Below the Temple of Hephaestus, the beautiful and well-preserved ancient temple that most of us know as Thiseion, is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. Its famous “Tarraza” has the most beautiful overlook, offering stunning views of the Acropolis.

13

Kuzina restaurant is housed in an old mansion of unique architecture, which combines a warm and unpretentious environment with an inspired menu designed by the famous chef Aris Tsanaklidis. The menu concept is based on modern Greek cuisine with fusion influences. The fine raw materials used and the way of cooking, offer a unique culinary experience. Kuzina has been recommended for many years by Michelin Guide and Gogobot Guide, and the BBC has included it in its list of the 10 best restaurants with a view of the world.

The menu changes twice a year: it is based on fresh seasonal ingredients to offer cooler options in summer and warmer flavours in winter. However, it always maintains certain dishes that are popular with the Athenian public and constitute the “constant values” of its menu.

Our gastronomic journey at Kuzina a few days ago started with a delicious tart with mushrooms, truffle, goat cheese and Naxos gruyere, a very tender tenderloin in a Rhodian Ladopita (traditional pie from Rhodes) with piquant sauce, caramelized onions and yoghurt, and a fresh and very tasty macrobiotic salad with seasonal vegetables and tahini sauce.

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Each main course hides a pleasant surprise. Pasta lovers should try the fresh Cretan pasta (skioufikta) with pumpkin, mushrooms, apaki (traditional Cretan smoked and salted meat), spinach, hazelnuts and sour cream, while meat lovers will probably have a hard time choosing between the extra slow-roasted pork (12 hours) with celeriac puree & Florina peppers sauce or the black angus rib eye with baby potatoes, caramelized chicory & pepper sauce. Note that the menu offers plenty of other fine meat and fish options.

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Combine your dinner with the wine of your choice, choosing from a variety of wines from Greek and foreign producers, while before you start your gastronomic journey at your table, we suggest you enjoy a cocktail at Kuzina’s bar.

The desserts were a real “revelation”: tarte tatin with quince & crème fraîche and saragli (pistachio baklava rolls) with pistachio ice cream and thyme honey.

Chef Aris Tsanaklidis

Aris Tsanaklidis studied political science, but his passion has always been gastronomy. This passion led him to study at the Culinary Institute of America. He pursued a career in various cities and countries around the world: New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Virgin Islands.

This patchwork of images, flavours, colours and cultural references has shaped the character of his cuisine. He returned to Greece in 1992 and has since established himself as one of the most imaginative and creative chefs on the gastronomic scene.

His philosophy at Kuzina combines the Greek nature’s purest ingredients with a creative and fusion dimension.

Visit: www.cuzina.gr

9, Andianou Str, Thiseio, +30 210 3240133