Greek Food And Greek Market At Titan Shop In Queens

We expected to find New York's best Greek supermarket in Astoria, but we were truly surprised to discover just how much Titan lives up to its name—and how many bargains it stocks.

Push past the aisles of Hellenic blue-and-white soccer jerseys, aluminum wine beakers and plug-in religious icons to get to the wonderful cook's playground: The olive bar offers a dozen regional varieties (from nafplio to halkidiki and agriniou), and the cheese counter stocks 10 different kinds of feta.

Ask for some of the superthick pressed cow's- and-goat's-milk yogurt that's kept behind the counter, and embellish it at home with intense Greek honey and walnuts. And don't skip the freezers: Titan sells meaty artichoke bottoms (far better than canned) and hard-to-find quail and rabbit.

Titan is also a great one-stop shop for parties. Stock up on trays of flaky phyllo spinach and cheese pies and juicy marinated pork and lamb skewers. Round out a feast with house-made melitzana (smoky eggplant salad), taramosalata (a creamy caviar-based dip) and tzatsiki. The bakery turns out fresh pita bread and every sweet pastry that's ever been made with phyllo and shredded-wheat-like kataifi.

Titan, 25-56 31st St., Astoria; 718-626-7771 or titanfood.com