KAVA neo-taverna — Restaurant in Boston

DINNER REVIEW

After living in Boston for 9 months and hearing so many good things about Kava, I finally found an opportunity when my mom was in town (we both love Greek food). They don't take reservations so that had been a deterrent up to this point. But we were in no rush and were willing to go put our name in early so that's what we did.

We got there at 6:30 PM and put our name in...they said it would be 30-45 minutes so we went to grab a drink at Banyan nearby. This place is so small that you cannot grab a drink here...all the bar seats will be full with drinkers or diners. After an hour, we decided to go see where we were on the list and they said there was one party ahead of us but that there were two bar seats available. Bar seats are first come, first served and we don't mind sitting at the bar so that's what we did.

TIP: Be prepared to wait. Luckily it's worth the wait and there are tons of places nearby to grab a drink. Or just walk around the South End and admire the beautiful homes.

SETTING: This place is tiny (maybe only 40 seats or so) which makes it very intimate. You can easily hear the conversations of your neighbors. It's dimly lit and has rope accents everywhere (the lights hang from ropes, the bar shelves hang from ropes etc.). There's an old Greek guy painted on the wall. Love the decor here.

SERVICE: Our server was courteous and attentive. Zero complaints.

FOOD: The menu is made up of small plates, meant to share, and it's not too big, which makes decisions a bit easier. That said, it has quite a diverse menu so you will definitely find something you like. All the menu items are in the original Greek with descriptions below which add to the authenticity of the meal. The bread is some of the best bread I've had at a restaurant so even if you're on a "gluten-free" or "paleo" diet, try this with some olive oil and you won't regret it.

Here is what we ordered, in order of what I would recommend to others. Even so, I would recommend everything we got to get again but I would, of course, like to try some different things when I go back.

Kolokithakia (zucchini chips with tzatziki) - HOW!? I demand to know how they make this. Kava owners, if you are reading this, please message me how you make these bites of heaven. I have had zucchini chips before but not like this. First of all, they come served like a blooming flower, held up by the delicious tzatziki on the bottom. They are a little puffy but so light and the fried portion does not come off the zucchini portion AT ALL. The zucchini is tender and warm but not disintegrating into mush. 100% would get this again.

Paidakia (grilled lamb chops with fries) - If you don't eat meat...it's okay, they make lamb! These are just classic Greek lamb chops prepared with olive oil, oregano, and lemon. We ate these with our hands and had no shame about it. Definitely on the pricier side ($38) for the amount of meat you get but delicious. Fries were good to dip in the leftover tzatziki from the above!

Horiatiki (Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, feta etc.) - these tomatoes were some of the best-tasting I've ever had. This is a nice, light salad to balance out the meal with some of the heavier meat you will order.

Oktapodi (grilled octopus) - Can't go wrong with grilled octopus. They come in little slices so no cutting necessary.

TIP: Greeks are not known for their desserts and they only really have a dessert of the day (in this case, baklava) and greek yogurt with berries. Go elsewhere for dessert.

Can't wait to come...

I usually love this place, especially as a Greek- the food is awesome and I love the vibe they have created. But, MAN the last two visits have been awful. Went last week with a friend and they sat us within a literal inch of the party next to us. We could barely hold a conversation and ended up just chatting with the people next to us because it was so awkward. Then, once we paid, the host rushed us up from our table immediately, even though there were 4-5 open tables right behind us. Very rude and weird for a Greek restaurant, where the parea and conversation is just as important as the food.

Second, the process os getting a reservation really makes no sense. I tried to make a reservation for 8 for my fiance's 30th birthday lunch (which was supposed to be a surprise), and the team here was completely unhelpful- from hostess all the way up to the manager. I called a couple of days before to ask if they would allow a reservation to be made in advance for a special occasion, and they said no. I emailed asking again because I had tried to get a table for 8 on the website and it said for parties larger than 6, please call. So, I call again. They tell me I should get any table I can reserve online for any number of people and leave a note with my request for 8. NO one gets back to me to confirm that this is in fact available and modified our reservation based on that note. At this point, I have people coming in to celebrate with us and don't want to show up without confirmation that we have the table for 8. How stressful and honestly embarrassing to show up and learn we actually DON'T have a reservation. I call again, nothing. I then get a notification saying if I need to cancel, I should do it before 10 AM or incur a $25 fee PER PERSON. And they didn't open until 11 AM anyways, so there was no way to confirm.

We would have brought in a large party for a pretty hefty bill and they didn't seem to care at all. For all the good things this place has going, they need to figure out customer service. What a shame. We went to SRV instead and I'll choose it every time over Kava Neo from here on out when looking for a place in the South End. So much more accommodating, friendly, comfortable, and hospitable. I really hope Kava can get their act together soon. I loved bringing people here for the cuisine but will not continue to subject anyone to the poor service...

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - “Good”

Service 🙋‍♂️

The service at KAVA Neo-Taverna, while efficient, felt rushed during our visit. This popular spot is undoubtedly in high demand, making it challenging to secure a reservation. Unfortunately, this affected our experience on what was meant to be a special birthday dinner. We were seated near the entrance by the hostess, not the most ideal spot. Our server was quick and attentive, but everything arrived so swiftly that we finished our meal in about 45 minutes. While we could have lingered, the prompt presentation of the check made us feel hurried. Understanding the pressures of a busy restaurant, it would have been nicer to enjoy a more leisurely pace, especially for a celebration. 🌟🌟🌟

Decor 🎨

KAVA Neo-Taverna is a visual delight, nestled on a charming corner in the South End. The summer evening sun illuminated both the lovely street view and the beautifully designed interior. The space, though a bit cramped, is adorned with a nautical theme featuring a striking sailor mural and knotted ropes hanging from the ceiling. White stone accents and elegant chairs add to the sophisticated ambiance. It’s a picturesque setting that enhances the dining experience. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Food 🍽️

The food at KAVA Neo-Taverna was good, though it didn’t quite live up to the hype. We opted for a variety of appetizers and salads, starting with the “roka” salad, which was a delightful mix with a sweet kick from the candied nuts. The grilled tiger shrimp and grilled octopus was a hit for me, but my girlfriend wasn’t as impressed. The much-praised zucchini chips were somewhat disappointing, as the deep-frying overpowered the zucchini flavor. The standout dish was undoubtedly the Greek sausage, which we both enjoyed and would highly recommend. Overall, the meal was satisfying but fell short of being extraordinary. 🌟🌟🌟

In Retrospect 🤔

Reflecting on our visit, KAVA Neo-Taverna offers a good dining experience with stunning decor and efficient service. The food, while enjoyable, didn’t quite reach the level of greatness we had anticipated. It’s a lovely spot for a meal, especially if you appreciate a beautifully themed setting. Just be prepared for a potentially brisk dining pace.

Final Verdict: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - “Good” Catchy One-Liner: “KAVA Neo-Taverna dazzles with its decor and efficient service, offering a good, if slightly rushed, culinary...