Taverna Ousia prepares lamb shoulder in red wine sauce
Greeks are known for their hospitality and their Mediterrean cuisine. Lamb is a kind of national dish. Cooked in Greek wine, Athanasios Gortsas serves it in his Taverna Ousia.
Ousia means "origin"
Greek taverns, or rustic restaurants out in the country, have a warm, friendly and traditional atmosphere - even today. Their specialty is "mezedes," little appetizers that could be compared to Spanish tapas. And the Gortas Brothers have more than 100 of these delicacies on the menu. They're very popular in Berlin.
Berlin is home, Greece is homeland
"My grandparents had a little restaurant in a village, and we grew up with Greek cuisine. With the spices, the food, with Greek groceries.Tradition plays a very important role. We want to remain authentic, like the taverns in Greece - and that's what we want to get across here in Berlin." - Athanasios Gortsas
Tradition alive and well
Fifteen years after opening their restaurant, they expanded it in 2014. They turned a former pharmacy into a space seating 120 people. The old apothecary cabinet remains. The word "apothecary," by the way, has Greek roots and means a storage space, particularly a wine storehouse. So, true to form, the wine is stored there in Taverna Ousia.
Mediterrean cuisine
Vegetables, spices and herbs play an important role in traditional Greek cuisine. Wild herbs, in particular, are highly valued. Lamb is found in many popular Greek dishes. To get it very tender, Nikolaos Gortsas lets it simmer for at least two hours in red wine.
A feast, not only at Easter
"In Greece, lamb is a national dish. It's served at weddings, at Eastertime and ... well, just about everywhere. It's either roasted in the oven or stewed on the stove." - Athanasios Gortsas