Terrace Diner
212-97 26th Avenue (Bay Terrace Mall) • Bayside 718.224.4434
By Teresa Barile

The Terrace Diner celebrates its first year anniversary this week after extensive renovations that gave this eatery a fresh, bright, new look. The Terrace Diner, located on the southern edge of the Bay Terrace Shopping Center, is a great place for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and anything in between, as the menu states. The brand new dining room boasts an open, airy atmosphere with wide, comfortable booths and tables, several of which are perched outside to allow you to partake of lovely alfresco dining. The entire rear wall of the restaurant is covered with a quaint, handcrafted mosaic depicting a kitchen motif with coffee cups, spoons and forks. The friendly staff makes everyone feel right at home and, of course, kids are not only welcome, but doted on. The young, amiable owners, Jimmy Papageorgiou and Peter Kaouris are neighborhood fellows who work very hard to please the busy clientele.

Come for breakfast, which is served all day long, and enjoy three-egg omelets filled with your choice of cheeses, vegetables or meat. Pancakes, fluffy French toast and waffles are always hot and fresh and orders can be swiftly packed up to go. On Saturdays and Sundays, a very popular brunch really packs them in from 11am to 3pm. Imagine thin crepes filled with fresh strawberries and bananas topped by a cloud of whipped cream. Belgian waffles are spread with strawberry butter and served with Greek yogurt, strawberries and sliced mango. If you crave something more savory for brunch, the Terrace burger is one of the best-sellers. This juicy 8-ounce burger is topped with bleu cheese, onions and mushrooms with all the trimmings. The grilled skirt steak or crab cakes Benedict make excellent brunch items too.

Lunch time offers economical specials such as the half Panini, wrap or sandwich with a cup of soup for just $5.95. It's just the right portion for lunch and you'll be on your way in no time. The grilled chicken Panini with bacon, lettuce and tomato is just great. Hot open turkey or roast beef sandwiches, or classic deli sandwiches hit the spot. The Terrace Diner does a fine job with fresh salads, including their famous Greek, loaded with feta cheese, olives, tomatoes and stuffed grape leaves ($5.95)

Each night, there are lots of specials using the freshest market ingredients to create dishes such as the house's famous moussaka, made with thick slices of eggplant, seasoned ground beef, béchamel sauce, herbs and spices. The house made spanakopita, or spinach pie, is great to share as an appetizer and the Greek style baby lamb chops are tender and juicy. Fresh fish is brought in daily and prepared on the spot. Flaky halibut, snapper or other catch of the day can be broiled with lemon and herbs and served with potatoes or rice and vegetables. Fillet of sole is stuffed with sweet crabmeat and bread crumbs. The Captain's plate is a generous platter of shrimp, scallops and fillet of sole with potato, vegetable and choice of soup or salad for $18.95.

The chef at Terrace prepares excellent sautéed dishes such as chicken or veal Marsala, piccata or Francese. Chicken Terrace was sautéed with sliced Portobello mushrooms, white wine and asparagus. Chicken lemonata with capers was served over rice. A number of pasta dishes such as Bolognese, alla vodka or marinara round out the menu.

An Early Bird Dinner is featured Monday through Thursday afternoons from 3-6 pm. Choose your entrée, including soup, salad and a beverage for just $8.95. Money-saving family style dinners can be ordered as well for all to share and enjoy.

Save room for dessert, where the Godiva chocolate cheesecake steals the show. This creamy, decadent concoction melts in your mouth and goes well with the Terrace's cup o' joe. There's also classic New York style cheesecake, with or without fruit, homemade rice pudding, fruit salad and ice cream treats.

The Terrace Diner is open for Mother's Day for a lovely brunch until 3pm, or dinner thereafter. Visit anytime, day or night, before or after the movies or shopping at the Bay Terrace Mall. They're open seven days a week from 6am until 11pm Sundays through Thursdays and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy First Anniversary Terrace Diner!

www.terracediner.com