Patch Picks: 5 Ethnic Restaurants

Every week, New Port Richey Patch runs a feature called Patch Picks. In it, we highlight picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

This week, we focus on ethnic restaurants. Sure, we all love pizza and burgers, but sometimes we crave something just a little different.  If you’re craving some authentic dining – whether Italian, Greek, Asian or Mexican – check out Patch’s picks for some of the most mouth-watering dishes in town.

(9818 Little Road, (727) 697-0217, www.mylittlegreek.com)

This family-owned and -operated restaurant in the Publix shopping center (across from the ) serves up traditional favorites, such as horiatiki salad, avgolemeno (soup), moussaka, baked pastitsio, dolmades, gyros, souvlaki, hummus with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and much more.  The children’s menu includes authentic dishes as well as American standbys such as a burgers and spaghetti. 

7041 U.S. Highway 19, (727) 846-9036, www.estelas.com

As cliché as it sounds, Estela’s really does have something for everyone, including live music every Thursday night, once-a-month karaoke nights, Latin party nights on the first Saturday of each month, Happy Hours, pool tables, children’s games, ‘kids eat free’ specials every day and much more. 

Throw in a friendly, accommodating staff and a magazine-sized menu boasting award-winning authentic flavors of Central America, and you’ve found the perfect hot spot for any night of the week.  According to owner Francisco Carrillo, the restaurant's most popular dishes – chimichangas and fajitas – are just too good to pass up!

5749 Main Street, (727) 264-8980, www.mezzalunahalfmoon.com

This Italian restaurant is fairly new to the Main Street scene (founded in 2009).  Their namesake pie – the Luna Pizza (“mezzaluna” means half moon) – includes a mouth-watering combination of Italian sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms topped with a house-cheese blend. 

The menu also consists of appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, calzones, grinders (toasted subs), a kids menu, lunch and dinner entrees (starting at $6 and $8 respectively) and Daily Chef Specials.  Delivery is available, and there is ample outdoor seating on the patio.  Bring your four-legged friends to dine al fresco because pets are welcome too!

(10710 State Road 54, (727) 372-5888)

This upscale, elegant sushi bar offers both Japanese and Chinese cuisine.  According to Ichiban, their most popular dinner entrée is the crispy shrimp & chicken with honey walnut sauce and their best selling sushi are their hot lovers rolls, a combination of shrimp tempura, avocado and spicy tuna.

Friday nights are the busiest at this 25-table eatery, and reservations can be made.  Open every day from 11am – 10:30pm, this almost four-year-old restaurant offers eat-in, take-out, and catering options and they do offer a kids menu. 

(5414 Main Street, (727) 372-5888, www.thai-bistro.com)

Rated number one (out of 63) restaurants in New Port Richey, Thai Bistro’s authenticity applies to everything from its décor (think welcoming Buddha statues, silk/embroidered table linens and wall ornaments) to the staff’s attire to the cuisine itself, made from only the freshest ingredients. 

A special macrobiotic menu features foods created with a  special sauce and brown rice.  Customer favorites include Pad Thai, Crispy Duck Salad and Spring Rolls, all cooked with “the true flavor of Thailand."  Founded in 2006, this Main Street eatery closes from 3-4 p.m. every week day.