Greek gastronomy on South Beach in Miami from an award-winning chef, Demetrios Pyliotis: Poseidon features gourmet seafood dishes with a Greek twist

MIAMI BEACH — If you’re headed to Miami this winter to take in the sunshine and enjoy exceptional food, add Poseidon Greek Seafood Restaurant to your must visit restaurants while you’re in the city.

Poseidon, located two blocks from Ocean Drive on Washington Avenue, features gourmet seafood dishes with a Greek twist, created by award-winning chef Demitrios Pyliotis.

Pyliotis, who was born in Chicago but grew up in Kalamata, Greece, opened the restaurant in 2013 with his brother, Vasilis Pyliotis.  Since, and through the Covid pandemic, the restaurant is thriving and has attracted a loyal clientele.

Pyliotis, a friendly man with an infectious smile and a warm handshake, trained to be a chef at the Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, and it shows.  His dishes are clever and unique takes on classic and traditional Greek taverna fare.  Take grilled octopus.

Typically, it is grilled and then drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.  Not so, Pyliotis’s version The award-winning and mouth-watering dish —one of the chef’s personal favorites—comes on a bed of roasted chickpeas, prepared with a rich sauce of olive oil, lemon, turmeric and flavored with mandarins and figs.

Pyliotis, who is a culinary ambassador of Greek gastronomy, is clearly passionate about what he does and he’s constantly experimenting to come up with ever creative dishes.  “I dream about new recipes in my sleep,” he chuckles.  “Then I spend the next day trying to make them work.”

The restaurant has a cozy blue-lit interior with a bar that has a dramatic backdrop of the lit-up Parthenon.  It gives the impression that you’re on a rooftop bar somewhere in Athens.  On the sidewalk outside, the seating area is well lit, cozy, and comfortable. And the service is welcoming and courteous.  To start things off, the chef treats patrons to a generous plate of pita bread and olives accompanied with a shot of tsipouro, a traditional Greek clear brandy made from distilled grape pomace.

Poseidon also has a branch on the seashore of Kalamata.  But here in Miami, customers can enjoy the same fresh ingredients, carefully chosen and prepared by a chef who cares about what he serves.

You can check out the menu on the taverna’s website.  It’s worth noting that Sundays feature 50% off the price of whole grilled Branzino and Wednesdays offer up half off on wine.