187A Harvard St. Brookline; (617) 277-2999 Tucked cozily into a row of stores a couple of blocks below Coolidge Corner, Niko’s Restaurant is a one of the best Greek restaurants around. White linen cloths adom the neat rows of tables, with a vase of fresh daisies on each one. Lively music of the Greek Isles plays in the background. The place has a light and pleasing look to it
The Mediterranean specialties are delicious, full dinners with prices mostly in the $5-$8 range. Appetizers include such exotic-sounding items as taramosalata, a dish made from roe, and tza tziki, a cucumber dip with yogurt and garlic.Try the avgolemono ($2.65), egg lemon soup.
Among entrees, Mine ordered the moussaka ($5.50), a hearty square of ground beef on layers of cooked eggplant and potato, with a fluffy cheese custard baked on top. The price includes rice pilaf, made with tomato sauce, and a salad.
Zouzoukakia (just fun to say, isn’t it?) is a dish of homemade meatballs simmered in a tomato and wine sauce. They come with the same sides for just $4.95, making it a very inexpensive dinner indeed.
Desserts, all $1.45, include ba-klava, rice pudding, and daily specials; but Mine didn’t have enough room left to try them! Another time.