Taverna Cretekou is a Greek restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. It has been around for over 51 years.
On March 24, this journalist had the opportunity to dine for lunch at this Greek eatery during his visit to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. It is family-owned by the couple Christos and Denise Papaloizou, both of which hail from Cyprus.
Greek salad
Their “Horiatiki” Salad (Village Greek Salad) was comprised of tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, green peppers, capers, Kalamata black olives and feta cheese. It was seasoned with olive oil and herbs.
On the side, it was served with their own concoction of (olive oil mixed with garlic and parsley), which was an added treat.
Appetizers
Their “Kalamarakia Tiganita” or “Fried Calamari” was quite crispy and served with lemon wedges.
Other noteworthy appetizer choices include their “Tzatziki” dip (which features yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and dill), and their oven roasted lemon potatoes.
Main course
As a main course (and for people that enjoy meat), one should try their array of pita gyros (pronounced yeeros in Greek).
Their “Kotopoulo” or Chicken Sandwich came with tomatoes and chopped onions with a side of Tzatziki sauce, and mixed greens. The presentation was elegant.
Equally impressive was their “Arni” or Lamb Gyro, which came with ground roasted lamb, tomatoes, onions, greens, tzatziki and feta. The lamb meat was tender.
Desserts
Fans of Greek pastries ought to try some of their traditional desserts. These included their “Milopita,” “Creme Caramele” and “Galaktobureko.”
“Milopita” in Greek translates to Apple pie, and their Apple fritters were served hot in filo dough that was stuffed with apple slices.
“Galaktoboureko” is a semolina custard pastry in Greek culture and it is topped with filo and cinnamon. This restaurant’s Galaktobureko was savory and top-notch.
Their “Creme Caramele” (reminiscent of Flan) was also fresh and creamy.
While they did not have any French fries (which translates into “Patates Tiganites” in Greek) or Halloumi cheese (the traditional Cypriot cheese) on their menu, their oven potatoes, “Tzatziki” sauce, and feta cheese made up for it.
“Taverna Cretekou offers more than a meal,” patron Benjamin Bryant said. “It provides an immersive cultural experience, a tour of authentic Greek tastes and traditions on a plate. How lucky we are to have it here, in Alexandria, so close to the nation’s capital.”
The Verdict
Overall, Taverna Cretekou is a pleasant Greek restaurant in the heart of Alexandria. It has a warm and soothing ambiance to it while traditional Greek island music is playing in the background. There is an authenticity and essence to it like no other.
Taverna Cretekou is able to take patrons on a journey of the different flavors of Greece through its cuisine, coupled by the owner’s hospitality.
Even after 51 years in operation, this eatery manages to keep its dishes fresh and creative. Taverna Cretekou is worth more than just a passing glance, and it garners an A rating.
To learn more about Taverna Cretekou, check out its official homepage, and Facebook page.
