Under the warm glow of suspended light bulbs, families, friends, colleagues and couples dig into delicious Greek food. Just a 10-minute drive from campus, Wilmette’s Taverna Naxos is a cozy oasis perfect for an evening getaway outside Evanston.
Since opening in 2023, Taverna Naxos has aimed to transform the way people eat and enjoy food. With a goal like this the restaurant set its bar quite high, but its flavorful Greek dishes didn’t disappoint.
To start, I tried the octopus. When it comes to octopus, there is a fine line between tender and chewy, and I’ve struggled to find a restaurant that masters this texture correctly. However, this octopus was cooked to perfection. Resting in a pool of lemon-oregano olive oil, it tasted light and fresh, but the slight char from the grill introduced a smoky flavor. The contrasting smoky and fresh flavors complemented each other nicely. The lemony acidity of the olive oil was so addicting that I found myself dipping bread into the remaining oil once I had finished the dish.
For my second course, as an avid Greek salad fan, I had to try the classic Greek salad. While I knew I would enjoy it, Taverna Naxos’s Greek salad stood apart. While still using the classic components, the ratio of ingredients made it so that each bite covered the full flavor palette. From the crispness of the lettuce, the softness of the feta and the crunch of the cucumbers and bell peppers, the salad married perfectly together texture-wise. Mixed through, the house dressing was light and had a tangy acidity that complemented the flavors already existing in the salad.
Finally, I had the chicken kabob. Unlike most kabobs I’ve eaten before, this one was deconstructed and no longer on a skewer, with the roasted vegetables and chicken resting on a bed of rice. I appreciated the deconstruction because it allowed me to get a little bit of everything in each bite. The chicken itself was perfectly moist and its lemon flavor shined through without being too strong. The spices in the chicken’s marinade paired well with the rice which shared this soft lemony flavor. The onion added to the sweetness and freshness of the chicken and rice, and to cut the lemon’s tanginess, the charred peppers provided a nice level of smokiness. This dish, like the others I tried at Taverna Naxos perfectly married the flavors together, and each bite left me yearning for my next.
Whether you’re looking to explore Evanston’s neighboring towns, planning a night with a special someone or just craving some Greek food, Taverna Naxos is a must-try this spring quarter.