With a menu that’s brimming with dishes that are prepared, as owner Dianna Loiselle puts it, “authentically, simply, and healthy,” Telly’s Taverna, which opened in Port Chester this summer, brings customers the best of Greek dining. This is the restaurant’s second location, the first being a mainstay in Astoria for almost 30 years. Loiselle admits, “I had never heard of Port Chester until a customer in Astoria brought up the location.”
Noting that a good number of her Astoria customers hail from Westchester and Connecticut, Loiselle decided to add Greek to Port Chester’s international mix of cuisines.
Photos courtesy of Telly’s
With whitewashed walls; a collection of seashells, oars, and other nautical décor; and fresh fish displayed prominently at the entrance; Telly’s perfectly fits the definition of a Greek taverna. There’s an ample bar with Greek wines and liquors, and three spacious rooms offer banquette seating and tables outfitted with tabletops and napkins imported from Greece.
Every table has a jar of the restaurant’s branded olive oil, and customers are given a choice of either warm pita or bread to dip. “[For] our Astoria restaurant we import approximately three tons of olive oil a year,” Loiselle says.
The food speaks to her statement that authentic Greek food is “not covered or disguised in sauces.” The quintessential Greek salad was brimming with tomatoes, cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and Kalamata olives. Jumbo shrimp were butterflied and grilled with olive oil, and the ample portion lent itself to sharing (or enjoying leftovers the following day). The meat in the Greek beef stew was perfectly cooked and incredibly tender.
There are a number of homemade desserts, and every night except Saturday, diners are given fried loukoumades (dough with honey) on the house. “People are ordering baklava to take home with them,” too, says Loiselle.
Classics like spanakopita and chicken souvlaki are among the most popular orders, but there are also dishes unique to the Port Chester location — mussels are on the menu, as is halibut, and at the bar there are mini-gyros. “We’re a family-owned business that is dedicated to our restaurants,” says Loiselle. “I bring staff up with me from Astoria to ensure great quality service and food.”
Telly’s Taverna
108 Abendroth Ave
Port Chester
914.939.3333
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