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EAT DRINK
By Melissa Puppo
SHELBY COOPER
Clockwise from left: The Ya Mas! dining room; hummus mezze; white sangria; whipped feta and labneh; Greek salad martini.
OPENINGS
GONE GREEK
Escape to the Greek islands at Ya Mas! on Las Olas. The chic taverna is hospitality powerhouse Memphis Garrett’s latest concept to open in Lauderdale. No detail is left untouched—including cascading rattan and beaded chandeliers, a bougainvillea-covered patio, and an accent wall depicting Greek gods. The cuisine is just as appealing as the aesthetic, cooked up by executive chef Austin Blake and his team. Explore flavors of the Mediterranean through classic dishes and modern interpretations
from Greece, Turkey, and Israel. Standouts include whipped feta and labneh with pickled onions and pistachio, and a mezze platter with a trio of hummus and options like roasted beet and tzatziki. Other dishes worth noting include the octopus (accompanied by caper berries and gigante beans) and the lamb chops (served with kalamata panisse and mint gremolata). “Ya mas!” means “cheers!” in Greek, and the restaurant’s upbeat vibe (plate smashing included) makes it easy to sip on endless cocktails. Go for the Droseros Spritz, and let the experience take you away to Mykonos—at least until your last bite of baklava. (yamastaverna.com) FORTLAUDERDALEILLUSTRATED.COM | MAY/JUNE 2022
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