"Romance on the Road"
IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME
 And it's all fun and delicious, too! It's Papa Cristo's Taverna MY BIG FAT GREEK "FAMILY STYLE DINNER" EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT in Los Angeles. Bring your friends, and bring your appetite!
We arrived at 6:30 to find a number of people already seated "family style" at rows of long banquet tables in the brightly lit dining room that adjoins the Greek deli and bakery. At the front of the room was Papa Cristo's Cousin Mark, pouring 5 different kinds of wine into tasting cups for the guests.
One wine was called "The Blood of Hercules," a red, full-bodied wine. We loved the Cabernet Dionysus, especially because, as Cousin Mark told us, Dionysus means Dennis in Greek. It figures that's the one we liked. After tasting all 5, we bought a bottle of the "Dennis" to enjoy with our feast, and a full-bodied feast it was! (Which would definitely make US even more full-bodied!)
Accompanying the wine tasting were appetizers, including Pita bread and taramazola, a white caviar dip. The salty taste was refreshing, particularly when we washed it down with more Dionysus. The appetizers also included a delicious garlicky grilled sausage.
 After the Happy Half-Hour, the 5 rows of long tables were filled, some with birthday groups, others with strangers fast becoming friends, but all with people very eager to eat and party!
Suddenly platters of food started arriving at the table. Everything's served "family style," and there's plenty for even the hungriest of families. The tableware of choice is Styrofoam, not the most elegant way to dine, but it didn't matter. The atmosphere was friendly, the food abundant, and the wine never stopped. Who even cared?
First came grape leaves, olives, and feta cheese, followed by plates overflowing with spanokopita, triangle-shaped spinach pies in a delicate phyllo crust. On the side, were bowls of tzatsina sauce, which was delicious when drizzled on any of the dishes or used as a dip for the bread.  More pita was served, this time whole wheat triangles, and later, soft, fresh baguettes with the crunchiest of crust.
After all these appetizers, we were almost full, but oh, that was only the beginning. Fresh Greek salads with lettuce, tomatoes, and olives were topped with crumbled feta, of course, and a home-made salad dressing.
Then came the main course, or courses, I should say. Platters of fresh grilled skinless chicken, and for us, the piece de resistance, lamb chops. Oh, and speaking of "it's all Greek to me," at each table setting, there is a mini-Greek phonetic dictionary—who knows the Greek alphabet anymore? Okay, so it's a small sheet of paper, "Papa Cristo's Greek Survival Guide," which gives the literal translation for certain important phrases, including:
Hello - Yasoo
Good night - Kalineehta
I'm Hungry - Peenow
Good Food - Kalo Fayeeto
How much does it cost? - Poso Kane ?
And about 20 other sayings, including my personal favorite:
I want a kiss - Thelo Filaki!
But, back to the food! Yes, there's still more. Along with the entrees, they served sauteed string beans with a dash of tomato, and roasted potatoes. Add a dollop of the tzsatzina sauce on your lamb and chicken, and enjoy.
Of course, what makes it all so enjoyable is the ambiance and festive mood of the place, constantly being pierced with shouts of "Ooopa!" After a while a level of "culinary camaraderie" is evident. Everyone is having a grand time. A grand Greek time!
Dessert is, of course, baklava , with a delicious flaky crust and honey-filled pistachio filling. While serving, the waiters ask, "Who's having a birthday?" (If no one is celebrating, they seem very disappointed, so even if no one really is, point to your friend and say, "He is!" just like I did to Dennis! Then they bring out a cream-filled tart with a candle in it, and the whole room, all 5 banquet tables, break into a loud, rowdy version of "Happy Birthday." Although he protested, Dennis blew out the candle and happily consumed the sweet creamy treat.
After dessert, the show starts. The lights go down, and Greek music accompanies the entrance of the belly dancer.  She gyrates and shimmies at the front of the room and down the aisles. Her first number is the warm-up solo. After that, using a hooked cane, she gently pulls men up from the audience. As more people are pulled from the audience to dance with her, swaying their bellies and butts, she dances down the aisles; and people stuff dollar bills into her costume. Then she grabbed Dennis! Slightly embarrassed, but having had enough wine not to care, he danced and laughed as the audience applauded and laughed even harder!
The evening ends with everyone having had a satisfying meal and a genuinely good time. Oh, and before leaving the table, the waiters come by with take-out containers, urging everyone to stock up on the leftovers!
It's hard to believe the reasonable price for all this. The complete dinner with entertainment, including tax and tip, is less than $25. The wine tasting is complimentary; but if you want a bottle, that's extra, but very reasonable.
So, for romance and fun, with family or friends, pick any Thursday night and make it a special Greek holiday! Visit Papa Cristo's for a great time. I know we'll be going back, and when we do, I'll see you there!
Papa Cristo's Greek Taverna is located near downtown Los Angeles. Parking is in their own lot with a back entrance that takes you through storerooms richly painted with murals of the Greek countryside and coastal areas. Even seeing the sacks of Grecian flour and other imported commodities stacked on the shelves evokes an other-worldly feeling to this step-back-in-time treat of a place. Enjoy!
Papa Cristo's
2771 W.Pico Blvd at Normandie
Los Angeles, CA 9006
800.732.3212
www.papacristo.com
Written by Marilyn Anderson and Dennis Lanning
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