Fortieth Annual Greek Festival Oakland
Where: Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln (at Monterey), Oakland, 510-531-3400
When: Fri.-Sun., May 13-15, 2011; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.), 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Sun.)
Cost: $6 (children under 12 free); save $1 with this downloadable coupon. Free admission Sun., 5-9 p.m.
The rundown: The Bay Area's first Greek festival of the year promises roasted lamb galore: 1,400 pounds of leg, 1,700 pounds of shanks, 750 pounds of loin chops. Also flaming saganaki (cheese), sausages, kabobs, gyros, soutzoukakia (meatballs), and savory pastries like spanakopita and tyropitakia. On the sweet side, homemade baklava, loukoumathes (doughnuts), and a dozen more we can barely pronounce. Local and imported wines should enhance the music and folk dance performances, if not spur you to join the group dance lessons. Opa!
