What to try at Greek restaurant.?

[cannondale]

Going to a Greek restaurant for the first time.

Not really sure what Greek food is like, so not really sure what to choose from the menu.

What is a good dish to try for a newbie?

[freddytin]

Start with a Meze, which is a small selection of all the dishes. That will give you some idea of what is likely to suit your taste.

[bint]

Trouble is that Mezze are often starters, do try stuffed vine leaves, oooh and tzatziki - cucumber dip a bit like the indian raitha. You'll be fine, most greek food is actually very good - moussaka is essentially lasagne without pasta and aubergine in its place, there are a good selection of kebabs (as in on a stick not doner), kofte and the like, I do find their puddings too sweet though - Baklava which is layers of filo pastry with pistachio nuts and syrup is way too icky IMHO.

If you've ever eaten turkish, it's quite similar.

[Puggit]

Kleftiko - slow baked lamb. If done properly it should just roll off the bone and melt in the mouth with a hint of cinnamon.

Divine

[freddytin]

bint said:

Trouble is that Mezze are often starters, do try stuffed vine leaves, oooh and tzatziki - cucumber dip a bit like the indian raitha. You'll be fine, most greek food is actually very good - moussaka is essentially lasagne without pasta and aubergine in its place, there are a good selection of kebabs (as in on a stick not doner), kofte and the like, I do find their puddings too sweet though - Baklava which is layers of filo pastry with pistachio nuts and syrup is way too icky IMHO.

If you've ever eaten turkish, it's quite similar.

Have a shared Meze as a main course, between 2,3,4 people. It doesn't matter if one dish doesn't suit, there's always more than enough to go around.

Puddings can be sweet, many with syrup , honey and nuts, but their Greek Yoghurt is at the other extreme usually served with walnuts and the like.

Under no circumstances compare anything of theirs to the Turks, especially before the meal or the bill.

[smiller]

Kleftiko (slow cooked lamb stew with herbs, potatoes, and garlic)

Sagnaki (variations on a theme: prawns / lamb / meat etc but always a tomato based dish with sliced peppers and soft Feta)

Stifado (basically beef stew with Greek pasta)

Gyros (served with chips, tzatziki, and salad. If you try nothing else, try this)

[sleep envy]

freddytin said:

Have a shared Meze as a main course, between 2,3,4 people. It doesn't matter if one dish doesn't suit, there's always more than enough to go around.

yep, do the tara, fish and meat meze courses



it'll take you about 3 hours to get throug but it's very worthwhile

I went to a restaurant in Palmers Green a few week back and they served fruit in flamin uzo - finished the meal off really well

[Glassman]

cannondale said:

What is a good dish to try for a newbie?

Ask for a Stiffado

[sleep envy]

don't drink the greek coffee - you'll be up for days

[Glassman]

sleep envy said:

don't drink the greek coffee - you'll be up for days

As in, Stiffado?

[sleep envy]

terrible

[Glassman]

sleep envy said:

terrible

I've had Greek coffee - espresso style. Thick and very, very syrup-like. You get about a mouthful of viscous coffee then the rest is like sludge.

[shirt]

echo the kleftiko suggestion. fantastic meal, to die for if done properly.

[kazste]

another for kleftico, like it so much i had at my wedding breakfast!

but to be fair i dont think you can go too wrong with any form of greek food even gyros is nice and thats just a kebab!

[Saied]

Sofrito is a Corfoit dish, but may well be available in a few Greek restaurants over here.

Its a oven-style dish made with veal, garlic and green herbs. Its cooked in a similar style to Stifado.

Well worth trying if you spot it on the menu. I've eaten it in many a Corfu taverna where it is absolutely delicious.