Yiasou, efharisto Kalamata !

[LotusRapper]

For several years running they were one of the gems of Greek dining in Vancouver, and had some of the best lamb shoulder.

Today I see their space has been taken over, the new enterprise is called "Sushi California".

A Greek tragedy indeed.

[kav23]

Sad to hear that Kalamata is gone.

[islandgirl]

I just noticed today that they look set to reopen on the north side of West Broadway between Hemlock and Granville.

[LotusRapper]

Interesting. Wonder if they're keeping the same concept or going more modern ? Only Greek restos in that part of town are Apollonia and Bawan's (Vikram Vij's old space). A high-rent area for sure to start over.

[grayelf]

Didn't get a chance to eyeball a menu as I was rushing back to work after lunch at Jitlada Thai, another worthy spot on that stretch for higher end but not formal Thai in the old Cru space. Really nice Riesling too.

Kalamata reopened last Wednesday, lunch service starts next Tuesday (woot!). Menu is the same as before per the owner who I talked to on the phone later. Gotta get me some of the pan fried kefalograviera. Space looks nice inside. 1481 W. Broadway Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H1H6, Canada Phone: [phone]

[LotusRapper]

Thanks GE. So it's the old Vietnamese resto (beside Fortune Garden) eh ? Same owner ? (forget name right now, but he reminds me of the "soup nazi" guy).

We still dearly miss their original venue btwn Cambie and Yukon, lots of good memories there. Maybe the new venue will create new memories.

[LotusRapper]

Not sure how up-to-date these menus are, the address is the new one noted by GE.

http://www.mainmenus.ca/Menus/restaurant-profile_82185_Kalamata-Greek-Taverna-Restaurant.aspx

http://www.mainmenus.ca/ClientData/Image/Menus/MenusPdf/1b5f650b-dcb7-4804-a6fc-c73ab1b847d4/Kalamata%20Lunch%20Menu%202011.pdf

http://www.mainmenus.ca/ClientData/Image/Menus/MenusPdf/1b5f650b-dcb7-4804-a6fc-c73ab1b847d4/Kalamata%20Menu%20%202011.pdf

http://www.mainmenus.ca/ClientData/Im...

[grayelf]

Yup, that's the spot. Sounds like the same guy from the way he was talking. I suspect the menus you've attached are rightish, since he said they had the same menu and those look to be from 2011. Kalamata was my fave Greek in town but I stopped going to the old location because they continued to allow smoking after the ban. Presume that won't be an issue in the new place :-).

There's an outpost of Nu doing Greek just west of here as well but it is all takeaway I think.

[LotusRapper]

I'm excited now ..... something is better than nothing at all. Looking back, those menus I posted above must be only the lunch ones, there's no way a dinner kleftico is only $12.95.

Haven't tried that Nu take-out spot. I only saw it this summer but I didn't find any mention of it on Kambolis Group's' website nor Urbanspoon. So if it's all take-away, are the offerings prepped on the spot, or are they sent over from the K Group's other restaurants ?

[grayelf]

Dunno, but it looks like a similar setup to the Nu on Robson. I've had good feedback on the food there from two different reasonable humans but haven't tried it yet myself.

[LotusRapper]

Time to TOFTT, GE (re: Nu takeout) ..... you're practically there ! :-)