St. John The Theologian’s A Taste of Greece Festival 2010

A Taste of Greece Festival Why miss the chance to feast on Greek delicacies. For the past few years since my good friend, Father Pangiotis Lekkas, has been the Pastor at Saint John The Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, 353 East Clinton Avenue in Tenafly, this Feast has become a must see, a must eat place, a must attend function. The Festival has one of the largest ethnic menus in the area; every item is prepared properly. It’s a gourmet shame that it only lasts for four days, June 3rd to June 6th.

Some of the delectable items offered are: grilled octopus, lamb shank, stuffed green peppers, stuffed flounder fillet, Bakalao, Tiganito ( crispy cod with feta skordalia and marinated beets), Athenian chicken, orzo, dolmades, loukaniko, tyropita, mezedakia and pastries like baklava, kataifi, ravani, loukomades and a special Greek yogurt dessert with honey and walnuts. To drink: ouzo, metaxa, retsina and Greek beer. The above just touches on the fringe of the many food delights. One has to try them to appreciate the flavors and ethnicity of the Greek palate.

In case you are harboring doubts about sampling the foods, many of the sponsors and boosters listed are from area eateries and caterers. Seasons and the Venetian, Axia Taverna, Kontos Foods, The Crow’s Nest, Old Stone Market, Mivila Foods , Arena Diner, Tom Sawyer Diner, Coach House, It’s Greek to Me, Montville Diner, Oceanos, Red Oak Diner, River Edge Diner, Suburban Diner and the Rockleigh Country Club to name a few. With fine eating establishments listed, one knows they will be treated to excellent food.

Father Lekkas plays an important place in this offering. Along with the fine efforts of the church committee, he hosts a VIP table where the food keeps coming forth and he sees to the comfort and tastes of the table occupants. Among the table patrons were Tenafly Mayor Peter Rustin, Englewood Cliffs Mayor Joseph Parisi. Jr. and Alpine Mayor Paul A. Tomasko. The conversation as well as the food in this relaxed setting was very interesting. Rustin was teased about the fact that he could just walk across the street to partake in the meal. He jested that it was so good, he was coming back later for a second helping.

The church also has vendor areas featuring silver and gold jewelry, sunglasses, floral arrangements, a White Elephant sale and something that caught my eye, beautiful paintings by Lilecreations painted by artist Chrysoula Lile. Although forsaking formal training, this young painter has achieved acclaim both in her native Greece and in America. Her paintings favor a passion of mine, stressing aspects of the color melding with specific light sources. This would make the painting jump to life. Jay Koransky of Spivak Lighting , Route 4, Fairlawn has been an avid supporter of this theory and is looking for space in his establishment to do justice to this talented artist’s works. www.ifreelance.com/pro/50424  or Lilecreations@yahoo.com.