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Claim this listingTaverna Cretekou
4.0
1 Review
$31 to $50
Greek
Taverna Cretekou is one of Zagat's top-rated Greek restaurants in the Washington D.C. area. Owned by Christos and Denise Papaloizou, Taverna Cretekou has a classic Mediterranean ambiance with white stucco walls and art from the region adorning the walls, guests can feel as if they are transported to a far away land across the Atlantic.
The Taverna Cretekou menu has many Greek classics that diners will be familiar with, as well as some more exotic meals that might not be known to anyone who hasn't dove too deep into the cuisine of the region. Chicken, lamb, and beef dishes are all accounted for, as well as seafood like fish, squid, shrimp and octopus. Be sure to come out on a Thursday, when Taverna Cretekou has live Greek music and dancing to liven things up.
Additional information
- Dining style
Casual Dining
- Cuisines
Greek
- Phone number
(703) 548-8688
- Dress code
Business Casual
- Neighborhood
Alexandria
- Parking details
None
Menu
Appetizers / Mezedes
In Greece, It Is Customary To Go To A Mezedopolion And Drink Ouzo Or Wine And Select A Number Of Favorite Small Dishes. Ouzeri Mezedes Originated In Antiquity And Reveal The Very Social Nature Of Modern Greeks. We At Taverna Cretekou Encourage You To Enjoy The Greek Lifestyle.
Taramosalata - Traditional$7.75
a taverna cretekou specialty. imported red caviar, olive oil and lemon whipped to a light mousse.
Melitzanosalata - Smirni$7.75
a soft mousse of eggplant, fresh garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and herbs.
Tzatziki - Crete$7.95
a refreshing blend of homemade yogurt, cucumber and garlic.
Fava - In Season$7.75
fava beans mixed with olive oil and lemon. served with onions.
Dolmadakia - Smirni$7.50
grape leaves filled with rice, scallions and dill. marinated in olive oil
Imam Baildi - Smirni$8.95
baby eggplant stuffed with tomatoes and onions, pine nuts and raisins
Agria Manitaria - Kastoria$8.95
wild mushrooms sauteed in garlic and parsley.
Manitaria Psyloriti - Crete$8.95
a taverna cretekou specialty. broiled mushroom stuffed with feta, spinach and herbs.
Spanakotiropita - Traditional$8.75
filo filled with spinach and feta cheese and baked to a golden crust.
Tiropita - Andros$8.95
our chef's special recipe, manouri, feta and kefalograviera cheeses wrapped in puff pastry and filo.
Feta Saganaki - Crete$8.75
broiled feta wit fresh basil and tomatoes. drizzled with olive oil and fresh oregano.
Saganaki - Traditional$8.95
kasseri cheese sauteed until crusty. served - sizzling - with lemon.
Kalamarakia Tiganita - Cyprus$9.50
ender squid gently fried. served with lemon
Appetizers For Two
Ouzeri Mezedes$15.95
a sampler of small taste - tarama, tzatziki, fava, and dolmades. served with chilled ouzo and pita bread
Htapodaki Krassato - Crete$14.50
grilled baby octopus lightly marinated in olive oil and wine.
Satyrikon$15.50
a combination of greek appetizers
Saganaki Me Garides - Thessaloniki$16.95
shrimp and feta cheese sauteed until crusty. served with lemon.
Soup
Avgolemono$5.95
traditional greek chicken soup with frothy egg and lemon.
Salads
Elliniki Salata$10.50
mixed baby greens with greek olives, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers and anchovies. dressed with olive oil, vinegar and herbs.
Kotopoulo Salata$11.95
grilled chicken on a bed of organic country baby greens with beets.
Anamikti Salata$7.50
mixed salad with country greens with feta and house dressing.
Patzari Salata$10.50
beets, mixed greens, feta, and walnuts in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Kalamari Salata$13.75
squid served on mixed baby greens.
Garidosalata$16.95
grilled shrimp with mixed baby greens in a light lemon dressing.
Horiatiki$10.50
traditional greek country salad of tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, green peppers, capers, black olives and feta. seasoned with olive oil and herbs.
Vegetarian
Vegetables Tis Imeras$16.95
ask you waiter for today's selection.
Kotopoulo
Kotopoulo Me Damaskina - Andros$18.95
our chef's very special recipe. chicken breast marinated in dry sherry, lemon juice and fresh spices with finely chopped prunes, mango, papaya, thyme, nutmeg and peppercorns
Kotopoulo Kebab - Traditional$17.95
breast of chicken marinated and broiled on a skewer with vegetables.
Kotopoulo Lemonato - Kos$15.95
broiled chicken basted with olive oil, lemon juice and fine herbs.
Traditionals
Taverna Cretekou Special$19.95
a combination of traditional greek dishes including moussaka, pastitsio, dolmades, soudsoukakia and spanakopita
Pastitsio - Traditional$17.95
baked ground sirloin and ziti pasta. topped with parmesan cheese and bechamel sauce.
Moussaka - Crete$18.25
layers of ground sirloin, eggplant and zucchini. topped with bechamel sauce.
Spanakotiropites - Traditional$17.95
filo filled with spinach and feta cheese and baked to a golden crust.
Tiropita - Andros$17.25
our chef's special recipe. manouri, feta and kefalgraviera cheese wrapped in puff pastry and filo.
Soudsoukakia - Smirni$16.95
grounded beef morsels in a mediterranean sauce with cumin.
Dolmades Avgolemono - Traditional$17.95
ground sirloin, rice and mint wrapped in grape leaves. finished in avgolemono sauce.
Korfu Dava - Smirni$19.95
cubes of veal baked with tomatoes and eggplant. topped with kasseri cheese. finished with red wine and baked in a casserole.
Tornedo Krassato - Athens-$29.95
medallion of beef tenderloin sauteed in butter and herbs. laced with mavrodaphne wine.
Arni
Exohikon - Crete$20.95
specialty of taverna. small morsels of lamb baked with three cheeses, artichoke, peas, carrots, onions and pine nuts. wrapped in filo.
Arni Psito - Traditional$19.95
roasted leg of lamb seasoned with oregano and garlic.
Arni Youvetsi - Traditional$20.95
braised shank of lamb served greek style with orzo.
Arni Kapama - Traditional$20.25
braised shank of lamb with fresh string beans in a light tomatoes sauce.
Arni Shishkebab - Traditional$20.95
lamb marinated with lemon, olive oil, garlic and oregano. broiled on a skewer with tomatoes, onions and peppers.
Arnaki Kikladitiko - Cyclades$20.95
specialty of taverna. braised lamb with black olives, red wine, fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.
Paidakia - Traditional$29.95
broiled baby lamb chops seasoned with oregano, olive oil and lemon juice.
Thalassina
Psari Skaras - Market Price
ask your waiter for the fresh fish of the day.
Garides Cretekou - Crete$21.95
prawns sauteed with fresh tomato, garlic, feta and white wine. served in a casserole.
Glossa Aegeou - Aegean$18.95
flounder stuffed with spinach, feta and pine nuts. served in light wine and lemon sauce.
Kalamarakia Tiganita - Traditional$18.95
tender squid gently fried. served with a wedge of lemon.
From Our Ancient Greek Menu (athens, 330 B.c.)
Psari Me Aginares$21.95
fish sauteed with artichokes, spiced with dill and fennel.
Sfirida Me Spanaki$21.95
oven-baked fish with spinach, leaks and scallions. dressed with coriander.
From Our Ancient Greek Menu
Verikoka Aphrodite$7.50
aphrodite's apricots poached in a white wine and orange zest sauce with honey, walnuts, and yogurt.
Crema Lemoniou Me Stafili Glyko$7.50
lemon cream flan topped with grape preserves
Desserts
Milopita$5.95
greek "apple fritters." filo pastry stuffed with apple slices. served hot.
Baklava$5.95
freshly ground walnuts layered in filo pastry.
Galaktoboureko$5.95
a light semolina custard pastry topped with filo and cinnamon.
Rizogalo$5.95
our special recipe of rice pudding
Homemade Yogurt$6.75
topped with honey and walnuts.
What people are saying
Overall ratings and reviews
4.0
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tqsurgeon
Columbus
1 review
1 review
Reviewed on October 13, 2017
We walked in without a reservation on a Thursday night in October and were seated immediately. The restaurant was crowded and noisy and got noisier! The atmosphere was great! Two Bouzouki players were tuning up and began playing and the show began. The servers began dancing at one point, plates were smashed by the owner, Denise. One customer, I'd say about 3 or 4 years old couldn't hold back and danced with his mom. The diners joined in, clapping and shouting, it all seemed very spontaneous. I don't know if that goes on every night, but that was our experience. It made for fun dining. Anyway, I realize that sort of thing isn't for everyone, so be forewarned! Oh, yeah, the food. The food was simple and delicious. I started with the Elliniki salad, which was a light mixed greens and tomato salad with Kalamata olives, tomatoes and red onion, topped with a light vinegar dressing and, of course, Feta cheese. My wife had the Kotopoulo Kalamata, which was sauteed medallions of chicken simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red wine, fresh basil and herbs. I had the Arni Youvetsi, a braised shank of lamb served Greek style with orzo. Both dishes were delicious. We had rice pudding for dessert, which was light and less custardy than others I've had. I had a glass of Greek red wine and an aperitif of Ouzo, both of which were reasonably priced. If you are in the Old Town area, I highly recommend you make this one of your dinner stops.
FAQs
Taverna Cretekou is rated 4 stars by 1 OpenTable diners.
Not available on OpenTable
Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.
If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.
Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listingAdditional information
- Neighborhood
Alexandria
- Cuisines
Greek
- Dining style
Casual Dining
- Dress code
Business Casual
- Parking details
None
- Phone number
(703) 548-8688
