Though the food was all right, the 'trendy' decor, with its white fake leather banquettes, was a bit tacky and didn't really have that "Smith Street" vibe. Athena didn't get much love from Yelp reviewers either. Eric S. wrote: "Athena is a grave insult to one of the world's oldest, richest and most soulful cuisines. Everything about this place bespeaks laziness, corner-cutting and general contempt for (or ignorance of) excellence. Oh, and it's way overpriced, too, adding insult to culinary injury."
Ouch!
Perhaps Athena's biggest problem was that, for a while, the restaurant's owner got himself into a bit of trouble regarding his liquor lisence and using the restaurant as a dance club.
In the fall of 2011, the owner of Athena submitted an on-premises liquor license to the NYState Liquor Authority. When he came in front of Community Board 6 for a review of the application, it was pointed out that the restaurant already had a full bar and was serving liquor to patrons. When asked by members of CB6's Permits and Licenses why he was serving alcohol without a proper license, he replied that he believed that he was covered under the previous owner's license.
Several neighbors attended the CB6 meeting, complaining that Athena turned into a dance club
at night. and hosted weekly Salsa dances. The amplified music kept neighbors awake.
When asked by CB6 if he had a cabaret license, a necessity when allowing dancing in an establishment, Athena's owner admitted that he did not.
CB6 subsequently voted against supporting a liquor license for the establishment.
Athena's sister restaurant in Park Slope is still open.
The business on Smith Street is currently for sale.
Any thoughts on what would be a nice neighborhood addition in that space?
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11 comments:
No surprise. Now lets all go support Grant!
We tried this place a year ago and it was super disappointing. The food was... fine, but not very greek (or at least the dishes we had). Their price points were all wonky as well. I think we had two entrees, shared a starter, and split a bottle of greek wine and the bill was around $120 which seemed ridiculous for what we had (they gouged people on the wine list - their markup was insane).
Apart from Wasabi which was in that place in the early 2000s, it's been a bit cursed. Before Athena it was the odd Mexican place. I don't recall what it was before Wasabi. Anyone?
The food was awful. I took my Greek inlaws there and it was a real diappointment.
A quality greek place would be a welcome additionto the Smith St. dining scene.
would be nice if not a restaurant or bar.
How about good Indian or Nepalese?
I never went there because the prices scared me away. If you've had Greek in Astoria you know it's generally cheap fare. I could tolerate a slight markup but not what Athena was charging.
I hope it's either a Italian-burger or burger-Italian joint. We really need one of those.
before Wasabi it was office space.
wish it would return to something like that.
Gutted. The kebabs were awesome.
We need a good Korean restaurant!
Why no body complaining about Pane E Vino at 174 Smith Street ? That place does not have Cabaret license either, they turned the place into dance club not once a week, last month is almost everyday !!! Especially on weekend really annoying people screamed and dance like crazy !
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