By Lyn Funnell
Wednesday Evening.
We were booked in El Greco in Stratford on Avon, a popular Greek restaurant, for dinner.
It was so convenient having a bus stop right outside the Pheasant Hotel as we could enjoy a bottle of wine with our meal without driving afterward.
Fleure the owner greeted us and introduced us to Veronica, our waitress for the evening.
El Greco is on two levels in a 17th-century building with 100 covers so the waiting staff have a lot of stairs to go up and down!
Veronica recommended the Mezzes menu, which consisted of eight dishes, plus pitta bread.
A Visit to Shakespeare Country
Greek wine
While we waited, she brought us a wine that she recommended. It was a Greek wine called Makedonikos; a medium dry refreshing white wine from Macedonia, 12%.
Veronica arrived, easily balancing the huge tray in her hand. She had a bit of trouble fitting all the dishes on the table.
There was the most delicious taramasalata I’ve ever had, tzatziki, houmous, spanakopita (spinach and cheese parcels) grilled halloumi (Greek cheese) calamari (fried squid rings) fascia (giant beans in a tomato sauce) olives and pitta bread.
We stared at it all, horrified. How on earth were we going to eat all that? But as we chatted and picked, we soon reduced the amount.
Oh dear, after clearing the table, Veronica reappeared with another huge tray of main courses.
There were moussaka, stifado (slow-cooked beef stew) keftedes (meatballs) loukanika (Greek sausage) dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) chicken and pork souvlaki (kebabs) oregano chips, Greek salad, and rice.
No way, we said, there was absolutely no way we could manage even half of it!
But we did.
Veronica with main courses
While we ate, mournful Greek music played in the background, which was wonderful.
Everyone was talking and laughing. There was absolutely nothing at all to complain about, so the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.
Every dish was absolute perfection, and all home-made, traditional Greek recipes.
Fleure came to talk to us while we ate our desserts, baklava, and kataifi with honeycomb ice cream.
She and her Greek husband have owned the business for 10 years and won lots of awards, which they definitely deserve!
They have many regulars and loyal customers
All their staff are loyal too and get the jobs through recommendations.
We left, having enjoyed not just a wonderful meal, but a great relaxing, entertaining evening!
Would we recommend El Greco? Absolutely!
The three-course dinner menu costs £27.95 per person. The wine was £21.95.
El Greco
Contemporary independent family-run authentic Greek restaurant in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon
- Address: 27 Rother St, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6NE
- Website: https://www.el-greco.co.uk/
- Tel: 01789 290 505
- Email: info@el-greco.co.uk
- Book here: https://www.el-greco.co.uk/covid-contact-book
- Opening times: 12 – 10 pm (Mon-Sat) closed Sun
- Facebook: @el.greco.stratforduponavon/
- Twitter @EGrecos
