Christakis Greek Cuisine on Newport Avenue has served Tustin traditional Greek dishes since 1996. Still family-owned, the service is friendly and attentive, and the menu is fantastic. Begin with a saganaki appetizer, or the fresh and excellent hummus, or the spanakopita—most starters here are very good and very filling. Popular entrees include the paidakia, four charbroiled lambchops marinated in virgin olive oils and Greek spices, and the terrific falafel.

The ambience is intimate and relaxed on most days, but on weekend nights live music and belly dancing accompany meals. Prices are reasonable and the outdoor seating is a calm escape.

Christakis Greek Cuisine
13011 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-6600
christakisgreekcuisine.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr thealmightymiranda

Founded in 1987 by a chef named Zov Karamardian, Zov's in Tustin has earned accolades for its Mediterranean-influenced menu and excellence in baked goods. The calamari appetizer makes a great start to a meal while hummus is a great choice for an indecisive eater to fall back on.

The rack of lamb, probably the most popular menu item, is an often-praised entrée and comes highly recommended, while the prime rib is also well-regarded. You can head to the bakery behind the bistro after your meal for a very good dessert, or stay at the bistro and grab Zov’s famous chocolate bomb. According to Zov, the staff does regular trainings to ensure a consistent and warm level of hospitality toward guests, and it shows in the attentive service here.

Zov's
17440 17th Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-8855
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zovs-bistro-tustin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Dan Goodwin

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends! What are you thankful for this year?