Chef Ioannis Benetos goes off Menu at Parea Bistro in Gramercy by Lawrence Thorne
Chef Ioannis Benetos goes off Menu at Parea Bistro in Gramercy
 by Lawrence Thorne
 Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
 New York, NY
 Views: 10,030
 
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We recently stopped in at Parea Bistro located at 36 East 20th street (between Park Avenue South and Broadway) seeking Mediterranean seafood and soon discovered more than just delicious food. I've found the holy grail of Mediterranean seafood in New York and Chef Ioannis Benetos is the equivalent of the Chariots of the Gods, or at least he must have been Chef to them at one time.

I decided I wanted the lobster on the menu, but it was listed with a tomato base or red sauce. This being my first time at Parea Bistro and having a serious craving for Chef Gerald Green's seafood fettuccini (Gerald is a good friend and executive Chef at Garibaldi's in Savannah GA). Gerald makes the most delicious seafood fettuccini with a butter and garlic cream sauce. So, I decided to ask our waiter if the Chef at Parea Bistro would mind preparing the lobster dish in a cream sauce instead of a tomato base. The waiter looked at me momentarily and said "I'll ask him right away for you, sir". 

Moments later, the waiter came back and said the Chef would be more than happy to do this special order, so we decided on appetizers and a round of cocktails. I was excited to say the least, as I am usually told that special orders are not allowed when I go to places that do not know me.

The lobster was absolutely delicious. Nay - that doesn't do it justice. It was the most delicious lobster pasta dish I've ever had in my life. The butter and garlic cream sauce perfectly accompanied the fresh, firm lobster meat and Chef Ionnis Benetos' creation (completely off the cuff I might add), instantly took me back to Gerald Green's cooking in Savannah. I told the waiter how delicious it was and to thank the Chef for me as he cleared our plates.

Soon after clearing our table, the waiter must have told Chef Benetos because he came out to our table personally to thank us for the compliment. Now, this is something I'm used to when I visit Gerald in Savannah, or my good friend Giovanni Campos' restaurant, Yerba Buena on Avenue A. He had better say hi, as we've been friends for more than 17 years, but this is NOT something I expect when I'm just a walk-in at a new place dressed in casual attire. 

I was impressed to say the least and must insist that you try Parea Bistro and say hello to Chef Ioannis Benetos for me when you go.

Parea Bistro
36 East 20th Street
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 777-8448
info@pareabistro.com
Reservations Recommended


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Last updated by Lawrence Thorne - Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 -  New York, NY

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