Greek food in Berlin is often a rather melancholy affair. Gloopy sauces, greasy meats, lifeless salads, zero atmosphere, and a distinct coldness to the service - the warmth and freshness of the Mediterranean could not possibly seem further away. This "taverna" will not whisk you away to the Greek isles by any stretch of the imagination, but it benefits hugely from low expectations, and genuinely satisfies.
Stacking the deck in their favor, they start your table off with a free carafe of Ouzo. You really can't go wrong with free alcohol; throw in a cheap carafe of wine and everyone's cheerful by the time the food arrives. While the starters and salads don't exactly push the envelope, they're fresh and nicely presented; the vegetarian meze platter is among the neighborhood's best, and could easily be a suitable meal for two.
The menu for main courses suffers from being too long - how many similar variations on "grilled or baked meat" can one possibly need? Despite some dishes being particularly good (including a near-perfect set of lamb chops), prices nudge you toward less exciting mixed platters. Enthusiastic carnivores will get the most out of the experience; any direction you go seems to lead to a formidable pile of meat, with decent tzatziki and some healthy stuff on the side, and your choice of some very nice and tangy Greek potatoes or some rather awful pommes frites. Inexplicably, the sharable platters arrive with a raw tomato wrapped in tinfoil as their centerpiece, which ranks among the most bizarre and unwelcome side dishes I've ever seen. However, the star here is the prices - they deliver the goods for a big appetite for well under 20 EUR/person. And don't forget, free booze!
Both the atmosphere and service are warm, inviting, unintrusive...but nothing really special there. Three stars for good value and consistency, but with a better wine list and a more focused, confident menu this place could be a lot more than a convenient neighborhood cafeteria. read more