Went to dinner there the other night as we happen to be in the area late on a Friday night and needed a place to eat. This place was highly recommended to us and it was truly delicious. When we arrived my wife and were dressed very casual and still fit in. It has a great outdoor area but because we didn't have a reservation we could not sit there. The place was packed and we were lucky we got a table. I got a tea to start because my throat was hurting and it was the best tea I have ever had! As an appetizer we got the dolmades and something else that I can't remember. The dolmades were just ok, but wife loves the other thing. I'm gluten free so I could not eat whatever the other appetizer was. We each got a salad - I got the Greek and she got the beet, both were delicious! The feta cheese was the best I've ever had and the dressing was just EVOO but it was amazing! As for a main course I got the chicken kabob and chicken was cooked to perfection, delicious! The green beans were the worst part of the dinner, they tasted liked canned - they were quite gross. I also thought I got rice with my meal but I didn't get it. My wife had the stuffed tomato and she thought it was very good, we both loved her potato that came with it. Overall the meal was very good! The owner was very nice, the waiter was good not great but the owner made up for it. The menu is well labeled with gluten free options. Overall when I'm back in the area I will absolutely return. Next time I'll call ahead to get a reservation and sit outside.
(5)
Alan B.
We visited them this past Thursday for the first time. I have to say that we almost turned around thinking that the place was closed. You have to park and walk into the mall and make several turns until you find them. We enjoyed our experience, the service was incredible, nice clean environment. Really loved the grilled octopus! Will be visiting them again very soon!
(5)
Sandy L.
I like this place but it could be so much better. It used to be better, actually, now that I think about it. Attractive place with a nice outdoor patio. Some of the food is very good. Other items just make me wonder what they were thinking. I have been there for both dinners and lunches. I try to avoid it for lunch because they have such a limited lunch menu, unless you want something heavy. I was surprised that Buon Giorno, in the same block, was mobbed at lunchtime but Avli was empty, until I saw the Avli lunch menu. They really need many more salads, and more interesting ones. I ended up ordering the lentil salad and it was literally a huge pile of not particularly flavorful lentils on top of some lettuce. Nothing else, not even dressing. I know this is a Greek place, but for lunch in the 'burbs, it's pretty much the "ladies who lunch" places that are successful, and everyone needs some real salads, IMO. Service is very nice but very slow, which was odd because it was pretty empty. I like the owner and staff really want them to succeed.
(3)
Elina S.
I made a reservation for this place like a month before for my girlfriends birthday party on a Saturday night around 8pm. I knew I wanted to make the reservation in advance since she had a party of 14 so I really wanted them to accommodate us especially in their much talked about outdoor patio. It really is a spectacular atmosphere outside, you should seriously come here alone for it. I really really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect on a summer evening here. So they seriously get 3 stars alone for that outdoor patio as I would come here just to sit outside. Now let's get to everything else. The person I made the reservation was very friendly, the hostess who greeted us, was also friendly. Our server through the night, also super friendly so they definitely get a point for that. However, I wouldn't say I loved the customer service as some things didn't exactly impress us. We ordered a bunch of the grilled octopus appetizers, and the server didn't mention to us that it came in a small and a large and I wish we gotten the small since I didn't love it here to be honest. It was missing the lemon zest I usually prefer from a greek grilled octopus. And the small portion is $12 compared to the large $17. We wouldn't have gotten as many if we knew we would be getting the large portion. Anyways, I would pass on that in general. I did love the taramasalata spread for $6 with fresh and warm pita bread, I had so much of that which really filled me up and I wasn't hungry anymore. It was that good, they definitely did that right. My husband ordered the gyros for his entree and I ordered the lamb burger on a chibiata bread with zucchini crisps. I tried some of his gyros and they were way too much on the salty side for me. I thought my burger was pretty good, it came with this spicy aoli sauce that went well but like I said I took a few bites because I was already super full. Since it was a birthday we did bring our own cake so we didn't get to try any of theres. So overall, we had a very nice time. The server was a little off at times and didn't really want to split our bill because we had quite a few people, but overall he was friendly and attempted to make conversation with us so that's always nice. I wouldn't say I loved the food, minus that taramasalata spread, felt it was okay but overall given their perfect atmosphere I think I'll be back for tons of wine and spreads next time.
(4)
Alana K.
Best Greek food I've ever had period!! (And I've eaten at all the Greek-town restaurants in Chicago) The first time I ate here I came with a girlfriend and we dined on Avli's charming patio - it felt like we were in Santorini with cute hanging lights and a warm spring breeze! We started with a beet salad and a bean app; both were spectacular with super-fresh, flavorful ingredients. We then split the sturgeon, broiled whole and infused with olive oil and lemons, delish, another winner! I'm not willy nilly with handing out 5 stars on Yelp but Avli earned it - flavorful, fresh ingredients, affordable and scenic... this place is a home run! Whether for a date night or a dinner with girlfriends, I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again and again. (In fact I was back the weekend before last for another fantastic meal!)
(5)
Elaine M.
Came here for kind of latish dinner, nice that they are open to 10:00 even on week days! The place was still busy when we left a little after nine. We weren't super hungry so we decided to share a bowl of soup and a Poseidon platter. The Avgolemono soup, an egg lemon soup with orzo, was great! It came out of the kitchen hot and ready for slurping up. We liked that it wasn't super thick or overly thickened with corn starch. The seafood platter was grilled octopus, shrimp and calamari with grilled onions and reduced balsamic. We had a little misfire at the start when the waiter brought the wrong platter (only grilled octopus) but the mistake was discovered and handled by the manager and perfectly. We really liked this plattter and would order it again. I loved how the balsamic made the dish sweet and spicy all at the same time. I hope to return again some time soon with a larger appetite and try some other selections. As an added bonus, although located in the back of a mall, the restaurant's atmosphere is charming. I liked the exposed brick wall and appreciated how it made me feel like I was somewhere cozy and quaint. Much better experience here than the Greek restaurants that I have frequented in Greektown, Chicago.
(4)
michael w.
Yet another Yelp Mobile App find! Thanks Yelp! The patio was packed and the prices were reasonable considering the real estate. The service was friendly, pleasant and professional. The beer prices for the 16oz were not out of line. The two entrees we tried were good, not great, but good. Not sure what the stand outs here are, but it's affordable enough with enough swank that we'll probably be back for more to explore. Bonus, within walking to downtown drag and close to home.
(3)
phyllis s.
Great food, great service....and they have a wonderful private room for a small party!
(5)
Lou Ann E.
We had a delicious dinner tonight at Avli. The outdoor patio is lovely and service was outstanding. Will return soon.
(5)
Courtney K.
Avli is a hidden gem in this area (seriously, its tucked in the back of a shopping mall, you wouldn't know about it unless someone recommended it to you). The outdoor seating area is gorgeous in the summer, I absolutely love the decor. Waiters are super friendly and on point with the wine suggestions every time. The grilled octopus appetizer and sakanaki are fantastic, I get them every time. Mousakka is great, the portion is HUUUGE though. You can definitely share between 2 people if you are also getting appetizers. Need to come back here and try the choclova or the yogurt mousse! I tell myself I'm going to save room for dessert before I go every time but of course I end up eating too much and getting full :p
(5)
Carry G.
Always very good! Great food, great prices... Great service.... Enrique is the best!!!:)
(5)
Michael B.
Tucked away in a converted brick loft commercial building in downtown Winnetka, this charming friendly Greek restaurant serves both classic and updated Greek cuisine, all of which is fresh and tasty. Indoor space has exposed brick, high timber loft ceilings and big windows looking to a lovely outdoor garden/seating area. The staff are excellent, professional and you get the sense that the servers and kitchen are tight, coordinated and rarely miss a beat. Nice selection of reasonably priced wines to accompany the meal. Nice menu with interesting appetizers [grilled balsamic octopus, artichoke with capers and lemon zest, cod row with onions and spices], nice selection of fresh meats and fish as well as a limited selection of their slow cooked lamb and other specials. Suggest you call in advance and find out what the specials are and pre-order if you can as they do go fast. Having received numerous accolades over the years, Avli is a tasty casual gem in the north burbs. Easy parking.
Moms night out in da burbs- whoo hoo! I decided to pass up my regular GNO spot (holler Trifecta Grill*) & choose a location where we could actually hear each other. The winner...Avli Estiatorio. Unfortunately, the private party room was booked, but we ended up having most of the bar area to ourselves. If I hadn't driven with someone who knew where Avli is located exactly there's a good chance I would have never found it and missed out on good food/wine. For other first timers it's inside the building where Cafe Buongiorno is located. I started my night with a much needed glass of lovely sauvignon blanc. And then we ordered a bunch of apps for the table to share. We let the mom who had eaten there before do the ordering. She did a fabulous job and we soon had a table full of delish apps. Favorites included the flaming cheese, fried zucchini chips & shrimp tourkolimano. I do think their pita bread could use a bit of work, but besides that they've got a good thing going back in the kitchen. They weren't very busy on a Wed night, but we were still proud that we were the last remaining table. We got the "hint" that it was time to get back to the (hopefully) sleeping kiddies when they turned the lights on at 10pm. I hear they have a fabulous (and busy) patio so that's reason enough for me to get back to Avli if/when it warms up around here. * yelp.com/biz/trifecta-gr…
(4)
Kim S.
Bar far my favorite sit down Greek place. The food has always been delicious and the service friendly and accommodating. The gyros are delectable the meat is seasoned well, the tomatoes are always fresh and the pita warm and soft. My favorite side is the fried zucchini. Lightly fried, good flavor and the potato hummus with it has a great flavor. They will always bring you more pita to enjoy all the food on the table. Servings are pretty big too and I always end up bringing some home for the next day. Overall a great restaurant that keeps me coming back to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Liz H.
One of my favorite restaurants! Great service, nice atmosphere for conversation, and excellent seafood. Also love the dandelion greens and all of the brunch options. When it's warm out, it is nice to eat outside. My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here and everyone was really happy!
(5)
Denise K.
The appetizers and dinner was spectacular. The saganaki was awesome because it was not salty at all, like many other restaurants. The moussaka and the sampler of dips was fantastic. The best part was our waiter, Enrique. He was absolutely fantastic. He joked with us the whole time, gave us great food recommendations, was very attentive, and was such a nice person to have serve us. The owner was also very attentive, as he checked on us a few times to make sure we were having a great experience. My only reason for giving 4 stars was I didn't understand why there were no authentic Greek desserts on the menu. That was a bit disappointing. Great experience. Will definitely return. If you go, make sure you ask for Enrique.
(4)
Phil M.
I have been to this place maybe 3 times, hoping that the closest Greek restaurant to my house would improve. I was there a few weeks ago, and sadly it has not. I find it to be consistently over-priced and under-quality. Service is inconsistent too. When I see the positive reviews people have written here, it makes me wonder if those people know their Greek food. Periyales and Mykonos are much better choices in the northern burbs. Demitri's in Deerfield even. Or Greek Islands in the city. I sincerely hope that this place improves but I am dubious.
(2)
Steve A.
This authentic Greek restaurant is a sprawling collection of rooms and outdoor spaces located on the rear side of The Laundry complex. There is a very extensive list of Greek wines, plus all the Greek appetizers and entrees you'd expect. We particularly enjoyed the salads and the lamb burger.
(4)
John V.
Great location, knowledgable staff, good prices for great authentic Greek food, and prompt, courteous service. Will go back next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Ryan R.
4 stars for the food. 3 for the service. This place has to offer an array of Greek Tapas-like appetizers which are excellent. The "flaming cheese" is always a Greek favorite and this scrumptious appetizer is not as salty as most other restaurants that serve this. They have a great wine menu...the Pinot Noir is from Greece! They filet the Red Snapper table-side, and unlucky for me they were out of it last night. Lamb Chops were exceptionally delicious...and of course I took the bones home for the pup.
(4)
Harry M.
Summer is great for Avli when they open the back up and you feel like you can be in a Greek Courtyard somewhere in Greece. Food is pretty consistent and prices fairly reasonable especially on North Shore. I think these guys are relatives to Greek Islands in Chicago's Greek Town neighborhood which is really good food and very fast!
(4)
Matthew K.
I just wanted to add a note, that on my previous review, I was reviewing their lunch pricing and options. I love this place for lunch, and only like it for dinner. Dinner prices are a bit higher, still reasonable for what you get, but not a bargain like their lunch pricing. I also liked the lunch options a bit more.
(4)
Lisa K.
Be sure to come before 7p or the specials will be gone (#baitandswitch). Lame. And don't bother ordering a vodka grapefruit because they are were out of grapefruit juice. ???!! Waiter was inattentive and the food was average at best. Much better last time we were there. So disappointing. Try Trifecta down the street. ??
Love this place. Great food and ambience! Good find! Best Greek food on the north-shore by far! will be back KID FRIENDLY! =)
(5)
Becky N.
First, props to our waiter Angel. What a sweetheart who knows his stuff. This is the best Greek restaurant I have ever been to and I have been to a lot of them. Starters: Saganaki and octopus, we are not in Greek Town anymore Toto!!! Yummy Braised lamb for the hubby and seafood pasta dish for me. Can't begin to tell you how fresh and wonderful everything was. We will be back soon. Almost forgot, dessert. Chocolate Baklava: oh my goodness, shut the front door!!!
(5)
Anahit G.
Good Greek food, but only standard and nothing really exceptional (for truly amazing Greek food head to Greek Town). We had gyros and the Poseidon plate. Gyros were tasty, but the Poseidon plate was ordinary and the different seafood was mixed with a sauce that made it all taste the same. Basically, if you're in the area and craving Greek food I'd recommend this place. It has a cozy outdoor patio and nice decor. Otherwise, there might be better options in other burbs and the city.
(3)
Brayden K.
My wife and I stopped in for a quick dinner before a movie. I had high hopes for the place based on previous Yelp reviews, and I was not disappointed. It really is a great neighborhood restaurant with a strong sense of character. The Greek personality is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, down to the warm shoulder hug that the restaurant's manager gave me as he asked if we were enjoying our meal. We most certainly were. My wife had a large African prawn that was as delicious as it looked on the menu. There was nothing small about this prawn. It clearly had a well-fed life prior to ending up on my wife's dinner plate. It tasted delicious too, stuffed with cheese and herbs that made the mouth melt. I had the beef kapama dish, a short rib cooked in a tomato (and cinammon) sauce that sits on top of a plate of pasta. The ratio of short rib to pasta was just right. Sometimes after eating short rib, I feel weighed down, but I didn't after eating this lovely dish. My only complaint about the dish was that I would have liked a little more sauce with it. The flavor was delicious and I wanted more of it! We started our meal with a beautiful plate of fried zucchini. It was a pretty big plate and when they delivered it to our table, I thought there was no way we'd get through the entire thing. Of course, after realizing how crisp and delicious they were, we devoured all of them. Even though it was fried, I didn't feel all greasy afterward. They know how to apply a light touch at this restaurant. The servers and the entire staff were extremely friendly and much more welcoming than the average north shore franchise. We're coming back!
(4)
Lucy C.
A friend and I grabbed a late dinner on their beautiful patio on a warm summer evening. The ambiance was beyond perfect with the delicate lighting, subtle breeze, and light aroma of food and wine. Our server was quick to bring our beverages and offer recommendations before we ordered. They're not the most conventional choices, but we ordered zucchini chips to share, stuffed chicken breast, and lobster pasta. Although there were glaring complaints about the food, there was also nothing to write home about. The chips were a little too oily, the chicken a little too dry, the pasta a little too basic; perhaps my taste buds have just been spoiled by Chicago's Greektown. Regardless, Avli Estiatorio provided a perfect venue at which to slow down and catch up on our increasingly fast paced lives. The location itself is a little tricky to find. It's tucked away in the back of the Laundry building. Look for "566" and walk all the way to the back.
(2)
Otto A.
Gyro was tasty yet a tad dry as wel as the stuffed chicken. The mini rack of lamb ordered medium rare came very rare. When they cooked it more it was ok yet a bit grizzly. Thought lamb was leaner. Vegetables came out cool to warm. Potato wedges were pre cooked, soft and soggy. Appetizers were great and service was prompt.
(2)
Benn R.
Went here for lunch on a weekday and there weren't a lot of people. Their chicken kebab was good. Food is reasonably priced. Recommended.
(4)
Burt A.
Simply the best Greek food I have had. Priced fairly and very good service. Been there for lunch and dinner and never disappointed.
(5)
C S.
We arrived right on time for our reservations. They asked if they could seat us in the outdoor area and I said NO, but they seated us there anyway. It was November and the temperature was a little chilly. We were the only people in the room. As we sat down and waited for our drinks, the waiter and two other employee's got into an argument with raised voices and speaking in greek, no pun. This loud discussion went on for about 8-9 minutes and by the time the waiter came back with a menu, my stomach was in knots. We decided to order appetizers and leave. I ordered the calamari --FRIED. When it came, it was STEAMED and so was I. I really just wanted to take it to go, which is what I did, because my companion had already finished theirs. After I paid the bill, I thought that the owner or manager might want to know about our experience. On my way out, I did just that. Should have saved my breath. Arrogance can kill a restaurant faster than anything.
(2)
Rick R.
Delicious Greek food on the north Shore. I really enjoyed the Pasticio (Greek lasagna) it was creamy, cheesy, meaty casserole for the Gods--yum! Gyros was great too! Opah!!!!
(4)
Jeff K.
Our first and last time here. This was a huge disappointment, having looked forward to trying out a Greek restaurant in the North Shore. We will have to continue to make the drive to Niles for Periyales. The food was not well-prepared and our service experience was awful. The Greek salad, while flavorful, was heavy on the oil. My wife's sea bass was also oily, and my pastichio was globby in texture (of course it's not a light dish, but this was extreme) and apart from the nutmeg, was on the bland side. Our waiter was totally inattentive to the point that he never came around to ask if we wanted a second glass of wine. We waited forever after our plates were cleared for him to return to offer us dessert or the check.
(1)
Chris A.
My wife and I have been here a few times since she works down the street. The food at Avli is fantastic. I've had their giro several times and it's always fantastic. The last time we dined here, I ordered the short rib pasta special... and wow, was it good! We always start with the flatbread since we crave it regularly :) The owners and staff are wonderful too!
(5)
Rob W.
Just finished a wonderful dinner at Avli. I highly recommend it! Our group of 4 enjoyed our entrees: beef kabobs, stuffed tomatoes and 2 of us shared the sea bass. Bread and flaming cheese were great as well. The Greek wines were a very pleasant surprise. Very nice outside dining area. Appetizer, entrees and wine for less than $40 per person including tip
(5)
Carol P.
Great location and decor. Great Greek food and a good selection if Greek wines. Excellent service!
(5)
Natalie B.
Food continues to be excellent but I am only giving it three stars due to horrible service. Our waiter was MIA most of the evening, food came out wrong (waiter claimed he didnt hear, even though I specified twice the way I wanted food cooked, husband's sides were wrong, salad was forgotten and it goes on). Dinner took forever, and we almost felt like leaving. At this point I probably wont go out of my way to go back-I was just too frustrated with the service tonight.
(3)
John B.
C and I met Adam and Marge for dinner here last Saturday. The weather was ideal for it, so we dined on the patio. The food and service were excellent and the ambiance very nice. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The only odd thing was that he described the broiled fish special as sea bass. When he delivered the fish, which he and another server de-boned seconds before placing the fish on the table, he announced, "You will see ... it's better than sea bass." He scurried off and we didn't ask. Fortunately, the fish was very tasty, no matter the species. Still, it would be nice to know exactly what one is ordering. The only negative is that Yelp indicates that this restaurant is $$. It is not. It is $$$. The four of us had the following: 2 house salads 2 broiled fish specials 2 shrimp/octopus/calamari dish two deserts one bottle of inexpensive white wine $32) 2 glasses of house red wine Total with a 17% tip: $220 (which =$$$) We have been here before and will likely return, but it's more expensive than you might plan on. Whoppa!
(3)
Dave J.
Very good Greek food! Very mediocre service! Hey, c'mon, how long does it take to ask a customer if they want a refill? It's a win-win for both...the restaurant makes money serving another beer, customer is happy that his thirst is quenched. Aside from this misstep, I highly recommend giving this place a try. Mrs. and I ventured in on a stormy night, well after the dinner rush. There were a few tables occupied, and I was initially pleased with the personality and demeanor of our server. As the night wore on, so did my nerves. The lack of attention given to us was borderline apalling. We loved our appetizers...grilled octopus and prasopita (phyllo dough wrapped around a nice and melty greek cheese and herbs). The octopus was tender and had a pleasant smokey flavor. The prasopita was a nice change from the traditional saganaki, but far less dramatic because nothing was set on fire and nobody yelled "opaaa!". Mrs. ordered gyros...yeah, I know you can get gyros at practically any independent fast food outlet...but I've never sampled a better tasting gyros ANYWHERE...these were outstanding. I chose beef tenderloin souvlaki. These cubes of heaven were tender and nicely seasoned. Desserts were great too. I had the traditional baklava, but with a tasty twist...chocolate! It's called Choclava! And it's a delicious take on the classic Greek dessert. If you love chocolate, and love baklava...you'll flip over Choclava! Mrs. had vanilla ice cream, which she enjoyed, but not as much as I enjoyed my Choclava! Aside from not being offered additional beverages, I really enjoyed Avli and would go back again...hopefully when there's a more attentive waiter on duty.
(4)
Paige P.
I love this place! Excellent food! Their specials are always AMAZING! Went there last night and had a short rib pasta dish.... To die for!
(5)
Larry F.
Very good Greek food experience. I went with a group of four. We split several small plate appetizers included stuffed grape leaves and some giant beans. The beans were a little bland but the stuffed grape leaves were quite good. Saganaki is not really traditional, but who can complain about flaming hot cheese? For my main course, I had vegetarian moussaka, which was hot, hearty and filling.
(4)
Nancy L.
Had a great meal with the family on the patio. Very nice outdoor seating area and the wait staff was very attentive. Kids loved the flaming Saganaki - to see and eat. The spicy feta spread with pitas was a great appetizer. The Diane's salad with arugula, pears, grilled Manouri cheese, nuts with a honey vinaigrette was a great choice. To make it a meal I tried some chicken breast on top which was well seasoned but a bit dry. Would order again but with a Chicken skewer which looked more tender. Seafood orzo was flavorful with lots of seafood and tomato sauce on the orzo which gave the pasta a delightful creamy texture. Pastchio was good - crunchy cheese on top with a thick layer of sauce and long tube noodles and ground beef. The multi textures were great . While it was pretty good it seemed to lack some complexity of flavor that I've had in other versions. Yogurt Mousse was wonderful - light, creamy and flavorful without the tang you'd expect in a yogurt. Perfect on a warm day. Choclava - chocolate lava cake was good - cherries on side were a bit sticky syrupy but good if you ate them with a bit of the cake. Will go again - maybe we'll try the Meze (tapas) next time and sample a number of things that looked really good at other tables.
(4)
L. F.
I was introduced to this gem through friends and absolutely love it! Everything is fresh and flavorful, so delicious. I crave the cucumber, tomato and feta salad. The chicken kabobs and gyros are fabulous. Highly recommend for a fabulous, Greek meal.
(4)
Liz S.
I will never remember the name of this place - to me, it will always be "that new Greek place in the Laundry". That said, it is worth seeking out, whether you can remember the name or not. My mom and I had a wonderful lunch of small plates there (see pics) on the patio on a summer afternoon. Everything was well prepared, flavorful, of very high quality, and served quickly. I loved the roasted red peppers stuffed with spicy feta cheese, the greek sausage flavored with orange, and the Taramosalata the best. The grilled octopus was also excellent. Neither one of us cared for the pork tenderloin, but all of the other dishes were so good, it was hard for this one to measure up. We felt that we ate a large amount of interesting, exciting food for a fair price, in a nice atmosphere - a big win in a small town. Next time I am in town, I will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes.
(4)
Frederick C.
Perhaps it's because I live in Winnetka, and it was snowing out, but Alvi Estiatorio is a little gem of a Greek restaurant, with good Greek food and great ambiance, including a lovely fireplace that warms the entire dining room. I say good Greek food because I have dined frequently in Greek Town in downtown Chicago, and Alvi is not Greek town. However, it's very convenient for those who live on the North Shore, the prices are lower than Greek town, the food is good, and the ambiance is even better! The best indicator of how I feel about the restaurant is that I plan to go back!
(4)
Aubrey T.
Such a gem! Food: Our table shared two good appetizers - the Gigantes (large white beans in a warm red sauce with melty feta) and the artichokes. My "Poseidon Plate" (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) entree was so hearty and delicious. It is rich (very heavy on the olive oil) and has amazing seasoning. I would have trouble not ordering this every time I go back. My dining companions also enjoyed the fish of the day and the exceptionally good gyro. Ambiance: Even though this is in the The Laundry building (a small mall-like interior with connected stores and restaurants), you forget that as soon as you're inside the restaurant. It is cozy and lovely in the back room with the fire place. I would request to be in that room at the corner booth (if you have at least 4 people). There was a wide mix of patrons on Friday night - from suits to jeans, families and couples. Service: Not sure if it's because my relatives I went with are regular diners, but no complaints on the service per other reviews.
(5)
Lora S.
Avli is a neighborhood gem. I have introduced dozens of people to Avli over the last few years. The gyros is wonderful and the fish of the day is usually a whole prepared fish and is spectacular. Generous drinks and wonderful ambience. In the summer definitely sit on the patio
(4)
Chowhound C.
Finally.....after 4 highly educated adults roamed the streets of Winnetka looking for what sounded like a better version of the city's Athenian Room, we found Avli Estiatorio. Even though it was more difficult to find than half the crap I searched for in the 1985 Highlights magazines from my old dentist's office, it was worth the effort. Aside from the homey atmosphere and welcoming staff, I mostly enjoyed the first and last part of our meal. The Greek Village Salad was one of the best. Crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and some perfect pairings toppled over my oh-so-favorite cold salad plate. This was one of the better Greek Salads I've had. Nothing was soggy and it was all super fresh. -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.…
(3)
Marie D.
Wonderful, brand new restaurant in Winnetka - a very needed addition to the NorthShore food scene! We've been there several times now and haven't been disappointed with anything. The mezes, salads, main dishes, seafood, wine list - it's all top notch. It's not expensive, either, which means we can take the kids (chicken skewers for $5, can't beat that!), sit on the patio, and enjoy without feeling guilty about it. I especially love the bread salad, lentil salad, fried zucchini chips, pork skewers, saganaki, gigantes, pastichio, flatbreads, and sea bass... yes, we've sampled a lot! Great Greek wines starting at $5.50 a glass, too!
(5)
Orack B.
Wowee! Who deserves more blame, the American palate or the Americanization of Greek cuisine? I shouldn't even use the word cuisine in association with Avli. To all the people who think this is a great representation of Greek food or that Avli, "transported you to Athens," get a grip. This place spits out bastardized versions of the "classics." You have no clue what you are talking about...
(2)
Rachel N.
Truly a 3.5 for me--this is an unexpectedly nice place--perfect for a casual Sunday night dinner--but went w/ the fam on a Saturday night at 6:30 and it was packed! I'm thrilled that the Avli is doing well--we're lived in Winnetka for almost 20 years and I think we've seen 5ish (give or take a couple) restaurants go in and out in this location, so I'm hoping that the general enthusiasm bodes well for its longevity. We started w/ the flaming cheese (spelling not attempted!), which was nice and crispy--of course presented tableside and with an "Opa!", the lentil salad, the greek salad, and the tzatziki. The salads were perfectly pleasant--light--although I would have liked a bit more lemon in my Greek dressing, it was still nice and well sized, though I wouldn't plan on having it as an entree. Oh, forgot--excellent grilled octopus--great balance of char and flavor, if that makes sense. The tzatkizi was some of the best I've ever had--really garlicy, thick, and perfect. For mains we got the salmon "en papillote" which came on a nice bed of fennel and other veggies--salmon had great texture and was piping hot after coming out of the sac. Madre got the "Poseidon platter" which was a melange of grilled seafood and onion--well sized and she seemd to enjoy. Dad went for the grilled chicken--perhaps none of of has the most authentic Greek meal (sea gods aside), but it was all well prepared and I left hoping that it makes it! I'm sure that we'll be back, it's a nice change from O'Neil's! Oh the wine list is all Greek, make of that what you will? No one in our party complained, but we aren't expert vinologists.
(4)
Carolyn S.
The food here USED to be quite good. Now, this place is a complete disaster. The food is not fresh and certainly not prepared by anyone that knows what they're doing. The waiters are an utter joke! These are the kind of Greeks that give other Greeks a bad name! Pushy with selling you as much of their crappy wine as possible, but when you try to ask for anything they run from you like the plague! I regret asking friends to meet me here for dinner. I was starving and left hungry because the lobster pasta was horrible and the Greek salad was worse. Oh and, because I was the only American at the table (everyone else Greek) the waiter ignored me the entire time. If you want excellent Greek food and great service, go to Mythos Taverna in Chicago.
(1)
Carrie R.
The food is great here! However last night service was missing. Seated a half hour after reservation, bar was too full to get a drink...the hostess even told us that. Time is going by and we are getting pissed, I suggested to her she should offer to get us a drink. They could not think of that themselves. We got the drink when we sat down, while we waited she brought us some pita with a very gross dip. This place serves amazing food, but needs more polish. Even in the dining room we got very minimal service.
(4)
Jp N.
Great food , Great Service, Hard to find.... It is located inside of a strip mall type deal. Food was so good, so well worth looking for .
(4)
Claudia G.
Great ambiance, excellent service, good food. For vegetarians, the menu clearly labels our options. I have enjoyed the moussaka twice now. (It comes with artichokes which is a twist I haven't enjoyed elsewhere.) The dish is served as a lovely little casserole. You will want to vent it as under that top layer it is steaming hot. The zucchini chips are really great. Try them!
(3)
Mary T.
This is the fourth or fifth time I've eaten at Avli and I was not disappointed. From the wine to all the food it was a bit of heaven. We started with grilled artichoke hearts which were tender, flavored lightly with lemon and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I had my standard; Poseidon Plate which is a grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp plate with a taste that is utterly fantastic. My mouth waters just thinking about it. My friend has the salmon in parchment paper with leeks and she was thrilled with the selection since she also loves the Poseidon Plate. Apollo was our server and he was delightful My only teeny tiny issue was he seemed to disappear for long stretches of time but when he showed up he was responsive and very helpful. I strongly recommend Avli for the relaxed pace of dinner, great selection of greek wines and outstanding food that goes beyond the typical Greek meal. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Alec C.
Traditional and Authentic? I'm not Greek, so I don't know. All I can say is that Anthony Bourdain once said: "...your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." I don't know if it's because I have a heightened sense of superiority of what good food is because of: A) my asian heritage B) world travels C) or my Platinum Preferred Cable package which includes the Travel Channel with Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern in HD. But this isn't it, as hard I as I want it to be so good, so I don't have to commute to Greek enclaves in various neighborhoods of Chicago; Avli just didn't meet my expectations on its first round. I really wanted the Zucchini crisps to be fresh and light appetizers. Instead, I received sliced zucchini with a side order of deep fryer oil on a bed of lettuce. The grilled octopus was good, chewy as it should be, but again, a smidge oily. Finally, the preparation of the lamb burger was good. I'll give marks to the ciabatta and the feta dressing. But since lamb has such as strong flavor to it, the dressing and accompanying sides (more zucchini crisps) could not do anything to overcome such a strong aroma. I won't overstep and say I'll never come here again, every place deserves a second chance. Hopefully, once that update comes, I can update this review with something that doesn't - "What's the opposite of suck? Un-suck?"
(2)
Yvonne Y.
Prompt (well, we were the first to get seated at 5pm!) and friendly service. Lemon soup was creamy and they gave you extra lemon slices which I added to the soup. Loved the lamb shank dish served with beans as it was flavorful but not TOO salty. The grilled octopus was moist but too blackened for me. The outer parts were bitter. Aside from that, I'd be back for sure and try additional dishes. Very children friendly, especially with the outdoor seating.
(4)
Melina J.
Favorite dishes: Pastitio, Papoutsakia, makaronatha, burger Well pretty much everything!
(5)
Craig P.
Super food and service. Last month with a friend, today with my wife and both times wonderful food. Service today by hostess Lana and waiter Anrique were worthy of Santorini or Hydra, tho the menu includes many non-Greek offerings. This may be the best moderate cost, high quality destination on the NorthShore.
(4)
Lyle G.
Great greek food, fish is beautifully filleted table side!
(4)
Scott R.
so I called for a reservation at this joint onSaturday night and they said they only had a table in the bar area, but that's not bad because the bar area is pretty large and we got a table by the window, not too close to the actual bar. What they didn't tell me was that the restaurant had sponsored a team in the North Shore Anal Olympics (highly competitive) and they were hosting the winners in the children's ADD division. The evening was spent watching (without choice) children running back and forth, first inside the restaurant by our table and then in the courtyard. Not appetizing and not appropriate. In my experience (from several meals) the food here is pretty good, the service is hit and miss depending on the server you get, but I've never experienced a restaurant run less professionally.
(2)
Rich S.
Man, this place rocks. We sat in the garden, breezy , in the shade. Great service,quick, helpful with the menu. My wife ordered the best pasticio I have ever had. I wanted something different than what is normally order at a Greek resto so I had the pulled lamb Sammy with Greek fries. Excellent! Can't wait to come back.
Omg what a disaster! I don't know where to begin? Sat at the bar and ordered some wine a red and a white Both glasses looked as of they were coated with soap a Gray film in both . I asked for some clean Glasses and the bartender took them and dunked them in the same sanitizer sink??then pour the wine in the completely wet glasses Without drying them off. Are you kidding?? Next we ordered artichoke app some saganaki we got 3 microscopic artichoke hearts with a couple of capers and lemon? Really? What wad the thought process on this dish? Oh money! The cheese was ok nothing great For entrees we had the whole roasted fish sea bass and the greek chicken oven baked. Do you remember the scene in Christmas vacation when Chevy carved the turkey and it exploded it was so dry Well that's what we got. I've had moister beef jerky The whole roasted fish that was supposedly deboned table side Had not one not two but at least three bones per bite Seriously what are people thinking with the ratings there giving this place???? Is there not a palate in Winnetka?
(1)
Kim J.
Um, the best freaking Greek restaurant ever is in Winnetka? Really? Believe it, kids. Avli is the real deal. I drove up to the north suburbs to visit a friend, and she recommended we try Avli. (Apparently the good folks over on LTH Forum are all abuzz over it.) So, off we went. Avli is a bit hard to find - it's in the back of the Laundry building in downtown Winnetka. There is no signage out front - just walk in the door marked "566" and head towards the back. But man, it was worth it to find it. Upon being seated, we were offered a sample of one of their cold dips. I don't remember what it was (maybe red peper?), but it was phenomenal. So much so that we were compelled to order the dip sampler. We tried the tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber), melizantosalata (eggplant), and skordalia (garlic). Seriously phenomenal. The garlic was super-garlicy. Tangy, even. The eggplant was delicious - smooth and seasoned and just yum. I'm not usually a big fan of yogurt/cucumber dip, but I really enjoyed the offering here. We also shared the zucchini chips as another appetizer. SO GOOD. The zucchini is sliced into thin little slices, battered, and fried. It sounds heavy, but they weren't at all - they were light and crisp and delicious. We used them to sop up the rest of the dip that we hadn't finished. ;) For entrees, we split the Poseidon plate (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) and the papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant). The seafood was done perfectly - you could taste a hint of smokiness in it which made me think they grilled it over some nicely flavored cedar chips or something. Grilled calamari is so easy to mess up and make into a rubbery mess, but it was done perfectly here. The eggplant was also really well done - it was grilled and stuffed with onions, feta, and spices. It is served in a red sauce. For dessert, we split the chocolate baklava. OH MY WORD. Light, flaky pastry with layers of cocoa-y chocolate? Sign me up. I grew up with a Greek best friend, so I know good baklava. This is amazing baklava. Service was helpful and unobtrusive. The space is really warm and inviting. Hell, why are you still reading this? GO! You won't be sorry. (Did I mention it's only a couple of blocks from the metra stop in Winnetka? Jelena, you would be nuts to not schedule a suburban event here, by the way ;D).
(5)
Eric H.
We had our daughter's rehearsal dinner at Avli in May and they did a wonderful job for our party of 24. Food as good as usual and the staff really took care of us.
(5)
Diane E.
I just came home from dining at Avli, and what a disappointment it was! Although the restaurant was empty, we were seated in the back next to the kitchen. I am a vegetarian and ordered something from the menu that was marked as a vegetarian meal. When it arrived, it was a meat dish. I asked the waiter, and he said that the menu had been changed months ago and "he assumed I knew that". He didn't offer me another meal; rather, I sat there with nothing to eat while the rest of my party ate their dinners. The manager never came to inquire about our meal, and as we left, not a word was said. I'll never go back. The food and the service was a total disappointment.
(1)
Mr H.
I'm upset that there are so many reviews for Avli, because so many good reviews means longer waits ! Avli is HANDS DOWN, the BEST Greek Restaurant in the North Shore. Excellent quality, excellent staff & service. The calamari is outstanding, excellent wine selection, the list goes on.
(5)
Lynne H.
We're in the neighborhood and eat at Avli two or three times a month. We usually have grilled octopus, Greek salad and the whole fish, generally Mediterranean Sea bass. These things are always delicious and well prepared. We also enjoy the skewers (chicken, beef, shrimp) and the other salads. Avli doesn't get a 5 star rating for me for a couple of reasons. The first is that the dishes with pasta tend to overcooked and the sauces are gloppy and oddly spiced. Also, the hostesses are not well trained. We've walked in on occasions when the restaurant is half full and been told all the tables are reserved, and we can come back in 2 hours or eat now if we can be done in half an hour. HINT.....if you talk to the owner, he will get you seated! Another upside to Avli is that the patio dining area is lovely in the summer.
(4)
Susan G.
Much Better This Time. Dined here with friends and it was so much better this time. Our group started with a sampling of 3 delicious spreads served with pita, an order of saganaki, and an order ofgreek sausage which we really enjoyed. I had the jumbo shrimp with feta wrapped in phyllo dough with great seasonings and served with spinach and it was incredible. The others in our group had gyros (it was tough), sea bass (it was delicious), and lobster with pasta (a homerun). Shared salads at the table too. We split a choclava dessert and it was the perfect finish to our meal along with greek coffee. The owner came over and helped us with our wine selections -- a bottle of syrah that was well-paired for 3 of the our entrees, but I preferred a white wine and had a nice, dry, greek wine by the glass whose name I cannot remember, but I enjoyed. Cost per person with tax, tip, and all the food mentioned above was about $70 per person.
(4)
Diane F.
We were starving and ordered a Spanikopita as an entree and 3 Gyros Plates. The Spanikopita was tasty but not enough food for the $14 charge. For being an entree and costing that amount of money, it should have come along with some sides. The Gyros plates came with a small amount of food, as well. My husband, who NEVER finishes a meal, was still feeling unsatisfied after eating his meal. Plus, it had an odd flavor that made it not very tasty. I wouldn't return to the restaurant unless they improved their portion sizes for what they charge plus I would not order the gyros. On another note, we had ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter was very pushy about us ordering another bottle.
(2)
Jerry B.
Really good experience. Food, service, atmosphere were all great. Very reasonable and extensive Greek wine list. Pita's and 3 dips (eggplant, garlic and cucumber) was an excellent eppetizer. Egg lemon and navy bean soups were perfect. Sea bass and mini rack of lamb were perfectly cooked. Cholava was just okay. Very romantic restaurant. Definite will return in warm weather to dine on the patio. Maybe even go back sooner for brunch.
(5)
Joscelyn M.
WOW! Close your eyes and be transported to Athens. This a cute new addition to the burbs. We had tzatziki - garlick-y delicious! roe dip - not fish-y at all and very good eggplant dip - classic greek, and as good as I've ever had it grilled octopus - awesome spinach rice side - prob my fave thing on the menu greek salad - perfect lentil salad - really good skewers - terrific zucchini chips - mmm I'm running out of adjectives, here, so you get the picture... Just go. Watch out how much you order, though! I had yummy leftovers for 2 days.
(5)
Russ C.
The decor was very nice looking. Our waiter was Samson and he was very knowledgable and we listened to his recs as it was my wife and I first time at Avli. He was right on on everything. We shared the large grilled calamari which had great flavor, my wife got the mixed greens and she said it was delicious. We shared a bottle if white wine that was light bodied and was similar to Pinot Grisio. Our entrees were grilled stuffed chicken with broccoli...amazing. My wife got the giant prawn in FILO dough. Samson rec this and it was so delicious with a side of rice. We got a side of Greek potatoes and it was the best greek potatoes we have ever had. Can't wait to go back. We went on a Saturday night around 8:15 pm and it was packed for good reason. Reasonably priced as well. lots of parking.
(5)
Sam C.
We liked it there. The place was quite loud, and we even had a relatively late reservation (for the suburbs) at 8pm. I found the service to be solid. I really enjoyed my food. I had rack of lamb, which was great, but for $28, it should be good. The appetizers were excellent. We liked the grilled octopus, fried zucchini chips, and the various spreads. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Dominique K.
This is one of the best greek restaurant in Winnetka IL, the service is 1st class and the food is really good. they do deserve to be spoken about, for a small place like Winnetka IL. they should have a place as the combination of service and food is amazing. The food is pure, fresh, and delicious. What a pleasure to have had dinner there. Please keep going
(5)
George K.
The hardest part was finding the place but once we did, everything went uphill from there. Great selection of Greek wines, menu was simple but had a good variety of choices. I had the octopus which was excellent and had a nice sweet aftertaste and wasn't too heavy. The atmosphere was nice as well given the coziness of the fireplace, the nice decor, and the friendly staff (the owner came up to our table on multiple occasions to see how we were doing and just to talk). Highly recommend to everyone.
(5)
Mrs N.
Best Greek food ever?!? I guess that's true if you consider yourself a connoisseur of Greek food because you once had a gyros at Al's Italian Beef. If not for cute atmosphere and accommodating service, I'd have given Avli one star because the food is so inferior to anything my Greek mother and other Greek relatives have ever put on the table. - Lamb shank was tough and barely seasoned. It came with lima beans that had no hint of the traditional Greek seasonings, only tomato. - The decent flavor of the meat sauce that accompanied the macaroni was marred by burnt meat. Even the kidlets said it tasted bad. - Pastichio is typically one of my favorite Greek entrees, but Avli's version was off and just plain gross. It was a mushy mess of pasta and bechamel sauce overpowered by what seemed to be fennel, which should never be part of this dish. Mom frowned and deemed it "worst pastichio ever". - Saganaki was dry, poorly flavored and not flaming. The only passable selections that I sampled were the Greek village salad, which was very fresh and prepared in the traditional style with a generous amount of feta, and the "choklava"...although truth be told I really would have preferred traditional baklava. As a previous reviewer suggested, save your money and go downtown to Greektown for the real thing if you know and crave Greek food. Avli falls short.
(2)
Nadiya M.
Stopped here for lunch while visiting Winnetka. Fiance ordered the gyro sandwich with Greek french fries. I had the vegetarian sandwich with Greek salad. For appetizer, we ordered a small "small plate" of calamari. The calamari was very fresh and definitely not a small plate. It was a very generous portion for price and it being what they called a small plate meal. The gyro was probably the best we both have had. Great quality, obviously not from the pre-sliced gyro meat that many restaurants shamelessly serve. The Greek french fries were just fries with sprinkled feta cheese. Never had fries like that, but will totally be doing it the next time I do. My vegetarian sandwich was delicious. All the flavors blended so well with one another and I could taste each ingredient individually. My only complaint: I wish I had more room to eat! If you are ever in the area, this place is a must! Great price and fantastic quality--something that so few restaurants deliver these days.
(5)
ardath b.
We decided to eat here because it was on our way home from work. The atmosphere was OK, the wonderful thing was the yummy smell of the food when you walk in. The food was good but the service stunk. We had a waiter whose English was difficult to understand, made worse by the loudness of the place. For the price, I would not go back.
(3)
Stevie G.
Once again Avli continues to impress me with their regional Greek style cooking based on recipes from old friends and family.
(4)
Melissa M.
Went to Avli for dinner this past Friday with my husband, 8 year old daughter and my cousin. We will definitely come back again. The Skordalia (garlic with potato) spread appetizer was my favorite. Good for garlic lovers. Hubby ordered the gyros which was okay. Cousin ordered the pastichio which was okay. Think the flavors were authentic as it did not taste like the usual pastichio I get. My daughter ordered the Greek version of mac and cheese but she did not like it. It wasn't very cheesy at all and lacked flavor. My dish was everyone's favorite. I ordered the Poseidon which was a grilled seafood combo of octopus and shrimp. It was fantastic. Very tender and flavorful. I will come here again for the garlic spread and Poseidon.
(4)
Mark S.
This was our first visit to Avil and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Service by Samson was excellent and we had our first introduction to Greek wines, which they serve exclusively- just go with the flow. Contrary to past experiences we enjoyed the wine recommendations that we received. Excellent octopus appetizer which was grilled with onions and balsamic vinegar. Same for the "Greek pizza"- Piaaz Avil. Lamb chops at $18 were a great value. I enjoyed the lamb stew special and the bread pudding dessert was the best I've ever had. I would stay away from the steak. Lively atmosphere and something different in the area for a change. It's in the Laundry Mall and occupies a space that has been inhabited by numerous other restaurants. I hope these guys stick around for awhile and can endure the fickleness of the North Shore.
(4)
Victoria H.
This location has seen many restaurants over the years, and I am glad to say that Avli seems to have saying power! Our family loves greek food, and this is some of the best around. It is great for both lunch and dinner. They have a great sandwich/salad pairing at lunch for only $8. I had the vegetarian pita and greek salad (which was a little oily, just ask for dressing on the side), but the sandwich was fantastic. Anything grilled at dinner is sure to be perfect, especially seafood. The poseidon plate with the greek herb salad to start is a perfect meal for two people. They have a great outdoor courtyard which allows you to take advantage of lovely Chicago summers. I would highly recommend for a lighter dinner or lunch (heavier options such as lamb burgers and gyros are available and my brother says they are fantastic!)
(4)
Susan F.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while. And if my daughter could saganaki her way through life she would. We used a wedeal, which I'm liking a lot more than Groupon lately with their spray tan offers and flying lessons. But I digress. Back to the food, which I have to say, we were not disappointed. I had the lamb burger, which as amazing. While it was quiet for lunch, I'm not sure what the dinner crowd is like. But I would go back in a second. And with friends.
(4)
David N.
Some of the best Greek food in the area! We had dinner there on Saturday night, we had to wait a bit for an outside table, the owner actually bought us our appetizers because of the wait, but the wait was worth it. Our service was excellent, food very authentic and I will definitely return.
(5)
Bill T.
My wife and I saw a review for this place on the hungry hound. We were not dissapointed. We started with the zuchini chips and the eggplant/feta/tzatziki dip. All were excellent, including the garlic dip served with the zuchini chips. Not too much garlic but enought to get the flavor. We enjoyed the dips so much that we decided to forgo the entrees and order more appetizers. The flatbread and leek filled pitas were great. We added the baked shrimp and finished with the choclava. Both were just as good as we hoped. The service that we got from our server (Nikko) was fantastic. We are looking forward to our next visit to this beautiful restaurant.
(5)
Ashee T.
We just moved to the area and were sad to have left our favorite Greek place in the city... BUT did we find gem!! This will be a regular spot for us!! I had the Poseidon plate and it was amazing. By far the best grilled octopus i have ever had, incredibly tender. We also had a great watermelon salad (special of the day) and the stuffed jumbo prawn, also extremely good (on the rich side). We took the chocolate baclava home to eat and it was really good too. There are so many more things i want to try from the menu and can't wait to go back!
(5)
sandeep p.
My wife and I love the food here. All the ingredients taste very fresh. i wish it was less noisy though. Avoid going on weekend nights.
(4)
Christian C.
I was just here for New Year's Eve with my "Big Fat Greek" New Year's Eve Party.....25 of my closest relatives. I must say I was very impressed by the Service and the Food. We were graciously greeted and each adult was served Champaign (Happy New Year!!!). The appetizers were ordered and were served in a very timely manner and were wonderful. A great Greek Salad, Kalamari, and beautifully prepared vegetables. The Service was very attentive but in no way instrusive. We were all sitting in their Bar areas...which for a party our size offered us great privacy....we were all to ourselves. After the dinner was served, the owner came by to see how we enjoyed our meals, shared some great stories and a laugh with us and moved on. A very nice personal touch. The food I must was was delicious. It was definitely Greek, but with a very unique twist...wonderfully spiced, beautifully prepared. Check this place out for a great meal in Chicago's north suburbs.
(5)
Gail Z.
Had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Finally got there and was terribly disappointed with my dinner. First, the staff didn't appear to want to be there. No greeting from our server after being seated at the smallest table right next to a post near the fireplace. We could have eaten off the table next to us we were so close. I kept getting bumped by the scurrying servers. Tried to order the pork that was on the menu and told that they didn't have it. Ordered a salad that was just ok. Grilled octopus was just ok. My husband was Greek and I have eaten in Greek homes and restaurants for over 35 years. Never have I eaten pastitsio that tasted like what I was served. Bechamel had only the flavor of raw flour, no taste at all. I never did find the ground beef and tomatoes that are supposed to be there. To their credit after apprising them of this they did offer another choice but we declined as I didn't want to wait for another 25 minutes. Asked if we wanted a desert we declined, but the manager insisted and we were presented with a bag of three different desserts to take home. Choclava was not bad, but the pistachio dessert had some kind of cream on top and it was sour, and the third was a kind of cheesecake made with a special cheese--not so good. They did take off the cost of my dinner from the bill. I know this sounds like a rant of a very fussy patron, but I really am not that hard to please, but I am so tired of restaurants that profess to be something they are not. Can't believe the reviews I read about this place that got me there. I will not return. So sorry as I really had high hopes..
(2)
Deb D.
I was here last summer so my memory of specific dishes is vague. But... I do remember this - Loved the outdoor seating, had an awesome waiter, good wine, and all of the dishes (there were 6 of us) were outstanding. We were all pleasantly surprised and made sure to share all the appetizers and entrees. Really... so good! And after so many really mediocre Greek restaurants in the burbs, this is a must on your list. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Alex R.
Great setting, food, and wine selection. We really enjoyed our night out without breaking the bank. Thanks Avli.
(5)
J M.
Fantastic food and service, lovely interior.
(5)
Shawn B.
Good, Upscale Greek. I've been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Most of the dishes were very good. My wife had a fish for dinner that was outstanding. The flatbreads have also been good. The fried smelts were a disappointment.
(4)
Dale D.
We celebrated an achievement with our accountability group. The food was excellent, the service was attentive. We had a great time!
(5)
Jodi H.
Avli is a great dinner option, especially since there is very little greek food around Winnetka. The appetizers are very good, especially the zucchini chips and chargrilled octopus. I would not recommend the egg-lemon soup, there are much better things worth trying. For dinner, I love the skewers, especially the shrimp. They are always grilled and seasoned to perfection. The lamb burger is great, another example of their great grilling and comes with a spicy red pepper spread that is amazing. Gyros are very yummy, and well above the typical greasy kind you can get at other places. If you are a seafood lover, the poseidon plate is a great option and good for sharing. Especially lovely on summer days/nights, great outside seating area! Its always nice to support local restaurants and avli is definitely worth a visit!
(4)
EL G.
Simply Apisteuto (amazing)! I've been a fan of greek food all through my 8 years of college. And after moving to the city I've been to a couple of very nice greek restaurants in Chicago. This restaurant stood out above the rest without any questions. Granted in college I ate at the local gyros place (nothing fancy). In the city the places were nice and more formal but nothing really stood out in terms of food and service. This place owned it all. Their menu is outstanding. I ordered the stuffed chicken with spinach and feta and it was delicious and filling. The mashed potatos on this plate were also reaaaaally good. But I couldn't take my eyes off my friend's plate. He ordered the Moussaka Aginarato (a type of casserole). I tried some of it and was blown away. Everyone else in our party of 6 was also very happy with their choices. Our server Nico was great. He had actually waitered for someone in our party in a previous visit and he was requested by her for our dinner last night. The ladies in our group were able to sample three different red wines and a sparkling wine just to finally decide what they wanted to drink which was very generous of Nico. Lastly I'll mention that if you are a fan of white wine, specifically a pinot grigio go with the Boutari Moscofilero. Apparently it's a very popular greek pinot grigio. Their wine selection is actually very exclusive to their restaurant because they have the largest greek wine selection in the country. So definitely check this place out if you are a wine connoisseur. P.s. Eat here their food is amazing!!!
(5)
Michael G.
food was very good and reasonably priced. the service was outstanding. kid friendly
(4)
constantine a.
This past saturday my family and I visited Avli for the first time. We were very impressed from the beautiful decor and courtyard, very accommodating staff, and great food. This is the Best Greek Restaurant on the North Shore. Considering it being a Greek Restaurant, their price points were great. Their fish entrees were highly popular when looking at other tables. Save room for the Bread Pudding, one of the best i have ever had. We will be back very soon.
(4)
L D.
This is the second time I've eaten at Avli's. I had no complaints the first time. However, the second time, although the food was good, the service almost spoiled our dinner. The server was impatient and kept rushing us to order before we were ready. He also recommended only the highest-priced specials and pressured us to order them. Finally, he also pressured us to order wine with our dinner. He clearly was just trying to run up the bill. The service took away from what would otherwise have been an excellent dinner.
(2)
Philip P.
Split a lamb shank with someone and it was moist and delicious with baked vegetables...mmmmm. My favorite greek places are in Chicago but this place was a nice surprise in the suburbs and left full and satisfied. Reasonable prices and great staff.
(4)
Brenda R.
Regrets, I've had a few....I knew something was afoot when I saw only 3 people in for lunch and one (grumpy) waiter. It took a while to find something appetizing. Poor choices. Settled for a boring pita, and an overpriced, dry/old bread pudding in a sauce attempting to disguise the content.
(1)
Eli R.
I LOVE Greek food and Avli has the best Greek food I've ever had in America. Everything my wife and I have tried so far has been fantastic. The restaurant itself is a great space, with plenty of seating, private room, bar, and an outdoor patio. The employees are all pleasant and helpful. We make it a point to go back often. The prices are also very reasonable for how great the food is and how nice the atmosphere is. It has become our go-to restaurant. The tsatsiki is the best ever. Honestly. The grilled octopus is tasty when done right, but has been over-charred at times, so just a warning there. The gyros are amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Tanya T.
very lively, always busy. Very tasty, superb service, great presentation. Try their fish of the day (usually grilled sea bass) - they even de-bone it for you. Greek white wines were surprisingly good. Been there several times.
(5)
Bob B.
First class Greek (as good as any Greektown restaurant), good service, comfortable ambience, NOT too noisey, wonderful fireplace, interesting menu, free parking. I had the lamb chops - terrific! And a delightful surprise at the price. Who could ask for anything more?
(4)
Jeff K.
Went to dinner there the other night as we happen to be in the area late on a Friday night and needed a place to eat. This place was highly recommended to us and it was truly delicious. When we arrived my wife and were dressed very casual and still fit in. It has a great outdoor area but because we didn't have a reservation we could not sit there. The place was packed and we were lucky we got a table. I got a tea to start because my throat was hurting and it was the best tea I have ever had! As an appetizer we got the dolmades and something else that I can't remember. The dolmades were just ok, but wife loves the other thing. I'm gluten free so I could not eat whatever the other appetizer was. We each got a salad - I got the Greek and she got the beet, both were delicious! The feta cheese was the best I've ever had and the dressing was just EVOO but it was amazing! As for a main course I got the chicken kabob and chicken was cooked to perfection, delicious! The green beans were the worst part of the dinner, they tasted liked canned - they were quite gross. I also thought I got rice with my meal but I didn't get it. My wife had the stuffed tomato and she thought it was very good, we both loved her potato that came with it. Overall the meal was very good! The owner was very nice, the waiter was good not great but the owner made up for it. The menu is well labeled with gluten free options. Overall when I'm back in the area I will absolutely return. Next time I'll call ahead to get a reservation and sit outside.
(5)
Elaine M.
Came here for kind of latish dinner, nice that they are open to 10:00 even on week days! The place was still busy when we left a little after nine. We weren't super hungry so we decided to share a bowl of soup and a Poseidon platter. The Avgolemono soup, an egg lemon soup with orzo, was great! It came out of the kitchen hot and ready for slurping up. We liked that it wasn't super thick or overly thickened with corn starch. The seafood platter was grilled octopus, shrimp and calamari with grilled onions and reduced balsamic. We had a little misfire at the start when the waiter brought the wrong platter (only grilled octopus) but the mistake was discovered and handled by the manager and perfectly. We really liked this plattter and would order it again. I loved how the balsamic made the dish sweet and spicy all at the same time. I hope to return again some time soon with a larger appetite and try some other selections. As an added bonus, although located in the back of a mall, the restaurant's atmosphere is charming. I liked the exposed brick wall and appreciated how it made me feel like I was somewhere cozy and quaint. Much better experience here than the Greek restaurants that I have frequented in Greektown, Chicago.
(4)
michael w.
Yet another Yelp Mobile App find! Thanks Yelp! The patio was packed and the prices were reasonable considering the real estate. The service was friendly, pleasant and professional. The beer prices for the 16oz were not out of line. The two entrees we tried were good, not great, but good. Not sure what the stand outs here are, but it's affordable enough with enough swank that we'll probably be back for more to explore. Bonus, within walking to downtown drag and close to home.
(3)
phyllis s.
Great food, great service....and they have a wonderful private room for a small party!
(5)
Elina S.
I made a reservation for this place like a month before for my girlfriends birthday party on a Saturday night around 8pm. I knew I wanted to make the reservation in advance since she had a party of 14 so I really wanted them to accommodate us especially in their much talked about outdoor patio. It really is a spectacular atmosphere outside, you should seriously come here alone for it. I really really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect on a summer evening here. So they seriously get 3 stars alone for that outdoor patio as I would come here just to sit outside. Now let's get to everything else. The person I made the reservation was very friendly, the hostess who greeted us, was also friendly. Our server through the night, also super friendly so they definitely get a point for that. However, I wouldn't say I loved the customer service as some things didn't exactly impress us. We ordered a bunch of the grilled octopus appetizers, and the server didn't mention to us that it came in a small and a large and I wish we gotten the small since I didn't love it here to be honest. It was missing the lemon zest I usually prefer from a greek grilled octopus. And the small portion is $12 compared to the large $17. We wouldn't have gotten as many if we knew we would be getting the large portion. Anyways, I would pass on that in general. I did love the taramasalata spread for $6 with fresh and warm pita bread, I had so much of that which really filled me up and I wasn't hungry anymore. It was that good, they definitely did that right. My husband ordered the gyros for his entree and I ordered the lamb burger on a chibiata bread with zucchini crisps. I tried some of his gyros and they were way too much on the salty side for me. I thought my burger was pretty good, it came with this spicy aoli sauce that went well but like I said I took a few bites because I was already super full. Since it was a birthday we did bring our own cake so we didn't get to try any of theres. So overall, we had a very nice time. The server was a little off at times and didn't really want to split our bill because we had quite a few people, but overall he was friendly and attempted to make conversation with us so that's always nice. I wouldn't say I loved the food, minus that taramasalata spread, felt it was okay but overall given their perfect atmosphere I think I'll be back for tons of wine and spreads next time.
(4)
Alana K.
Best Greek food I've ever had period!! (And I've eaten at all the Greek-town restaurants in Chicago) The first time I ate here I came with a girlfriend and we dined on Avli's charming patio - it felt like we were in Santorini with cute hanging lights and a warm spring breeze! We started with a beet salad and a bean app; both were spectacular with super-fresh, flavorful ingredients. We then split the sturgeon, broiled whole and infused with olive oil and lemons, delish, another winner! I'm not willy nilly with handing out 5 stars on Yelp but Avli earned it - flavorful, fresh ingredients, affordable and scenic... this place is a home run! Whether for a date night or a dinner with girlfriends, I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again and again. (In fact I was back the weekend before last for another fantastic meal!)
(5)
Lou Ann E.
We had a delicious dinner tonight at Avli. The outdoor patio is lovely and service was outstanding. Will return soon.
(5)
Courtney K.
Avli is a hidden gem in this area (seriously, its tucked in the back of a shopping mall, you wouldn't know about it unless someone recommended it to you). The outdoor seating area is gorgeous in the summer, I absolutely love the decor. Waiters are super friendly and on point with the wine suggestions every time. The grilled octopus appetizer and sakanaki are fantastic, I get them every time. Mousakka is great, the portion is HUUUGE though. You can definitely share between 2 people if you are also getting appetizers. Need to come back here and try the choclova or the yogurt mousse! I tell myself I'm going to save room for dessert before I go every time but of course I end up eating too much and getting full :p
(5)
Carry G.
Always very good! Great food, great prices... Great service.... Enrique is the best!!!:)
(5)
Michael B.
Tucked away in a converted brick loft commercial building in downtown Winnetka, this charming friendly Greek restaurant serves both classic and updated Greek cuisine, all of which is fresh and tasty. Indoor space has exposed brick, high timber loft ceilings and big windows looking to a lovely outdoor garden/seating area. The staff are excellent, professional and you get the sense that the servers and kitchen are tight, coordinated and rarely miss a beat. Nice selection of reasonably priced wines to accompany the meal. Nice menu with interesting appetizers [grilled balsamic octopus, artichoke with capers and lemon zest, cod row with onions and spices], nice selection of fresh meats and fish as well as a limited selection of their slow cooked lamb and other specials. Suggest you call in advance and find out what the specials are and pre-order if you can as they do go fast. Having received numerous accolades over the years, Avli is a tasty casual gem in the north burbs. Easy parking.
Moms night out in da burbs- whoo hoo! I decided to pass up my regular GNO spot (holler Trifecta Grill*) & choose a location where we could actually hear each other. The winner...Avli Estiatorio. Unfortunately, the private party room was booked, but we ended up having most of the bar area to ourselves. If I hadn't driven with someone who knew where Avli is located exactly there's a good chance I would have never found it and missed out on good food/wine. For other first timers it's inside the building where Cafe Buongiorno is located. I started my night with a much needed glass of lovely sauvignon blanc. And then we ordered a bunch of apps for the table to share. We let the mom who had eaten there before do the ordering. She did a fabulous job and we soon had a table full of delish apps. Favorites included the flaming cheese, fried zucchini chips & shrimp tourkolimano. I do think their pita bread could use a bit of work, but besides that they've got a good thing going back in the kitchen. They weren't very busy on a Wed night, but we were still proud that we were the last remaining table. We got the "hint" that it was time to get back to the (hopefully) sleeping kiddies when they turned the lights on at 10pm. I hear they have a fabulous (and busy) patio so that's reason enough for me to get back to Avli if/when it warms up around here. * yelp.com/biz/trifecta-gr…
(4)
Alan B.
We visited them this past Thursday for the first time. I have to say that we almost turned around thinking that the place was closed. You have to park and walk into the mall and make several turns until you find them. We enjoyed our experience, the service was incredible, nice clean environment. Really loved the grilled octopus! Will be visiting them again very soon!
(5)
Sandy L.
I like this place but it could be so much better. It used to be better, actually, now that I think about it. Attractive place with a nice outdoor patio. Some of the food is very good. Other items just make me wonder what they were thinking. I have been there for both dinners and lunches. I try to avoid it for lunch because they have such a limited lunch menu, unless you want something heavy. I was surprised that Buon Giorno, in the same block, was mobbed at lunchtime but Avli was empty, until I saw the Avli lunch menu. They really need many more salads, and more interesting ones. I ended up ordering the lentil salad and it was literally a huge pile of not particularly flavorful lentils on top of some lettuce. Nothing else, not even dressing. I know this is a Greek place, but for lunch in the 'burbs, it's pretty much the "ladies who lunch" places that are successful, and everyone needs some real salads, IMO. Service is very nice but very slow, which was odd because it was pretty empty. I like the owner and staff really want them to succeed.
(3)
Kim S.
Bar far my favorite sit down Greek place. The food has always been delicious and the service friendly and accommodating. The gyros are delectable the meat is seasoned well, the tomatoes are always fresh and the pita warm and soft. My favorite side is the fried zucchini. Lightly fried, good flavor and the potato hummus with it has a great flavor. They will always bring you more pita to enjoy all the food on the table. Servings are pretty big too and I always end up bringing some home for the next day. Overall a great restaurant that keeps me coming back to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Liz H.
One of my favorite restaurants! Great service, nice atmosphere for conversation, and excellent seafood. Also love the dandelion greens and all of the brunch options. When it's warm out, it is nice to eat outside. My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here and everyone was really happy!
(5)
Denise K.
The appetizers and dinner was spectacular. The saganaki was awesome because it was not salty at all, like many other restaurants. The moussaka and the sampler of dips was fantastic. The best part was our waiter, Enrique. He was absolutely fantastic. He joked with us the whole time, gave us great food recommendations, was very attentive, and was such a nice person to have serve us. The owner was also very attentive, as he checked on us a few times to make sure we were having a great experience. My only reason for giving 4 stars was I didn't understand why there were no authentic Greek desserts on the menu. That was a bit disappointing. Great experience. Will definitely return. If you go, make sure you ask for Enrique.
(4)
Phil M.
I have been to this place maybe 3 times, hoping that the closest Greek restaurant to my house would improve. I was there a few weeks ago, and sadly it has not. I find it to be consistently over-priced and under-quality. Service is inconsistent too. When I see the positive reviews people have written here, it makes me wonder if those people know their Greek food. Periyales and Mykonos are much better choices in the northern burbs. Demitri's in Deerfield even. Or Greek Islands in the city. I sincerely hope that this place improves but I am dubious.
(2)
Steve A.
This authentic Greek restaurant is a sprawling collection of rooms and outdoor spaces located on the rear side of The Laundry complex. There is a very extensive list of Greek wines, plus all the Greek appetizers and entrees you'd expect. We particularly enjoyed the salads and the lamb burger.
(4)
John V.
Great location, knowledgable staff, good prices for great authentic Greek food, and prompt, courteous service. Will go back next time I'm in the area.
(5)
Ryan R.
4 stars for the food. 3 for the service. This place has to offer an array of Greek Tapas-like appetizers which are excellent. The "flaming cheese" is always a Greek favorite and this scrumptious appetizer is not as salty as most other restaurants that serve this. They have a great wine menu...the Pinot Noir is from Greece! They filet the Red Snapper table-side, and unlucky for me they were out of it last night. Lamb Chops were exceptionally delicious...and of course I took the bones home for the pup.
(4)
Harry M.
Summer is great for Avli when they open the back up and you feel like you can be in a Greek Courtyard somewhere in Greece. Food is pretty consistent and prices fairly reasonable especially on North Shore. I think these guys are relatives to Greek Islands in Chicago's Greek Town neighborhood which is really good food and very fast!
(4)
Matthew K.
I just wanted to add a note, that on my previous review, I was reviewing their lunch pricing and options. I love this place for lunch, and only like it for dinner. Dinner prices are a bit higher, still reasonable for what you get, but not a bargain like their lunch pricing. I also liked the lunch options a bit more.
(4)
Lisa K.
Be sure to come before 7p or the specials will be gone (#baitandswitch). Lame. And don't bother ordering a vodka grapefruit because they are were out of grapefruit juice. ???!! Waiter was inattentive and the food was average at best. Much better last time we were there. So disappointing. Try Trifecta down the street. ??
Love this place. Great food and ambience! Good find! Best Greek food on the north-shore by far! will be back KID FRIENDLY! =)
(5)
Brayden K.
My wife and I stopped in for a quick dinner before a movie. I had high hopes for the place based on previous Yelp reviews, and I was not disappointed. It really is a great neighborhood restaurant with a strong sense of character. The Greek personality is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, down to the warm shoulder hug that the restaurant's manager gave me as he asked if we were enjoying our meal. We most certainly were. My wife had a large African prawn that was as delicious as it looked on the menu. There was nothing small about this prawn. It clearly had a well-fed life prior to ending up on my wife's dinner plate. It tasted delicious too, stuffed with cheese and herbs that made the mouth melt. I had the beef kapama dish, a short rib cooked in a tomato (and cinammon) sauce that sits on top of a plate of pasta. The ratio of short rib to pasta was just right. Sometimes after eating short rib, I feel weighed down, but I didn't after eating this lovely dish. My only complaint about the dish was that I would have liked a little more sauce with it. The flavor was delicious and I wanted more of it! We started our meal with a beautiful plate of fried zucchini. It was a pretty big plate and when they delivered it to our table, I thought there was no way we'd get through the entire thing. Of course, after realizing how crisp and delicious they were, we devoured all of them. Even though it was fried, I didn't feel all greasy afterward. They know how to apply a light touch at this restaurant. The servers and the entire staff were extremely friendly and much more welcoming than the average north shore franchise. We're coming back!
(4)
Lucy C.
A friend and I grabbed a late dinner on their beautiful patio on a warm summer evening. The ambiance was beyond perfect with the delicate lighting, subtle breeze, and light aroma of food and wine. Our server was quick to bring our beverages and offer recommendations before we ordered. They're not the most conventional choices, but we ordered zucchini chips to share, stuffed chicken breast, and lobster pasta. Although there were glaring complaints about the food, there was also nothing to write home about. The chips were a little too oily, the chicken a little too dry, the pasta a little too basic; perhaps my taste buds have just been spoiled by Chicago's Greektown. Regardless, Avli Estiatorio provided a perfect venue at which to slow down and catch up on our increasingly fast paced lives. The location itself is a little tricky to find. It's tucked away in the back of the Laundry building. Look for "566" and walk all the way to the back.
(2)
Otto A.
Gyro was tasty yet a tad dry as wel as the stuffed chicken. The mini rack of lamb ordered medium rare came very rare. When they cooked it more it was ok yet a bit grizzly. Thought lamb was leaner. Vegetables came out cool to warm. Potato wedges were pre cooked, soft and soggy. Appetizers were great and service was prompt.
(2)
Benn R.
Went here for lunch on a weekday and there weren't a lot of people. Their chicken kebab was good. Food is reasonably priced. Recommended.
(4)
Burt A.
Simply the best Greek food I have had. Priced fairly and very good service. Been there for lunch and dinner and never disappointed.
(5)
C S.
We arrived right on time for our reservations. They asked if they could seat us in the outdoor area and I said NO, but they seated us there anyway. It was November and the temperature was a little chilly. We were the only people in the room. As we sat down and waited for our drinks, the waiter and two other employee's got into an argument with raised voices and speaking in greek, no pun. This loud discussion went on for about 8-9 minutes and by the time the waiter came back with a menu, my stomach was in knots. We decided to order appetizers and leave. I ordered the calamari --FRIED. When it came, it was STEAMED and so was I. I really just wanted to take it to go, which is what I did, because my companion had already finished theirs. After I paid the bill, I thought that the owner or manager might want to know about our experience. On my way out, I did just that. Should have saved my breath. Arrogance can kill a restaurant faster than anything.
(2)
Rick R.
Delicious Greek food on the north Shore. I really enjoyed the Pasticio (Greek lasagna) it was creamy, cheesy, meaty casserole for the Gods--yum! Gyros was great too! Opah!!!!
(4)
Jeff K.
Our first and last time here. This was a huge disappointment, having looked forward to trying out a Greek restaurant in the North Shore. We will have to continue to make the drive to Niles for Periyales. The food was not well-prepared and our service experience was awful. The Greek salad, while flavorful, was heavy on the oil. My wife's sea bass was also oily, and my pastichio was globby in texture (of course it's not a light dish, but this was extreme) and apart from the nutmeg, was on the bland side. Our waiter was totally inattentive to the point that he never came around to ask if we wanted a second glass of wine. We waited forever after our plates were cleared for him to return to offer us dessert or the check.
(1)
Chris A.
My wife and I have been here a few times since she works down the street. The food at Avli is fantastic. I've had their giro several times and it's always fantastic. The last time we dined here, I ordered the short rib pasta special... and wow, was it good! We always start with the flatbread since we crave it regularly :) The owners and staff are wonderful too!
(5)
Rob W.
Just finished a wonderful dinner at Avli. I highly recommend it! Our group of 4 enjoyed our entrees: beef kabobs, stuffed tomatoes and 2 of us shared the sea bass. Bread and flaming cheese were great as well. The Greek wines were a very pleasant surprise. Very nice outside dining area. Appetizer, entrees and wine for less than $40 per person including tip
(5)
Carol P.
Great location and decor. Great Greek food and a good selection if Greek wines. Excellent service!
(5)
Natalie B.
Food continues to be excellent but I am only giving it three stars due to horrible service. Our waiter was MIA most of the evening, food came out wrong (waiter claimed he didnt hear, even though I specified twice the way I wanted food cooked, husband's sides were wrong, salad was forgotten and it goes on). Dinner took forever, and we almost felt like leaving. At this point I probably wont go out of my way to go back-I was just too frustrated with the service tonight.
(3)
Becky N.
First, props to our waiter Angel. What a sweetheart who knows his stuff. This is the best Greek restaurant I have ever been to and I have been to a lot of them. Starters: Saganaki and octopus, we are not in Greek Town anymore Toto!!! Yummy Braised lamb for the hubby and seafood pasta dish for me. Can't begin to tell you how fresh and wonderful everything was. We will be back soon. Almost forgot, dessert. Chocolate Baklava: oh my goodness, shut the front door!!!
(5)
Larry F.
Very good Greek food experience. I went with a group of four. We split several small plate appetizers included stuffed grape leaves and some giant beans. The beans were a little bland but the stuffed grape leaves were quite good. Saganaki is not really traditional, but who can complain about flaming hot cheese? For my main course, I had vegetarian moussaka, which was hot, hearty and filling.
(4)
John B.
C and I met Adam and Marge for dinner here last Saturday. The weather was ideal for it, so we dined on the patio. The food and service were excellent and the ambiance very nice. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The only odd thing was that he described the broiled fish special as sea bass. When he delivered the fish, which he and another server de-boned seconds before placing the fish on the table, he announced, "You will see ... it's better than sea bass." He scurried off and we didn't ask. Fortunately, the fish was very tasty, no matter the species. Still, it would be nice to know exactly what one is ordering. The only negative is that Yelp indicates that this restaurant is $$. It is not. It is $$$. The four of us had the following: 2 house salads 2 broiled fish specials 2 shrimp/octopus/calamari dish two deserts one bottle of inexpensive white wine $32) 2 glasses of house red wine Total with a 17% tip: $220 (which =$$$) We have been here before and will likely return, but it's more expensive than you might plan on. Whoppa!
(3)
Dave J.
Very good Greek food! Very mediocre service! Hey, c'mon, how long does it take to ask a customer if they want a refill? It's a win-win for both...the restaurant makes money serving another beer, customer is happy that his thirst is quenched. Aside from this misstep, I highly recommend giving this place a try. Mrs. and I ventured in on a stormy night, well after the dinner rush. There were a few tables occupied, and I was initially pleased with the personality and demeanor of our server. As the night wore on, so did my nerves. The lack of attention given to us was borderline apalling. We loved our appetizers...grilled octopus and prasopita (phyllo dough wrapped around a nice and melty greek cheese and herbs). The octopus was tender and had a pleasant smokey flavor. The prasopita was a nice change from the traditional saganaki, but far less dramatic because nothing was set on fire and nobody yelled "opaaa!". Mrs. ordered gyros...yeah, I know you can get gyros at practically any independent fast food outlet...but I've never sampled a better tasting gyros ANYWHERE...these were outstanding. I chose beef tenderloin souvlaki. These cubes of heaven were tender and nicely seasoned. Desserts were great too. I had the traditional baklava, but with a tasty twist...chocolate! It's called Choclava! And it's a delicious take on the classic Greek dessert. If you love chocolate, and love baklava...you'll flip over Choclava! Mrs. had vanilla ice cream, which she enjoyed, but not as much as I enjoyed my Choclava! Aside from not being offered additional beverages, I really enjoyed Avli and would go back again...hopefully when there's a more attentive waiter on duty.
(4)
Anahit G.
Good Greek food, but only standard and nothing really exceptional (for truly amazing Greek food head to Greek Town). We had gyros and the Poseidon plate. Gyros were tasty, but the Poseidon plate was ordinary and the different seafood was mixed with a sauce that made it all taste the same. Basically, if you're in the area and craving Greek food I'd recommend this place. It has a cozy outdoor patio and nice decor. Otherwise, there might be better options in other burbs and the city.
(3)
Paige P.
I love this place! Excellent food! Their specials are always AMAZING! Went there last night and had a short rib pasta dish.... To die for!
(5)
Nancy L.
Had a great meal with the family on the patio. Very nice outdoor seating area and the wait staff was very attentive. Kids loved the flaming Saganaki - to see and eat. The spicy feta spread with pitas was a great appetizer. The Diane's salad with arugula, pears, grilled Manouri cheese, nuts with a honey vinaigrette was a great choice. To make it a meal I tried some chicken breast on top which was well seasoned but a bit dry. Would order again but with a Chicken skewer which looked more tender. Seafood orzo was flavorful with lots of seafood and tomato sauce on the orzo which gave the pasta a delightful creamy texture. Pastchio was good - crunchy cheese on top with a thick layer of sauce and long tube noodles and ground beef. The multi textures were great . While it was pretty good it seemed to lack some complexity of flavor that I've had in other versions. Yogurt Mousse was wonderful - light, creamy and flavorful without the tang you'd expect in a yogurt. Perfect on a warm day. Choclava - chocolate lava cake was good - cherries on side were a bit sticky syrupy but good if you ate them with a bit of the cake. Will go again - maybe we'll try the Meze (tapas) next time and sample a number of things that looked really good at other tables.
(4)
L. F.
I was introduced to this gem through friends and absolutely love it! Everything is fresh and flavorful, so delicious. I crave the cucumber, tomato and feta salad. The chicken kabobs and gyros are fabulous. Highly recommend for a fabulous, Greek meal.
(4)
Liz S.
I will never remember the name of this place - to me, it will always be "that new Greek place in the Laundry". That said, it is worth seeking out, whether you can remember the name or not. My mom and I had a wonderful lunch of small plates there (see pics) on the patio on a summer afternoon. Everything was well prepared, flavorful, of very high quality, and served quickly. I loved the roasted red peppers stuffed with spicy feta cheese, the greek sausage flavored with orange, and the Taramosalata the best. The grilled octopus was also excellent. Neither one of us cared for the pork tenderloin, but all of the other dishes were so good, it was hard for this one to measure up. We felt that we ate a large amount of interesting, exciting food for a fair price, in a nice atmosphere - a big win in a small town. Next time I am in town, I will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes.
(4)
Frederick C.
Perhaps it's because I live in Winnetka, and it was snowing out, but Alvi Estiatorio is a little gem of a Greek restaurant, with good Greek food and great ambiance, including a lovely fireplace that warms the entire dining room. I say good Greek food because I have dined frequently in Greek Town in downtown Chicago, and Alvi is not Greek town. However, it's very convenient for those who live on the North Shore, the prices are lower than Greek town, the food is good, and the ambiance is even better! The best indicator of how I feel about the restaurant is that I plan to go back!
(4)
Aubrey T.
Such a gem! Food: Our table shared two good appetizers - the Gigantes (large white beans in a warm red sauce with melty feta) and the artichokes. My "Poseidon Plate" (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) entree was so hearty and delicious. It is rich (very heavy on the olive oil) and has amazing seasoning. I would have trouble not ordering this every time I go back. My dining companions also enjoyed the fish of the day and the exceptionally good gyro. Ambiance: Even though this is in the The Laundry building (a small mall-like interior with connected stores and restaurants), you forget that as soon as you're inside the restaurant. It is cozy and lovely in the back room with the fire place. I would request to be in that room at the corner booth (if you have at least 4 people). There was a wide mix of patrons on Friday night - from suits to jeans, families and couples. Service: Not sure if it's because my relatives I went with are regular diners, but no complaints on the service per other reviews.
(5)
Lora S.
Avli is a neighborhood gem. I have introduced dozens of people to Avli over the last few years. The gyros is wonderful and the fish of the day is usually a whole prepared fish and is spectacular. Generous drinks and wonderful ambience. In the summer definitely sit on the patio
(4)
Chowhound C.
Finally.....after 4 highly educated adults roamed the streets of Winnetka looking for what sounded like a better version of the city's Athenian Room, we found Avli Estiatorio. Even though it was more difficult to find than half the crap I searched for in the 1985 Highlights magazines from my old dentist's office, it was worth the effort. Aside from the homey atmosphere and welcoming staff, I mostly enjoyed the first and last part of our meal. The Greek Village Salad was one of the best. Crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and some perfect pairings toppled over my oh-so-favorite cold salad plate. This was one of the better Greek Salads I've had. Nothing was soggy and it was all super fresh. -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.…
(3)
Marie D.
Wonderful, brand new restaurant in Winnetka - a very needed addition to the NorthShore food scene! We've been there several times now and haven't been disappointed with anything. The mezes, salads, main dishes, seafood, wine list - it's all top notch. It's not expensive, either, which means we can take the kids (chicken skewers for $5, can't beat that!), sit on the patio, and enjoy without feeling guilty about it. I especially love the bread salad, lentil salad, fried zucchini chips, pork skewers, saganaki, gigantes, pastichio, flatbreads, and sea bass... yes, we've sampled a lot! Great Greek wines starting at $5.50 a glass, too!
(5)
Orack B.
Wowee! Who deserves more blame, the American palate or the Americanization of Greek cuisine? I shouldn't even use the word cuisine in association with Avli. To all the people who think this is a great representation of Greek food or that Avli, "transported you to Athens," get a grip. This place spits out bastardized versions of the "classics." You have no clue what you are talking about...
(2)
Rachel N.
Truly a 3.5 for me--this is an unexpectedly nice place--perfect for a casual Sunday night dinner--but went w/ the fam on a Saturday night at 6:30 and it was packed! I'm thrilled that the Avli is doing well--we're lived in Winnetka for almost 20 years and I think we've seen 5ish (give or take a couple) restaurants go in and out in this location, so I'm hoping that the general enthusiasm bodes well for its longevity. We started w/ the flaming cheese (spelling not attempted!), which was nice and crispy--of course presented tableside and with an "Opa!", the lentil salad, the greek salad, and the tzatziki. The salads were perfectly pleasant--light--although I would have liked a bit more lemon in my Greek dressing, it was still nice and well sized, though I wouldn't plan on having it as an entree. Oh, forgot--excellent grilled octopus--great balance of char and flavor, if that makes sense. The tzatkizi was some of the best I've ever had--really garlicy, thick, and perfect. For mains we got the salmon "en papillote" which came on a nice bed of fennel and other veggies--salmon had great texture and was piping hot after coming out of the sac. Madre got the "Poseidon platter" which was a melange of grilled seafood and onion--well sized and she seemd to enjoy. Dad went for the grilled chicken--perhaps none of of has the most authentic Greek meal (sea gods aside), but it was all well prepared and I left hoping that it makes it! I'm sure that we'll be back, it's a nice change from O'Neil's! Oh the wine list is all Greek, make of that what you will? No one in our party complained, but we aren't expert vinologists.
(4)
Carolyn S.
The food here USED to be quite good. Now, this place is a complete disaster. The food is not fresh and certainly not prepared by anyone that knows what they're doing. The waiters are an utter joke! These are the kind of Greeks that give other Greeks a bad name! Pushy with selling you as much of their crappy wine as possible, but when you try to ask for anything they run from you like the plague! I regret asking friends to meet me here for dinner. I was starving and left hungry because the lobster pasta was horrible and the Greek salad was worse. Oh and, because I was the only American at the table (everyone else Greek) the waiter ignored me the entire time. If you want excellent Greek food and great service, go to Mythos Taverna in Chicago.
(1)
Carrie R.
The food is great here! However last night service was missing. Seated a half hour after reservation, bar was too full to get a drink...the hostess even told us that. Time is going by and we are getting pissed, I suggested to her she should offer to get us a drink. They could not think of that themselves. We got the drink when we sat down, while we waited she brought us some pita with a very gross dip. This place serves amazing food, but needs more polish. Even in the dining room we got very minimal service.
(4)
Jp N.
Great food , Great Service, Hard to find.... It is located inside of a strip mall type deal. Food was so good, so well worth looking for .
(4)
Claudia G.
Great ambiance, excellent service, good food. For vegetarians, the menu clearly labels our options. I have enjoyed the moussaka twice now. (It comes with artichokes which is a twist I haven't enjoyed elsewhere.) The dish is served as a lovely little casserole. You will want to vent it as under that top layer it is steaming hot. The zucchini chips are really great. Try them!
(3)
Mary T.
This is the fourth or fifth time I've eaten at Avli and I was not disappointed. From the wine to all the food it was a bit of heaven. We started with grilled artichoke hearts which were tender, flavored lightly with lemon and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I had my standard; Poseidon Plate which is a grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp plate with a taste that is utterly fantastic. My mouth waters just thinking about it. My friend has the salmon in parchment paper with leeks and she was thrilled with the selection since she also loves the Poseidon Plate. Apollo was our server and he was delightful My only teeny tiny issue was he seemed to disappear for long stretches of time but when he showed up he was responsive and very helpful. I strongly recommend Avli for the relaxed pace of dinner, great selection of greek wines and outstanding food that goes beyond the typical Greek meal. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Alec C.
Traditional and Authentic? I'm not Greek, so I don't know. All I can say is that Anthony Bourdain once said: "...your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." I don't know if it's because I have a heightened sense of superiority of what good food is because of: A) my asian heritage B) world travels C) or my Platinum Preferred Cable package which includes the Travel Channel with Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern in HD. But this isn't it, as hard I as I want it to be so good, so I don't have to commute to Greek enclaves in various neighborhoods of Chicago; Avli just didn't meet my expectations on its first round. I really wanted the Zucchini crisps to be fresh and light appetizers. Instead, I received sliced zucchini with a side order of deep fryer oil on a bed of lettuce. The grilled octopus was good, chewy as it should be, but again, a smidge oily. Finally, the preparation of the lamb burger was good. I'll give marks to the ciabatta and the feta dressing. But since lamb has such as strong flavor to it, the dressing and accompanying sides (more zucchini crisps) could not do anything to overcome such a strong aroma. I won't overstep and say I'll never come here again, every place deserves a second chance. Hopefully, once that update comes, I can update this review with something that doesn't - "What's the opposite of suck? Un-suck?"
(2)
Yvonne Y.
Prompt (well, we were the first to get seated at 5pm!) and friendly service. Lemon soup was creamy and they gave you extra lemon slices which I added to the soup. Loved the lamb shank dish served with beans as it was flavorful but not TOO salty. The grilled octopus was moist but too blackened for me. The outer parts were bitter. Aside from that, I'd be back for sure and try additional dishes. Very children friendly, especially with the outdoor seating.
(4)
Melina J.
Favorite dishes: Pastitio, Papoutsakia, makaronatha, burger Well pretty much everything!
(5)
Craig P.
Super food and service. Last month with a friend, today with my wife and both times wonderful food. Service today by hostess Lana and waiter Anrique were worthy of Santorini or Hydra, tho the menu includes many non-Greek offerings. This may be the best moderate cost, high quality destination on the NorthShore.
(4)
Lyle G.
Great greek food, fish is beautifully filleted table side!
(4)
Scott R.
so I called for a reservation at this joint onSaturday night and they said they only had a table in the bar area, but that's not bad because the bar area is pretty large and we got a table by the window, not too close to the actual bar. What they didn't tell me was that the restaurant had sponsored a team in the North Shore Anal Olympics (highly competitive) and they were hosting the winners in the children's ADD division. The evening was spent watching (without choice) children running back and forth, first inside the restaurant by our table and then in the courtyard. Not appetizing and not appropriate. In my experience (from several meals) the food here is pretty good, the service is hit and miss depending on the server you get, but I've never experienced a restaurant run less professionally.
(2)
Rich S.
Man, this place rocks. We sat in the garden, breezy , in the shade. Great service,quick, helpful with the menu. My wife ordered the best pasticio I have ever had. I wanted something different than what is normally order at a Greek resto so I had the pulled lamb Sammy with Greek fries. Excellent! Can't wait to come back.
Omg what a disaster! I don't know where to begin? Sat at the bar and ordered some wine a red and a white Both glasses looked as of they were coated with soap a Gray film in both . I asked for some clean Glasses and the bartender took them and dunked them in the same sanitizer sink??then pour the wine in the completely wet glasses Without drying them off. Are you kidding?? Next we ordered artichoke app some saganaki we got 3 microscopic artichoke hearts with a couple of capers and lemon? Really? What wad the thought process on this dish? Oh money! The cheese was ok nothing great For entrees we had the whole roasted fish sea bass and the greek chicken oven baked. Do you remember the scene in Christmas vacation when Chevy carved the turkey and it exploded it was so dry Well that's what we got. I've had moister beef jerky The whole roasted fish that was supposedly deboned table side Had not one not two but at least three bones per bite Seriously what are people thinking with the ratings there giving this place???? Is there not a palate in Winnetka?
(1)
Kim J.
Um, the best freaking Greek restaurant ever is in Winnetka? Really? Believe it, kids. Avli is the real deal. I drove up to the north suburbs to visit a friend, and she recommended we try Avli. (Apparently the good folks over on LTH Forum are all abuzz over it.) So, off we went. Avli is a bit hard to find - it's in the back of the Laundry building in downtown Winnetka. There is no signage out front - just walk in the door marked "566" and head towards the back. But man, it was worth it to find it. Upon being seated, we were offered a sample of one of their cold dips. I don't remember what it was (maybe red peper?), but it was phenomenal. So much so that we were compelled to order the dip sampler. We tried the tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber), melizantosalata (eggplant), and skordalia (garlic). Seriously phenomenal. The garlic was super-garlicy. Tangy, even. The eggplant was delicious - smooth and seasoned and just yum. I'm not usually a big fan of yogurt/cucumber dip, but I really enjoyed the offering here. We also shared the zucchini chips as another appetizer. SO GOOD. The zucchini is sliced into thin little slices, battered, and fried. It sounds heavy, but they weren't at all - they were light and crisp and delicious. We used them to sop up the rest of the dip that we hadn't finished. ;) For entrees, we split the Poseidon plate (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) and the papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant). The seafood was done perfectly - you could taste a hint of smokiness in it which made me think they grilled it over some nicely flavored cedar chips or something. Grilled calamari is so easy to mess up and make into a rubbery mess, but it was done perfectly here. The eggplant was also really well done - it was grilled and stuffed with onions, feta, and spices. It is served in a red sauce. For dessert, we split the chocolate baklava. OH MY WORD. Light, flaky pastry with layers of cocoa-y chocolate? Sign me up. I grew up with a Greek best friend, so I know good baklava. This is amazing baklava. Service was helpful and unobtrusive. The space is really warm and inviting. Hell, why are you still reading this? GO! You won't be sorry. (Did I mention it's only a couple of blocks from the metra stop in Winnetka? Jelena, you would be nuts to not schedule a suburban event here, by the way ;D).
(5)
Eric H.
We had our daughter's rehearsal dinner at Avli in May and they did a wonderful job for our party of 24. Food as good as usual and the staff really took care of us.
(5)
Diane E.
I just came home from dining at Avli, and what a disappointment it was! Although the restaurant was empty, we were seated in the back next to the kitchen. I am a vegetarian and ordered something from the menu that was marked as a vegetarian meal. When it arrived, it was a meat dish. I asked the waiter, and he said that the menu had been changed months ago and "he assumed I knew that". He didn't offer me another meal; rather, I sat there with nothing to eat while the rest of my party ate their dinners. The manager never came to inquire about our meal, and as we left, not a word was said. I'll never go back. The food and the service was a total disappointment.
(1)
Mr H.
I'm upset that there are so many reviews for Avli, because so many good reviews means longer waits ! Avli is HANDS DOWN, the BEST Greek Restaurant in the North Shore. Excellent quality, excellent staff & service. The calamari is outstanding, excellent wine selection, the list goes on.
(5)
Lynne H.
We're in the neighborhood and eat at Avli two or three times a month. We usually have grilled octopus, Greek salad and the whole fish, generally Mediterranean Sea bass. These things are always delicious and well prepared. We also enjoy the skewers (chicken, beef, shrimp) and the other salads. Avli doesn't get a 5 star rating for me for a couple of reasons. The first is that the dishes with pasta tend to overcooked and the sauces are gloppy and oddly spiced. Also, the hostesses are not well trained. We've walked in on occasions when the restaurant is half full and been told all the tables are reserved, and we can come back in 2 hours or eat now if we can be done in half an hour. HINT.....if you talk to the owner, he will get you seated! Another upside to Avli is that the patio dining area is lovely in the summer.
(4)
Susan G.
Much Better This Time. Dined here with friends and it was so much better this time. Our group started with a sampling of 3 delicious spreads served with pita, an order of saganaki, and an order ofgreek sausage which we really enjoyed. I had the jumbo shrimp with feta wrapped in phyllo dough with great seasonings and served with spinach and it was incredible. The others in our group had gyros (it was tough), sea bass (it was delicious), and lobster with pasta (a homerun). Shared salads at the table too. We split a choclava dessert and it was the perfect finish to our meal along with greek coffee. The owner came over and helped us with our wine selections -- a bottle of syrah that was well-paired for 3 of the our entrees, but I preferred a white wine and had a nice, dry, greek wine by the glass whose name I cannot remember, but I enjoyed. Cost per person with tax, tip, and all the food mentioned above was about $70 per person.
(4)
Diane F.
We were starving and ordered a Spanikopita as an entree and 3 Gyros Plates. The Spanikopita was tasty but not enough food for the $14 charge. For being an entree and costing that amount of money, it should have come along with some sides. The Gyros plates came with a small amount of food, as well. My husband, who NEVER finishes a meal, was still feeling unsatisfied after eating his meal. Plus, it had an odd flavor that made it not very tasty. I wouldn't return to the restaurant unless they improved their portion sizes for what they charge plus I would not order the gyros. On another note, we had ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter was very pushy about us ordering another bottle.
(2)
Jerry B.
Really good experience. Food, service, atmosphere were all great. Very reasonable and extensive Greek wine list. Pita's and 3 dips (eggplant, garlic and cucumber) was an excellent eppetizer. Egg lemon and navy bean soups were perfect. Sea bass and mini rack of lamb were perfectly cooked. Cholava was just okay. Very romantic restaurant. Definite will return in warm weather to dine on the patio. Maybe even go back sooner for brunch.
(5)
Joscelyn M.
WOW! Close your eyes and be transported to Athens. This a cute new addition to the burbs. We had tzatziki - garlick-y delicious! roe dip - not fish-y at all and very good eggplant dip - classic greek, and as good as I've ever had it grilled octopus - awesome spinach rice side - prob my fave thing on the menu greek salad - perfect lentil salad - really good skewers - terrific zucchini chips - mmm I'm running out of adjectives, here, so you get the picture... Just go. Watch out how much you order, though! I had yummy leftovers for 2 days.
(5)
Russ C.
The decor was very nice looking. Our waiter was Samson and he was very knowledgable and we listened to his recs as it was my wife and I first time at Avli. He was right on on everything. We shared the large grilled calamari which had great flavor, my wife got the mixed greens and she said it was delicious. We shared a bottle if white wine that was light bodied and was similar to Pinot Grisio. Our entrees were grilled stuffed chicken with broccoli...amazing. My wife got the giant prawn in FILO dough. Samson rec this and it was so delicious with a side of rice. We got a side of Greek potatoes and it was the best greek potatoes we have ever had. Can't wait to go back. We went on a Saturday night around 8:15 pm and it was packed for good reason. Reasonably priced as well. lots of parking.
(5)
Sam C.
We liked it there. The place was quite loud, and we even had a relatively late reservation (for the suburbs) at 8pm. I found the service to be solid. I really enjoyed my food. I had rack of lamb, which was great, but for $28, it should be good. The appetizers were excellent. We liked the grilled octopus, fried zucchini chips, and the various spreads. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Dominique K.
This is one of the best greek restaurant in Winnetka IL, the service is 1st class and the food is really good. they do deserve to be spoken about, for a small place like Winnetka IL. they should have a place as the combination of service and food is amazing. The food is pure, fresh, and delicious. What a pleasure to have had dinner there. Please keep going
(5)
George K.
The hardest part was finding the place but once we did, everything went uphill from there. Great selection of Greek wines, menu was simple but had a good variety of choices. I had the octopus which was excellent and had a nice sweet aftertaste and wasn't too heavy. The atmosphere was nice as well given the coziness of the fireplace, the nice decor, and the friendly staff (the owner came up to our table on multiple occasions to see how we were doing and just to talk). Highly recommend to everyone.
(5)
Mrs N.
Best Greek food ever?!? I guess that's true if you consider yourself a connoisseur of Greek food because you once had a gyros at Al's Italian Beef. If not for cute atmosphere and accommodating service, I'd have given Avli one star because the food is so inferior to anything my Greek mother and other Greek relatives have ever put on the table. - Lamb shank was tough and barely seasoned. It came with lima beans that had no hint of the traditional Greek seasonings, only tomato. - The decent flavor of the meat sauce that accompanied the macaroni was marred by burnt meat. Even the kidlets said it tasted bad. - Pastichio is typically one of my favorite Greek entrees, but Avli's version was off and just plain gross. It was a mushy mess of pasta and bechamel sauce overpowered by what seemed to be fennel, which should never be part of this dish. Mom frowned and deemed it "worst pastichio ever". - Saganaki was dry, poorly flavored and not flaming. The only passable selections that I sampled were the Greek village salad, which was very fresh and prepared in the traditional style with a generous amount of feta, and the "choklava"...although truth be told I really would have preferred traditional baklava. As a previous reviewer suggested, save your money and go downtown to Greektown for the real thing if you know and crave Greek food. Avli falls short.
(2)
Nadiya M.
Stopped here for lunch while visiting Winnetka. Fiance ordered the gyro sandwich with Greek french fries. I had the vegetarian sandwich with Greek salad. For appetizer, we ordered a small "small plate" of calamari. The calamari was very fresh and definitely not a small plate. It was a very generous portion for price and it being what they called a small plate meal. The gyro was probably the best we both have had. Great quality, obviously not from the pre-sliced gyro meat that many restaurants shamelessly serve. The Greek french fries were just fries with sprinkled feta cheese. Never had fries like that, but will totally be doing it the next time I do. My vegetarian sandwich was delicious. All the flavors blended so well with one another and I could taste each ingredient individually. My only complaint: I wish I had more room to eat! If you are ever in the area, this place is a must! Great price and fantastic quality--something that so few restaurants deliver these days.
(5)
ardath b.
We decided to eat here because it was on our way home from work. The atmosphere was OK, the wonderful thing was the yummy smell of the food when you walk in. The food was good but the service stunk. We had a waiter whose English was difficult to understand, made worse by the loudness of the place. For the price, I would not go back.
(3)
Stevie G.
Once again Avli continues to impress me with their regional Greek style cooking based on recipes from old friends and family.
(4)
Melissa M.
Went to Avli for dinner this past Friday with my husband, 8 year old daughter and my cousin. We will definitely come back again. The Skordalia (garlic with potato) spread appetizer was my favorite. Good for garlic lovers. Hubby ordered the gyros which was okay. Cousin ordered the pastichio which was okay. Think the flavors were authentic as it did not taste like the usual pastichio I get. My daughter ordered the Greek version of mac and cheese but she did not like it. It wasn't very cheesy at all and lacked flavor. My dish was everyone's favorite. I ordered the Poseidon which was a grilled seafood combo of octopus and shrimp. It was fantastic. Very tender and flavorful. I will come here again for the garlic spread and Poseidon.
(4)
Mark S.
This was our first visit to Avil and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Service by Samson was excellent and we had our first introduction to Greek wines, which they serve exclusively- just go with the flow. Contrary to past experiences we enjoyed the wine recommendations that we received. Excellent octopus appetizer which was grilled with onions and balsamic vinegar. Same for the "Greek pizza"- Piaaz Avil. Lamb chops at $18 were a great value. I enjoyed the lamb stew special and the bread pudding dessert was the best I've ever had. I would stay away from the steak. Lively atmosphere and something different in the area for a change. It's in the Laundry Mall and occupies a space that has been inhabited by numerous other restaurants. I hope these guys stick around for awhile and can endure the fickleness of the North Shore.
(4)
Victoria H.
This location has seen many restaurants over the years, and I am glad to say that Avli seems to have saying power! Our family loves greek food, and this is some of the best around. It is great for both lunch and dinner. They have a great sandwich/salad pairing at lunch for only $8. I had the vegetarian pita and greek salad (which was a little oily, just ask for dressing on the side), but the sandwich was fantastic. Anything grilled at dinner is sure to be perfect, especially seafood. The poseidon plate with the greek herb salad to start is a perfect meal for two people. They have a great outdoor courtyard which allows you to take advantage of lovely Chicago summers. I would highly recommend for a lighter dinner or lunch (heavier options such as lamb burgers and gyros are available and my brother says they are fantastic!)
(4)
Susan F.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while. And if my daughter could saganaki her way through life she would. We used a wedeal, which I'm liking a lot more than Groupon lately with their spray tan offers and flying lessons. But I digress. Back to the food, which I have to say, we were not disappointed. I had the lamb burger, which as amazing. While it was quiet for lunch, I'm not sure what the dinner crowd is like. But I would go back in a second. And with friends.
(4)
David N.
Some of the best Greek food in the area! We had dinner there on Saturday night, we had to wait a bit for an outside table, the owner actually bought us our appetizers because of the wait, but the wait was worth it. Our service was excellent, food very authentic and I will definitely return.
(5)
Bill T.
My wife and I saw a review for this place on the hungry hound. We were not dissapointed. We started with the zuchini chips and the eggplant/feta/tzatziki dip. All were excellent, including the garlic dip served with the zuchini chips. Not too much garlic but enought to get the flavor. We enjoyed the dips so much that we decided to forgo the entrees and order more appetizers. The flatbread and leek filled pitas were great. We added the baked shrimp and finished with the choclava. Both were just as good as we hoped. The service that we got from our server (Nikko) was fantastic. We are looking forward to our next visit to this beautiful restaurant.
(5)
Ashee T.
We just moved to the area and were sad to have left our favorite Greek place in the city... BUT did we find gem!! This will be a regular spot for us!! I had the Poseidon plate and it was amazing. By far the best grilled octopus i have ever had, incredibly tender. We also had a great watermelon salad (special of the day) and the stuffed jumbo prawn, also extremely good (on the rich side). We took the chocolate baclava home to eat and it was really good too. There are so many more things i want to try from the menu and can't wait to go back!
(5)
sandeep p.
My wife and I love the food here. All the ingredients taste very fresh. i wish it was less noisy though. Avoid going on weekend nights.
(4)
Christian C.
I was just here for New Year's Eve with my "Big Fat Greek" New Year's Eve Party.....25 of my closest relatives. I must say I was very impressed by the Service and the Food. We were graciously greeted and each adult was served Champaign (Happy New Year!!!). The appetizers were ordered and were served in a very timely manner and were wonderful. A great Greek Salad, Kalamari, and beautifully prepared vegetables. The Service was very attentive but in no way instrusive. We were all sitting in their Bar areas...which for a party our size offered us great privacy....we were all to ourselves. After the dinner was served, the owner came by to see how we enjoyed our meals, shared some great stories and a laugh with us and moved on. A very nice personal touch. The food I must was was delicious. It was definitely Greek, but with a very unique twist...wonderfully spiced, beautifully prepared. Check this place out for a great meal in Chicago's north suburbs.
(5)
Gail Z.
Had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Finally got there and was terribly disappointed with my dinner. First, the staff didn't appear to want to be there. No greeting from our server after being seated at the smallest table right next to a post near the fireplace. We could have eaten off the table next to us we were so close. I kept getting bumped by the scurrying servers. Tried to order the pork that was on the menu and told that they didn't have it. Ordered a salad that was just ok. Grilled octopus was just ok. My husband was Greek and I have eaten in Greek homes and restaurants for over 35 years. Never have I eaten pastitsio that tasted like what I was served. Bechamel had only the flavor of raw flour, no taste at all. I never did find the ground beef and tomatoes that are supposed to be there. To their credit after apprising them of this they did offer another choice but we declined as I didn't want to wait for another 25 minutes. Asked if we wanted a desert we declined, but the manager insisted and we were presented with a bag of three different desserts to take home. Choclava was not bad, but the pistachio dessert had some kind of cream on top and it was sour, and the third was a kind of cheesecake made with a special cheese--not so good. They did take off the cost of my dinner from the bill. I know this sounds like a rant of a very fussy patron, but I really am not that hard to please, but I am so tired of restaurants that profess to be something they are not. Can't believe the reviews I read about this place that got me there. I will not return. So sorry as I really had high hopes..
(2)
Deb D.
I was here last summer so my memory of specific dishes is vague. But... I do remember this - Loved the outdoor seating, had an awesome waiter, good wine, and all of the dishes (there were 6 of us) were outstanding. We were all pleasantly surprised and made sure to share all the appetizers and entrees. Really... so good! And after so many really mediocre Greek restaurants in the burbs, this is a must on your list. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Alex R.
Great setting, food, and wine selection. We really enjoyed our night out without breaking the bank. Thanks Avli.
(5)
J M.
Fantastic food and service, lovely interior.
(5)
Shawn B.
Good, Upscale Greek. I've been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Most of the dishes were very good. My wife had a fish for dinner that was outstanding. The flatbreads have also been good. The fried smelts were a disappointment.
(4)
Dale D.
We celebrated an achievement with our accountability group. The food was excellent, the service was attentive. We had a great time!
(5)
Jodi H.
Avli is a great dinner option, especially since there is very little greek food around Winnetka. The appetizers are very good, especially the zucchini chips and chargrilled octopus. I would not recommend the egg-lemon soup, there are much better things worth trying. For dinner, I love the skewers, especially the shrimp. They are always grilled and seasoned to perfection. The lamb burger is great, another example of their great grilling and comes with a spicy red pepper spread that is amazing. Gyros are very yummy, and well above the typical greasy kind you can get at other places. If you are a seafood lover, the poseidon plate is a great option and good for sharing. Especially lovely on summer days/nights, great outside seating area! Its always nice to support local restaurants and avli is definitely worth a visit!
(4)
EL G.
Simply Apisteuto (amazing)! I've been a fan of greek food all through my 8 years of college. And after moving to the city I've been to a couple of very nice greek restaurants in Chicago. This restaurant stood out above the rest without any questions. Granted in college I ate at the local gyros place (nothing fancy). In the city the places were nice and more formal but nothing really stood out in terms of food and service. This place owned it all. Their menu is outstanding. I ordered the stuffed chicken with spinach and feta and it was delicious and filling. The mashed potatos on this plate were also reaaaaally good. But I couldn't take my eyes off my friend's plate. He ordered the Moussaka Aginarato (a type of casserole). I tried some of it and was blown away. Everyone else in our party of 6 was also very happy with their choices. Our server Nico was great. He had actually waitered for someone in our party in a previous visit and he was requested by her for our dinner last night. The ladies in our group were able to sample three different red wines and a sparkling wine just to finally decide what they wanted to drink which was very generous of Nico. Lastly I'll mention that if you are a fan of white wine, specifically a pinot grigio go with the Boutari Moscofilero. Apparently it's a very popular greek pinot grigio. Their wine selection is actually very exclusive to their restaurant because they have the largest greek wine selection in the country. So definitely check this place out if you are a wine connoisseur. P.s. Eat here their food is amazing!!!
(5)
Michael G.
food was very good and reasonably priced. the service was outstanding. kid friendly
(4)
constantine a.
This past saturday my family and I visited Avli for the first time. We were very impressed from the beautiful decor and courtyard, very accommodating staff, and great food. This is the Best Greek Restaurant on the North Shore. Considering it being a Greek Restaurant, their price points were great. Their fish entrees were highly popular when looking at other tables. Save room for the Bread Pudding, one of the best i have ever had. We will be back very soon.
(4)
L D.
This is the second time I've eaten at Avli's. I had no complaints the first time. However, the second time, although the food was good, the service almost spoiled our dinner. The server was impatient and kept rushing us to order before we were ready. He also recommended only the highest-priced specials and pressured us to order them. Finally, he also pressured us to order wine with our dinner. He clearly was just trying to run up the bill. The service took away from what would otherwise have been an excellent dinner.
(2)
Philip P.
Split a lamb shank with someone and it was moist and delicious with baked vegetables...mmmmm. My favorite greek places are in Chicago but this place was a nice surprise in the suburbs and left full and satisfied. Reasonable prices and great staff.
(4)
Brenda R.
Regrets, I've had a few....I knew something was afoot when I saw only 3 people in for lunch and one (grumpy) waiter. It took a while to find something appetizing. Poor choices. Settled for a boring pita, and an overpriced, dry/old bread pudding in a sauce attempting to disguise the content.
(1)
Eli R.
I LOVE Greek food and Avli has the best Greek food I've ever had in America. Everything my wife and I have tried so far has been fantastic. The restaurant itself is a great space, with plenty of seating, private room, bar, and an outdoor patio. The employees are all pleasant and helpful. We make it a point to go back often. The prices are also very reasonable for how great the food is and how nice the atmosphere is. It has become our go-to restaurant. The tsatsiki is the best ever. Honestly. The grilled octopus is tasty when done right, but has been over-charred at times, so just a warning there. The gyros are amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Tanya T.
very lively, always busy. Very tasty, superb service, great presentation. Try their fish of the day (usually grilled sea bass) - they even de-bone it for you. Greek white wines were surprisingly good. Been there several times.
(5)
Bob B.
First class Greek (as good as any Greektown restaurant), good service, comfortable ambience, NOT too noisey, wonderful fireplace, interesting menu, free parking. I had the lamb chops - terrific! And a delightful surprise at the price. Who could ask for anything more?
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Jeff K.
Went to dinner there the other night as we happen to be in the area late on a Friday night and needed a place to eat. This place was highly recommended to us and it was truly delicious. When we arrived my wife and were dressed very casual and still fit in. It has a great outdoor area but because we didn't have a reservation we could not sit there. The place was packed and we were lucky we got a table. I got a tea to start because my throat was hurting and it was the best tea I have ever had! As an appetizer we got the dolmades and something else that I can't remember. The dolmades were just ok, but wife loves the other thing. I'm gluten free so I could not eat whatever the other appetizer was. We each got a salad - I got the Greek and she got the beet, both were delicious! The feta cheese was the best I've ever had and the dressing was just EVOO but it was amazing! As for a main course I got the chicken kabob and chicken was cooked to perfection, delicious! The green beans were the worst part of the dinner, they tasted liked canned - they were quite gross. I also thought I got rice with my meal but I didn't get it. My wife had the stuffed tomato and she thought it was very good, we both loved her potato that came with it. Overall the meal was very good! The owner was very nice, the waiter was good not great but the owner made up for it. The menu is well labeled with gluten free options. Overall when I'm back in the area I will absolutely return. Next time I'll call ahead to get a reservation and sit outside.
(5)Alan B.
We visited them this past Thursday for the first time. I have to say that we almost turned around thinking that the place was closed. You have to park and walk into the mall and make several turns until you find them. We enjoyed our experience, the service was incredible, nice clean environment. Really loved the grilled octopus! Will be visiting them again very soon!
(5)Sandy L.
I like this place but it could be so much better. It used to be better, actually, now that I think about it. Attractive place with a nice outdoor patio. Some of the food is very good. Other items just make me wonder what they were thinking. I have been there for both dinners and lunches. I try to avoid it for lunch because they have such a limited lunch menu, unless you want something heavy. I was surprised that Buon Giorno, in the same block, was mobbed at lunchtime but Avli was empty, until I saw the Avli lunch menu. They really need many more salads, and more interesting ones. I ended up ordering the lentil salad and it was literally a huge pile of not particularly flavorful lentils on top of some lettuce. Nothing else, not even dressing. I know this is a Greek place, but for lunch in the 'burbs, it's pretty much the "ladies who lunch" places that are successful, and everyone needs some real salads, IMO. Service is very nice but very slow, which was odd because it was pretty empty. I like the owner and staff really want them to succeed.
(3)Elina S.
I made a reservation for this place like a month before for my girlfriends birthday party on a Saturday night around 8pm. I knew I wanted to make the reservation in advance since she had a party of 14 so I really wanted them to accommodate us especially in their much talked about outdoor patio. It really is a spectacular atmosphere outside, you should seriously come here alone for it. I really really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect on a summer evening here. So they seriously get 3 stars alone for that outdoor patio as I would come here just to sit outside. Now let's get to everything else. The person I made the reservation was very friendly, the hostess who greeted us, was also friendly. Our server through the night, also super friendly so they definitely get a point for that. However, I wouldn't say I loved the customer service as some things didn't exactly impress us. We ordered a bunch of the grilled octopus appetizers, and the server didn't mention to us that it came in a small and a large and I wish we gotten the small since I didn't love it here to be honest. It was missing the lemon zest I usually prefer from a greek grilled octopus. And the small portion is $12 compared to the large $17. We wouldn't have gotten as many if we knew we would be getting the large portion. Anyways, I would pass on that in general. I did love the taramasalata spread for $6 with fresh and warm pita bread, I had so much of that which really filled me up and I wasn't hungry anymore. It was that good, they definitely did that right. My husband ordered the gyros for his entree and I ordered the lamb burger on a chibiata bread with zucchini crisps. I tried some of his gyros and they were way too much on the salty side for me. I thought my burger was pretty good, it came with this spicy aoli sauce that went well but like I said I took a few bites because I was already super full. Since it was a birthday we did bring our own cake so we didn't get to try any of theres. So overall, we had a very nice time. The server was a little off at times and didn't really want to split our bill because we had quite a few people, but overall he was friendly and attempted to make conversation with us so that's always nice. I wouldn't say I loved the food, minus that taramasalata spread, felt it was okay but overall given their perfect atmosphere I think I'll be back for tons of wine and spreads next time.
(4)Alana K.
Best Greek food I've ever had period!! (And I've eaten at all the Greek-town restaurants in Chicago) The first time I ate here I came with a girlfriend and we dined on Avli's charming patio - it felt like we were in Santorini with cute hanging lights and a warm spring breeze! We started with a beet salad and a bean app; both were spectacular with super-fresh, flavorful ingredients. We then split the sturgeon, broiled whole and infused with olive oil and lemons, delish, another winner! I'm not willy nilly with handing out 5 stars on Yelp but Avli earned it - flavorful, fresh ingredients, affordable and scenic... this place is a home run! Whether for a date night or a dinner with girlfriends, I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again and again. (In fact I was back the weekend before last for another fantastic meal!)
(5)Elaine M.
Came here for kind of latish dinner, nice that they are open to 10:00 even on week days! The place was still busy when we left a little after nine. We weren't super hungry so we decided to share a bowl of soup and a Poseidon platter. The Avgolemono soup, an egg lemon soup with orzo, was great! It came out of the kitchen hot and ready for slurping up. We liked that it wasn't super thick or overly thickened with corn starch. The seafood platter was grilled octopus, shrimp and calamari with grilled onions and reduced balsamic. We had a little misfire at the start when the waiter brought the wrong platter (only grilled octopus) but the mistake was discovered and handled by the manager and perfectly. We really liked this plattter and would order it again. I loved how the balsamic made the dish sweet and spicy all at the same time. I hope to return again some time soon with a larger appetite and try some other selections. As an added bonus, although located in the back of a mall, the restaurant's atmosphere is charming. I liked the exposed brick wall and appreciated how it made me feel like I was somewhere cozy and quaint. Much better experience here than the Greek restaurants that I have frequented in Greektown, Chicago.
(4)michael w.
Yet another Yelp Mobile App find! Thanks Yelp! The patio was packed and the prices were reasonable considering the real estate. The service was friendly, pleasant and professional. The beer prices for the 16oz were not out of line. The two entrees we tried were good, not great, but good. Not sure what the stand outs here are, but it's affordable enough with enough swank that we'll probably be back for more to explore. Bonus, within walking to downtown drag and close to home.
(3)phyllis s.
Great food, great service....and they have a wonderful private room for a small party!
(5)Lou Ann E.
We had a delicious dinner tonight at Avli. The outdoor patio is lovely and service was outstanding. Will return soon.
(5)Courtney K.
Avli is a hidden gem in this area (seriously, its tucked in the back of a shopping mall, you wouldn't know about it unless someone recommended it to you). The outdoor seating area is gorgeous in the summer, I absolutely love the decor. Waiters are super friendly and on point with the wine suggestions every time. The grilled octopus appetizer and sakanaki are fantastic, I get them every time. Mousakka is great, the portion is HUUUGE though. You can definitely share between 2 people if you are also getting appetizers. Need to come back here and try the choclova or the yogurt mousse! I tell myself I'm going to save room for dessert before I go every time but of course I end up eating too much and getting full :p
(5)Carry G.
Always very good! Great food, great prices... Great service.... Enrique is the best!!!:)
(5)Michael B.
Tucked away in a converted brick loft commercial building in downtown Winnetka, this charming friendly Greek restaurant serves both classic and updated Greek cuisine, all of which is fresh and tasty. Indoor space has exposed brick, high timber loft ceilings and big windows looking to a lovely outdoor garden/seating area. The staff are excellent, professional and you get the sense that the servers and kitchen are tight, coordinated and rarely miss a beat. Nice selection of reasonably priced wines to accompany the meal. Nice menu with interesting appetizers [grilled balsamic octopus, artichoke with capers and lemon zest, cod row with onions and spices], nice selection of fresh meats and fish as well as a limited selection of their slow cooked lamb and other specials. Suggest you call in advance and find out what the specials are and pre-order if you can as they do go fast. Having received numerous accolades over the years, Avli is a tasty casual gem in the north burbs. Easy parking.
(4)Nanxi L.
The very satisfying list: Appetizer: Spetzofai Meal: Arni Kokkinisto and Seafood Orzo We biked up from Evaston. It's on our way to the Chicago botanic garden. It's in a little shopping mall. We had an appetizer Spetzofai, somebody's a big fun of sau'sages....tasty, flavorful but not too heavy (okay, for us heavy eaters). My main dish was Arni Kokkinisto. They do not have it in the Lunch menu small portion but made it from dinner menu (a bit costy and too much for lunch). But I was too eager to try *braised* anything and never will I miss eggplant purée, which always reminds me of Turkish cuisine too. My meal buddy had a Seafood Orzo. We were blown away by the scallop, the tenderness, the juiciness, the thickness...a big portion of our hearts lost in it.....The rice shape pasta was easy with teeth but lightly chewy. Will go back to try grilled octopus, mentioned a lot by fellow yelpers.
(4)Andrea R.
Moms night out in da burbs- whoo hoo! I decided to pass up my regular GNO spot (holler Trifecta Grill*) & choose a location where we could actually hear each other. The winner...Avli Estiatorio. Unfortunately, the private party room was booked, but we ended up having most of the bar area to ourselves. If I hadn't driven with someone who knew where Avli is located exactly there's a good chance I would have never found it and missed out on good food/wine. For other first timers it's inside the building where Cafe Buongiorno is located. I started my night with a much needed glass of lovely sauvignon blanc. And then we ordered a bunch of apps for the table to share. We let the mom who had eaten there before do the ordering. She did a fabulous job and we soon had a table full of delish apps. Favorites included the flaming cheese, fried zucchini chips & shrimp tourkolimano. I do think their pita bread could use a bit of work, but besides that they've got a good thing going back in the kitchen. They weren't very busy on a Wed night, but we were still proud that we were the last remaining table. We got the "hint" that it was time to get back to the (hopefully) sleeping kiddies when they turned the lights on at 10pm. I hear they have a fabulous (and busy) patio so that's reason enough for me to get back to Avli if/when it warms up around here. * yelp.com/biz/trifecta-gr…
(4)Kim S.
Bar far my favorite sit down Greek place. The food has always been delicious and the service friendly and accommodating. The gyros are delectable the meat is seasoned well, the tomatoes are always fresh and the pita warm and soft. My favorite side is the fried zucchini. Lightly fried, good flavor and the potato hummus with it has a great flavor. They will always bring you more pita to enjoy all the food on the table. Servings are pretty big too and I always end up bringing some home for the next day. Overall a great restaurant that keeps me coming back to try everything on the menu.
(5)Liz H.
One of my favorite restaurants! Great service, nice atmosphere for conversation, and excellent seafood. Also love the dandelion greens and all of the brunch options. When it's warm out, it is nice to eat outside. My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here and everyone was really happy!
(5)Denise K.
The appetizers and dinner was spectacular. The saganaki was awesome because it was not salty at all, like many other restaurants. The moussaka and the sampler of dips was fantastic. The best part was our waiter, Enrique. He was absolutely fantastic. He joked with us the whole time, gave us great food recommendations, was very attentive, and was such a nice person to have serve us. The owner was also very attentive, as he checked on us a few times to make sure we were having a great experience. My only reason for giving 4 stars was I didn't understand why there were no authentic Greek desserts on the menu. That was a bit disappointing. Great experience. Will definitely return. If you go, make sure you ask for Enrique.
(4)Phil M.
I have been to this place maybe 3 times, hoping that the closest Greek restaurant to my house would improve. I was there a few weeks ago, and sadly it has not. I find it to be consistently over-priced and under-quality. Service is inconsistent too. When I see the positive reviews people have written here, it makes me wonder if those people know their Greek food. Periyales and Mykonos are much better choices in the northern burbs. Demitri's in Deerfield even. Or Greek Islands in the city. I sincerely hope that this place improves but I am dubious.
(2)Steve A.
This authentic Greek restaurant is a sprawling collection of rooms and outdoor spaces located on the rear side of The Laundry complex. There is a very extensive list of Greek wines, plus all the Greek appetizers and entrees you'd expect. We particularly enjoyed the salads and the lamb burger.
(4)John V.
Great location, knowledgable staff, good prices for great authentic Greek food, and prompt, courteous service. Will go back next time I'm in the area.
(5)Ryan R.
4 stars for the food. 3 for the service. This place has to offer an array of Greek Tapas-like appetizers which are excellent. The "flaming cheese" is always a Greek favorite and this scrumptious appetizer is not as salty as most other restaurants that serve this. They have a great wine menu...the Pinot Noir is from Greece! They filet the Red Snapper table-side, and unlucky for me they were out of it last night. Lamb Chops were exceptionally delicious...and of course I took the bones home for the pup.
(4)Harry M.
Summer is great for Avli when they open the back up and you feel like you can be in a Greek Courtyard somewhere in Greece. Food is pretty consistent and prices fairly reasonable especially on North Shore. I think these guys are relatives to Greek Islands in Chicago's Greek Town neighborhood which is really good food and very fast!
(4)Matthew K.
I just wanted to add a note, that on my previous review, I was reviewing their lunch pricing and options. I love this place for lunch, and only like it for dinner. Dinner prices are a bit higher, still reasonable for what you get, but not a bargain like their lunch pricing. I also liked the lunch options a bit more.
(4)Lisa K.
Be sure to come before 7p or the specials will be gone (#baitandswitch). Lame. And don't bother ordering a vodka grapefruit because they are were out of grapefruit juice. ???!! Waiter was inattentive and the food was average at best. Much better last time we were there. So disappointing. Try Trifecta down the street. ??
(2)Donald J.
Tried it for the first time last night on my birthday. It was great. We did not need the reservation we made. I had a small draft craft beer, my wife a cocktail. We shared a saganaki and greek salad The bread was good. I had a beef rib and pasta entrée (not on the current Yelp menu), my wife had an eggplant dish. They were superb and we each took half home. For dessert we split a Choclava, their take on baklava. It was the best dessert I can remember for a long time. The "birthday" cheesecake with candle was good too. The waitstaff was attentive and timed things exactly right. Our water glasses were always full. When I saw that the total check before taxes and tip was only $78, I was amazed. I suppose that on a full night, it could be noisy. The seats aren't especially comfortable, but not uncomfortable. There are table cloths and napkins with nice candles on the tables. I really had to search to find these possible negatives!
(5)Yana N.
Love this place. Great food and ambience! Good find! Best Greek food on the north-shore by far! will be back KID FRIENDLY! =)
(5)Becky N.
First, props to our waiter Angel. What a sweetheart who knows his stuff. This is the best Greek restaurant I have ever been to and I have been to a lot of them. Starters: Saganaki and octopus, we are not in Greek Town anymore Toto!!! Yummy Braised lamb for the hubby and seafood pasta dish for me. Can't begin to tell you how fresh and wonderful everything was. We will be back soon. Almost forgot, dessert. Chocolate Baklava: oh my goodness, shut the front door!!!
(5)Anahit G.
Good Greek food, but only standard and nothing really exceptional (for truly amazing Greek food head to Greek Town). We had gyros and the Poseidon plate. Gyros were tasty, but the Poseidon plate was ordinary and the different seafood was mixed with a sauce that made it all taste the same. Basically, if you're in the area and craving Greek food I'd recommend this place. It has a cozy outdoor patio and nice decor. Otherwise, there might be better options in other burbs and the city.
(3)Brayden K.
My wife and I stopped in for a quick dinner before a movie. I had high hopes for the place based on previous Yelp reviews, and I was not disappointed. It really is a great neighborhood restaurant with a strong sense of character. The Greek personality is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, down to the warm shoulder hug that the restaurant's manager gave me as he asked if we were enjoying our meal. We most certainly were. My wife had a large African prawn that was as delicious as it looked on the menu. There was nothing small about this prawn. It clearly had a well-fed life prior to ending up on my wife's dinner plate. It tasted delicious too, stuffed with cheese and herbs that made the mouth melt. I had the beef kapama dish, a short rib cooked in a tomato (and cinammon) sauce that sits on top of a plate of pasta. The ratio of short rib to pasta was just right. Sometimes after eating short rib, I feel weighed down, but I didn't after eating this lovely dish. My only complaint about the dish was that I would have liked a little more sauce with it. The flavor was delicious and I wanted more of it! We started our meal with a beautiful plate of fried zucchini. It was a pretty big plate and when they delivered it to our table, I thought there was no way we'd get through the entire thing. Of course, after realizing how crisp and delicious they were, we devoured all of them. Even though it was fried, I didn't feel all greasy afterward. They know how to apply a light touch at this restaurant. The servers and the entire staff were extremely friendly and much more welcoming than the average north shore franchise. We're coming back!
(4)Lucy C.
A friend and I grabbed a late dinner on their beautiful patio on a warm summer evening. The ambiance was beyond perfect with the delicate lighting, subtle breeze, and light aroma of food and wine. Our server was quick to bring our beverages and offer recommendations before we ordered. They're not the most conventional choices, but we ordered zucchini chips to share, stuffed chicken breast, and lobster pasta. Although there were glaring complaints about the food, there was also nothing to write home about. The chips were a little too oily, the chicken a little too dry, the pasta a little too basic; perhaps my taste buds have just been spoiled by Chicago's Greektown. Regardless, Avli Estiatorio provided a perfect venue at which to slow down and catch up on our increasingly fast paced lives. The location itself is a little tricky to find. It's tucked away in the back of the Laundry building. Look for "566" and walk all the way to the back.
(2)Otto A.
Gyro was tasty yet a tad dry as wel as the stuffed chicken. The mini rack of lamb ordered medium rare came very rare. When they cooked it more it was ok yet a bit grizzly. Thought lamb was leaner. Vegetables came out cool to warm. Potato wedges were pre cooked, soft and soggy. Appetizers were great and service was prompt.
(2)Benn R.
Went here for lunch on a weekday and there weren't a lot of people. Their chicken kebab was good. Food is reasonably priced. Recommended.
(4)Burt A.
Simply the best Greek food I have had. Priced fairly and very good service. Been there for lunch and dinner and never disappointed.
(5)C S.
We arrived right on time for our reservations. They asked if they could seat us in the outdoor area and I said NO, but they seated us there anyway. It was November and the temperature was a little chilly. We were the only people in the room. As we sat down and waited for our drinks, the waiter and two other employee's got into an argument with raised voices and speaking in greek, no pun. This loud discussion went on for about 8-9 minutes and by the time the waiter came back with a menu, my stomach was in knots. We decided to order appetizers and leave. I ordered the calamari --FRIED. When it came, it was STEAMED and so was I. I really just wanted to take it to go, which is what I did, because my companion had already finished theirs. After I paid the bill, I thought that the owner or manager might want to know about our experience. On my way out, I did just that. Should have saved my breath. Arrogance can kill a restaurant faster than anything.
(2)Rick R.
Delicious Greek food on the north Shore. I really enjoyed the Pasticio (Greek lasagna) it was creamy, cheesy, meaty casserole for the Gods--yum! Gyros was great too! Opah!!!!
(4)Jeff K.
Our first and last time here. This was a huge disappointment, having looked forward to trying out a Greek restaurant in the North Shore. We will have to continue to make the drive to Niles for Periyales. The food was not well-prepared and our service experience was awful. The Greek salad, while flavorful, was heavy on the oil. My wife's sea bass was also oily, and my pastichio was globby in texture (of course it's not a light dish, but this was extreme) and apart from the nutmeg, was on the bland side. Our waiter was totally inattentive to the point that he never came around to ask if we wanted a second glass of wine. We waited forever after our plates were cleared for him to return to offer us dessert or the check.
(1)Chris A.
My wife and I have been here a few times since she works down the street. The food at Avli is fantastic. I've had their giro several times and it's always fantastic. The last time we dined here, I ordered the short rib pasta special... and wow, was it good! We always start with the flatbread since we crave it regularly :) The owners and staff are wonderful too!
(5)Rob W.
Just finished a wonderful dinner at Avli. I highly recommend it! Our group of 4 enjoyed our entrees: beef kabobs, stuffed tomatoes and 2 of us shared the sea bass. Bread and flaming cheese were great as well. The Greek wines were a very pleasant surprise. Very nice outside dining area. Appetizer, entrees and wine for less than $40 per person including tip
(5)Carol P.
Great location and decor. Great Greek food and a good selection if Greek wines. Excellent service!
(5)Natalie B.
Food continues to be excellent but I am only giving it three stars due to horrible service. Our waiter was MIA most of the evening, food came out wrong (waiter claimed he didnt hear, even though I specified twice the way I wanted food cooked, husband's sides were wrong, salad was forgotten and it goes on). Dinner took forever, and we almost felt like leaving. At this point I probably wont go out of my way to go back-I was just too frustrated with the service tonight.
(3)John B.
C and I met Adam and Marge for dinner here last Saturday. The weather was ideal for it, so we dined on the patio. The food and service were excellent and the ambiance very nice. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The only odd thing was that he described the broiled fish special as sea bass. When he delivered the fish, which he and another server de-boned seconds before placing the fish on the table, he announced, "You will see ... it's better than sea bass." He scurried off and we didn't ask. Fortunately, the fish was very tasty, no matter the species. Still, it would be nice to know exactly what one is ordering. The only negative is that Yelp indicates that this restaurant is $$. It is not. It is $$$. The four of us had the following: 2 house salads 2 broiled fish specials 2 shrimp/octopus/calamari dish two deserts one bottle of inexpensive white wine $32) 2 glasses of house red wine Total with a 17% tip: $220 (which =$$$) We have been here before and will likely return, but it's more expensive than you might plan on. Whoppa!
(3)Dave J.
Very good Greek food! Very mediocre service! Hey, c'mon, how long does it take to ask a customer if they want a refill? It's a win-win for both...the restaurant makes money serving another beer, customer is happy that his thirst is quenched. Aside from this misstep, I highly recommend giving this place a try. Mrs. and I ventured in on a stormy night, well after the dinner rush. There were a few tables occupied, and I was initially pleased with the personality and demeanor of our server. As the night wore on, so did my nerves. The lack of attention given to us was borderline apalling. We loved our appetizers...grilled octopus and prasopita (phyllo dough wrapped around a nice and melty greek cheese and herbs). The octopus was tender and had a pleasant smokey flavor. The prasopita was a nice change from the traditional saganaki, but far less dramatic because nothing was set on fire and nobody yelled "opaaa!". Mrs. ordered gyros...yeah, I know you can get gyros at practically any independent fast food outlet...but I've never sampled a better tasting gyros ANYWHERE...these were outstanding. I chose beef tenderloin souvlaki. These cubes of heaven were tender and nicely seasoned. Desserts were great too. I had the traditional baklava, but with a tasty twist...chocolate! It's called Choclava! And it's a delicious take on the classic Greek dessert. If you love chocolate, and love baklava...you'll flip over Choclava! Mrs. had vanilla ice cream, which she enjoyed, but not as much as I enjoyed my Choclava! Aside from not being offered additional beverages, I really enjoyed Avli and would go back again...hopefully when there's a more attentive waiter on duty.
(4)Paige P.
I love this place! Excellent food! Their specials are always AMAZING! Went there last night and had a short rib pasta dish.... To die for!
(5)Larry F.
Very good Greek food experience. I went with a group of four. We split several small plate appetizers included stuffed grape leaves and some giant beans. The beans were a little bland but the stuffed grape leaves were quite good. Saganaki is not really traditional, but who can complain about flaming hot cheese? For my main course, I had vegetarian moussaka, which was hot, hearty and filling.
(4)Nancy L.
Had a great meal with the family on the patio. Very nice outdoor seating area and the wait staff was very attentive. Kids loved the flaming Saganaki - to see and eat. The spicy feta spread with pitas was a great appetizer. The Diane's salad with arugula, pears, grilled Manouri cheese, nuts with a honey vinaigrette was a great choice. To make it a meal I tried some chicken breast on top which was well seasoned but a bit dry. Would order again but with a Chicken skewer which looked more tender. Seafood orzo was flavorful with lots of seafood and tomato sauce on the orzo which gave the pasta a delightful creamy texture. Pastchio was good - crunchy cheese on top with a thick layer of sauce and long tube noodles and ground beef. The multi textures were great . While it was pretty good it seemed to lack some complexity of flavor that I've had in other versions. Yogurt Mousse was wonderful - light, creamy and flavorful without the tang you'd expect in a yogurt. Perfect on a warm day. Choclava - chocolate lava cake was good - cherries on side were a bit sticky syrupy but good if you ate them with a bit of the cake. Will go again - maybe we'll try the Meze (tapas) next time and sample a number of things that looked really good at other tables.
(4)L. F.
I was introduced to this gem through friends and absolutely love it! Everything is fresh and flavorful, so delicious. I crave the cucumber, tomato and feta salad. The chicken kabobs and gyros are fabulous. Highly recommend for a fabulous, Greek meal.
(4)Liz S.
I will never remember the name of this place - to me, it will always be "that new Greek place in the Laundry". That said, it is worth seeking out, whether you can remember the name or not. My mom and I had a wonderful lunch of small plates there (see pics) on the patio on a summer afternoon. Everything was well prepared, flavorful, of very high quality, and served quickly. I loved the roasted red peppers stuffed with spicy feta cheese, the greek sausage flavored with orange, and the Taramosalata the best. The grilled octopus was also excellent. Neither one of us cared for the pork tenderloin, but all of the other dishes were so good, it was hard for this one to measure up. We felt that we ate a large amount of interesting, exciting food for a fair price, in a nice atmosphere - a big win in a small town. Next time I am in town, I will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes.
(4)Frederick C.
Perhaps it's because I live in Winnetka, and it was snowing out, but Alvi Estiatorio is a little gem of a Greek restaurant, with good Greek food and great ambiance, including a lovely fireplace that warms the entire dining room. I say good Greek food because I have dined frequently in Greek Town in downtown Chicago, and Alvi is not Greek town. However, it's very convenient for those who live on the North Shore, the prices are lower than Greek town, the food is good, and the ambiance is even better! The best indicator of how I feel about the restaurant is that I plan to go back!
(4)Aubrey T.
Such a gem! Food: Our table shared two good appetizers - the Gigantes (large white beans in a warm red sauce with melty feta) and the artichokes. My "Poseidon Plate" (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) entree was so hearty and delicious. It is rich (very heavy on the olive oil) and has amazing seasoning. I would have trouble not ordering this every time I go back. My dining companions also enjoyed the fish of the day and the exceptionally good gyro. Ambiance: Even though this is in the The Laundry building (a small mall-like interior with connected stores and restaurants), you forget that as soon as you're inside the restaurant. It is cozy and lovely in the back room with the fire place. I would request to be in that room at the corner booth (if you have at least 4 people). There was a wide mix of patrons on Friday night - from suits to jeans, families and couples. Service: Not sure if it's because my relatives I went with are regular diners, but no complaints on the service per other reviews.
(5)Lora S.
Avli is a neighborhood gem. I have introduced dozens of people to Avli over the last few years. The gyros is wonderful and the fish of the day is usually a whole prepared fish and is spectacular. Generous drinks and wonderful ambience. In the summer definitely sit on the patio
(4)Chowhound C.
Finally.....after 4 highly educated adults roamed the streets of Winnetka looking for what sounded like a better version of the city's Athenian Room, we found Avli Estiatorio. Even though it was more difficult to find than half the crap I searched for in the 1985 Highlights magazines from my old dentist's office, it was worth the effort. Aside from the homey atmosphere and welcoming staff, I mostly enjoyed the first and last part of our meal. The Greek Village Salad was one of the best. Crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and some perfect pairings toppled over my oh-so-favorite cold salad plate. This was one of the better Greek Salads I've had. Nothing was soggy and it was all super fresh. -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.…
(3)Marie D.
Wonderful, brand new restaurant in Winnetka - a very needed addition to the NorthShore food scene! We've been there several times now and haven't been disappointed with anything. The mezes, salads, main dishes, seafood, wine list - it's all top notch. It's not expensive, either, which means we can take the kids (chicken skewers for $5, can't beat that!), sit on the patio, and enjoy without feeling guilty about it. I especially love the bread salad, lentil salad, fried zucchini chips, pork skewers, saganaki, gigantes, pastichio, flatbreads, and sea bass... yes, we've sampled a lot! Great Greek wines starting at $5.50 a glass, too!
(5)Orack B.
Wowee! Who deserves more blame, the American palate or the Americanization of Greek cuisine? I shouldn't even use the word cuisine in association with Avli. To all the people who think this is a great representation of Greek food or that Avli, "transported you to Athens," get a grip. This place spits out bastardized versions of the "classics." You have no clue what you are talking about...
(2)Rachel N.
Truly a 3.5 for me--this is an unexpectedly nice place--perfect for a casual Sunday night dinner--but went w/ the fam on a Saturday night at 6:30 and it was packed! I'm thrilled that the Avli is doing well--we're lived in Winnetka for almost 20 years and I think we've seen 5ish (give or take a couple) restaurants go in and out in this location, so I'm hoping that the general enthusiasm bodes well for its longevity. We started w/ the flaming cheese (spelling not attempted!), which was nice and crispy--of course presented tableside and with an "Opa!", the lentil salad, the greek salad, and the tzatziki. The salads were perfectly pleasant--light--although I would have liked a bit more lemon in my Greek dressing, it was still nice and well sized, though I wouldn't plan on having it as an entree. Oh, forgot--excellent grilled octopus--great balance of char and flavor, if that makes sense. The tzatkizi was some of the best I've ever had--really garlicy, thick, and perfect. For mains we got the salmon "en papillote" which came on a nice bed of fennel and other veggies--salmon had great texture and was piping hot after coming out of the sac. Madre got the "Poseidon platter" which was a melange of grilled seafood and onion--well sized and she seemd to enjoy. Dad went for the grilled chicken--perhaps none of of has the most authentic Greek meal (sea gods aside), but it was all well prepared and I left hoping that it makes it! I'm sure that we'll be back, it's a nice change from O'Neil's! Oh the wine list is all Greek, make of that what you will? No one in our party complained, but we aren't expert vinologists.
(4)Carolyn S.
The food here USED to be quite good. Now, this place is a complete disaster. The food is not fresh and certainly not prepared by anyone that knows what they're doing. The waiters are an utter joke! These are the kind of Greeks that give other Greeks a bad name! Pushy with selling you as much of their crappy wine as possible, but when you try to ask for anything they run from you like the plague! I regret asking friends to meet me here for dinner. I was starving and left hungry because the lobster pasta was horrible and the Greek salad was worse. Oh and, because I was the only American at the table (everyone else Greek) the waiter ignored me the entire time. If you want excellent Greek food and great service, go to Mythos Taverna in Chicago.
(1)Carrie R.
The food is great here! However last night service was missing. Seated a half hour after reservation, bar was too full to get a drink...the hostess even told us that. Time is going by and we are getting pissed, I suggested to her she should offer to get us a drink. They could not think of that themselves. We got the drink when we sat down, while we waited she brought us some pita with a very gross dip. This place serves amazing food, but needs more polish. Even in the dining room we got very minimal service.
(4)Jp N.
Great food , Great Service, Hard to find.... It is located inside of a strip mall type deal. Food was so good, so well worth looking for .
(4)Claudia G.
Great ambiance, excellent service, good food. For vegetarians, the menu clearly labels our options. I have enjoyed the moussaka twice now. (It comes with artichokes which is a twist I haven't enjoyed elsewhere.) The dish is served as a lovely little casserole. You will want to vent it as under that top layer it is steaming hot. The zucchini chips are really great. Try them!
(3)Mary T.
This is the fourth or fifth time I've eaten at Avli and I was not disappointed. From the wine to all the food it was a bit of heaven. We started with grilled artichoke hearts which were tender, flavored lightly with lemon and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I had my standard; Poseidon Plate which is a grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp plate with a taste that is utterly fantastic. My mouth waters just thinking about it. My friend has the salmon in parchment paper with leeks and she was thrilled with the selection since she also loves the Poseidon Plate. Apollo was our server and he was delightful My only teeny tiny issue was he seemed to disappear for long stretches of time but when he showed up he was responsive and very helpful. I strongly recommend Avli for the relaxed pace of dinner, great selection of greek wines and outstanding food that goes beyond the typical Greek meal. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Alec C.
Traditional and Authentic? I'm not Greek, so I don't know. All I can say is that Anthony Bourdain once said: "...your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." I don't know if it's because I have a heightened sense of superiority of what good food is because of: A) my asian heritage B) world travels C) or my Platinum Preferred Cable package which includes the Travel Channel with Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern in HD. But this isn't it, as hard I as I want it to be so good, so I don't have to commute to Greek enclaves in various neighborhoods of Chicago; Avli just didn't meet my expectations on its first round. I really wanted the Zucchini crisps to be fresh and light appetizers. Instead, I received sliced zucchini with a side order of deep fryer oil on a bed of lettuce. The grilled octopus was good, chewy as it should be, but again, a smidge oily. Finally, the preparation of the lamb burger was good. I'll give marks to the ciabatta and the feta dressing. But since lamb has such as strong flavor to it, the dressing and accompanying sides (more zucchini crisps) could not do anything to overcome such a strong aroma. I won't overstep and say I'll never come here again, every place deserves a second chance. Hopefully, once that update comes, I can update this review with something that doesn't - "What's the opposite of suck? Un-suck?"
(2)Yvonne Y.
Prompt (well, we were the first to get seated at 5pm!) and friendly service. Lemon soup was creamy and they gave you extra lemon slices which I added to the soup. Loved the lamb shank dish served with beans as it was flavorful but not TOO salty. The grilled octopus was moist but too blackened for me. The outer parts were bitter. Aside from that, I'd be back for sure and try additional dishes. Very children friendly, especially with the outdoor seating.
(4)Melina J.
Favorite dishes: Pastitio, Papoutsakia, makaronatha, burger Well pretty much everything!
(5)Craig P.
Super food and service. Last month with a friend, today with my wife and both times wonderful food. Service today by hostess Lana and waiter Anrique were worthy of Santorini or Hydra, tho the menu includes many non-Greek offerings. This may be the best moderate cost, high quality destination on the NorthShore.
(4)Lyle G.
Great greek food, fish is beautifully filleted table side!
(4)Scott R.
so I called for a reservation at this joint onSaturday night and they said they only had a table in the bar area, but that's not bad because the bar area is pretty large and we got a table by the window, not too close to the actual bar. What they didn't tell me was that the restaurant had sponsored a team in the North Shore Anal Olympics (highly competitive) and they were hosting the winners in the children's ADD division. The evening was spent watching (without choice) children running back and forth, first inside the restaurant by our table and then in the courtyard. Not appetizing and not appropriate. In my experience (from several meals) the food here is pretty good, the service is hit and miss depending on the server you get, but I've never experienced a restaurant run less professionally.
(2)Rich S.
Man, this place rocks. We sat in the garden, breezy , in the shade. Great service,quick, helpful with the menu. My wife ordered the best pasticio I have ever had. I wanted something different than what is normally order at a Greek resto so I had the pulled lamb Sammy with Greek fries. Excellent! Can't wait to come back.
(5)sandra c.
I don't know who has been writing all of these reviews---probably management. Had a lousy meal here starting from the two-day-old bread. The moussaka was a potato casserole, no sign of eggplant or beef. The bechamel sauce was in liquid form. The grilled octopus was not fresh. When I first started to eat it, I thought it was pork. I suspect it had been re-cooked and laid on a bed of sautéed onions to disguise the fact---who does that??? Octopus and onions? C'mon! The dolmades were blah and the tzatziki was horrible. How can you screw tzatziki up? It's only Greek yogurt, cucumber, oil and garlic. Seriously, nothing fresh here, and everything had too much salt. I would have given 0 stars if it were possible, and had I not been treated to dinner and fearful of being embarrassed, I would have sent the whole meal back and walked out. The only reason people eat here is probably out of convenience of wanting to stay local and not knowing what real Greek food tastes like. I am married to a Greek and lived in Greece for five years, and I know how hard it is to duplicate the freshness and quality of Greek cuisine here in the States for a variety of reasons, but this place makes the Greek Islands Restaurant look like a 5-star-rated Michelin restaurant. Never again!
(1)Laurence K.
Omg what a disaster! I don't know where to begin? Sat at the bar and ordered some wine a red and a white Both glasses looked as of they were coated with soap a Gray film in both . I asked for some clean Glasses and the bartender took them and dunked them in the same sanitizer sink??then pour the wine in the completely wet glasses Without drying them off. Are you kidding?? Next we ordered artichoke app some saganaki we got 3 microscopic artichoke hearts with a couple of capers and lemon? Really? What wad the thought process on this dish? Oh money! The cheese was ok nothing great For entrees we had the whole roasted fish sea bass and the greek chicken oven baked. Do you remember the scene in Christmas vacation when Chevy carved the turkey and it exploded it was so dry Well that's what we got. I've had moister beef jerky The whole roasted fish that was supposedly deboned table side Had not one not two but at least three bones per bite Seriously what are people thinking with the ratings there giving this place???? Is there not a palate in Winnetka?
(1)Kim J.
Um, the best freaking Greek restaurant ever is in Winnetka? Really? Believe it, kids. Avli is the real deal. I drove up to the north suburbs to visit a friend, and she recommended we try Avli. (Apparently the good folks over on LTH Forum are all abuzz over it.) So, off we went. Avli is a bit hard to find - it's in the back of the Laundry building in downtown Winnetka. There is no signage out front - just walk in the door marked "566" and head towards the back. But man, it was worth it to find it. Upon being seated, we were offered a sample of one of their cold dips. I don't remember what it was (maybe red peper?), but it was phenomenal. So much so that we were compelled to order the dip sampler. We tried the tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber), melizantosalata (eggplant), and skordalia (garlic). Seriously phenomenal. The garlic was super-garlicy. Tangy, even. The eggplant was delicious - smooth and seasoned and just yum. I'm not usually a big fan of yogurt/cucumber dip, but I really enjoyed the offering here. We also shared the zucchini chips as another appetizer. SO GOOD. The zucchini is sliced into thin little slices, battered, and fried. It sounds heavy, but they weren't at all - they were light and crisp and delicious. We used them to sop up the rest of the dip that we hadn't finished. ;) For entrees, we split the Poseidon plate (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) and the papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant). The seafood was done perfectly - you could taste a hint of smokiness in it which made me think they grilled it over some nicely flavored cedar chips or something. Grilled calamari is so easy to mess up and make into a rubbery mess, but it was done perfectly here. The eggplant was also really well done - it was grilled and stuffed with onions, feta, and spices. It is served in a red sauce. For dessert, we split the chocolate baklava. OH MY WORD. Light, flaky pastry with layers of cocoa-y chocolate? Sign me up. I grew up with a Greek best friend, so I know good baklava. This is amazing baklava. Service was helpful and unobtrusive. The space is really warm and inviting. Hell, why are you still reading this? GO! You won't be sorry. (Did I mention it's only a couple of blocks from the metra stop in Winnetka? Jelena, you would be nuts to not schedule a suburban event here, by the way ;D).
(5)Eric H.
We had our daughter's rehearsal dinner at Avli in May and they did a wonderful job for our party of 24. Food as good as usual and the staff really took care of us.
(5)Diane E.
I just came home from dining at Avli, and what a disappointment it was! Although the restaurant was empty, we were seated in the back next to the kitchen. I am a vegetarian and ordered something from the menu that was marked as a vegetarian meal. When it arrived, it was a meat dish. I asked the waiter, and he said that the menu had been changed months ago and "he assumed I knew that". He didn't offer me another meal; rather, I sat there with nothing to eat while the rest of my party ate their dinners. The manager never came to inquire about our meal, and as we left, not a word was said. I'll never go back. The food and the service was a total disappointment.
(1)Mr H.
I'm upset that there are so many reviews for Avli, because so many good reviews means longer waits ! Avli is HANDS DOWN, the BEST Greek Restaurant in the North Shore. Excellent quality, excellent staff & service. The calamari is outstanding, excellent wine selection, the list goes on.
(5)Lynne H.
We're in the neighborhood and eat at Avli two or three times a month. We usually have grilled octopus, Greek salad and the whole fish, generally Mediterranean Sea bass. These things are always delicious and well prepared. We also enjoy the skewers (chicken, beef, shrimp) and the other salads. Avli doesn't get a 5 star rating for me for a couple of reasons. The first is that the dishes with pasta tend to overcooked and the sauces are gloppy and oddly spiced. Also, the hostesses are not well trained. We've walked in on occasions when the restaurant is half full and been told all the tables are reserved, and we can come back in 2 hours or eat now if we can be done in half an hour. HINT.....if you talk to the owner, he will get you seated! Another upside to Avli is that the patio dining area is lovely in the summer.
(4)Susan G.
Much Better This Time. Dined here with friends and it was so much better this time. Our group started with a sampling of 3 delicious spreads served with pita, an order of saganaki, and an order ofgreek sausage which we really enjoyed. I had the jumbo shrimp with feta wrapped in phyllo dough with great seasonings and served with spinach and it was incredible. The others in our group had gyros (it was tough), sea bass (it was delicious), and lobster with pasta (a homerun). Shared salads at the table too. We split a choclava dessert and it was the perfect finish to our meal along with greek coffee. The owner came over and helped us with our wine selections -- a bottle of syrah that was well-paired for 3 of the our entrees, but I preferred a white wine and had a nice, dry, greek wine by the glass whose name I cannot remember, but I enjoyed. Cost per person with tax, tip, and all the food mentioned above was about $70 per person.
(4)Diane F.
We were starving and ordered a Spanikopita as an entree and 3 Gyros Plates. The Spanikopita was tasty but not enough food for the $14 charge. For being an entree and costing that amount of money, it should have come along with some sides. The Gyros plates came with a small amount of food, as well. My husband, who NEVER finishes a meal, was still feeling unsatisfied after eating his meal. Plus, it had an odd flavor that made it not very tasty. I wouldn't return to the restaurant unless they improved their portion sizes for what they charge plus I would not order the gyros. On another note, we had ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter was very pushy about us ordering another bottle.
(2)Jerry B.
Really good experience. Food, service, atmosphere were all great. Very reasonable and extensive Greek wine list. Pita's and 3 dips (eggplant, garlic and cucumber) was an excellent eppetizer. Egg lemon and navy bean soups were perfect. Sea bass and mini rack of lamb were perfectly cooked. Cholava was just okay. Very romantic restaurant. Definite will return in warm weather to dine on the patio. Maybe even go back sooner for brunch.
(5)Joscelyn M.
WOW! Close your eyes and be transported to Athens. This a cute new addition to the burbs. We had tzatziki - garlick-y delicious! roe dip - not fish-y at all and very good eggplant dip - classic greek, and as good as I've ever had it grilled octopus - awesome spinach rice side - prob my fave thing on the menu greek salad - perfect lentil salad - really good skewers - terrific zucchini chips - mmm I'm running out of adjectives, here, so you get the picture... Just go. Watch out how much you order, though! I had yummy leftovers for 2 days.
(5)Russ C.
The decor was very nice looking. Our waiter was Samson and he was very knowledgable and we listened to his recs as it was my wife and I first time at Avli. He was right on on everything. We shared the large grilled calamari which had great flavor, my wife got the mixed greens and she said it was delicious. We shared a bottle if white wine that was light bodied and was similar to Pinot Grisio. Our entrees were grilled stuffed chicken with broccoli...amazing. My wife got the giant prawn in FILO dough. Samson rec this and it was so delicious with a side of rice. We got a side of Greek potatoes and it was the best greek potatoes we have ever had. Can't wait to go back. We went on a Saturday night around 8:15 pm and it was packed for good reason. Reasonably priced as well. lots of parking.
(5)Sam C.
We liked it there. The place was quite loud, and we even had a relatively late reservation (for the suburbs) at 8pm. I found the service to be solid. I really enjoyed my food. I had rack of lamb, which was great, but for $28, it should be good. The appetizers were excellent. We liked the grilled octopus, fried zucchini chips, and the various spreads. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)Dominique K.
This is one of the best greek restaurant in Winnetka IL, the service is 1st class and the food is really good. they do deserve to be spoken about, for a small place like Winnetka IL. they should have a place as the combination of service and food is amazing. The food is pure, fresh, and delicious. What a pleasure to have had dinner there. Please keep going
(5)George K.
The hardest part was finding the place but once we did, everything went uphill from there. Great selection of Greek wines, menu was simple but had a good variety of choices. I had the octopus which was excellent and had a nice sweet aftertaste and wasn't too heavy. The atmosphere was nice as well given the coziness of the fireplace, the nice decor, and the friendly staff (the owner came up to our table on multiple occasions to see how we were doing and just to talk). Highly recommend to everyone.
(5)Mrs N.
Best Greek food ever?!? I guess that's true if you consider yourself a connoisseur of Greek food because you once had a gyros at Al's Italian Beef. If not for cute atmosphere and accommodating service, I'd have given Avli one star because the food is so inferior to anything my Greek mother and other Greek relatives have ever put on the table. - Lamb shank was tough and barely seasoned. It came with lima beans that had no hint of the traditional Greek seasonings, only tomato. - The decent flavor of the meat sauce that accompanied the macaroni was marred by burnt meat. Even the kidlets said it tasted bad. - Pastichio is typically one of my favorite Greek entrees, but Avli's version was off and just plain gross. It was a mushy mess of pasta and bechamel sauce overpowered by what seemed to be fennel, which should never be part of this dish. Mom frowned and deemed it "worst pastichio ever". - Saganaki was dry, poorly flavored and not flaming. The only passable selections that I sampled were the Greek village salad, which was very fresh and prepared in the traditional style with a generous amount of feta, and the "choklava"...although truth be told I really would have preferred traditional baklava. As a previous reviewer suggested, save your money and go downtown to Greektown for the real thing if you know and crave Greek food. Avli falls short.
(2)Nadiya M.
Stopped here for lunch while visiting Winnetka. Fiance ordered the gyro sandwich with Greek french fries. I had the vegetarian sandwich with Greek salad. For appetizer, we ordered a small "small plate" of calamari. The calamari was very fresh and definitely not a small plate. It was a very generous portion for price and it being what they called a small plate meal. The gyro was probably the best we both have had. Great quality, obviously not from the pre-sliced gyro meat that many restaurants shamelessly serve. The Greek french fries were just fries with sprinkled feta cheese. Never had fries like that, but will totally be doing it the next time I do. My vegetarian sandwich was delicious. All the flavors blended so well with one another and I could taste each ingredient individually. My only complaint: I wish I had more room to eat! If you are ever in the area, this place is a must! Great price and fantastic quality--something that so few restaurants deliver these days.
(5)ardath b.
We decided to eat here because it was on our way home from work. The atmosphere was OK, the wonderful thing was the yummy smell of the food when you walk in. The food was good but the service stunk. We had a waiter whose English was difficult to understand, made worse by the loudness of the place. For the price, I would not go back.
(3)Stevie G.
Once again Avli continues to impress me with their regional Greek style cooking based on recipes from old friends and family.
(4)Melissa M.
Went to Avli for dinner this past Friday with my husband, 8 year old daughter and my cousin. We will definitely come back again. The Skordalia (garlic with potato) spread appetizer was my favorite. Good for garlic lovers. Hubby ordered the gyros which was okay. Cousin ordered the pastichio which was okay. Think the flavors were authentic as it did not taste like the usual pastichio I get. My daughter ordered the Greek version of mac and cheese but she did not like it. It wasn't very cheesy at all and lacked flavor. My dish was everyone's favorite. I ordered the Poseidon which was a grilled seafood combo of octopus and shrimp. It was fantastic. Very tender and flavorful. I will come here again for the garlic spread and Poseidon.
(4)Mark S.
This was our first visit to Avil and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Service by Samson was excellent and we had our first introduction to Greek wines, which they serve exclusively- just go with the flow. Contrary to past experiences we enjoyed the wine recommendations that we received. Excellent octopus appetizer which was grilled with onions and balsamic vinegar. Same for the "Greek pizza"- Piaaz Avil. Lamb chops at $18 were a great value. I enjoyed the lamb stew special and the bread pudding dessert was the best I've ever had. I would stay away from the steak. Lively atmosphere and something different in the area for a change. It's in the Laundry Mall and occupies a space that has been inhabited by numerous other restaurants. I hope these guys stick around for awhile and can endure the fickleness of the North Shore.
(4)Victoria H.
This location has seen many restaurants over the years, and I am glad to say that Avli seems to have saying power! Our family loves greek food, and this is some of the best around. It is great for both lunch and dinner. They have a great sandwich/salad pairing at lunch for only $8. I had the vegetarian pita and greek salad (which was a little oily, just ask for dressing on the side), but the sandwich was fantastic. Anything grilled at dinner is sure to be perfect, especially seafood. The poseidon plate with the greek herb salad to start is a perfect meal for two people. They have a great outdoor courtyard which allows you to take advantage of lovely Chicago summers. I would highly recommend for a lighter dinner or lunch (heavier options such as lamb burgers and gyros are available and my brother says they are fantastic!)
(4)Susan F.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while. And if my daughter could saganaki her way through life she would. We used a wedeal, which I'm liking a lot more than Groupon lately with their spray tan offers and flying lessons. But I digress. Back to the food, which I have to say, we were not disappointed. I had the lamb burger, which as amazing. While it was quiet for lunch, I'm not sure what the dinner crowd is like. But I would go back in a second. And with friends.
(4)David N.
Some of the best Greek food in the area! We had dinner there on Saturday night, we had to wait a bit for an outside table, the owner actually bought us our appetizers because of the wait, but the wait was worth it. Our service was excellent, food very authentic and I will definitely return.
(5)Bill T.
My wife and I saw a review for this place on the hungry hound. We were not dissapointed. We started with the zuchini chips and the eggplant/feta/tzatziki dip. All were excellent, including the garlic dip served with the zuchini chips. Not too much garlic but enought to get the flavor. We enjoyed the dips so much that we decided to forgo the entrees and order more appetizers. The flatbread and leek filled pitas were great. We added the baked shrimp and finished with the choclava. Both were just as good as we hoped. The service that we got from our server (Nikko) was fantastic. We are looking forward to our next visit to this beautiful restaurant.
(5)Ashee T.
We just moved to the area and were sad to have left our favorite Greek place in the city... BUT did we find gem!! This will be a regular spot for us!! I had the Poseidon plate and it was amazing. By far the best grilled octopus i have ever had, incredibly tender. We also had a great watermelon salad (special of the day) and the stuffed jumbo prawn, also extremely good (on the rich side). We took the chocolate baclava home to eat and it was really good too. There are so many more things i want to try from the menu and can't wait to go back!
(5)sandeep p.
My wife and I love the food here. All the ingredients taste very fresh. i wish it was less noisy though. Avoid going on weekend nights.
(4)Christian C.
I was just here for New Year's Eve with my "Big Fat Greek" New Year's Eve Party.....25 of my closest relatives. I must say I was very impressed by the Service and the Food. We were graciously greeted and each adult was served Champaign (Happy New Year!!!). The appetizers were ordered and were served in a very timely manner and were wonderful. A great Greek Salad, Kalamari, and beautifully prepared vegetables. The Service was very attentive but in no way instrusive. We were all sitting in their Bar areas...which for a party our size offered us great privacy....we were all to ourselves. After the dinner was served, the owner came by to see how we enjoyed our meals, shared some great stories and a laugh with us and moved on. A very nice personal touch. The food I must was was delicious. It was definitely Greek, but with a very unique twist...wonderfully spiced, beautifully prepared. Check this place out for a great meal in Chicago's north suburbs.
(5)Gail Z.
Had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Finally got there and was terribly disappointed with my dinner. First, the staff didn't appear to want to be there. No greeting from our server after being seated at the smallest table right next to a post near the fireplace. We could have eaten off the table next to us we were so close. I kept getting bumped by the scurrying servers. Tried to order the pork that was on the menu and told that they didn't have it. Ordered a salad that was just ok. Grilled octopus was just ok. My husband was Greek and I have eaten in Greek homes and restaurants for over 35 years. Never have I eaten pastitsio that tasted like what I was served. Bechamel had only the flavor of raw flour, no taste at all. I never did find the ground beef and tomatoes that are supposed to be there. To their credit after apprising them of this they did offer another choice but we declined as I didn't want to wait for another 25 minutes. Asked if we wanted a desert we declined, but the manager insisted and we were presented with a bag of three different desserts to take home. Choclava was not bad, but the pistachio dessert had some kind of cream on top and it was sour, and the third was a kind of cheesecake made with a special cheese--not so good. They did take off the cost of my dinner from the bill. I know this sounds like a rant of a very fussy patron, but I really am not that hard to please, but I am so tired of restaurants that profess to be something they are not. Can't believe the reviews I read about this place that got me there. I will not return. So sorry as I really had high hopes..
(2)Deb D.
I was here last summer so my memory of specific dishes is vague. But... I do remember this - Loved the outdoor seating, had an awesome waiter, good wine, and all of the dishes (there were 6 of us) were outstanding. We were all pleasantly surprised and made sure to share all the appetizers and entrees. Really... so good! And after so many really mediocre Greek restaurants in the burbs, this is a must on your list. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Alex R.
Great setting, food, and wine selection. We really enjoyed our night out without breaking the bank. Thanks Avli.
(5)J M.
Fantastic food and service, lovely interior.
(5)Shawn B.
Good, Upscale Greek. I've been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Most of the dishes were very good. My wife had a fish for dinner that was outstanding. The flatbreads have also been good. The fried smelts were a disappointment.
(4)Dale D.
We celebrated an achievement with our accountability group. The food was excellent, the service was attentive. We had a great time!
(5)Jodi H.
Avli is a great dinner option, especially since there is very little greek food around Winnetka. The appetizers are very good, especially the zucchini chips and chargrilled octopus. I would not recommend the egg-lemon soup, there are much better things worth trying. For dinner, I love the skewers, especially the shrimp. They are always grilled and seasoned to perfection. The lamb burger is great, another example of their great grilling and comes with a spicy red pepper spread that is amazing. Gyros are very yummy, and well above the typical greasy kind you can get at other places. If you are a seafood lover, the poseidon plate is a great option and good for sharing. Especially lovely on summer days/nights, great outside seating area! Its always nice to support local restaurants and avli is definitely worth a visit!
(4)EL G.
Simply Apisteuto (amazing)! I've been a fan of greek food all through my 8 years of college. And after moving to the city I've been to a couple of very nice greek restaurants in Chicago. This restaurant stood out above the rest without any questions. Granted in college I ate at the local gyros place (nothing fancy). In the city the places were nice and more formal but nothing really stood out in terms of food and service. This place owned it all. Their menu is outstanding. I ordered the stuffed chicken with spinach and feta and it was delicious and filling. The mashed potatos on this plate were also reaaaaally good. But I couldn't take my eyes off my friend's plate. He ordered the Moussaka Aginarato (a type of casserole). I tried some of it and was blown away. Everyone else in our party of 6 was also very happy with their choices. Our server Nico was great. He had actually waitered for someone in our party in a previous visit and he was requested by her for our dinner last night. The ladies in our group were able to sample three different red wines and a sparkling wine just to finally decide what they wanted to drink which was very generous of Nico. Lastly I'll mention that if you are a fan of white wine, specifically a pinot grigio go with the Boutari Moscofilero. Apparently it's a very popular greek pinot grigio. Their wine selection is actually very exclusive to their restaurant because they have the largest greek wine selection in the country. So definitely check this place out if you are a wine connoisseur. P.s. Eat here their food is amazing!!!
(5)Michael G.
food was very good and reasonably priced. the service was outstanding. kid friendly
(4)constantine a.
This past saturday my family and I visited Avli for the first time. We were very impressed from the beautiful decor and courtyard, very accommodating staff, and great food. This is the Best Greek Restaurant on the North Shore. Considering it being a Greek Restaurant, their price points were great. Their fish entrees were highly popular when looking at other tables. Save room for the Bread Pudding, one of the best i have ever had. We will be back very soon.
(4)L D.
This is the second time I've eaten at Avli's. I had no complaints the first time. However, the second time, although the food was good, the service almost spoiled our dinner. The server was impatient and kept rushing us to order before we were ready. He also recommended only the highest-priced specials and pressured us to order them. Finally, he also pressured us to order wine with our dinner. He clearly was just trying to run up the bill. The service took away from what would otherwise have been an excellent dinner.
(2)Philip P.
Split a lamb shank with someone and it was moist and delicious with baked vegetables...mmmmm. My favorite greek places are in Chicago but this place was a nice surprise in the suburbs and left full and satisfied. Reasonable prices and great staff.
(4)Brenda R.
Regrets, I've had a few....I knew something was afoot when I saw only 3 people in for lunch and one (grumpy) waiter. It took a while to find something appetizing. Poor choices. Settled for a boring pita, and an overpriced, dry/old bread pudding in a sauce attempting to disguise the content.
(1)Eli R.
I LOVE Greek food and Avli has the best Greek food I've ever had in America. Everything my wife and I have tried so far has been fantastic. The restaurant itself is a great space, with plenty of seating, private room, bar, and an outdoor patio. The employees are all pleasant and helpful. We make it a point to go back often. The prices are also very reasonable for how great the food is and how nice the atmosphere is. It has become our go-to restaurant. The tsatsiki is the best ever. Honestly. The grilled octopus is tasty when done right, but has been over-charred at times, so just a warning there. The gyros are amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I highly recommend it.
(5)Tanya T.
very lively, always busy. Very tasty, superb service, great presentation. Try their fish of the day (usually grilled sea bass) - they even de-bone it for you. Greek white wines were surprisingly good. Been there several times.
(5)Bob B.
First class Greek (as good as any Greektown restaurant), good service, comfortable ambience, NOT too noisey, wonderful fireplace, interesting menu, free parking. I had the lamb chops - terrific! And a delightful surprise at the price. Who could ask for anything more?
(4)Jeff K.
Went to dinner there the other night as we happen to be in the area late on a Friday night and needed a place to eat. This place was highly recommended to us and it was truly delicious. When we arrived my wife and were dressed very casual and still fit in. It has a great outdoor area but because we didn't have a reservation we could not sit there. The place was packed and we were lucky we got a table. I got a tea to start because my throat was hurting and it was the best tea I have ever had! As an appetizer we got the dolmades and something else that I can't remember. The dolmades were just ok, but wife loves the other thing. I'm gluten free so I could not eat whatever the other appetizer was. We each got a salad - I got the Greek and she got the beet, both were delicious! The feta cheese was the best I've ever had and the dressing was just EVOO but it was amazing! As for a main course I got the chicken kabob and chicken was cooked to perfection, delicious! The green beans were the worst part of the dinner, they tasted liked canned - they were quite gross. I also thought I got rice with my meal but I didn't get it. My wife had the stuffed tomato and she thought it was very good, we both loved her potato that came with it. Overall the meal was very good! The owner was very nice, the waiter was good not great but the owner made up for it. The menu is well labeled with gluten free options. Overall when I'm back in the area I will absolutely return. Next time I'll call ahead to get a reservation and sit outside.
(5)Elaine M.
Came here for kind of latish dinner, nice that they are open to 10:00 even on week days! The place was still busy when we left a little after nine. We weren't super hungry so we decided to share a bowl of soup and a Poseidon platter. The Avgolemono soup, an egg lemon soup with orzo, was great! It came out of the kitchen hot and ready for slurping up. We liked that it wasn't super thick or overly thickened with corn starch. The seafood platter was grilled octopus, shrimp and calamari with grilled onions and reduced balsamic. We had a little misfire at the start when the waiter brought the wrong platter (only grilled octopus) but the mistake was discovered and handled by the manager and perfectly. We really liked this plattter and would order it again. I loved how the balsamic made the dish sweet and spicy all at the same time. I hope to return again some time soon with a larger appetite and try some other selections. As an added bonus, although located in the back of a mall, the restaurant's atmosphere is charming. I liked the exposed brick wall and appreciated how it made me feel like I was somewhere cozy and quaint. Much better experience here than the Greek restaurants that I have frequented in Greektown, Chicago.
(4)michael w.
Yet another Yelp Mobile App find! Thanks Yelp! The patio was packed and the prices were reasonable considering the real estate. The service was friendly, pleasant and professional. The beer prices for the 16oz were not out of line. The two entrees we tried were good, not great, but good. Not sure what the stand outs here are, but it's affordable enough with enough swank that we'll probably be back for more to explore. Bonus, within walking to downtown drag and close to home.
(3)phyllis s.
Great food, great service....and they have a wonderful private room for a small party!
(5)Elina S.
I made a reservation for this place like a month before for my girlfriends birthday party on a Saturday night around 8pm. I knew I wanted to make the reservation in advance since she had a party of 14 so I really wanted them to accommodate us especially in their much talked about outdoor patio. It really is a spectacular atmosphere outside, you should seriously come here alone for it. I really really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect on a summer evening here. So they seriously get 3 stars alone for that outdoor patio as I would come here just to sit outside. Now let's get to everything else. The person I made the reservation was very friendly, the hostess who greeted us, was also friendly. Our server through the night, also super friendly so they definitely get a point for that. However, I wouldn't say I loved the customer service as some things didn't exactly impress us. We ordered a bunch of the grilled octopus appetizers, and the server didn't mention to us that it came in a small and a large and I wish we gotten the small since I didn't love it here to be honest. It was missing the lemon zest I usually prefer from a greek grilled octopus. And the small portion is $12 compared to the large $17. We wouldn't have gotten as many if we knew we would be getting the large portion. Anyways, I would pass on that in general. I did love the taramasalata spread for $6 with fresh and warm pita bread, I had so much of that which really filled me up and I wasn't hungry anymore. It was that good, they definitely did that right. My husband ordered the gyros for his entree and I ordered the lamb burger on a chibiata bread with zucchini crisps. I tried some of his gyros and they were way too much on the salty side for me. I thought my burger was pretty good, it came with this spicy aoli sauce that went well but like I said I took a few bites because I was already super full. Since it was a birthday we did bring our own cake so we didn't get to try any of theres. So overall, we had a very nice time. The server was a little off at times and didn't really want to split our bill because we had quite a few people, but overall he was friendly and attempted to make conversation with us so that's always nice. I wouldn't say I loved the food, minus that taramasalata spread, felt it was okay but overall given their perfect atmosphere I think I'll be back for tons of wine and spreads next time.
(4)Alana K.
Best Greek food I've ever had period!! (And I've eaten at all the Greek-town restaurants in Chicago) The first time I ate here I came with a girlfriend and we dined on Avli's charming patio - it felt like we were in Santorini with cute hanging lights and a warm spring breeze! We started with a beet salad and a bean app; both were spectacular with super-fresh, flavorful ingredients. We then split the sturgeon, broiled whole and infused with olive oil and lemons, delish, another winner! I'm not willy nilly with handing out 5 stars on Yelp but Avli earned it - flavorful, fresh ingredients, affordable and scenic... this place is a home run! Whether for a date night or a dinner with girlfriends, I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again and again. (In fact I was back the weekend before last for another fantastic meal!)
(5)Lou Ann E.
We had a delicious dinner tonight at Avli. The outdoor patio is lovely and service was outstanding. Will return soon.
(5)Courtney K.
Avli is a hidden gem in this area (seriously, its tucked in the back of a shopping mall, you wouldn't know about it unless someone recommended it to you). The outdoor seating area is gorgeous in the summer, I absolutely love the decor. Waiters are super friendly and on point with the wine suggestions every time. The grilled octopus appetizer and sakanaki are fantastic, I get them every time. Mousakka is great, the portion is HUUUGE though. You can definitely share between 2 people if you are also getting appetizers. Need to come back here and try the choclova or the yogurt mousse! I tell myself I'm going to save room for dessert before I go every time but of course I end up eating too much and getting full :p
(5)Carry G.
Always very good! Great food, great prices... Great service.... Enrique is the best!!!:)
(5)Michael B.
Tucked away in a converted brick loft commercial building in downtown Winnetka, this charming friendly Greek restaurant serves both classic and updated Greek cuisine, all of which is fresh and tasty. Indoor space has exposed brick, high timber loft ceilings and big windows looking to a lovely outdoor garden/seating area. The staff are excellent, professional and you get the sense that the servers and kitchen are tight, coordinated and rarely miss a beat. Nice selection of reasonably priced wines to accompany the meal. Nice menu with interesting appetizers [grilled balsamic octopus, artichoke with capers and lemon zest, cod row with onions and spices], nice selection of fresh meats and fish as well as a limited selection of their slow cooked lamb and other specials. Suggest you call in advance and find out what the specials are and pre-order if you can as they do go fast. Having received numerous accolades over the years, Avli is a tasty casual gem in the north burbs. Easy parking.
(4)Nanxi L.
The very satisfying list: Appetizer: Spetzofai Meal: Arni Kokkinisto and Seafood Orzo We biked up from Evaston. It's on our way to the Chicago botanic garden. It's in a little shopping mall. We had an appetizer Spetzofai, somebody's a big fun of sau'sages....tasty, flavorful but not too heavy (okay, for us heavy eaters). My main dish was Arni Kokkinisto. They do not have it in the Lunch menu small portion but made it from dinner menu (a bit costy and too much for lunch). But I was too eager to try *braised* anything and never will I miss eggplant purée, which always reminds me of Turkish cuisine too. My meal buddy had a Seafood Orzo. We were blown away by the scallop, the tenderness, the juiciness, the thickness...a big portion of our hearts lost in it.....The rice shape pasta was easy with teeth but lightly chewy. Will go back to try grilled octopus, mentioned a lot by fellow yelpers.
(4)Andrea R.
Moms night out in da burbs- whoo hoo! I decided to pass up my regular GNO spot (holler Trifecta Grill*) & choose a location where we could actually hear each other. The winner...Avli Estiatorio. Unfortunately, the private party room was booked, but we ended up having most of the bar area to ourselves. If I hadn't driven with someone who knew where Avli is located exactly there's a good chance I would have never found it and missed out on good food/wine. For other first timers it's inside the building where Cafe Buongiorno is located. I started my night with a much needed glass of lovely sauvignon blanc. And then we ordered a bunch of apps for the table to share. We let the mom who had eaten there before do the ordering. She did a fabulous job and we soon had a table full of delish apps. Favorites included the flaming cheese, fried zucchini chips & shrimp tourkolimano. I do think their pita bread could use a bit of work, but besides that they've got a good thing going back in the kitchen. They weren't very busy on a Wed night, but we were still proud that we were the last remaining table. We got the "hint" that it was time to get back to the (hopefully) sleeping kiddies when they turned the lights on at 10pm. I hear they have a fabulous (and busy) patio so that's reason enough for me to get back to Avli if/when it warms up around here. * yelp.com/biz/trifecta-gr…
(4)Alan B.
We visited them this past Thursday for the first time. I have to say that we almost turned around thinking that the place was closed. You have to park and walk into the mall and make several turns until you find them. We enjoyed our experience, the service was incredible, nice clean environment. Really loved the grilled octopus! Will be visiting them again very soon!
(5)Sandy L.
I like this place but it could be so much better. It used to be better, actually, now that I think about it. Attractive place with a nice outdoor patio. Some of the food is very good. Other items just make me wonder what they were thinking. I have been there for both dinners and lunches. I try to avoid it for lunch because they have such a limited lunch menu, unless you want something heavy. I was surprised that Buon Giorno, in the same block, was mobbed at lunchtime but Avli was empty, until I saw the Avli lunch menu. They really need many more salads, and more interesting ones. I ended up ordering the lentil salad and it was literally a huge pile of not particularly flavorful lentils on top of some lettuce. Nothing else, not even dressing. I know this is a Greek place, but for lunch in the 'burbs, it's pretty much the "ladies who lunch" places that are successful, and everyone needs some real salads, IMO. Service is very nice but very slow, which was odd because it was pretty empty. I like the owner and staff really want them to succeed.
(3)Kim S.
Bar far my favorite sit down Greek place. The food has always been delicious and the service friendly and accommodating. The gyros are delectable the meat is seasoned well, the tomatoes are always fresh and the pita warm and soft. My favorite side is the fried zucchini. Lightly fried, good flavor and the potato hummus with it has a great flavor. They will always bring you more pita to enjoy all the food on the table. Servings are pretty big too and I always end up bringing some home for the next day. Overall a great restaurant that keeps me coming back to try everything on the menu.
(5)Liz H.
One of my favorite restaurants! Great service, nice atmosphere for conversation, and excellent seafood. Also love the dandelion greens and all of the brunch options. When it's warm out, it is nice to eat outside. My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner here and everyone was really happy!
(5)Denise K.
The appetizers and dinner was spectacular. The saganaki was awesome because it was not salty at all, like many other restaurants. The moussaka and the sampler of dips was fantastic. The best part was our waiter, Enrique. He was absolutely fantastic. He joked with us the whole time, gave us great food recommendations, was very attentive, and was such a nice person to have serve us. The owner was also very attentive, as he checked on us a few times to make sure we were having a great experience. My only reason for giving 4 stars was I didn't understand why there were no authentic Greek desserts on the menu. That was a bit disappointing. Great experience. Will definitely return. If you go, make sure you ask for Enrique.
(4)Phil M.
I have been to this place maybe 3 times, hoping that the closest Greek restaurant to my house would improve. I was there a few weeks ago, and sadly it has not. I find it to be consistently over-priced and under-quality. Service is inconsistent too. When I see the positive reviews people have written here, it makes me wonder if those people know their Greek food. Periyales and Mykonos are much better choices in the northern burbs. Demitri's in Deerfield even. Or Greek Islands in the city. I sincerely hope that this place improves but I am dubious.
(2)Steve A.
This authentic Greek restaurant is a sprawling collection of rooms and outdoor spaces located on the rear side of The Laundry complex. There is a very extensive list of Greek wines, plus all the Greek appetizers and entrees you'd expect. We particularly enjoyed the salads and the lamb burger.
(4)John V.
Great location, knowledgable staff, good prices for great authentic Greek food, and prompt, courteous service. Will go back next time I'm in the area.
(5)Ryan R.
4 stars for the food. 3 for the service. This place has to offer an array of Greek Tapas-like appetizers which are excellent. The "flaming cheese" is always a Greek favorite and this scrumptious appetizer is not as salty as most other restaurants that serve this. They have a great wine menu...the Pinot Noir is from Greece! They filet the Red Snapper table-side, and unlucky for me they were out of it last night. Lamb Chops were exceptionally delicious...and of course I took the bones home for the pup.
(4)Harry M.
Summer is great for Avli when they open the back up and you feel like you can be in a Greek Courtyard somewhere in Greece. Food is pretty consistent and prices fairly reasonable especially on North Shore. I think these guys are relatives to Greek Islands in Chicago's Greek Town neighborhood which is really good food and very fast!
(4)Matthew K.
I just wanted to add a note, that on my previous review, I was reviewing their lunch pricing and options. I love this place for lunch, and only like it for dinner. Dinner prices are a bit higher, still reasonable for what you get, but not a bargain like their lunch pricing. I also liked the lunch options a bit more.
(4)Lisa K.
Be sure to come before 7p or the specials will be gone (#baitandswitch). Lame. And don't bother ordering a vodka grapefruit because they are were out of grapefruit juice. ???!! Waiter was inattentive and the food was average at best. Much better last time we were there. So disappointing. Try Trifecta down the street. ??
(2)Donald J.
Tried it for the first time last night on my birthday. It was great. We did not need the reservation we made. I had a small draft craft beer, my wife a cocktail. We shared a saganaki and greek salad The bread was good. I had a beef rib and pasta entrée (not on the current Yelp menu), my wife had an eggplant dish. They were superb and we each took half home. For dessert we split a Choclava, their take on baklava. It was the best dessert I can remember for a long time. The "birthday" cheesecake with candle was good too. The waitstaff was attentive and timed things exactly right. Our water glasses were always full. When I saw that the total check before taxes and tip was only $78, I was amazed. I suppose that on a full night, it could be noisy. The seats aren't especially comfortable, but not uncomfortable. There are table cloths and napkins with nice candles on the tables. I really had to search to find these possible negatives!
(5)Yana N.
Love this place. Great food and ambience! Good find! Best Greek food on the north-shore by far! will be back KID FRIENDLY! =)
(5)Brayden K.
My wife and I stopped in for a quick dinner before a movie. I had high hopes for the place based on previous Yelp reviews, and I was not disappointed. It really is a great neighborhood restaurant with a strong sense of character. The Greek personality is evident in every aspect of the restaurant, down to the warm shoulder hug that the restaurant's manager gave me as he asked if we were enjoying our meal. We most certainly were. My wife had a large African prawn that was as delicious as it looked on the menu. There was nothing small about this prawn. It clearly had a well-fed life prior to ending up on my wife's dinner plate. It tasted delicious too, stuffed with cheese and herbs that made the mouth melt. I had the beef kapama dish, a short rib cooked in a tomato (and cinammon) sauce that sits on top of a plate of pasta. The ratio of short rib to pasta was just right. Sometimes after eating short rib, I feel weighed down, but I didn't after eating this lovely dish. My only complaint about the dish was that I would have liked a little more sauce with it. The flavor was delicious and I wanted more of it! We started our meal with a beautiful plate of fried zucchini. It was a pretty big plate and when they delivered it to our table, I thought there was no way we'd get through the entire thing. Of course, after realizing how crisp and delicious they were, we devoured all of them. Even though it was fried, I didn't feel all greasy afterward. They know how to apply a light touch at this restaurant. The servers and the entire staff were extremely friendly and much more welcoming than the average north shore franchise. We're coming back!
(4)Lucy C.
A friend and I grabbed a late dinner on their beautiful patio on a warm summer evening. The ambiance was beyond perfect with the delicate lighting, subtle breeze, and light aroma of food and wine. Our server was quick to bring our beverages and offer recommendations before we ordered. They're not the most conventional choices, but we ordered zucchini chips to share, stuffed chicken breast, and lobster pasta. Although there were glaring complaints about the food, there was also nothing to write home about. The chips were a little too oily, the chicken a little too dry, the pasta a little too basic; perhaps my taste buds have just been spoiled by Chicago's Greektown. Regardless, Avli Estiatorio provided a perfect venue at which to slow down and catch up on our increasingly fast paced lives. The location itself is a little tricky to find. It's tucked away in the back of the Laundry building. Look for "566" and walk all the way to the back.
(2)Otto A.
Gyro was tasty yet a tad dry as wel as the stuffed chicken. The mini rack of lamb ordered medium rare came very rare. When they cooked it more it was ok yet a bit grizzly. Thought lamb was leaner. Vegetables came out cool to warm. Potato wedges were pre cooked, soft and soggy. Appetizers were great and service was prompt.
(2)Benn R.
Went here for lunch on a weekday and there weren't a lot of people. Their chicken kebab was good. Food is reasonably priced. Recommended.
(4)Burt A.
Simply the best Greek food I have had. Priced fairly and very good service. Been there for lunch and dinner and never disappointed.
(5)C S.
We arrived right on time for our reservations. They asked if they could seat us in the outdoor area and I said NO, but they seated us there anyway. It was November and the temperature was a little chilly. We were the only people in the room. As we sat down and waited for our drinks, the waiter and two other employee's got into an argument with raised voices and speaking in greek, no pun. This loud discussion went on for about 8-9 minutes and by the time the waiter came back with a menu, my stomach was in knots. We decided to order appetizers and leave. I ordered the calamari --FRIED. When it came, it was STEAMED and so was I. I really just wanted to take it to go, which is what I did, because my companion had already finished theirs. After I paid the bill, I thought that the owner or manager might want to know about our experience. On my way out, I did just that. Should have saved my breath. Arrogance can kill a restaurant faster than anything.
(2)Rick R.
Delicious Greek food on the north Shore. I really enjoyed the Pasticio (Greek lasagna) it was creamy, cheesy, meaty casserole for the Gods--yum! Gyros was great too! Opah!!!!
(4)Jeff K.
Our first and last time here. This was a huge disappointment, having looked forward to trying out a Greek restaurant in the North Shore. We will have to continue to make the drive to Niles for Periyales. The food was not well-prepared and our service experience was awful. The Greek salad, while flavorful, was heavy on the oil. My wife's sea bass was also oily, and my pastichio was globby in texture (of course it's not a light dish, but this was extreme) and apart from the nutmeg, was on the bland side. Our waiter was totally inattentive to the point that he never came around to ask if we wanted a second glass of wine. We waited forever after our plates were cleared for him to return to offer us dessert or the check.
(1)Chris A.
My wife and I have been here a few times since she works down the street. The food at Avli is fantastic. I've had their giro several times and it's always fantastic. The last time we dined here, I ordered the short rib pasta special... and wow, was it good! We always start with the flatbread since we crave it regularly :) The owners and staff are wonderful too!
(5)Rob W.
Just finished a wonderful dinner at Avli. I highly recommend it! Our group of 4 enjoyed our entrees: beef kabobs, stuffed tomatoes and 2 of us shared the sea bass. Bread and flaming cheese were great as well. The Greek wines were a very pleasant surprise. Very nice outside dining area. Appetizer, entrees and wine for less than $40 per person including tip
(5)Carol P.
Great location and decor. Great Greek food and a good selection if Greek wines. Excellent service!
(5)Natalie B.
Food continues to be excellent but I am only giving it three stars due to horrible service. Our waiter was MIA most of the evening, food came out wrong (waiter claimed he didnt hear, even though I specified twice the way I wanted food cooked, husband's sides were wrong, salad was forgotten and it goes on). Dinner took forever, and we almost felt like leaving. At this point I probably wont go out of my way to go back-I was just too frustrated with the service tonight.
(3)Becky N.
First, props to our waiter Angel. What a sweetheart who knows his stuff. This is the best Greek restaurant I have ever been to and I have been to a lot of them. Starters: Saganaki and octopus, we are not in Greek Town anymore Toto!!! Yummy Braised lamb for the hubby and seafood pasta dish for me. Can't begin to tell you how fresh and wonderful everything was. We will be back soon. Almost forgot, dessert. Chocolate Baklava: oh my goodness, shut the front door!!!
(5)Larry F.
Very good Greek food experience. I went with a group of four. We split several small plate appetizers included stuffed grape leaves and some giant beans. The beans were a little bland but the stuffed grape leaves were quite good. Saganaki is not really traditional, but who can complain about flaming hot cheese? For my main course, I had vegetarian moussaka, which was hot, hearty and filling.
(4)John B.
C and I met Adam and Marge for dinner here last Saturday. The weather was ideal for it, so we dined on the patio. The food and service were excellent and the ambiance very nice. The server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The only odd thing was that he described the broiled fish special as sea bass. When he delivered the fish, which he and another server de-boned seconds before placing the fish on the table, he announced, "You will see ... it's better than sea bass." He scurried off and we didn't ask. Fortunately, the fish was very tasty, no matter the species. Still, it would be nice to know exactly what one is ordering. The only negative is that Yelp indicates that this restaurant is $$. It is not. It is $$$. The four of us had the following: 2 house salads 2 broiled fish specials 2 shrimp/octopus/calamari dish two deserts one bottle of inexpensive white wine $32) 2 glasses of house red wine Total with a 17% tip: $220 (which =$$$) We have been here before and will likely return, but it's more expensive than you might plan on. Whoppa!
(3)Dave J.
Very good Greek food! Very mediocre service! Hey, c'mon, how long does it take to ask a customer if they want a refill? It's a win-win for both...the restaurant makes money serving another beer, customer is happy that his thirst is quenched. Aside from this misstep, I highly recommend giving this place a try. Mrs. and I ventured in on a stormy night, well after the dinner rush. There were a few tables occupied, and I was initially pleased with the personality and demeanor of our server. As the night wore on, so did my nerves. The lack of attention given to us was borderline apalling. We loved our appetizers...grilled octopus and prasopita (phyllo dough wrapped around a nice and melty greek cheese and herbs). The octopus was tender and had a pleasant smokey flavor. The prasopita was a nice change from the traditional saganaki, but far less dramatic because nothing was set on fire and nobody yelled "opaaa!". Mrs. ordered gyros...yeah, I know you can get gyros at practically any independent fast food outlet...but I've never sampled a better tasting gyros ANYWHERE...these were outstanding. I chose beef tenderloin souvlaki. These cubes of heaven were tender and nicely seasoned. Desserts were great too. I had the traditional baklava, but with a tasty twist...chocolate! It's called Choclava! And it's a delicious take on the classic Greek dessert. If you love chocolate, and love baklava...you'll flip over Choclava! Mrs. had vanilla ice cream, which she enjoyed, but not as much as I enjoyed my Choclava! Aside from not being offered additional beverages, I really enjoyed Avli and would go back again...hopefully when there's a more attentive waiter on duty.
(4)Anahit G.
Good Greek food, but only standard and nothing really exceptional (for truly amazing Greek food head to Greek Town). We had gyros and the Poseidon plate. Gyros were tasty, but the Poseidon plate was ordinary and the different seafood was mixed with a sauce that made it all taste the same. Basically, if you're in the area and craving Greek food I'd recommend this place. It has a cozy outdoor patio and nice decor. Otherwise, there might be better options in other burbs and the city.
(3)Paige P.
I love this place! Excellent food! Their specials are always AMAZING! Went there last night and had a short rib pasta dish.... To die for!
(5)Nancy L.
Had a great meal with the family on the patio. Very nice outdoor seating area and the wait staff was very attentive. Kids loved the flaming Saganaki - to see and eat. The spicy feta spread with pitas was a great appetizer. The Diane's salad with arugula, pears, grilled Manouri cheese, nuts with a honey vinaigrette was a great choice. To make it a meal I tried some chicken breast on top which was well seasoned but a bit dry. Would order again but with a Chicken skewer which looked more tender. Seafood orzo was flavorful with lots of seafood and tomato sauce on the orzo which gave the pasta a delightful creamy texture. Pastchio was good - crunchy cheese on top with a thick layer of sauce and long tube noodles and ground beef. The multi textures were great . While it was pretty good it seemed to lack some complexity of flavor that I've had in other versions. Yogurt Mousse was wonderful - light, creamy and flavorful without the tang you'd expect in a yogurt. Perfect on a warm day. Choclava - chocolate lava cake was good - cherries on side were a bit sticky syrupy but good if you ate them with a bit of the cake. Will go again - maybe we'll try the Meze (tapas) next time and sample a number of things that looked really good at other tables.
(4)L. F.
I was introduced to this gem through friends and absolutely love it! Everything is fresh and flavorful, so delicious. I crave the cucumber, tomato and feta salad. The chicken kabobs and gyros are fabulous. Highly recommend for a fabulous, Greek meal.
(4)Liz S.
I will never remember the name of this place - to me, it will always be "that new Greek place in the Laundry". That said, it is worth seeking out, whether you can remember the name or not. My mom and I had a wonderful lunch of small plates there (see pics) on the patio on a summer afternoon. Everything was well prepared, flavorful, of very high quality, and served quickly. I loved the roasted red peppers stuffed with spicy feta cheese, the greek sausage flavored with orange, and the Taramosalata the best. The grilled octopus was also excellent. Neither one of us cared for the pork tenderloin, but all of the other dishes were so good, it was hard for this one to measure up. We felt that we ate a large amount of interesting, exciting food for a fair price, in a nice atmosphere - a big win in a small town. Next time I am in town, I will definitely go back and try some of the other dishes.
(4)Frederick C.
Perhaps it's because I live in Winnetka, and it was snowing out, but Alvi Estiatorio is a little gem of a Greek restaurant, with good Greek food and great ambiance, including a lovely fireplace that warms the entire dining room. I say good Greek food because I have dined frequently in Greek Town in downtown Chicago, and Alvi is not Greek town. However, it's very convenient for those who live on the North Shore, the prices are lower than Greek town, the food is good, and the ambiance is even better! The best indicator of how I feel about the restaurant is that I plan to go back!
(4)Aubrey T.
Such a gem! Food: Our table shared two good appetizers - the Gigantes (large white beans in a warm red sauce with melty feta) and the artichokes. My "Poseidon Plate" (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) entree was so hearty and delicious. It is rich (very heavy on the olive oil) and has amazing seasoning. I would have trouble not ordering this every time I go back. My dining companions also enjoyed the fish of the day and the exceptionally good gyro. Ambiance: Even though this is in the The Laundry building (a small mall-like interior with connected stores and restaurants), you forget that as soon as you're inside the restaurant. It is cozy and lovely in the back room with the fire place. I would request to be in that room at the corner booth (if you have at least 4 people). There was a wide mix of patrons on Friday night - from suits to jeans, families and couples. Service: Not sure if it's because my relatives I went with are regular diners, but no complaints on the service per other reviews.
(5)Lora S.
Avli is a neighborhood gem. I have introduced dozens of people to Avli over the last few years. The gyros is wonderful and the fish of the day is usually a whole prepared fish and is spectacular. Generous drinks and wonderful ambience. In the summer definitely sit on the patio
(4)Chowhound C.
Finally.....after 4 highly educated adults roamed the streets of Winnetka looking for what sounded like a better version of the city's Athenian Room, we found Avli Estiatorio. Even though it was more difficult to find than half the crap I searched for in the 1985 Highlights magazines from my old dentist's office, it was worth the effort. Aside from the homey atmosphere and welcoming staff, I mostly enjoyed the first and last part of our meal. The Greek Village Salad was one of the best. Crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and some perfect pairings toppled over my oh-so-favorite cold salad plate. This was one of the better Greek Salads I've had. Nothing was soggy and it was all super fresh. -Chowhound Chick chowhoundchick.blogspot.…
(3)Marie D.
Wonderful, brand new restaurant in Winnetka - a very needed addition to the NorthShore food scene! We've been there several times now and haven't been disappointed with anything. The mezes, salads, main dishes, seafood, wine list - it's all top notch. It's not expensive, either, which means we can take the kids (chicken skewers for $5, can't beat that!), sit on the patio, and enjoy without feeling guilty about it. I especially love the bread salad, lentil salad, fried zucchini chips, pork skewers, saganaki, gigantes, pastichio, flatbreads, and sea bass... yes, we've sampled a lot! Great Greek wines starting at $5.50 a glass, too!
(5)Orack B.
Wowee! Who deserves more blame, the American palate or the Americanization of Greek cuisine? I shouldn't even use the word cuisine in association with Avli. To all the people who think this is a great representation of Greek food or that Avli, "transported you to Athens," get a grip. This place spits out bastardized versions of the "classics." You have no clue what you are talking about...
(2)Rachel N.
Truly a 3.5 for me--this is an unexpectedly nice place--perfect for a casual Sunday night dinner--but went w/ the fam on a Saturday night at 6:30 and it was packed! I'm thrilled that the Avli is doing well--we're lived in Winnetka for almost 20 years and I think we've seen 5ish (give or take a couple) restaurants go in and out in this location, so I'm hoping that the general enthusiasm bodes well for its longevity. We started w/ the flaming cheese (spelling not attempted!), which was nice and crispy--of course presented tableside and with an "Opa!", the lentil salad, the greek salad, and the tzatziki. The salads were perfectly pleasant--light--although I would have liked a bit more lemon in my Greek dressing, it was still nice and well sized, though I wouldn't plan on having it as an entree. Oh, forgot--excellent grilled octopus--great balance of char and flavor, if that makes sense. The tzatkizi was some of the best I've ever had--really garlicy, thick, and perfect. For mains we got the salmon "en papillote" which came on a nice bed of fennel and other veggies--salmon had great texture and was piping hot after coming out of the sac. Madre got the "Poseidon platter" which was a melange of grilled seafood and onion--well sized and she seemd to enjoy. Dad went for the grilled chicken--perhaps none of of has the most authentic Greek meal (sea gods aside), but it was all well prepared and I left hoping that it makes it! I'm sure that we'll be back, it's a nice change from O'Neil's! Oh the wine list is all Greek, make of that what you will? No one in our party complained, but we aren't expert vinologists.
(4)Carolyn S.
The food here USED to be quite good. Now, this place is a complete disaster. The food is not fresh and certainly not prepared by anyone that knows what they're doing. The waiters are an utter joke! These are the kind of Greeks that give other Greeks a bad name! Pushy with selling you as much of their crappy wine as possible, but when you try to ask for anything they run from you like the plague! I regret asking friends to meet me here for dinner. I was starving and left hungry because the lobster pasta was horrible and the Greek salad was worse. Oh and, because I was the only American at the table (everyone else Greek) the waiter ignored me the entire time. If you want excellent Greek food and great service, go to Mythos Taverna in Chicago.
(1)Carrie R.
The food is great here! However last night service was missing. Seated a half hour after reservation, bar was too full to get a drink...the hostess even told us that. Time is going by and we are getting pissed, I suggested to her she should offer to get us a drink. They could not think of that themselves. We got the drink when we sat down, while we waited she brought us some pita with a very gross dip. This place serves amazing food, but needs more polish. Even in the dining room we got very minimal service.
(4)Jp N.
Great food , Great Service, Hard to find.... It is located inside of a strip mall type deal. Food was so good, so well worth looking for .
(4)Claudia G.
Great ambiance, excellent service, good food. For vegetarians, the menu clearly labels our options. I have enjoyed the moussaka twice now. (It comes with artichokes which is a twist I haven't enjoyed elsewhere.) The dish is served as a lovely little casserole. You will want to vent it as under that top layer it is steaming hot. The zucchini chips are really great. Try them!
(3)Mary T.
This is the fourth or fifth time I've eaten at Avli and I was not disappointed. From the wine to all the food it was a bit of heaven. We started with grilled artichoke hearts which were tender, flavored lightly with lemon and olive oil and grilled to perfection. I had my standard; Poseidon Plate which is a grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp plate with a taste that is utterly fantastic. My mouth waters just thinking about it. My friend has the salmon in parchment paper with leeks and she was thrilled with the selection since she also loves the Poseidon Plate. Apollo was our server and he was delightful My only teeny tiny issue was he seemed to disappear for long stretches of time but when he showed up he was responsive and very helpful. I strongly recommend Avli for the relaxed pace of dinner, great selection of greek wines and outstanding food that goes beyond the typical Greek meal. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Alec C.
Traditional and Authentic? I'm not Greek, so I don't know. All I can say is that Anthony Bourdain once said: "...your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride." I don't know if it's because I have a heightened sense of superiority of what good food is because of: A) my asian heritage B) world travels C) or my Platinum Preferred Cable package which includes the Travel Channel with Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern in HD. But this isn't it, as hard I as I want it to be so good, so I don't have to commute to Greek enclaves in various neighborhoods of Chicago; Avli just didn't meet my expectations on its first round. I really wanted the Zucchini crisps to be fresh and light appetizers. Instead, I received sliced zucchini with a side order of deep fryer oil on a bed of lettuce. The grilled octopus was good, chewy as it should be, but again, a smidge oily. Finally, the preparation of the lamb burger was good. I'll give marks to the ciabatta and the feta dressing. But since lamb has such as strong flavor to it, the dressing and accompanying sides (more zucchini crisps) could not do anything to overcome such a strong aroma. I won't overstep and say I'll never come here again, every place deserves a second chance. Hopefully, once that update comes, I can update this review with something that doesn't - "What's the opposite of suck? Un-suck?"
(2)Yvonne Y.
Prompt (well, we were the first to get seated at 5pm!) and friendly service. Lemon soup was creamy and they gave you extra lemon slices which I added to the soup. Loved the lamb shank dish served with beans as it was flavorful but not TOO salty. The grilled octopus was moist but too blackened for me. The outer parts were bitter. Aside from that, I'd be back for sure and try additional dishes. Very children friendly, especially with the outdoor seating.
(4)Melina J.
Favorite dishes: Pastitio, Papoutsakia, makaronatha, burger Well pretty much everything!
(5)Craig P.
Super food and service. Last month with a friend, today with my wife and both times wonderful food. Service today by hostess Lana and waiter Anrique were worthy of Santorini or Hydra, tho the menu includes many non-Greek offerings. This may be the best moderate cost, high quality destination on the NorthShore.
(4)Lyle G.
Great greek food, fish is beautifully filleted table side!
(4)Scott R.
so I called for a reservation at this joint onSaturday night and they said they only had a table in the bar area, but that's not bad because the bar area is pretty large and we got a table by the window, not too close to the actual bar. What they didn't tell me was that the restaurant had sponsored a team in the North Shore Anal Olympics (highly competitive) and they were hosting the winners in the children's ADD division. The evening was spent watching (without choice) children running back and forth, first inside the restaurant by our table and then in the courtyard. Not appetizing and not appropriate. In my experience (from several meals) the food here is pretty good, the service is hit and miss depending on the server you get, but I've never experienced a restaurant run less professionally.
(2)Rich S.
Man, this place rocks. We sat in the garden, breezy , in the shade. Great service,quick, helpful with the menu. My wife ordered the best pasticio I have ever had. I wanted something different than what is normally order at a Greek resto so I had the pulled lamb Sammy with Greek fries. Excellent! Can't wait to come back.
(5)sandra c.
I don't know who has been writing all of these reviews---probably management. Had a lousy meal here starting from the two-day-old bread. The moussaka was a potato casserole, no sign of eggplant or beef. The bechamel sauce was in liquid form. The grilled octopus was not fresh. When I first started to eat it, I thought it was pork. I suspect it had been re-cooked and laid on a bed of sautéed onions to disguise the fact---who does that??? Octopus and onions? C'mon! The dolmades were blah and the tzatziki was horrible. How can you screw tzatziki up? It's only Greek yogurt, cucumber, oil and garlic. Seriously, nothing fresh here, and everything had too much salt. I would have given 0 stars if it were possible, and had I not been treated to dinner and fearful of being embarrassed, I would have sent the whole meal back and walked out. The only reason people eat here is probably out of convenience of wanting to stay local and not knowing what real Greek food tastes like. I am married to a Greek and lived in Greece for five years, and I know how hard it is to duplicate the freshness and quality of Greek cuisine here in the States for a variety of reasons, but this place makes the Greek Islands Restaurant look like a 5-star-rated Michelin restaurant. Never again!
(1)Laurence K.
Omg what a disaster! I don't know where to begin? Sat at the bar and ordered some wine a red and a white Both glasses looked as of they were coated with soap a Gray film in both . I asked for some clean Glasses and the bartender took them and dunked them in the same sanitizer sink??then pour the wine in the completely wet glasses Without drying them off. Are you kidding?? Next we ordered artichoke app some saganaki we got 3 microscopic artichoke hearts with a couple of capers and lemon? Really? What wad the thought process on this dish? Oh money! The cheese was ok nothing great For entrees we had the whole roasted fish sea bass and the greek chicken oven baked. Do you remember the scene in Christmas vacation when Chevy carved the turkey and it exploded it was so dry Well that's what we got. I've had moister beef jerky The whole roasted fish that was supposedly deboned table side Had not one not two but at least three bones per bite Seriously what are people thinking with the ratings there giving this place???? Is there not a palate in Winnetka?
(1)Kim J.
Um, the best freaking Greek restaurant ever is in Winnetka? Really? Believe it, kids. Avli is the real deal. I drove up to the north suburbs to visit a friend, and she recommended we try Avli. (Apparently the good folks over on LTH Forum are all abuzz over it.) So, off we went. Avli is a bit hard to find - it's in the back of the Laundry building in downtown Winnetka. There is no signage out front - just walk in the door marked "566" and head towards the back. But man, it was worth it to find it. Upon being seated, we were offered a sample of one of their cold dips. I don't remember what it was (maybe red peper?), but it was phenomenal. So much so that we were compelled to order the dip sampler. We tried the tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber), melizantosalata (eggplant), and skordalia (garlic). Seriously phenomenal. The garlic was super-garlicy. Tangy, even. The eggplant was delicious - smooth and seasoned and just yum. I'm not usually a big fan of yogurt/cucumber dip, but I really enjoyed the offering here. We also shared the zucchini chips as another appetizer. SO GOOD. The zucchini is sliced into thin little slices, battered, and fried. It sounds heavy, but they weren't at all - they were light and crisp and delicious. We used them to sop up the rest of the dip that we hadn't finished. ;) For entrees, we split the Poseidon plate (grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, and onions) and the papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant). The seafood was done perfectly - you could taste a hint of smokiness in it which made me think they grilled it over some nicely flavored cedar chips or something. Grilled calamari is so easy to mess up and make into a rubbery mess, but it was done perfectly here. The eggplant was also really well done - it was grilled and stuffed with onions, feta, and spices. It is served in a red sauce. For dessert, we split the chocolate baklava. OH MY WORD. Light, flaky pastry with layers of cocoa-y chocolate? Sign me up. I grew up with a Greek best friend, so I know good baklava. This is amazing baklava. Service was helpful and unobtrusive. The space is really warm and inviting. Hell, why are you still reading this? GO! You won't be sorry. (Did I mention it's only a couple of blocks from the metra stop in Winnetka? Jelena, you would be nuts to not schedule a suburban event here, by the way ;D).
(5)Eric H.
We had our daughter's rehearsal dinner at Avli in May and they did a wonderful job for our party of 24. Food as good as usual and the staff really took care of us.
(5)Diane E.
I just came home from dining at Avli, and what a disappointment it was! Although the restaurant was empty, we were seated in the back next to the kitchen. I am a vegetarian and ordered something from the menu that was marked as a vegetarian meal. When it arrived, it was a meat dish. I asked the waiter, and he said that the menu had been changed months ago and "he assumed I knew that". He didn't offer me another meal; rather, I sat there with nothing to eat while the rest of my party ate their dinners. The manager never came to inquire about our meal, and as we left, not a word was said. I'll never go back. The food and the service was a total disappointment.
(1)Mr H.
I'm upset that there are so many reviews for Avli, because so many good reviews means longer waits ! Avli is HANDS DOWN, the BEST Greek Restaurant in the North Shore. Excellent quality, excellent staff & service. The calamari is outstanding, excellent wine selection, the list goes on.
(5)Lynne H.
We're in the neighborhood and eat at Avli two or three times a month. We usually have grilled octopus, Greek salad and the whole fish, generally Mediterranean Sea bass. These things are always delicious and well prepared. We also enjoy the skewers (chicken, beef, shrimp) and the other salads. Avli doesn't get a 5 star rating for me for a couple of reasons. The first is that the dishes with pasta tend to overcooked and the sauces are gloppy and oddly spiced. Also, the hostesses are not well trained. We've walked in on occasions when the restaurant is half full and been told all the tables are reserved, and we can come back in 2 hours or eat now if we can be done in half an hour. HINT.....if you talk to the owner, he will get you seated! Another upside to Avli is that the patio dining area is lovely in the summer.
(4)Susan G.
Much Better This Time. Dined here with friends and it was so much better this time. Our group started with a sampling of 3 delicious spreads served with pita, an order of saganaki, and an order ofgreek sausage which we really enjoyed. I had the jumbo shrimp with feta wrapped in phyllo dough with great seasonings and served with spinach and it was incredible. The others in our group had gyros (it was tough), sea bass (it was delicious), and lobster with pasta (a homerun). Shared salads at the table too. We split a choclava dessert and it was the perfect finish to our meal along with greek coffee. The owner came over and helped us with our wine selections -- a bottle of syrah that was well-paired for 3 of the our entrees, but I preferred a white wine and had a nice, dry, greek wine by the glass whose name I cannot remember, but I enjoyed. Cost per person with tax, tip, and all the food mentioned above was about $70 per person.
(4)Diane F.
We were starving and ordered a Spanikopita as an entree and 3 Gyros Plates. The Spanikopita was tasty but not enough food for the $14 charge. For being an entree and costing that amount of money, it should have come along with some sides. The Gyros plates came with a small amount of food, as well. My husband, who NEVER finishes a meal, was still feeling unsatisfied after eating his meal. Plus, it had an odd flavor that made it not very tasty. I wouldn't return to the restaurant unless they improved their portion sizes for what they charge plus I would not order the gyros. On another note, we had ordered a bottle of wine and the waiter was very pushy about us ordering another bottle.
(2)Jerry B.
Really good experience. Food, service, atmosphere were all great. Very reasonable and extensive Greek wine list. Pita's and 3 dips (eggplant, garlic and cucumber) was an excellent eppetizer. Egg lemon and navy bean soups were perfect. Sea bass and mini rack of lamb were perfectly cooked. Cholava was just okay. Very romantic restaurant. Definite will return in warm weather to dine on the patio. Maybe even go back sooner for brunch.
(5)Joscelyn M.
WOW! Close your eyes and be transported to Athens. This a cute new addition to the burbs. We had tzatziki - garlick-y delicious! roe dip - not fish-y at all and very good eggplant dip - classic greek, and as good as I've ever had it grilled octopus - awesome spinach rice side - prob my fave thing on the menu greek salad - perfect lentil salad - really good skewers - terrific zucchini chips - mmm I'm running out of adjectives, here, so you get the picture... Just go. Watch out how much you order, though! I had yummy leftovers for 2 days.
(5)Russ C.
The decor was very nice looking. Our waiter was Samson and he was very knowledgable and we listened to his recs as it was my wife and I first time at Avli. He was right on on everything. We shared the large grilled calamari which had great flavor, my wife got the mixed greens and she said it was delicious. We shared a bottle if white wine that was light bodied and was similar to Pinot Grisio. Our entrees were grilled stuffed chicken with broccoli...amazing. My wife got the giant prawn in FILO dough. Samson rec this and it was so delicious with a side of rice. We got a side of Greek potatoes and it was the best greek potatoes we have ever had. Can't wait to go back. We went on a Saturday night around 8:15 pm and it was packed for good reason. Reasonably priced as well. lots of parking.
(5)Sam C.
We liked it there. The place was quite loud, and we even had a relatively late reservation (for the suburbs) at 8pm. I found the service to be solid. I really enjoyed my food. I had rack of lamb, which was great, but for $28, it should be good. The appetizers were excellent. We liked the grilled octopus, fried zucchini chips, and the various spreads. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)Dominique K.
This is one of the best greek restaurant in Winnetka IL, the service is 1st class and the food is really good. they do deserve to be spoken about, for a small place like Winnetka IL. they should have a place as the combination of service and food is amazing. The food is pure, fresh, and delicious. What a pleasure to have had dinner there. Please keep going
(5)George K.
The hardest part was finding the place but once we did, everything went uphill from there. Great selection of Greek wines, menu was simple but had a good variety of choices. I had the octopus which was excellent and had a nice sweet aftertaste and wasn't too heavy. The atmosphere was nice as well given the coziness of the fireplace, the nice decor, and the friendly staff (the owner came up to our table on multiple occasions to see how we were doing and just to talk). Highly recommend to everyone.
(5)Mrs N.
Best Greek food ever?!? I guess that's true if you consider yourself a connoisseur of Greek food because you once had a gyros at Al's Italian Beef. If not for cute atmosphere and accommodating service, I'd have given Avli one star because the food is so inferior to anything my Greek mother and other Greek relatives have ever put on the table. - Lamb shank was tough and barely seasoned. It came with lima beans that had no hint of the traditional Greek seasonings, only tomato. - The decent flavor of the meat sauce that accompanied the macaroni was marred by burnt meat. Even the kidlets said it tasted bad. - Pastichio is typically one of my favorite Greek entrees, but Avli's version was off and just plain gross. It was a mushy mess of pasta and bechamel sauce overpowered by what seemed to be fennel, which should never be part of this dish. Mom frowned and deemed it "worst pastichio ever". - Saganaki was dry, poorly flavored and not flaming. The only passable selections that I sampled were the Greek village salad, which was very fresh and prepared in the traditional style with a generous amount of feta, and the "choklava"...although truth be told I really would have preferred traditional baklava. As a previous reviewer suggested, save your money and go downtown to Greektown for the real thing if you know and crave Greek food. Avli falls short.
(2)Nadiya M.
Stopped here for lunch while visiting Winnetka. Fiance ordered the gyro sandwich with Greek french fries. I had the vegetarian sandwich with Greek salad. For appetizer, we ordered a small "small plate" of calamari. The calamari was very fresh and definitely not a small plate. It was a very generous portion for price and it being what they called a small plate meal. The gyro was probably the best we both have had. Great quality, obviously not from the pre-sliced gyro meat that many restaurants shamelessly serve. The Greek french fries were just fries with sprinkled feta cheese. Never had fries like that, but will totally be doing it the next time I do. My vegetarian sandwich was delicious. All the flavors blended so well with one another and I could taste each ingredient individually. My only complaint: I wish I had more room to eat! If you are ever in the area, this place is a must! Great price and fantastic quality--something that so few restaurants deliver these days.
(5)ardath b.
We decided to eat here because it was on our way home from work. The atmosphere was OK, the wonderful thing was the yummy smell of the food when you walk in. The food was good but the service stunk. We had a waiter whose English was difficult to understand, made worse by the loudness of the place. For the price, I would not go back.
(3)Stevie G.
Once again Avli continues to impress me with their regional Greek style cooking based on recipes from old friends and family.
(4)Melissa M.
Went to Avli for dinner this past Friday with my husband, 8 year old daughter and my cousin. We will definitely come back again. The Skordalia (garlic with potato) spread appetizer was my favorite. Good for garlic lovers. Hubby ordered the gyros which was okay. Cousin ordered the pastichio which was okay. Think the flavors were authentic as it did not taste like the usual pastichio I get. My daughter ordered the Greek version of mac and cheese but she did not like it. It wasn't very cheesy at all and lacked flavor. My dish was everyone's favorite. I ordered the Poseidon which was a grilled seafood combo of octopus and shrimp. It was fantastic. Very tender and flavorful. I will come here again for the garlic spread and Poseidon.
(4)Mark S.
This was our first visit to Avil and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Service by Samson was excellent and we had our first introduction to Greek wines, which they serve exclusively- just go with the flow. Contrary to past experiences we enjoyed the wine recommendations that we received. Excellent octopus appetizer which was grilled with onions and balsamic vinegar. Same for the "Greek pizza"- Piaaz Avil. Lamb chops at $18 were a great value. I enjoyed the lamb stew special and the bread pudding dessert was the best I've ever had. I would stay away from the steak. Lively atmosphere and something different in the area for a change. It's in the Laundry Mall and occupies a space that has been inhabited by numerous other restaurants. I hope these guys stick around for awhile and can endure the fickleness of the North Shore.
(4)Victoria H.
This location has seen many restaurants over the years, and I am glad to say that Avli seems to have saying power! Our family loves greek food, and this is some of the best around. It is great for both lunch and dinner. They have a great sandwich/salad pairing at lunch for only $8. I had the vegetarian pita and greek salad (which was a little oily, just ask for dressing on the side), but the sandwich was fantastic. Anything grilled at dinner is sure to be perfect, especially seafood. The poseidon plate with the greek herb salad to start is a perfect meal for two people. They have a great outdoor courtyard which allows you to take advantage of lovely Chicago summers. I would highly recommend for a lighter dinner or lunch (heavier options such as lamb burgers and gyros are available and my brother says they are fantastic!)
(4)Susan F.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while. And if my daughter could saganaki her way through life she would. We used a wedeal, which I'm liking a lot more than Groupon lately with their spray tan offers and flying lessons. But I digress. Back to the food, which I have to say, we were not disappointed. I had the lamb burger, which as amazing. While it was quiet for lunch, I'm not sure what the dinner crowd is like. But I would go back in a second. And with friends.
(4)David N.
Some of the best Greek food in the area! We had dinner there on Saturday night, we had to wait a bit for an outside table, the owner actually bought us our appetizers because of the wait, but the wait was worth it. Our service was excellent, food very authentic and I will definitely return.
(5)Bill T.
My wife and I saw a review for this place on the hungry hound. We were not dissapointed. We started with the zuchini chips and the eggplant/feta/tzatziki dip. All were excellent, including the garlic dip served with the zuchini chips. Not too much garlic but enought to get the flavor. We enjoyed the dips so much that we decided to forgo the entrees and order more appetizers. The flatbread and leek filled pitas were great. We added the baked shrimp and finished with the choclava. Both were just as good as we hoped. The service that we got from our server (Nikko) was fantastic. We are looking forward to our next visit to this beautiful restaurant.
(5)Ashee T.
We just moved to the area and were sad to have left our favorite Greek place in the city... BUT did we find gem!! This will be a regular spot for us!! I had the Poseidon plate and it was amazing. By far the best grilled octopus i have ever had, incredibly tender. We also had a great watermelon salad (special of the day) and the stuffed jumbo prawn, also extremely good (on the rich side). We took the chocolate baclava home to eat and it was really good too. There are so many more things i want to try from the menu and can't wait to go back!
(5)sandeep p.
My wife and I love the food here. All the ingredients taste very fresh. i wish it was less noisy though. Avoid going on weekend nights.
(4)Christian C.
I was just here for New Year's Eve with my "Big Fat Greek" New Year's Eve Party.....25 of my closest relatives. I must say I was very impressed by the Service and the Food. We were graciously greeted and each adult was served Champaign (Happy New Year!!!). The appetizers were ordered and were served in a very timely manner and were wonderful. A great Greek Salad, Kalamari, and beautifully prepared vegetables. The Service was very attentive but in no way instrusive. We were all sitting in their Bar areas...which for a party our size offered us great privacy....we were all to ourselves. After the dinner was served, the owner came by to see how we enjoyed our meals, shared some great stories and a laugh with us and moved on. A very nice personal touch. The food I must was was delicious. It was definitely Greek, but with a very unique twist...wonderfully spiced, beautifully prepared. Check this place out for a great meal in Chicago's north suburbs.
(5)Gail Z.
Had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Finally got there and was terribly disappointed with my dinner. First, the staff didn't appear to want to be there. No greeting from our server after being seated at the smallest table right next to a post near the fireplace. We could have eaten off the table next to us we were so close. I kept getting bumped by the scurrying servers. Tried to order the pork that was on the menu and told that they didn't have it. Ordered a salad that was just ok. Grilled octopus was just ok. My husband was Greek and I have eaten in Greek homes and restaurants for over 35 years. Never have I eaten pastitsio that tasted like what I was served. Bechamel had only the flavor of raw flour, no taste at all. I never did find the ground beef and tomatoes that are supposed to be there. To their credit after apprising them of this they did offer another choice but we declined as I didn't want to wait for another 25 minutes. Asked if we wanted a desert we declined, but the manager insisted and we were presented with a bag of three different desserts to take home. Choclava was not bad, but the pistachio dessert had some kind of cream on top and it was sour, and the third was a kind of cheesecake made with a special cheese--not so good. They did take off the cost of my dinner from the bill. I know this sounds like a rant of a very fussy patron, but I really am not that hard to please, but I am so tired of restaurants that profess to be something they are not. Can't believe the reviews I read about this place that got me there. I will not return. So sorry as I really had high hopes..
(2)Deb D.
I was here last summer so my memory of specific dishes is vague. But... I do remember this - Loved the outdoor seating, had an awesome waiter, good wine, and all of the dishes (there were 6 of us) were outstanding. We were all pleasantly surprised and made sure to share all the appetizers and entrees. Really... so good! And after so many really mediocre Greek restaurants in the burbs, this is a must on your list. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Alex R.
Great setting, food, and wine selection. We really enjoyed our night out without breaking the bank. Thanks Avli.
(5)J M.
Fantastic food and service, lovely interior.
(5)Shawn B.
Good, Upscale Greek. I've been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Most of the dishes were very good. My wife had a fish for dinner that was outstanding. The flatbreads have also been good. The fried smelts were a disappointment.
(4)Dale D.
We celebrated an achievement with our accountability group. The food was excellent, the service was attentive. We had a great time!
(5)Jodi H.
Avli is a great dinner option, especially since there is very little greek food around Winnetka. The appetizers are very good, especially the zucchini chips and chargrilled octopus. I would not recommend the egg-lemon soup, there are much better things worth trying. For dinner, I love the skewers, especially the shrimp. They are always grilled and seasoned to perfection. The lamb burger is great, another example of their great grilling and comes with a spicy red pepper spread that is amazing. Gyros are very yummy, and well above the typical greasy kind you can get at other places. If you are a seafood lover, the poseidon plate is a great option and good for sharing. Especially lovely on summer days/nights, great outside seating area! Its always nice to support local restaurants and avli is definitely worth a visit!
(4)EL G.
Simply Apisteuto (amazing)! I've been a fan of greek food all through my 8 years of college. And after moving to the city I've been to a couple of very nice greek restaurants in Chicago. This restaurant stood out above the rest without any questions. Granted in college I ate at the local gyros place (nothing fancy). In the city the places were nice and more formal but nothing really stood out in terms of food and service. This place owned it all. Their menu is outstanding. I ordered the stuffed chicken with spinach and feta and it was delicious and filling. The mashed potatos on this plate were also reaaaaally good. But I couldn't take my eyes off my friend's plate. He ordered the Moussaka Aginarato (a type of casserole). I tried some of it and was blown away. Everyone else in our party of 6 was also very happy with their choices. Our server Nico was great. He had actually waitered for someone in our party in a previous visit and he was requested by her for our dinner last night. The ladies in our group were able to sample three different red wines and a sparkling wine just to finally decide what they wanted to drink which was very generous of Nico. Lastly I'll mention that if you are a fan of white wine, specifically a pinot grigio go with the Boutari Moscofilero. Apparently it's a very popular greek pinot grigio. Their wine selection is actually very exclusive to their restaurant because they have the largest greek wine selection in the country. So definitely check this place out if you are a wine connoisseur. P.s. Eat here their food is amazing!!!
(5)Michael G.
food was very good and reasonably priced. the service was outstanding. kid friendly
(4)constantine a.
This past saturday my family and I visited Avli for the first time. We were very impressed from the beautiful decor and courtyard, very accommodating staff, and great food. This is the Best Greek Restaurant on the North Shore. Considering it being a Greek Restaurant, their price points were great. Their fish entrees were highly popular when looking at other tables. Save room for the Bread Pudding, one of the best i have ever had. We will be back very soon.
(4)L D.
This is the second time I've eaten at Avli's. I had no complaints the first time. However, the second time, although the food was good, the service almost spoiled our dinner. The server was impatient and kept rushing us to order before we were ready. He also recommended only the highest-priced specials and pressured us to order them. Finally, he also pressured us to order wine with our dinner. He clearly was just trying to run up the bill. The service took away from what would otherwise have been an excellent dinner.
(2)Philip P.
Split a lamb shank with someone and it was moist and delicious with baked vegetables...mmmmm. My favorite greek places are in Chicago but this place was a nice surprise in the suburbs and left full and satisfied. Reasonable prices and great staff.
(4)Brenda R.
Regrets, I've had a few....I knew something was afoot when I saw only 3 people in for lunch and one (grumpy) waiter. It took a while to find something appetizing. Poor choices. Settled for a boring pita, and an overpriced, dry/old bread pudding in a sauce attempting to disguise the content.
(1)Eli R.
I LOVE Greek food and Avli has the best Greek food I've ever had in America. Everything my wife and I have tried so far has been fantastic. The restaurant itself is a great space, with plenty of seating, private room, bar, and an outdoor patio. The employees are all pleasant and helpful. We make it a point to go back often. The prices are also very reasonable for how great the food is and how nice the atmosphere is. It has become our go-to restaurant. The tsatsiki is the best ever. Honestly. The grilled octopus is tasty when done right, but has been over-charred at times, so just a warning there. The gyros are amazing. I cannot say enough good things about this place. I highly recommend it.
(5)Tanya T.
very lively, always busy. Very tasty, superb service, great presentation. Try their fish of the day (usually grilled sea bass) - they even de-bone it for you. Greek white wines were surprisingly good. Been there several times.
(5)Bob B.
First class Greek (as good as any Greektown restaurant), good service, comfortable ambience, NOT too noisey, wonderful fireplace, interesting menu, free parking. I had the lamb chops - terrific! And a delightful surprise at the price. Who could ask for anything more?
(4)