The Mar Vista

Unfortunately we didn't have the best experience 😕, we called ahead of time to see if they had any table available for 2 people at 5pm, they said come in they had plenty of tables, we literally were aboutn1 block away... we arrived the place was empty, literally one table inside in the whole restaurant... the hostess/waitress took us outside the sidewalk patio... I asked if we could get inside, and she said it was all reserved...I then said to her, "we called in to make reservations, and they told us to just come in... she said they all reserve... I was a bit upset 😡... I mean, why say something and do something else...be could walk into any restaurant anytime even without reservations... we can wait but don't mislead us!!!

I've been here three times in 2 weeks. The Htopodi (grilled octopus) is out of this world. Proof that they came from another planet! No but seriously get down here right now and order that dish. I haven't tried any entrees but have sat down with company and shared a table full of dips, mezes, salads and sides, and everything has been fresh and delicious. Met the owner, who regularly delivers food to tables and pulls up a chair with his patrons who are open to chat. He serves his community, is humble to a fault, and manages my new favorite restaurant in LA. I put 4 stars for service because I had one of my drinks over the three visits arrive a bit late, and one of the many side dishes I ordered go forgotten (was not charged for it). Lastly the music they play is a lovely variety of modern and traditional Greek that will have you snapping your fingers and wanting to dance by the time the food gets to your table. Wish I could give this place 6 stars overall

Superb Greek food. As good, if not better, than that which I’ve had in Greece. The perfect meal to end a day spent at the nearby Getty Villa, as I have now done twice. The grilled octopus is prepared perfectly, tender with just enough char. The moussaka is a generous serving of well-balanced layers; very comforting! Even the Greek salad, often treated as a mere jumble of roughly chopped veg, is given the attention and care it deserves to make it an experience worth savoring. Baklava deserves a standing ovation. Not a one-note dessert dominated honey, but a warmly spiced delicacy. The ice cream is not superfluous, but a cool foil to the pastry. This pastry is the equal, if not superior, of that I enjoyed throughout Greece. If asked, the proprietor would tell you this place is a passion project born out of a desire to see Greek cuisine given the treatment it deserves. This passion shows in the food, making Taverna not just dinner, but a destination.