Kefi

Restaurants

Upper West Side

Kefi

Photograph: Jeffrey Gurwin

Kefi
Kefi

Photograph: Jeffrey Gurwin
Kefi

Photograph: Jeffrey Gurwin

Kefi

Kefi

Photograph: Jeffrey Gurwin

Kefi

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Time Out says

Thu Mar 15 2012

Michael Psilakis (Anthos) has made himself the face of Greek cuisine in New York City. His latest endeavor, Kefi, launched two years ago as a tiny hideaway on the Upper West Side, and again last December in a larger space a few blocks from the now-closed original. The first version was a charming find, but the latest smacks of a dining factory. The two floors exude chaos from arrival (a 30-minute wait for a reserved table) to ordering (spreads and pita showed up an hour after we requested them). All this despite the fact that it's run by front of house talent Donatella Arpaia. It's hard to complain, however, given that Psilakis offers often excellent food at bargain prices. No starter runs more than $10, including moist beef-and-pork meatballs in a sauce that crosses marinara with tapenade. The entres, meanwhile, stay under $17—even the perfectly charred grilled branzino fillets. More standard Greek offerings, like chewy octopus and bland braised lamb, were often dull. Antithetically, Psilakis is at his best with pastas (macaroni and feta cheese bound with bchamel, pillowy sheep's-milk dumplings with lamb sausage). A dessert (galaktobouriko) that must translate into "phyllo-wrapped custard" was another winner. Given the prices, the misfires are relatively painless, the hits revelations. Whether anyone wants to spend two hours here is another question.—TONY

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Address:
Kefi 505 Columbus Ave
Upper West Side
New York

Cross Street:
between 84th and 85th Sts
Phone:
212-873-0200
Website:
kefirestaurant.com
Opening hours:
Mon 5–10pm; Tue–Thu noon–3pm, 5–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–3pm, 5–11pm; Sun 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Transport:
Subway: B, C to 86th St
Price:
Average main course: $13. AmEx, MC, V
Map
1. Kefi
  - 505 Columbus Ave
    Upper West Side
    New York
  - 212-873-0200
  - kefirestaurant.com
  - 40.785806,-73.972664

Categories:
Food & Drink
Facilities:
Kids facilities. Booster seats. High chairs. Changing tables. Kids' menu. Stroller-friendly. Restaurant & bar facilities. Full bar. Notable chef. Dinner. Accessible facilities. Wheelchair access
Good for:
Going in a group. Lively scene. Kids

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Kefi

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Kefi

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