Not going to Greece anytime soon? No problem. On Bell Boulevard in Bayside there is a restaurant that is reminiscent of Santorini, a spectacularly beautiful island in Greece that I visited last month.
I am pleased to report that restauranteur Gus Kantlis – of Greek decent – recreated an eating-place he had visited on the picturesque island.
He has lovingly brought the intimacy I experienced eating in cafes there, adding a luxuriously sleek look and feel. I was impressed by the décor, and the spacious bar in front of a tiled wall, with the bottle shelves alternating with glassed-over round alcoves, half-filled with plums.
He wisely created cozy niches to eat or drink.
There is also a lovely outdoor patio designed by local garden center Keil Brothers, surrounded by trees and flowers planted in tubs. In the candlelit romantic dining room, we sat at a triangular table in the corner, with a good view of the whole restaurant. There are handsome paintings, created by an artist who saw the restaurant under construction and added his talents to the interior.
Our gracious host has the restaurant business in his blood. His dad owns and has run The Oasis diner for decades, so his Gus learned the business from childhood.
Beginning a career in a different field, he was compelled to come back to the hospitality industry. His first one out of the gate is a great success. He named it Plum because in Greek mythology it means to appreciate and he does – all his patrons.
We ordered drinks and received a platter of warmed pita wedges and delicious dips, including homemade hummus. I had to hold myself back from finishing all the dips because they were so delicious.
By the way, this is a great place to have a drink and dips if you are not ready for a meal. Nevertheless, the feast we had at Plum worth waiting for (and saving your calories.)
We ordered an appetizer sampling: grilled octopus; tuna tartare and fried calamari all tender and perfectly prepared. But I was blown away by the crunchy fried goat cheese balls – a real dazzler of an accompaniment to the appetizers – make sure you try them.
When we got our entrees, even though I thought I couldn’t eat another thing, I did and enjoyed each one. My favorite was the Athena fillet of sole, stuffed with spinach and cheese, baked to hold its moisture.
Stu had the grilled pork chop, also perfectly prepared. We added a small portion of steak served with the best French fried potatoes – impossible to resist. They were served with the skin on and still hot to the touch.
Sometimes food comes to the table lukewarm; here every dish was served hot, without long breaks between courses.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert; we had a plate of sweet fruit and a volcano cheesecake with chocolate imported from Greece, that was mouthwatering.
Gus calls his restaurants menu “cozy American cuisine” and although he has fine continental dishes on the menu, you can also find a well-priced hamburger of freshly ground meat that’s easy on your pocketbook.
The grand finale of a romantic dinner was a glass of Plum wine. Try dinner here you’ll Love it.
Plum
47-39 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, N.Y. 11361
Hours: Open for dinner 7-days-a-week from 4 p.m. to after midnight
Sunday brunch for $9.95.
Kids menu is available
Cocktail lounge, event space available
Website: www.plumbaysideny.com
Telephone: 718-229-Plum (7586)
