With a name that translates as "sand restaurant," the airy two-story Ammos Estiatorio, its ceiling dotted with suspended beach umbrellas, promises a breezy Aegean-style meal. Servers recommend grilled seafood priced by the pound, which is heightened by the classic Greek combination of olive oil, oregano, sea salt, and lemon juice. At Ammos's rarefied prices though, its patrons are by and large expense-account parties and that breed of diner who doesn't even read the bill—or notice the backdrop of insipid Greek vocal pop. — Karen Tina Harrison
The plusses for Ammos Estiatorio include delicious octopus that is slightly charred and other decent appetizers like the baked feta. However, I was embarrassed after suggesting the restaurant for two unforgiveable reasons. The first is pricing that is a level or two above the restaurant's quality. Exhibit A, a $35 prix fixe combination that comes down to cucumber soup and a gyro. Entrees are all in the mid-$30s and, in my view, don't stack up to similarly priced fare at so many other fine(r) restaurants. Strike two for me is not service per se but the entirely inappropriate live music that entails little more than a young fellow covering various popular and lounge hits armed with just an electric piano and a microphone. Oh, and an amplifier. The volume was truly deafening until I demanded of the waiter that he turn it down. The singer appeared to be entertaining several of his friends in the bar and ruining the night of the few diners willing to brave this venue.
I have been a few times for lunch during the week. Lunch is pretty pricey, but it's very tasty and satisfying. I liked the pita appetizer with various hummuses and spreads. Rice pudding was yummy. Fish was great. I recommend reservations on a weekday.