Kokkari Estiatorio

Several years ago, when I was still working in an executive briefing center for a high tech company, my friends and I used to meet at Kokkari from time to time and have dinner before heading out for late night dancing and drinks. It was always bustling with attractive people, the food was consistently tasty, we loved the rustic and inviting atmosphere, and it was spacious enough to accommodate our larger numbers without feeling cramped.

It had been awhile since I’d been back, but last week, my girlfriend and I met there for lunch since she works nearby. Immediately, the friendly hostess and warm Saloni, or front room, with a large stone fireplace and dramatic bar, beckoned me. We were seated at a cheery table by the oversized window along Jackson street in the Kouzina, or kitchen dining area, with high ceilings. Although two different people asked us what type of water we wanted, the rest of lunch service was seamless. The food was better than I remember.

They have a number of good wines by the glass, like a dark, deeply fruity, deliciously easy to drink Melville syrah ($13) from Santa Barbara.

This is still a wonderful place for both personal and business dining. They have multiple seating arrangements including: a grand hand-carved, wooden chef’s table that seats 24 in the Kouzina; a 30-seat private Oenos, or wine room, adjacent to the Kouzina; and a lovely Hania room that seats 10 just a short elevator ride downstairs. Even their restrooms, located beyond the Hania room, are charming, although I wouldn’t recommend dining there.

this was the first upscale greek restaurant i had been to and was absolutely impressed with the dishes. the ambiance and service was also excellent. My only caution is to make sure you balance out the rich dishes with the lighter dishes so you don’t end up feeling too full (like we did!)

We have eaten at this restaurant on several occasions. Most notably, my wife put together a surprise birthday celebration for me at Kokkari when I turned 40. We sat in the main room near the kitchen at a long table that was able to accommodate 24+ people. It was a great evening of eating and drinking. Besides some great wines off Kokkari’s list, my father-in-law brought along a double magnum of 1985 Sterling Vineyards, Three Palms Vineyard (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon). The food and atmosphere are excellent, and the wine list is creative and diverse with reasonable mark-ups.

We recommend you start your evening with the 2009 Bedrock, Cuvee Caritas, Sonoma County White Wine for $40 or the 2009 Kinston Family, Casablanca Valley, Sauvignon Blanc for $32 and follow it up with the 2008 Freeman, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir for $55 or the 2006 Bridesmaid, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon for $48.

As with all VinoServant reviews, you will see the price at the restaurant followed by the mark-up over retail (2007 Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs, North Coast | $75 | 2.5x | This translates into a retail price of $30).

VINOSERVANT’S TOP WINE VALUES AT KOKKARI

Sparkling Wines

7 selections that range in price from $52 to $150

2007 Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs, North Coast | $75 | 2.5x

White Wines

40 Selections that range in price from $32 to $100

2009 Elk Cove Vineyards, Williamette Valley, Pinot Blanc | $38 | 2.2x
2010 Abrente, Albarino, Napa Valley | $40 | 1.7x
2009 Bedrock, Cuvee Caritas, Sonoma County, White Wine | $40 | 1.3x | TOP PICK
2010 Starlite, Sonoma County, Viognier | $60 | 1.3x | TOP PICK
2010 Robert Sinskey, Carneros, Pinot Gris | $62 | 2.2x

2009 Kingston Family, Casablanca Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $32 | 1.9x | TOP PICK
2010 Astrolabe, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc | $45 | 2.4x
2010 Duckhorn, Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $56 | 2.1x
2010 Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc | $58 | 1.6x | TOP PICK

2008 Chehalem, Ian’s Reserve, Dundee Hills Chardonnay | $62 | 1.9x | TOP PICK
2008 Ramey, Russian River Valley, Chardonnay | $68 | 1.9x

Red Wines

84 Selections that range in price from $35 to $110

2009 Garnet, Carneros, Pinot Noir | $36 | 2.2x
2009 Schug, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir | $45 | 1.9x
2008 Freeman Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $55 | 1.3x | TOP PICK
2009 Willakenzie, Pierre Leon, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir | $68 | 1.6x | TOP PICK
2009 Emeritus, Hallberg Ranch, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir | $68 | 1.5x | TOP PICK
2009 St. Innocent, Zenith Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills, Pinot Noir | $75 | 2.3x
2009 Shea Wine Cellars, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir | $80 | 1.9x | TOP PICK
2008 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir | $95 | 2.1x

2008 Abadia Retuerta, Rivola, Sardon Del Duero | $30 | 2.3x
2010 Pago de Los Capellanes, Joven, Ribera Del Duero | $36 | 2.2x
2009 Kingston Family, Lucero, Casablanca Valley, Syrah | $38 | 2.0x | TOP PICK
2009 Mas de Gourgonnier, Les Baux de Provence, Grenache | $45 | 2.2x
2008 Andrew Rich, Coup d’Etat Red, Columbia Valley, Grenache | $45 | 1.9x | TOP PICK
2009 Pierre Gaillard, Crozes Hermitage | $60 | 2.0x
2007 Yalumba, Hand-Picked, Barossa Valley, Shiraz – Viognier | $62 | 2.5x
2009 Phillippe Faury, Vielles Vignes, Saint Joseph | $65 | 1.8x | TOP PICK
2005 Chateau Pesquie, Artemia, Ventoux, Grenache & Syrah | $78 | 1.7x | TOP PICK
2009 Psi, Ribera Del Duero | $78 | 1.9x
2008 Brunier, Telegramme, Chateauneuf-du-Pape | $82 | 2.0x
2009 Gramercy Cellars, Walla Walla Valley, Syrah | $90 | 2.0x
2009 Leviathan, California, Syrah | $90 | 1.9x
2006 Finca, Villacreces, Ribera Del Duero | $94 | 2.3x

2010 Owen Roe, Abbott’s Table, Sangiovese | $45 | 1.9x | TOP PICK
2008 Agricola Querciabella, Chianti Classico | $60 | 2.0x
2007 Cogno, Bordini, Barbaresco | $78 | 2.2x
2003 Villa Le Prata, Brunello di Montalcino | $86 | 1.7x | TOP PICK

2006 Starlite, Alexander Valley, Zinfandel | $52 | 1.2x | TOP PICK
2008 Peter Franus, Brandlin, Mount Veeder, Zinfandel | $75 | 2.1x

2009 Andrew Will, Columbia Valley, Cabernet Franc | $60 | 2.2x
2006 Robert Sinskey, Vandal Vineyard, Carneros Cabernet Franc | $68 | 1.8x | TOP PICK

2008 Seven Hills Columbia Valley Merlot | $48 | 2.4x
2008 Shafer, Napa Valley, Merlot | $92 | 2.1x

2006 Bridesmaid, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $48 | 1.2x | TOP PICK
2004 La Jota, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon | $58 | 1.2x | TOP PICK
2005 Rosati Family Winery, Mendocino County, Cabernet Sauvignon | $60 | 2.0x
2006 Chateau Larruau, Margaux | $75 | 2.3x
2009 Paul Hobbs, Cross Barn, Cabernet Sauvignon | $75 | 2.1x
2008 Pahlmeyer, Jayson, Cabernet Sauvignon | $82 | 1.6x | TOP PICK
2006 Long Meadow Ranch, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $84 | 1.5x | TOP PICK
2008 Gramercy, Columbia Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon | $90 | 1.8x | TOP PICK