Photos by Jacob Romoser
Situated in the heart of Astoria on Ditmars Boulevard, Taverna Kyclades is a seafood staple in this predominantly Greek neighborhood. The restaurant is always bustling, so I jumped at the chance to eat there after weeks of walking past and instantly salivating.
To start, we opted for a non-seafood appetizer and definitely weren't disappointed. The Grilled Sausage had a wonderful charred texture and light, smoky flavor. Cooked perfectly, the meat wasn't too chewy or tough. I think we devoured it in five minutes flat, no joke.
To start, we opted for a non-seafood appetizer and definitely weren't disappointed. The Grilled Sausage had a wonderful charred texture and light, smoky flavor. Cooked perfectly, the meat wasn't too chewy or tough. I think we devoured it in five minutes flat, no joke.
I couldn't resist ordering the Swordfish Kabob with Veggies. Man-oh-man, there aren't even words for how succulent and tender the meat was. Whether in a big bite all by itself or paired with the yellow rice, I couldn't get enough. The best part? I didn't feel disgustingly full at the end of the meal. Hearty but not overly so, I can't wait to go back and have this again.
I normally don't like salmon, but Jake's Salmon Steak was actually really delicious and not too fishy. Be cautious of digging in with zeal, however, there are lots of tiny bones that will jack your day up. For real. I totally forgot and almost spit my food out like a jackass.
I only tried a few bites of the Stuffed Filet with Crabmeat, but it was decadent and over the top. Moist, buttery and so tender, everyone couldn't get over how fresh all of the seafood tasted.
Despite the deliciousness of each dish, we all had leftovers. Hey, I didn't mind. Taverna also brought us free dessert at the end of our meal. I wasn't a huge fan, but they get major points for trying.