Saturday, February 28, 2009

Olympia Pizza and Greek Taverna

Ok, it's two months until I'm back in Greece, meanwhile, I am working on a collection of sailing stories, Salt Water in My Veins, alongside with the website, so my days are very busy. I don't even notice the miserable weather any more.

And then there is Latin and Greek dancing at night.... I go to the German Club on Friday nights and I could dance three or four nights a week all over town if I wanted to. I hope I find some opportunities to practice in Greece.

Oh, and the best news: There is this fantastic Greek restaurant in Kelowna called Olympia Pizza and Greek Taverna at 145 West Highway #33, (just before Rutland Road on the right). The owner, Michaili, is very friendly, the food is excellent and the decor is warm and authentic. There is even a real fireplace. This past Saturday a group of us went there to listen to some live music, watch a belly dancer, eat metzes (platters of a variety of Greek food), drink Greek wine and dance.

We had Greek salad with plenty of Feta cheese and Kalamata olives, Hummous and Taramasalata with pita bread and a large platter of spanakopita, barbecued ribs, meat balls, and prawns. For desert we had baklava. All very good. The Greek wine was a treat too.

The restaurant has several rooms, so you can be in the middle of the action or have a bit of privacy if you prefer. Olympia usually opens at 4 p.m. and the special evenings with live music are on every couple of weeks on Saturdays starting at 9 p.m. You can call for reservations at 250-765-0484 to find out when the next one will be. The best restaurant in Kelowna, in my opinion.

And in case you're wondering whether Michailis paid me to say all this, no, he didn't. It's just that wherever I travel, I try to find a real good cafe or restaurant and let me tell you, in some places it's not easy. I have most luck with places that are owner and family operated. Once I find a place, I tend to stick to it and call it my hang-out place. If Olympia was open all day, I'd probably be there every day just for coffee and to practice my Greek. Γεια σας.

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