Summer is the perfect time to visit Aris' Harbor Light Restaurant and Lounge, which will be featuring traditional Greek entrées prepared by a special guest from Greece for the next few months.
"My older sister Zoita is coming from Greece and I am going to have her make me some specials every day for the next couple months," says owner Aris Sklavenitis. "She has a restaurant in Greece and loves to cook."
Sklavenitis' sister will prepare traditional favorites like spanakopita, moussaka and various lamb-based dishes to accompany the regular menu. Recently, the menu grew to include lighter summertime recipes as well as additional seafood options.
The chicken salad stuffed tomato, calamari, broiled flounder and the crawfish or shrimp po'boy served on a crisp Cuban hoagie have become especially popular.
One of the all-time favorites that has always been on the menu is the restaurant's generous serving of hand-battered jumbo buffalo shrimp, which are always perfectly crispy.
"We have over 60 items on the menu," says Sklavenitis. "It's a big menu to choose from with some American, Italian and Greek."
Every Sunday, Sklavenitis puts aside the regular menu and creates a buffet selection of traditional Southern favorites, including bacon, eggs and biscuits, for brunch. The popular brunch buffet is only available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Now that Aris' has its liquor license, diners can also enjoy a few adult-oriented beverages. Happy hour every Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m. features two-forone house drinks, $2 bottled beers and $1.50 drafts.
Whether stopping in for a quick drink and appetizer or a hefty 12-ounce porterhouse steak, guests can dine in the cool indoors with access to TVs for sporting events or on the spacious patio, which is equipped with fans and overlooks the dock and water. Sklavenitis says the dock is a convenient second parking lot, providing plenty of access to the restaurant for hungry boaters.
There is no room fee for those who want to take advantage of the spacious interior or large patio for special events. A small outdoor wedding chapel on the hill beside the restaurant overlooks the water and is perfect for intimate weddings. Sklavenitis says he has catered several receptions where guests walked next door from the chapel for a catered dinner.
Sklavenitis says he loves concocting new dishes for his guests to enjoy and working to create an atmosphere of relaxation by the water where everyone can have a good time.
"We've been here five years this year," he says. "We appreciate our customers and their support over the last five years."
LOCATION: 9718 Hixson Pike.
PHONE: 843-2800.
HOURS: Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11-1 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with brunch served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NICE TO KNOW: Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights begins at 7 p.m.