tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-175383962012-01-27T22:11:34.418+02:00Weblog of <a href="http://www.mesogeia.net/index_en.html">The Gate to Greece</a>. Mainly about Athens and Piraeus because I live here and especially about food because I love it.mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.comBlogger4901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-19271551844537516922012-01-26T19:50:00.011+02:002012-01-27T22:11:34.422+02:00

This is one of the restaurants I have wanted to go for years and last weekend finally I found an occasion to pay a visit.Serkos kai ta Tessera Asteria (Serkos and the Four Stars).What first caused my desire was that it calls itself an Armenian restaurant. I am very curious about the cuisine of unknown countries. But then I learnt that the Armenian cuisine - at least the one that served in Greece

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-87260699613377538302012-01-22T18:35:00.001+02:002012-01-22T18:35:37.576+02:00

Yesterday at Grigoris near Piraeus Dimotiko Theatro. Currently Grigoris is offering coffee for 1.30 euro. As consequence 2 cappuccino and a special croissant in the photo cost me less than 5 Euro.Drinking it, we said to each other that in a cafeteria next door just one cappuccino cost as much and the coffee is not as good (Grigoris makes good coffee in general).

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-77400256644326690682012-01-19T22:05:00.012+02:002012-01-19T23:10:39.730+02:00

It was cold last weekend and the weather wasn't good either. We had a plan to go to Kessariani Hill Sunday, but we gave up the idea and we just went to a taverna in Kaissariani called Vourliotina.It is a small family-run taverna of 'politiki cuisine', not in Kaissariani Hill, but in walking distance from Hilton or Divani Caravel Hotel. I read very good reviews on web and decided to try.It was

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-61852219037876887252012-01-15T22:07:00.002+02:002012-01-15T22:13:00.148+02:00

We found a bottle of Psiles Korfes (Ψηλές κορφές) in a larger Sklavenitis Supermarket.It is one of the famous wines from the island of Samos in the East Aegean. I have noticed that many of the Samian wines have muscat taste (it is probably because it is the main variety of the vine on the island) and this one is not an exception.If you like muscat flavour, do try it.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-24528416866283322062012-01-15T11:38:00.006+02:002012-01-15T12:11:50.223+02:00

We went to Korydallos for the first time.No, it was not to visit someone who is in the famous Korydallos prison, but to see restaurants which is my hobby (and, yes, "restaurant watching" is my hobby, although my GH does not understand me).I actually wanted to eat at Edem http://www.edem.com.gr/, but it was hired for a private function (I guessed it was a baptism party) and we had to look for

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-77519166756524661902012-01-08T10:41:00.010+02:002012-01-08T12:44:41.240+02:00

Greece is in 3 day vacation (Epiphany, Saturday & Sunday) & people are enjoying the last segment of the Christmas-New Year holiday season.Unfortunately, the weather is not good (except for those who went for skiing) and we gave up an idea of travelling.Just not to be closed in the apartment, we went to Glyfada for a walk. It was cold and suddenly I started to crave for fast food, like a burger. I

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-3560567846625449042012-01-06T11:15:00.001+02:002012-01-06T11:15:25.157+02:00

It was announced that the national archaeological site and museums shall be remain closed for these 3 day holidays. As most of them are closed on Mondays anyway, the workers will enjoy 4 day vacation. It is because the state & the workers have not decided what to do for the holiday payment.Why could not the State put it in the contract, for if it employs people for the museum, it knows from the

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-9855827872940839852011-12-31T20:56:00.009+02:002012-01-02T10:36:37.217+02:00

In 3 hours we are getting out of 2011 and entering 2012. How was your 2011? Mine was OK, but in general it was a bad one for Greece and 2012 cannot be better although I heartily hope so. Let's try to survive as best as we can, shall we?So, we went for the last minute shopping to the central Piraeus. And after some walking and browsing, GH said he had to use toilets. So I took him to this

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-61865834156666443092011-12-30T14:41:00.005+02:002011-12-30T15:02:01.029+02:00

Visited the cafeteria of Public (if you do not live in Athens or else, Public is a chain of shops that sells computers, mobiles, CDs, books etc) in Piraeus. It has a view toward Passalimani, especially from the tables on the terrace, but it was too chilly for that on the day.The shop & cafeteria were very busy due to the Christmas shoppers. In this current economic climet, you feel releaved to

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-88708085775839229132011-12-29T14:11:00.004+02:002011-12-29T14:27:08.041+02:00

Random photos of Boxing Day Athens.Down the Iraklidon Street.Here was still quiet, but getting to the center (i.e. toward Apostolou Pavlou Street), we saw more & more people.Sparrows.For some reason, there were many sparrows sitting on the chairs of cafeteria Syn Athina. Can you see them?And Acropolis.I wondered why there was nobody in Acropolis (it was still around 2 in the afternoon) & the day

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-65711808504787008852011-12-27T22:59:00.009+02:002011-12-27T23:35:10.664+02:00

On 26 December, we went to Athens just see how the town is over the Christmas.Although our stomachs were somehow damaged by over-eating on Christmas Even & Christmas, we needed to eat something as the day was very cold. So we stopped at a grill in Psyrri for a souvlaki or something.The restaurant is called Odos Aischylou and located, true to its name, on the Aischyloy street, very close to the

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-53021148753401013942011-12-18T00:28:00.020+02:002011-12-18T10:49:21.511+02:00

Day 4, the last day in Crete.Breakfast we tried at Savoidakis (Savodor), apparently a popular fast food chain in Crete (it is a bakery + patisserie, but sells also the things we find at Gregoris or Everest) near the sea.Surprisingly there was little choice in sweet pies and we got a cream bougatsa to share (was huge).It was not bad, but not good either. Sort of bougatsa you can get from any

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-52763114166857294602011-12-17T08:25:00.011+02:002011-12-17T10:55:18.359+02:00

Before starting describing Day 3, some words about our hotel in Rethymnon, Pepi Studios.http://www.pepistudios.gr/We paid a bit less than 35 Euro for a twin room (no breakfast). It was a big room with a small balcony.BedBathroomKitchenetteCourtyard with a pond like pool.It was more like "domatia" (room letting) in the sense that there was not much of service. Things might be different in

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-70922257147375810162011-12-16T22:02:00.007+02:002011-12-17T19:50:24.466+02:00

Our 2nd day in Crete started late.We were woke up by the hotel maid at ... 12!We changed clothes and packed everything quickly. After having loaded luggage in the car, we went to look for late breakfast. We sat down at a crepe shop in front of Morosini Fountain.Melba Salt & SugarPlateia El. Venizelou 9 & LiontariaTel. 2810 341900Crepe was slightly too thick, but inexpensive and tasty.Then we went

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-32871341370089005442011-12-13T22:25:00.006+02:002011-12-13T23:30:06.558+02:00

Last weekend Hubby and I went for an out-of-the-season trip to Crete. Not because we are such eccentric people, but because one of his cousins was getting married in Heraklio. How to go there? First we thought of airplane, but in the event we discovered that the ferries were more convenient. To go to & return from Heraklio/Piraeus, the boats depart half past 9 or 10 in the evening and arrive at 6

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-57250853012825354792011-12-04T13:37:00.002+02:002011-12-10T11:11:41.327+02:00

I am in Heraklio, Crete for a marriage ceremony. We left the party at 3:45 and arrived at hotel at 4:15. By consequence we walk up at 12 & now we are having breakfast at a Creperie called Melba. Very nice filling crepe. In the photo is Morosini Fountain and bougatsa shops Filllo...sofies and Kirkor.Post scriptumThis year we did not enter these two cafeterias, but we did last year when we visited

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-33193903935005247472011-11-27T09:31:00.006+02:002011-11-27T09:53:09.298+02:00

This happened in October 2011.It was one Saturday afternoon that we visited Filema Mezedopoleio between Syntagma and Athinas street. I don't know how this area is called; there are lots of whole sale type shops selling shoes, jewellery parts, etc.Filema is tucked in a narrow street called Romvis where there are other two restaurants and two cafeterias. The souvlaki shop in the same street is also

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-44790762733406799562011-11-25T22:35:00.006+02:002011-11-25T23:51:49.445+02:00

Visited Italian restaurant Alberobello in Alimos on a weekday.Of course I was not expecting the place to be busy (if anyone has not noticed yet, Athens is in a deep crisis), but I placed a reservation all the same, because with a reservation, there is a better chance of getting better service.But I did not expected it to be so empty.No one here.No one there.It was about eight o'clock & until the

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-11699181955289477752011-11-20T23:21:00.004+02:002011-11-20T23:42:54.934+02:00

Went for a coffee in Kolonaki today. It wasn't cold and could take a walk in the sun. That would have been better if we could find a place in the sun, but we ended up in this shadowy cafeteria in Tsakalof street instead, because I wanted to eat something sweet. It is mainly a creperie which sells also waffles. We ordered a freddo cappuccino, a filter coffee and a crepe with orange marmalade and

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-70273044016065031512011-11-13T07:35:00.010+02:002011-11-13T18:49:36.220+02:00

Last weekend we went to Arcadia for an overnight trip to celebrate my birthday.We ate only twice in two days. It was not a result of perikopes & litotita. We usually have decent meal only once while we travel, because we eat lunch so late that we don't get hungry in the evening.On 6 Nov evening, we ate at Elliniko as our pension was in this village as I wrote in the previous post.According to our

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-30774450513728864942011-11-06T22:00:00.003+02:002011-11-27T09:54:36.333+02:00

Two days trip to Dimitsana area. We are staying at this ξενώνας (pension). http://www.innelaion.gr/

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-68830730777487456532011-10-29T00:24:00.003+03:002011-10-29T08:44:00.154+03:00

I heard that there was this mezedopoleio in Piraeus which was really nice and this week I finally had a chance to try it.It looks nice and cozy from outside.Interior is modern retro-style which is in fashion. There were some old pictures of Piraeus on the wall.On seating, we were offered a small bottle of tsipouro, red pepper filled with cheese mousse, and bread.The menu read interesting with

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-68762157573478506202011-10-27T22:20:00.010+03:002011-10-28T10:40:44.757+03:00

Last weekend, we visited a Turkish restaurant in Faliro, on Zisimopoulou street. It is called Aladdin.The name and the decoration is a bit 'Arabic', but I don't think it is no more than Turkish. The menu items are in Turkish and dishes are what we find in Turkey.When we arrived Sunday afternoon at around 2, the restaurant was full (the photo above was shot toward the corner where there was not

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-59845484895216224902011-10-25T22:29:00.005+03:002011-10-25T23:51:16.293+03:00

The Athenians' life has been much disturbed by intermittent strikes of public transports and I had to walk many kilometers to walk home from work (not that walked all along, but about 6 km a time).During one of these walks, I found this Turkish named place in Piraeus. It is called Izmirli Aile.According to Google Translate Aile means family, so it is probably Izmir's family.It says it has been

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-43343857214368986252011-10-21T21:21:00.004+03:002011-10-21T21:53:50.523+03:00

About two weeks ago, Hubby & I visited a new place on Filellinon Street called New.I had an impression it was a cafeteria, but I was wrong. It was actually a restaurant/bar attached to a new hotel called, again, New. If you are an Athenian, you might understand if I say that it used to be Olympic Palace Hotel.However, being a hotel lounge, there are also a few tables for coffee only customers. So

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-22140293952129169842011-10-21T21:16:00.001+03:002011-10-21T21:20:51.301+03:00

I am trying to set up mobile blogging, this time with photo.++++OK. It was half a success. Half of the text was cut off. Evidently I should not have written below the photo. Anyway, the above photo was taken at Kitchen Bar in Alimos. The menu smelled of human hand fat. I think it is unacceptable for a restaurant that charges 15 Euro for a dish.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-91132958057564322672011-10-21T21:09:00.001+03:002011-10-21T21:09:49.939+03:00

posting test

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-56974055041416603282011-10-15T09:07:00.004+03:002011-10-20T22:24:54.517+03:00

After more than a year, we went back to Peccati di Gola.Glyfada is not particularly close to Piraeus, but we like it because 1) easy to park, 2) we can combine a walk and food, 3) there is a decent range of choice of restaurants.Now that I work in Alimos and not any more in Kolonaki, probably we will find ourselves in Glyfada in Friday evenings more often than ever.We visited this restaurant in

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-1237201831917687712011-10-13T22:47:00.005+03:002011-10-15T10:13:46.230+03:00

In Athens we are in the middle of 48 hour strike of the public transport.Tomorrow there won't be even taxi.There is no one collect garbage, because, alledgedly, the dumping site is under occupation. At some points, the roads are completely closed by the garbage and there is no space to walk.Archaeological sites and museums are closed for 2 days, because the guards are on strike. Next week the tax

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-25001820054277963922011-10-10T22:22:00.005+03:002011-10-10T22:52:15.170+03:00

This happened two weekends ago.On the way to Bassae (Vassai) we stopped at Megalopoli for a rest. We looked for a good place for pies and I saw this at the central square of Megalopoli."Traditional Galaktoboureko of Megalopoli".And I send to Hubby, "Honey, I think I should try this". He agreed only reluctantly, because he was looking for cheese pie and this was a sign of zacharoplasteio (

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-54487731430763560682011-10-09T14:26:00.008+03:002011-10-09T15:51:22.943+03:00

We went for a trip to Pelion this summer. I have roughly finished the Pelion section of Gate to Greece. I still need to enrich the text parts, but skeleton is there. So I start writing about the food we had during the trip just for my record.The first food we had during the vacation was at a drive-in located somewhere near Lamia. The Drive-Inn was called Pasiakos Oasis. I have a vague memory that

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-29274879352638962672011-10-08T19:07:00.001+03:002011-10-08T19:07:00.918+03:00

After the nightmare meal at Olympia, I really needed to eat well at least once during the trip. So, although we were not so hungry, I insisted we should try one more place which I found my last trip to Patras.It is a mezedopoleio (restaurant with meze dishes) near the Roman Odeion of Patras.The Neo-Classic building behind trees is the place and the tables were arranged in the park in front (I saw

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-68978482854030896542011-10-07T22:22:00.005+03:002011-10-07T22:36:15.379+03:00

A new cafeteria in Thissio.It is on Apostolou Pavlou Street, just next to another relatively new, but already well-established Chocolat.As the name suggests, it has a very good view of Acropolis, especially from the terrace.Everything relatively pricy, but average in this part of Athens. I had a citrus panna cotta, which was not bad, even though was too sweet to my liking.Little bit of extra

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-70878223991677026972011-10-07T21:18:00.006+03:002011-10-07T22:15:38.346+03:00

The Day 2 of our Olympia trip.We visited the museum & archaeological site of Olympia and then the museum of the history of ancient Olympic Games. This last is little known and only few tourists visit it, but I strongly recommend it to anyone who has a bit of extra time in Olympia. It explains very well (with exhibits and with explanations in four languages) the ancient Olympic games and the

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-84362785685483516002011-10-06T20:36:00.008+03:002011-10-29T08:49:20.243+03:00

At the last weekend of September, we went for a drive for Olympia.About the historical sites and monuments, I will write at Gate to Greece and here I write only about a bad meal we had at Olympia.********We arrived at Olympia at the dinner time. As we did not have real lunch, we needed to find a place to eat quickly. So I decided to go to this taverna Aigaio/Aegean which was recommended by a

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-73191557917416828402011-09-18T11:32:00.007+03:002011-09-19T21:08:34.040+03:00

Last Saturday, we went to Metro Mall in Agios Dimitrios.It is a big shopping center opened this year by the Agios Dimitrios Metro Station. It includes many shops, cinema, food court, restaurants and cafeterias. We went for a coffee.The best thing about this mall is the view.At La Pasteria, Flocafe, and Scoop there are tables with view. There are also tables outside, but when we went it was too

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-90166820001976229712011-09-11T11:26:00.004+03:002011-09-11T13:01:18.848+03:00

Friday after-work drive to Glyfada.Gyufada is not special, but it is very easy to find place to park and there is a plenty of space to take a walk. These factors make Glyfada a convenient place to stop before going home.Hubby not being very hungry, we decided to have a hamburger and a salad. The obvious choice would have been Hard Rock Cafe, but this time we wanted to try somewhere new.That was

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-42470116698060147832011-08-28T18:32:00.004+03:002011-08-28T18:50:19.952+03:00

From 1 September, the VAT on the food at restaurants and bought from the take away shops will be up from 13% to 23%. Accordingly the restaurants should (& are entitled to) increase the price tag by 10%, although not all can afford to do so considering the current economic climate. Nevertheless, many people would refain from eating outside at least for a month or 2 until they forget that the tax

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-30556521558361773512011-08-20T10:40:00.000+03:002011-08-20T10:47:51.503+03:00

On Saturday evening, we dropped in at La Pasteria in Glyfada. La Pasteria is a very successful franchise brand of Italian restaurants. I don't usually do big franchises, because the food tend to be imparsonal, but on this occasion I thought it would be nice to find out what was the reason of success. When we sat down, we were asked if we wanted water and bread basket. It is good that you can

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-86780254596401867422011-08-20T10:20:00.001+03:002011-08-20T10:22:31.802+03:00

From FRUIT PUNCH to FRUIT ΠΑΝΤΣ to FRUIT PANTS!

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-62246113775354690592011-08-15T00:47:00.011+03:002011-08-15T18:39:25.834+03:00

This year, 15 August is Monday and and even those who do not have a long vacation are enjoying at least a "tri-imero (3-day)" leave. And in any case, around 15 August, Athens is almost empty, as most of the Athenians leave for somewhere else for vacation. So those who remain in town, like us, can enjoy empty Athens where without traffic jam and full of parking lots. We thought it was hard to

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-9152747813261825352011-08-06T09:15:00.008+03:002011-08-14T23:57:07.532+03:00

Yesterday we returned from 6 day long vacation in Pelion. Ferry tickets being so expensive and we having bought a car last autumn, we chose somewhere we could reach by road. Pelion might be a less known destination to foreigners, while to Greeks it is probably one of the top, admitting it is rather a from-autumn-to-spring resort. Pelion is well known for these traditional residential buildings

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-81415965394622955912011-07-23T21:35:00.001+03:002011-07-23T21:51:08.204+03:00

On a Friday evening, we were ended up in Panormou and wanted to eat. I searched some interesting place using a mobile internet program and found out Kitromilo was in the short walk distance.The restaurant occupy an old residential building of 3 storeys. I quite liked the indoor space, but as it was a very hot evening (and it was not air-conditionned), we opted to go to the roof top terrace, as

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-51597888753233853762011-07-23T09:32:00.003+03:002011-07-23T10:05:45.699+03:00

It is very hot in Athens these days and we have been ended up on the beach every Sunday.This is a beach near Porto Germeno a few weekends ago.There were MANY people and cars, but as the beach so long it was not difficult to find room to put up our beach parasol. The problem was rather that the wind was blowing so hard that we had to hold our parasol all the time.Although it was a very popular

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-61494778130151884012011-07-07T22:27:00.008+03:002011-07-10T08:38:18.162+03:00

In June we went to a one day trip to Tolo.We have been to there some years ago and we liked the beach and that is why we decided to return. It is a very long sandy beach. Water is warm and calm.Beach parasol and 2 sun beds cost 8 Euro, which I think is too much. We will bring our own equipments next time.After having spent the afternoon at the beach, we went back to a restaurant we went, when we

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-81673947923112383762011-07-03T20:00:00.003+03:002011-07-03T20:13:53.596+03:00

Not yet, but we decided where to go.Before, we were planning to go to Vatika and Kythira Island, However, as we have been to Peloponnese several times in the past months, in the end we said we should go somewhere else. Ferry tickets being so expensive*, we looked for somewhere we can go by car and eventually we decided on Pelion (Pilio). They say we can enjoy both sea and mountain there. Then

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-23169090149748559652011-07-02T08:36:00.006+03:002011-07-03T20:17:03.410+03:00

Visited yesterday ManiMani restaurant near the Acropolis Museum. I think it is well known (or better known) to the foreigners than to the Greeks, because it is well publicized in foreign-language guidebooks.When we entered the restaurant at 8 o'clock there was only a couple of foreigners was eating. Lighting of half of the restaurant was turned off and it was evident that they were not expecting

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-5876815160629563022011-06-26T11:27:00.009+03:002011-06-26T12:27:10.579+03:00

I think I am working a bit too much. On weekdays, 11 hours a day on average, with a few hours of extra work during the weekend if necessary. During weekends, we also go for excursions and trips, so I don't have much time left for blogging. I wonder if I should change the life style.Two weeks ago, we returned to Gazohori in Gazi.This is one of our favorite mezedopoleia in central Athens.Rocket,

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-7060816351118078882011-06-12T09:25:00.005+03:002011-06-12T22:38:24.044+03:00

From the coast of Glyfada I used to see this big W and had been curious what it was about. So, one day we decided to go to see.Getting closer, we leant it was actually called W Cataralla View Sea Side Cafe. Long name without making much sense except for "Sea Side Cafe".Carps! The Japanese people love carps and my grand father used to kept some in his pond, but in Greece I don't seen them often.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-68966863270724171242011-06-04T22:16:00.009+03:002011-06-05T09:52:56.583+03:00

One day trip to Evia.A couple of friends was staying there and invited us to visit them for lunch.It was less than 2 hour drive from Piraeus; if it were from northern Athens, it would be about 1.5 hour, according to our friends who live in Iraklio.We arrived at around 11 o'clock. We thought we should have a rest having a coffee. Stopping at a bakery on the road, I saw unfamiliar bread like

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-33720432300052722832011-05-28T11:32:00.006+03:002011-05-28T12:15:45.765+03:00

One Sunday, we decided to go to Pachi to eat seafood at the seafront.But we got off at a wrong exit of highway and ended up in Nea Peramos.Fortunately for us, there was a seafront also at Nea Peramos and there are seafood restaurants of course.I tried to take a picture of the sea, not the kid, but the mother looked worried as if I were a pedophile. ha ha haI wanted to try one of the restaurants

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-53081886068007788312011-05-14T23:19:00.005+03:002011-05-15T01:06:36.207+03:00

Today was probably the first summer day of 2011; it was really hot and sunny. As it has been pretty chilly until now - unusually for May -, the summery temperature was reassuring.I had to go to the office this morning, but in the afternoon met up with Hubby for a walk and lunch in central Athens.Here is National Garden (Ethnikos Kypos).We headed for the place we had visited once and wanted to go

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-83430433541249165132011-05-08T07:55:00.005+03:002011-05-08T09:01:26.388+03:00

I had to go to work one Saturday morning, and afterwards I met up Hubby for a lunch in central Athens.First we tried mezedopoleio Filema, but all the tables outside were already taken. Hubby, as a good Greek, insisted that we should have lunch al fresco and that is why we went to Fasoli, where we had dinner once and liked it. (The previous visit to Fasoli).When we arrived there were some tables,

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-42901835310976042762011-05-07T10:59:00.005+03:002011-05-14T21:27:12.562+03:00

First time in Karababas.Karababas is a famous souvlaki place in Piraeus. I am not sure why it is famous, but well known among the Greeks of Athens and Piraeus.It is much more elegant than average souvlaki grill restaurants; very clean and no trace of grease.There are about 10 tables in the shop and it does also delivery. Take-out is also possible.There are only 2 main dishes at Karababas: pork

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-80118896453102218282011-05-01T22:55:00.001+03:002011-05-08T23:15:29.542+03:00

Easter Monday was a very fine day; sunny and warm. As the Easter period in general was not so fine, we took advantage of the day to go to see some green.We headed for Porto Germeno/ Aigosthena. It was our second visit.After walking around the ruins of Aigosthena, we had a lunch in one of the fish restaurants. Last time were came here, I think we enter the first restaurant coming from the centre.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-29236862976919258422011-04-30T21:00:00.003+03:002011-04-30T21:16:10.937+03:00

Went to IKEA to buy a coffee table. And as we were there, we took the opportunity to go to the restaurant. IKEA restaurant might not be a great gourmet experience, but it is a nice place to savour 'exotic' European food for a very affordable price.The most famous dish should be Swedish meat balls. (By the way, when the Greeks call them "Souidika keftedakia", I cannot help but laugh). I had rocket

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-54826926927768746052011-04-23T20:34:00.000+03:002011-04-23T22:40:19.768+03:00

When we went to Marathon, we thought we should eat pork chops, as someone told us that Marathon was famous for brizoles (pork chops).I am not sure if it is true, but we found one grill restaurant and stopped there.It is inside the town of Marathon. Decor was basic & rustic. There was a big fire place.The menu was, as in many rural grill restaurants, not long and it did not take us much time to

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-80814778192654674202011-04-22T08:47:00.006+03:002011-04-22T09:10:04.789+03:00

One Friday evening we happened to visit a Korean restaurant in Alimos.I don't think there are many Koreans living in Athens, maybe less numerous than the Japanese in Athens. Most of the Greeks had no clue about what Korean cuisine is.Maybe that is why the menu is more Chinese than Korean and the Korean part is not much translated in English. There are some extra Korean items written on the wall,

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-25872997248094151612011-04-17T10:00:00.001+03:002011-04-17T10:19:32.308+03:00

So. If you live in suburbs of Athens, not that you find much chance to eat in Plaka, while it is the absolute favorite for the common tourists to find somewhere to experience Greek/Athenian dining. Working in tourism industry, I thought I should know what the tourists are eating. Visit to Geros tou Moria was the first of my experiment. And here is the second: Thespis Taverna on Thespidos Street.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-30836544996535656642011-04-16T14:20:00.006+03:002011-04-17T10:10:50.608+03:00

As far as I am aware, serious Lenten fasters are rare among the Greeks. Even so, Greek fastfood shops offer Lenten fastfood for those who want to observe even at fastfood joints (or rather, fastfood joints are trying to be Lenten fasting friendly). We tried some of these Lenten fastfood. First, my favorite fastfood joint, Grigoris. Here is Koulouli with mushroom. Korouli dough was more like pie

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-30483688316789919072011-04-16T10:23:00.006+03:002011-04-16T15:05:33.572+03:00

This happened a couple of weeks ago... We went to Glyfada for a drive. And when Hubby sees a sea, he gets appetite for seafood. So we stopped at a seafood taverna on the sea, To Maridaki. It is not only Hubby, but virtually all the Greeks crave for seafood when they see the sea and sun. The restaurant was full. Although it took some time to attract the waiter's attention, the order was brought

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-44410191179615215332011-04-12T21:05:00.007+03:002011-10-15T10:05:28.959+03:00

Since this Friday, we don't have water in the kitchen. Our building administrator says it is because our tap is broken, but I think it is somehow related to the central water distribution system of the building. Today we had an appointment with a plumber but he just did not show up. I returned early from work to open the door to him. Annoying. Having substantial difficulty in washing dishes and

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-44941994428451468112011-04-09T10:45:00.004+03:002011-04-09T11:06:20.146+03:00

Walking near the Cruise port of Piraeus, we saw this archaeological site. Evidently, the archaeological ruins were discovered during the construction work which was brought to halt. There is an extension of this site on the other side of the street. We had an impression that this construction site has been abandoned for quite a while, although the archaeological remains seemed to be clearned

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-58123709469053843162011-04-06T23:07:00.006+03:002011-04-10T09:39:19.040+03:00

We visited Nemea this weekend. In Nemea there is this rather attractive archaeological site. In Antiquity, Nemea was the site where one of the 4 great games were celebrated. Now, Nemea is more famous for the wine production than for the archaeological site. After the visit to the site, we entered casually two wineries and bought some bottles of wine. It is nice, as we cound try before we buy.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-81071294791830448212011-04-02T11:09:00.002+03:002011-04-02T11:14:30.010+03:00

Collection of the grafitti I saw in the area Gazi-Keramikos-Metaxiourgio. Evidently I took these photos in November 2010. I remember I went there to look for Chinese restaurants and I think I found 4. These photos are by-products.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-14259136770770007072011-04-01T23:46:00.004+03:002011-04-02T07:58:17.615+03:00

In the archaeological site of Delphi, there are cats. Delphic cats. These young ones looked like brothers/sisters. But, then... This one was friendly. We had a good time playing.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-69581778200625542352011-04-01T00:00:00.007+03:002011-04-01T07:38:12.739+03:00

The last extended weekend, we went to Delphi. We wanted to stay a night, but learning that on the Sunday, the archaeological sites were closed, decided to go for just one day drive on the Saturday. One our way to Delphi, stopped at Arachova. It was very nice day and Arachova was very busy with Greek tourists. I don't think they were there for ski; just a leisure drive like the one we were doing.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-70071809111664178072011-03-21T20:13:00.005+02:002011-03-30T23:18:17.950+03:00

Yesterday we visited Marathon.During the winter, archaeological sites and museums offer free entrance and it is a good occasion to visit these places, if you like this kind of stuff.And it is a good occasion to get in touch with nature.Although it is not warm really yet, these little flowers tell us that the spring is coming.Carpet of flowers!We stopped at a psistaria (grill restaurant) for lunch

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-36818778938583603662011-03-19T10:28:00.002+02:002011-03-19T10:36:12.381+02:00

As you have already heard and seen, Japan - my home country- was and is being devastated by earthquake, tsunami and now melt down of nuclear reactors.I don't feel that this blog is not an adequate place to discuss about this, but on the other hand I don't feel like blogging about food either, as you can imagine.The area devastated by earthquake and tsunami is very cold and now that many of them

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-90437910976877156582011-03-06T23:00:00.000+02:002011-03-07T00:35:57.808+02:00

Last Friday evening, after work, we stopped at Ouzou Melathron in Monastiraki for dinner.We intended to visit it for quite a long time, having heard positive opinions from friends & relatives.Probably many of you already know that Ouzou Melathron is a hugely successful restaurant in Thessaloniki and the Monastiraki branch is its first outlet in Athens.For a Friday evening, it wasn't so busy,

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-32125295056254735692011-03-05T09:01:00.001+02:002011-03-07T10:31:44.562+02:00

Found in my archive some forgotten photos from Hydra this summer which. As I feel sorry to delete them, I publish them belatedly.In Hydra it is prohibited to bring in motored vehicles (although I did see one or two trucks that bring garbage etc), beasts of burden are still essential part of ordinary life. They bring construction material, food, water, luggage and human beings. Hubby said they

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-71281915631571741432011-03-01T22:02:00.006+02:002011-03-12T20:09:39.192+02:00

This happened during the Apokries (Carnival) period preceeding the Lent.We went to Thiva (Thebes) to visit this place.Our friend was organizing a costume party in the underground of his shop.The guy dancing in short skirt is our friend. He was a great party guy when he was in university and is still a great party guy even now that he is a father of two.We danced until 3 in the night.Thebe is only

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-38079941966248989252011-02-26T12:16:00.004+02:002011-03-07T12:45:07.208+02:00

Last Saturday, we went to Halkida for university reunion. Not that I did the university of Halkida, but we all studies at University of Pisa, Italy, where I met Hubby.In the past, many young Greeks used to go abroad to study at higher instutions, as there were not many places in Greek universities. Nowadays the number of the Greek students seem to have decreased. But till 15-20 years ago, there

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-56290085294246105832011-02-19T10:56:00.004+02:002011-02-20T10:19:59.005+02:00

Last Saturday, the weather was very fine. We went for a walk in Piraeus taking the opportunity to go to pay the mobile bill at Wind shop.To walk, we needed extra energy. We bought some snacks from a bakery. This is tyropita kourou. While normal tyropita (cheese pie) is made with flaky fyllo or puff pastry, kourou version is made with buscuit like dough. I like this way better, as it is less

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-60431866062813776382011-02-12T14:51:00.007+02:002011-02-13T10:39:22.266+02:00

One Friday evening, Hubby and I visited for the first time a mousiki taverna (taverna with music) in Plaka.Around 8 past in the evening, Mnisikleous street was deserted. We wondered if it was due to the time, to the season, or to the Crisis.(The bright fortress above is Acropolis).Mniskleous Street is in upper Plaka and lined with some music tavernas (Mnesikles is the name of the architect of

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-23404202947853774622011-02-06T09:18:00.002+02:002011-03-07T10:01:38.066+02:00

The other Sunday, we went to Brauron (Vravrona) to see the archaeological site.The road was pleasant and the scenery was green, and our expectation got high. However, unfortunately the archaeological site was closed. In front of the site, there was a sign saying that the site was closed from 11 January. I am guessing that it will reopen by the summer, but you'd better check before going.We could

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-78126508288718317652011-01-29T12:47:00.009+02:002011-01-29T17:06:32.515+02:00

Revisited Nafplio in early January.I think I have been there already 3 times and this is the 4th visit to me, but it is the 2nd for Hubby.Here is Syntagma Square and Palamidi.I think that many people were still on vacation, but the town was almost empty and we saw very few visitors.We walked around a bit and then entered a taverna for lunch. It is called To Omorfo Tavernaki (Beautiful Small

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-69829713454465267442011-01-29T11:47:00.001+02:002011-01-29T11:53:29.476+02:00

Publicity poster I saw at Athens Airport.

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-84674713944112521292011-01-29T10:32:00.005+02:002011-01-29T10:55:19.503+02:00

As everyone would expect there is MacDonald's at Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens) Airport.The food/drink at the airport is more expensive to do the same in town. Even Grigoris charges more at the Airport. However, philo-laikos MacDonald's sells the food at (almost) the same price in town. (I wrote 'almost' just because I did not compared the price lists, but my impression is that the price is

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-74796165725768462222011-01-29T10:25:00.001+02:002011-01-29T10:31:45.230+02:00

Airplane meal on Turkish Airways, From Narita (Tokyo) to Istanbul.On the airplane from Istanbul to Narita, there was a ban on all sorts of digital equipments including digital cameras and I could not take any photo. There was no such ban on the return flight. I guess the first airplane was very old and that was why (Do you remember that in the past, all the digital equipments like laptops, cd

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-17560836571496023442011-01-22T09:43:00.000+02:002011-01-22T10:22:15.481+02:00

I have not been blogging for a while.I was sick first, then went to Japan and back, and lastly have been very busy with job.Today is the first day off since my return to Greece and finally find time and mood to write something.The below photos were taken several days after the New Year's Day.Although I was not really feeling well, had to go to Athens to buy some gifts to bring to Japan. After

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-34070757696498117412011-01-02T15:29:00.003+02:002011-01-02T20:20:27.599+02:00

I am still pretty sick and have not yet gone out to breath 2011 air.Thus, I am continuing to post the photos of 2010.Some days before the end of the year, we stopped at Kalithea branch of Savvas restaurant.I have seen some branches around Athens and I guess there is a connection to that Savvas in Monastiraki. I found a website, but it does not have any content at the moment of writing.http://

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-2744045615219934722011-01-02T09:00:00.001+02:002011-01-02T09:12:21.668+02:00

Happy New Year!Did you have a happy and gay holidays? Not like me?I caught a bad cold on 30 December and slept from 31st December late afternoon and the whole 1st of January. Now the fever has past, but I cannot still eat solid food.So, I don't have any photos of 2011 and the below were from 2010.When we went to Rafina on 26 December, we bought some cakes from a zacharoplasteio (patisserie)

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-71551505131908222022010-12-26T23:34:00.007+02:002010-12-27T22:07:42.208+02:00

For the first time we went to the mythical Rafina.To you, there might be nothing mythical about Rafina, but for us who had not had car for a long time, it was a place where every one of our friends has been to and so much talked about, but we have never seen in our own eyes.To be honest, to be such a mythical place, we did not find anything special.We entered one of fish tavernas with view.These

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-88408922682189130252010-12-25T09:59:00.007+02:002010-12-25T11:19:03.152+02:00

Happy Christmas and other holidays!!!But this year Christmas coincided with Saturday and we lost one national holiday. A shame.Never mind. Yesterday Friday we Hubby & I finished work (I was ousted from the office, although I had not really finished work!) at 2:30 and met up in Syntagma.It was not only us who want to do the same and most of the restaurants and cafeteries were absolutely packed

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-62643398327020833062010-12-19T20:10:00.007+02:002010-12-19T20:50:58.593+02:00

Next Saturday is Christmas.Did you know that?As I had a very busy week, I was not thinking about it and now I realize it is so close. We did not even manage to prepare Christmas tree (and if it isn't ready yet, I am not sure if we can make it in time until 25th Dec.)Today, although it was Sunday, the shops were open for Christmas shopping. The shops were to open also last Sunday, but it did not

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-17650730592092242952010-12-18T09:57:00.006+02:002010-12-18T10:41:02.920+02:00

It was a difficult week for me (and probably for most of the Athenians).The public transport was paralized for about 3 days and the commuters were constrained to use private car. Obviously the roads were heavily congested and many people spent twice much time than usual to get to work place and to go home.It was even more painful, as the gas price went up again by 7 or 8%. 1 litre of gas costs

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-56520034356660803302010-12-07T07:08:00.002+02:002010-12-07T07:27:24.572+02:00

I heard that all the public transportations in Athens & the National Railways will stage 24 hour strike on 8th December 2010 (Wednesday). *******************************Yesterday I went to Omonia station at 6 past. I know. I should not go there, but I had to for my job.Getting off the metro, I saw a young woman with her face covered with white powder. I was wondering if she was sick or something

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-43506107311224133532010-12-05T07:31:00.003+02:002010-12-05T07:43:00.669+02:00

I have of some cases of foreign tourists who shopped in Ermou avenue and were refused VAT refund forms. They could not get the refund. I am not sure how many tourists read this Blog, but I want to warn anyway.So, what happened? These tourists were falsely convinced by the shop sellers that the VAT refund forms were available only at the airport and they should bring the normal receipts to the VAT

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-33152208280179085362010-12-04T08:16:00.009+02:002010-12-04T12:19:28.702+02:00

It was Friday yesterday and we felt a need to do something different.This something different wasn't so different after all: we met up in Ampelokipi and were to decide what to do.When Hubby arrived he was very pale. He said he was very tired. So we did not walk around (although I did it alone before he arrived)and sat down in a cafe-restaurant called "Agora" just by Ampelokipi Metro station.I

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-63348272094638698142010-12-01T22:03:00.000+02:002010-12-01T22:04:20.533+02:00

When we went to Arta, we stopped at Galaxidi on our way back.We found this attractive mezedopoleio and decided to have lunch.As Galaxisidi is by the sea, most of the restaurants are concentrated in the seaside area, but this one is inside the down and there is no view whatsoever. The traditional architecture, however, is charming enough to make it up.On seating, a waiter brought us 3 small jugs

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-44720121707870325922010-11-27T13:08:00.004+02:002010-11-28T09:43:51.311+02:00

Continue about Arta...This is a view of a commercial street in Arta from our hotel room. We stayed at a hotel called Amvrakia I think. There are only 2 hotels in Arta town and this is the cheaper one. We paid 45 Euros per night for a double room inclusive of breakfast (standard Greek, i.e. basically continental).Driving past Arta's countryside, we saw a lot of cattle. They should have good

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-27342936403469630212010-11-20T10:29:00.006+02:002010-11-20T11:25:30.249+02:00

On the way to Arta, we stopped at Amphilochia for a late lunch.As the town is on the Ambrachian Gulf, our choice was necessarily focused on fish restaurants. Not knowing any place, we just entered in a restaurant which had more people inside (to be honest, it wasn't so much people, as it was really late lunch even by Greek standard).We ordered 4 dishes. First to arrive were, as always, cold

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-17181845694758393562010-11-18T23:35:00.003+02:002010-11-18T23:58:28.328+02:00

Since 2004, the year of Athens Olympic Games, the Streit of Rio-Andirrio can be crossed through bridge.However, it is still possible to cross it by ferry, just as in the past.During a recent weekend trip, we used a ferry to cross the streit, after visiting the Fortress of Rio, also known as the Castle of the Morea.The ferry is more for vehicles than for humans. We paid 6.50 Euros, about the half

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-46089713202452226792010-11-06T08:49:00.008+02:002010-11-06T10:13:16.214+02:00

One day, walking around Glyfada, we found this Japanese restaurant called Yuzo.It is a very small shop specialised in sushi. It had very good reviews on Tripadvisor and food4you, though they are a couple of years old, I thought it was worth a try.It was wrong. :DYesterday, we went back to the restaurant. Walking inside, we saw a young Greek waitress, an East-Asian cook (who turned out to be

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-20387876879494326432010-11-03T20:58:00.000+02:002010-11-06T21:27:45.921+02:00

We visited Parnitha mountain with friends.The idea was to have a coffee at the casino establishment on top of the mountain enjoying the view. Then we found out that the restaurant serves coffee in an area where there is no view whatsoever.That is life. We just enjoyed coffee & chat. Without view.On the way back, only Hubby & I stopped at one of many psistaries lining the road leading up to

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-20094844383204677752010-10-30T07:56:00.004+03:002010-10-30T08:29:46.596+03:00

Archaeology and Glyfada....We don't usually associate these two, but even in Glyfada there is a small archaeological site.It is a foundation of 5th century basilica.It is only a bare foundation, but the plan of the church is quite clear.You should be able to discern the apsis clearly in this photo.Speaking about the archaeology, have you seen the contracted workers of the Ministry of Culture

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-34842673770234430302010-10-28T09:48:00.003+03:002010-10-28T11:07:29.853+03:00

Really, we went to go to a place in Alimos.But it was full because of a post-baptism party.Then we went to another restaurant we wanted to go in Glyfada. Again, it was full of the post-baptismal crowd.So we ended up in this psistaria in Glyfada.Sprite turned up in a unfamiliar glass bottle with plastic cap. I have never seen this before.Cucumber & Tomato salad. We did not order Greek salad,

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-60954351393943863462010-10-24T11:29:00.003+03:002010-10-24T11:39:22.124+03:00

Last weekend we went to the fish taverna Ta Vrahia tis Peiraikis in Peiraiki.We did not have a scrumptious meal. Yes. But we ate to the full.The bill was only 20 Euros.Here is the report on Gate to Greece.Ta Vrahia tis PeiraikisThe food was reasonably good and the French fries were excellent. Why not?

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17538396.post-21187436659221993002010-10-23T08:22:00.004+03:002010-10-23T09:26:53.903+03:00

We went to Ossios Loukas recently.We thought to be able to find a taverna nearby, but couldn't. Se we went up to Agia Anna where we knew that there are tavernes.After half an hour of drive we stopped at a place called Elikonio.When we entered, we did not know it was a psistaria (restaurant specialised in grilled meat), but anyway we were expecting to eat meat and it wasn't a problem.As it happens

mesogeiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17856489236736096201noreply@blogger.com0