The Sunnyvale Sun

Community

Taverna Bistro reopens, adds wood-burning oven

By Stephen Baxter

After closing for nearly eight weeks, Taverna Bistro at 133 S. Murphy Ave. has reopened with a new wood-burning oven.

Owner Emrah Gures said his Mediterranean restaurant now also has a full bar, a new interior and about 10 fewer chairs for a more intimate setting.

"This is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant, and we believe Sunnyvale needs it," Gures said.

He also brought in a new chef, whom he called a master of Mediterranean cuisine. Wood-fired pizzas have been added to the menu, and the other items remain. Moussaka, a Greek dish, can also be made in the new oven. It is baked layers of eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, lamb and other ingredients with béchamel sauce and a tomato sauce. Main dishes range from $10 to $14, and Taverna also serves salads, pasta and casseroles.

Gures was born in a Kurdish area of Turkey, and opened Taverna Bistro in 2003. The white-tablecloth restaurant reopened on May 4.