"There are a few ways to relieve stress in New York. You can picnic in a park. You can go to the movies. Or, you and several friends can go to Elias Corner in Astoria, a laid-back Greek restaurant with “no menus—just fish,” in a big case piled with octopus, sardines, branzino, and whatever else came in that morning. Walk past that case to your table—preferably on the big back patio ringed with flower boxes and Greek flags—and listen carefully as your server rattles off the entire menu, from starters and dips to the seafood options for that night. Once you’ve landed on your fish, the only decision left to make is whether you want them fried or grilled. Sit back and feel your shoulders relax down towards the floor, inch by inch, as you pour house wine from a $15 carafe and eat some perfectly fresh Greek salad. photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff photo credit: Alex Staniloff When all that’s left on your table are piles of fish bones and the remnants of tzatziki, your check will come with a little pile of loukoumades on the house—a honey-soaked reminder that as high-strung as the city can make you feel, there’s always a welcoming table and a squishy piece of grilled calamari for you at Elias Corner. Food Rundown photo credit: Alex Staniloff Octopus If you don’t get the octopus at Elias Corner, you should probably reflect on how you order at restaurants. The version here is perfectly cooked: creamy on the inside, charred on the outside, and nice and crisp towards the thinner end. Soak it in lemon or red wine vinegar and enjoy. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Fried Sardines Ditto the fried sardines. Simply fried with no breading, these need just a good squirt of lemon juice. Eat them with your hands, and while they’re still hot. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Grilled Fish The main event of your meal here. Elias Corner serves their fish grilled simply, just with salt. Pick whatever fish you prefer—whole branzino? grilled monkfish? sea bass?—and hit it with a lot of lemon juice. Dips A delightful way to start your meal. Go for some garlicky tzatziki and some salty, briny taramasalata. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Greek Salad Simple, fresh, and salty with olives and feta, this should be on your table as a little seafood break." - Will Hartman
