Larry B.
Google
Oksana and I needed a date night after working in our gallery all week. Fortunately we decided on the Olympia Cafe on the Savannah River. The weather all week was fresh and we were ready for a romantic evening. When we arrived around 8 pm, the dining room was packed but most of the tables were finishing their meal and the owner, Vascili, has a hands on approach to reposition tables to fit the needs of the dinner guests. The whole room had a casual feel and it was one big family party meeting other guests at adjoining tables.
Suddenly, there was a large flame at a nearby table and most of the room shouted “opa”! The entire room’s mood turned fun and festive. Similarly, if someone accidentally drops dishes, everyone yells “opa”. The Greek word opa translates literally to “oops”, but its universal translation is an expression of joy and happiness. The event got your attention and everyone directs the energy in a positive direction. Like the Jewish expression “mazel tov” (good constellation = good luck) after the groom smashes a glass goblet by stepping on it. The focus of the entire room is festive.
Oksana ordered the Greek Gyro Village Salad (pronounced “yee-row”), this sizable dish can be an entire meal. It’s also a very romantic dish to share. Topped with fresh, moist, tender and warm gyro piled high on top of fresh local tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, olives, pepperoncini, and feta. This dish did not skimp on the freshest ingredients. It comes with wonderful fresh French bread. Grandma would be proud!
For an appetizer, Oksana ordered the baby octopus marinated in vinegar, fresh olive oil, and wine. I usually get the fried Kalamari, but tonight saved room for more delicious gyro with a Gyro Dinner plate. It’s was too much food, but I wanted leftovers! The gyro dinner had a mound of fresh sliced gyro meat, pita bread, lettuce and the freshest ripe tomatoes , tzatziki sauce and a serving of fries. I was determined to take home some gyro meat.
With “opa” being exclaimed left and right I inquired about the dish that was being flamed at the table side.There were two options, sausage or melted Kasseri cheese. We opted for the Kasseri cheese and brandy called Saganaki. The four inch medallion of cheese, bathed in brandy on a hot plate bursting into three feet of flames was our dessert. We were stuffed. Next time, it’s baklava for me and tiramisu for Oksana with the flamed sausage for an appetizer! Wonderful meal!