If it's a simple, very reasonably priced, filling meal you're after, and you happen to be wandering around the borders of Crouch End and Hornsey, then you should pop into Troodos Taverna Restaurant.

Named after the majestic mountain range that spans the backbone of Cyprus, this place is far from mammoth.

It doesn't pamper to pretentiosness. In fact, there's no fancy menu and no glitzed-up waiting staff. The menu is simple, varied and very traditionally Greek.

Plants hang from the ceiling in a haphazard, but cutely curious way, the tables are illuminated with small candles - giving the place a soothing ambience - food options are chalked up on the boards and the tableclothes are covered in plastic.

But that's not the point. Troodos is about filling, good value meals.

Set out, unsurprisingly, like a Taverna, you enter to the sounds of Greek music. Cypriot owner George is a no-nonsense kind of a man, but with bags of character, he'll have you smiling - often unintentionally.

You have to visit Troodos for the character of the place. It's family run, with George and his wife doing all the cooking. And they work hard, seven days a week. But having been in the catering industry before they moved to the UK, some 30 years ago, they've certainly got the experience in which to turn around a meal that people appreciate.

For starters, we opted for a juicy avaocado crammed with prawns. We also had taramasalata, cucumber and garlic dip, and both were served with warm pita bread.

For mains, we shared some courses, including a chicken kebab, served with steamed rice, sliced tomatoes and cucumber arranged in strips.

The swordfish was clean and boneless, served in a tangy garlic-and-butter sauce, while the chicken was served in a creamy white-wine sauce and vegetables, with good old roast potatoes like your mum used to make.

The wine was dreamy. A Cypriot red, full-bodied, fruity, yet never over-bearing, bottle of cheeky red called Othello.

Troodos Taverna
179 Priory Road
N8 8NB
020 8342 9188