Tim Pappas and the guys behind Avra have created this multi-level Greek resto and lounge in Midtown, which's dishing out insanely authentic eats thanks to home-cooking by born-and-bred exec chef Nikos Karvelas (see? Born and bred!), thus ensuring that your braised veal shank stew with feta, swordfish kebab, or loup de mer is as Mediterranean as possible. They're also plying you with a raw bar, traditional apps like shrimp saganaki with tomato sauce, garlic & feta, and a sharing menu, plus live entertainment that isn't Yanni. Actually, retract that -- it would be kinda sweet to see Yanni in a Midtown restaurant.

AT's serving up truly authentic Greek dishes thanks to exec chef Nikos Karvelas who, with a name like that, was most certainly born and raised in Greece and knows how to put together a traditional, home-cooked, Mediterranean meal.