Despite our year-and-a-half-long anticipation, we finally made it to Mandolin Aegean Bistro for a comprehensive review. Arriving on a bustling Saturday during the Boat Show and Coconut Grove Art Festival, we recommend securing reservations for a prompt seating experience. Mandolin offers a distinctive atmosphere, transporting visitors to Aegean coastal tavernas. As soon as you step through the blue gates and bougainvillea, Miami feels worlds away.
Seated promptly, our server provided menus and water. Opting to sample various appetizers, our choices – The Greek Sampler Tzatziki, Olive, and Tirokafteri, and the Roasted Cauliflower infused with Aleppo peppered garlic yogurt – were all exceptional. The highly recommended Mussels in white wine, garlic, lemon, and oregano were incredibly fresh, with a sauce so flavorsome it tempted us to take some home. The Fried Calamari, exquisitely tender and paired with an exceptional Almond Tarator Dip, stood out among the best I’ve tasted.
Following recommendations, we savored the Grilled Octopus, perfectly grilled and moist. Dessert offered a delightful Pistachio Baklava and Fig Tart. Established in 2009 by Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis, Mandolin revives a 1940s home and gardens with meticulous attention to detail.
In conclusion, Mandolin impresses with its freshness, authenticity, and flavorful offerings. The service is impeccable, and the servers’ fashionable denim aprons with practical pockets add a chic touch. Highly recommended. Don’t forget to tell them that their friends at SoFloDining sent you.
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