Jun. 18, 2014:  This cozy spot in Chester Heights, Elia Taverna, is the only restaurant in our area serving traditional Greek cuisine--look beyond gyros and you will find plenty of dining options.

Light yellow walls, dark wood, and blue highlights make for an attractive setting. Elia Taverna has no bar and serves only wine and beer--the Greek red house wine was excellent. A separate room in the back is for extra seating and private parties.

We were greeted by Adan Munoz, the personable maître d'. Warm pita bread and very garlicky Greek olives were brought to our table right away. Appetizers included Cyprian seftales--seasoned chopped pork sausage with onions and parsley--which my husband loved, as it was different from typical appetizers like falafel or tzatziki. I ordered Kolokithokeftedes--pan-fried zucchini cakes with fresh herbs and feta--which were very tasty.

Main courses included arni fassolakia, a specialty of the night, which consisted of chuck lamb, green beans, and garlic and onion in a light tomato sauce, which was tender and delicious, and garides Santorini--Greek-style shrimp sautéed with tomato and feta--which reminded me of vacation on that lovely Greek Island many years ago.

Both lemon-boiled potatoes and round French fries accompanied our main courses. The chef and owner, Mike Saris, certainly knows how to cook his native food. The other owner is Mihalis Rui, and the service is prompt and efficient, with moderate prices.

We wanted to taste and experience Greek dinner items that night, but sandwiches and typical Greek platters are available to order along with cold or hot appetizers. Our dessert was fresh cherries in their own sauce served over some of the richest Greek yogurt I have ever tasted! Greek coffee was robust, as it should be.

Hope you try this restaurant. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Phone: 914-663-4976; address: 502 New Rochelle Road, Bronxville, New York 10708.

Pictured here:  Diners at Elia Taverna in Chester Heights.

Photo by Karen Talbot