Trata Greek Taverna - Cozy Comfortable Atmosphere

by Tim Slivinki

Hidden among the more glitzy eateries along Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale is a quiet little Greek Restaurant called Trata Greek Taverna. It is not the noisy, plate-breaking Greek type of restaurant that you may already be familiar with, but is a quiet, small room with a beautiful bar that serves wonderful, genuine Greek cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere.

Other than a few pictures of Greece on the left wall as you enter the front door, there is nothing particularly Greek about the décor. The bar on the right extends the full length of the wall and is beautiful in its glossy marble top and bottle displays. I can imagine it as a great place to meet a friend or two for cocktails and appetizers, as Trata offers full liquor service.

The dining room houses a mere 11 tables, which offers a cozy, comfortable intimacy to the room. Trata also offers a small outdoor patio dining area that, on a warmer night, would permit great people watching along Las Olas.

Remembering that mussels are always best and freshest in months with an “r” in them, my dining partner and I decided that an order of the Santorini Mussels from the hot appetizer list would be a great starter. As we placed our order with George, our friendly server, we quickly added an order of Feta and olives from the cold appetizer list, as we are both olive and feta aficionados.

The olives and Feta arrived first, as well as a mound of crusty bread and a ramekin of hummus. The Kalamata olives were delicately brined and drizzled with olive oil. They disappeared quickly. The creamy, slightly salty Feta, sprinkled with oregano, did not last much longer.

Next came a generous portion of perfectly steamed, tender mussels swimming in a tasty, rich broth of fresh basil, garlic, and tomatoes. When over steamed, mussels become rubbery, but these were tender and juicy, exactly what mussels should be. The bread was the perfect vehicle for enjoying the delicious broth that gave the mussels their piquant flavor.

Deciding we needed a bit more Greek before braving the cold, I opted for the lamb chop entrée, something I have a hard time resisting in any Greek restaurant. My partner decided that something called “Drunken Salmon” fit the bill for him. I ordered my lamb chops cooked medium rare, which came out with a bit of pink through the crusty exterior. I eagerly took my first bite and soon realized I was, once again, in Greek cuisine heaven. Seasoned in perfect Greek style with olive oil, herbs, and a hint of lemon, I could not resist eating every one. The accompanying Greek lemon potatoes complemented the chops beautifully, as did the green beans, which I swear had some white beans mixed in as well.

The Drunken Salmon was an ample portion of poached salmon drizzled with a bit of house-made vinaigrette, which gave the salmon a bit of a kick. The salmon was flaky and moist and not the least bit overcooked, which results in drying out the salmon. My partner smiled and declared it a winner. The poaching liquid must include a significant bit of white wine, hence the name “Drunken Salmon.” It too was accompanied by Greek lemon potatoes and green beans.

Baklava and other traditional Greek desserts round out the menu, but we were simply too satiated to try them on this visit, but perhaps next time. Next time you head down to Las Olas and are craving something a bit more intimate than the more glitzy restaurants along the boulevard, give Trata Greek Taverna a try. You will leave with a smile on your face.