CajunJason Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Can't wait. IMHO Evo Bistro is the only decent restaurant in McLean, but I've not been there since it changed the menu. I've had nothing but wonderful meals at the Greek Taverna, just saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I've had nothing but wonderful meals at the Greek Taverna, just saying. Wow, I haven't been to the Greek Taverna in ages, but have been probably two dozen times - back in the mid-1990s (remember when Tachibana was in its old location in Arlington?), this and Cafe Taj were running neck-and-neck as "Best Restaurant in McLean." I always thought their Moussaka was just a touch too sweet, but have ordered it time and time again - that said, if they have the lamb shoulder with lemon and browned potatoes (as opposed to orzo with tomato-based sauce), as their daily special, get it. You should call to see if they still let you bring your own wine and pay a corkage fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibbee Nayee Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 For this to be only the third post on Greek Taverna is unbelievable. This is easily one the best restaurants in McLean. First of all, it's a "spook hangout" which is something we in the Washington DC area have in far greater quantities than any other American city. And most of the spooks I know and have known over the past 30+ years like to eat well. They are well traveled, they have been wined and dined at functions that the rest of us can only dream of attending, and they have discovered some of the hidden culinary gems of the back streets of the world's most spook-worthy cities. In and of itself, a spook hangout is a good place to eat. My lunch today was damned good. I ordered a menu item, rather than a special -- the chicken with artichokes in a lemon-caper sauce, and it was a hit. The rice that accompanied it was turned out from a mold -- how many crappy restaurants do that? -- and the accompanying side of tomato-braised green beans was a very nice Greek version of Lebanese-Syrian Lubieh bil-Zeit. But the chicken topped with artichokes was executed perfectly. Not s single beat was missed in this simple but wonderful dish. Even the bread basket, with warm slices specked with olive bits, was a pleasant surprise. This place is defintiely in my McLean-Tysons rotation now, and frankly, I would eat here again before eating at Nostos again. (I would mention other spook hangouts, but then, I would have to kill or marry you...!) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 We have this restaurant on our regular rotation. We used to like the Aegean Taverna -- maybe more for the live music on Saturdays and the vine-covered porch than for the food. We like the aforementioned olive bread with garlicky olive oil for dipping, the Taverna special (we aren't very adventurous), the saganaki, fried zucchini, and calamari. Not to mention the Kouros red wine. The restaurant would be perfect if they got the musicians from the Aegean Taverna to serenade us on Saturday nights. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kibbee Nayee Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 The restaurant would be perfect if they got the musicians from the Aegean Taverna to serenade us on Saturday nights. (Plus the grilled octopus from Athena Pallas in Crystal City.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I used to be a regular there, but stopped going there years ago after I perceived a decline in their food and just became bored with their menu. Sounds like I should give them another try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Johnston Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 I agree with BklynBoy, always looking for more "local" joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonc Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 For this to be only the third post on Greek Taverna is unbelievable. This is easily one the best restaurants in McLean. First of all, it's a "spook hangout" which is something we in the Washington DC area have in far greater quantities than any other American city. And most of the spooks I know and have known over the past 30+ years like to eat well. They are well traveled, they have been wined and dined at functions that the rest of us can only dream of attending, and they have discovered some of the hidden culinary gems of the back streets of the world's most spook-worthy cities. In and of itself, a spook hangout is a good place to eat. My lunch today was damned good. I ordered a menu item, rather than a special -- the chicken with artichokes in a lemon-caper sauce, and it was a hit. The rice that accompanied it was turned out from a mold -- how many crappy restaurants do that? -- and the accompanying side of tomato-braised green beans was a very nice Greek version of Lebanese-Syrian Lubieh bil-Zeit. But the chicken topped with artichokes was executed perfectly. Not s single beat was missed in this simple but wonderful dish. Even the bread basket, with warm slices specked with olive bits, was a pleasant surprise. This place is defintiely in my McLean-Tysons rotation now, and frankly, I would eat here again before eating at Nostos again. (I would mention other spook hangouts, but then, I would have to kill or marry you...!) I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this. And how interesting I think the life of a spy is. If I was in the area, I'd be there tonight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBag57 Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 My wife and I went once a couple of years ago. It did not excite us, so we have not been back. Like at least one other poster, maybe we should give it another shot based on recent reviews. If we go, I will report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BklynBoy Posted March 30, 2014 Share Posted March 30, 2014 Yesterday afternoon, it was pouring outside. It was a very good day to do nothing but vegetate in the house, so we planted ourselves in front of the TV with a bottle of wine. We were watching an old episode of Julia Child with chef Joachim Splichal who made braised lamb shanks over barley risotto when the wife asks, "so what are you going to go out and get us for dinner"? Thinking back to this thread, we decided to order from Greek Taverna. We ordered a whole load of soup, appetizers and I ordered the mixed grill specifying the lamb be done between medium rare and rare. Their lemon chicken soup remains fantastic as does their olive bread, everything else was pretty blah and the mixed grill was over cooked. My conclusion, next time I am in the mood for lamb (especially lamb shanks) go to Amoos instead 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destruya Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 I've been looking for a place with good pastitsio since my local greek takeout joint just isn't up to snuff. For twenty bucks I'm hoping it's worth it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 I've been looking for a place with good pastitsio since my local greek takeout joint just isn't up to snuff. For twenty bucks I'm hoping it's worth it here. I've had the pastitsio here several times, and I'm just not current enough on it to comment. I will say that it used to be pretty good, and then for awhile, it wasn't. Perhaps more than any other Greek dish other than moussaka, pastitsio is the one that's too often not served hot enough (presumably because it's made in advance in a giant tray, and then reheated). Have you tried the Greek Deli downtown? Don't make a special trip, but if you're down there, and don't mind eating out of styrofoam in your car ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Is there a restaurant with less buzz than this in the entire area, and has anyone been here lately? I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading this. And how interesting I think the life of a spy is. a-Ha! Book him, Dano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 This restaurant is in our regular rotation. We always get the Taverna Special which is a sampler of spanakopita, grape leaves, moussaka, pastitio, green beans. We always like it. It includes foccacia-style bread and a small Greek salad. What's not to like? Top it off with a Kouros Red. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Another shout-out to Greek Taverna. Last night, a month after coming back from our Greece vacation, we went. I always get the Taverna Special but this time one of the specials was a whole grilled branzino. Oh my!!!! We ate a lot of whole fish on vacation, but I was not expecting this fish to be as well-prepared or better-prepared than what we had in Crete -- and yet it was. Succulent, flavorful, big, fresh! The owner says they flew it in from Greece that day. With potatoes and green beans as sides, a salad, and the olive bread, it was a fantastic meal--$29 but worth it. As long as they have a fresh whole fish as the special, I won't be getting the Taverna Special for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Hi where is the best place to eat Branzino in Maryland or DC? I've also had nice branzino Greek style at Greek Taverna in Mclean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 On 5/5/2020 at 9:40 AM, hopsing said: Greek Taverna - just as good as dining in. We ordered the Taverna Specials. A little bit far but worth it. Takeout from Greek Taverna again last night. Two Taverna Specials, which are samplers of grape leaves, spanakopita, moussaka, pastitio. Meal comes with olive bread and side salad. Also ordered fried calamari. Meal traveled well for the 11-minute trip back home. They also gave us a free dessert. Highly recommend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopsing Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Bummer. This wonderful restaurant closed on Valentine's Day. Couldn't pay the rent due to the pandemic. We will miss this place with its nice grapevine patio. https://patch.com/virginia/mclean/greek-taverna-close-after-28-years-mclean 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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