Confession time: We’ve become obsessed with Mamma Mia, that cinematic equivalent of a beach read. It wasn’t because of the all-too-rare chance to overload on ABBA songs or even the abundance of eye candy. Nope, it was the location that’s taken over our daydreams: a Romantic Greek island with rugged mountain roads meandering towards pristine beaches and sapphire waters. We can practically taste the calamari.
But while we’re weak-kneed about Greece, our credit card isn’t. Which is why we’ve made Piato Estiatorio our Mediterranean fix.
Soaring, bright ceilings and turquoise accents were the perfect antidote to our December blues, and we loved the menu’s blend of the new and the familiar. First, a cocktail: Metaxa-infused Mykonos Mojitos ($6.50) and Santorini Sundowns ($7.50), which we sipped while munching on warm pitas dipped in tuna- and radish-flavoured butters (trust us, they work). We dipped the leftovers in the two-cheese Saganaki ($11), its tanginess offset by a honeyed vinaigrette.
The short-rib Moussaka ($11) caused us to rethink our relationship with eggplant. Even better? With non-Zorba-sized portions, we had room for the Loukoumades ($7): honey puffs served hot-and-crispy.
Mamma Mia, here we go again…
Piato Estiatorio
www.piato.ca
1835 West 4th Ave.
604-568-2929
If you thought that was sweet, you’ll enjoy: