Oniro Taverna
8289 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
(516) 367 – 8250
onirotaverna.com
$$$
The newly opened Oniro offers a wonderful Mediterranean dining experience. From the moment you walk in, you are welcomed by a charming host. The host is so friendly and offers a lovely introduction of the taverna and lounge. I was offered the beautiful bar for cocktails or I could go right to a dining area. I choose to go to a table in the Mezzanine section of the dining room. I was introduced to my server who was delightful. He handed me a a beverage menu and the regular menu. I looked at the wonderful signature drinks and told of their delicious variates of wines. Before we even ordered drinks a basket of delicious pita bread and hummus was set before us. It was so tasty. The Ananas is a pinapple infused vodka, served on the rocks with a pineapple wedge was very refreshing as was the house Rose. The Rose was so light, crisp and refreshing.
Our server helped me navigate the menu. The selection of the Mediterranean appetizers, raw bar and salads are very inviting. The choices are varied and many. It was so hard to choose, but I finally did. I had the Octapodi (grilled sashimi quality octopus), came highly recommended as did the Kolokithakia Tiganita. The Kolokithakia Tiganita. is thin zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant chips served with tzatziki. The Octapodi was served as a salad. The octopus was so tender and filled with flavor. The Red Snapper was served whole with lots of delicious spices and capers. The fish was light and perfectly flavored. The Lamb Chops were amazing. Grilled Colorado lamb chops, spiced and cooked to perfection with lemon potatoes were divine. I asked the chef where the lamb chops were from and to my surprise, it’s a local market in Farmingdale, NY @fdalemeatmkt The lemon potatoes were bursting with lemon flavor. The Lahanakia Tiganta known as crispy brussel sprouts were fantastic with a fantastic flavor. For dessert we had Greek yogurt with honey mixed berries with crushed walnuts was superb. The Baklava and sorbet complimented each other perfectly. This meal was fit for Greek Gods.
I pulled into the parking lot of Oniro, after sitting in traffic. When I entered Oniro Taverna in Woodbury, NY, it was as if I was in Greece, on the water of the Mediterranean. This beautiful, open, airy and spacious setting just carries you away to a relaxing atmosphere that makes you want to stick around for awhile. Being it was the summer we were offered different choices of where we would like to sit. We were offered the main dining room, the mezzanine part of the dining room, the veranda, or outside. I choose to stay inside because it was so cool and comfortable. The cloth covered banquette was so comfortable. The colors were in the tones of linen and browns were just fabulous. Oniro also gave you a very nautical feeling as if their was a fishing boat right outside on the water. Between the delicious food and five star quality service, I will definitely make a return trip to the fabulous Oniro.