Meli Modern Greek

Reviews

• TB

  Tiziana Pratico' Brugellis

  4 days ago
  4.0
  Finally made it to meli. The hype is really high i have to say it, did it meet all the expectations? Yes and no. While I was ready for the fun vibe, I didn't expect it to be loud and chaotic. Good is Greek, can't never go wrong with had it... the martini glasses are smaller then usual so they bring u an extra super cute glass shot. Desserts are not your best greek selection if u ask me, no yogurt and berries for example. Am I going back? In a while but I will for sure.
• SS

  Sshahana S

  Mar 29, 2026
  3.0
  We had to wait long time for the food which is fine. I didn't know they charged for regular water and when my husband order fish the waiter should've told us that the price showing in the menu it's actually per found fish cost him $100. The chicken was dry, and I asked if they have meshed potato but it was more like fried potato ball over it's not wroth the price. We have been to many high end restaurants it's not about money it's about food. I thought it was okay.
• TK

  Theone Kanaris

  Mar 29, 2026
  1.0
  Wanted to like this place, but the service really missed the mark for a restaurant at this price point. After we were already seated and our water was poured, we were asked to move tables, which felt inconvenient and not very hospitable. The staff lacked training for fine dining. Crumbs were cleared with a scraper but swept directly onto the floor, and we were asked to move our own plates and glasses while they cleaned. My salmon came out extremely overcooked, and because it was being shared and there were multiple servers taking care of the table, there was confusion and hesitation about replacing it, including a suggestion it would only be replaced with a smaller portion, which felt uncomfortable and a bit interrogative. When the new one finally came, the waitress had us cut into it in front of her to check it while she watched. Overall, it didn’t feel like the level of professionalism or polish you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant.
• JL

  Jim Loughlin

  Mar 28, 2026
  5.0
  If you're looking for a dining experience that transports you straight to the sun-drenched shores of Santorini without leaving Long Island, Meli in Garden City is your answer. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is absolutely stunning — soaring ceilings adorned with cascading bougainvillea, warm wooden beams, and elegant white furnishings that perfectly capture the spirit of the Greek islands. It's romantic, vibrant, and Instagram-worthy at every turn. The service was warm and attentive throughout, adding to the overall experience. Now, the food. Everything that arrived at the table was fresh, beautifully plated, and bursting with flavor. The tuna tartare — elegantly molded over a bed of avocado and crowned with edible gold leaf — was a showstopper both visually and on the palate. And if you go, do not leave without ordering the lobster pasta special. A beautiful plated lobster over a rich, savory tomato linguine — it's an absolute must. Meli has quickly earned a spot on our regular rotation. Whether it's a special occasion or just a Tuesday night that deserves to feel special, this place delivers on every level. Bravo! 🇬🇷
• JB

  Jason Bourne

  Mar 22, 2026
  1.0
  **1-Star Review: Meli Modern Greek – Garden City** My wife ordered the diver scallops for $49 and received exactly 3 scallops—each roughly the diameter of a quarter—artfully scattered across an oversized plate as though extra white space could magically inflate their perceived value. They were perfectly seared and tasty, but the portion felt like performance art rather than dinner. (Imagine a standard dinner plate with three little coins placed far apart like they're trying to socially distance; that's the visual. Regrettably, we didn't snap a photo—we were too stunned that our entrée looked like it belonged on a tasting-menu amuse-bouche rather than a main course. We were already mentally calculating the cost-per-bite before the first forkful.) I went with the lamb chops at $48. Nowhere in the menu description did it disclose that “chops” here means “adorable baby-sized cutlets.” Again, very good flavor, expertly cooked—but the pricing made us wonder if we’d accidentally teleported to a Midtown Manhattan tasting menu. The restaurant itself seems to suffer from a serious identity crisis: fine-dining prices meet nightclub-volume soundtrack. The music was cranked so loud we spent the entire meal scanning for a nonexistent DJ booth, then left with hoarse voices and ringing ears from shouting basic sentences at each other. Romantic? Hardly. Exhausting? Absolutely. We also tried two “small plates” (their appetizer section): a flight of pita and dips, and the grilled calamari. Both were genuinely delicious—tender calamari, decent spreads—but each hovered near $30. Thirty dollars for what amounts to a generous snack. The math doesn’t math. Bottom line: Meli delivers solid cooking wrapped in portion sizes that insult basic arithmetic and prices that scream hyperinflation. Service was mediocre. The only thing truly “modern” here is the menu’s enthusiasm for separating you from your money faster than inflation ever could. Do not recommend unless your idea of a fun night out is overpaying for elegantly plated rationing and a free side of tinnitus. (And to management: please skip the templated “we’re sorry this wasn’t the experience we strive for” reply. We’re not coming back, so the apology script can stay in the drafts folder.)