There is no doubt that Aspendos is the best Mediterranean restaurant in Princeton.
On what happened to be my fifteenth birthday, my family and I were still looking for a restaurant thirty minutes before we were supposed to leave. After searching online for about fifteen of those minutes, we finally stumbled upon Aspendos.
Despite our hurried decision, this restraunt pleasantly surprised us. Its wide range of options caters to people with vegan to carnivorous diets, which benefited my table, which included a vegetarian, a vegan and a person with celiac disease. In the short month since this discovery, we have already returned several times.
The atmosphere was immaculate. After multiple visits, I found that dining after sunset yielded the best results. The beachy decor was outstanding, complemented by a modern feel.
The portions at this restraunt are relatively small, appetizers only serving about 1-2 people maximum. On the other hand, many entrées are served in larger portions. Many times, I have picked up meals I was unable to finish, including meals such as the Ocean Casserole, Mediterranean Branzino, and Pappardelle Pasta. These portions compensate for the smaller portions served during appetizers.
After trying a plethora of appetizers, meals, and desserts, here are some of their best. The best overall appetizer would be the Crispy Octopus. It consists of a single fried octopus tentacle served with a side salad, which includes arugula, chickpeas, pesto, and a bean and lemon puree. The taste is immaculate, serving its purpose as an appetizer, although this portion is more suitable for a single individual rather than a group. When looking for an appitizer which feeds a smaller table while maintaining the same quality of taste, look no further than the Pan Fried Potatoes. These potatoes are deep-fried and smothered with truffle honey, thyme, chili pepper, and yogurt. This is an easier to share appitizer. Appetizer prices range from $12 to $23.
My personal favorite, as someone with no dietary restrictions, is the Ocean Casserole. The casserole consists of a large portion of seafood, sausage, and pasta. The taste is similar to a Jambalya. The casserole consists of gum mastic, octopus pieces, cockles, calamari, fish pieces, and shrimp. All of this is drowned by an amazing velouté sauce. Another amazing main course is the Lamb Shank. The lamb shank, slow-cooked, served with barley vermicelli, thyme, cream, jus sauce, and topped with a rosemary sprig. This filling meal is a classic in Mediterranean cuisine. Its nutritional value included a whopping 28-61 grams of protein. Main courses range anywhere from $27 to $55.
Ending on a sweet note at Aspendos is crucial to completing your visit. The Roll baklava is a traditional dessert that includes pistachio cream and is served along with ice cream and a glass of milk. Another popular and simpler dessert is the chocolate mosaic cake served with cherry sauce, vanilla ice cream topped with an almond. This dessert is perfect for pickier eaters. These desserts range from $14 to $17.
Aspendos is an amazing restaurant for people who enjoy Mediterranean cuisine. Its inclusive menu caters to all. Visiting Aspendos will not be a trip you’ll regret.
