Taverna Agora — Restaurant in Raleigh

Before I begin, let me preface this review by stating that I am not one to typically write negative reviews. However, in the case of this restaurant, I feel compelled to share my disappointment and concerns constructively. It is my genuine belief that addressing the issues I've outlined can greatly benefit the restaurant's future endeavors.

Choosing a restaurant for my 18th birthday celebration is a task I take seriously, as I believe it sets the tone for the entire occasion. Initially enticed by positive reviews and the restaurant's charming rooftop, I held high hopes for an unforgettable dining experience. Regrettably, my expectations were dashed by a series of unfortunate incidents that I feel compelled to address for the restaurant's own improvement and growth.

Upon our arrival, the absence of staff to promptly greet and assist us left us with a sense of unease. We patiently waited in the lobby for approximately 10 minutes, unsure if anyone was aware of our presence. This initial lack of attention and organization was disheartening, setting a rather disappointing tone from the start.

When we were finally seated, our optimism was met with a disconcerting scene. Food scraps scattered on our chairs and a lack of basic amenities like utensils and tissues indicated a disregard for cleanliness and attention to detail. It is my belief that these seemingly minor oversights can accumulate, impacting the overall impression and comfort of diners.

As the evening progressed, our experience took a further downturn. Our wait for food extended well beyond a reasonable timeframe, leaving us bewildered and questioning the efficiency of the kitchen. It was disheartening to witness a neighboring table, who arrived after us, being served before our orders were even taken into consideration. Such inconsistencies in service undermine the trust and confidence of customers.

Moreover, the lack of attentiveness to our beverage needs was particularly disconcerting. Empty glasses remained neglected, and promises of refills were left unfulfilled. The absence of this basic courtesy left us feeling overlooked and thirsty, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the meal.

When our food finally arrived, our expectations were further deflated. The lobster and shrimp spaghetti, my chosen dish, displayed signs of poor preparation, with the edges of the lobster slightly burnt. The excessive saltiness overwhelmed the flavors, making it difficult to savor the dish. I went so far as to seek the opinions of my companions, including a self-proclaimed lover of salty flavors, who all agree that the seasoning was indeed excessive. Similarly, the chicken pasta failed to impress, lacking the taste and finesse one would expect from a restaurant aspiring to culinary excellence.

The disappointment was magnified by observing my friends reluctantly consume their meals. It became apparent that their efforts were more out of courtesy towards me than genuine enjoyment. As a patron who believes in celebrating special occasions with exceptional food, witnessing this lackluster dining experience left me disheartened and longing for more.

In conclusion, I sincerely hope that this review serves as a catalyst for positive change within the restaurant. My intention in sharing these experiences is not to discourage potential customers but rather to provide honest feedback that can contribute to the establishment's growth and improvement. Addressing the issues of cleanliness, service efficiency, and culinary execution can elevate the overall dining experience, ensuring future customers leave with satisfied smiles and a...

February 20, 2025 - Experience a slice of Greek Life in downtown Raleigh, N.C. compliments of the Moshakos “ dynamic duo” ! ( Lou / Dad & Amber/ Daughter)

My wife & I are in town for our daughter’s wedding. . . with abit of spare time for dinner, we love authentic GREEK FOOD !😃 My wife and her sister immediately ordered the Dolmades & stuffed Eggplant . . . before we agreed on a WINE 🍷! Our wonderful server Brielle guided me through the menu. After ordering pita & olive oil appetizer. . . I noticed a slow cooked ( 12 hours) Braised Lamb Shank 😃 ! That’s it!

As we talked & sipped a Tetramythos Red Blend . . . we remembered the summer time when we dined on the garden roof! What a difference in the seasons. . . Raleigh just hit with a winter snow storm ( 2 to 3 inches) ! Not to worry, several days later, snow melted under 55 degree sunshine!

Not a long wait, Brielle delivered our entrees! My wife & her sister enjoyed both their Dolmades and their Eggplant . 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 My slow cooked Braised Lamb Shank “ melted” in my mouth, excellent mix of spices in a light wine & tomato based sauce! As we enjoyed our meal, the restaurant manager , Al stopped to inquire . . . We couldn’t say enough on how much we enjoyed the cozy warm setting, great wine, and the delicious Greek food ! 😃👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

We confirmed that we had dined at this restaurant in summer time, upstairs ! Al asked if we’d like to see the roof top at night? We agreed, and he escorted us up to the rooftop. . . Raleigh’s a beautiful city, especially at night ! Thank you 🙏🏻

Fun Facts - Moshakos LM Restaurants

+Lou is the Founder & Patriarch

+Born in Lykovrysi small Greek village

+Moved to the U. S. started from scratch

+Started as dish washer, worked hard

+Finally opened Seafood Shanty in 1978

+3 Seafood Shanty businesses in FL

+Opened Rose Garden restaurant in 1987

+Opened Miami Sub shops in Raleigh, 1992

+LM Restaurants Company adds daughter Amber ( with Masters Degree )

+Opens Carolina Ale House - 30 locations

+Opens several independent restaurants

+Opens fine dining Vidrio in Raleigh 2017

+Amber now Vice President helping Lou 😃

+Moshakos Family contributes to community at Greek Festivals, YMCA , Lodging Association, NC State...

Everyone in our party had been to Tavern Agora several times over the years and we were looking forward to a wonderful brunch. However, after arriving on Saturday at noon, we were disappointed to learn it was just lunch - not brunch (their website or online menus did not specify what days/times were brunch and most triangle restaurants have brunch Sat and Sun from 11am-2pm-ish). Nevertheless, we got the trio spread (red pepper hummus, spicy feta, and tzatziki) and calamari as appetizers. The hummus had absolutely no flavor (compare this to CAVA's red pepper hummus and it is nowhere close), spicy feta was just salty with no spice (again, CAVA's spicy feta is way better), and the tzatziki tasted liked plain yogurt (we regularly make our own homemade tzatziki for our lamb burgers and we can tell when it is freshly made with fresh dill and lemon and this was not). The calamari had no flavor but was just overly fried and even lacked salt. The marinara sauce it came with was basic - could have used a nice aioli or some citrus/cream based sauce as well. For entrees the salmon burger was fine, but very small - it was about the size of a small sausage patty on a breakfast sandwich and was heavily fried and seemed to contain a limited amount of salmon. The side Greek salad used old tomatoes and onions with a little feta and some olives - but there was no flavor or salt and they must have used a low-quality olive oil on it and I did not taste any acid. I want the richness of the olive oil, balanced by the salt, and the flavors of the rich tomatoes to come through, but it did not. Someone else got the baked salmon, which was fine, but the pickled beets it came with were under pickled - so, also bland. The gyro platter was also underwhelming. The side of fries were boring and flavorless and the meat itself was lacking flavor.

Overall, we were expecting delicious bold flavors from an authentic Greek restaurant that we had all had pleasant experiences at previously and today it felt like the food quality and flavors had been watered down to another disappointing chain-esque restaurant. Unfortunately, we will not be returning after this...