The flavors of the Old World are never far away at Taverna Mazi, where tender lamb, imported Greek cheeses, and pungent garlic populate a menu of inventive Mediterranean eats. A diverse array of small plates encourages sharing and sampling of drunken prawns drowned in an ouzo-tomato-and-cream sauce or garlicky fries sprinkled with ample heaps of feta and oregano. Patrons can also dunk pitas into dips including caper skordalia—greek yogurt blended with parsley, garlic, and capers—or a pot of feta whipped with mint and peppers and topped with a black-cherry reduction. A roster of larger plates features a braised lamb shank in orzo and tomatoes that Seattle Weekly designated “the standout entree,” opining that “the lamb would probably fall off the bone if a gentle gust of wind blew through the dining room.” The Weekly also praised the fizzy Eos Lemon cocktail on Mazi's drink menu, which also features greek margaritas that replace limes with cucumbers and affectionate cheek-pinches from Yia Yia.

Mirrors flank Taverna Mazi's walls, reflecting cheerful ochre hues, deep-blue tablecloths, and urns of statuesque palm fronds. On the ceiling, strings of party lights fan out from a chandelier, which curls its wrought-iron tendrils into complicated curlicues that grasp small candle-like lights.