"I'm Greek, with a lot of background in eating and drinking," said Chrysanthi's owner Spiros Gerekos in an interview with The Chef's Plate. "I really enjoy food. I enjoy being around food, I enjoy cooking food, I enjoy eating food, especially with friends."

That matter-of-fact passion forms the backbone of Gerekos's popular restaurant, where diners know the friendly servers by name and Gerekos himself checks in on meals. The quaint restaurant's menu is packed with Greek and Italian classics made from fresh ingredients, many of which are locally sourced in the summer from nearby Brookdale Farm.

For those with an appetite for Italian, there's haddock and artichoke risotto, ravioli pomodoro, and extra-thin pizza. Greek dishes include avgolemono soup, gyro platters, flaky spanakopita, and decadent moussaka. American and other regional specialities can also be found under the eatery's high wooden ceiling or on its umbrella-shaded deck. From addictive eggplant fries and hot pastrami reubens to fried Maine clams and creamy seafood chowder, pretty much everyone leaves satisfied.