Saltiness by the Sea Vol. 2 (aka Almyra Exposed!) {+Ελλ.}

                             So, the last time I blogged about "Almyra" (see Saltiness by the Sea) I had left you all with a rather good impression I'd say. Ok, the place wasn't perfect and neither was the food, but all in all it was a good effort for this little place and worth a visit.



                             Now, however (cue the dramatic music), I have changed my mind. About a month ago (see Status Report, for why I was late writing about this), I revisited Almyra, having the urge for seafood. Given the limited offer of seafood, I ordered the salmon. I was in for a very bad surprise. The strong side sauce initially masked it, but suddenly I realised the fish had gone off. It smelt awful and tasted even worse, something my partner in eating attested to aswell. I was disgusted at having been served such a thing and actually being charged 9euros for it! I called the waiter and made a serious complaint, asking for it to be taken away and the bill brought immediately since my stomach had started to ache ominously. To my amazement the waiter actually laughed in my face! Can you believe it? To make matters even more disgruntling, no manager, no chef, no reduced bill came out and on top of it all we weren't served dessert either (not that I would have eaten it), as if we were the ones insulting them! Uncroyable!
Given the fact I spent the remainder of the night hugging the sink close and wretching my guts out they should be very happy indeed I'm not talking about foodpoisoning. I was very disappointed not only by the incident in itself, but more importantly by the way it was handled. Everyone will agree that mistakes happen everywhere, after all we're only human, but had they been more civilised and courteous about it, as one would expect from any good restaurant, I would have thought twice about writing about the incident, or even used their policy as a positive attribute of the restaurant, that, in fact, even if something goes wrong, they could make it up to the customer. As it is though, I am not amused and it is a shame, given I thought it a very promising place.

In conclusion, I am obviously NOT saying don't go, since I am not a malicious person. I'm simply reporting the facts, as is my duty as foodblogger. The rest is up to you...






Και στα Ελληνικά!

                            Την τελευταία φορά που έγραψα άρθρο για το "Αλμύρα" (βλ. Saltiness by the Sea), σας είχα αφήσει όλους με μία αρκετά καλή εντύπωση, όπως άλλωστε είχα μείνει και γω μετά την πρώτη αυτή επίσκεψή μου. Εντάξει, το μέρος και το φαγητό δεν ήταν και τέλεια, αλλά ήταν μια πολύ καλή προσπάθεια για τη μικρή πόλη της Ιεράπετρας και άξιζε σίγουρα μιαν επίσκεψη.


                            Τώρα όμως (*δραματική μουσική*), έχω αλλάξει γνώμη και διάθεση. Πριν από κανένα μήνα (βλ. Status Report για το λόγο που άργησα να ποστάρω νέα), συνέβη το εξής περιστατικό. Επανεπισκεπτόμενη το Αλμύρα, είχα όρεξη για ψάρι, ή γενικότερα θαλασσινά (ναι, ξέρω, για θαλασσινά στην Ιεράπετρα στο Αλμύρα βρήκα να πάω; Αλλά το προσπερνάμε). Δεδομένης της μικρής ποικιλίας του μαγαζιού σε τέτοιο είδος, παρήγγειλα το σολωμό. Με περίμενε, ωστόσο, μία άσχημη έκπληξη. Σαν ήρθε ο σολωμός, αρχικά η δυνατή μυρωδιά των μπαχαρικών της σάλτσας υπερκάλυψε το γεγονός ότι ο σολωμός ήταν χαλασμένος. Εντέλει, όμως, προφανώς το κατάλαβα. Η δυσωδία ήταν φοβερή και η γεύση χειρότερη, όπως επιβεβαίωσε κι ο συνδαιτημών μου. Ενοχλημένη που θα μου ζητούσαν κιόλας να πληρώσω 9 ευρώ γι'αυτό το πιάτο, κάλεσα το σερβιτόρο κι αφού παραπονέθηκα ζήτησα να μαζέψει τα πιάτα και να φέρει το λογαριασμό, μιας και είχε αρχίσει ήδη το στομάχι μου να διαμαρτύρεται παράξενα και δυσοίωνα. Προς τεράστιά μου έκπληξη και θυμό, μου γέλασε κατάμουτρα και είπε ότι θα περάσει το μήνυμά μου και μέσα. Στη συνέχεια, ούτε μάνατζερ, ούτε σεφ, αλλά ούτε και μειωμένος λογαριασμός δεν ήρθε στο τραπέζι και το κερασάκι στην τούρτα ήταν η έλλειψη τούρτας, τουτέστιν ούτε και γλυκό δε μας έφεραν! Λες και αυτοί ήταν οι προσβεβλημένοι της υπόθεσης! Πραγματικά απίστευτο.
Δεδομένου ότι πέρασα το υπόλοιπο της βραδιάς αγκαλιασμένη με το νιπτήρα, βγάζοντας τον "πόνο" μου σ'αυτόν, θα'πρεπε να χαίρονται, πιστεύω, που δεν έκανα λόγο για καμία τροφική δηλητηρίαση. Όπως και νά'χει απογοητεύτηκα οικτρά όχι μόνο από το ίδιο το περιστατικό, αλλά πρωτίστως από τον τρόπο που το χειρίστηκαν. Λάθη, όπως ξέρουμε όλοι, συμβαίνουν παντού, λάθη είμαστε, ανθρώπους κάνουμε άλλωστε, ωστόσο αν είχαν φερθεί λίγο πιο ευγενικά και πολιτισμένα, όπως θα περίμενε κανείς από οποιοδήποτε καλό εστιατόριο, τότε ίσως και να μην ανέφερα το περιστατικό αυτό, ή αν τό'κανα θα'ταν σ'ένα θετικό πλαίσιο, ότι μπορεί το μαγαζί να επανορθώσει άξια ακόμη και σε περίπτωση λάθους και μπράβο τους. Όπως έχει, όμως, η κατάσταση λυπάμαι, γιατί πίστευα θα μπορούσε να'ναι ένα πολύ αξιόλογο μαγαζί.


Τέλος πάντων, εντέλει δε σας συμβουλεύω να μην πάτε. Απλώς καταγράφω τα γεγονότα, όπως οφείλω να κάνω σαν foodblogger και σας ενημερώνω. Τα συμπεράσματα δικά σας...

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Posted in: Almyra,Chinese,Ierapetra,Italian,Restaurant

Saltiness by the Sea!

So the other night I went on a date (yeay!) to a new place that's only just opened in Ierapetra. Rumour had it they served Chinese and Italian. Yes. In Ierapetra. Chinese and Italian. Given we've never had a proper Italian place and the last Chinese restaurant we had closed down years ago, this was something I dared not miss.

It's located right next to "Petra Mare", a fancy(-ish) hotel overlooking the sea. I must say, the look of the restaurant rather catered to my taste. A sturdy stone-wall entrance way led to two different available levels. The top, a group of round tables and chairs with an open air kitchen (always a favourite with me, see La Pasteria) so tongues of fire kept lighting up the surrounding area, the bottom about 5 or 6 tables right above the rocks. As we sat down (3rd table, lower level) I thought to myself, "Mmm, this place is so nice, so pretty, so um.. humid". -The waiter actually had to wipe the water off the table before we could touch it and the red paper napkins were shrivelling up slowly and pitifully in a rather comic way (admittedly, matching paper place mats were not such a grand idea for somewhere so close to the sea)- That having been said, the view was indeed breathtaking. A sandy and rocky beach stretched out just below us, illuminated by white glowing lamps, while waves broke loudly on the shore, sending that lovely salty scent up to greet us throughout the meal and bringing back fuzzy childhood memories. It's no wonder the place is called Αλμύρα (AlmEEra, ie "Saltiness", a name somewhat puzzling initially). To the far right, seemingly out at sea, twinkly lights winked merrily in the distance, one of the rather flattering views of the town (or if you're my mother "the only flattering view of the town"!).

Moving on to the -also paper- menus. These weren't as sodden as the napkins (though the breadsticks, unbelievably, were!), even if they were rather small (then again that might just be the glutton in me, so heed me not). Nonetheless, there were a few (6) Chinese dishes and another few (4) Italian ones, as well as four or five house specials, a combining concept entirely novel for Ierapetra's standards, so bravo for daring. Being myself a voracious eater of Chinese food, I decided to have the Stir fry with Shrimp, Basil and Chilli with Noodles, and my date got the sweet and sour chicken with rice ("Damn!" I thought. Seeing as I'm not a huge fan of the sweet and sour taste, I would not constantly be able "try" my date's meal. I hid my disappointment in a glass of fine white wine.) For starters we ordered local mushrooms ("πλευρώτους") with bacon and balsamic vinegar (yeah, I know, how Chinese is that for you? Lol, they didn't actually have any ethnic salads or starters, so don't judge!)

Mushrooms and Bacon in Balsamic

The local part of the meal actually turned out to be the best part of the meal. You know how mushrooms can sometimes get a little overpowering, especially when you eat quite a few on their own? (At least Cretan ones do, I don't know about other types) Well, the bacon worked beautifully with them, those tender, juicy, sweet wine-and-balsamic-oozing mushrooms on the one hand, the meaty, straightforward bacon on the other, an excellent pairing. After that starter, you can bet we were hankering for more.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Next came the sweet and sour chicken. The piggy in me couldn't resist, so I eventually "tried" a mouthful (or few) and was quite impressed. As a dish in itself it wasn't anything overly spectacular, but it did actually manage to live up to your average asian cuisine expectations, quite the achievement over here. Next came my own dish. Not so impressed. The fact that the waiter announced "SPAGHETTI" with prawns, did not bode well. We spent the better part of an hour arguing whether it was in fact fat egg noodles or accidental spaghetti-turned-noodles-in-the-lack-of-noodles alla typical cretan style. Whatever the truth was, it was not cooked well. The prawns were nice (but then again how can you possibly go wrong there), while the vegetables were also tasty, as was the spicy sauce, even if the whole ensemble scarcely resembled anything remotely Chinese. A stray chickpea in my dish did make for an amusing find though!

Stir Fry noodles with Shrimps, Basil and Chilli

To restore peace and order, the meal was rounded off with a bowl of complimentary vanilla icecream with crumbled digestive biscuits and sour cherries. Yum!


Impressions? Well, all in all I think very good for Ierapetra standards, what with trying to juggle different ethnic cuisines and it being their first couple of weels in the business. The mushrooms were obviously the highlight of the evening, with the chicken living up to expectations and the noodles a bit of a disappointment with regards to Chinesey-culinary-styley, but still rather yumm-ey, so I'm pretty sure I'll give the place another shot. Maybe next time I'll go for a house special. I did actually hear someone comment (it was more of a mouthfull gurgle to be precise) on the souvlaki-looking-satay-chicken so maybe that's up next. ;) Anyhow, if you're tired of the same old rakadiko/taverna scene and want something a bit more posh, pretty and romaaantic (*flutters eyelashes*), go on and give it a go, I expect you'll be quite pleasantly surprised.

In a nutshell

Do you get your money's worth? Yes, it was all reasonably priced. Starters and salads 4-8euros, main meals 7-10 euros each.

Is it worth it? Definitely. Not many places with a view like that, I can tell you.

Will I go again? Yes. It was a good effort and merits a second visit. :)

P.S. After all that praise for the view, one would expect an adequate photo to show it off, buuuut.. the sea spray kept getting in the way of the lens. Humbug.

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Posted in: Almyra,bar,Chinese,Ierapetra,Italian,Restaurant

Ierapetra - Okso, traditional rakadiko in all it's glory.

My fellow foodies, given I'm on holiday in Crete I can't really post anything on Athens, at least until September or so when I get back. I couldn't face not posting anything though, so for the next month or so expect some articles (anyone who's interested that is!) holiday-style. My appetite is as great as ever and I am on the rampage traversing the exotic, hot, LOUD island of Crete. Consider it a small tribute to my semi-Cretan nature.

To start off, naturally I opted for a little typically Cretan "rakadiko" (a small restaurant-cafe style of place, veeeeery common around these parts, where raki is sold -and obviously drunk- in exceedingly large quantities, accompanied by yummy mezedes. In other parts of Greece these establishments would usually be called "mezedopolio", ie places selling mezedes, little bite-sized delicacies, but since raki is the predominant spirit (litteraly and metaphoricaly) in Crete, they're called rak-adiko.). Anyhow, the one I've chosen is called "Okso" ('Οξω), meaning "outdoors" in a very rustic yet jovial-sounding Cretan accent.


 

White House Wine

Choriatiki Salata

Rustic yet jovial is around about the same characterisation I would use to describe the atmosphere and food here. You have the stereotype dark waiters, running about, sweating and desperately trying to keep up with everything, people shouting for more raki and grub, as they laugh and jokingly mock each other whilst all the while keeping an eye -and fork- on the diminishing food in the centre of the table (after all, you can't POSSIBLY have your own plate at a rakadiko!! Shock horror for my visiting English cousin, who ended up hungry since all her -Greek- eating companions grabbed everything in sight). As for the food itself, whether it's the little mezedes brought free of charge with the order of spirits, that usually consist of "house-food", (that is to say dishes prepared by the cook in the variety he wishes each day and served on small plates to keep customers happy and relatively sober, yet whetting their appetites for more), or whether it's the actual orderable dishes for people more than a little peckish (yes, yes, enough with the pointing fingers, we all know that means me), it is fab fab fab.

Meat platter (this one just with pansetta on)

 

Meat pie

We usually order some lovely crispy fried cheeseballs, chips, amazing meat pie (with a mixture of mince and chicken I believe with some heavy spices going on, covered in soft crust with sesame seeds) and mushroom pie (the same soft crust only filled with yummy local mushrooms, melted cheese and bacon). A salad (Choriatiki, all the usual ingredients, ie tomatoes, onions, cucumber, feta cheese, green peppers, fresh olive oil, with the interesting in this case addition of capers). A mixture of selected grilled meats, ie panseta, souvlaki (chicken or pork), beefburgers (or as they're known here "Biftekia"), kebabs, accompanied by chips, salad and flour- or whole-grain flour-pittas on a huge wooden chopping board. If you do decide to visit, get as much panseta as you possibly can. All yummy, juicy, yet crunchy and charred, trust me, it is to die for!

The same meat platter

Also, their house wine (white or red) and raki is top notch. What's more, everything is in cute small portions (apart from the meat!) and soooo ridiculously affordable. When there's quite a few of us we usually end up paying something totally absurd, like 3-6 euros each, and believe you me, we are STUFFED!

Anyway, given it's one of my favourite stops for the summer, and right on the pedestrian district by the sea and always FULL of people, I though it was only acceptable I began with this place!

In a nutshell:

Do you get your money's worth? Most definitely! Starters are priced around 2-5euros (the meat pie is only 3,50euros!!) and the meat is 3euros per panseta (the most expensive cut of meat there). Anyway, depending on the size of the group of people expect to pay between 3-10 euros per person.

Is it worth it? Hello??! Good food, good prices, good atmosphere, what's not to like? :) Just make sure to get there 9.30 at the latest if you want to get any sort of seating, as it's constantly packed throughout the week (hmmm, I wonder why!)

Will I go again? Yeah, yeah, I think we've established I'm there quite often. I'll be there again soon, so I'll post some better pics then.

P.S. You'll recognise the place by it's playful multicoloured chairs. :)

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Posted in: Ierapetra,Okso,Rakadiko,Restaurant,Traditional Cretan

Update on Colibri!! / Κολιμπρί: Δεύτερη Δόση!!

                            

Για Ελληνικά, κυλήστε απαλά και όμορφα το ποντίκι κάτω!

So a couple of weeks ago, as a break from exam studying (that's why I haven't posted anything for so long, SORRY!!!) we arranged to go to Colibri again for a treat. I know I've already uploaded an article, so I'll keep this short and sweet, since I just wanted to post some new pics and data on the place. To read the entire article and full info, see Colibri.

Having already tried the gorgeous pesto pizza, I opted for the personal-size portion of Prosciutto Pizza. We are talking fabulous... As a base, their amazing signature crust, nicely crisp and slighlty charred, firm and unprone to falling limp when picked up, as described in the afore-mentioned post. On top, lovely melted mozzarella, topped with fresh rocket, gorgeous prosciutto, parmezan, halved cherry tomatoes and freshly ground black pepper. Now how can you possibly go wrong with that refreshing summer combo?? I wasn't disappointed, but we ordered the full size pesto pizza again for good measure, since I still think it's the best they offer, and well.. We needed to pig out! Lol




My companion tried the Plain Burger, a juicy, springy-to-the-touch beefburger, with greens, tomato, onion, ketchup and mayo, served with crunchy country fries and their tangy barbecue sauce. From what I tried, it was one of the best burgers I've had, even if I am more of a cheese- than ham-burger person. So Colibri I feel justly deserves praise as the best pizza joint in town and one of the best hamburger and salad stops too. All that remains now is to give their pasta flavours a whirl, although I'm convinced they'll be delicious too, judging by those mouthwatering aromas pervading the air around us.
Therefore, once again, definitely give this place a try, I guarantee you won't be the least bit sorry, both price- and taste-wise.

P.S. I found it it isn't possible after all to book a table in advance, so be wary of which days and hours you choose to go! (Again, see Colibri)
TTFN! (For those of you who didn't EVER watch Winnie the pooh, that's "Tata for Now!")

                       Πριν κανά δυο βδομάδες, αποφασίσαμε να ξαναεπισκεφτούμε το Κολιμπρί, για να ξεσκάσουμε και μεις λίγο απ’το διάβασμα της εξεταστικής (α, ναι, έχουμε και την εξεταστική, γι’αυτό δεν έχω ανεβάσει τίποτα τόσο καιρό, συγνώμη!!). Έχω ήδη γράψει, βέβαια, για το συγκεκριμένο μέρος, αλλά… αξίζει σίγουρα και μία μικρή δεύτερη αναφορά, έτσι, ξέρετε τώρα, απλά να σιγουρευτούμε ότι δεν ήταν θέμα τύχης η γευστική απόλαυση της προηγούμενης επίσκεψης…! (Για να διαβάσετε το original, εκτενέστερο άρθρο και για ακριβή τοποθεσία, πατήστε εδώ.)

Την προηγούμενη φορά, αν θυμάστε, είχαμε δοκιμάσει την θεϊκή πίτσα με πέστο (αααααχ), οπότε για αλλαγή διάλεξα τώρα την Πίτσα με Prosciutto, μέγεθος ατομικό. Καλά, είναι που είναι φοβερό το προσούτο από μόνο του, συνδύασέ το μ’αυτή τη φοβερή, χαρακτηριστικά τραγανή και λεπτή κρούστα του Colibri,  περιχυμένη με λιωμένη μοτσαρέλα και φρέσκια ρόκα, ντοματίνια κομμένα, και λεπτές φλούδες παρμεζάνας με φρέσκο μαύρο πιπέρι.. Αϊ αϊ αϊιιιιιι, τα’σπασε!! Είναι αδύνατον να μη μείνεις γευστικά ικανοποιημένος απ’αυτή την επιλογή, αλλά, σαν καλά γουρουνάκια, πήραμε και μία μεγάλη πίτσα με πέστο να σκάσουμε! Το’χαμε άλλωστε ανάγκη και λόγω εξεταστικής... (Καλά, λέμε τώρα)

Ο φίλος μου πήρε και ένα Απλό Χάμπουγκερ: ξεροψημένο αλλά ζουμερό μπιφτέκι, με μαρούλι, ντομάτα, κρεμμύδι, κέτσαπ και μαγιονέζα, σερβιρισμένο με μία πικάντικη σάλτσα μπάρμπεκιου. Φοβερό κι αυτό, κι ας προτιμώ εν γένει τα τσιζμπεργκερ απ’ότι τα χάμπουγκερ. Γενικά λοιπόν, καταλήγουμε με βεβαιότητα πλέον, πιστεύω, ότι το Κολιμπρί είναι σαφώς η καλύτερη πιτσαρία της Αθήνας (που έχω δοκιμάσει ως τώρα) και άξια επαινούνται συνεχώς και τα μπέργκερ του. Τώρα το μόνο που μένει είναι να δοκιμάσω και τις μακαρονάδες τους (κι άλλη δικιολογία να παω, ναιιιι!!! ;) )… Ποιος ξέρει, ίσως συναγωνιστούν και τα αγαπημένα μου μακαρόνια (στο Λα Παστερία φυσικά). Πάντως μύριζαν υπέροχα στα γύρω τραπέζια! (Αμάν, το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι θα πρέπει να μείνω πολύυυυυ μακριά απ’αυτό το μέρος αν δε θέλω να παχύνω!!) Μείνετε συντονισμένοι λοιπόν για περαιτέρω επισκέψεις. :) Αν έχετε να μοιραστείτε και δικές σας Colibri εμπειρίες ποστάρετέ τες με το παραπάνω!

Σας συμβουλεύω να δοκιμάσετε όπως και δήποτε αυτό το στέκι, δε θα το μετανιώσετε (και όχι, δεν χορηγούμαι από κανένα μαγαζί ή προϊόν (δυστυχώς ή ευτυχώς!) οπότε ό,τι γράφω είναι αμερόληπτο, μπορείτε να μ'εμπιστεύεστε).

Υ.Γ. Τελικά δε γίνεται να κλείσεις τραπέζι, οπότε να’χετε το νου σας για τις ώρες και μέρες που επιλέγετε να πάτε! (Για λεπτομέρειες ξανακοιτάξτε το Colibri).

Bb για την ώρα..! :*

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Posted in: Burger,Colibri,Italian,Pagrati,Pasta,Pizza,Restaurant,Salads

Best pizza in Athens? Check!! / Η καλύτερη πίτσα στην Αθήνα!!

Για Ελληνικά κυλήστε απαλά και όμορφα το ποντίκι κάτω (κάτω απ'το χάρτη!)


                              Last night I finally got around to visiting Colibri, a pizza/burger/salad/general feel-good-(and then bad the next day)-food joint in Mets, the area behind Pagrati. Pretty central one could say. Anyway, I had heard from more than one source that this was the place to get a mean (and lean-priced) pizza. I am ecstatic to say: the rumours were indeed true.

                              When we arrived at around 21.30, Colibri was jam-packed, there were loads of people waiting and.... we hadn't reserved a table (BEEEEP! Error!!). It wasn't like there were very many tables to begin with, but especially at that day and hour it was hideously difficult to find somewhere to sit. At that point I was so hungry and disappointed that it was all I could do to simply collapse on a stool at the bar and stare longingly at the menu, the other diners and, mainly, their food, in that order. After dithering a while, we decided to order a pizza and play it by ear.
In the meantime (eh-hem, that is to say the next hour), two other groups of customers were seated and then thankfully we were too. Since we managed to find a table, we decided to make the order a little more rounded and hence got a salad, beer and soft-drink too. I made myself a shandy lager (lemonade and beer) to while away the hungry minutes.

 

Pizza Pesto alla Genovese

                               Finally the pizza arrived. We had ordered the Pesto alla Genovese, and let me say quite frankly that, if possible, it turned out to be more than worth the wait. We are talking amazing. The best pizza I've had in Athens, Crete, England, you name it. Beautiful, hard, slightly (and therefore tastily) charred thin crust that simply did not go limp in the hand when picked up, topped with melted mozzarella, authentic pesto sauce (that you could smell for miles, trust me, I knew it was coming before I saw it) and mini cherry tomatoes. After I wolfed down a couple of pieces, my brain actually started working and I could process the taste. The pesto gushed in every bite and the sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes nicely balanced out that slightly bitter edge of basil. It was simply gorgeous. So much so in fact, we had nearly finished it before remembering the salad! It was, unfortunately, equally good (ie we had to eat it all of that too). Penne with garlic-oil, olives, tomato, green peppers and onion. The garlic-oil really made it in my opinion. Loved it, although I had to brush my teeth and rince my mouth out three times before the taste even began to recede!

Insalate di Pasta (sorry if I've misspelt it!)

                                        As we ate, we noticed that the tables around us had ordered hamburgers, other salads and pasta-dishes. All of them looked amazing and smelt even more mouth-watering, which, as we all know, is the better indicator. The atmosphere was light and jolly, but what I liked the most was the subtle lighting and the funky music that wasn't deafening. There was a canopy of leaves above us from the surrounding trees, making up a cool spot on a sweltering summer's eve (the first in a row of many for this year, as usual). All in all very pleasant.

                                       To make the meal even better, we were happily surprised when the bill came. All of the above came down to less than 10euros per person. Now, how can you not love that?

In a nutshell: 

• Do you get your money's worth?: Absolutely! The pizzas come in two sizes: Individual (which is more than enough for a light meal for two people) ranging from 5-7euros, and Large (two people are stuffed) ranging from 9-12euros. Salads around 4-6euros. Burgers beginning at 5 or 6euros if I remember correctly. Expect a total of 10-15euros per person.
• Is it worth it?: Hello?! Didn't you read the article? Definitely worth it. If you live nearby and can order so as to avoid the crowd, even better. If you go, bear in mind: 20.00-23.00=rush hour at weekends. So book in advance.
• Will I go again?: I can hardly wait. :) (see below)

See Colibri on larger size map 

Since I really could hardly wait,  here are some sneak pics from my next visit to Colibri (see Update on Colibri!!) 

                           

Χθες βράδυ κατάφερα επιτέλους να επισκεφτώ το Κολιμπρί (Colibri), ένα μέρος για πίτσα/burgers/σαλάτα/φαγητά-γενικότερα-που-σε-κάνουν-να-νιώθεις-φοβερά-εκείνη-τη-στιγμή-και-τύψεις-το-πρωί, στο Μετς, την περιοχή πίσω από το Παγκράτι. Κεντρικά δηλαδή. Είχα ακούσει ότι το συγκεκριμένο μαγαζί έκανε τις απίστευτες πίτσες σε απίστευτες τιμές. Μπορώ να πω, με μεγάλη μου χαρά, ότι αυτή τη φορά έστω οι φήμες απεδείχθησαν αληθείς.

Φτάσαμε κατά τις 21.30 και το μέρος ήταν τίγκα... Και εννοώ ΤΙΓΚΑ! Και η μπάρα μια απ’τα ίδια, γεμάτη από άλλες παρέες που επίσης περίμεναν. Εξ αρχής βέβαια δεν υπήρχαν και τα φοβερά πολλά τραπέζια, αλλά ειδικά τέτοια μέρα και ώρα.. σκούρα τα πράματα. Μ’έπιασε απογοήτευση, βάλε και την πείνα που μου έγδερνε το στομάχι, σωριάστηκα απλώς σ'ένα σκαμπό στην μπάρα, ένα απ'αυτά τα "ωραία" τα "τώρα θα πέσω, τώρα δε θα πέσω", και άρχισα να κοιτώ σαλιαρίζοντας μία το μενού, μία τους υπόλοιπους πελάτες, δηλαδή τις παραγγελίες τους. Μετά από πολλή συζήτηση αποφάσισαμε να παραγγείλουμε μια πίτσα και να το παίξουμε φλου.

Μέσα στην επόμενη ώρα κάθισαν δύο άλλες ξεβρασμένες στην μπάρα παρέες και εντέλει, ευτυχώς, κι εμείς. Μιας και καταφέραμε να βρούμε τραπέζι λοιπόν, αποφασίσαμε να κάνουμε στρογγυλέψουμε λίγο παραπάνω την παραγγελία μας και πήραμε μια σαλάτα έξτρα, μία μπύρα και ένα αναψυκτικό. Σαν απάντηση στους παραπονεμένους βρυχηθμούς της κοιλιάς μου έφτιαξα ένα shandy lager (sprite ή λεμονάδα με μπύρα) μέχρι να’ρθει το φαϊ.

Αρκετά αργότερα ήρθε η πίτσα. Μία Pesto alla Genovese και, όσο σοκαριστικό κι αν ακουστεί, ανταμοιφθήκαμε πλήρως για την όποια ταλαιπωρία και αναμονή. Μία pizza απερίγραπτη. Μία pizza απίστευτη. Σαφώς η καλύτερη που είχα φάει ποτέ σε Αθήνα, Κρήτη, Αγγλία. Πανέμορφη κρούστα, σκληρή και τραγανή, απαλά και νόστιμα καμένη. Σήκωνες ένα κομμάτι και δεν "λιγοθυμούσε" στα χέρια σου όπως οι άλλες γνωστές πίτσες. Από πάνω; Λιωμένη μοτσαρέλα, αυθεντικό πέστο*, που έσπαγε μύτες εξ αποστάσεως, και ντοματίνια. Αφού καταβρόχθισα δύο κομμάτια, πήρε μπρος επιτέλους το μυαλό μου και μπόρεσα να επεξεργαστώ λίγο παραπάνω τις γεύσεις που με κατακλύζανε. Το πέστο ξεχείλιζε με κάθε δαγκωνιά, το ελαφρώς πικρό του βασιλικού εξισορροπημένο πλήρως από τη γλύκα και οξύτητα των ντοματίνιων. Πανέμορφο. Τόσο πολύ μας συνεπήρε δε, που κοντέψαμε να ξεχάσουμε τη σαλάτα! Δυστυχώς... Ήταν εξ ίσου καλή. Επέβαλε να τη φάμε όλη. Πένες με σκορδόλαδο, ελιές, ντομάτα, πράσινες πιπεριές και κρεμμύδι. Το μεγάλο μπαμ της υπόθεσης το΄κανε μου φαίνεται το λάδι, το πλούσια αρωματισμένο με σκόρδο. Το λάτρεψα, έστω κι αν σκότωνα μετά κόσμο και κοσμάκη με την αναπνοή μου.!

Πάνω στη μάσα παρατηρήσαμε ότι τα γύρω τραπέζια είχαν παραγγείλει χάμπουργκερ, άλλες σαλάτες και μακαρονάδες. Όλα φαίνονταν υπέροχα και μύριζαν ακόμα καλύτερα, σού’τρεχαν διαρκώς τα σάλια. Η ατμόσφαιρα ανάλαφρη και ευχάριστη, αλλά αυτό που μου άρεσε κυρίως ήταν ο διακριτικός φωτισμός και η funky μουσική που δεν έσπαγε τύμπανα. Ήταν μια ευχάριστη αλλαγή. Από πάνω μας αγκαλιάζονταν δεντρόκλαδα με πυκνές φυλλωσιές, δημιουργώντας ένα δροσερό μέρος ιδανικό για τις αφόρητες νύχτες του αθηναϊκού καλοκαιριού.

Η βραδιά ολοκληρώθηκε με μία ακόμη ευχάριστη έκπληξη, όταν μας ήρθε ο λογαριασμός. Όλα τα παραπάνω ανέρχονταν σε λιγότερο από δέκα ευρώ το άτομο! Και ποιος λέει ότι δε βρίσκονται ευκαιρίες για φαγητό τη σήμερον ημέρα…

Συνοπτικά:

·         Τα Αξίζει τα Λεφτά του; Βεβαίως. Οι πίτσες διατίθενται σε δύο μεγέθη: Ατομική (η οποία υπεραρκεί ως ελαφρύ γεύμα για δύο άτομα) στα 5-7 ευρώ και Μεγάλη (δύο άτομα σκάνε) στα 9-12 ευρώ. Σαλάτες γύρω στα 4-6 ευρώ, ενώ τα μπέργκερ ξεκινάνε στα 5 ή 6 ευρώ αν θυμάμαι καλά. Σύνολο, εντέλει, γύρω στα 10-15 ευρώ το άτομο.

·         Αξίζει να πάει κανείς; Μα καλά, δεν το διαβάσατε το άρθρο;; Δε νομίζω ότι τίθεται ερώτηση. Αν σ’αρέσει η πίτσα πας. Αν μένει κανείς και κοντά, δηλαδή Παγκράτι και Μετς, μπορεί και να παραγγείλει για να αποφύγει τα πλήθη. Αλλά αν πάτε, να έχετε κατά νου: 20.00-23.00=φοβερή κίνηση τα Σαββατοκύριακα.

·         Θα ξαναπήγαινα; Φυσικά, και ανυπομονώ! (δείτε και πιο πάνω τις φώτο απ'την επόμενη επίσκεψή μου και διαβάστε περισσότερα εδώ).

Για την ακριβή τοποθεσία, δείτε παραπάνω και τον χάρτη!

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Posted in: Colibri,Pagrati,Pasta,Pizza,Restaurant,Salads,Street Food

Omnomnom Nama

                               I had been meaning to go to Nama, a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs of Athens, for quite some time now. So when the opportunity arose through Groupon (a site offering great discount coupons on restaurants etc.) I jumped at it and booked a table for me and my companion this past Friday.

                               We decided to go via subway, since the distance from the Chalandri metro station to the restaurant seemed quite small on the map. Unfortunately, either we were completely disorientated and lost, or the distance was in fact rather large. At least the way we went. After plenty of bickering, swearing, trying (and failing) to find a satelite GPS signal, slushing through puddles and sludge (oh, my poor silver pumps!!), we finally arrived. By the way, if you're expecting to go for a drink or a coffee before or after your meal, you had better be equipped with a proper means of transport (ie CAR, or at least bike) since there is nothing of the sort within short walking distance.


                               From the outside this place certainly didn't look as posh as I'd been led to believe. Although once we stepped inside, I felt redeemed. There was a little aquarium by the door with tiny rainbow fish (so cute!). Red as a colour dominated in the decor (mind you, doesn't it always in these Chinese places?). There was a Sushi bar in the right-hand corner and poshly set tables through-out the about 90 square metre dining area.
Initially, we were shoved in a corner by the opaque windows, even though the place was empty! Suffice it to say I wasn't happy. And when I'm not happy.. Well, things rarely stay that way! The end result was we were moved to a lovely little round table in the middle of the room and handed the origami-style menus. Success! I must say though, I got more than a little confused by the oblong multi-fold menu. After navigating through it, we decided to get the Hot & Sour Soup and the Shao Mai as appetizers and the Noodle Combination plate, plus Curry Fried Rice with Chicken for mains.

 

Hot and Sour Soup

First came the soup in an antique bowl with one of those amazing Chinese ceramic spoons, you know, the slightly thick ones that make you want to keep sipping at them just in case there's something left in there. The soup was quite simply mind-blowing. I honestly don't know how else to put it. Wonderfully thick and spicy, with tiny pieces of chicken, fresh spring onions and greens and a strong taste of soysauce and ginger. Amazing. We were squabbling over the last few slurps, I can tell you!

Shao Mai and Soy Sauce

As we were finishing off the soup, the waitress (who was very sweet and helpful when we were being decisively indecisive and annoying with the menus) brought the Shao Mai. I don't pretend to be any kind of expert on Asian cuisine, but from what I gather, Shao Mai (or Shumai, Siumai, Siomay and other names) are essentially Pork Dumplings: sliced or minced pork (minced in this case) wrapped in a wonton exterior and then steamed or fried. Ours were steamed. I must say, I was expecting something... more. Maybe it was the sharpness of the soup, but the dumplings seemed rather bland.

Shao Mai

The same, unfortunately, must be said for our main courses. However, that was our own fault. You see, we failed to realise at the time that what we were actually ordering was not a main course, but a side dish, something to accompany the other, tangy, spicy flavours in your main dish. So it was deservedly not as pompous as we'd have liked. That being said, both the Noodle Combination (with fat noodles and chicken, beef and pork) and the Curry Fried Rice were decidedly high quality. I suppose we had just been totally spoilt by that phenomenal soup, and everything then on didn't live up to our expectations.

Noodles Combination

Curry Fried Rice with Chicken

However, I wouldn't fear. Judging from the soup, our co-diners at other tables and what they ordered, and even from what friends have told me in the past, this place has some pretty gob-smacking dishes. The question is simply choosing and combining properly (which is where we obviously went wrong).  Memo to me: Make better choices next time! The good (and exciting) thing, is that Nama offers a Sunday Buffet with over 30 (!) different dishes for 25 euros per person, so you can try and try again to your hearts content! The moment we go (soon I hope!) expect a full food review with recommendations etc. So please stay tuned! :)

In a nutshell:

• Do you get your money's worth?: Weeeell, it is slightly on the pricey side, as expected of exotic cuisine, and, let's face it, it's the suburbs. Think 25-30 euros per person minimum. BUT, they do come out with some pretty great offers, like the Groupon one we used (ie pay 10euros and then get anything off the menu from then on half-price). So keep your eyes peeled!

• Is it worth it?: Given there definitely aren't all that many good quality Chinese restaurants in Athens (which also serve sushi!) I'd say yes, it is worth it, especially if you have a car.

• Will I go again?: Of course! That soup is most definitely worth a second (third, fourth, fifth..!) try and I still have the Buffet to go to!

Special Offers:

• Sunday Buffet: Every Sunday, 12.30-16.00, all you can eat from over 30 different dishes (including Sushi!). Price: 25 euros per person.
• Groupon : Check the site regularly for good offers on this (and other) places.
 

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Posted in: Agia Paraskevi,Chinese,Nama,Restaurant,Sushi

High Class Meat in a not so High Class Area

                   

        

                                This last Sunday, a group of us fancied some meat, and since we were in the area for a friend's dance performance, decided to visit a specific souvlaki-place (or "souvlatzidiko" as they're called in Greek) nearby, in Aegaleo.

 


                                               

       MAM-MAM is a grill, first opened in 1970. After a slightly downhill period in the 90's and about a year and a half of restoration, the "pride and joy of Aegaleo", as they called it, is now up and running again and I was keen to test if it would live up to all the hype.

                                        

   As we arrived, what struck us was the actual look of the place. It seemed very different to your average souvlatzidiko. Right smack-on Iera Odos, a modern little spot, but with nice warm colours and lighting and a cosy atmosphere. The waiters were ever so sweet and friendly too (weird for Greeks, lol). After managing to sit down (there were 15 of us after all and it wasn't exactly empty on a Sunday night), we noticed each place mat (taken from a cute little pull-out drawer on each table, along with the cutlery) had it's own particular photo, from artistically taken snapshots of beer mugs, to selections of meat and cheese.

    

                                       

Rocket Salad

To start off our Symposium (for that is what it eventually turned into!), we ordered a bunch of salads and appetizers (or "orektika"). To say I was thouroughly impressed would be an understatement of grave proportions I think. The Cretan Salad, to begin with, along with the Greek ("Choriatiki") Salad were both very tasty, with good quality crumbled feta cheese (always a key point with me), olives and vegetables. The best one though, and this in a souvlatzidiko (!), was the Rocket Salad, with parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy, honey-laced dressing. Gorgeous!

 

Bourekakia pastourma

After the salads came the appetizers. In a word: phenomenal. We had mini fried cheese balls, along with the green chilli-packed variety (SPICY BABY!), "flogeres" (="flutes") of crispy pastry with a carbonara-like filling of cheese & smoked pork, and last, but not least, bourekakia with pastrami. The spicy pastrami was nestled in soft layerings of pastry and covered in a crispy fyllo. Suffice it to say I hogged as many as I could from the hord around me (and then felt sick).

Mini fried cheese balls (Beautiful, melt-in-the-mouth center, with a hard, crispy outer shell)

                                        

Flogeres or Flutes

Classic Pork Souvlaki

Chicken wrapped in bacon

Alright, enough already with the side-dishes! Where's the meat you promised? Yes, well we tried a bit of everything really. Lamb kebab, pork and chicken souvlaki, juicy chicken wrapped in crispy bacon and grilled on skewers ("koto-bacon"), schnitzel, bifteki (hamburger) and my personal favourite: kleftiko (pork or chicken fillet pounded flat and then rolled up with layers of bacon, cheese, peppers and tomatoes, in that order, and held together by lamb intestine fat (don't squeam please! It's considered a delicacy) to keep it moist. The result? Divine!) All were particularly tasty and tender, as they should be. What's more, we found out all the souvlakia, biftekia, kebab and especially the gyros were hand-made on the premises, something I haven't found before in Athens. That would explain all the lean meat. You see, your average gyros is pretty poor quality pork or chicken, bashed about in a huge barrel for ages, while being shaken up with water, resulting in a plump, but fatty, mixture, which most people mistake for quality taste. No, this stuff was top-notch.

 

Pork Kleftiko

                                          So, what's the verdict? (Oh, come on, I think you know). I'd say with an almost gourmet selection of appetizers and salads, yet also good quality meats, which (let's face it) is really what you want from a grill-place, MAM-MAM goes much further than expected of any souvlatzidiko and ceratinly does not fail to impress. Bravo!

In a nutshell:

• Do you get your money's worth?: Yep. Average souvlaki-place prices. (ie around about 2euros for                                                          a gyros-,souvlaki-,kebab-,etc,-wrap, 7euros for a portion, blah                                                          blah blah.)
• Is it worth it?: Well, I'd say so. What's more, it's right next to the Aegaleo (Αιγάλεω) metro station                          which makes access super easy. 
• Will I go again?: Definitely! Duh! I still have half a menu to try! :) 

The menu (for your drooling pleasure)

Προβολή μεγαλύτερου χάρτη

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Posted in: Aigaleo,MAM MAM,Restaurant,Souvlaki,Street Food

Pasta H(e)aven / Ο Παράδεισος των Μακαρονάδων!

                              
(Για Ελληνικά, κυλήστε απαλά και όμορφα το ποντίκι κάτω! Κι άλλο! Πιο κάτω απ'το χάρτη!)
 
                                       One of my favourite places to head for for a good meal is La Pasteria. Although it is quite well-known to the pasta-loving Athenian, I still wanted to write my own piece on it, given I am not just a pasta-lover but a fanatic (and visit La Pasteria at least once every 2 weeks).

Located in Kolonaki, Glyfada, Kifisia, Ambelokipi, The Mall in Marousi, Athens Metro Mall and other places, La Pasteria is, as you might have guessed, a chain of restaurants. Although, that by no means makes all of them the same. For the best quality and service I

would definitely recommend Kifisia and Kolonaki. Kifisia has that Italian, comforting, rustic, home-y feel to it: red and white check tablecloths, flowers, comfortable wooden chairs and also offers out-door seating (with Kifisia's well-known canine companions underfoot), whereas the Kolonaki restaurant has all the cachet the area commands, and is thus much more "snooty" and formal (btw, all the photos here are from Kolonaki). That having been said, I pesonally prefer the one in Kolonaki since it has 3 storeys and a glass separator allowing you to see the chefs as they set the place on fire. You should at all costs, though, avoid the one in The Mall. Appalling service and the food upset our stomachs.

 On to the Food (yeay!)

 

Lasagne

           As a restaurant, of course, La Pasteria is famous for it's pasta dishes. My personal favourites are the Lasagne (the addition of fresh mushrooms makes it oh-so-mouthwateringly-perfect, see right), Penne Basilico e Mozzarella (a fresh tomato sauce with basil and melting cubes of mozzarella, see below), Pesto, Primavera (fresh vegetables and mushrooms doused in white wine, so amazing) and Testarossa (fresh tomato, prosciutto, parmesan and rocket). They do seem to have a lot of cream-based dishes (which I hate), but even I couldn't resist their Carbonara. The smokiness of the bacon infuses the light cream sauce in such a delicate way that you just can't say no.

Carbonara

Penne Con Pollo

Penne Basilico e Mozzarella

          

Ceasar Salad

Their greatness though extends far beyond pasta: great antipasti (try the aubergines filled with mozzarella and parmesan, grilled and gone to heaven on a bed of tomato sauce), their salads are amazing (definitely try the Cesar Salad Con Pollo, the best I've had so far) and so are their seafood and meat selections (Scaloppine Piccata, trust me).

Scaloppine Piccata

                                                                            
                                                                                And of course, where would a good Italian restaurant be without it's desserts? Favourites: Warm Brownies with Ice Cream (not very Italian admittedly) and Gelato. What makes the Gelato so special is the hot milk chocolate poured from a traditional little tin coffee pot, so that it freezes immediately on contact with the icecream making a delicious, thin chocolate coating. Like biting into an icecream filled chocolate. Amazing!

Gelato

                           
                   
                             So to sum up, even though La Pasteria isn't the only Italian place available in Athens and it is a little bit pricey, if you play it smart with their offers (see below) it is definitely worth the experience. P.S. If you take your girlfriend/fiancée, I can guarrantee she'll love it. Very romantic! After all, it's Italian. ;)



Special Offers

• Week Days: Student menu (you have to ask for it, they're quite sneaky about the whole thing): a pasta dish from a selection of 5 of their most famous ones + a salad or dessert + a beverage = 12euros

• All Days: Special 15 or 17euro menus (you'll find them stuck on the front of the normal menu) offering: salad + pasta dish (from a selection of 3, different to the student menu selection) + dessert (gelato or pannacotta, I think) + an espresso for after dinner.

 
In a nutshell

• Do you get your money's worth?: Yes, I'd say so. Expect a bill of 15-20euros per person. Though if you take advantage of the special offers you can get away with a lot less.

• Is it worth it?: Definitely. If you like Italian cuisine, go for it.

• Will I go again?: I think we've established I go there quite a lot. :)

 

(For more information, visit their website http://www.lapasteria.gr/)

Προβολή La Pasteria (Kolonaki) σε χάρτη μεγαλύτερου μεγέθους

                                         

                          Ένα από τα πραγματικά στέκια μου (με την έννοια ότι προσπαθώ να το επισκέπτομαι τουλάχιστον μία ή δύο φορές το μήνα) είναι το Λα Παστερία. Μπορεί να’ναι γνωστό στους Αθηναίους λάτρεις της μακαρονάδας, αλλά ήθελα να γράψω κι εγώ ένα άρθρο γι’αυτό δεδομένου ότι είμαι όχι απλά φαν, αλλά τρελή για δέσιμο αναφορικά με τα μακαρόνια!

  

Τα Λα Παστερία είναι αλυσίδα, για όσους δεν το ξέρουν, με μαγαζιά σε Κολωνάκι, Γλυφάδα, Κηφισιά, Αμπελοκήπους, «The Mall» στο Μαρούσι, «Athens Metro Mall» στον Άγιο Ιωάννη, αλλά και αλλού. Παρότι είναι αλυσίδα, ωστόσο, δε σημαίνει ότι όλα τα καταστήματα είναι το ίδιο. Για την καλύτερη εξυπηρέτηση και ποιότητα προτείνω της Κηφισιάς και του Κολωνακίου. Στην Κηφισιά έχει αυτή τη σπιτική Ιταλική αίσθηση, με τα καρό κόκκινα και λευκά τραπεζομάντηλα, πολύ ξύλο, και μπορείς να κάτσεις και έξω όταν έχει καλό καιρό (παρέα με τα γλυκούλικα σκυλάκια της περιοχής), ενώ στο Κολωνάκι, όπως θα περίμενε κανείς, είναι πολύ πιο «κυριλέ» η κατάσταση και πιο επίσημο το μέρος (οι φωτογραφίες εδώ, παρεμπιπτόντως, είναι όλες από Κολωνάκι). Παρ’όλ’αυτά, προσωπικά προτιμώ το μαγαζί στο Κολωνάκι, εξαιτίας του γυάλινου διαχωριστικού που επιτρέπει να βλέπεις τους σεφ καθώς κάνουν τα… «μαγικά» τους! Πάντως, δε θα πρότεινα αυτό στο Mall… Μας απογοήτευσε τόσο η ποιότητα όσο και το σέρβις πολλαπλές φορές.

Το Φαϊ!

Λαζάνια

Φυσικά, τα La Pasteria φημίζονται για τις μακαρονάδες τους. Τα αγαπημένα μου είναι πολλά, αλλά θα αρκεστώ εδώ στα Λαζάνια (βάζουν και φρέσκα μανιτάρια, το κάνει πρωτότυπο και απίστευτα γευστικό), Penne Basilico e Mozzarella (το παίρνω σχεδόν κάθε φορά, πένες με σάλτσα φρέσκιας ντομάτας, βασιλικό και κυβάκια φρέσκιας μοτσαρέλας που λιώνουν αργά μες στη σάλτσα καθώς

τρως.. Μούρλια!), Pesto (δες και αυτό), Primavera (φρέσκα λαχανικά και μανιτάρια με λευκό κρασί, πολύ καλό) και Testarossa (φρέσκια ντομάτα, προσούτο, παρμεζάνα και ρόκα). Έχουν, επίσης, πολλές σάλτσες με βάση την κρέμα, που εμένα δε μ’αρέσει, αλλά ακόμα κι εγώ δεν μπόρεσα να αντισταθώ στην Καρμπονάρα τους! Η ελαφριά σάλτσα αρωματίζεται από καπνιστό μπέικον με τόσο αισθησιακό τρόπο που είναι αδύνατο να πεις όχι.

Καρμπονάρα

Πένες με κοτόπουλο

 

Penne Basilico e Mozzarella

Ceasar Salad

Δεν έχουν, όμως, μόνο καλές μακαρονάδες. Έχουν πολλά περισσότερα: φοβερά ορεκτικά ή αλλιώς antipasti (το πιο απίθανο ήταν οι μελιτζάνες γεμιστές με μοτσαρέλα και παρμεζάνα ψημένες στο γκριλ

με κόκκινη σάλτσα, δοκιμάστε το αν το βρείτε, δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο το προσφέρουν αυτές τις μέρες. Αλλιώς, μανιτάρια με σκόρδο και λάδι, μμμμμ…), σαλάτες, απ’τις καλύτερες που έχω φάει ποτέ (πάρτε οπωσδήποτε τη Cesar Salad Con Pollo), αλλά και πιάτα κρεατικών και θαλασσινών (προτείνω ανεπιφύλαχτα το Scaloppine Piccata). Και φυσικά, ποιο καλό ιταλικό εστιατόριο δεν προσφέρει πίτσα; Μάλιστα η συγκεκριμένη με την παραδοσιακή λεπτή ιταλική ζύμη.

 

Scaloppine Piccata

Τέλος, έχουν και καλά γλυκά! Ώ ναι! Αγαπημένα; Ζεστά Brownies με παγωτό (εντάξει, ίσως όχι και τόσο αυθεντικά ιταλικό) και Gelato. Όταν παραγγέλνεις gelato σου φέρνουν και ένα μικρό τενεκεδάκι με καυτή σάλτσα σοκολάτας, την οποία χύνεις πάνω στο παγωτό και παγώνει άμεσα, κάνοντας μία λαχταριστή σοκολατένια κρούστα στο παγωτό σου. Σαν μία τέλεια σοκολάτα με γέμιση παγωτό βανίλια!

Gelato

 

Συνοψίζοντας, παρ’όλο που το Λα Παστερία δεν είναι το μόνο ιταλικό στην Αθήνα και είναι και λίγο τσιμπημένο, αν φερθείς έξυπνα και εκμεταλλευτείς τις προσφορές (δες παρακάτω) αξίζει σίγουρα. Υ.Γ. Σαν ιταλικό, είναι και πολύ ρομαντικό, αν πάτε την κοπέλα/αρραβωνιαστικιά σας σίγουρα θα το λατρέψει! ;)

Ειδικές Προσφορές

• Καθημερινές: Φοιτητικά μενού (πρέπει να το ζητήσετε όμως, είναι αρκετά πανούργοι και δεν το προσφέρουν από μόνοι τους ποτέ!): μία μακαρονάδα της επιλογής σας από 5 από τις πιο διάσημές τους + μία σαλάτα ή γλυκό + ένα αναψυκτικό = 12 ευρώ (θα πάει όμως και λίγο παραπάνω με το κουβέρ)

•   Όλη τη βδομάδα: Ειδικά μενού των 12, 15 ή 17 ευρώ (είναι συνήθως κολλημένο σε ξεχωριστό μενού πάνω στο κανονικό): σαλάτα + μακαρονάδα (επιλογή από 3, διαφορετικές όμως από του φοιτητικού μενού) + επιδόρπιο (επιλογή από 2) + ένα εσπρέσο (αλά ιταλικά!) για μετά το φαγητό.

Συνοπτικά

• Τα αξίζει τα Λεφτά του; Προσωπικά, έτσι πιστεύω. Να περιμένετε λογαριασμό στα 15-20 ευρώ το άτομο. Αν εκμεταλλευτείτε, ωστόσο, τις προσφορές θα σας έρθει πολύ φτηνότερα.

• Αξίζει να πάει κανείς; Σίγουρα. Αν σ’αρέσει το ιταλικό φαγητό, όρμα!

• Θα ξαναπήγαινα; Πιστεύω ξεκαθάρισα ήδη ότι πάω αρκετά συχνά..! :)

 (Για ακριβή τοποθεσία στο χάρτη για Κολωνάκι δείτε πιο πάνω! Για παραπάνω πληροφορίες δείτε και την ιστοσελίδα τους: http://www.lapasteria.gr/)

                              

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Posted in: Italian,Kolonaki,La Pasteria,Restaurant