A much overdue post about Easta!!!

Buona Pascua!!! Yes, this is almost a month over-due but better late than never right????? RIGHT? Ok, great :) So this Easter was most unconventional for me. Typically, I would wake up a tad hungover on that Sunday morning (afternoon) , whatever Sunday the Catholic Church decided on that year and I would get ready quickly to head just 20 minutes north of Yonkers to North Tarrytown now called Sleepy Hollow to my nanny's house. I would then spend the day chatting with my relatives while mostly filling up on hors d'oeuvres, then dinner, and of course over-indulging in dessert. The one thing I look forward to most on Easter, however, is LAMB. Yeah, some people don't like lamb, I say to those people, kick rocks. To me, Lamb is like the king of all meats. Call me delusional, call me whatever, but I will gladly say that lamb is better than any cut of beef, ever. So when I found out that I would have to come back from NY to Philly to work Easter brunch, the first thing I thought of was not the fact that I had to get up to work at 830 in the am, No, it was the fact that I was not going to be able to eat my coveted lamb on Easter Sunday. Of course I would miss my family too, but I knew I would be at home for at least a couple of days, but I wasn't going to get my succulent, juicy, perfectly-seasoned, lamb.

Well, my Mother is the greatest because when we were deciding on places to go for Saturday brunch while I was home, she suggested this new Greek place by us called Elia Taverna in the Chester Heights section of Westchester County. Of course, I looked at the menu online and said why the hell not, plus. a Greek place MUST have lamb on the menu, if not I would take the gyro as a consolation. So we went, it was a charming little place unfortunately a bit of a strip mall but that's okay because once inside, you forgot where you were. It was also a nice touch that the place wasn't decorated in all blue and white decor, it was cute with pretty blue tile accents on the sand-colored walls. I was starving, of course, so thank goodness for the warm pita bread and marinated Greek olives placed on the table almost as soon as we sat down. The olives were not your average store-bought, they had a distinct lemon-vinaigrette flavor to them that made them perfect.

Then the menus came and since I was with my mom, it was imperative we order off of the specials menu so she, my sister, and I did. What showed up in front of the three of us shortly after was something special.

Sardhinas

Some may be detered when reading the word  "sardines" but oh no, do not be mistaken, these are not the ones you find in a tin, these are not even comparable. These are grilled to perfection, on the bone, with some very simple seasonings so not to take away from the fish. YUM.

Lahanodolmades 

There were three on the plate, but the Stone women are savages and took their portions (there were three for the three of us) before I could take the picture!! Oh well, I don't blame them. HOLY CRAP. I have had some stuffed cabbage but nothing like this. These were filled with meat, onions, dill, scallions, salt, pepper, and rice. And what surrounds it, is like this lemon sauce. It was so rich and wonderful that it was more like a lemon butter, a product that I would gladly by by the pound if I could.

As if those weren't enough eye candy for you just wait for these. First,  my sister's dish came out.

Garides Revsi

This refreshing salad dish came complete with large grilled Tiger Shrimp, chickpeas, edamame, green and red peppers, olive oil, vinegar, and various seasonings with feta! Oh man, could not figure out the seasonings for the life of me but there was definitely some parsley and some lemon and really, it was great, probably some dill too. THE SHRIMP. I love grilled shrimp and these were perfectly grilled, not chewy or at all just juicy and charred just enough. Bliss. Then came my mom's. Oh and yes, whenever I go out to eat, I make sure to order something different than everyone at the table, obviously so I can taste all of theirs! DUH!

Afelia

Picture isn't that great but this dish of braised pork, yes, pork. I repeat because as my parents know, I am not an avid pork fan but this shut me up. This pork was braised in red wine, coriander seeds, and olive oil with salt, pepper, and homemade tomato sauce. My mom chose to have it over rice. It was great!!! I really can't wait for this next one though....

Arni Me Fassolakia

L-A-M-B LAMB LAMB LAMB! Yes, the chant was necessary. Look at it. JUST look at it. This chuck of lamb on the bone was stewed with green beans and crushed tomatoes. The green beans were kind of mushy but it worked for the dish because the sauce OMG. My mom practically cried over it. I think I did. It was gorgeous. It was like an amazing homemade tomato sauce but with a touch of sweet, I am going to say it was some cinnamon, it was just the most perfect balance though. This dish was the best dish not just because it was my beloved lamb but because it was like Greek comfort food and I needed comfort food, so I got it. It was obviously a lot, so I took it home and had it later.

Did someone really think this was ending with my entree? Of course I got a dessert of course I got, Baklava!

Baklava

Baklava, a very traditional Greek dessert, is something I have had before, but this was nothing that I had before. It was warm and so dreamy. Layers of filo pastry dough, nuts and honey and cinnamon for some more sweet flavor. I probably could have eaten the whole thing but I let my fellow diners take a couple of nibbles. Fantastic ending to a fantastic meal.

So basically, although work the next day was a bust, my Easter weekend was not. I got to eat some good food and hang out with my good friends and great family. I did not go back to Philly empty-handed by the way. I was able to have some of my mom's Easter Bread.

A sweet bread with colored, hard-boiled, Easter eggs in the middle. 

Oh! and how could I almost forget ( you're right, I did not forget, just saving the absolute best for last) my mom gave me a box full of sfogliatelle from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx! For those of you who don't know about Arthur Ave. it is the most wonderful place with ITALIAN everything and pretty fricken good Italian everything might I venture to say. These specific little pastries, consisting of filo dough wrapped and wrapped around ricotta cheese and citrus, were bought by my mother, pre-baked and frozen. So basically, when you bake them, you make them for the first time and that means fresh, fresh, fresh.

Golden brown and crispier than the crispiest of of crisps (whatever that is). But really, these were scrumptious and those who I served it to, felt the same. Thank fully, I did not spend Easter alone, my friend was gracious enough to have me over with her family and then later, I went out for a few Easter cocktails with my other good friend (Always making and excuse to imbibe). An Easter well spent.