On my first date with my sweetie, he suggested that we go out to dinner somewhere. I immediately thought of Yanni's Greek Taverna in Cleveland Park. It's that kind of a place.
OK, Yanni's isn't really a dive. It's a no-frills Greek restaurant with tasty food, great Greek wine (at least the white wine) and an owner who looks a bit like a Greek Gerard Depardieu.
And the food is fun.
They have all the usual appetizers, hummus, tzatziki, taramosalata, grape leaves, or just get the sampler.
The Greek salad is huge, and my favorite, the Taverna salad (chopped lettuce with lots of fresh dill, feta cheese and dressed with tzatziki) is also big enough to share.
My favorite entrees are the charbroiled squid or octopus, and you're not into eating sea creatures, they have all of the standards as well.
In warm weather, their outdoor cafe is a place where you are sure to see someone you know, either at the next table or walking down Connecticut Avenue.
Now, the service is a little bit on the flaky side. A couple of the waiters are known to be occasionally grumpy - no one is going to fawn all over you. But they do get the food to the table in a reasonable amount of time, and they'll get the order right. And when it does arrive, I've found it to taste quite wonderful.
And that's the most important thing, after all.
I love Greek restaurants. Do they have live music?
Pat
Amazing food; there was this place by me that I would go order a lunch plate which consists of a Greek salad, a plate of dormades, sponakopia (hope I was close on that one), and a huge gyro. It was amazing, but it was pretty much the meal of the day. The truth is I could have ate it everyday. Happy Halloween.
I LOOOVE Greek food.
Just don't break any dishes.
That's just wasteful in a tight economy................
Oh dear now I want some stuffed grape leaves and hummus. Thanks Pat. Happy Halloween.
I wish there were more Greek restaurants ! I love their flavors :o)
Jane, no live music, but great taped stuff - very Zorba.
Tom, OK, I have to go eat something!
Ralph, you're right! Wouldn't want them to have to raise their prices to cover the price of busted plates!
Cindy, I may join you!
And Sheldon, I like the Retsina! Don't know what gives it that odd, kerosene flavor, but it tops my list!
Patricia,
And why on earth did I choose to switch to vegetarian at the time when, it seems, everyone is talking about food.
Have mercy, guys.
Be nice. (LOL)
Hi Pat... sounds like my kind of restaurant! I love Greek food... we need more of it here in Dallas!
So how far away from the NAR hotels? Can I try it out next MAY during Mid Year convention?
Great Localism Post Pat, but I suspect that any place would have been wonderful with your new sweetie!! xxoo
Patricia
I have to put the dinner on my list on my next visit to Washington.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Pat---thanks for sharing. I have never had Greek food, but after this post---I think I will!!
Pat:
I love a good Greek restaurant. There's one up near Beverly Hills (I know, I know) that is really great, wihtoutdoor seating so you can enjoy the passers-by. Opa!!
Jeff
What a great place... I love greek food! Glad you had a great meal and a great date.
If I were to ever treat a customer at a restaurant I worked at in a "flakey"
way I would get a dressing down by the manager, after the customer
complained to them....
I hope the next time a server treats you badly, Pat you go and ask for the
manager and tell them the server you had did NOT serve you well....
Being given a plate of food with so much as a huff is NOT good service.
A waiter or waitress is supposed to be pleasant and hospitable.... that is part
of what they are paid for and what you give them a tip for.
Anything less than that is not deserving of your hard earned money.
Even if the food tasted good.
;-)
Pat,
Having gone to Greece in 1990, I find that I really enjoy Greek. We go out for Greek a lot and I love cooking Greek.
Greek food....yumm!!! Living just down the road from the totally Greek town of Tarpon Springs, I get fantastic Greek food all the time!!! This looks like a place to put on my list for whenever I finally get up there to DC!