Relish: It's Greek to us at Yia Yia Mary's

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold     11/12/09 6:00pm

After a few weeks of discerning, concentrating chow-downs, this week gave us a chance to take a more casual approach and select a restaurant conducive to relaxing while savoring tasty, unusual dishes. Yia Yia Mary's, located in the Galleria area, satisfied both those desires - though with some strings attached. As newcomers to Greek cuisine, we were not sure what to expect or what to order from the menu. It seemed as though many other patrons were in the same position, but like us, it didn't stop them from expanding their culinary horizons.

Ambiance

The atmosphere was fantastically festive, with hints of Greek culture - from fetching art to authentic music - sprinkled throughout the establishment. The restaurant provides a comfortable, eclectic character, as patrons of all ages and backgrounds gather to casually dine with friends and family. We recommend coming to Yia Yia's in large groups, where being loud is acceptable and consistent with the mood.

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Food

We began with two appetizers, spanikopida and hummus. The spanikopida, a delicious pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese, was smaller and thus appropriate for one person. The flavorful hummus came with plentiful pita and was easy to share.

For the main dishes, Mimi enjoyed the Chicken Souvlakis Gyro Pita Sandwich, which contained onions, tomatoes, a special sauce and chicken spiced with herbs. Tim ate the Seafood Souvlakis plate, which included a skewer of bell peppers, scallops, fish, shrimp and onions tossed over a bed of rice. The main dishes were simple, but appetizing.

For dessert, Mimi ordered the chocolate cake, while Tim consumed pistachio gelato. The chocolate cake was drizzled with a standard, sweet raspberry sauce, while the pistachio added a mellow flavor. The desserts were a microcosm of the meal as a whole - enjoyable, yes, but nothing to shock us or blow us away.

Service

Because the waitress was impersonal and disengaged, we were a bit disappointed with the service. When we asked for some guidance with the Greek cuisine, she responded briefly and halfheartedly. Although the food came out correctly and in a timely manner, we felt we were just another table to be turned.

Price

This restaurant is neither cheap nor expensive, but the quality and relative simplicity of the dishes do not warrant the full price tag. If you order an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert, you can expect to pay around $30.

Tim's recommended dish

The seafood souvlaki was my favorite part of the meal. I am usually not an advocate of barbecue skewers, but this particular dish had a tangy blend of spices and herbs, which gave the seafood a resounding taste.

Mimi's recommended dish

I always love spinach and cheese, but the flaky pastry crust gives the spanikopida a special pop. The dish is inexpensive and small, which for me is an ideal appetizer. It might have been slightly overcooked, but I still left with a Greek-induced grin on my face.

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