DINING OUT: Athens Market

Those seeking great food and even better coffee, look no further. One of Bay Ridge’s newest establishments, Athens Market, serves up homemade Greek specialties and also carries a full line of European products.

Owner Steve Fragoulopoulos is no stranger to food. His family, still in Greece, has been in the restaurant business for 30 years. Six years ago, he opened Athens Market, which has a coffee bar and a sleek seating area, where patrons can enjoy their purchases on the spot.

“I know something like this was missing in Bay Ridge. There are around 50,000 Greek families here,” Fragoulopoulos said, adding that his customers come from everywhere between Midwood and Philadelphia. “Eventually we will try to import products from Greece ourselves, to get rid of the middle man and keep prices more reasonable.

It takes a lot of hard work to keep the quality of the product,” he went on, adding that all of the food is made on the premises, using extra virgin olive oil and never any extra sugar, preservatives or chemicals. “All the materials we use in the kitchen are materials you would use in your own. You don’t compromise on quality.”

The menu is constantly rotating. On Wednesdays and Fridays, there are fish specials. Customers can order from the deli and take their purchase home, or enjoy it at the adjoining seating area by the coffee bar, which has wide windows that are perfect for people-watching.

Fragoulopoulos also has a large brick oven, which he allows customers to use and bake their own dishes. “We do cater, but if you want to make a big dish and don’t have space in your house, then we will put it in our oven,” he said.

First we tried the Brussels sprouts, which were simply sautéed with oil and garlic ($5.99 per pound). They were tender and tasty.

Next, we had an interesting dish of zucchini stuffed with rice and fresh herbs in a tomato sauce ($5.99 per pound). The light flavors were perfect for a hot summer day.

The Pasticcio ($5.99 per pound), tasted just like it should, with creamy ricotta, tender pasta and chopped meat.

The Fried Calamari ($9.99 per pound) was soft, yet supple and crisped perfectly.

Next up was the Spinach Pie ($3) which had flaky dough and was loaded with spinach and feta – but not oil.

We washed our meal down with a deliciously refreshing frappe ($1.99 for small and $2.49 for large), which was sweetened just enough to wake us up from an impending food coma.

For dessert, we enjoyed Walnut Cake ($3.50 per piece), which was gooey, chewy and filled with honey. The Greek cookies ($8.99 per pound) were simple and delectable, reminiscent of biscotti. The Kourabiedes ($9.99 per pound) were tender almond cookies doused in powdered sugar.

Last, but not least was the Loukoumades ($9.99 per pound), which are deep-fried balls of dough, covered in honey. You could taste the richness of the olive oil, but they were not drowning in it. We left the market feeling energized and hungry for more.

Athens Market

9606 Third Avenue

718-238-0741

Open seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Catering available

Free delivery