Get in your car and take a quick trip to Greece, leaving your passport at home.
Drive to 1045 Broad Street in Bloomfield, near Holsten's and Cafe Tartufo, step inside and you are in Greece.
The decor, staff, aromas abounding from the open kitchen, the big LCD TV tuned to a Greek news channel all contribute to the experience. But the food is the real celebrity here.
There are so many delicious dishes on the menu I barely know where to start.
One thing for sure, try the appetizer of whole wheat pasta with chopped carmalized onions, extra virgin olive oil and grated, powdered, ricotta.
Read all the great comments here, Baristanet.
Go Tuesday - Wednesday. Thursday is busy with lines by 7:30. Friday and Saturday the place is mobbed.
Pick up some Greek wine at Magnolias in Upper Montclair or Shoprite Liquors in Little Falls, they have a great selection of Greek wines.
Stamna Greek Taverna
1045 BROAD STREET
BLOOMFIELD, NJ 07003
Phone: 973-338-5151
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
We brought my husband, who is Greek, to Stamna for Father's Day. He is always very critical on the preparation of the food. Well he just loved it! We all did! We don't have to travel to Astoria anymore !
Posted by: Annamarie Barlikas | 08/07/2009 at 21:10
My aunt and I went to Stamna with two of her friends last weekend. The food was fantastic as well as the service, and in response to the chef smoking in the kitchen well I have been their twice and never saw him with a cigarette. Also if they want to smoke outside its a free country so let them do as they please and mind your own business and stop hateing. I love Stamna and am going back this Sat. with my aunt and I can not wait!
Posted by: Kristina | 07/28/2009 at 14:20
Re: Smoking
Yeah smoking is no good and should be addressed by the owner. But this could also be considered part of the restaurant's "character", as it's a way of life for most people from the old country. They should definitely wash their hands after smoking, if that's the case(see below).
The food there was top-notch when I went, no attitude from the servers, and an overall pleasant experience although a bit crowded. No smokiness that I noticed.
I do have a couple of complaints about you, such as your sub-standard grammar and shady remarks. I suppose you followed the servers around and took notes on who washed their hands and when? Your post reeks of propaganda and I hope what you say is factual as opposed to blatant slander. You sound like the owner of a local bodega which is losing business to Stamna. Anyway, if you don't go back there that's more room for the rest of us. Also, learn to use your "shift" key for CAPITALS, thanks.
Posted by: Chris | 07/26/2009 at 10:19
Will be eating at Stamna on Saturday for a birthday celebration. I am traveling all the way from Philadelphia. I will follow up on service and food. I hope all the comments back and forth is not indicative of the atmosphere.
Posted by: SB | 07/10/2009 at 17:23
the papya is divine here.
and i too enjoyed perikli. kudos to him.
Posted by: maria kakarakas | 06/23/2009 at 01:33
oh whoever said the chef smoking in the kitchen is a turn off shouldn't eat in any restaurant ever again. that should be the least of your concerns in most places, especially ones where you can't see into the kitchen!!! i've worked in restaurant kitchens for 15 years and i've got some horror stories for you. stop whining about silly things and enjoy yourself.
go to stamna. best greek food i've ever had in my life.
Posted by: emt | 06/20/2009 at 18:17
Smoking in the kitchen????????? You can't even smoke as a patron! Not a place I think I will eat at - thanks for the heads-up!
Posted by: Chris Messineo | 05/23/2009 at 13:25
I went to Stamna last night. This restaurant has big variety of traditional dishes and offers best authentic Greek food in NJ for very reasonable prices. I met the Chef Mike who is a graduate of The Cyprus Hotel Management school and the majority of waiters and the host are Greek Cypriot students. The staff are offering outstanding service Before I went to the restaurant I have read the comments from this webpage about how busy is the place and I made reservations at 5:30 so go early.
Posted by: Mike Miltiades | 05/03/2009 at 18:00
i enjoyed perikli
Posted by: joyce,angela | 04/05/2009 at 22:13
WOW I WOULD NEVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN, I WAS THERE OVER THE WEEKEND AND WHO IN THE RIGHT MIND EATS AT A PLACE WHERE THE SUPPOSED TO BE CHEF SMOKES IN THE KITCHEN. I'M SORRY BUT I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS AND THE CHEF IT'S THE LAST PERSON WHO YOU SEE SMOKING NEVER THE LESS IN THE KITCHEN, AND WHAT ABOUT THE SERVERS THEY SMOKE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PLACE AND DONT EVEN WASH THEIR HANDS AND HANDLE THE FOOD. SORRY BUT IF THE CHEF WAS IN FACT IN COMMERCIALS HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER. THERE ARE BETTER AND A LOT CLEANER PLACES I RATHER GO TO.
Posted by: ALESSIO FAMILY | 03/14/2009 at 20:51