In a city with more than its fair share of Turkish, Italian, Chinese or Thai restaurants, O Stratos Greek Taverna is one of the few places where Greek food can be found, and is certainly the closest to a real taverna experience one would get in the nation’s capital. Owner Stan Daglis has created a relaxed and unpretentious setting – polished concrete floors, boldly painted walls and bi-fold doors that open up inviting the sounds of the street into the colourful space in the warmer months. Traditional favourites such as Moussaka feature prominently on the menu and the grill works overtime turning out souvlaki skewers of lamb, pork or chicken, or lamb cutlets. Seafood lovers should be aware that whole fresh fish, grilled and basted with lemon and olive oil, are what O Stratos does best, and there is always a good selection to choose from on the blackboard. Meze style dishes of octopus and calamari are always good and vegetarians are well catered for with dishes such as Dolmades (rice rolled in vine leaves) or Yemista (oven baked stuffed vegetables). Those adventurous souls wishing to try Greek wine – other than Retsina – will be pleasantly surprised by good quality reds like the Boutari Syrah or Xinomavro (merlot) and crisp whites such as Santorini or Kretikos.
