~ Curious Charlie ~

Florina's Greek Tavern @ Friday, February 12, 2016

Tuesday 2nd Feb

When we eat Greek with the exception of expensive Greek, it's always a feast! One that doesn't make us feel like eating Greek for a while. :P From souvlakias to 10 dish menus, with a very generous serve of protein.

Once I was in a soulakia shop, and they were massive, as in had twice at amout of meat designed for it, if it was a wrap. I had to take a (nap) break half way; but the guy after me orders it with extra meat! When I asked why he said it's because he's Greek. XD

Tonight's banquet was near Malvern Town Hall and three froyo places, on the Kew tram line, at Florina's Greek Tavern. The colour theme was blue and white reflecting, the walls adored with paints of scenery in Greece, but with the brightness toned down. Think clean white buildings with endless blue seas merging with the sky in the horizon.

We bought the 10-Dish Greek Feast + Coffee for Two ($49) from Groupon. The group buy deal site are quite good for groups of 2 or 4, though always check reviews first. I don't think we've ever had a bad/really bad experience, just slow from Maya Mex.

Taramosalata (Red Cavier) / Melitzanosalata (Eggplantt) / Tzatziki (Yoghurt & Cucumber)

Saganaki Cheese - Pan fried kefalograviera cheese

Whitebait - Lightly seasonsed and fried, served with a wedge of lemon

Dolmades - Rice and herbs wrapped in vine leaves,

drizzled with lemon juice and Greek olive oil

Marinated Capsicum - Char-grilled and marinated with herbs, garlic and olive oil (see on group picture).

Starting with entrees: red caviar/eggplant/tzaki dip with dolmades (rain & herb mix stuffed in vine leaves), capsicum, sagnaki, deep fried white bait and flat bread.

That's a lot for two people! Greek servings are always generous with exceptions (see above). The white bait was like fries, but fishy, and they had eyes... They were quite salty, and we didn't like them, but it's a personal preference.

None of the entrees particularly amazing, but there wasn't anything wrong either.

Mains were presented next: lamb from a spit, chicken, calamari, potatoes and a salad.

The meat was very good, charcoal style, the chicken was marinated with herbs and finished off with a squeeze of lemon.

Potatoes were in a tomato sauce, slow cooked perhaps. It reminded me of pasta... I prefer my potatoes roasted with rosemary, sea salt and olive oil. The traditional roast style, to not take a spotlight of the featured meat platter and to compliment them better.

Calamari was of the freezer variety with perfect edges... deep fried, we had a couple rings each, but other than that found it a bit unconsumable.

We need a salad! And this menu included just that, a traditional salad with a lot of lettuce, dill, cucumber, tomato, onion, olives and feta. With a light citrusy dressing.

Dessert & Coffee Followed

Galactoburico - Custard with semolina and honey syrup

Baklava - Filo pastery layer with honey and walnuts

We had the baklava first, which was very sweet and so the small size was perfect, and then the custard. Because we had the very strong one first the second was bland in comparison. I like the bakkava but it's not the best I've had. There is only once outstanding Baklava place, where a bit id $2.50 but so worth it! Instead of the usual honey it's made with rosewater or orange blossom.

Coffee was like mocha, a small shot accompanied dessert. Needs sugar, he likes it black while I like it white with lots of sugar. :P It's like how people who like coffee shots will also love dark chocolate.

Service was good, jas tipped. It was quick and friendly, though I would have liked the waiter to explain what everything is, and suggest the order of consumption for dessert.

Will we be back? Probably not, too many places on the list! If you're a local and want to leave very full I'd get it on a groupon next time it's on offer again. At $25 per person this was within our budget. :)

Do you always indulge when dining at a Greek restaurant?

What's the best Greek place you've been to?

Our best is Spitiko in South Melbourne.

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