The Greek Mediterranean Steak and Seafood — Restaurant in Ventura

Sorry guys. I don't leave many negative reviews but I want you to succeed and you've got a lot that needs fixing.

Wait staff, while very nice and professional, bungled our service several times.

While the restaurant was less than 1/2 full our greeter told us to expect a 45 minute wait. "The kitchen's backed up" she said. This was during "pirate day" when the harbor was very busy.

I asked if we could wait at the bar. She didn't suggest it. Almost like she didn't really care if we spent our money with them or just went somewhere else.

If they're turning patrons away because they're understaffed on a day they knew would be busy, is there a problem with management?

While waiting in the bar the besieged bartender did a nice job w our drinks and appetizers even though he was obviously very busy.

Once moved from the bar to our table, it again took a veerry long time to be served. Our appetizers from the bar confused the wait staff into thinking we'd already been served and no one thought to ask.

Once that was cleared up our food came fairly fast but it was not hot. Cold lamb, cold gyro, cold spanakopita... not good. Very disappointing.

The bathrooms were also disappointing and concerning, really run down, dirty, in need of repair. The late great Anthony Bourdain warns he never eats in a restaurant w dirty bathrooms for what it suggests the unseen kitchen probably looks like.

Honestly it seems like there is nobody personally invested in this place, no ownership, no one who CARES, like maybe it's second or third generation and perhaps the current owners are absent - like all those kitchen disasters Chef Ramsey tries to save. A once thriving restaurant passed to a next generation who lacks the fire or skill of the founders.

On the positive side, the location overlooking the boat-filled marina is great. The decor says "Greek". The space is very open, expansive with high ceilings, while still cozy.

I hope this great space in a great location gets acquired by a chef or restaurateur with the passion and fire of a founder, or that the current owners discover their passion or bring a great manager in.

Best of...

It’s to be expected that the harbor was busy on Labor Day weekend. This restaurant was the only one that seemed to have availability. We were seated rather quickly, but overall it was a very disappointing experience. The tap water served to us tasted awful and made me feel ill. So we ordered a bottle of water. Our drinks and appetizer (a damp and chewy calamari) came out quickly but then our waitress was nowhere to be found for over an hour. I had to flag down someone else to ask about the status of our entrees. I was told the kitchen was backed up. Once they did arrive, everything was very bland. Not even salt could help since no other seasoning was apparently used. The dancing Greek waiters were entertaining enough, though it would have been more enjoyable had we had food. But then the extremely repetitive klezmer back up track kept playing long after the dancing had ended; they must have forgotten to switch back to the actual dinner music. Also the tables were sticky and both urinals in the men’s restroom were broken.

Other restaurants around seemed to recognize that they should not use all of the seating if they are understaffed. This place seemed content with seating anyone who showed up regardless of whether or not they would receive...

Sunday evening dinner ~7:00pm: Walked in and we were sat immediately. Waited 10-15 minutes for the waiter to arrive. Meanwhile we were served water with ice. Waiter asked to take drink order, and if we had any questions. We said no. 1-2 minutes later I decided to get seafood and wanted to ask about availability. Waited another 10+ minutes for the waiter (which I did not mind, plus I was enjoying great company). ☺️ Food arrives: Calamari was hot, bland, and rubbery. 🫠😖. Portion ok, but once again very very rubbery. Sea Bass tasted like it had been cooked or grilled on a surface that had been recently cleaned with a dirty rag. 😖🫢🤢 Over cooked, dry, fish for $34. Gyro plate was ok. Taste on meat was good, baked potatoes were dry/bland, carrots were steamed. Advised the waiter of the food problem, he did nothing about it- no acknowledgement, no apology (which I did not expect or want), no nothing. Paid and left. Now we both feel sick and nauseous. Not worth wasting time or money...