Athena or Pegasus?

Looking for some al fresco dining tonight and I have a hankering for taramasalata. Neither of these places have really been written up on LTH. Any preferences/suggestions/warnings?

All options seem similar. Okay to good greek food with great outside dining.
I've probably had the best food at Greek Islands or Santorini. I had an okay/fine experience at Parthenon, but nothing to make me return.
The best outdoor meal in greektown was at Pegasus on the rooftop. Fun rooftop atmosphere with a nice greek white wine and great view of the city. Though it looks like their roof doesn't open until memorial day. oops.
I've always thought Athena's patio looked like fun.

RAB and I went to Pegasus a few weeks back. I hadn't been in at least 15 years. We had a restaurant.com gift certificate, and the free valet parking called to us.

I was incredibly disappointed with our meal. Pegasus is a mere shadow of its former self. The food tasted tired. We had the cold appetizer platter - - and nothing shined. The skordalia was too garlicky (didn't think that was possible), the taramasalata tasted old, dolmas were bland, etc. And, the platter was served with insufficient pita. When we requested more, we were charged $2. In fact, the pita portion was so skimpy that it could have been intentional - - so that we'd have to request more and they'd get to make $2 more. The Greek salad, too, was sad - - an insufficient portion for the price, with mealy tomatoes. The gyros platter was small and no better than what you'd get at an average hot dog stand. Grilled octopus was a highlight, but no better than other Greektown spots. Service was okay, but not great.

I've had much better recent meals at Greek Islands.

Ronna

I'd recommend Greek Islands.

=R=

Since the request is specifically for al fresco Greek dining, I'll go with Athena. My impressions of Pegasus the last time I was there were very much the same as REB's, sadly. Athena may not be the best food in Greektown, but it is good enough (unlike the food at Pegasus, some of which actively tasted "off" on my visit there a year ago), and wins the prize as the best food that can be eaten in Greektown outdoors. The funness of the patio on a warm afternoon or evening make Athena not just a default choice for us, but a happy one. Eating indoors, it would never be my first pick, but for four months of the year, it moves to the number one spot among all Greektown restaurants.

Chiming in as a Greek, I'd concur with Athena over Pegasus for al fresco Greek. The only reason to go to Pegasus is for the rooftop view. Every time I've eaten on the rooftop there, I've been very disappointed. Athena is not great, but certainly fine Greek food and the patio is quite lovely.

Santorini has some outdoor seating, but not much, and it's not as nice as Athena or Pegasus. But I would say it still wins for the best greektown joint with outdoor seating

Habibi wrote:Looking for some al fresco dining tonight and I have a hankering for taramasalata. Neither of these places have really been written up on LTH. Any preferences/suggestions/warnings?

Its raining cats and dogs, forget Alberto Fresco and go to the Parthenon and focus on house made sausage (Loukaniko) and gyros, also made in house, using appetizers such as fried zucchini w/skordalia, olives and cheese as fill-ins. Full meal wise, Santorini is the call.

Enjoy,
Gary

Santorini
800 W Adams St
Chicago, IL 60607
312-829-8820

The Parthenon
314 South Halsted
Chicago, IL 60661
312-726-2407

Has anyone been to Pegasus recently? Has it picked up at all or has it continued to decline?

I was there this month for roof-top dining. The grilled octopus was delicious but the taramasalata had no flavor.