I was craving Greek food the other night, so Brad and I headed over to Taverna Agora (6101 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27612), our favorite Greek restaurant in Raleigh. I love the “rustic ambience” of this place – it is so warm and inviting. There’s a great outdoors patio that is open most of the year, weather permitting. I’ve never sat outside since I like the atmosphere of indoors dining room (sorry for the dark pic), but maybe next time.

We started with the spanakopita ($4.95), which was awesome. This appetizer consists of spinach, feta cheese, dill and onions, wrapped in phyllo pastry. The phyllo was flaky but not dry, and the spinach and feta stuffing was plentiful and awesome. These things were huge – much larger than what I’m used to. Great appetizer!

The wine selection is nice with many Greek choices. Brad ordered the Metoxi Chromitsa Red ($48.00), a Cabernet Sauvignon-Limnio with a rich aroma and smooth taste. It paired quite well with both of our entrees.

Brad got the grilled pork chop ($16.95) which was to die for.

It was stuffed with garlic, spinach and feta cheese, and finished with rosemary vinaigrette and served with rice pilaf and vegetables. The pork was cooked to perfection – nice and juicy. Yum, yum, yum, yum yum!

I promised myself that I would order something beside my usual moussaka ($11.95), which is out of this world and a great comfort food. I had a hard time choosing between several items on the menu, but finally chose the braised lamb shank ($21.95), which is house specialty. The lamb is braised in a tomato red wine sauce with a hint of cinnamon. It came with potatoes, red cabbage and broccoli. The portions were plentiful and the lamb was fork tender, melt-in-your-mouth crazy good.

We were too full for dessert, but I can heartily recommend the traditional baklava.

If you haven’t been to Taverna Agora, put it on your list. It is open for dinner seven days a week, starting at 5:00 p.m. The prices are nice, the atmosphere is festive, service is always good and the food is fantastic! Opa!

Ratings

• Price: Reasonable — lots of food at a good price.
• Service: 4.25: Consistently good.
• Food: 4.75: Awesome as always!
• Recommend: Absolutely — the best Greek restaurant in Raleigh!
• Kid friendly: Maybe, especially earlier in the evening.

1= hater, 2=poor, 3=adequate, 4=above average, 5=superb

Bon appétit!

Eat, drink and be merry!

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