The Athens
 

Tried the Athens for the first time last night. Almost everything that could go wrong did . . . asked for dressing on side - not done, asked for rolls - had to ask three times and finally gone them 1 minute before the meal, no splenda for the coffee, women at next table slipped on food that was on the floor, and it continued right up until we left. They had about 10 people working in there and only about 12 customers so you'd think the service would be top shelf but it was not. However, the food was very good (and people at the next table said the same thing) and very reasonable, we'll go back and give it another try in a week or two.

Ate there a couple of weeks ago and was disappointed in the gyro I ordered. Sauce just didn't have the tang I was accustomed to. I will try it again as I love greek and middle eastern food but will try something else. Service was good when I was there and they were very accommadating in bringing us something to give the gyro sauce a zip. Maybe they are just going through start up "growing" pains.

Restaurants do not have the luxury of "growing pains". Once they open their doors they had better be ready to give their best. Customers are paying full price and they expect top shelf food and service. With most people there is seldom and second chance.

I ate there several weeks ago and had a great meal and fun time. The 1st time I was alone and forgot my newspaper. The waiter went and got one for me. The 2nd time 4 of us went for breakfast and it was decent. I will say that I ordered a cannolli to go and the filling definately sat in the pastry for a while--a bit too soft. I'll let them know the next time I go and see if they address it.

I would really like to see that restaurant make it there. Generally I like gyro's. I have tried Athens 4 times and 3 times tried the gyro. I agree with the fact that the sauce is dull. Ate in with my wife and the food was 'eh'.
Service is usually good but the food needs more attention. I think they have too much on the menu. they should pay more attention to the details of what they're SUPPOSED to do good.
The "it's greek to me" vendor that comes on the squares once in a while ..... now there's good food!!

Athens
 

I have a certain fondness for the Athen's Resturarnt. Athen's is a very small
little village located on the Hudson river (across from Hudson, NY). It is
very quaint. My grandfather was Under Sheriff of that county at the turn of
the century, my father was a minister there in the early 20's, met my
mother who lived there and married her in the Methodist Church in Athen's.
In addition to being Under Sheriff, (responsible for most of the Sheriff
duties) he also owned and ran a rather large farm. When my grandfather
turned 100 (1970) my sister and I tried to capture some history. One
question I asked him was if he ever shot anyone. He said no as in those
days if we said we would shoot we darn well did and no one wanted to be
shot. He was kind and wonderful person..Just a little history..

If a cannoli is not eaten in a short time it will get soft.
There is nothing wrong with it,you got it to go,, and after a short while it got soft, the moisture from the filling is the cause for that.

The Athens
 

We ate there last night. The service was great and the food better and the staff friendly. In fact it is one of the better resturants I visited here in TV. I had the 11 oz haddock and it was excellent. In fact the fish was better than I purchased at Bonefish I normally ignore going out for dinner but I would go back to The Athens without hesitation. So far the Brazilian resturant in Ocala, Vic Amber's in Leesburg and The Athens in TV could cause me to go back. Kathie Belle'ss my least favorite, in fact I won't eat there. I ordered a simple chicken breast sandwich took one bite and told the waitress to take it back

I love it!

We ate there tonight when there was over an hour wait for Cattle Barrons. All 4 of us ordered something different (gyro dinner, Athens fish, French chicken, lamb shank) and all 4 were great. We ate outside -- wonderful service, wonderful weather. Loved it.

Another Linda /athens
 

another Linda bet Athens fish was nearly as good as doug's fish fry, at least I thought so. I am going to take Christopher's (owner) recommendation and have the haddock with the potato batter next time. By the way had you ever gone to dinner at Maggie Jordon's before it closed? Great veal dishes!

If the Brazilian restaurant was Ipanema, I believe they may be closed. The last couple times I went by, the place looked empty.

Sounds great but just where is it located please.

Ipanema
 

Gemorc, much to my pleasure Ipanema is still open . Lunches 11-2 dinner 4pm weekdays weekends 5pm.

Where are they?
 

Where is the Athens restaurant located?

Where is the Ipanema restaurant located?

THANKS in advance!

I like Athens so much, because of the good food and never having to wait to be seated, that I am tempted to keep the secret and say it is located on 466 somewhere. But I just can't do it.
Ok, ok, Athens is located right on the square next to Katie Belles. They are hoping to get a sign above the awning someday soon.

PennBF, I enjoyed your story. Very nice. The owner of Athens restaurant, which BTW is in Spanish Springs across the street from Toojays in the town square, came out to talk to us when we were there a couple of weeks ago. Wonderful man. I hope the place does good. He was so very nice and is from Athens...Greece.

We are going to give it another chance. When we went, it had only been opened a week or so and they were jam-packed with customers. Our waitress was great. Brought us free coffee after dinner. The food was...I hate to complain...well, the food was okay and we've decided to give them another try at a later date.

bestmickey, I don't know where Ipanema is located.

Impanema is on 27/441 in Ocala. It is on the right hand side as you are headed north. If you get to 17th st you passed it.

Thanks for the replies! I'll be sure to visit Athens during my upcoming visit. Ipanema will have to wait since I won't have a car with me. :cry:

Rest..The Athens
 

The Athens continues to please. My family eat there last night and ..forgive the lack of manners about licked their plates.

The Athens
 

Wow...I posted about my 2/26/11 visit to this establishment giving a recommendation..something I seldom do. I ate there for a second time Friday night 5/13/11 and was somewhat disappointed. Started with a dirty bread dish which for me killed the moment. Took my daughter who was visitng and she gave it a so-so. Guess I am not an going out for dinner type.

The Athens
 

I posted comments three days ago about my experience and in retrospect believe I was too critical. In reality I have found a dirty dish or two from my dishwasher and had to re-wash them. Given the volume the Athens must do
it was unfair for me to be critical. The meals we had met our expectations.
I would return for another meal.

We had lunch for 4 there recently and had "white hots", a "garbage plate" (they call it the "Athens Plate" for obvious reasons) and Genny Cream Ale ... the food was great as was the service ... but we are from Rochester, NY in a former life and it brought back memories of this WNY meal ... YMMV

John

We were disappointed, won't return.

Update: I was harsh above, and rightly so.
Yet, I've yet to find a really good gyros in the vicinity (Takis was horrid).
Perhaps Athens was having growing pains.
I'll try a second time soon and give an updated review in a couple weeks when I return to town.