Although Petralona is now on the radar of every clued-up visitor, even ten years ago the area was home to only a handful of traditional tavernas, and in winter there were solitary beacons of light amid the culinary darkness. Skip to today and an intrepid group of upstarts are shaking up the dining scene, bringing an irreverent spin on Greek traditional cuisine and introducing elements from far and wide.
Blue Bamboo
Coming up to a decade of bringing the authentic tastes of Thailand to the streets of Petralona, Blue Bamboo has become a firm favourite for diners in search of exotic flavours. A stylish, minimalist space in blue and white with shared tables and benches, there is an open kitchen where you can watch the magic unfold before your eyes. A central bar island mixes up great cocktails to accompany your classic Thai dishes or you can take a glass of wine from an international list. A super soundtrack plays in the background but if you prepare the sound of the waves to accompany your Massaman curry, head out to Serifos where an outpost opens for summer.
Address: Blue Bamboo, Kidantidon 24, Ano Petralona, 11851 (Tel.:21034 23124)
Chez Lucien
Ooh la la! Imagine yourself in a Parisian bistro with vivid red walls, black tables and art deco gold accounts. So far, so French. Owner Lucien Lescanne has offered his repertoire of French brasserie classics for twenty years, honing and perfecting each dish on the small menu. Unlike the haughty service sometimes encountered in the French capital, here the staff are polite and helpful and always at hand for discrete recommendations. The french wine list is, of course, magnifique.
Address: Chez Lucien – Le Petit Bistro. Troon 32, Ano Petralona, 11851 (Tel.:21034 10590)
Herve
A visit to Herve begins with a secret code and the intrigue continues all night in one of Athens’ most idiosyncratic restaurants. Named after Italo-French chef Herve Pronzato, the interior is a dark space dominated by a green marble topped bar with huge graffitied murals by local artist misterachilles. It is haute cuisine, for sure, but dished up with a side order of attitude. Based around Greek traditional ingredients, the dishes are allied with international influences from France, South America, and Asia. The single degustation menu is a 16 course tour-de-force which has been acknowledged by the Michelin Guide with a star. In an open kitchen, the theatre plays out as chefs dance around each other sending out vibrant, creative and occasionally whimsical dishes. There are various wine and cocktail pairings, while the staff are knowledgeable and genuinely keen to be a part of your gastronomic journey.
Address: Herve, Trion Ierarchon 172, Ano Petralona, 11852 (Tel.:21034 71332)
To Kreas
A modernist-era building has been beautifully converted into a bright and attractive restaurant with a roof terrace ideal for sultry, summer nights. A Josper oven, a huge charcoal grill where the temperature can be controlled very accurately, is the star of the kitchen. To Kreas means The Meat, and it is certainly the star here with South American cuts of Black Angus beef, Iberico Pork, and Pyrenean Lamb. Vegetarians won’t miss out, though, with inventive salads and vegetables artfully imparted with deep, smoky flavours from the oven. There is a good Greek-led wine list, and, for once in a steak restaurant, a decent dessert selection.
Address: To Kreas, Dimofontos 96, Ano Petralona, 11852 (Tel.:21032 47028)
Rantevou
On a corner of Merkouri Square, Rantevou is an unpretentious mezedopoleio, a Tapas style café, with delicious Greek and middle eastern inspired mezes. Think Lebanese cheese salad, fantastic falafel, fluffy chicken biryani, punchy hummus, bright tabbouleh scattered with pomegranate, cumin scented baked cauliflower and Greek classics such as octopus, dakos, and horta, all washed down with a great selection of Tsipouro, Ouzo, local wine and craft beers. There is a nice 60’s vibe to the place with a sweet and relaxed service, but be prepared to wait for one of the handful of outdoor tables at busy times as this is a prime people-watching spot on Petralona’s busiest square.
Address: Rantevou, Arkadon 8, Ano Petralona, 11852 (Tel.:21034 77961)
Read also:
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