The Real Greek, Putney, London

So where do you go when you've got three hungry girls looking for some tasty Greek food with a nice tastelondon discount?

The Real Greek in Putney of course!

Myself and two friends decided to go there for a meal as it was easy to get to and with the snow, the roads were really bad to drive on so we needed something just off a main road. We all went to Malia earlier in the year - what happens in Malia stays in Malia! - and so some yumtastic Greek food was right up our alley.

All I remember about the place is that it was cold. Very cold. With all glass frontage and a kind of funky warehouse minimalism going on, the space wasn't heated sufficiently and it certainly made for some shivery moments. One of my friends kept her coat on and I was feeling chilly in cashmere! Our waitress was very nice however and the staff were very quick at bringing the food out - A plus point!

So what did we have, I hear you cry?

Mezes:
- Tiropitakia (Filo pastry parcels with creamy leek, spinach and feta filling)
- Grilled Kalamari (TRG's unique version, using the freshest squid and a sticky Greek honey and paprika marinade)
- Santorinian fishcakes (Made fresh everyday, packed with fish, herbs, fava lentils and Aegean dried tomatoes)
- Grilled Halloumi (Served with light house-pickled cucumber and red cabbage)

Mains:
- Souvlaki for 4 - Lamb, pork & chicken with chips & Greek salad (The Real Greek wrap - like a kebab, only much better... we use the best British meat or Greek halloumi, skewered and grilled over charcoal, then wrapped in our gorgeous flatbread with plenty of homemade tzatziki and tomato relish.)

The food was lovely. I fell in love with the tiropitakia and probably more than my fair share. The cheese worked so well with the leek and spinach and it was a crunchy/creamy delight! The fishcakes were also well-flavoured and the herbs all complemented the fish to perfection.

The souvlaki didn't look as kebab-like as I'd feared. They were more like fajita wraps stuffed with tomato relish, tzatziki sauce and lots of meat. Paper - luckily - was wrapped around the bottom of each one so you didn't drop it all everywhere as it was sauce-y! I really enjoyed the meal and we even had some spare so my friends took a couple for work on the Friday.

The thing I didn't like so much was the price of the food. Without the tastelondon card, I would never have gone there. The mezes ranged from £4-6.50 and the souvlaki for 4 was nearly £40. I get that it's London and the prices have gone up but it was very very expensive and without the deal, it would have been less £10/person and more £30/person. Not brilliant for those eating on a budget considering the menu advises 3-4 mezes per person if you're not eating souvlaki for main.

I would go again - when it's warmer - because I love Greek food however I will be on the look-out for more authentic restaurants in the Big Smoke!

Vitals

The Real Greek - Putney
31 - 33 Putney High Street, London, SW15 1SP
Tel: 020 8788 3270
Website: http://www.therealgreek.com/

Nearest tube: Putney Bridge