132995 Sun Apr 17 07:58:36 -0700 2005 5 10 Florida 0 716250 We had such a nice meal there a few weeks ago, that we came out of a movie, after 9:00 last night, and decided to share a small meal there. We began with the bread & hummous that arrives at the table after you're seated. Ordered some Keftides (Greek meatballs) which were unremarkable, and in need of lots of lemon juice. Then we shared the roast lamb, which was soooo fatty & grease laden that it was almost inedible. We moved on to a nice piece of baklava, which was as good as the first time. Overall, this mini meal was BAD! I guess it depends on what you order & when you go... just like so many other Florida eating places, in a word: inconsistent! (Also, we tried to order the Greek ribs, that we'd had the last time & really liked, despite the excessive saltiness... and found that they'd removed them from the menu, due to so many complaints about the price, which was a bit excessive at $10 for about 5 or 6 ribs!). Sun Apr 17 07:58:36 -0700 2005 0 Moyn 1 716252 Moyn, you're so right about inconsistency here. I can't figure it out. When you go back to restaurants in other cities, the rule of thumb is if they were good "then" and they're still in business, they're good "now." Anyway, we've been back to Thira, too, had the lamb again, and it was very good. As a matter of fact, it was less fatty than it was the first time. It's not the best Greek food, for sure, but it's a decent neighborhood place. Hopefully, they'll imrove on their flaws. We went back to Calypso the other night for the second time and had four delicious meals AGAIN! If you haven't gone, I would definitely recommend this place. Sun Apr 17 11:27:02 -0700 2005 716250 0 adele 2 716259 Adele, where is Calypso? We went to Thira once. A few pictures of Greece on the wall does not make a taverna. And no pita bread with the appetizers! We asked for some and were charged $1 for the pleasure. The lamb chops I ordered were mediocre at best with very little taste. My wife had an excellent whole grilled snapper which I would order if we return. On a more pleasant note, we tried Plein Sud two nights ago. It is located just north of Kinko's on Biscayne Blvd in North Miami. Very Gallic. The chef is from La Rochelle and the carte is unabashadly French. The pea soup was excellent as were the scallop appetizer. I tried a dish I have not tasted for a long time, the beef bourgignon which is served in casserole as are many of the other entrees. My wife had the monkfish and friends had the veal stew and the duck breast. Very good. Very small and gets crowded late with Francophones. Charming ambiance which reminded me of small bistros in Provence. I hope they make it through the summer. Sun Apr 17 16:16:05 -0700 2005 716252 0 george 3 716268 thanks for the rec on Plein Sud - will definitely give it a try. Calypso is off Atlantic in Pompano Beach just after Dixie Highway. From my house in east Hollywood it's about 20 to 25 minutes and well worth the drive. We've been there three times and haven't been disappointed once. Sun Apr 17 20:24:21 -0700 2005 716259 0 adele 3 716273 We had dinner at Plein Sud a few weeks ago, and had a very mediocre meal, that came with some fancy prices for a small neighborhood place. I cannot remember exactly what we ate, but I remember asking for something that didn't appear on the menu, and the waitress, haughtily retorted that this is a FRENCH restaurant, not an American one. Okay... but then, when my escargot bourgigogne (sp??)arrived & had absolutely no taste, w/o even a hint of garlic, I questioned her, and she responded that they have to adjust the flavors for their American patrons. I held my tongue, at that point, but, you can't have it both ways!! We wouldn't consider a return visit. Mon Apr 18 07:00:05 -0700 2005 716259 0 Moyn 2 716345 Got into this discussion about inconsistency with a career waitress in Hollywood, Fl. Her view is that much of the restaurant worker population is transient and they work for weeks or months, then move on, chefs included. Higher turnover=less consistency. Don't know how true it is, but thought I would pass it on. Thu Apr 21 15:24:26 -0700 2005 716252 0 Sprocka