Trey Popp hits up Privé in Old City and finds a place that is breathing life into what has been a stale dining scene.

There’s admirable variety and ingenuity in Privé’s small plates, all of which are big enough to give a party of four several bites. It’s hard to bring something new to a neighborhood where nearly every food niche seems to have been filled, but the Lavdas cousins are showing that it’s still worth a solid try.

Fashionably Late [City Paper]
Privé [Official Site]

If you haven’t been to Kanella you’re really missing out. Elisa Ludwig is the latest to heap praise on the Cypriot BYOB on Spruce Street.

Kanella is a fresh, fantastic addition to the local BYO lineup. For one thing, there’s no other kitchen serving this food — the cuisine of Cyprus is an unmistakable amalgam of Greek and Turkish influences augmented by notes from France, Italy, Lebanon and elsewhere — in the region. Chef/owner Konstantinos Pitsillides has created a well-edited menu that makes his native cuisine accessible without dumbing down its distinct flavors. Even more notable is the cooking itself, which eschews fancy innovations for authenticity and simplicity. It’s honest, good food. If there’s a gimmick here, it’s that what you see is what you get.

The Transporter [City Paper]

Rick Nichols waxes about Kanella, the Washington Square West spot that seems certain to make Cypriot a sought after cuisine.

Kanella (Greek for cinnamon) is the project of Konstantinos Pitsillides, a native of Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean with strong ties to Greece, which inspires his cookery. In fact, he fancies himself a guardian of a tradition he sees fading, or abused: “I’m on a mission,” he says. “Keep it simple, use the whole animal, bring back authenticity.”

Go east for good eats [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Adam Erace enjoys Kanella, the Cypriot BYOB that has made quite the debut at 10th and Spruce.

[Chef/owner Konstantinos] Pitsillides, former chef of Meze in Bella Vista, is not afraid to bring it with some pig trotters or sieftalia—spiced pork sausages cased in caul fat, the lacy membrane that contains an animal’s internal organs. Or how about tarama, carp roe whipped into a silky, surprisingly delicate dip served with grilled pita? With tangy tzatziki and fragrant carrot-and-cardamom, it’s one of a trio of dips that change according to Pitsillides’ whims.

Kanella [Philadelphia Weekly]

Rick Nichols has a small piece today regarding Estia’s challenge to Dmitri’s legendary octopus.

Its extraordinary octopodi is sourced from Portugal and Spain, cleaned and tenderized with sea salt in a dedicated washing machine (that’s right, just the rinse and spin cycle), braised in red-wine vinegar, and grilled over charcoal. Over the fire it’s basted with the house vinaigrette, which slowly caramelizes, yielding a crackling, sweet crust. The tender, white coins are served Greek style with a dill-flecked salad of onion, pepper and capers.

Estia’s kingly octopus [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Estia [Official Site]

Athanasios Konidaris is hoping that Cherry Hill is ready for his authentic Greek food at Onasis. People had better be because the fish is.

These regal fish, mostly imported from Greece, are the main reason to visit Onasis, and Konidaris cooks them beautifully, carefully roasting them on the self-built rack that gives the fish just enough distance from the grill’s hot flames. Deboned for presentation and butterflied beneath a glaze of lemony olive oil and scattered capers, these are some of the most spectacular whole fish I’ve eaten around Philadelphia.

Two Bells – Very Good

Onasis [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Onasis [Official Site]

St. George Cathedral, 256 S 8th Street is hosting its Fall Festival this week.

Expect great Greek food and pastries as well as music, souveniers and gifts.

The festival runs Starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.

And if you can hold off until Saturday after 8 PM all entrees are 50% off!

St. George Greek Festival

We highlighted this deal in one of the first days Foobooz was live but the deal is good through the year and still a very good deal.

South Street Souvlaki , 509 South Street, is celebrating its 30 years with five courses for two for just $30.

The meal comes with the following:

• Two soups or salads
• One appetizer
• Two entrees
• Two desserts
• Two coffees or teas

Take your tastebuds on a trip to Greece at one of Estia’s upcoming summer wine tastings. Held on the first and last Tuesday of the month, each event will give guests a chance to experience unique varietals from Greece and the Mediterranean. From 6-8 pm, each tasting will include five tapas-style courses as well as commentary by guest speakers and Estia’s sommelier Brandon Reese.

• July 6- A Mediterranean Mix: Selected wines from Greece, Lebanon and Israel
• July 25-White Wines from Greece: Greek grape varietals from crisp to sweet

Each event is $40 per person (excludes tax and gratuity).
Estia, is located at 1407 Locust Street.

Estia [Official Site]

June 1st to 4th St. George Orthodox Cathedral hosts their annual Greek Festival.

Enjoy authentic Greek food and pastry as well as free cooking and baking classes. Hours are noon to 1 AM each day.

St George Cathedral Festival