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| - I've been eyeing this spot since it first opened. It's not everyday you come across a Greek restaurant that doesn't fall into the cheap takeout souvlaki or home-y mid-range resto with tacky decor (at least in Canada). So Estiatorio VOLOS was a welcome change that promised higher-end service, drinks and wine list, as well as ingredient-focused food.
I finally had an excuse to go when I needed to pick a place for a visitor and friend. My requirements were that it had to be a nice restaurant, easy to get to via TTC, with many seafood options. VOLOS fit the bill for us, so that's what I recommended.
It's conveniently located just a couple metres from Osgoode Stn (the COC exit). I arrived a tad earlier, but was shown to my table right away. The hostess also served double duty by handling the complimentary coat check, which is always handy on rainy/fall/wintry days.
We arrived on a dark and rainy night for dinner, and the restaurant was dimly lit (but enough for reading) which I enjoyed, and afforded us a clear view out their restaurant which is wrapped around with large windows. I'm sure it gets lots of natural light on nice days.
Our server was friendly and attentive. He introduced himself to the table when we were ready, and double-checked our orders with the kitchen when I told him I was lactose-intolerant.
They have Canadian, International, as well as Greek wines. Standard Greek beers (which I would avoid if you trust the RateBeer ratings), Greek spirits (not just ouzo), and a Greek-spin on cocktails rounded out the drink list.
Our table ordered the Avgolemono soup, Horiatiki Salad, and the Grilled Calamari to start. Entrees were the fisherman's stew, the roast leg of lamb, and the fig-stuffed cornish hen. Everyone enjoyed their dishes, and portion sizes were very good for the price, which is a welcome change when eating at "fancier" places.
The grilled calamari was bigger than I was expecting for an appetizer, with 3 whole calamari pieces (no tentacles), topped with tomatoes, olives, capers, and drizzled with a vinaigrette. The calamari was tender, with delicious grills marks that provided nice chargrilling flavours and aromas.
The roast leg of lamb was flavourful, fall-of-the-bone, and served on a bed of swiss chard (a bit salty for me), roasted vegetables, and topped with crispy leeks. Definitely took that home for seconds.
My companion finished every last bit of the cornish hen, which was tender and moist, and deliciously stuffed with figs and pecans, served with braised greens and whipped potato with feta.
The fisherman's stew was a delight. It had an abundance of seafood (pacific salmon, mussels, calamari, and prawns) in a tomato-based broth, and was served with two large slices of baguette to sop up the remaining stew at the end of the fish.
We had no room for dessert, unfortunately, but many of them sounded great. We all left full and satisfied, and I imagine VOLOS will remain on my list of finer-dining restaurants with good service and value for some time to come.
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