Anthony Quinn's ghost could easily stroll into Athens and start doing his jubilant, exuberant thing with the oh-so-British Alan Bates tagging right behind him. It matters not that a Mexican guy played that crazy Zorba. Like him, we can all be deeply passionate fans of Greek culture and particularly Athens' garlicky eggplant spread smothered on the flakiest, warmest, yeasty pita. And those olives-tiny little orbs, tangy and salty and briny-gracing every platter. The baklava-layered phyllo dough glued together with drooling honey sauce-is worth skipping dinner for. Throughout your meal, watch the unique denizens of Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street saunter by. Imagine how Zorba (and Quinn, who died three years ago at the ripe age of 86) would have pranced across the intersection.
Runners up:
2. Olive Tree, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Road, 298-1845
3. Fronimo's Greek Café, 3242 E. Speedway Blvd., 327-8321