NOT SO FAST…DON’T TURN THE PAGE ON THIS ONE…DO NOT DISCARD… I REPEAT, DO NOT DISGARD OR DESTROY…FINE DINING, IT’S NOT…FAST FOOD, IT’S NOT… JUST OK FOOD…NOT…I just reviewed this joint and met Jimmy the Greek. I was looking for Zorba to dance with, break plates and bread with. No Zorba the Greek here. What we have here is a café-type, local, new restaurant that packs a wallop; I mean this joint is jumpin'.
I could review a restaurant with the best of critics, but in the past few years with business being the way it is, I would rather show my passion for the restaurants that I do review. (I would think it makes better reading, and it just might awaken one’s interest and appetite…yum.) With that behind me, may I indulge with you a dining adventure and share my passions for this new kid on the block (since May) The Greek Joint.
All vegetables are hand selected daily as though you were looking for a cracked egg in a carton of a dozen, as well as the poultry, fish and beef. Picture if you may The Greek Joint in Mykonos, Greece on a narrow, winding street just filled with cafés and push carts where vendors are selling all the wonderful foods that make up the dishes that I’m about to share with you.
They say good things come in small packages – well in this case, it’s great things. With a menu that’s filled with generations of love and old family recipes, The Greek Joint is what fine quality food is all about. Since we truly eat with our eyes (unless we’re starving), these wonderful dishes – starting with the salads – looked as though they were painted on the plates. Picture perfect.
The Greek Salad was colorful, plentiful and was filled with feta cheese, juicy and thick chunks of tomato, cucumbers, onions, and not to 
forget the kalamata olives and a touch of the house-blend dressing. And that was just the beginning.
Exciting appetizers truly entertained…especially the Taramosalata spread (a caviar mousse that gave me goose bumps), the Fava (spilt peas, chopped red onions, capers and more…wow) and the Tirokafteri spread (feta cheese, roasted jalapeno and red pepper) that brought tears to the table (and smiles). Next came the pork sticks, chicken sticks and roasted lemon potatoes all seasoned to perfection, and it only gets better from here (if that’s possible).
The Main Event: the true flavors of Greece with every dish. The Grilled Lamb Chops with Roasted Potatoes and the Moussaka (layers of eggplant, potato and ground beef topped with a béchamel crust) were baked to perfection. Both of these dishes were pushed on the side just for a moment to make room for the Grilled Mahi that was served on a bed of spinach with roasted red peppers and a Greek vinaigrette.
The Veggie Pita Platter (plentiful) was shared by all, and last but not least (on the same table) they put down the Gyro.
OK, they tell me that the Gyro is the best in South Florida…NOT SO… Please bring another to the table only because my taste buds were dancing even without Zorba. Folks please listen up to this. The Gyro at The Greek Joint is not made with compressed meats that are carved from a revolving rotisserie. Slow and low is how these fresh meats are cooked (nothing compressed and seasoned with the magic that Jimmy the Greek has perfected). I have come to the conclusion that the Gyro at The Greek Joint surpasses any Gyro anywhere, including N. Y. and Mykonos, Greece. If there is a restaurant out there that thinks it has the Gyro to end all, then call me and let’s do a Gyro challenge.
So before dessert time, I must say that everything in this “joint” is “cheap,” great and plentiful. So for dessert, I asked them to surprise me, and a Baklava and Walnut Cake appeared on the table… in just a few minutes all you could see were empty plates (so good).
Bring your friends and family or me…I’ll join you in on what I think is one of the best Greek restaurants I’ve ever dined in. Hollywood, Fla. is back on the map big time with this one. To my new pals Jimmy and Pam Sklavenitis, thanks for being such gracious hosts and being so talented in the kitchen. The Greek Joint is a restaurant that you won’t forget…enjoy.
Here’s To Good Food… Here’s To Good Friends… Here’s To Good Times and Here’s To You.
The Greek Joint is located at 2003 Harrison Street in the heart of Downtown Hollywood.
HOURS:
Monday - Thursday 11:30AM-11PM
Friday - Saturday 11:30AM-Midnight
Sunday 12PM-10PM
For more information, call 954-929-9966 or visit http://thegreekjoint.com/
