The Mixing Bowl Eatery was a Bellmore landmark offering well made American food in a friendly atmosphere. But they wanted more. So they hooked up with foul-mouth chef Gordon Ramsey and his restaurant makeover show "Kitchen Nightmares." Typical infighting ensued (which included a manager crying for the cameras) and just like practically every other Long Island restaurant that participated in the Fox TV reality show, quickly closed its doors.
In comes Nick Damiris, owner of Greek Delight in Massapequa, to reap the benefits of the modern-oasis décor leftover from Ramsey's transformation. The light Mediterranean cuisine seems like a perfect fit for the long, pale curtains, ultra-suede chairs, leather-like banquettes and about 16 tables.
Diners are immediately greeted with complimentary toasted pita triangles, but instead of the requisite dish of tzatsiki dipping sauce, a bowl of lively Chick Pea Salad. I enjoy it so much I order it as a starter ($3.) Little spinach pies, Spanakopita, also arrive triangular and tasty. I search the menu for something unusual. Pitsas ($4.95/$5.95) are open-faced pitas loaded with different ingredients. I get the one with gyro meat, tomatoes, onions and peppers made to mimic a slice of pizza. There are two others good for vegetarians, a spinach feta and a tomato mozzarella. Also available for those non-meat eaters are Falafel, Eggplant Greco and a Veggie Wrap filled with grilled peppers, zucchini, broccoli, tomato and onions.
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Nick's Famous Greek Salad ($4.95-$8.95) is also known as the "village salad." It's the same Greek salad you've come to love with the typical dressing and you can add grilled chicken or gyro for only $3 and make it a meal. A Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich ($6.45) has plenty of moist, marinated meat and Moussaka ($11.95) tastes like it was made from scratch when I ordered it, layered with eggplant, mashed potatoes and ground beef, all in béchamel sauce. It comes with Nick's Famous Salad and a huge pile of garlicky green beans. Avgolemono Soup ($2.25/$3.25) is meatier than most with both shredded and chunks of chicken. No entree costs more than $15, including a Romanian style steak and Chicken Limonaki made with mushrooms and white wine. Baklava ($2.50) is a nice way to finish but if they have the custard filled pie called Galaktobouriko ($2.50) grab it.
It hard to imagine spending less for such satisfying food. Plus the manager doesn't weep.
