An exotic little corner in Zografou

A great cafe to head for in Zografou is unarguably Philleas Fogg. As a place it seems to cater for all interests and weathers: it's great in the summer, absolutely awesome in the winter & I guess I'm not the only one who recognises that fact, since it's almost always full.

What makes this one of my favourite spots is it's unique atmosphere. Outside is a mixture of cushioned sofas, glass doors, bamboo chairs, intricate black metal tables and lush-leaved trees. The surrounding tall bushes give it a secluded feel, ideal for when you just need a nice cool getaway from the Athens summer heat. (Admittedly, it'd be even nicer if they had fans, but hey). The inside, in my opinion, however is even better, though designed more for winter use, since it gets rather stuffy in summer. The walls and floors are absolutely covered in all these weird and wonderful little exotic finds, from plush Indian cushions & red wooden rocking-horses, to wok-shaped bar lights, glittering chandeliers and portraits of dogs in tuxedoes(!). Even some of the furniture is antique in a way that makes you want to smack someone just for trying to sit there. As decor goes, it really does seem to take you round the world, as the name would imply.

Now, if you do decide to visit Phileas, definitely try some of their loose tea. Even if the choice is a little limited compared to other places I have in mind ("A Happy Playce") what flavours they do have are truly amazing. My personal favourites are -"Vissinokipos" (vee-ssee-NO-kee-poss), meaning "Cherry garden", ie green tea with black cherry and red cherry, and -"Rococo Tea", a mixture of green and black tea with rich undertones of caramel and pineapple. Also give the "Mayan Treasure" a try, it's a black tea with whole pieces of dark, unmelting chocolate. It might not be as awe-inspiring for tea-lovers as the former two, but it still has quite a stand-out-ish aroma.

As a place, they do offer other treats too, such as apple pie, icecream, a selection of sandwiches, but in truth, it's their tea, and sometimes coffee, that draws me there apart from the atmosphere.

Now, another very odd and interesting thing about this cafe (and I'm sorry to bring it up, but it definitely deserved to be mentioned) is... their bathrooms! For lack of a better word they are totally kaleidoscopic! The walls, floor and ceiling are covered in tiny square white, black, copper- and gold-coloured tiles, in overlapping patterns, so that just walking in makes you dizzy! I would have loooved to take some pics, but simply imagine someone walking in on me: "Oh...I was just...um...photographing...the loo?" Decidedly too weird to contemplate. What peeves me off though is that their gold-plated mirrors presume one is at least 5 foot 7 (1,70m) or something, as opposed to my 5 foot..um..close to nothing.

Anyway, if you're in the area, whatever age you are, you should definitely give this place a try. There aren't that many exotic spots in Zografou, but this is one of them.

In a nutshell:

• Do you get your money's worth?: Yep. Average prices for a coffee shop in Athens.
• Is it worth it?: As I said, it's definitely worth trying for anyone in the area. Especially at night. (They have twinkly lights too, yeay!)
• Will I go again?: Given I've just sung it's praise and it's relatively near me, yes, I in all probability will.

See Phileas Fogg on a larger map

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Posted in: bar,Cafe,Phileas Fogg,Zografou

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