OPA!

October 22 2013

Christina's
492 Danforth ave
(Greek town)

My adventure would not have been complete had I not included a visit to that little strip of the Danforth lovingly known as  "GREEK TOWN."  I don't go there as much as I should.  When I am there, I want to kick myself for not going more often.  Its really is just a subway ride away, and the entire "strip" is walk able.

Today my adventure included my good buds Stephanie, and Cindy.  Cindy and I had gone for pedicures and manicures at that wonderful place we go to on Bloor by the Jane subway station.  (Serenity is the name).  Anyway we were to meet Steph., when we were done.  We headed to Greek town, with no idea where we would eat.  We decided that we would walk a bit and if a place caught our eye, then that's where we would go.

It was a nice evening, so the walk was enjoyable.  There were a lot of places to choose from but we eventually decided upon Christina's.

The place had some people at a few tables when we walked in and were seated. We got a table in the window.  The restaurant  kept filling up as  the night proceeded.  We sat there looking at the menu which quite frankly was from heaven.

I hadn't had some real Greek food in a very long time.  There was so much to choose from.  I was faced with a dilemma that often finds me.  WHAT SHOULD I ORDER?  WILL I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION?  I JUST DON'T KNOW!! I didn't know..........there was just so many choices.  Also  remember I was only 1 person, how could I eat it all.......(but I did have friends along).

I ordered some wine........that calmed me down for a moment.  They have a really great selection of wine(from all over the world) and I should have ordered some Greek wine, because as they say...."when you're in Rome, do like the Roman's", but my knowledge of Greek wine is very limited. YES!  I should have asked and they would have recommended a good one, but I didn't.  In hindsight, that is something I will do the next time.

Wine ordered, let's get this food coming...................

Starters (appetizers) is a huge list with both cold and hot dishes.  There was grilled calamari on the menu, so I had to have that for sure.  I also decided to order a few more starter's and share because I just couldn't decide on just one. Our first one was the flaming cheese (Saganaki).  How can you resist?
                                  
Saganaki................Greek Kefalograviera Cheese flambeed in brandy at your table, OPA!

You can't go to Greek town without ordering this.  I know it's kinda "touristy", but it is sooooo good!  Cindy was not having any of this because of her dislike of cheese.(I know, don't get me started!)  Steph and I had no problem with this one.  I just love the caramelized cheese and that hint of lemon juice.  It just makes that bread they give you so much better.  I got my (Kalamari Sharas)grilled calamari next.......

Kalamari Sharas.............grilled whole squid topped with olive oil, garlic and lemon.

Now I have to tell you I was looking forward to this, just because I knew the Greeks couldn't get this wrong.  It was simple and probably as good as it get's.  I couldn't believe how much I got though!  There were  two huge squids on the plate and I could barely eat just one!  It was really good!  What was next?  Oh yea!!(Spanakopita)

SpanaKopita................spinach, Feta cheese and herb's wrapped in Phyllo pastry.

These were just so good.  They serve them in small packets........beautiful little parcels, of flaky dough, spinach and cheese.....................OMG!!  I was in heaven and we were only on the appetizers.. Steph ordered (Kalamari Tiganito) fried calamari and it was really good as well.  There wasn't a lot of batter on them which made them even better.

Kalamari Tiganito..............tender pieces of squid in seasoned flour, lightly fried and served with Tzatziki.

So they had the heat on in the restaurant and it was getting a little warm.  So I propped open the door, as to  get some fresh air.  Steph was worried about the couple sitting behind us getting cold, but they waved that they were perfectly fine with the door open.  As I told Steph, just for a little bit, it was too warm in there.  (Just a note..........I was the only menopausal women at the table today.)

We had ordered our main dishes and our stack of "to-go" had already began piling up.  Both Steph and I had ordered (Paidakia Sharas)grilled lamb chops.

Paidakia Sharas..................fresh Ontario succulent lamb chops, spiced and grilled to order served with french fries and a traditional Greek salad.

They were amazing..................but we were so full we could only eat some of it................so as always most of our food went into the growing stack of "to-go" containers.  Cindy ordered an appetizer as a main, she was already kinda full.

Keftedes......................homemade meatballs baked in a tomato herb sauce.

Her meatballs looked really good, and had roasted peppers in it as well.  Like Steph and I she could only eat part of her meal, and sure enough another "to go" container was added to the growing pile.

So while I was gathering the information for this post....I tried to look up the desert menu, because as you know I always want a desert at the end of a great meal. I just couldn't remember what I had ordered.  I looked everywhere for it and could not find it anywhere.  It was when I saw a review for the restaurant and they had mentioned that there was no desert menu and that's when I remembered......they don't have one.  They only have two things that they serve for desert.(I can only remember one of them right now.)
The amazing...........
Baklava..........phyllo dough layered with butter, cinnamon and nut's baked and then topped with a honey syrup.

I just took an order to go!!!!!!!!!!! Yes another container to our huge pile!
I also had ordered chicken souvlaki  for my daughter to go. (yes another couple of containers)

Souvlaki Dinner (Chicken) 8 oz of meat made to order and accompanied by lemon roast potatoes, rice pilaf, traditional Greek salad and tzatziki.

She just rolled her eyes when I got it home to her......OMG!! this is good.

We were so full, and yet with the amount of containers we left with, it looks like we didn't eat anything!
This was another great meal, with great friends.
On the weekends, Christina's have entertainment.  A belly dancer, and some Greek musician's.  Even better!

I would recommend anyone who want's to enjoy a Greek meal to come on down to Christina's!

OPA!

1 smiley face today.

Number 44 out of 50 restaurants