Nerai is proud to announce its decision to join the growing number of fine dining establishments in moving away from the low wage, tip-based wage system that creates inequality. All Nerai customers now see a flat check with no additional gratuity required. This has been titled Filoxenia, which loosely translates to “hospitality.”

The cost of each meal is the same as it would be if paid with a set amount for the food and a separate amount for service, says owner Spiro Menegatos. “We believe in offering the same fine dining experience without changing how your food is prepared or delivered, nor how your table is served.”

The system is designed to ensure every employee of the restaurant makes a fair wage, from the chefs in the kitchen to the busboys. Instead of an inequitable tipping system that is open to abuse and leaves certain employees out of the loop, restaurateurs are finding that a no-tipping model satisfies both customers and employees in every capacity.

“With the no-tipping system, diners know that the restaurant is taking an active role in ensuring server excellence,” says Mr. Menegatos. “Each server will be answerable to management, not the customer, for their quality of service. They will also be compensated fairly without having to worry about the range of tipping. This ensures that our servers and all other staff have the security of a reliable income, and that our customers get consistent, excellent service at every visit.”

The no-tipping system has already been successfully implemented by a host of high end restaurants in the NYC area. In every instance, employee turnover stabilizes, employee satisfaction rises, and customers report no impact on the overall cost of their fine meal.
Customers will still be able to offer input, according to Mengatos; there will be a 5 Star ranking system on the bottom of each check so that guests can leave feedback. Servers that receive substandard scores will be coached to offer a better guest experience.

“It’s a socially responsible, economically significant, and ethically sound way to operate,” Menegatos concludes. “We are happily joining the revolution of fine dining, and know both our customers and our employees will benefit from the change. No-tipping is the future of the industry, and we hope more restaurateurs will follow our lead in ensuring top shelf service and wage equity for their employees.”

Please note that Nerai is a non-tipping restaurant; our prices include filoxenia. There is no need to tip at the end of your meal. We appreciate that this is a new way of doing things, we value your feedback.

The Greek word for hospitality, “filoxenia” literally translates to the love of strangers, and is quite possibly the single most defining attribute that Greeks identify with. At Nerai we work relentlessly to ensure each guest is touched by our “filoxenia” and we are proud to make you the guest of honor during your visit.

Thank you,
The Nerai Team
hospitality@nerainyc.com

Nerai is pleased to provide a specialty Prix Fixe menu for a company’s social events. Instead of having tiresome catering sent to a boring, crowded conference room, reserve one or both of our stunning dining rooms and make an impression with exquisite food and attentive service.

The Prixe Fixe dinner menu includes many options, including our Shared Appetizers:

Choose from a fresh Greek salad studded with tomatoes, onion, olive, rye, and feta; spinach pies filled with feta and drizzled with ouzo yogurt; or short rib meatballs dressed with tomato sauce and whipped cheese.

Next, our Greek and Mediterranean Entrees:

The King salmon is on the entrée menu, with sides of spinach rice and crispy leeks; so is the whole lavraki (Mediterranean sea bass) deboned and filleted. Alternately, choose between the Cretan Spiced Scallops with ouzo honey pork belly, broccoli rabe, and parsnip puree; or the short rib youvetsi plated with orzo, tomato confit, and piave vecchio.

Finally, everyone will love our Shared Desserts:

Each table can enjoy Saragli (hand-rolled baklava with almonds and pistachios); Portokalopita (orange sponge-filo cake with chocolate sorbet and hazelnuts); or Kataifi Ekmek (a mastiha custard with honey, pistachios, and cinnamon).

Add something extra to each table with incredible seafood towers, oysters, or shellfish cocktails from our raw bar selection.

Additional event upgrades include an enhanced menu with additional or alternative appetizers, entrees, and desserts, including pita bread and spreads, grilled octopus, lobster pasta, lamb chops, and lavender mousse.

Expect a wholly positive reaction when you have your next corporate event at Nerai.

This year, impress your significant other with an indulgent Valentine’s Day dinner at Nerai. Executive Chef Chris Christou crafts a spectacular marriage of Greek and Mediterranean flavors together in a sumptuous spread designed strictly for amorous couples. His five course menu includes:

• Raw Kumamoto Oysters served up with malagouzia foam and a basil emulsion
• A Pomegranate and Kale Salad tossed with toasted walnuts, garnished with halloumi croutons, and dressed with a tangy pomegranate balsamic
• Fresh Lobster Orzotto featuring butter poached maine lobster plated with a side of carefully prepared asparagus and covered with a creamy metaxa bisque
• Choice of a Filet Mignon with beech mushrooms and mavrodaphne jus served with feta mashed potatoes, or our famous Ora King Salmon served with crispy leeks, candied beets, and a stunning avocado mousse
• Two incredible desserts to share – a warm chocolate fondant with orange coulis, Greek cookie crumble and vanilla ice cream, or Aphrodite’s Embrace, featuring samos zabaglione and balsamic macerated strawberries

Vegetarian options are also available on request. Reservations do fill quickly for this lover’s tradition, so reserve a table today and make this Valentine’s Day one neither of you will ever forget.

Make a new tradition with your beloved, enjoy some amazing food studded with aphrodisiac treats, and ensure that there’s no disappointment when it comes to your romancing skills. Book Valentine’s Day Dinner at Nerai today.