04/17/09

Best Greek restaurant in Seattle

by yannisd

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.

• Pros: Authentic food and atmosphere
• Cons: Must love garlic

03/12/09

WORST EVER!

by tpq22

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.

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: food portion, quality, service

12/07/08

Amazing authentic greek food

by jdp13

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!

• Pros: excellent atmosphere, romantic
• Cons: they don't take reservations or Amex

12/10/06

Nice neighborhood Greek

by tangotraveller

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.

• Pros: Good food, informal neighborhood place

Loud and lively Greek dining hidden on lower Queen Anne.

by Contributor

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.

03/21/06

Bring your friends to Greece, in Seattle!

by nogmo

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!

• Pros: Excellent food, European atmosphere, Fab Greek coffee
• Cons: Limited seating, Just outside downtown, ?

01/16/06

the best greek taverna

by nafplion

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.

• Pros: inexpensive, cozy, good wines
• Cons: crowded, some waiting, no dessert list

12/03/05

Best Greek food in town

by pureenergy

This restaurant brings back great memories of summer in Greece: excellent food; very Greek service (like you're part of the family); and a small, intimate environment. The only hesitation I have for giving my recommendation is that I don't want to have to wait more time to get a table at this wonderful place.

• Pros: Tasty, Friendly, Warm
• Cons: Long wait for seating

10/05/05

Low Quality Food & Service

by romu

This Greek food & service is suited to a food court . Our salads arrived floating in oil, the sauted vegetables lay coldly in a puddle of butter, while the lamb proved to be stringy and oversalted. The waitress dropped the check with thank you to the patron she assumed was paying the bill, ignoring everyone else at the table. Additionally, it was clear that staff wanted tables turned as quickly as possible. This place may work for Kirkland/Belltown types who want to be proud of themselves for eating "ethnic" but as far as Greek food goes, it is highly disappointing.

• Cons: Low Quality Food, Poor Service

08/03/05

cant believe people love the food??

by jayteeinseattle

our server began to take our order then suddenly freaked out and announced she had to leave to "run food," and disappeared mid-order. it wasnt even crowded so i dont know what that was about. the pitas and gigante beans were good, but the baked olives and the chicken dish were unbearably salty and barely edible. the wine was not good, either. i cannot understand how anyone could deem this place the best greek in seattle. i am new to seattle but i refuse to accept this place as the best. my husband and i officially banned it. perhaps the gracious owners mentioned in other reviews need to be there 100% of the time to keep an eye on salt levels and rookie servers.

• Pros: intimate
• Cons: salt salt salt, poor service, average food