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2 years ago
9I don't need to pair this review in compare-contrast or "two peas in a pod" mode. I knew Torino (Turin) would have Greek food to be found. Most major Italian cities don't have much of this cuisine, but there will be some restaurants that do. Note that this also shows up as Olympia Taverna Greca and you could also locate it that way. However, being on Via Lavagna 7, this is definitely the one. I've been to Olympia Taverna Greca twice ... once in winter and recently in summer. The first time I went alone because I wanted to validate the discovery and, more recently, I persuaded some Torinese friends to come along. First, this restaurant has a pleasing interior. There are also covered seating options adjacent to the sidewalk on both sides of the corner entry. The interior is simple, well lit, and, as can be expected, decked out in the colors of the Greek flag, complete with the name Olympia in block letters on the back wall over a Greek pediment. Taverna Greca's menu is varied. All of the Greek things you are likely to think of will be on the menu. The first time I went, I actually ordered the vegetarian platter and it was excellent. It was sort of sampler of Greek appetizers amounting to a meal. Recently, the platters ordered were of sausage, beef souvlaki, and chicken souvlaki. My chicken souvlaki platter was both generous and appropriately priced, and came with potatoes and salad. The potatoes were cubed, so far better than French fries - I've actually seen the latter in Greece and avoided them - but oven baked lemon potatoes would have been even better. For hospitality and some favors, I ordered the appetizer - saganaki - and the dessert - chocolate baklava - to be shared. The saganaki was presented in sticks. It was good but I had asked if it would be lit. I guess there was a misunderstanding. It wasn't lit. Maybe they don't do that here, or in Italian cities. Maybe it's a gimmick North Americans have come to like for its kitsch novelty. However, a block of saganaki cheese that has been set ablaze is nothing to argue with. Their chocolate baklava is outstanding. The dessert is small, but has a smaller price, too, and comes in separate pieces, so it had to be broken up to be shared. The service is pleasant and informal. The servers could definitely be humorous. It was as such on both visits. The proprietor is a woman hailing from Greece who is very cordial. She directed us to the bar upon exiting to get shots of a Greek liqueur. I don't know much about these things since I default to Coke and Sprite, and whether or not it was ouzo, but, since it was offered, I accepted. Taverna Greca Olympia is on Torino's more business-like south end, and very close to the Lingotto Metro station. It is close to the automotive museum and a trendier small shopping center in a repurposed building as well. This all sounds like 4 solid stars. But I'm going to go with 5 stars for Taverna Greca. The first visit was during winter and, even at the top end of Italy, the only things usually offered is wine, other alcohol, soft drinks, or water. But, then, at the end of a meal, folks counterbalance that with their kerosene-like coffee. In wanting something hot on a colder day throughout the meal, they brought me out tea service with no fuss, from which I was able to pour a few cups. Most Southern European restaurants are not equipped to do so. Then, at the end of the recent meal, the other two people who were going there for the first time were remarking how much they liked their meals while walking back to the Metro. I'm glad I suggested this locale for dinner. Also, in my mind, Via Lavagna is comical. It rhymes with lasagna, but that's not the reason. In English, a lavagna would be a chalkboard or similar. A childhood friend who went to a public high school had a friend with a differently spelled but identical sounding rendition of Lavagna. I told him he was going to school with a girl whose name meant "chalkboard." This was yet another inside joke added to our list. So, while this doesn't solidify the already given 5 stars, it definitely makes for a chuckle upon walking up to and leaving Olympia Taverna Greca. read more
