"The best Greek Restaurant in London"
A review of Cafe Aphrodite by Zoe - Thursday 30th of November 2006
I have never been someone who returns to the same bar or restaurant frequently; there are so many restaurants in London worth visiting for a first meal. However, Aphrodite Taverna is an exception to my rule. It is everything I love about the experience of dining out: comfortable, friendly, buzzing with vibrant conversation and most importantly, exceptional food (fresh, delicious, traditional Greek cuisine).
The starters arrive: small plates piled high with home made houmous and tzatziki; ripe, sumptuous green and black olives with a basket of warm, doughy pittas. The restaurant offers a good selction of first courses - for example, you can opt for the fresh squid (calamari) or the stuffed vine leaves (dolmades) which are made to perfection: small parcels of tender lamb mince and flavoured rice wrapped tightly in vine leaves.
Folling this, we are presented with the main courses: equally mouth watering and of equal quality. I order and look forward to the Greek meat balls (keftedes) with the all-imporatant Greek salad. Every main course comes with either roast potatoes, rice or chips. My friends and family have ordered most of the dishes on the menu between them, and without fail, the quality of the fish and meat has been of a very high quality and the side dishes have complemented the main dishes perfectly.
Pudding is traditional Greek treats such as sweet, nutty Baklava or Halva with almonds; best enjoyed with a strong Greek coffee. Throughout your meal, you will not notice the service because it strikes exactly the right balance: attentive but not intrusive; quick but not brusque or unfriendly.
Aphrodite is restaurant perfection - it has customers stretching back as far as 15 years who adore it; and, although I only discovered the restaurant a few months, I feel that I am already becoming a 'regular', much against my nature.
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