that just so strange.
Greg H.
We were excited to try Avli in the laundry complex in Wilmette. We hadn't been there since frequenting Chef, Didier Durand's La Bohemia, which we adored. My birthday happened to fall on a Monday evening, which is not a usual, hot night for restaurants, and this was definitely the case for this establishment. The decor and ambience was fine. The food was, at best, fine. The service was perfunctory, and at times left the impression that they did not want to be there. To be specific about the underwhelming evening, it started out, promising with one of the best saganaki we had ever had. The server allowed the cheese to flambé quite a while, so that the alcohol burned off, yet added a bit of meltiness to the texture of the cheese. Zucchini chips were also fine, we just prefer a bit looser version of skordalia. Three of our party had the grilled seafood plate, along with one branzino and the lamb burger. The flavors were there, but everything, especially the burger, were overcooked and dry. Perhaps we will return on a busier night, perhaps the kitchen is in more of a groove during those situations. This just seemed like the kitchen was almost quiet, quitting, waiting for the evening to end, so they could get back to the normal operations of a bustling restaurant. Our usual Greek go to is Mykonos in Niles, and we have gone on every night of the week. The quality of the food has never had these issues Perhaps a nice spring or summer Thursday night might be a better time to give Avli another go-& stick with our usual strategy of Greek salad, an appetizer or two, share the gyros and a bottle of Roditis .
Nima Jahedi
Great atmosphere but unfortunately the food and service didn’t match the space. The chicken kabob was burnt and the salmon was not very good. The eggplant appetizer we ordered was not the best either. They had many other appetizers that other tables seemed to enjoy. Unfortunately the service was not really friendly from the get go. Not sure why, maybe she was having a bad day but the table beside us also made a comment about her not wanting to be there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
T. P.
The worst Greek food I have EVER had! My mousaka was definitely NOT fresh, and the sayanaki was mostly burnt flakes, cold greasy! You could tell it was something that was not fresh at all.I was told by Ava that this problem will be handled appropriately. She did NOTHING. She just lied about everything. And the manager is pushy, arrogant and rude.The worst avgolemono! Even the can brand tastes better than this ****! Greeks live for this soup!! Was this straight out of a generic can?? No wonder why my friends said, "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE?! THE PLACE IS KNOWN FOR TERRIBLE FOOD!"I guess good friends know best!! Avoid this place at ALL COST!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Beth Grafstein
Sat in the covered patio during winter. Terrible atmosphere. I would not recommend for a cozy warm experience …. Food just
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Anne R.
Excellent, authentic Greek food recommended by a fellow Greek! The dining environment is relaxing and service has always been outstanding!
Elizabeth Miller
The food was tasty but the restaurant was overrun with fruit flies. Very unappetizing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
Tim D.
We had the octopus appetizer, olives and feta(The feta has a very mild flavor and soft texture, which makes it seem not authentic) lamb burger(which was too small... Should be 30 to 50% bigger for the price.) and gyros. Had a nice bottle moschfelero. Services always great.
Food was extremely bland. We ordered 5 different things and none of which I could even give 2 stars for. The hummus was flavorless and not at all smooth. Very disappointing night out with the boyfriend. Will not return.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Howard Rosenblum
My first visit and now last. One piece of bread per person. Had to ask for more. Lemon soup was ok. Saganaki portion was small and very, very salty!Asked for recommendations. Ordered the chicken skewers, Mistake! Dried out, no Greek taste, just tons of paprika! I ate 2 pieces and called it quits. Restaurant manager came over and offered nothing!Took 30 minutes to get the check!If you want a great Greek meal in the suburbs, go to Psisteria in Skokie!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Pat Pint
Attended a gathering b ering for a Scouting friend here. The staff was attentive, food was carefully prepared and well presented . And it was YUMMY ?. Worth the drive and the search for it in a nearby suburb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
H
Food is ok, some good, some not so. Rude grouchy condescending waiter!
E N.
I have gotten take out here many times. The front staff so nice and friendly. I get the mousaka and the spanakopita. The spanakopita is the best that I have had ever had! It melts in my mouth. The mousaka is good too. I would give this place an 9 out of 10. It's my favorite Greek restaurant in the suburbs.
Great restaurant with a posh atmosphere, yet reasonably priced. Excellent service, delicious food, and a varied menu that can meet the needs of low-carb, vegetarian, and anything in between. Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Saganaki, Chicken Skewers Xilakia 3, Shrimp Tourkolimano, Zucchini Chips
I enjoy writing great reviews for great dining experiences. I do not like writing about negative experiences. We've dined here more than a few times, but for us there's no reason to go back when there is excellent quality Greek food at Psistaria on Touhy. The service was the main problem. We were told as we sat down to hurry up and order as the kitchen was closing in 10-15 minutes. No hello or welcome. So we made our decisions and then watched as our waitress folded napkins and we waited for her to remember us. While that was happening a couple came in and sat down behind us. We ordered our food and then watched as the late comers were served ahead of us. Our food arrived just after that, my gyros were luke warm. I didn't complain, b/c at this point (after 9) I was hungry. My plate was set up in such a weird way, with the gyros on top of a pita and the tomato and onions underneath it all, so I had to figure out how to make this work with out spilling things off my plate. Wouldn't it make sense to put it all on top of the pita? By the time I finished it, it was cold. My wife ordered their lamb burger. It came on a plate, the bun and the burger nothing else...no garnish, tomato, lettuce anything else. I find that just so strange.
We were excited to try Avli in the laundry complex in Wilmette. We hadn't been there since frequenting Chef, Didier Durand's La Bohemia, which we adored. My birthday happened to fall on a Monday evening, which is not a usual, hot night for restaurants, and this was definitely the case for this establishment. The decor and ambience was fine. The food was, at best, fine. The service was perfunctory, and at times left the impression that they did not want to be there. To be specific about the underwhelming evening, it started out, promising with one of the best saganaki we had ever had. The server allowed the cheese to flambé quite a while, so that the alcohol burned off, yet added a bit of meltiness to the texture of the cheese. Zucchini chips were also fine, we just prefer a bit looser version of skordalia. Three of our party had the grilled seafood plate, along with one branzino and the lamb burger. The flavors were there, but everything, especially the burger, were overcooked and dry. Perhaps we will return on a busier night, perhaps the kitchen is in more of a groove during those situations. This just seemed like the kitchen was almost quiet, quitting, waiting for the evening to end, so they could get back to the normal operations of a bustling restaurant. Our usual Greek go to is Mykonos in Niles, and we have gone on every night of the week. The quality of the food has never had these issues Perhaps a nice spring or summer Thursday night might be a better time to give Avli another go-& stick with our usual strategy of Greek salad, an appetizer or two, share the gyros and a bottle of Roditis .
Great atmosphere but unfortunately the food and service didn’t match the space. The chicken kabob was burnt and the salmon was not very good. The eggplant appetizer we ordered was not the best either. They had many other appetizers that other tables seemed to enjoy. Unfortunately the service was not really friendly from the get go. Not sure why, maybe she was having a bad day but the table beside us also made a comment about her not wanting to be there.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
The worst Greek food I have EVER had! My mousaka was definitely NOT fresh, and the sayanaki was mostly burnt flakes, cold greasy! You could tell it was something that was not fresh at all.I was told by Ava that this problem will be handled appropriately. She did NOTHING. She just lied about everything. And the manager is pushy, arrogant and rude.The worst avgolemono! Even the can brand tastes better than this ****! Greeks live for this soup!! Was this straight out of a generic can?? No wonder why my friends said, "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO GO THERE?! THE PLACE IS KNOWN FOR TERRIBLE FOOD!"I guess good friends know best!! Avoid this place at ALL COST!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sat in the covered patio during winter. Terrible atmosphere. I would not recommend for a cozy warm experience …. Food just
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 3
Excellent, authentic Greek food recommended by a fellow Greek! The dining environment is relaxing and service has always been outstanding!
The food was tasty but the restaurant was overrun with fruit flies. Very unappetizing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 2
We had the octopus appetizer, olives and feta(The feta has a very mild flavor and soft texture, which makes it seem not authentic) lamb burger(which was too small... Should be 30 to 50% bigger for the price.) and gyros. Had a nice bottle moschfelero. Services always great.
It was very noizy. Too many people in the room.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was extremely bland. We ordered 5 different things and none of which I could even give 2 stars for. The hummus was flavorless and not at all smooth. Very disappointing night out with the boyfriend. Will not return.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
My first visit and now last. One piece of bread per person. Had to ask for more. Lemon soup was ok. Saganaki portion was small and very, very salty!Asked for recommendations. Ordered the chicken skewers, Mistake! Dried out, no Greek taste, just tons of paprika! I ate 2 pieces and called it quits. Restaurant manager came over and offered nothing!Took 30 minutes to get the check!If you want a great Greek meal in the suburbs, go to Psisteria in Skokie!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Attended a gathering b ering for a Scouting friend here. The staff was attentive, food was carefully prepared and well presented . And it was YUMMY ?. Worth the drive and the search for it in a nearby suburb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Moussaka
Food is ok, some good, some not so. Rude grouchy condescending waiter!
I have gotten take out here many times. The front staff so nice and friendly. I get the mousaka and the spanakopita. The spanakopita is the best that I have had ever had! It melts in my mouth. The mousaka is good too. I would give this place an 9 out of 10. It's my favorite Greek restaurant in the suburbs.