Disclaimer : I feel the need to mention that this critique might seem biased to few people... My lovely boyfriend's grandparent's own this restaurant. However, the views mentioned in this blog present my views that have been present even before I started dating him an amazing nine months ago :) In fact, the experience mentioned below took place about a year and a half ago, if I am not mistaken.
If you want authentic greek food, Ikaros is where you. To me, Greektown restaurants each have a specific specialty. For example, Zorba's is known for their meats, Samos for their souvlakia, and Greektown Grill for their authentic gyros. To me, if you want authentic greek food, the way that yiayia makes it, Ikaros.
This is exactly what I did! I wanted me amazing friends to finally (after our amazing trip to Italy together) experience MY culture and the amazing food the Greeks have to offer. Therefore, I scheduled a date to Ikaros! In attendance, myself, Mr. WompWompWomp himself (try and figure it out!), Angela and her former BF, Sheza, Rachel, Mike (what happened to him?!?!) and Stu (in hopes of potential interest to Rachel haha... sorry about that Rachele!). I don't believe I missed anyone?
Anywho, so we all arrive on our Friday evening date... dolled up and whatnot, and were seated promptly. The restaurant was fairly packed and we were seated in the far left dining room. We ordered a few bottles of some lovely Greek white wine and many appetizers, including kalamari, saganaki, tzatziki, tiropites and spanakopites and greek salads! Saganaki is my all-time favorite app here... served with pita and a table-side show! Haha, go order it and you will see what I mean :) Everything was amazing, like always.
For dinner, I ordered the arni kokkinisto (this is normally what I order, just to note, unless I am fasting, then I go for the kalamari of the shrimp giouvetsaki!). Throughout the table I believe we ordered a pasticcio, octopus, steak, chicken shishkebabs, shrimp giouvetsaki and some other lamb dish. The arni kokkinisto happens to be one of my favorites because it always falls of the bone and if very flavorful. It is typically served with string beans in the amazing red sauces coated thoroughly. The portions are very generous. I have tries their pasticcio before and it is very good and traditional, however my mom has adapted my taste buds to the healthier turkey breast rather than ground beef, therefore, I only venture to this dish when I occasionally crave the meaty flavor. The octopus is also very good and always tender, served in a wonderful red wine sauce with onions... this is perfect with a big basket of bread and lemon! Chicken shishkebabs are served with rice and veggies and are a great wholesome meal. Shrimp giouvetsaki is my second go-to meal. I have to say this is a great comfort food on a cold, rainny day (normally typical to the weather of the Greek Independence Day parade in Baltimore in March, when I am normally fasting meat for Easter, and order this dish). It consists of shrimp in a red sauce baked in the oven over giouvetsi (a rice type grain) with feta on top! SOOO good!
To top off a wonderful meal, the restaurant always provides a dessert plate with delicious samples of baklava, kataifi and galaktobouriko that round off the Greek experience!
Overall, Ikaros provided the ideal Greek atmosphere, complete with Greek paintings and decor as well as Greek music in the background, for me to give my non-Greek friends a little taste of my culture and passion!
Kali oreksi,
Your Tasty Bud
http://www.ikarosrestaurant.com/index.htm
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