A diverse offering twixt the interesting, the unusual, and the amusing.
Friday 15 March 2019
Note the address. Retsina Greek Restaurant, Belsize Park, N London.
When choosing a restaurant back in the UK (or elsewhere), I would regularly plump for Greek.
The cooking is usually simple but beautifully prepared. Oregano, Lemon, and Olive Oil are regularly employed to enhance meat dishes, and fish is prepared with a minimum of fuss. Very few (French style) fancy sauces are used, and fresh produce is allowed to speak for itself.
Personally I think the Greeks have it right, they are people who love to prepare and consume; and they make it known. Anyone who has eaten in a Greek beach-side taverna will know exactly what I mean.
Above is what you can expect at most good Greek family-run restaurants. Mr Ramsay seems to agree with me.
Just look at that Greek Mama in the kitchen; what a lovely woman!
The food in Greece was wonderful when I visited some years ago. We have a Greek restaurant in a town nearby and every time we go there with friends it is a delightful experience.
I should have been the first to comment on this but instead woke up to the horrific attack in NZ and have been watching the BBC. There's going to changes in NZs safe and peace loving society alas. Ive seen this video of Ramsey before. It certainly shows the best side of the greeks. They have a word for their hospitality 'filoxenia' which literally means making strangers into friends. Their food of course, ours at least, our=tside the city is fresh and healthy, made from scratch always. The only compalint I have about greek cuisine after 40 odd years is its lack of variety and their unwillingness to explore and try new tastes. However, if you want the best tehn this places sounds excellent. Good for you Cro!!! Youre a great advert. I hope you may have at least one more of those days sitting beside the sea with a glass of retsina and a plate of octopus. I'll be happy to guide yo to the best on our island of Poros!!
I don't really mind the lack of variety. They know what they do best, and stick to it. They are usually also very proud of their native dishes, and offer them daily. I like all that; with a bottle of Retsina too.
We've had a couple disappointing experiences eating Greek. Mrs G once said: This food's not very warm. The waiter: Greek food is not supposed to be hot.
I don't know what to make of it. I know another Greek place where I can see what people are eating as they have tables on the pavement. I look at their plates as I pass by and think it doesn't look that great.
Perhaps I should give Greek another go.
The attack had to be expected in view of the 35,000 terrorist attacks around the world since 9/11, but certainly not in NZ. I would've expected it in Belgium, Germany, France or the USA. To is Friday so I'd advise keep away from crowds in case of reprisals.
I don't think I've ever had a poor quality meal in a Greek restaurant. I do tend to choose dishes that I know they will do well. In Greece I usually choose fish, and in Europe more slow cooked roasts or pasta dishes.
Greeks think food should be served warm and cannot understand how hot food can be enjoyable. Maybe because of the hot summer temps. Never really warmed to that theory myself
Your post has made me impatient for my forthcoming trip to the Peloponnese next month. I have never visited Greece before, although my husband made a brief stop on his honeymoon cruise (with 1st wife) back in 1975. I suppose things will have changed a little since then.
Little Korea
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In an old post I bemoaned the much maligned phenomenon of the dinner party.
It still exists I guess, outside the old formalities, but now it’s called ...
THE BELLS ..... THE BELLS ..........
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*I guess we all have good things and bad things about where we live. One of
the lovely things about where our house is, is that it's a stones throw
aw...
2 weeks ago
Optimistic Cro!
The difference between an optimist and a pessimist, is that the optimist enjoys himself whilst waiting for the inevitable! I AM that optimist!
This is a daily, optimistic, 'photos and comments' blog. I make no judgements (only occasionally), just notes. If you wish to comment in any way at all, please feel free. Everything and everyone (except the obdurate and dictatorial) is very welcome.
I was born just south of London, but for the past 50 years I've lived in S W France. I am a painter by profession, and writer by desire. Lady Magnon and I live between an ancient cottage in a tiny village in perfectly tranquil French countryside, and a bijou townhouse in Brighton UK. In France we have plenty of fruit trees, all situated amongst a view that takes the breath away, in the UK we have a handkerchief sized patio. We also have a Border Collie called Billy. I try to treat our planet with respect, and encourage others to do likewise (without preaching).
Contentment is a glass of red, a plate of charcuterie, and a slice of good country bread. Perfect!
Yes, Greek food is amazing, great for meat eater like me, simple and meat. What more can I say.
ReplyDeleteAnd Greek restaurateurs are usually great fun too. I've had some great times in Greek restos.
DeleteThe food in Greece was wonderful when I visited some years ago. We have a Greek restaurant in a town nearby and every time we go there with friends it is a delightful experience.
ReplyDeleteUsually never a dull moment, and the food's great too.
DeleteA Greek beach-side taverna - happy days!
ReplyDeleteI still dream of some I've known.
DeleteI should have been the first to comment on this but instead woke up to the horrific attack in NZ and have been watching the BBC. There's going to changes in NZs safe and peace loving society alas.
ReplyDeleteIve seen this video of Ramsey before. It certainly shows the best side of the greeks. They have a word for their hospitality 'filoxenia' which literally means making strangers into friends. Their food of course, ours at least, our=tside the city is fresh and healthy, made from scratch always. The only compalint I have about greek cuisine after 40 odd years is its lack of variety and their unwillingness to explore and try new tastes.
However, if you want the best tehn this places sounds excellent. Good for you Cro!!! Youre a great advert. I hope you may have at least one more of those days sitting beside the sea with a glass of retsina and a plate of octopus.
I'll be happy to guide yo to the best on our island of Poros!!
I don't really mind the lack of variety. They know what they do best, and stick to it. They are usually also very proud of their native dishes, and offer them daily. I like all that; with a bottle of Retsina too.
Delete49 dead, and many more injured, in NZ. What do these people think they gain by their actions. I have no words!
DeleteWe've had a couple disappointing experiences eating Greek. Mrs G once said: This food's not very warm.
ReplyDeleteThe waiter: Greek food is not supposed to be hot.
I don't know what to make of it. I know another Greek place where I can see what people are eating as they have tables on the pavement. I look at their plates as I pass by and think it doesn't look that great.
Perhaps I should give Greek another go.
The attack had to be expected in view of the 35,000 terrorist attacks around the world since 9/11, but certainly not in NZ. I would've expected it in Belgium, Germany, France or the USA. To is Friday so I'd advise keep away from crowds in case of reprisals.
I don't think I've ever had a poor quality meal in a Greek restaurant. I do tend to choose dishes that I know they will do well. In Greece I usually choose fish, and in Europe more slow cooked roasts or pasta dishes.
DeleteGreeks think food should be served warm and cannot understand how hot food can be enjoyable. Maybe because of the hot summer temps. Never really warmed to that theory myself
DeleteYour post has made me impatient for my forthcoming trip to the Peloponnese next month. I have never visited Greece before, although my husband made a brief stop on his honeymoon cruise (with 1st wife) back in 1975. I suppose things will have changed a little since then.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I envy you!
DeleteI remember a great night at a Greek restaurant in Paris. Best kebabs ever and a lot of broken crockery at the end of the evening.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly know how to enjoy themselves! I once left a Greek restaurant in Chester, swimming in about a foot of water!!! Don't ask!
DeleteI'm in favor of the Greek food, too.
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to hear about the attack on Tel Aviv; I hope your father was OK.
DeleteTake him to a Greek restaurant.
This made me so hungry ( I read your blog in the morning) what a wonderful lunch.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
I must say, I would love to be in that restaurant at any time of day.
DeleteI love Greek food too Cro - they cook simply and with the minimum of fuss but it always tastes divine.
ReplyDeleteThat's it. Respect for both the product and the process. It's a simple approach, but the Greeks seem to do it best.
Delete