Among the tech giants of the world and adjacent to Stanford University in the Palo Alto wilds resides Evvia Estiatorio, a Greek restaurant whos food flavors capture even the most discerning palate.
Evvia Estiatorio (site) serves authentic Greek fare with modern sensibilities. The restaurant itself offers up a warm and inviting yet upscale ambience with copper pots and a rustic self-awareness.
Evvia grew from the desire of two childhood friends to create a “home away from home” where their friends and family could enjoy delicious Greek cuisineevvia.net
And delicious cuisine it is. Fresh ingredients and skillful cooks combine to create mouth watering creations that will lure me back during a future Silicon Valley visit.
Menu
Saghanaki (Pan Fried Kefalograviera [cheese], Oregano, Lemon)
Octapodaki tou Yiorgou (Traditional Grilled Octopus, Lemon, Oregano, Olive Oil)
Garides tou Fournou (Wood Oven Roasted Prawns, Calabrian Chili Butter, Tomatoes & Scallions)
Lavraki (Grilled Sea Bass)
Arni Souvlaki (Grilled Lamb Skewer, Onion & Bay Leaf with Cucumber Salad, Tzatziki & Potatoes)
Executive Chef Mario Ortega
Chef de Cuisine Stavros Pappas
Chef Rito Castañeda
See the full dinner menu here
Nóstimo
That is the Greek word for delicious, the only word to describe what we consumed. I realize it gets a bit monotonous to read that on a blog post, but when you have such tender Souvlaki and buttery delicious Oven-Roasted Prawns, what other word can be used to describe it? This may be entirely gauche, but I absolutely dipped our appetizer bread into the butter sauce served with the prawns — tasty food will cause you to forget yourself. The scent, sizzle, and savory taste of the Saghanaki activated my appetite and prepared me for the rest of the meal.
That Octapodaki…
I have to give special credit for the Grilled Octopus. Depending on preparation our 8-tentacled friends can be too tough or unsatisfyingly undercooked with less skilled chefs. The preparation at Evvia was perfectly flavorful with a consistently light texture that hit the ideal balance of chewiness throughout.
But also that Souvlaki…
Tender chunks of lamb perfectly seasoned and cooked medium-rare (of course) complemented by a homemade Tzatziki sauce. The combination of the two created an incredible flavor; the slightly sour/mint of the Tzatziki melding seamlessly with the gently salted umami of the meat. It was clear a deft hand ensured the complementary flavors here. My gluttony desired another skewer, but I was ultimately content to savor
The Service
Per usual, I judge by how often my water glass was filled (I drink a lot of water to help with digestion). No issues here as my glass was full not long after my final sip each time. It’s clear this particular restaurant thinks about these things. Our waiter was attentive and jovial even though it was late-ish in the evening — always a good sign.
Overall, I highly recommend checking out Evvia Estiatorio if you find yourself in downtown Palo Alto. If you enjoy Greek cuisine or Mediterranean food in general, you can’t go wrong.
Let me know if you enjoyed this! Until Next time…
Justin