By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

greek feast

Signature Dish: Katerina’s Taverna’s Dinner for Two

May 28, 2021 | 10:00 AM

NANAIMO — You won’t leave hungry after visiting Katerina’s Taverna in Lantzville, where one dish stands out as its most popular.

A Dinner for Two at the authentic mediterranean restaurant on Lantzville Rd. in the heart of the district’s village core was created because customers wanted a little bit of everything.

The feast involves Greek salad and calamari, along with seasoned lamb and chicken breast skewers, rice pilaf, moussaka and roasted potatoes.

Catherine Tsantilas with the family owned restaurant, said customers made it clear they wanted a sampling of all of their Greek dinners.

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“It’s the Greek style of a little bit, which is a lot!”

The Greek salad is a lightly coated, fresh melody of vegetables complimented by extra creamy and firm feta cheese made by specialty producer.

A generous size of calamari is paired with house-made tzatziki sauce.

“I’m constantly shopping for the ingredients and Niko (her husband) in the kitchen is a wizard with preparation and it’s mostly in his hands.”

Katerina’s Taverna evolved since it opened just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Vegetarian and vegan options were recently added to the menu.

Other mainstays on the menu include chicken, beef, lamb and pasta dishes.

Tsantilas said their lamb souvlaki and chops are among their best sellers.

She said all of their sauces are made fresh in-house.

Katerina Taverna is truly a family owned and operated restaurant with the Tsantilas’ two children also working to help grow the business.

The restaurant was created almost by accident when Catherine and Niko went out for dinner one night.

The couple had been longtime restaurant owners in Golden, B.C. and moved to Nanaimo with the intention of retiring.

The opposite happened.

The Tsantilas’ went out for dinner at their soon-to-be future new home away from home and pounced on an opportunity to purchase the restaurant and re-brand it.

“We tried the retirement, it didn’t work, Tsantilas said, laughing. “He (Niko) likes to be in the kitchen.”

Katerina Taverna’s is open for dine-in Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., while take-out is also available.

A modern, inviting dining environment includes a bar and expansive patio, perfect for a date night or family outing.

Catherine and Niko are committed to continuing to serve the local community.

“The Lantzville community has been incredible supporters of us….we just want to grow that.”

Signature Dish is brought to you by Island Savings – A Division of First West Credit Union, learn more at https://www.islandsavings.ca/.

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