DF is in the Big Apple this week and we coudn't have had a finer lunch than the one we enjoyed yesterday at Anthos (bloom, in Greek) restaurant, located in the heart of midtown Manhatttan.
Michael Psilakis, a self taught Greek American chef, is definitely doing something special here. We chose the $28 pre-fixe menu and were thouroghly impressed. Our main course lamb burger was off the charts yummy. Ordered medium and served with a spicy pepper feta cheese spread (htipiti) and crisped potatoes, it alone was worth the trip. Also, don't miss the signature Metaxa cocktails. The Symposia ($14) was a treat-- made with pomegranate juice, Metaxa, lemoncello, simple syrup and lemon juice.
DF: We had the opportunity to meet Mr. Psilakis and found him just delightful (a DF fan as well!). The room was packed, the food was great and at one point we looked over and found ourselves sitting next to Katie Curic (US TV personality). Great place. We'll be back.
$$$$
36 West 52nd Street; (212) 582-6900
NYC
www.anthosnyc.com
posted on Tuesday, November 13
DailyFrappe discovered not one, but two great places to indulge in a nice frappe (great Greek food as well) on a recent visit to Hollywood --Holywood, Florida that is.
Taverna Yiamas, which opened up in July in the downtown Hollywood strip is a sharp Greek restaurant with a great menu (Finally a Greek xoriatiki/village salad with no lettuce) and a large wine menu. We came and ate at the establishment on two occasions and sampled many different dishes. A 10 for taste, a 10 on aesthetics and atmosphere and a 10 for hospitality.
Down the street is the Universe Cafe, a nice casual eating establishment with a huge outdoor seating area, and again a great delicious menu. (Frappe is served here as well.) Be sure to try their Pesto Panini Sandwich.
Check out both sites and if you stop by and make sure to tell the owners DF sent you. If you eat at Taverna Yiamas, make sure to print the coupon on their website.
Universe Cafe
Taverna Yiamas
posted on Thursday, October 11
Burgers with a Greek twist. Eggplants like you have never had them before, and a unique way to have Greek yogurt as desert. These were some of the highlights on the recent appearance of Jim Botsacos on the Today Show on NBC. Click on the video to see more snipits of the show. (You will end the video feeling hungry.)
DF: Jim Botsacos is the executive chef of Molyvos in New York, New York and the author of "The New Greek Cuisine," which has 150 of his best recipes in print.
msnbc
video
posted on Tuesday, September 4
Move over oranges and olives, kiwis are becoming a very common sight in Greek orchards, and have placed Greece in fifth place in the world for their production of the fruit. Cultivation of kiwi began in Greece about 25 years ago, mostly in the western parts of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) and the western Peloponnisos area, but have gained momentum in the past 10 years as farmers have realized their commercial value.
Growing kiwis in Greece is not easy however, needing constant care and a lot of water. (Which we know can be scarce in Greece during the summer months.) Many days of a strong dry wind can devastate the crop. At the same time however, the warm heat often keeps diseases and pests away from the fruit ( a problem in so many other parts of the world), which can benefit growers.
DF: More on the fruits' cultivation below.
Athens News
posted on Friday, August 17
All politics aside, the culinary simarities between Turkey and Greece are immense. So it's not surprising to hear that Greek living in Istanbul and a Turk living in Izmir decided to make something out of their shared love of food.. The duo have opened up a restaurant/winery in the heart of Beyoglu (on the European side of the city) called Ada, and other than their house wine that they make; they feature Tsantalis Greek wine as well.
Tsantalis is one of the oldest and biggest Greek wine makers based in northern Greece producing wine varieties from all over the country. The Greek wine label is well established in Europe but has very little presence in Turkey - they are hoping this will begin to change.
Ada offers an array of food including mezedes, many meat dishes and a great selection of seafood: which is shipped in from Izmir. Also, the restaurant offers frappe; a very new drink for the Turks. (Two thumbs up guys!)
DF: Fun fact - the Beyoglu district was once home to a thriving Greek community. Very little of it remains today but a winery run by the Greek family Papadopoulos, has been operating since 1898 in the district. Full review after the jump.
Turkish Daily News
posted on Tuesday, July 24
Want to try something uniquely different during your next trip to Athens? A hidden gem in the Peristeri neighborhood, not only takes your dining experience to a whole new level - but to a place far away in the Carribean.
Enzzo De Cuba - a chie, Cuban/Latin themed restaurant in a beautiful building - offers a great getaway from the typical Greek dining scene. With an amazing indoor patio, and a delicious array of Cuban dishes and drinks (mojitos anyone?); its no wonder that this place is constantly filled with tourists and Athenians alike.
Enzzo De Cuba is located at 70 Ag Paraskevis Street, Peristeri
EnzzoDeCuba/
Hellas: The Best Bars/Restaurants
posted on Tuesday, June 19
Want a good Friday laugh? Below, a commercial from our friends in Canada.
A presentation of Greek wines was held in Montreal, Canada, on Tuesday, attended by sommeliers, journalists and wine tasters, organised by major Greek wine producers. The event, organised by the "Greek Wines" organization and the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board, HEPO, was aimed at presenting the new wine production to the Canadian consumers and dispelling the myth of cheap Greek "retsina" wine. On Thursday there was also a presentation in Toronto at the Park Hyatt.
The traveling wine presentation will also take place in California and New York in the United States with the intent of becoming an annual event for the promotion of quality Greek wine.
DF: Greek wines are hot now. Can Greece take advantage of the moment?
Hepo
posted on Friday, April 20
Although it seems that less and less people in Greece are following what would naturally be a very healthy diet(thank you to all the fast food corporate chains that are changing the eating habits of the Greeks) a recent research study conducted by the; UK's National Heart and Lung Institute, the University of Crete, Venezelio General Hospital, in Crete, and the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, in Barcelonal concluded that eating a Mediterranean diet could help protect children from respiratory allergies and asthma,
700 children from the island of Crete had their diets assesed and researchers figure that a diet full of fruits and vegetables were protected against both allergies and asthma.
The research found 80% of the Cretan children ate fresh fruit, and over two-thirds of them fresh vegetables, at least twice a day. (How many of you do that on a daily basis?) This high intake of fruits and vegetables help increae Vitamin C and E levels as well as antixodents.
posted on Friday, April 6
When visiting the tourist mecca Bali, Indonesia; you wouldn't expect to run into a Greek restaurant. But for the past several years Pantarei (or 'Everything flows' English
) has been operating in the Seminya area of Bali, offering the only Greek food in the area. As the years passed, other dining establishments sprung due to increasing tourist demand, and Pantarei fell to the way side a little bit.
On January 1,the duo of Christos Liokouras and new partner Adonis Mantaras, took over the establishment and completely revamped it; reviving the establishment and giving it a true Greek feel. (In the middle of Indonesia!) The owners say the restaurant offers a tasteful array of Greek dishes, in a very ambiant setting. ( A mix of Greek in a tropical setting.)
DF: This is a must if you are visiting Bali. Pantarei even offers free "welcome drinks" when you go to the restaurant. Now that is Greek hospitality!
Check out their website below.
posted on Monday, April 2
