10 Greek Wines Every Wine Lover Must Try

May 17, 2018

Wine has been an integral part of Greek culture and society for centuries. The Greeks have been making wine since around 2000 BC, and in the ancient world, Greece was one of the foremost producers of wine.

And yet, despite the country’s rich wine heritage, modern Greek wines are frequently overlooked and underrated. Fortunately, Greek wine is starting to gain the recognition that it deserves. These days, Greece offers a variety of high quality wines, many of which can be found in the United States.

Here are the top 10 Greek wines that every wine lover should be sipping right now.

Assyrtiko

Native to the island of Santorini, the Assyrtiko varietal is unique in its ability to maintain its acidity as it ripens. Widely considered one of the top wines in Greece, this bone-dry white wine contains passionfruit, flint, and lemon flavors, as well as a subtle bitterness and saltiness on the finish.

Agiorgitiko

Made in Nemea, a wine region in the Peloponnese, Agiorgitiko wines are full-bodied with flavors of sweet raspberry, blackcurrant, and nutmeg with subtle bitter herbs and smooth tannins. This lush velvety red wine is generous and fruity, similar to a Merlot, but with slightly more spice.

Moschofilero

Grown in central Peloponnese, close to Tripoli, Moschofilero is a dry, crisp, and aromatic white wine with flavors of peach, potpourri, and sweet lemon. And as these wines age, they develop more nectarine and apricot flavors with toasted hazelnut or almond notes.

Malagousia

From Macedonia, Malagousia is a full-bodied white wine with balanced acidity and flavors of peach, lime, orange blossom, and lemon oil tied together with a soft, fruity finish. This melony, jasmine-scented white wine was on the brink of extinction before the winemaker Evangelos Gerovassiliou single-handedly resurrected it.

Xinomavro

The main grape variety of Macedonia, Xinomavro translates as “sour black.” Grown in the limestone-rich clay soils of Naoussa, Xinomavro wines develop bold fruit characteristics. With its dark cherry and licorice notes as well as rich tannic character, this red wine is an excellent addition for the cellar.

Muscat of Samos

The Muscat of Samos comes in many styles, from dry to sweet. One of the most popular styles is Vin Doux, which is a mistelle — a blend of fresh Muscat juice and Muscat grappa — that offers sweet marmalade, lychee, and Turkish Delight flavors, with subtle hay notes on the finish. Another Muscat from Samos is Samos Anthemis, aged in oak for five years, resulting in an amber color and flavors of butterscotch, toffee, and light molasses.

Vinsanto

A sun-dried sweet dessert wine from the island of Santorini, Vinsanto comes in three white grape varieties and contains aromas of raisin, dried apricot, raspberry, and maraschino cherries. Vinsanto is well-known for the alluring contrast between its sweet fruit flavors and noticeably bitter flavors caused by its tannins, which is quite unexpected to find in a white wine.

Savatiano

Also known as the Saturday grape, Savatiano is the main white wine from the Attica region. Under cold fermentation, Savatiano offers flavors of sweet honeydew, green apple, and lime with a tingling acidity. If aged in oak, it is characterized by a more creamy mid-palate with lemon curd, wax, cultured cream, and lemon bread notes.

Retsina

A white wine infused with the sap of the Allepo pine tree, Retsina wines have the aromas of linseed oil and lime peel as well as the flavors of apples and roses, with a subtle piney and saline finish. Retsina wines that are made with Assyrtiko grapes are more angular in their style, while Retsina made with Savatiano grapes have a more generous taste with ripe apple and peach flavors and an oily texture.

Crete Reds

On the southernmost island of Crete, which has one of the warmest wine climates on earth, the native grapes of the island, Kotsifali and Mandilaria, are blended together with Syrah to create a wine that contains sweet red and black fruit, cinnamon, allspice, and soy sauce flavors, with a soft tannin finish. A very smooth and fruity wine, the Crete Reds are one of the most popular red wines to emerge from Greece.

in Greek Food

Delve into the sweet world of Greek dessert

May 17, 2018

For many, the best part of a meal is the last course — the dessert. There is nothing quite like the sweet taste of dessert to finish a delicious dinner, or to accompany an afternoon coffee. And Greek desserts in particular — which are primarily made with honey, nuts, cream, and fruit — are simply the perfect combination of light and airy, rich and decadent. From delicate syrupy pastries to luxurious fluffy cakes, there is something on Nerai’s dessert menu to satisfy every palate.

Saragli

A rich and sweet pastry made out of rolled layers of buttery filo, the saragli at Nerai is filled with chopped walnuts, almonds, pistachios, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves and drenched in a decadent syrup made out of sugar, lemon, and clove. Served with pistachios and pistachio gelato and a tahini parfait, our saragli is guaranteed to please.

Kataifi Ekmek

One of the most lavish of the traditional Greek desserts, kataifi ekmek is delightfully sweet, creamy, and airy with three saccharine layers — syrupy layers of filo pastry, a creamy egg custard on top of the toasted filo layers, and a layer of whipped cream on top. At Nerai, our kataifi ekmek is served with cinnamon powder, pistachio powder, and mastiha gelato.

Greek Yogurt Rosemary Mousse

A light and refreshing way to end a scrumptious meal, our rosemary mousse is made from Greek yogurt with Italian meringue folded into it as well as whipped cream, which is steeped with rosemary and infused with a rich floral flavor. Our rosemary mousse is served along with a smooth and refreshing fig sorbet.

Walnut Cake

A mouthwateringly rich and scrumptious dessert, our walnut cake is made of chopped walnuts, eggs, sugar, and flour, and it is flavored with an aromatic blend of ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Bathed in sweet syrup and drizzled with chocolate ganache, this walnut cake is incredibly moist and flavorful. At Nerai, our walnut cake is served with a refreshing scoop of pistachio gelato.

Sokolatina

This beloved and enticingly rich and fluffy chocolate cake is made with chocolate mousse and topped with a rich ganache of caramelized white chocolate. Infused with feuilletine — thin crispy flakes with a delightful milk chocolate flavor — to add a little crunch, this chocolate mousse cake is a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Served with vanilla gelato, our sokolatina is utterly irresistible. Our Sokolatina (pictured below) by Pastry Chef Choya Hodge.

in Greek Food

It’s all about the spreads

May 8, 2018

At Nerai, one of our most popular appetizers consists of grilled pita bread and a choice of three traditional Greek dips and spreads. Greek spreads combine a medley of lush and healthy ingredients like eggplants, chickpeas, and other herbs and vegetables into delicious, flavorful creations that are perfect to pair with pita bread.

From the classic hummus dip to the spicy feta spreads to the light and refreshing tzatziki, Nerai offers a dazzling and extensive selection of authentic Greek dips and spreads that add a Mediterranean flair to any meal. With seven spreads on the menu, it can be hard to decide which ones to choose. Read more to learn about the different kinds of Greek spreads offered at Nerai.

Tzatziki

Arguably one of the most traditional Greek spreads, tzatziki is a light and refreshing dip made of shredded cucumber, yogurt, mascarpone cheese, confit garlic, chopped dill, and sherry vinegar. Tzatziki is a creamy, cold, and tangy spread, making it a perfect choice for the summertime.

Hummus

The perennial favorite across much of the Middle East, hummus is a blend of mashed chickpeas and tahini, cumin, garlic, citric acid. Garnished with red onion in olive oil with paprika and dehydrated chickpeas, the hummus at Nerai is both healthy and delicious.

Skordalia

A garlicky, tangy mashed potato dip, skordalia is a thick and flavorful puree made out of a base of whipped potatoes, combined with almond slivers and saffron. It is flavored with confit garlic, sherry vinaigrette, dried brioche bread, and then garnished with toasted almond slivers, chives, and paprika. At Nerai, our skordalia is blended with a small amount of egg yolk to add a richer texture.

Spicy Feta

This spicy and creamy dip is made of shredded feta, manouri, chili flakes, diced red pepper, yogurt, and cream. Then it is garnished with dried chili and micro greens. The creamy, delicious feta cheese combines with the spicy peppers to create a dip that is at once cool and fiery.

Taramosalata

Made out of tiny pink carp roe, this unique spread is blended with soaked brioche, red onions, lemon juice, and olive oil, and then it is garnished with red tobiko and chopped chives. The dip is creamy, with a texture similar to mayonnaise, and a hearty, salty, and rich taste.

Fava

This is a simple and light dip made out of yellow split peas, carrots, red onion, garlic, bay leaf, red wine vinegar, and rosemary and lemon zest. The fava dip is deceptively basic, but extremely smooth, creamy, and satisfying to eat with pita bread.

Melitzanosalata

A tasty and delicious spread, melitzanosalata is made from baby eggplants roasted over an open fire. The eggplants are then peeled and blended with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, shallots, garlic, and parsley. The smokiness of the roasted eggplants combines with the pungent flavor of garlic, the rich creaminess of the Greek yogurt, and freshness of the lemon juice and parsley to create a spread that is guaranteed to please.

in Events

Greco Persian Dinner: How the Ancient Greeks Ate

May 2, 2018

The ancient Greeks had a very different diet and eating style than most of us have today. In general, they were light eaters, believing that the goal of the meal was to please the palate rather than to fill the stomach. Ancient Greeks would typically start their day with a light breakfast of barley bread dipped in wine, or simply a boiled barley drink flavored with peppermint or thyme. In the middle of the day, they would eat a lunch that consisted of small snacks such as salted fish, legumes, bread, cheese, olives, eggs, nuts, and figs.

Dinner, however, was a much more sumptuous affair for the ancient Greeks. They would consume all kinds of dishes, such as quail eggs, fish, legumes, olives, cheese, bread, and fruit. If they were particularly wealthy, they would also eat meat and seafood. Dinner was typically a very rich meal, and also often accompanied with dessert. Cheese, figs, and olives drizzled with honey typically served as the ending to an evening meal.

It was extremely important for ancient Greeks to eat dinner with company. In this way, dinner was not only a meal but also a social activity. Dinner was the time when everyone would gather around with their friends and discuss things like current events, politics, and philosophy.

For the wealthy and elite members of ancient Greek society, dinner parties were particularly luxurious soirees. At dinner parties, guests would recline on three large couches placed in a U-shape in a dining room called a triclinium. There, they would recline and prop themselves on pillows in order to eat, drink wine, and converse with one another.

The ancient Greeks drank wine at every meal. However, unlike us, the ancient Greeks did not drink their wine straight—it was considered barbaric to do so. Instead, they diluted their wine with water. They would also consume a drink called kykeon—a combination of barley gruel, wine or water, herbs, and goat cheese in an almost shake-like consistency.

If you are interested in eating the way the ancient Greeks ate, sign up here for our Greco-Persian War-themed dinner party on Friday, May 18th. We will be offering two seatings at 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM.

With the help of historians, we have painstakingly reconstructed realistic dishes that would have been eaten by the ancient Greeks and ancient Persians, and we will serve the food in a historically accurate way that transports you from modern-day New York City to the ancient worlds of Greece and Persia.

By enjoying our historically accurate meal and a fascinating talk from ancient history expert Andrew Coletti, you can experience ancient history as never before.

in Announcements

Experience our Weekend Theater Menu

April 15, 2018

Get excited, theater enthusiasts: we are introducing a brand new Weekend Theater Menu that will make sure you never enter or leave a show hungry. On Friday and Saturday, stop by Nerai before your show from 5:00 PM to 6:00 pm, or after your show from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM, to enjoy this incredible three-course menu that we have prepared specially for you.

At the highly affordable price of $49, you can enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal that features a dazzling variety of mouth-watering starters, mains, and desserts. From our deliciously flaky spanakopita to our savory mushroom risotto to our delicately sweet baklava, you are sure to find something to enjoy from our Weekend Theater Menu.

Come to Nerai before or after your show to take advantage of this incredible deal. At Nerai, we make sure that you don’t have to sacrifice a delicious and sophisticated meal in order to catch your favorite performance.

See the full menu here, and make a reservation here.

in Events

Treat Your Mother to a Unique Mother’s Day Meal at Nerai

April 15, 2018

Mother’s Day is your chance to celebrate all of the remarkable and selfless things that your mother has done for you. Mothers work incredibly hard and make many sacrifices all year round. This Sunday, May 13th, let’s give back to our mothers and show them how much we love and appreciate them.

Take this opportunity to thank your mother for everything she has done for you, and give her an unforgettable experience as a token of your gratitude and love for her. Don’t just settle for a last-minute clichéd bouquet of roses or box of chocolates—your mother deserves something just as unique and unforgettable as she is.

On Sunday, May 13th, bring your mother to Nerai and treat her to a one-of-a-kind experience that she will remember and cherish for years to come. From 12 PM to 9:30 PM, we will be offering a special four-course prix fixe menu for only $79 that has been thoughtfully prepared for you to enjoy with your mother.

Our Mother’s Day menu features mouth-watering dishes that are guaranteed to please. With options ranging from our refreshing fig and halloumi salad to our flavorful lobster pasta to our decadent white chocolate mousse, this is the absolute best way to show your mother how much you love and appreciate her. After all, who doesn’t love a good meal?

What’s more, Nerai’s elegant ambiance and spacious, well-lit interior is sure to set a relaxing and refined mood for your meal with your mother, who deserves only the best. And we are conveniently located in Midtown, only a few minutes away from several major subway stations, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and high-end shopping on Fifth Avenue. Given our ideal location, a meal at Nerai is the perfect place to start, punctuate, or end a relaxing day of walking, shopping, and chatting with your mother.

Make a reservation today, and let us help you plan the perfect day for your mother.

in Announcements

Enjoy our brand new Midday Lunch Special

April 15, 2018

Great news for people who love to take late lunches! We are starting a brand new Midday Lunch Special. Every single day, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, you can enjoy our delicious food at a simply unbeatable price point.

Choose from our selection of tender organic chicken skewers, mouth-watering steak skewers, flavorful grilled shrimp skewers, delicious salmon burgers on squid ink brioche, and scrumptious chickpea fritters—and best of all, enjoy these dishes at the low prices of $18 to $21.

Come visit us at our convenient Midtown location anytime between 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM to take advantage of this incredible deal while it lasts.

See our full menu here, and make a reservation here.

in Greek Food

Drink Greek Coffee: It Helps You Live Longer

April 5, 2018

Exciting news for all coffee lovers: Studies have indicated that Greek coffee could be the key to living a longer and healthier life.

Researchers discovered that elderly residents from the Greek island Ikaria who drank boiled Greek coffee at least once a day displayed better overall cardiovascular health. And other studies have shown that, for every extra cup of coffee drunk per week, there is a 7 percent reduction in risk of heart failure and an 8 percent risk reduction for stroke.

Greek coffee offers far more health benefits than your average cup of Joe. But what exactly makes Greek coffee different from other types of coffee?

First of all, Greek coffee is boiled rather than filtered. The process of boiling extracts more nutrients from the coffee beans.

Furthermore, Greek coffee is comprised of Arabica coffee beans ground to a very fine powder. In this way, Greek coffee delivers more concentrated antioxidants than a normal cup of coffee, and it contains only a moderate amount of caffeine.

Lastly, Greek coffee is rich in chlorogenic acid, polyphenols, and other compounds that are excellent for heart health. Drinking more Greek coffee can help protect your arteries, lower your risk for diabetes, and boost your overall health.

The next time you come to Nerai, grab a cup of Greek coffee along with your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. It will be the perfect complement with your meal, and it will also do wonders for your health.

Make a reservation today.

in Events

Check out our Greek Easter Eve Menu

April 3, 2018

We hope everyone is excited to celebrate Greek Easter this weekend. Nerai will be hosting Greek Easter Eve celebrations on Saturday, April 7^th. Starting at 9 PM, we will be playing lively Greek music, courtesy of DJ Sava. As the night goes on, we will break the fast with traditional magiritsa soup and other delicious Greek specialties.

See below for the complete Greek Easter Eve menu, which will be served from 10:30 PM to 1:30 AM.

Make a reservation with us today.

in Events

“Feel Good Fridays” with DJ Sava

April 2, 2018

Join us every Friday evening for “Feel Good Fridays”. Enjoy some cocktails at the bar, or cozy up in one of our banquettes and indulge in sophisticated Greek cuisine as you finish off the work week and start of the weekend. Starting at 9 p.m., enjoy a live set by DJ Sava and be transported from the bustling streets of New York City, to the beaches of Mykonos. DJ Sava’s chill set combined with Nerai’s delicious food and refreshing cocktails are sure to have you feeling good every Friday.

We hope to see you for “Feel Good Fridays” to relax after a long week of work and get excited for the weekend!

We welcome you to experience our impeccable attention to service and genuine hospitality. We look forward to hosting you and your guests soon.

Hours of Operation
	Days	First & Last Seating
Breakfast	Monday - Friday	7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Lunch	Monday - Friday	11:45 AM – 3:30 PM
Dinner	Monday - Thursday	5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
	Friday & Saturday	5:00 PM – 10:30 PM

10 Greek Wines Every Wine Lover Must Try

Delve into the sweet world of Greek dessert

It’s all about the spreads

Greco Persian Dinner: How the Ancient Greeks Ate

Experience our Weekend Theater Menu

Treat Your Mother to a Unique Mother’s Day Meal at Nerai

Enjoy our brand new Midday Lunch Special

Drink Greek Coffee: It Helps You Live Longer

Check out our Greek Easter Eve Menu

“Feel Good Fridays” with DJ Sava

Haute Greek Cuisine

Nerai Blog