Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant

Neighbourhood: Tuxedo
Address: 2090 Corydon Ave
Phone: 204-897-6565
Entrees: $15-$25

If Hestia, Greek goddess of the cooking hearth, was yearning for a heavenly plate of  Mediterranean food, she might be surprised to find it in a 100-seat restaurant in Winnipeg.

Reminiscent of a villa on the Aegean with terra cotta walls and alabaster pillars, Tuxedo Village has been drawing patrons from across the city and out of town who come to sample the extensive menu of Greek style appetizers, mains and desserts, as well as freshly made burgers, pasta, stir fries and sandwiches.

Since 1998, the Papaioannou family (who once owned The White Tower) has served time-honoured recipes that capitalize on big, bold flavours and simple and delicious ingredients, like grilled lamb chops marinated in oregano, olive oil and red wine, or a yogurt-based, minty tzatziki sauce drizzled on a plate of calamari or a veggie pita.

Classic tastes draw line ups at the door regularly. Rich and citrusy avgolemono soup combines house-made chicken stock, loads of rice, and juicy shards of roasted chicken, while dusky kalamata olives and creamy cow’s feta stud the epic Greek salad.

Athenian chicken has established legendary status. The  Mount Olympus-sized breast is stuffed with green peppers, olives, and feta, and baked in a silky parmesan cream sauce brightened with cilantro and black pepper. Bronzed, steamy wedges of roasted potatoes redolent with lemon and pitas bathed in garlicky butter and warmed on the grill are crave-able delights.