Barba Yianni Grecian Taverna

This is a less than mediocre attempt at a Greek Restaurant. Worst Moussaka I've ever eaten. With so many other viable dining options in Lincoln Square and the surrounding area, walk by this one.

After catching a flick at the Davis, we were looking for a non-bar and grill in Lincoln Square, which seems to have a whole lot of them. We walked by this place and it looked really nice from the outside looking in - white tablecloths, polished oak bar, and generally a very clean, crisp looking place. So, we popped in. We were seated right by the front window, which always makes me feel special.

I wasn't too hungry so decided to opt for a soup and the Greek salad. Let me mention that I love Greek salads so much that when I was in Greece, Greek salads were often my preferred meal. I feel that they should be the litmus test for Greek restaurants - sort of like rating Mexican joints by their beans and tacos.

If you accept that premise too, then Barba Yianni fails. The tomatoes were pale looking, they skimped on the feta and olives and it was just tiny and sparse looking. The soup offerings were chicken noodle and egg lemon - uninspired, to say the least, so I skipped the soup altogether. In fairness, my friend had the roast lamb and said it was delicious and just like the one her dad made when she was a kid (she's Bulgarian; so, she knows a thing or two about lamb).

They had live Greek music and the place started getting really packed as the night progressed. Surprisingly, people are allowed to smoke cigarettes, or at least the people seated near the dance floor, which was a bit off-putting.

My overall impression, though, is that this place is only ok. I would never travel from my neighborhood to come here. But if you're a resident of Lincoln Square, I suppose it rounds out your options.

Great wine, cozy place, attractive servers, and the bartenders has eyes like diamonds.
I am pesceterian, and there is plenty of seafood. The bar area is a collection of unique personalities from the neighborhood, and the manager Anas makes everyone feel like family when they walk in. The mens' bathroom is a bit cold, but always spotless. I've lived in the neighborhood since 2001 and this is the most comfortable and welcoming restaurant in Lincoln Square.