Need a Danforth Greek recommendation
Hello fellow CHers,
Looking for a special Greek place on the Danforth to enjoy a nice family dinner (me, the wife and 2 year old) during the week.
Most Greek places seem to offer up the same menu and its been some time since we've been here. Is Pantheon still good? Any recs that are family friendly and not Mr Greek?
Thanks!
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prima
Jul 20, 2011 01:13 PM
For family-friendly, I like Megas, Kalyvia and Pan. They offer some dishes that aren't found everywhere else on the Danforth.
Megas, Kalyvia and Pan serve grilled quail, which isn't offered at some of the more mainstream Greek restaurants such as Astoria.
I like the various herbs and spices used in some of Pan's mezes, such as their meatballs, the zucchini fritters (kolokithokeftedes), and the stuffed grape leaves. Pan is my favourite place for those types of dishes. Pan also serves a lamb shank, a veal stifatho (stew) and chicken livers, which are all dishes that aren't commonplace on the Danforth these days.
The last pork souvlaki stick I ordered at Megas (I order my souvlaki a la carte, as a meze, and skip the rice and potato) was much better than most pork souvlaki on the Danforth. Their avgolemono soup was much better than I anticipated, and I'd order it again. I stick to meat and vegetable dishes at Megas.
Kalyvia has a nice combination plate, called the "Combo A la Kalyvia For Two"
Keftedeakia (little meatballs), oktapodi toursi (cold marinated octopus), spanakopitakia (little spinach pies), loukaniko (greek pork sausage), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and tzatziki.I haven't really enjoyed the last couple meals I've ordered at Mezes or Pantheon. While the food served is certainly decent, it seemed to me that both kitchens were taking some short cuts, and that the food wasn't prepared or seasoned as carefully as it was 5+ years ago. If I'm going to eat at Pantheon, I generally prefer their version of fried calamari to their version of grilled calamari. Sometimes their grilled calamari seems rubbery and/or undercooked, and I'm not a fan of whatever seasoning they add to the marinade.
One of my friends loves the Palace on Pape for Greek comfort food, which is also family-friendly. I haven't been, but I'm planning to go in the near future. Palace serves Kleftiko, which isn't served by too many Greek restaurants these days.
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Pantheon
407 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P1, CAPan on the Danforth
516 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P6, CAMezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CAKalyvia
420 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P3, CAMegas
402 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K, CAPalace Restaurant
722 Pape Ave, Toronto, ON M4K3S7, CA›2 Replies -
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danionavenue
Jul 20, 2011 12:21 PM
I have been to Mezes which is very nice. We sat on the patio. There is no "lunch" menu as I think they use the same menu for lunch and dinner. Plan on spending at least $15-20 per person. Missini's is also really nice and their prices are a little cheaper if that makes a difference.
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Mezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CA -
CocoaChanel
Jul 20, 2011 05:57 AM
I agree with the PP - most Danforth Greek restaurants are family friendly.
Pantheon and Mezes are my votes as well
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Mezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CA -
Generally, all the Greek restaurants on the Danforth are family friendly, and do basically offer up the same menu items. So I don't think you are going to find anything "special", but I do think that Pantheon still offers a slight step up from others (I particularly like their fresh fish and Greeek wine selections) and many of the other menu items are solid. Avli does a decent job on their Greek pies (rabbit, chicken and lamb), and many like Mezes small plates for selection and ok quality.
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Avli
401 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P1, CAMezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CA›1 Reply-
re: soko
Avli's pies are quite good. They have good dessert too (if your hungry enough for them)
I have to disagree on Pantheon. I went there for the first time a few weeks ago and walked out .... meeh. I had the Calamari which was there specialty...and thought it was a bit burned and dry... Maybe it was just me though...
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Avli
401 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P1, CA
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