66 replies to this topic

[frogprincess]

where do you go?

i have never had greek before, but i have heard a lot of good things about minoas greek taverna and i am planning on having dinner there next friday :)

[Keith Talent]

And what are the lineups at Stepho's on Davie all about?

[frogprincess]

^^^ have you been there, do you think that it's worth it?

i heard that the food is just so-so and the price is low

[nwyles]

Big portions for little $$

Some people think that quantity is quality which is sad. I hear that Taki's a couple of doors down has far better food.

[maxmillan]

Stepho's -- blah! Or any restaurants where you need to line up -- blah!

[Keith Talent]

No I haven't been, because I refuse to stand in line for anything.

I might stand in line to eat at a Russian restaurant, just to kinda get that pre-glasnost feel.

Although that's not entirely true. I stood in line last Friday at Salumi in Seattle for like 45 freakin' minutes. With kids. And you know what? I'd do it again in an instant.

I used to frequent La Grec back when it was where Bukowskis on Commercial is now, that was the last time I would reccomend a greek joint in town.

[montrachet]

I agree. Le Grec, when it was on Commercial was fantastic. Nowadays, I dunno where to go ...

[stovetop]

West Side the Best Side, I heard a rumor that Broadway and Macdonald area has a big accent of Greek Culture and will find some great Greek delis, bakeries, Greek food stores, the Greek Culture has a huge Influence and brings a great presence to the West Side, Broadway has a few Greek restaurants that have been consistent for years, summertime eating and drinking is on the minds of many locals who hang out at Athenes or other Greek Restaurants on beautiful Kitsilano evenings, and always close enough to the water to have a long walk after a good feast.
There is always Minerva's a great Greek deli and store, you love olives this is the place, Broadway bakery is very good, this whole little area is full of gems, walk around and explore.
steve

[Shellback]

A couple of Greek friends told me that Kalamata on Broadway and Cambie is very good and quite authentic. Has anyone been?

[Jeffy Boy]

Cosmo's on Marine Drive in White Rock is good.

Go sometime other than Friday or Saturday night if you want to avoid the belly dancers. They're not exactly the first team - I think they work the Delta/Surrey/Langley circuit.

[montrachet]

Kalamata was still very good about a year ago. A general rule of thumb for Greek food eateries is "West Broadway over 4th".

[jayhay]

I would recommend the family-run "Maria's Taverna" on 4th Ave, across from the Safeway.

They have a new location on Denman Street, but haven't tried that one, so can't comment.

[Daddy-A]

I used to frequent La Grec back when it was where Bukowskis on Commercial is now, that was the last time I would reccomend a greek joint in town.

I second Keith on that! I used to work very close to The Drive and would frequent Le Grec. After they moved to 4th ... well it was just sad that's all. So much so that it's now Hell's Kitchen. I really miss Le Grec.

There is always Minerva's a great Greek deli and store, you love olives this is the place, Broadway bakery is very good, this whole little area is full of gems, walk around and explore.

Minerva's is great. Just be prepared for the post -lunch-garlic-breath.

One of life's most vexing mysteries is why we have no credible Greek restaurants in Vancouver.

I lifted this from another thread ... and its a sentiment echoed by a lot of my friends who have moved here from Toronto & Montreal. The Greek community here is very active (just check out my neighbour with his Greek flag out ever since Euro 2004), and yet the food scene is mediocre at best.

Arne

[Mooshmouse]

Big portions for little $$

Some people think that quantity is quality which is sad. I hear that Taki's a couple of doors down has far better food.

Aye to all that. From what I remember of Stepho's, nothing on the menu was over $9.99 including their roast lamb shoulder. But that's about the most memorable thing about Stepho's, their prices as opposed to their food. Meh. Taki's is much better.

My last visit to Minoas (in Burnaby, on Kingsway right?) was all right; mind you, that was a couple of years back now.

Love Minerva's. Used to be a regular at Athene's for dinner in my university days. And Le Grec is sorely missed.

[butter]

Have been to Kalamata on Broadway and Cambie for takeout. Had the calamari dinner (not a good choice for takeout) and it was good, but don't know if it is "authentic" as I have never been to Greece and am not sure what the food is supposed to taste like. While I was waiting for my order I was observing the staff and the service seemed really good. Have also tried the new Maria's on Denman (just okay) and Stepho's (double yuck). Am also curious to know where to get the good stuff.

[stovetop]

RIP---> Le GREC

He moved to 4th from Commercial, cause he owned the building, the move killed his bus, it was just not the same, to bad.
steve

[gastropimp]

Subtle note to those trying to snub the overpopular Stephos by going next door to Taki's. While it may seem you're rooting for the underdog, rumour has it that it's the same owner owns both! Crazy, but true.

The Ouzeri has always been quite good and dependable for me, I eat at Minerva's every single day for lunch, as well. Chicken souvlaki on pita. The pita is so perfectly cooked, with a little olive oil. 6bucks I think.

[Ling]

There's a small Greek place in Steveston village (Richmond) called Kisamos that's packed all the time. I haven't been to any of the places mentioned in this thread except for Stepho's so I can't say how it compares. I like lamb and orzo at Kisamos--portions are big, and the food is better than any of the other 2 or 3 Greek restaurants in Steveston village. Haven't eaten there in a year or so though.

[cubilularis]

Great Greek!

It is easy...make the drive to the North Shore and the bottom of Lonsdale...I do not know the name of the restaurant...but the owners son's name is Theo and he is so obnoxious and fun and he makes the whole experience great. Used car salesman could learn a few tricks from this kid...but the food is GREAT and EUTHENTIC!

[annanstee]

I will second Kalamata and Marias.
I would also recommend that little place on Fir and Second, near Granville Island, near the cycling place. Can't think of the name right this second, but it is very good.

[Daddy-A]

I will second Kalamata and Marias.
I would also recommend that little place on Fir and Second, near Granville Island, near the cycling place. Can't think of the name right this second, but it is very good.

I think you're talking about Apollonia. They've recently remodelled, so I think perhaps a visit is due for wife & I.

Arne

[Kayaksoup]

I will second Kalamata and Marias.
I would also recommend that little place on Fir and Second, near Granville Island, near the cycling place. Can't think of the name right this second, but it is very good.

I think you're talking about Apollonia. They've recently remodelled, so I think perhaps a visit is due for wife & I.

Arne

No expert on Greek Cuisine, but love Apollonia for the neighbourhood restaurant feel. And I have probably only once had a meal that I was not 100% happy with there..

[annanstee]

Yes, Appolonia, Thank you !
Great "family run" feel-lots of locals. I have been a few times for lunch with my three year old-he loves the calamari, I love the skordalia and tarmosalata. The only thing that wasn't top notch that I tried was the dolmathes.

[Rhea_S]

It is easy...make the drive to the North Shore and the bottom of Lonsdale...

I haven't been in many years, but my family celebrated several special occassions at Anatoli Souvlaki. It was usually my choice for my birthday. Pasparos Taverna which is on 3rd St. and just off Lonsdale also used to be quite good.

[ziggy]

best Greek in town is Taki's (not, horrors, absolutley not owned by Stephos), Maria's on 4th, and The Main on Main St @ about 27th. Harry and Thea Priniakis used to own Apollonia so if you remember their great food, you know where to find them. live music on weekend is a bonus. Alexis on Broadway does lovely brizoles.

Pasparos has had the same owners for about 30 year haven't been there lately though.

[D90]

I am curious were do you all go for good Greek food??

I have been to a few places locally and some of them have been good but not great. The best Greek food so far was at a family friends house, when “the grandma” cooked dinner for us all or the spanakopita my mom makes.

-Mad Greek in Richmond- Just okay.
-Mr. Sport in Richmond- Good but not primarily a Greek restaurant.
I could name a few others but rather see what you all recommend.

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One place I tried a couple weeks ago that I had been hearing great reviews about the food and the atmosphere that includes belly dancers or should I say dancer was Taverna Gorgona in Ladner. Unfortunately I wasn’t too impressed and neither way my friend. Maybe it was because of what we ordered but we ended up with a huge doggie bag that was left at the restaurant. My first impression of the restaurant was great, nicely decorated in blue and white with vines and lights hanging from the ceiling throughout the restaurant. The patio won a few awards featuring a waterfall an ad gazebo, it seems like it would be nice place to relax in the summer time and enjoy a glass of oozo.
The service was friendly and quick and the owner was sitting down with regulars and making stops to check on each table. A belly dancer came out around 8:30 for about 20min, getting customers to get up and dance with her.

Now the food:


- Saganaki- Kefalotiri cheese pan-fried with lemon. This was my favourite item of the night, prefect when drizzled with a healthy amount of fresh lemon. We also order a bottle of Goast Do Roam Red Wine.
-Bread and 3 kinds of Dip (included in our platter)- Tzatziki, Homus and Taramasalada, all the dips tasted as if they were made fresh and not store bought which was nice. The Homus had a lot of garlic in it, which I didn’t mind since I love garlic but I would have, prefer if they used thinner pita bread, the thick slices of bread took away from the dips.


- Greek Salad: Nothing special just normal Greek salad.
- The Gorgona Platter: Let me start off by saying it’s big enough to feed 3 to 4 adults. Roast Lamb, Calamari, Keftades, Spanakopita and Salmon all piled onto one dish with rice and roast potatoes. I personally think what ruined this dish was how they piled everything together which lead to the calamari being soggy as well as the spanakopita which usually one of my favourite items. The salmon was hidden under everything which is maybe why it ended up over cooked, the keftades were half good with just the right amount of parsley but the other two were charred and crisp, and the lamb was tender but lacking flavour.

**Unrelated but here is a picture when tossing everything on one plate is a good thing. Gladstone's of Malibu Fried Fisherman’s Platter $23.95usd: Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp, Scallops, Calamari, Clams and Fresh Fish ALL FRIED, ahh the memories lol.





- Complimentary order of ekmek (A layered custard cake): They didn’t have much of a dessert selection with only two other items on the menu Baklva and Ice Cream. I enjoyed the Ekmek, it was too sweet which was a good ended to the meal.


After telling the people that recommended the restaurant about my experience they all seemed surprised. I know taste is a very individual thing but I plan on giving it another shot, but this time I will order something safer like the Souvalaki

Edited by D90, 22 February 2006 - 01:27 AM.

[Mooshmouse]

Here are two existing threads that should be of help:

• Best Greek in Vancouver (or the general area)
• Roast lamb needed, pref. Greek

[Ducky]

The long and short of the linked threads is that there really is no great Greek food in Vancouver today. There is a great deal of very mediocre Greek food and some fine slow-cooked lamb...and that is it.

If any of you have followed the career of that old pirate Arastides Pasparakis (formerly of Orestes on Broadway) - you will be aware of the developments in the Greek food scene in Athens in particular - but also elsewhere in Greece - and even in Istanbul.

We were recently in a restaurant in Athens called "Maritsas" which has been a popular spot among the cool Kolonaki set (a bit like our Yaletown set) for years. It serves only classic Greek food, but prepared with imagination and great care and it is absolutely stunning.

Great market niche in Vancouver. And Arastides would be happy to consult on the menu!

[Lana]

Mr. Sport is no longer Greek owned. Just saying.

[inanimate]

Having recently eaten at Maria's on denman and taki's on davie, I was rather impressed with taki's and really left wondering why anyone would wait in line for 30-60 minutes to eat at stephos.

I had the roast lamb and was surprised by the size of the portion, which was massive to the point of being ridiculous. Considering it was only $12.50, I can't imagine the quantity/value argument from the stephos crowd can carry any weight.

Both hot and cold appetizer platters were good, and I found it to be one of the better greek meals I've had in town.

Maria's lamb was drier when I had it which was disappointing considering how much I had heard about them. But then again, this was the denman location and most of the praise was about the one on 4th.

Still, I liked my meal a lot at taki's and plan on returning. Though when it comes to lamb in general, my favourite has got to be the afghan horseman. The potato pakoras and eggplant there are also killer, so well worth the higher price of admission.