Buffalo Rising Online

May 28th 2006, 7:24pm By queenseyes

Hey gang, the Hellenic Festival is coming up next weekend. This is your chance to indulge in three days of binging on awesome greek food. Take, for example, the spit roasted lamb by chef Mike Giokas. Mike will prepare it right before you eyes. Or visit the Acropolis Kafenion (Coffee Shop) for "individually prepared Greek demitasse coffee and a special dessert -- Kadaifi ek Mek."

This is truly a special event in the city that is not to be missed. There are so many other reasons to go (besides the food)... but I have had so many delicious dishes there over the years that I consider the food the 'bread and butter' of the festival. So go and enjoy yourself... listen to the live music, get out your Greek dancing slippers and enjoy a beer or two. If you are still on the fence, then take a look at the feast below. That should wipe away any doubt in your mind as to the answer! Click here for all of the weekend activities, directions, etc.

Festival Menu

Gyro -Compressed meat,thinly sliced and grilled, wrapped in Greek pita bread and served with tomatoes, onions, and tzitziki (yogurt/cucumber sauce).

Pastichio -Pasta layered with spiced ground beef, covered with bechamel sauce,and baked in the oven.

Souvlaki -tender chunks of meat (beef or chicken) marinated with herbs and spices and grilled to perfection. Served with pita bread,lettuce,tomatoes,onions and topped with special Greek dressing.

Spanakopita -layers of buttered flaky phyllo dough, filled with a tasty mixture of chopped spinach, cottage and feta cheeses.

Tiropita -layers of buttered phyllo dough filled with a special blend of cheeses and eggs.

Rizogalo -homemade rice pudding

PASTRIES

Baklava -the aristocrat of Greek pastry. Layers upon layers of buttered phyllo dough,and ground walnuts,baked to crispy perfection and soaked with honey and lemon syrup.

Kataifi Ek Mek -ilayered shredded wheat i phyllo dough,sprinkled with walnuts,baked and laced with honey syrup then topped with a thick layer of vanilla custard and whipped topping.

Koulourakia -Greek butter twists,sprinkled with sesame seeds.Ideal for dunking in coffee.

Kourambiedes -Greek wedding cakes -tender sweet butter cookies dusted with confectioner is sugar.

Loukoumades -Mouth-watering,feather light Greek fried dough puffs dipped in honey and topped with cinnamon.

Melomakarona -honey dipped/spided cookies sprinkled with finely chopped walnuts. Traditionally served for New Years.

Tsourekia (an entire loaf)-This sweet egg bread is a specialty in every Greek home for religious holidays and festivals.

ALSO FEATURING

Moussaka -baked layers of young eggplant and sauteed ground beef topped with a delicioius bechamel sauce. Served with horataki (village salad.)

Souzoukakia -herbed ground beef served in a seasoned tomato sauce. Served with horataki (village salad).

Lamb on a spit - NEW THIS YEAR! Donit miss this unique Greek delicacy!

Saganaki - your eyes will be WOWed and your stomach will be too by Greece is famous flaming cheese! OPA!