Published: July 27, 2008
Taverna Opa: A Celebration of Life
By Pete Allman
One of the liveliest places to dine in Miami is Taverna Opa. There, every night is a celebration. Taverana is a Greek restaurant located in South Beach where all sorts of people love to celebrate all types of events - fun family outings and reunions to blind-date get together.
The cuisine, which also has Middle Eastern influences and a touch of French, is delightful to say the least. Two of my favorite dishes are the lamb chops cooked in their secret sauce after grilling, and the Mousaka, which consists of layers of eggplant, potatoes and ground beef, covered with vethamel (yogurt with egg flour, salt and pepper).
The dish is served hot, but the sauce is a good way to cool yourself down and, at the same time, fill your tummy. Another favorite is the chicken, beef and lamb shish kabob. To top off the evening, try the Galakoboureao - honey with phyllo, filled with custard.
Chris Simon, the manager, told me that the owners plan to open a Taverna Opa in Las Vegas. Which perfect for a city that never sleeps. Taverana Opa has a festive atmosphere, where belly dancers perform on top of tables, while patrons are enjoying their delectable food. It's the kind of place where grandma will get up and dance atop the tables. I actually saw that happen!
The décor is colorful with decorations in blues, yellows and reds to resemble the Greek heritage.
While I was enjoying my meal, I noticed that some people were celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and, oh yes, those South Beach gorgeous beauties. Don't be surprised if when you are dining little pieces of "snowflakes" flutter down on you. (They are actually napkins torn into confetti-size pieces and tossed into the air as part of the festive activities as the music pulsates.)
It's not surprising that there was a line of people waiting to get in.
There are Taverna Opa's in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
The dining room is open from 4 p.m. to midnight seven days a week. For more information, visit www.TavernaOpaRestaurant.com or call (305) 673-6730.
CSN rates Taverna Opa a 10.
Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com
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