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Kalamaras Greek Taverna

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tvordj
tvordj
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
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1
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Editor Pick

Hidden Greek Gem in Bayswater

  • August 19, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by tvordj from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Hidden Greek Gem in Bayswater

This little narrow restaurant is below street level and isn't that easy to find. The easiest way to describe how to get there is to start from the Bayswater underground station. Come out of there and cross Queensway. There's a little side street just there. Go in there and just on your left is the mews though it only looks like a back alley or parking lot for the buildings around it. There was a sign on the street so we knew it was there and it turned out to be a small, narrow restaurant below street level that's been there since 1966. Last time I was in London, I saw a man dressed in Greek traditional costume with a sign out on Queensway pointing the way in to the restaurant. Excellent.

The restaurant, in 2000, was decorated with cream walls, soft cushioned benches along the walls and dark low backed cane chairs. There was traditional Greek music playing but not too loudly and you regularly heard the low rumble of the underground trains which wasn't too loud, just sort of like it might have been thundery weather. The table cloths are pink with burgundy over-linens.

We approached it and the owner came out when he saw us looking at the menu and was very congenial. We asked about the fixed price menu (mezze) and he made it sound so good that we went in. It was about 16 pounds (2000 prices) per person and they state a minimum of two people because you share everything. You get a sampling of cold and hot starters then the entree (our choice of about 3 or 4 meats). Desert and coffee/tea is included.

They kept bringing food and bringing more food, on little plates and when we decided we weren't too fussy on the calamari, they brought something else instead. When we realized the dessert had honey in it, baklava, we told them that one of us was allergic to honey, they brought out a lovely light custardy type thing in a phyllo pastry instead! We chose the roast leg of lamb for our entree and it was so tender it pulled apart! I would highly recommend this but the dining experience here is not to be rushed.

http://www.kalamarastavern.com/

From journal London in the rain (2000)

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