This little gem is often unknown, even though it has won awards for the best Greek food in SD, from readers’ choice I believe (the awards hang on the walls). The chef has been there for over ten years, keeping the food consistently fantastic, and yet the prices have remained beyond reasonable. Some of the Greek wines are fantastic, as is the Greek coffee, and everything on the menu is a sure-fire treat. The swordfish is especially amazing, as is the chicken couscous, and even the spanaki salata (spinach dip) is impossible to reproduce, and remains the best I’ve found. Furthermore, the staff is particularly attentive and professional, and the ambience is very bright, casual, and fun, with Greek music pumping into the dining rooms and keeping the mood light. A GREAT place for vegetarians, and even vegans, as many of the dishes can be adjusted for different diets (this is one of the few places my friend with celiac’s sprue can safely eat). Also, the outdoor seating on a summer evening is the height of a pleasant dinner in Pacific Beach. I can’t recommend Athena highly enough.
Pros: great for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike
Cons: none, they have it locked in.
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