Weekend breaks are the thing of sanity! The
option to check out by checking in to another city – another culture. And
Athens offers all that and more. A dose of history in a vibrant slightly
spiky city fill of unashamedly patriotic Greeks. Quite obviously, we had
to do the history thing so my friend and I visited the museum before sipping
wine with a view of the Acropolis but the food tour the next day was the
highlight for this hungry blogger.
Booked via viator, the Athena
Food Tour was led by Anais who did a superb job wrangling the American
honeymooners, the Russian duo and the slightly hungover Brits. Meeting at
the unholy hour of 9:30 in the morning, we started with koulouri which is the
traditional weekday Greek breakfast – essentially a sesame seed covered slightly dry bagel. Sweet fulfilling but think I might stick to fruit – efkaristo.
As a savory girl through and through, the next stop
for Loukoumades scared me. Ethereally light honey and cinnamon
covered Greek donuts which at one point were given to the victors at sporting
events served in an Athenian institution. What happened if I didn’t like
them? Would I be barred from the country? While tooth achingly
sweet, they were rather moreish – even for me!
Almost as an anecdote, we then plunged into the central
Athens (Varakios Agora) market – a wonderland for the committed cook.
Used by Grannies and restaurants alike, the produce was simply beautiful –
although the wet floors of the fishmarket brought out the princess in me as I
raised my skirts and tiptoed swiftly through the chaos. This is most
definitely not just for show and I had to keep reminding myself we were leaving
the next day or I might have bought several pounds of meat.
Anais explained that while the Greek diet was healthy,
it was originally slightly limited as it was focused on local seasonal produce
so you will see the same ingredients in different dishes. And the Greeks
love their nuts and sesame seeds. Halva, Tahini and koulouri all draw on
sesame seeds with Halva being the sweet option around Easter for those who have
cut chocolate out of their diet.
By now, we were tired and high on sugar so a quick
stop in a local meze restaurant (Stou Meidani) was welcome. If you make
Tzatziki, you are probably doing it wrong. Honestly, I promise I’m not
lying. The jolt of garlic served up in this creamy yoghurt and cucumber
was out of this world and next time I enjoy a late-night kebab, I believe I
might shed a tear thinking about it. The Courgette Balls and Bouyardi
Feta (baked feta in a tomato sauce) were good too but honestly, I might sell
the less useful members of my family for some of that Tzatziki.
Then in quick succession, we visited a
local cold meat seller, spice store and bakery. Committed cooks will get
lost in Fotsis discussing the various herbs, teas and spices on offer. A
feast for the senses as well as the eyes
I adore delis – even those which seem more
upmarket than practical and Anais led us into a gorgeous shop full of
sandwashed wooden shelves holding all manner of wine, liquor, oils and of
course cheese. Clustered around a table
we nibbled on real Greek yoghurt, tasted olive oil and enjoyed Mastic
Tears. Produced on Chios – and only
produced on Chios due to its unique climate, Mastic is a resin of a particular
tree which can either be used as a gum (mastic – think about it) or more recently
turned into a liquor. Personally, I’m
sticking to Honey Bourbon but when in Athens I suppose.
The Tour was rounded off with a Souvlaki –
in a gorgeous soft pillow of a pita with tomatoes, chips and tzatziki in the colorful
neighborhood of Syntagma. Athens is a
living breathing city as well as the home to some truly amazing antiquities and
Syntagma is where the young Greeks go out at night – trendy, littered with gorgeous
bars and great little restaurants in a urban setting. I can’t recommend it more.
And with that my friend and I nipped off
to have a cocktail overlooking the Acropolis to rest our feet and generally enjoy
being warm! Athens Food tour? Sign me up for more!
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @alittleofwhatyou
Lx
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