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| - I went for the soft opening the night before the grand opening.
As a random passer-by and with limited options for food choices in Tivoli Village, we decided to give Petra a try. I wanted something other than the usual food (sushi, steak, lobster), so we stepped inside to give Greek tavern food a whirl.
The service was pretty good for their soft opening. That night everything was 20% off, so we went all out:
Garlic hummus with pita: SO DAMN GOOD. I love garlic! This is definitely garlic lover food because it was strong enough to have that bite on your tongue. I devoured that appetizer in a minute.
Dolmades: Very nice, mild, and it had great texture. I'm normally not a fan for this dish, but it was mild enough a grape leaf for me to enjoy.
Filet with feta and fries: Cooked perfectly. It was seasoned well and the cheese added a whole other flavor profile, which I truly enjoyed. Mind you, I hate the idea of cheese on steak, but it worked here because the feta was just a sprinkling, not a meltdown. The fries were seasoned with salt, oregano, and pepper. Nice and crispy, too. The steak sat on a bed of caramelized onions and cooked spinach, and they were both fantastic.
Whole fish with risotto: Very very good. The skin on the fish was crispy, and it came whole, which meant lots of fun picking through bones. I grew up catching fish and cooking it on the spot, and this was a fun reminder of how good those times were. The risotto was nice, not thick and gooey, and very well seasoned.
Dessert was a fail. We went for their baklava with ice cream, but it was as hard as a rock! They transport it in from their LA location, which is what management told me. I was credited for the dessert, of course, but I hope next time the kitchen remembers not to serve it cold, but a bit warm since it's soaked in honey.
Great decor, good service, and great food. I'll be coming back for more. It's for the non-Greek person and the Greek lovers, but don't expect just your average gryo here. OPA!
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