Terrific Takeout: Taverna Kyclades Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
Black Sea Bass, otherwise known as Mavrohanno
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You need to know we are absolutely in love with the Spanokopita, and that's not even what we ordered and were dying to go to Taverna Kyclades for! As you know, we go on and on about how much Peachy Deegan loves being an Eagle (a Boston College kind) and one of the aspects she liked about BC was that it had no Greek life: everyone shared their beer. We were waiting to move to Manhattan to experience the proper Greek life, and you should too. Here's the Taverna Kyclades hit parade that is sure to tempt your stomach into telling your feet that's where you should go. Now. We've only been there once and we are hooked.
If you know Peachy, you know that Peachy is eternally crabby, meaning she loves crabs. Not all crabs, only fresh wonderful kind-that-you-crack crabs not the soft slimy kind. And she also likes dishes that are made well with that right kind of crab. As an appetizer she ordered the Stuffed Clams with Crabmeat. We must say they were definitely fresh, as was everything we tried at Taverna Kyclades (the owner goes to the fish market at the crack of dawn) and these were generously filled. In Greek, it is the Kidona Gemista.
Taverna Kyclades decided that Peachy would try the octopus, and that was a good decision on their part. Trying octopus at a place you have not been to before is a great indication as to whether they know what they are doing or not. No Goodyear Tire Octopus here! This one was super tender and boasted gorgeous taste. We envy its eight arms-think of how much more we would get done if Peachy had six more.
We were entirely impressed with the astounding freshness of the Mavrohanno: Black Sea Bass, first featured at the top. The deep water fish had tremendous flavor and was grilled to perfection. Clearly it is a good idea to go to Taverna Kyclades hungry as this fish was gigantic. They also fileted it for Peachy and did an excellent job on that as well. Taverna Kyclades is a newcomer to Manhattan since September 2013.
Mr. Mavrohanno smiling at you
As you know along with appetizer and entree, Peachy always orders a salad. And when in Rome we try to do as the Romans do. To that end we ordered the Kyclades Salad: Romaine Lettuce, Scallions, Dill, Feta, Olives and an item new to us: Pepperoncini, which is that bright green spicy pepper you see. Again, it was a generous portion and the crunch in every bite was real because that's how fresh this was as well. We felt healthy after this dinner despite how much Peachy tried! And they listened and put the dressing on the side. Perfect.
Taverna Kyclades intelligently deduced just how crabby this girl is (they must watch Sherlock) so they made some superb Crab Cakes. Peachy historically has ordered Crab Cakes often over the past five years and these would have to be in the top ten crab cakes she's eaten in Manhattan. These were thick, rich and cooked just right for Ms. Goldilocks Crabcakes. They were not too mushy and not too overdone. And the sauce was just divine.
Though we loved everything else we tried, we were most impressed with the Spanokopita, which is Spinach Pie definitely sent down direct from heaven. We checked with God. It is highly addictive and the best way we think anyone could get their vegetables in. That spinach is having one big party with leeks and feta in Phylo Pie. Peachy normally does not even like feta but she loved this. Dessert was the final touch:
Galaktobouriko is a lovely Greek dessert. Taverna Kyclades is Terrific Takeout!!!
They rock.
Owner Ardian Skenderi (Caterina his wife owns it too!) and Executive Chef Thomas Fotouras
Galaktobouriko
