Greek Cuisine

Minimal seasoning, fresh food and original flavour. That is essentially the characteristic of Greek cuisine. Grilled to order seafood and meat, casseroles and mayirefta (oven-baked dish) are widely served in most of the Greek restaurants. In the usual fashion of Bob’s World, here is my take of Greek cuisine:-

Naousa Tavern

Naousa is located at Fira Town, Santorini. Whilst I disagree with Greece Lonely Planet (March 2006 Publication) comment that the food are reasonably priced, I do agree that the restaurant serve excellent food.

In every Greek meal, you will be served with bread together with butter/ virgin oil/ vinegar, which is a little bland if you ask me. I’ve decided to improvise by ordering baked feta cheese with salad to start my meal with the bread. Feta cheese is the national cheese of Greece. Feta cheeses are made from sheep’s and/or goat’s milk and most of this cheese comes from mountain area.

For the main course, I would recommend the lamb in lemon sauce. I think it’s casserole (looks like it, taste like it) with strong fresh lemon juice squeeze into the lamb. I think the meat was cooked over long hours and slow fire, which gives the lamb a tender characteristic. It goes really well with herb rice.

Otherwise, I would recommend alternative Greek specialties, mousaka, oven-baked beef with artichokes and aubergines dish which are prepared early in the day and left to cool to enhance the flavour.

Nikolas

On a budget? Not to worry. Nikolas serves good food and at a very reasonable price. The restaurant is located at Fira town, Santorini. However, do not expect to be given a menu, because there is none to start with. Just ask the waiter for some of the recommendation.

If you are too shy to ask, the I would recommend the beef stew with onions.

Or you could go for the grilled calamari with lemon sauce.

The portions are fairly small, so you might want to order some bread to go with your meal.

Palia Taverna tou Psara

Moving over to Athens, I would recommend you to go to Palia Taverna tou Psara, located at the slope of Plaka. Prices, however, are on the high side with an average of €25 per person. But you can have a nice candle light dinner outside the restaurant while enjoying the breezy atmosphere.

To start your meal, order some bread and ask for tzatziki (made of yoghurt with cucumbers, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. It tastes really good with a little spicy blend (due to the garlic) and sour taste to open your appetite.

Another recommended starter is the aubergine croquettes.

Grilled seafood is one of the maid cuisine in Greece. I would recommend you to go for the grilled octopus. Grilled over a barbeque stove with only salt, the dish offer fresh and original flavour of the octopus. Squeeze some lemon onto the dish just to give a little sweet and sour taste.

Kay had the grilled squid with cheese. Cheese is stuffed into the squid and is grilled over the barbeque stove with salt. Watch the melted cheese flows out as you cut the squid. Goes well with lemon as well.

Thanasis

One of the few great souvlaki (meat on skewers just like kebab) can be found at Thanasis at Monastiraki (near the entrance to the lower level of Acropolis, where the agora is located). The take-away price cost €1.70 and there are scores of tourist queuing for it. To dine in might cost you around €7 but you will be offered a huge plate of meat with pita bread, grilled tomatoes and onions.