Kalypsos in Hewlett offers true essence of the Mediterranean

Kalypsos Restaurant
1483 Broadway
Hewlett
(516) 837-7570
www.kalypsos.org

Recommendations:
■ Kalypsos Ship (appetizer sampler)
■ Dolmades
■ Spanakopita
■ Fried Calamari
■ Char Grilled Octopus
■ Odysseus’ Treasure
■ Filet Bronzini with Ratatouille
■ Kal Ve Barrey
■ Sokolatina
■ Ekmek
■ Strawberry Banana Flambé

December 2010 marked the Grand Opening of Kalypsos Restaurant, featuring cuisine that spans the Mediterranean. Its well-seasoned restaurateurs from Greece, Katerina Kontoulakos and Sam Stergakos, have built a place that promises to soar in every respect.

Chef Panagioti (“Pete”), who is also Katerina’s son, is an amazing culinary artist who believes in healthy cooking. His focus is on bringing out natural flavors by using fresh herbs, and preparing everything from scratch.

Dramatic décor carries throughout the main dining room and the atrium. Accents include waterfalls, fountains and greenery abound. Katerina will proudly show you her blooming lemon trees, which she raises in the atrium. Chef Pete chose dinnerware you’ll wish you owned. And, a warmth is displayed by both staff and management. Their goal, we were told, is to show “filoxenia” — Greek for love of strangers or hospitality, or a what’s-mine-is-yours attitude.

Appetizers, soups and salads range from $5 for Avgolemono, or Greek lemon egg drop soup, to $36 for a “Full Kalypsos Ship,” a sampler for 8-12 people (a half ship, for 3-6 people is $20). Entrées are $13 to $26. Children’s dinners, which include a beverage, vegetable, potato and ice cream sundae, are $7.95. Desserts are $5 to $9.

We were wowed by our Kalypsos sampler, which is actually served on a wooden ship. Among the endless array of treats were dips like taramosalada, tzatziki and humus, with toasted sea salt pita chips. Dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves, were homemade, as were the spinach and cheese pies. Chargrilled octopus and fried calamari were as tender as could be. Keftedes, or Greek meatballs, were rich with herbs.