very good Greek meal at Pantheon- September 2012

[prima]

Returned to Pantheon for the first time in few years. This was the best Greek meal I've had in Toronto in the last 6 months.

Four of us ordered the gigantes (definitely made in-house, not from a can, and not too salty), tzatziki (a very thick version, heavy on the garlic, with no dill and no cucumber as far as I could tell) with pita, fried zucchini and eggplant with skordalia, a small Pantheon salad (aka maroulosalata- the one with romaine and dill, no feta), grilled octopus (3 legs for $19.99, which is the biggest portion of grilled octopus I've seen in TO apart from the version at Adega- most places charge $12-$15 for a portion 1/3 as big), shrimp saganaki (more rich and heavier on the feta than some versions), the moussaka and the mixed grill (loukaniko sausage, 2 lamb chops and a chicken breast, with roasted lemon potatoes, rice and Greek salad for $22.95). The moussaka was probably the best restaurant version I've tried. The octopus was perfectly grilled, and nicely seasoned. The dressing on the Pantheon salad was just right.

The prices of some dishes were slightly higher than what I've usually paid for similar dishes at Mezes or Kalyvia, but the portions for all the dishes seemed much bigger than the portions at most Greek restaurants on the Danforth. What impressed me even more than the generous portions was the fact the food we ordered tasted better than the same dishes have tasted recently at other restaurants on the Danforth.

Friendly service from our server Bobby. Will definitely return for more grilled octopus.

http://www.pantheonrestaurant.com/

Right now, I've got Pan and Pantheon as my top 2 choices for full-service Greek restaurants on the Danforth.

[Baelsette]

Good to know, thanks for the review. I have been to Pan and agree it's great. I will have to revisit Pantheon next time I go for Greek.

[JennaBean]

It is my go to for Greek food when I need something close to what I would get at my tia's house.

[Googs]

My definite go-to for Greek seafood dishes. A big agree on the octopus. Their calamari is terrific too.

Where else in town can you get such well-prepared seafood at such a reasonable price? Not fine dining seafood, but spot on perfect casual with friends or family dining.

[prima]

Agree, Googs, and JennaBean. For Mediterranean-style seafood, I can't think of any other restaurants in Toronto that serve such well-prepared seafood at such a reasonable price.

A note to anyone who is planning on visiting Pantheon. You might want to make a reservation if you're planning to dine there on a Friday. There was a line-up of walk-ins the entire time we were there, from 7:15 pm until 9 pm.