Felicos Restaurant in Richmond, British Columbia

Greek dining in the suburbs near Vancouver is satisfactory but lacks nuances that would set it apart.

Open in the community of Richmond since 1983, Felicos is known for their selection of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant boasts of their lamb, fresh seafood and steaks, but the menu also contains traditional items such as moussaka and feta kota. Open for both lunch and dinner, Felicos accommodates parties with set menus of two or three courses, as well as a platter party menu reminiscent of a tasting menu with a variety of items.

Throwback to Ancient Greece

With mustard faux finish on the walls, Greek columns, and alcoves, the decor of Felicos is reminiscent of what the agora of ancient Athens may have resembled. Dark ambience and earth tones seem to be the decorating scheme. The tables are candlelit with white tablecloths, while the chairs are wood with mocha microfiber upholstery, creating a romantic setting. This setting, however, is slightly tarnished by the forty-inch flatscreen televisions hanging from the ceiling and broadcasting sports games at the bar. There is an open party room with no doors, separated from the foyer by an elegant double-sided fireplace. In fact, much of the restaurant is divided by open panelling and columns rather than doors.

Seating is comfortable and much time can be spent in conversation. Tables seat on average 4-6 and, while there are no intimate booths, which takes away a little from the intimate dining experience, there is some banquette seating. There is also seating at the bar for drinks during a sports game.

Gets the Job Done

The wait staff was friendly and accommodating, working quickly and efficiently. Food was served with a smile and delivered without a very long wait. Despite the size of the party, no errors were made in delivering the order and everyone got the food that they had wanted. When busy, the staff is not very open to conversation or light banter, nor do they spend time explaining and describing menu items.

This could be because the staff did not seem to know the menu well and needed to ask for clarification on several occasions. On one occasion, ingredients needed to be verified in order to avoid a food allergy and, on another, they were uncertain as to whether tea or coffee provided with a set dinner included green tea. Overall, the wait staff does its job adequately and satisfactorily, but does not go above and beyond the necessary duties.

Not Quite Olympian Quality Fare

The lunch menu at Felicos features an assortment of sandwiches, pastas, and souvlaki, as well as heavier items such as rack of lamb or surf and turf. There are also platters for two available, which include salads, appetizers, sides, and many of the foods available on the menu.

The dinner menu features many of the exact same items at the exact same prices, except without the sandwiches. Instead, a larger variety of steaks is included in the dinner menu.

The meal began extremely well but seemed to have nowhere to go from there but downhill. The hummus and tzatziki served as appetizer was made from scratch and the pita that accompanied them was delightfully warm. The Caesar salad was delicious, if unremarkable, but the seafood chowder had an unnaturally strong fish flavour.

The lobster portion of the surf and turf was frozen and had lost the springy texture that makes fresh lobster such a delicacy, while the steak portion was extremely overdone. The meat was not at all tender and had the texture of shoe leather.

Felicos Restaurant is located at 8140 Leslie Road. Reservations can be made by calling (604)276-8282. They are open for lunch from Monday to Friday, from 11:30, and for dinner, seven days a week, from 4:30. Most major credit cards are accepted.

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Restaurant Information

Felicos Restaurant

8140 Leslie Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 4A8, Canada

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Felicos Restaurant in Richmond, British Columbia
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