Page 9 - Boca Exposure - December '19

Boca Exposure, Page 9
Dining Out: It’s Our Version Of A Greek Wedding!

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire. opened in 2007 and led the way to its sister restaurants, the an endless menu. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention those
Hungry Al’s love of food started Taverna Opas in Delray and Orlando. But by comparison this Greek Lamp Chops ($37). Here at Kyma you’ll be happily
young. Never satisfied at the former one is truer to its ethnic roots than the bigger, more pleased when the first bite brings you back to that picturesque
family dinner table with his commercial units. setting overlooking the Santorini coastline.
Mom’s dishes, he started to cook What I like about Kyma is its ethnicity. No fancy décor There is nothing better than meat that has been scored by
his own way through her Betty nor white table cloths. No waiters selling you fish by the high heat above a charcoal briquette grill and then treated
Crocker cookbook. His food ounce. No sophisticated wine lists. Here you are either with a hint of rosemary, a light spray of fresh lemon, and
journey consisted of working happily surprised or sadly annoyed by the overcrowded finished with a drizzle of rich Greek olive oil.
many restaurants both as server and cook, attending tables, loud can’t-hear-what-you’re-saying music, table-top If seafood is to your liking, then I highly recommend the
numerous cooking classes, and traveling the world in an belly dancers, and napkin-tossing celebration. Whole Branzino or Snapper ($35). This fish is also charred-
effort to expand his palette of different flavors and cuisines. The good news is, if you’re not in favor of this ambiance grilled and can be delivered whole or filleted tableside. Don’t
As a professional writer, Hungry Al will give you his you can sequester yourselves to the outside dining patio with expect any fancy sauces here because you won’t need it.
perspective on current food trends and guide you through limited interference. I also recommend their version of Greek Lasagna
your local restaurant choices. Prime Your Taste Buds: To me, Greek food is all about (Moussaka), $23.95. This layered roasted eggplant, potatoes,
the salad. Having enjoyed these salads from the shores of and ground beef holds its consistency, and the creamy
Taverna Kyma many Greek Isles, I have to admit Taverna Kyma’s version béchamel will have you asking for seconds.
6298 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487 is as authentic as they come. In this generous bowl you’ll From The Dessert Tray: Baklava!
(561) 994-2828 rediscover what a tomato tastes like that’s actually grown in Check Please: In my travels, I’ve returned to Greece
soil. As for the cucumbers, they are wedged not sliced, the numerous times. I have eaten fresh octopus plucked directly
Food For Thought: Occasionally, my wife and I notice onions are sweet, the Kalamata olives and oil are true to their from the sea into a frying pan, and sampled more Moussaka
a free weekend night on our calendar. For some people that origin and the feta cheese is cut, not crumbled. You will not than I care to brag about. Greek food is not Greek to me.
would probably cause social panic. For us it brings a smile be disappointed! And outside of my beloved Greek Isles restaurant in Fort
of freedom. We both confess that, as much as we love to dine What’s Greek salad without pita bread? Well, here at Lauderdale, this runs a very close second.
with friends or family, we are delighted to spend an evening Taverna Kyma their bread is like an addictive drug. I’ll be So, when you’re faced with a night of uncertainty and can’t
with the two of us sitting on a bar stool bellying up to fine surprised if you can survive one basket. You can eat it plain muster up another couple to dine with, I highly recommended
wine, great ethnic food and, of course, each other. or dunk it in some of the best fresh hummus I’ve eaten in a you find your home away from home. For us it’s Taverna
The best thing about our solitude supper is, I don’t have while. Kyma. And if you go … don’t get distracted by the belly
to face the pressure of picking a restaurant. This always Kyma offers several categories of meze (small bites, dancers and the confetti napkins. For my ongoing date nights,
becomes my mandatory responsibility when dining with tastes), both hot and cold. For cold you can sample the Cold I toss this net into the
others, and often it ends up to the dissatisfaction of at least Pikilia ($16), comprising traditional Tzatziki (yogurt dip), Adriatic Sea and pull out
one individual in our party. Melizanosalata (roasted eggplant), Tarama (fish roe: cod, four golden octopuses for
But tonight is our night! Which means we can go where mullet), and Dolmades (rolled grape leaves). All score high my Greek refuge.
we want to, when we want to, along with the certainty of points from the Greek gods.
enjoying all the reasons we are together. As for seafood meze, your best bet is the Grilled Calamari
And without hesitation we simultaneously utter the ($10). These fresh, not packaged, morsels of tender squid
same words, “Taverna Kyma.” This is not because it’s our are like candy. They are accompanied by grilled peppers and
favorite restaurant, but it’s the one that makes us feel most onions in a delicate garlic sauce.
comfortable. Plus, it also delivers some of the best Greek Taverna Kyma is also one of my favorite places for Grilled
food in Boca. Octopus ($16). Here again, there is enough for two. Char-
First Impressions: Located on Federal Highway just grilled with olive oil, wine and herbs, it’s tender enough to
south of Linton and North of Yamato is this long-standing cut with a butter knife.
Greek restaurant. It amazes me how few people I talk to have Straight From The Kitchen: Your choices at Taverna
yet to experience this Mykonos in Boca. Taverna Kyma was Kyma are like most Greek diners or restaurants, which means