Panos Kleftiko Greek Taverna

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Kelsey Hulse

Joined 3 years ago

Great Greek for a Small Group. Panos Kleftiko is blink-and-you-can-miss-it gem located at the foot of Queen Anne. Other reviewers have said great things about the entrees, but we didn't even get that far - there was so much delicious stuff on the apps menu. This is traditional Greek at its best. Teh dolmadakia, olives and cheeses are delicious. Try the fassolia salata - a delicious fresh-tasting white bean salad. Make sure someone in your party orders the saganaki and be ready to shout "Opa!" when it is lit tableside.

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csmk

Joined 6 years ago

best Greek food in Seattle. This is the best Greek food in the greater Seattle area that I've found. The owners are Greek and they do a great job educating you on the dishes you are ordering, indicating the significance or regional origin of each dish on the menu -- there are dishes from Crete, Athens, Corfu, Macedonia and other places. You can't go wrong - everything ordered was delicious.

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yannisdosios

Joined 4 years ago

Great Greek Food!. I like it a lot

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yannisd

Joined 4 years ago

Best Greek restaurant in Seattle. If you are looking for an authentic Greek taverna experience in Seattle, Panos Kleftiko is the closest thing. The atmosphere is warm and cosy with tables very close to each other, pictures and decorations on the walls, good Greek music, and a relaxed and friendly staff. Panos, the owner, is there every night and frequently sits down to chat with the guests and make sure they know what's good that day.

But what makes the place really great is the food. The gigantes yahni (lima beans) are delicious, as is the Greek salad and the lamb dishes. The taramosalata (egg roe salad) melitzanosalata (eggplant salad) and tirokafteri (spicy cheese spread), spread on authentic Greek pitta bread are fantastic.

The one thing to know before you go is that many of the dishes have a lot of garlic. I personally like that a lot, but you will have to watch it after you leave or the morning after - one trick that works well for me is eat some fresh parsley after dinner, it does wonders.

Doesn't Recommend

tpq22

Joined 4 years ago

WORST EVER!. I have never left a restaurant in such disbelief!

I read so many reviews online about how good this place was and I certainly did not experience that!

I ordered an appetizer for about $7-$8...and out comes four meatballs. Four tiny meatballs that were not even that good. Then comes my boyfriend's main course with lamb. We joked that it would be the size of a small bowl after how small my meatballs were. Well out comes his lamb in very small dish, similar to the size of a rice bowl and a small spoon of rice on the side. I have never been so disappointed in not just Greek food but any restaurant. I've had delicious Greek food in Fremont and University district and I will never return to this place again.

Also, our waitress was very slow with our service, she seemed to be enjoying helping a larger table next to us much more and even made time to go find one of them a bag of corks for an art project while we sat and waited for our check.

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jdp13

Joined 7 years ago

Amazing authentic greek food. Fantastic authentic greek food. We will definitely be going back. It is small, charming, very friendly and one of those places where when you sit down you feel more like family than a customer. This place fills up fast . Try the saganaki....OPA!

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tangotraveller

Joined 7 years ago

Nice neighborhood Greek. Having just watched a Melina Mercouri movie, Greek food seemed in order. Panos had been recommend to me and I was not disappointed. It's a nice size, with enough kitsch to feel comfortable. Wait staff was efficient if not particularly chatty. The Saganaki was a touch disappointing, but I found the lamb dish covered with aioli to be delicious. Portions were a nice size and the overall experience was pleasant.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Loud and lively Greek dining hidden on lower Queen Anne.. The Scene
Braids of garlic and onions dangle from low beams and cushioned benches line earth-toned walls, inviting lovers to cuddle and neighbors to chat. Chef-owner and Greek native Panos Marinos has created a cozy neighborhood nook where time seems to slow to a meandering Mediterranean pace.

The Food
Make a meal from the four pages of appetizers, including terrific spanakopita with fresh spinach layered in crispy filo dough. A huge Kretan salad of kalamata olives, caper leaves, onions and more, topped with an incredibly thick square of feta, makes a good light meal. The pan-fried saganaki (flour-dusted keflotiri cheese flame-melted at your table)--is delicious, although the cheese can be a bit on the salty side. Among the entrees, most chicken dishes are passable, but the tender roast lamb, swimming in rich, garlicky aioli, fares much better.

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nogmo

Joined 7 years ago

Bring your friends to Greece, in Seattle!. I love this restaurant with all my heart. I have never had a bad meal here. I go whenever I have the chance. Seating is limited, but well worth the wait! I am now a fan of Greek wine, as well. Vegetarians who eat cheese will find many options here. I absolutely love the Kopanisti and the Saganaki. Also, if you do eat meat, the specials are amazing.

Make sure to save room for dessert!

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nafplion

Joined 7 years ago

the best greek taverna. yes its the best greek food and most authentic in the notrh west.. great food, friendly service,warm ambience. try the special grilled kalamari with arugula sauce. $11.50 (is the best meze ) and the special of the day( lamb youvetsi ) braised lamb with orzo pasta then baked in a traditional clay pot topped with melted kefalograviera cheese...mmmmmm$14.50 the rice lacks a punch. but the carrots are great.