A Fishy Foodie Tale...

I love taking foodie adventures, especially while traveling. As of recent,I have been doing a LOT trekking along the East Coast! This past Monday I migrated my way to South Florida where I will be staying with my mom for most of the month. Not wanting to make me cook upon my arrival, she suggested that we go out to eat. Of course I agreed because the food scene where she lives is never sub par. COVID guidelines are still pretty rigid here and restaurants are held to a very high standard. As soon as I was unloaded and settled, we ventured out for a feast!

We decided on going to a Greek restaurant located in the downtown beachside strip. The breeze was brilliant and the streets were not quite as crowded as they usually are because of the pandemic. The dining on the strip is indoor/outdoor and teaming with ambiance! Taverna Opa was no exception. We walked into open air seating with white washed walls with trellis lined ceilings that were reminiscent of the Greek shores. The menu was traditional and offered a nice variety of hot and cold appetizers along with a lovely spread of main courses. Our waiter, “V” brought over warm pita bread drizzled with herbs and olive oil and roasted chickpeas in a mortar and pedestal to start off our dining adventure. The simple chickpea mash was warm and savory and set the scene for the rest of the meal.

After studying the menu, I had it narrowed down to three choices: Shrimp Santorini, Brabzino, or Lamb Chops. I asked “V” what he recommended and he said the branzino was the perfect dish. Mom of course got her usual surf and turf (I did NOT get my adventurous eating from her, but I DID inherit her expensive taste in cuisine haha) and I placed my order for the fish. I anxiously awaited this amazing traditional seafood dish to come to my table. I love to explore new foods and flavors and I was sure this was going to be amazing! Finally “V” brought out the meal and to my surprise, he placed a plated whole fish in front of me!

Now I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve NEVER eaten a whole fish in my entire life. I looked stunned at the plate and politely asked how I was supposed to eat the fish exactly? The waiter was incredibly sweet and he said “we can fillet it for you”! He disappeared into the kitchen and came back out with a knife and dismembered the fish table side. As I had mentioned before, my mother is not an adventurous eater and the sight of the fish head and bones was sending her on the woozy train! “V” told us that he ate the head, brains and the eyeballs because it was the best part. He also made me promise not to be mad if I found any bones in the fish and to please forgive him. Half relieved and half terribly embarrassed, I agreed and went on to eat the most amazing fish I thinkI’ve ever tasted.

That meal will forever be embedded in my most fond memories of not only my mother but a noteworthy foodie adventure. At least next time I will be able to order fish and fearlessly fillet it myself! No need to ask the server to please help with cutting my food. Heck, I may even attempt to make my own whole fish one day. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll put that on my list of videos to make for my Youtube channel. Now where to find Branzino???