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| - Calypso's Taverna is a prime example of a family-run restaurant with solid food, ample portions, and friendly service in a fun, relaxed atmosphere - all of which add up to a great night dining out with friends and family. Situated on Centre Street in Tuxedo Park, an area lacking sit-down food options, Calypso's is definitely a standout hidden gem.
If I could give ten stars for the service here, I honestly would. The owners and servers - all family - are enthusiastic, hilarious, helpful, and charming. There is not a dull or rushed moment when engaging in conversation with them! The décor is simple and inviting, reminding me of many a European restaurant that I've had the pleasure of dining in. Food prices are modest for what you get and the chow is great, both in flavour and authenticity. The dinner menu is extensive, but judging by the variety of dishes I tasted, everything is made fresh and with love! My only qualm would be the drinks list, which seemed to lack in craft beer (Big Rock Trad ale is the closest it gets), cocktails, and a more in-depth wine variety.
After starting with the calamari appetizer, my co-diner and I raved continuously about how tasty and well-prepared it was. A light seasoned batter covered the squid rings and blended perfectly with the accompanying sauce and sliced red onion. It may not have been straight off the boat seafood being that it's Calgary, but it sure tasted like it hadn't come frozen. My co-diner was very impressed and, on several occasions, repeated that it was the best calamari he's ever had. For the main course, we both opted for the Kleftiko, slices of slow-roasted seasoned lamb with a side of rice and a roast potato. We also split a Greek salad, consisting of cut veggies, olives, and a slice of feta, all coated in olive oil. The plating was simple, as is the norm for most traditional European restaurants. The lamb was to die for! It was juicy, succulent, and roasted perfectly, without error. The potato was great, with a fresh lemon flavour, while the rice was just okay - a bit bland and slightly overcooked for my taste. The Greek salad was a hit; a little reminder of how such simple ingredients can make a stellar dish!
With such fond memories of Calypso's Taverna still fresh in our minds, we decided to return a week later, this time for dinner and another round of authentic Greek! We shared the Saganaki starter - oven-baked Kefalograviera cheese served with a soft pita. This dish took me back years and years to previous tastings; having grown up in Romania, we had similar varieties of it. The cheese is gooey and delicious; everyone loved it! For the main I decided to try the Greek Style Ribs, a dish made up of individually cut seasoned pork ribs, served with rice, roasted potato and veggies, as well as a salad or soup. The sides were good, but the star was once again the meat! The pork was meaty, tender, and most importantly, not overseasoned. My co-diners praised their plates and we all left content, with full stomachs.
In the modern age, it's difficult to find honest restaurant owners that truly care for their patrons, but I believe Calypso's is doing things with a traditional approach and I applaud them for it. Looking around at nearby tables, everyone was having a fantastic time at this little neighbourhood Greek joint. The fact that it's blocks away from my current residence, you bet I'll be returning for round three soon! You should do the same!
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