O'Stratos Greek Taverna

REVIEWED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Nestled in the heart of Braddon, O’Stratos Greek Taverna brings a splash of Mediterranean colour to an area otherwise peppered with private galleries and ostentatious boutique stores. Under the capable hands of proprietor Stan (Stratos) Daglis, this unpretentious Lonsdale Street restaurant offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, prompt service and an affordable menu, attracting a steady stream of regulars and newcomers alike. Decor is low-key, with fresh Cretan blue and bold orange walls offset by a smattering of pastel-framed paintings.

The menu, sourced from all over Greece, is earthy and tantalizing, with a wide array of finger-food suitable for sharing and scores of hot casseroles, pastas, and oven-baked meats. Seafood is a specialty here, occupying its own section on the dinner menu, and a specials board on the wall devotes itself almost entirely to fish dishes – both unusual (try the garfish) and familiar. The recently re-vamped wine list is small but well-considered, featuring good-value wines from both Australia and Greece starting at around $17 a bottle. Diabetics should perhaps avoid the sugar-loving desserts menu, but anybody else would be doing themselves a disservice to skip the meltingly traditional Greek delicacies on offer for course number three. Bring some friends and ample stomach room for a fun night of casual dining.

Stephanie Wang, June 2007