Mojdeh S.
Yelp
How I heard of this place: It's in our neighborhood and we pass by it nearly daily. For one reason or another, we haven't ever ventured inside. Until now. It was recommended by friends we were meeting for dinner when we shared that our kids wanted gyros.
Type of cuisine: Greek. "Yanni's restaurant (formerly Lakeside Café) is family owned and operated since 1984. We take pride in our hospitality, customer service and especially our preparation of the food. We try our best to bring you only the freshest ingredients, would it be from our gardens or from the vendors we choose."
Ambiance: A sweet and cozy space, the interior is lined with Greek artwork and themes. Plants can be found in the window-like spaces between the two dining areas. The lighting is ambient and soft. The tables lined with butcher paper for kids to color on (crayons provided), and the space is warm.
We were the only customers inside for at least three full minutes before I had to walk up to the two people behind the counter and ask if we should seat ourselves. One woman looked somewhat put out when I asked and snapped back, "We'll seat you soon." Once seated, and our friends - regulars at the establishment - arrived, the mood of the older woman completely shifted and we were treated with the utmost kindness and hospitality.
What I ordered: Gyro Street Fries ($15) to start - fries tossed with diced fresh garlic, feta cheese and herbs, topped with handcut strips of lamp and beef gyro, fresh diced tomatoes, onions and tzatziki, served with pita triangles. For our son, the Chicken Shawarma ($16) - chicken breast marinated in a spicy pepper rub, charbroiled and served with lettuce, cucumber, scallion relish and tzatziki; our daughter selected the Chicken Hummus ($16) - charbroiled, sliced chicken breast in a pita with lettuce, sliced cucumbers, hummus. For me, Prawns Shawarma Bowl ($19) - prawns, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes sauteed with housemade Shawarma sauce, served over rice, sprinkled with feta and yogurt-lemon sauce, and triangles of pita bread.
What I loved: Minus the rubbery gyro meat, the Street Fries were the star of our meals. I enjoyed the spiciness of the chicken in the shawarma and I like that fries are included in the shawarma plates.
Why I loved it: The food is simple and tastes good. The wait was not an issue, as it made us feel like it was being prepared specifically for us.
Cost: Average