Last week I had the pleasure of attending a blogger event at Taverna Opa on I-Drive. I had heard great things about Taverna Opa but hadn’t been there myself, so I was pretty excited to check it out. Boy did they spoil us!
Our “Meet & Greek” event started out at the bar where we were able to try their Greek Mastixa Mojito. I am quite the fan of mojitos and I think this one might just be my new favorite. It was a refreshing drink consisting of mastixa liqeur, crushed lime, mint, and sparkling water. Yum yum yum!
After we moved to our 12 person table at the edge of the main dining room we were treated to a belly dancing lesson from their in house dancer. I must say that even though I looked like a complete spaz standing on my chair and dancing, I had so much fun and worked up quite the pre-dinner sweat.
Dinner started with making our own hummus – how fun is that?! They put out everything one would need to make hummus – chick peas, garlic paste, salt and pepper, feta, roasted red peppers, and spinach. I decided to go a little heavy on the garlic paste, then threw in some feta cheese and roasted red peppers. It was amazing! They make their own pita and I’m pretty sure I could have spent the whole evening eating hummus and pita and been a happy happy Meghan. Thankfully (I guess) they brought out three plates of appetizers shortly there after that distracted me from the hummus.
The rest of our meal was served family style. Our first course included a traditional greek salad and a platter of cold appetizers. The second course was a hot appetizer platter that included Spanakopita, Lamb Ribs, Keftedes Greek Meatballs, Oak Grilled Chicken Wings, and calamari. The Spanakopita was to die for and the chicken wings were some of the best I’ve ever had. We totally could have stopped after the appetizers and all been good to go, but there was a third course on its way. I stopped myself from finishing off the chicken wings and patiently waited for the third course.
The third course was a meat platter that included Lamb Chops, Beef Tenderloin Brochette, Chicken Brochette, and Oak Grilled Pork Loin served on a bed of green beans and potatoes. I really enjoyed the chicken, pork loin, and “YaYa’s green beans.” I know i’ve said this about a couple of things so far, but these were the best green beans I’ve ever had. I MAY have stood in the kitchen when I got home eating green beans out of my take out container before bed. Maybe.
Just when I thought they were done spoiling us the platter of Greek desserts showed up. Oh. Em. Gee. I am a fan of desserts and I am a HUGE fan of Greek desserts. Everything was amazing and it was a great end to the evening!
As the night went on the atmosphere in the restaurant went from crazy to wild and crazy – it was so much fun. A few of our group MAY have ended the evening by dancing on the table. With half the room doing it how could you NOT join in? I had a great time, loved the food, the staff was amazing, and I will definitely be back.
Sometimes the draw of restaurants on I-Drive is overshadowed by the fact that it is ON I-Drive. Being a local in Orlando tends to mean that you shy away from “touristy” areas, one of which is I-Drive. DON’T DO IT! Take the back roads, go during the off season, pick a weeknight, and go! You will not be disappointed.
Thanks again to Taverna Opa and Rockaway PR for a fantastic night!
I’m so jealous! I want to go there!