Mythos: I want you to go to this restaurant

If you've spent any time at all in restaurants, you know this is not an easy way to make a living. How many other businesses require you to work crazy hours (and holidays) on tight profit margins for the happiness of total strangers who expect you to treat them like royalty? And in a way, you don't get to pick the people you do business with: your customers pick you, and if they don't like what you serve up, they don't come back and you may never know why.

It takes a rare type of operation to greet you, seat you and treat you like a long-lost family member, and serve some really delicious food to boot. And when you find this unique little gem, especially in this age of McStarbucks, you want the place to not just survive, but thrive. So go see the ladies at Mythos and tell them Maria sent you.

You longer have to go to Greektown to get Greek food. Now you can go to Lincoln Square and visit with Toni and Vicki, the sisters who run the place. Vicki manages all BOH (back-of-house) operations and Toni works up front, visiting and chatting with everyone like the hostess of a big family reunion.

Mythos is a little more expensive than the average Greek restaurant on South Halsted, but then the food is above average too. Pastichio, a comfort food casserole of lean ground beef, creamy bechamel sauce and macaroni, comes in a clear glass serving dish so you can see the bubbling sauce as it arrives tableside. It's a big portion with enough to bring home, but if you get too chatty you may find you've eaten the whole thing.

Lamb chops are great. Basically a rack of lamb with individually sliced chops fanned out on a round serving dish like sun's rays with a portion of rice and mixed vegetables.



Mythos is BYOB and is located at 2030 W. Montrose, just west of Damen. For reservations, call 773-334-2000.