It's Greek to me

Do you like eating Greek Food? I'm a big fan of the cuisine. I do have my preferences, but it's all good. I would have a moussaka, pastitsio, or souvlaka when sitting down at a restaurant than having a typical gyro, although I do like that creamy cucumber sauce on chopped lamb for a good lunch on the go.

Last weekend, my friends and I went to Old Town, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, that is, for a slow Sunday brunch and see my friend's artwork and other artists' works at the Torpedo Factory. His art was accepted in this month's exhibit show. He predominantly paints or draws as a still-life artist, and he likes to work with chalk and oils as preferred media. Anyway, we planned to meet at the Lite & Fair restaurant for some good, cheap eats, when we came across the "Closed" sign displayed on the window. So, we meandered toward the water and finally ended up at the Taverna Cretekou restaurant. I had heard mixed reviews about this place. It was highly recommended by a few local restaurant guides in the late 90s and the recent reviews have stated that the quality has spiraled downward. We got a table at the outdoor patio. The restaurant was offering a buffet brunch for $16.95 only, which, of course, was an immense collection of Greek delights. The traditional lemon chicken soup, avgolemono, was a great starter. Also, they had a favorite Greek dish, rice-stuffed grape leaves. There was a good variety of dishes to explore.

A couple things to note. The roast lamb was overcooked and dry. The chopped lamb pieces were under the lighting of a meat station. It may be that the meat was left there under the light for a longer period. Also, I tried a salmon colored paste and it had a very strong "fishy" taste. I didn't ask what it was, but I decided not to grab it again.

After brunch, we arrived at the art show. The exhibit at the Torpedo Factory was awesome. A turkish band and choir, sponsored by the American-Turkish Organization of Washington, DC, performed in the main hallway. That was a great treat. While we viewed watercolor paintings, pencil drawings of nudes, self portraits painted in oils, and various sculptures, we listened to the upbeat music of Middle Eastern instruments.

Today's verse: Psalm 78:23-25 (New King James Version)

Yet He had commanded the clouds above,
And opened the doors of heaven,
Had rained down manna on them to eat,
And given them of the bread of heaven.
Men ate angels' food;
He sent them food to the full.