Generously Austere

The Pitch

Our random review night took us to Tripolis in Park Ex's residential parts, an area well outside of our comfort zone.  We had never heard of this place, plus we fail to recall how it made its way on our list; talk about trying new things!  We took advantage of the ample parking space offered by this desolate stretch of Saint Roch street, and hastily grabbed a table on the tiny, elevated street-side terrace.

tagged:  CATCH SOME SUN TAKE THE CAR

The Mood

The space at Tripolis is small, old-fashioned and plain.  Add to the mix a high concentration of douchey/sketchy male clientele and a Greek TV station covering the homeland's crippling debt crisis, and you're not exactly in the most cheerful mood to kick off your dinner.

tagged:  DOUCHEBAG ALERT! SAUSAGE FEST

The Food

Tripolis serves up authentic, family-style Greek fare.  With a good list of "pikilias" and standard issue dishes from the grill, the menu is what you'd expect from a typical Hellenic joint.  Presentation is rustic, portions are generous, and prices are reasonable (quoted numbers below include taxes).

Starter

Starter

$5.25

$5.25

Smoked Herring, Small

We got what we asked for: salty and smoky fish with a twist.  While we enjoyed the combination of flavors, we don't believe this was cured in-house, so it was hardly anything to boast about.

Starter

Starter

$4

$4

Eggplant Salad, Small

We like eggplant salads for their smooth, velvety texture and that pungent, almost roasted flavor.  This one was grainy and overloaded with garlic; that was all we could taste.

Starter

Starter

$8.50

$8.50

Spanakopita

The filling was mild with a hint of bitterness (probably due to the addition of greens other than spinach).  The feta was not overly present but lent a nice creaminess.  However, the crust was very soggy; combine that with the soft filling and you've got a big blob of mush.

Main

Main

$17.50

$17.50

Chicken Souvlaki Plate (2)

"served with Tripolis salad & homestyle potatoes".  The chicken, a little bland and somewhat overcooked, was overshadowed by the delicious fresh salad.  Chunky tomatoes and cukes, pungent red onions and lemony fresh oregano, all brought together by the creamy feta.

Main

Main

$23

$23

Shrimp Brochette

"served with green salad & rice".  The main was again overshined by the salad.  While the shrimps were cooked nicely, there was little flavor to them; and the accompanying garlic butter was overwhelming.  The salad lent vibrance to the otherwise boring dish, especially with its fruity olive oil.

tagged:  LOOSEN YOUR BELT

The Service

Keeping in line with the bleak atmosphere described above, the two ladies that served us tonight were somewhat blunt and curt in demeanor.  Pacing was also flawed; we had barely touched our appetizers when our mains arrived.  There was hardly any room on our table to fit the smorgasbord we ordered!  We weren't expecting polished service here, but come on!

tagged:  ARE YOU IN A HURRY?

The Verdict

Tripolis does not earn a top spot in our books for its unimpressive mains and borderline rude service.  However, its laid-back style, generous portions, and good bang for the buck makes it a viable option for anyone in the area not looking for fireworks.

tagged:  PLAN B.

Price per person:  $26.17