A big fat Greek disappointment

You know you’re in for an interesting Greek dinner when the restaurant doesn’t have Greek wine.

                And so it was at Yanni’s, 2601 Navy Blvd. in Glenview, Illinois.

                Centrally located in ‘The Glen,’ Yanni’s offers a spacious environment that provides a pleasant dining experience.

                Unfortunately, the service and food doesn’t quite measure up.

                Yanni’s menu offers the usual and customary Greek selections as well as some that seems to be a bit more unique – which is OK.  Several entrees are wrapped in Filo dough including salmon and chicken breast. While entrees are nicely presented, flavor is lackluster at best. Food, while presented fairly well, could also be served a bit warmer. Portion sizes are ample.

                Yanni’s offers fresh fish, but it seems they double label some entrees. For example, branzino was on the menu as was fresh Mediterranean Sea bass. They are, for the most part, one in the same.  I also found it interesting that one of their menu items, I believe it was ‘Kokinisto,’ described as “braised organic hormone & antibiotic free Colorado lamb, slow cooked with fresh herbs in a tomato sauce,” was identical to a special with a different name, with the special costing $8 more.

                I would have asked our waitress, but he stops by the table were less frequent than a CTA subway train and her knowledge lacked. This seem to be reflected in other wait staff I observed.  I couldn’t help but notice wait staff trying to apparently debone a fish before serving, but it was like watching carpenters install soggy dry wall. Restaurants that tout themselves as having a “touch of elegance” need to have staff that can reflect that claim. One waiter, to his credit, seemed absorbed in one table and even sang for them. His demeanor and personality was welcomed compared to other wait staff.

                Even support staff needs to be on its toes.  A simple request for lemon for water went unfulfilled.

                We opted against dessert, but might have had our waitress provided some enticement. The same demeanor was reflected throughout the meal.

                With one glass of wine per couple, our check eclipsed the $140 mark. This was for two entrees and an appetizer of saganaki.

                Can I recommend Yanni’s? It may be worth a try, but with the number of excellent Greek restaurants in the Chicago area, it’s not going to be near the top of my list.

                Especially if you want Greek wine.