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Taverna Opa

Cantin2
Cantin2
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
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The Best - The Absolute Best Hands Down

  • March 9, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by memofigougo from Boca Raton, Florida
We saw an add that said 10 bucks for soup, entree, dessert, bellydancing show, DJ and people dancing on tables and breaking plates and throwing napkins. For 10 dollars. Could not believe it so we went to Shooters under the oakland park Blvd Bridge. Well, there it was : Opa !
So we asked a server hanging out by their outside bar and he said it was true - 10 bucks and if we stayed to 7:30 we can see the show and join them in craziness.
We did. Who would ever think that on a Tuesday night you get to eat the most delicious mousaka, have the traditional soup, get a baklava,
Best of the Best. Fun, energy, excitement and on to of it seating on the dock white-table-cloth, candlelight, and all.
Opa is a blend of the civilized, the romantic, theconosair's corner, the traditional, and the most outrageuos craziness of a New Orleans Bar during Mardi_grass.
Editor Pick

Taverna Opa - A Night of Fun

  • December 8, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Cantin2 from Quogue, New York
On the intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale is a Greek waterfront restaurant that bills itself as a fun place to be at night - Taverna Opa. Well it is......Music and dancing on the tables !!!
Don't worry, as we did about being too old - the crowd on a Friday night ranged from families with children, couples, college age foursomes and groups of all ages celebrating birthdays and even a girls "pre-nup" night on the town. Everyone was having a good time - not crazy - but fun.

The deck is set up with tables for twos and fours - under a canopy in case of light rain - the remainder of the restaurant has long tables set up banquet or picnic style for groups and larger parties - and there is also a long bar the running the depth of the restaurant - no jackets needed here. People were casually but smartly dressed - many girls wore dresses and strappy tops and guys were in collar shirts.

Go early - before 8PM if you want a table on the deck - nicer view and more quiet. The dancing goes on at the bar and on the long tables. You can feel the energy as you enter - Early on in the evening the wait-staff dances on the bar and encourages the diners to dance on the rustic wooden tables without tablecloths. You'll see small dinner type napkins all over the floor - Why?? You'll see later.

A long drink menu with specialty martinis at $8 and $9 - top shelf liquor. Our martinis were large, well chilled and served in a good quality glass without the annoying "lip" often seen in restaurant barware. Service is pleasant, not rushed - almost slow, but we were planning to spend the night, so it was more than acceptable. As you are seated, your waitress brings two containers. One - a mortar and pestle filled with chick peas, garlic, herbs and oil - you mash your own hummus and spread it on the rolls that are in the second container....yum...yum...yum. Dinner here is a bargain - Many items in the $12 - $15 range.

We shared a greek salad - nice size - cucumbers, tomatoes, red pepper, red onion, olives and a very large chunk of creamy feta cheese - delicious. You can see the chefs grilling as you enter. The menu is large, featuring platters of fish or meat to share family style for groups. The platters of lamb, beef and chicken looked very good. Very large prawns - still in their shells were piled high on other platters. We chose lamb chops - 4 of them for $22 - grilled perfectly medium rare - accented with herbs and accompanied by lemon potatoes and slightly overdone green beans.

Now, about the fun, wish I'd brought my camera - the birthday group of nine, ordered shots. Don't know what was in them - but they were large (2-3 ounces) - Try to picture how these were presented........On an adjacent table - 10 tumblers with beer mixed with something else were lined up on the table.....the 9 shot glasses were balanced on tops of these....Then liquor was poured on the table - yes - on the table.....and all set afire !!!! Amazing that this is allowed...flames spilled off the table to the floor....the napkins that I talked about earlier catch afire - The owner and wait-staff are ready to stamp out the flames if they spread too far.. Then the shots were poured in the beer concoctions and served to the party goers still flaming - What a show. This really put them in the dancing mood.

Everyone has a good time here - The staff helps people get on and off the tables - some choose to dance in the aisle.....After another martini, we were served a complimentary cup of hot apple tea - So good - I bought some the next day, but it doesn't compare to Taverna Opa's version.

My suggestion is that you go with friends - but if you do venture out alone, ask for a seat at a table on the deck. We were there in March and by 8PM the tables on the deck were full. Since it gets dark so early in the winter, the fun probably starts earlier......Ask when you call for reservations.

Check their website for specials - While we were there, Tuesdays had a $10 promotion for a three course Roast Chicken dinner. Unfortunately, we were leaving the next day and never did return - I'm looking forward to my next visit to fort Lauderdale and Taverna Opa will certainly be on my "To-Do" list.

From journal Fun in Fort Lauderdale

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