AVRA Madison Awards

AVRA Madison Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: The second Avra outpost mixes an after-work bar scene with a lively seafood restaurant.

Food & Drinks: Keeping the familiar Greek venue formula of displaying the fish for diner perusal and selection, Avra Madison prices the fish by the pound. The international array leans to the more exotic, and the server will happily explain the origin of each crustacean and fish. Some to consider: lithrini, a white snapper from Greece; Faroe Islands salmon; and Icelandic char. Seafood can be chosen for sharing or for individual consumption and is usually prepared charcoal grilled with a hint of oregano and lemon. Typical appetizers are available, including the signature Greek salad, crispy calamari, grilled Portuguese octopus and a trio of spreads (tzatziki, scordalia, fava) accompanied by house-made pita. Adding a non-Greek twist, Avra Madison also offers a raw bar and sashimi. Wines comprise a full-bodied Rapsani from Greece as well as other European vintages. The cavernous space, conceived by David Rockwell, fills the entire top floor, with private rooms in the basement. The aforementioned bar scene adds a steady background buzz to the dining area.